Ivy arrived on a Friday in September 2008.  On Fridays there is a local market on Bantry public square. People come and sell all sorts of things on the first Friday of every month. Willow had only left us a week or so before and while I was at work in the vet's office, several people complained about a dog tied to a pole on the square. So on my lunch break myself and a friend headed off to see what the problem was.

There, tied to a pole by bright orange rope, was a beautiful female collie. She was curled up in a cardboard box with no bedding and cowered as we approached. The person who had tied her up had very thoughtfully (!) stuck a note up stating that: 'This dog was found wandering in traffic last night. Looking for her owners or possibly a new home??' Now while I acknowledge that this person did more than most by acting rather than leaving the dog to wander loose, the action they did take was simply not good enough. The dog was tied and left with no food or water. One of the tradesmen had given her a box to sleep in and a staff member from a nearby hotel had given her a bowl of water and a bone. So we untied Ivy and took her back to the vet's office.

After three days, Ivy's temper settled and we put it down to the hormones of being in season.  Ivy also took up Willow's role of kitten babysitter for Minnie without complaint. Her being in season created huge fun during walks as I constantly had to watch both dogs. Ivy was only too willing to egg poor Max on, so we moved his castration date forward and the following week Max was neutered.

Ivy had to wait for several weeks after her season to be neutered - and happily removed her stitches after! So back to the vet's office and more stitches put in. This time Ivy wore a lampshade collar and she was not happy about this at all! At this point a possible home had come up so Ivy went for a trial. Unfortunately she proved to be an escape artist and was delighted to taken their own dog with her. So Ivy returned to wait for her forever home to appear.

While waiting, Ivy came with me for a street collection for the Animal Care Society (ACS). She was a star! That dog worked the public like a pro. She approached children without any persuasion and was delighted with all the attention! Ivy even helped one little girl conquer her fear of dogs long enough to pat a dog for the first time in her life! A true spokesbowwow for dog kind.