My Pethood Story
Pet’s are a big thing here in the UK. So many people have them and love them. They are, for many people, more than just a pet they are a family member.
This was shown clearly with the Petplan Pet Census, which was the largest ever look at pets and how people viewed them within the UK.
This survey was completed by over 60,000 pet owners, offering a real insight into pet ownership right now.
While many people in the census, saw their pets as the family they could choose themselves, I will always believe that Sally picked me.
Sally and Me.
Sally came into my life 13 years ago now. She herself is unbelievably 18, having been 5 when I adopted her.
She wasn’t originally mine, and I’ve always been open about the fact that while she loved me from day one, I didn’t bond with her.
It took a long time for my side of the bond to grow and form, but it was as though she knew from the moment she met me she was meant for me alone.
Petplan Pet Insurance have asked me to talk about my #PethoodStory, so here’s a little more about Sally and me.
Sally Saved Me.
Sally came into my life at a time when I was stuck in the cycle of abusive relationships and whilst I couldn’t see what people were doing to me.
My eyes were wide open about what they were doing to her.
I actually taught her to jump out the flat windows when I first had her, as he would forget to feed her or let her out for a toilet trip. Something which I came to regret later when I moved into a 1st floor flat and would always worry she would take a head dive out of them.
She helped me to see what was going on wasn’t right and together we walked away.
For a while, she had to live with my parents as I was in a refuge and I will never forget their kindness in looking after her for those 9 months.
My Mum often talks of when she would come and meet me with Sally over in the park and Sally would have to check everyone walking past. Straining to look into the distance waiting for me to appear.
Moving Back in Together.
I loved mine and Sally’s first flat. I proudly sent out moving home cards which caused some confusion among the wider family as to who Sally was.
These days she’s well known and loved by everyone.
In our years together alone we became very close. She was my reason to get up in the morning, she needed me to look after her and I couldn’t let her down.
In the times I feel like self-harming she will sit on me and pin me down, she can read me these days better than I can myself, knowing when my moods will swing.
Of course, at 18 she needs a little more TLC than before, she’s a little hard of hearing and a little blind, her legs don’t work like they used to.
But no matter what she will always be my Sally. The dog who saved me.
There are some other amazing Pethood Stories to check out so why not spend some time reading them.
Do you have a pet, what is your special moment or memory with them?
This post is in conjunction with Petplan but all thoughts are my own.
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Beautiful article Sarah, Sally was a gorgeous dog and definitely meant for you.
Thank you so much – I miss her so much, I just want to give her a hug.
They are with us forever, aren’t they? Beautiful article.
They really are – it breaks my heart I can just give her some love.
Sally seems like a great best friend
You and Sally share such a special bond 🙂 animals play such an important part in their owners lives x
Thank you so much – she is a very special doggo!
There is a special bond between a owner and it’s dog, and it really shows here.
Honestly I have been so lucky with her she is a star!
Sally is one of the most amazing doggo’s I’ve ever seen. I love how huge a part of your life she has been, and I bet she feels as lucky to have you as you do to have her.
She really is utterly amazing, I don’t know what I did right to get her.
She sounds like a wonderful dog! I know it’s probably not fair to say but I don’t think I will ever understand people who don’t like pets. We have two cats and they just give me so much joy.
I think I am with you, I couldn’t understand it either, I respect their choice of course, but understand it I cannot.
What a lovely story. We would love to get a dog in the future.
I hope you get a lovely dog of your own one day!
Keeping a pet for 13 long years is amazing and I’m sure she must be like a part of your family know. I am myself seeing her photos on social media since the last 3 years since I’ve known you.
She really is part of the family, I don’t know what I’m going to do when she goes, I don’t like to think she will ever go. Haha
We have a Beagle that chose to love with us after a rocky start as a lab dog and a spell in Dog’s Trust, he used to live in our local pub, but when his owners had to leave we fostered him as he used to come and stay with us sometimes anyway…… that was just before his 6th birthday, he’s now 10 and won’t be going anywhere else. He makes such a difference to me as just stroking and cuddling him calms me down and can stop me going into meltdowns.
