Mate – 10 year old female Cross-Breed

Mate, originally called Marina, is a 10 year old female Cross-Breed of large size. We are looking for a lovely retirement home for her as that is exactly what she deserves. She was in a pound in Northern Spain when we took her into our care, after dog catchers found her lying in the street. We had tears in our eyes the first time we saw her.

It hurts our heart each time we find out that an oldie enters the pound, as they belong to most vulnerable in the pound, but it was shocking to see the condition Mate was in. She was bloated and not able to support one of her hind legs.

After x-rays, blood test and all further checks were done we found out that Mate had a broken leg, that had happened recently and wasn’t treated and therefore healed by itself in the wrong way. That’s the reason for her limp. She probably was hit by a car and left to die on the side of the road, or at least this is what we imagine.

We can’t bring ourselves to think that a person is able to do something like that intentionally to a defenseless being. We still can’t believe how heartless someone has to be to not only have broken her leg, but also to leave her on her own with the terrible pain she must have had and without any attention and on the other hand it’s so impressive to see how strong Mate was as she went through all of this suffering by her own and without bitterness towards humans. She is a true survivor!

Luckily this chapter of suffering is over. We spoke to the vet and Mate doesn’t have any pain and taking into account that it would be a very complicated operation without the guarantee that she would be better after it, the vet recommended not to try and operate on her limp. Her quality of life isn’t limited with the limp, it’s more of an aesthetic issue and not worth the risk that something goes wrong.

Mate is now out of the pound and with a short termed foster in Spain. Since she is in foster care she made a change of 180 degrees. The sad expression in her eyes disappeared and turned into bright eyes. Her dilapidated state belongs to the past. She not only lost weight (initially 40kg and currently 37kg), but also has shiny hair and loves it when her foster mum combs her fur. The handicap of her leg isn’t a barrier for her to get into the car, to jump on the sofa or stand on her hind legs to ask for attention.

Despite the bad experience she must have had with people in the past, Mate is a very affectionate and loving dog that shows affection as soon as she gets to know someone and to trust him/her. She loves to be around her humans and doesn’t hesitate to ask for cuddles and attention. She is housetrained and also walks well on the lead, as soon as she gets into it. She is also used to be left on her own for some hours and travels well in the car.

Despite her age she is still full of life. She enjoys to wallow in the grass, enjoys short walks and sometimes also short games with a ball or other dogs. But what she loves most is water and to fish stones from the river :). On her walks along the river she gets into the water and lies down like it’s the best thing in the world.

Mate is in general good with other dogs, but like humans she also has her preferences. On her walks she usually ignores other dogs or gets closer to them to have a sniff. Towards lively dogs who are pushy she might bark and become grumpy. She is currently living with two puppies and two adult dogs. The puppies are sometimes very pushy with her, but she tolerates them.

With one of the adult dogs she has bonded very well and sometimes they even play a little together. With the other one she doesn’t have feeling, but that is mutual. In general she prefers more the company and attention of humans than of other dogs that’s why she would be good as only dog. When her foster dad is doing some work in the garden she loves to accompany him and be close to him, sitting in the grass looking what he is doing. Mate is currently living in a rural environment and enjoys a lot to be outside, lying in the sun and to go out for short walks, but also enjoys lying on the sofa and having her humans close.

She is protective and greets everybody who she doesn’t know and wants to get into the house with deep barking, but if you tell her that’s ok and allow her to have a sniff of the “new human” she calms down and stops barking. The area where she will need some understanding and training is her possessiveness with food and toys, as she doesn’t like that someone else gets close to her food/toys or removes them. This is quite likely a result of the experiences she might have had in the past, but she is a smart girl and has already improved a lot in this aspect.

The little we know about Mate’s past is enough to know that she is a real survivor who hasn’t lost her kindness and loveliness despite all that she went through. She makes the best of each situation and is grateful for it. Mate is now ready for her forever home. The home she never had. A home who appreciates and respects her and who is committed to give Mate all the love and care that she always deserved but was refused to her. We will do our very best to find Mate this sensitive family who understands that every life matters and is happy to enrich her last memories with joyful moments.

Mate is currently in a foster environment in Spain where there are no options to test her with cats or children and therefore we are looking for a home without cats or young children. Mate isn’t a very demanding dog. A dog experienced, calm and affectionate home, where her humans are around her and short walks is all she is asking for and if there is a river close to her place it would be paradise for her.

We are looking for a home in a rural environment that has a good size of a garden. A home where her human(s) will be around most of the time is preferred. Despite her age and calm nature she is still a large sized dog, therefore we are looking for a home who feels comfortable to manage a large sized dog of currently 37kg.

Mate is ready to start a brand new life and to learn that not all humans are mean. Love, patience and commitment are the key for it and if you are the one who want to show Mate the beautiful sides of life don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Please be aware that Mate can be rehomed to Wales or England, but not Scotland.