And then there were 3

 Meet Ruby, our newest team member, in charge of Security, Fitness and Entertainment

Our first sight of Ruby (then called Alexis) taken in a rescue centre in Cypress, just before coming to the UK. Jenna (daughter) knew who was receiving her and sent us this photo). We met her the day after she arrived with a view of fostering her in order to find her a new home, but we felt that she was so nervous it would not be fair. She came round to us the following day - and the rest is history.

We did not think that Alexis suited her (and she did not answer to it - just a name on her passport) so Chris asked for suggestions on Face Book. Whilst the suggestions were coming through, Chris asked me if I had remembered that it was our anniversary in a couple of weeks, I said I had, but then asked me if I had realised that it was our Ruby anniversary and that I had to buy her a Ruby! So I said I had already bought her one and Ruby's was christened!

From what we believe she was bred as a hunting dog but didn't make the grade (absolutely terrified if a gun goes off, or hears fireworks) so was kicked out and spent some of her first year on the streets. Eventually taken in by a family, but would not eat or come out of her kennel, so they took her to a rescue centre run by an English lady and said that if she couldn't take her they would have to have her put down. They tried to rehome her in Cypress, but she would hide when anyone came to look, so after 12 months they sent her to the UK. One thing that the center did have that she liked was a number of settee's, so would make herself comfortable whenever she had the chance (and still does today).

It took a long time for her to settle in and get used to people. She came with a crate (cage) and advised to let her sleep in there for a few months. And to start with we had to feed her in there, as she was too nervous to eat anywhere else. After about 5 months we swapped the blankets in the crate for a small dog bed and about a month after that took the crate away and left the bed in place, which we soon moved into our bedroom, where she sleeps now. 

In many ways it was fortunate we had her between lockdowns, which gave her plenty of time to get used to us before she being exposed to other people. We live in a Close and when the weather was good, after a message on the 'Close Encounters' WhatsApp group, all the neighbours would sit out at the end of their garden for a socially distanced drink. It didn't take too long for Ruby to be tempted to rove around the other groups, tempted by various biscuits and treats.

But she does have her naughty moments!

This was a large stuffed toy, she had played with for a while, that suddenly became unstuffed!

Generally Ruby is a very clean dog, she can get really muddy when she goes running in the field, but by the time she is home it has all fallen off! Except if she has managed to roll in fox poo! Then she stinks, and its straight in the bath when we get home.