Christmas at Battersea: True Stories of Miracles and Hope Read online

  Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

  with Punteha Yazdanian

  CHRISTMAS AT BATTERSEA

  True Stories of Miracles and Hope

  Contents

  Foreword by Paul O’Grady MBE

  Introduction

  1. One Very Important Person

  2. Faith, Hope and Survival

  3. The Friendship of a Lifetime

  4. Brother from Another Mother

  5. Molly the Sweetie

  6. New Beginnings

  7. Bringing our Home to Life

  8. A Twist of Fate

  9. Start as You Mean to Go On …

  10. A Life-changing Decision

  11. Another Heartbeat in the House

  12. From the Shadows and into the Light

  13. A Date with Santa

  14. My Darling Rosie

  Illustrations

  Follow Penguin

  Battersea Dogs & Cats Home would like to thank all of the contributors to this book for sharing their stories and photographs

  Foreword by Paul O’Grady MBE

  Battersea Dogs & Cats Home never closes its doors, even on Christmas Day. It will be there to take in any dog or cat, no matter their age, condition or temperament, as it does on every day of the year.

  Sadly, the Home’s kennels and catteries will also be full of residents spending the festive period without a loving home and my heart goes out to every one of them. Of course they will all be very well looked after by Battersea’s staff and team of amazing volunteers, who will give up part of their Christmas Day to walk a Battersea dog or even foster a dog or cat in their homes over the holiday.

  No doubt too that many kind-hearted supporters will send in gifts such as toys, knitted coats, and treats for the dogs and cats to enjoy on Christmas morning. Staff at the Home tell me that the Battersea postman, sorry, I mean Father Christmas, has also delivered some more unusual Christmas presents over the years such as party hats for the animals, a snorkel, a lampshade and even an underwired bra!

  In 2013 Battersea took in 113 dogs and cats during the Christmas and New Year period alone. Given half a chance I would take them all home with me. But I must get a hold of myself before my home starts to resemble Noah’s Ark.

  If you do find yourself thinking about bringing a new dog or cat into your life over the Christmas period I urge you to consider whether this busy time is the right time and, like the people in the stories in this book, please remember the many thousands of dogs and cats in need of a second chance and give a rescue animal, who otherwise would spend its Christmas in centres like Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, a loving home.

  As an ambassador for the Home I’m again going to take this opportunity to say that if you want to show your support for Battersea this Christmas, or any time in the year, by giving a donation to help the work they do, please call 020 7627 7883 or visit battersea.org.uk. The Home gratefully receives all donations and you can even buy their residents a special gift to help them feel some of the magic of Christmas.

  Of course the dogs and cats don’t know it is Christmas Day. Or do they?

  Whatever you end up doing this Yuletide I’m sure you will once again love reading these tales from Britain’s most loved animal charity and I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

  Introduction

  In the small hours of one very special morning, young and old alike are waking with a flutter of excitement in their bellies. The morning sky is still dark and, although it’s freezing, a tingle of anticipation is settling across every home. Excited children rush into their parents’ room, while mums and dads sneak downstairs to turn on the fairy lights – and magic – for their kids. With good reason: this is Christmas Day.

  But in and around London, an army is rising. At six a.m., Becky slips out of bed, gets dressed and quietly leaves the house. Her breath shoots out in misty swirls but, instead of frowning or shivering at the bitter cold, her eyes are sparkling and her cheery red Christmas hat jingles as she walks to her car. She turns on the engine and waits for it to warm up before embarking on a thirty-five-mile journey to work.

  In central London, a man wearing a familiar blue sweatshirt heads outside and turns up the collar on his coat as he walks to work. Derek, like others on a very special mission this morning, will continue his journey across the capital, finally arriving at the gates of one unique place.

  For many, Christmas Day is sacred, a day to be spent at home, sandwiched between hugs, sumptuous meals and presents. But over the next nine hours, one selfless team will set about giving the dogs and cats at this wonderful place the most special day. This is Christmas at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

  At seven forty-five a.m., the overnight security team spot a familiar face approaching Battersea headquarters. With a buzz of the metal gate, Liz, a member of staff, is waved through and takes the gently sloping walkway to Reception. She is one of the first team members to arrive and open up. A jangle of keys, a swipe of a security card and she’s in. Within minutes, the lights warm up from dim to full-on.

  Soon, Becky also arrives and heads to the reception area of Lost and Found, where she works full time. She flicks the lights on and instantly the place is sparkling. The tinsel around the desk and the noticeboards shimmers, and wispy sprays of glitter add to the festive atmosphere now settled firmly over Battersea.

  Becky checks the phone lines to see if any owners of lost animals have called. It would be great to reunite someone with their loved pet today of all days. She keeps her fingers crossed that it will happen throughout her morning inspection of the intake kennels alongside the team of rehoming and welfare assistants.

  Over the speakers that usually deliver soft classical music to the various buildings scattered around the extensive site, a different type of tune now starts to play. Familiar Christmas melodies filter through to the kennels and cattery, while the air is filled with the aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg from festive embroidered scent pouches that have been sent in by supporters and now hang everywhere. Not only do the scents put everyone in the Christmas mood, but they help to keep the dogs and cats calm and content.

  Across Battersea’s three centres, in London, Old Windsor, Berkshire, and Brands Hatch, Kent, tails are swished and ears wiggled as the residents stretch, wake and shake off their early-morning grogginess. Before long, there is a flutter of activity as the staff and hundreds of volunteers walk along the corridors and set about their first tasks of the day.