Oh bless, looks like he found his home! It is amazing the difference a pet can have when it comes to calming and grounding you.
I could not agree more to what you have said here. Having a pet is having an additional member to the family. Mad respect to those who have some.
It really is, they need a lot of care and attention but are definitely worth it.
This is such a lovely story of bonding, love, loyalty and friendship. Our Bella came into our life as a pup. She became our whole world and has gotten us through a lot. She is my best friend and snuggle buddy.
Aww bless, it really is amazing the difference animals can make to us isn’t it?
Thanks for sharing sweet story. A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.
Most definitely it’s amazing they can love like that.
I think pets have become popular everywhere. I love that people are showing so much care to their pets and it’s a big focus now.
They are great aren’t they – such important parts of our lives.
Dogs are amazing. I wish I had one of my own! They are wonderful 🙂
They really are incredible. we are lucky as humans to have them.
I love how you say Sally chose you. We feel that way about our rescue kittens.
I understand the part about saving you. My Tango was with me at the hardest times of my life and I don’t know what I would have done without him. He licked my tears, cuddled with me, and was always there. We love our family fun babies!
It is amazing how incredible animals are and the things they can do to help us.
It’s an amazing story. You both helped each other, meant to be together. I do not have a pet but planning to adopt a dog soon.
I hope you find the perfect dog for you soon!
Pets are always a part of the family. The most important part. They are so lovely!
They really are aren’t they, just an incredible addition.
I love the bond between you and Sally. I love being around my pets too. I have 9 cats and recently adopted a stray dog. They are more like family to me.
Oh wow what an incredible sounding pet family you have!
Pets really can give peoples lives meaning and help them through the toughest of times. I’m so sorry to hear about some of the things you’ve been through but I’m glad you had Sally to help you keep fighting x
She has been a little angel that’s for sure, amazing how animals do help.
I love your story about your sweet Sally!! I think everyone needs a dog…there is no other love like it!!
There really isn’t they are just so unconditional.
I grew up with hunting dogs that we weren’t allowed to play with. My dad supplied all our meat from the wild, so it was serious business to leave the dogs alone. We did have our cats, though!
I can imagine in that setting it is so different!
What a lovely dog and such a sweet bond. Than you for sharing your story.
She really is a beautiful dog with such a sweet heart.
I’m so glad that you have Sally in your life. It truly sounds like you both rescued each other.
I think we probably did. She is an amazing dog.
There is definitely something extremely special about dogs. We’ve already bonded with our new puppy in just a couple of months.
Aww yay! I am glad your pup has slotted in well. I think that fact Sal was so closed off didn’t help she wasn’t what I knew of dogs, if I Was to do it over I would be ready for it and know what it took time, but when your suddenly hit with a dog that doesn’t dog it can hit you hard lol.
Sally looks so sweet. This article is sweet. I’m so glad she found you and you found her. Pets do have such a way of stealing out hearts!
It’s like they know how to just creep on in.
What a gorgeous sweet dog! The pethood plan seems like real assurance.
It is great, I don’t know what we would have done if we didn’t have insurance over the years.
What a wonderful story. It’s always nice to hear about all of the different ways pets touch lives. Your Sally is a special girl for sure!
She really is I don’t think there’s another one like her out there.
This is such a sweet story. We have so many great memories with the dog we had. He used to love to watch movies with us.
Aww that is adorable! It is amazing the things they love to do with you isn’t it!
I love this story! Sally looks like such a sweet, precious dog. Dogs are so awesome and you are so blessed to have sweet Sally. I am a part-time pet sitter and it is wonderful to see how much people love their pets. I have a 13 year old black lab and love her more than life itself. Dogs give us so much love and we can learn so much from them! Thank you for this story!!
