Rory’s Happy Ending Story
A inspiration for Right Pets

After losing our 16-year-old Border-Collie, we really wanted to re-home another dog.  So, when our new business routine was established, allowing some time working at home for one of us, we started looking at a Shelter website for Collies. We missed a couple – but then one Sunday in June 2014 checking the dogs available for adoption – there was Rory, so off we went before work to try & meet him.

Rory ‘lost his way’ as a young pup – already having had 5 homes in his short life when he was taken in by a shelter in Lancaster. I remember a volunteer there telling us – he had been passed around the internet - initially with a Lorry Driver, ending up with an elderly gentleman who took Rory in out of kindness, but after a week contacted the shelter in desperation, his boundless collie energy was too much for him. Of course, the shelter took Rory in – that being the start of our Rory’s ‘Happy Ending ‘story – lucky for us.

He was out of his kennel with a Volunteer Dog Walker, that first time we met him, he was literally bouncing on the spot (it turned out he could clear a 5-bar gate from a standing start, we soon found out). He was so affectionate with loads of personality. We took him up to the exercise and agility field. He was so full on, so much energy & exuberance. He played like mad with the ball, was over the top with his affection, desperately trying to connect with us, which was only to be expected with his history of so many homes.

Standing in the exercise field, we saw he was a lovely dog & were both in agreement – let's go for it, give him a home, he was so full of fun, so much potential – there was just something special about him.

When we arrived to collect Rory for his home visit. We spotted him in his kennel and called out his name. He leapt up & put both of his front legs out of the small open hatch as far as he possibly could, almost waving them, so excited to hear his name & willing us to go to him – his personality shining through.

We’re here to take you home Rory, we said. I will never forget that moment, it brings tears to my eyes even now, remembering back, how lucky we were to find him & get the chance of him becoming part of our lives & the joy he has brought us.

First time visiting the Vets, he almost landed on the waiting Vet, with his excitement. The Vet recognised Rory from the Animal Care poster on the wall, just outside the Consulting Room – ‘‘Oh – you have Rory!” And after seeing him he said, “You do realise you have a lean, mean running machine there, he’s quite a character” and he certainly wasn’t wrong.

Having had 2 Border Collies, we knew the score. Rory was a challenge. A real live wire, there is no doubt about that. Rory needed patience, understanding, training, boundaries, a solid regular exercise regime and lots of love and affection. As a Border Collie Cross, he is a dog full of so much character – a multi-faceted personality. From a tiny bit bonkers & stubborn (‘His Roryness’ – is his nickname) – to the most gentle, affectionate, humble, relaxed dog. So agile & athletic, loving to run for as long as fast as he can, is still his favourite thing.

Our shop customers always ask after him, especially those who remember him from when we took him on. Having enjoyed his Facebook posts of ‘how unfair it was’ not being allowed to come to the shop yet’! Having a few holes on the go from his garden, trying to tunnel his way to the shop. His first visit was to our 2nd Shop Birthday celebrations. And he certainly made lots of friends.

During the pandemic lock down, requiring all 3 of us to be at the shop full time with delivery demands – Rory was our ‘Operations Manager’ for some fun, during difficult times – even receiving his own emails & orders. Cheering up those, stuck in the house from the end of the drive or car window when delivering. Currently, he still attends some of our tasting events to catch up with his friends, who love to see him.

So, from proudly being a Border Collie Trust GB Calendar Boy, loving his runs out with his dog groups, who have helped Rory so much & Animal Care ‘Best in Show’ 2023 at 10 years old – who would have thought it possible, that with love, patience, guidance, boundaries, understanding & training – what a great dog he would become, from an uncertain start.

Now at 11, although frosty faced, he still bounces and loves life. But instead of having ‘lost his way in the world’ disconnected eyes – he now looks straight into your eyes, with loyalty and affection.

We will always wonder where Rory was born & where he came from, but at the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter, we love him to bits – he’s ‘our lovely, unique rescue dog Rory’ – and we wouldn’t have him any other way!