Pets are amazing isn’t it. I love that you pet set animals I am sure if I had more mobility I would have looked at dog walking or something as I used to love taken Sal up into the fields and just spending a day running around.
Awe, thanks for sharing your story. It brought tears to my eyes. Sally is a beautiful dog. So glad you have her. I don’t know what I would do without my dog Oscar.
Aw I am so sorry I didn’t mean to bring tears to your eyes. Dogs are amazing, aren’t they.
I just love this pethood story! Pets can be really great companions. I’ve got a cat and it often cheers me up whenever I feel down. 🙂
It is amazing how having something warm and furry around can really bring a smile to your face.
Such a lovely story, thank you for sharing it. Your Sally is a beautiful dog, you are lucky to have each other! I can relate, my pets are my family and they have help me so much through hard times.
Thank you so much, I really am so lucky to have her in my life. I worry it won’t be for much longer but I will enjoy every moment until then.
It is amazing how a dog can lift your spirit. Sounds like you and the dog were made for each other.
It is amazing isn’t it – she’s been a real angel to me for sure.
What a lovely story. We only have fish at the moment as we don’t have time for anything else (except the kids obviously!).
That is the downside of the pets isn’t it – they do take a lot of time.
This post touched me so much. What a special lovely girl. I feel the same way about my cat Percy. Sometimes I think they just come into our lives to help us. x
Honestly I think that as well, there was a reason Sal turned up for sure.
Beautiful story – Sally looks like a wonderful dog and a great companion to you. Dogs are amazing. Love my two bedlington terriers. Make me smile everyday. Thanks for sharing. xxxx
It is amazing how they can change your tears into a giggle sometimes isn’t it.
Sarah that broke my heart.
All I can say is with my illness and struggles with infertility and mental health, if I didn’t have my kittens I wouldn’t get up in the morning.
When I lost my Billy, just short of 13 yrs, my first grown up pet, my beautiful cat. I lost a part of my heart and I still miss him.
Bless Sally and you! X x x
I don’t know how I’m going to cope without her to be honest. I try and not think about it as I know it’s going to been sooner rather than later now. But oh gosh, the loss of a pet is awful 🙁 xx
How lovely to read your story! I knew the two of you had a special bond, but I didn’t know the back story.
She’s been absolutely incredible, I’m actually sat balling my eyes out reading the comments lol x
What a sweet story. I always laughed that one of my boxers knew all my secrets that no one else did. They become so special to us.
Haha you can tell them anything can’t you and they never tell, I’m sure even if they could they are so loyal that they wouldn’t.
Wow 18 is old for a dog. She has lived a great life. Hope you both enjoy being together and having fun.
I have been very lucky with her, I always thought perhaps 5 years, but that turned into 10 and now 13, we were joking the other day she might hit the big 2-0! I don’t think she will sadly with her ailments but it’s nice to think “perhaps”.
aww oh my gosh love this story to so much- loyalty and unconditional love is a lot of pets and this story really puts this into perspective on the bond that an owner and their pet has!
It is amazing how it happens, she just crawled into my life LOL
Thanks for sharing this beautiful story. I see pet loyalty all the time and it makes me envious, I want that unconditional love as well!
It is something you just can’t replicate in any other relationship. I hope you get a pet one day.
Oh that’s wonderful story of you and your dog! I am definitely close to our dog too. She’s a part of the family and we love her.
They do become part of the family don’t they – it’s no wonder they are known as mans best friend.
This is such a sweet story. Pets help a lot. I have two kitties, and our family wouldn’t be the same without them. We also recently got two guinea pigs, and they’ve been fun too!
Guinea Pigs are amazing aren’t they! I love seeing them popcorn and the wheaks are so fun!
Lovely bond between you both Ive had 2 long term dogs first was put to sleep at age of 12 she was in pain. Second one now age 11 struggles with his legs but both have favoured me over my partner. So loyal and free part of my family.
They are amazing aren’t they – if you can try hydrotherapy it has done wonders for Sally’s leg and so far it’s completely covered by insurance!