  In the kennels, volunteer Derek rolls up his sleeves, prepares a bucket of hot, soapy water and, after moving the dog in a kennel to the space behind it, ‘the yard’, he sets to work cleaning and mopping. In teams of two or three, the volunteers or staff members clean every kennel.

  Across in the cattery, volunteers like Eunice, who has taken two weeks off from her full-time job as a nanny, are working alongside staff members to clean the cat pods and give the occupants their breakfast. Eunice takes one pod at a time, first checking to see what each cat is meant to eat, as some are on special diets, then preparing the food. Later today, they will all get Christmas treats, but for now, it’s their normal breakfast.

  Starting at one end of the cattery, Eunice sweeps each pod, changes the litter and checks that the duvets and blankets are clean, while another staff member or volunteer does the same from the other. Sometimes the cats try for a cuddle; sometimes they’re scared. Either way, Eunice moves slowly and quietly so as not to frighten any fretful felines.

  The kittens are another matter and like to jump all over her. As she delivers breakfast, Eunice sq
ueezes it through the tiniest possible crack in the doors – inevitably one or two will attempt a daring pod escape to go for a snoop around the cattery. Today, Eunice wins.

  Across each of the Battersea sites, the breakfast routine is also beginning in the kennels. Each dog has its own prearranged food, which has been individually prepared by staff, and volunteers like Derek deliver each bowl to the right kennel. Derek, a financial trader, does his best not to get attached to the dogs he sees once a week. He desperately wants a dog of his own but, due to his job and his rented London flat where pets are not allowed, that’s impossible at the moment. At Christmas, more than ever, he feels the love a dog could give and would like nothing more than to offer one a second chance. One day, he plans to retire to the countryside and foster dogs in need of a home but for now he takes satisfaction from volunteering at Battersea.

  Once the morning feeds are complete, the volunteers and staff in London take the dogs for walks around the sprawling site and across to Battersea Park, where the fountains are frozen and the grass is tipped with frost. With the backdrop of the London skyline, Battersea Power Station and the River Thames, it’s a walk to remember.

  Twenty-five miles west at Battersea’s country centre in Old Windsor, dogs get the treat of a winter walk around the centre’s lovely fields and wooded copses. The rolling landscape is a sight to behold on the foggy winter morning. It’s crisp and cold and only just daylight, but the duty staff and volunteers taking care of the residents across all the Battersea sites don’t mind.

  On a normal day, they might have time only for a quick hello to other staff who cross their path on the many walks that take place throughout the day, but this morning, with the centres closed to visitors, things are a little different. Festive chat is swapped and spirits are even higher than usual. Soon many of the staff will be playing Father Christmas as they deliver a gift, handpicked, to each animal that currently calls Battersea its home. But first, at ten o’clock, it’s time for a half-hour break.

  Back in London, Becky of the Lost and Found office makes her way to the staff canteen for a cup of tea and a slice of toast. She can’t help but think of how much her life has changed in the last year. She spent sixteen years working as a PA in the City of London before realizing her dream to work with animals full time at Battersea. Now, no matter how sore her feet are after a long day, no matter how many times her heart aches when she says goodbye to a special animal going to its new home, she knows she made the right choice because there is no other job like it on the planet. It doesn’t matter to Becky if she spends Christmas at work because she loves the animals and is happy to be there. That’s what everyone across the Battersea sites has in common: their passion for animals.

  Before long, the break is over and Becky returns to her department. Other teams filter back to the cattery or the kennels to socialize with the animals and make sure they get a little TLC. Each resident is played with, loved and cuddled even more than usual. Many members of the public are very generous and buy the cats and dogs extra gifts online ahead of Christmas. They’re spoilt with jumbo treats and a smear of their favourite snack: peanut butter.

  In the cattery, the cats enjoy social time with volunteers like Eunice, who sits in the frosted glass pods and gives much wanted and needed pampering. During her time as a volunteer, she’s learnt a lot about what the cats might want from their time together. Some like to be stroked and to sit on her lap, others want to play while a few may be a little bit scared of their new surroundings. In those cases, Eunice usually takes a spot on the floor and talks gently to the frightened cat. She’ll tell them about her day, or quietly read her emails to the cat she’s socializing. Sometimes it’s that simple. The sound of her voice is soothing to the cat she’s with, and it’s also a calming moment for Eunice, whose family are in Scotland at this festive time of year. Often, for Eunice, spending the day at Battersea is the most fulfilling time of her week and Christmas is no different. Later this evening, she’ll be meeting friends for a Christmas celebration, but now she’s with her newest friends – the cats of Battersea.

  Soon it’s lunchtime and the staff gather in the canteen for a Christmas dinner of their own. But it’s not long before the crackers and party hats are put aside. Now it’s the turn of the animals to enjoy a slice of chicken or turkey, specially ordered in, so they too can have a Christmas dinner. They may not understand the significance Christmas holds for their human friends, but what they will know is that those taking care of them want them to have a day filled with love, care and special treats.

  Meanwhile, across the site, the walkie-talkies in the Lost and Found Intake Office crackle to life. Liz, of the Lost and Found team, listens to the voice at the other end and says, ‘I’ll be right there.’ She rushes to the security office to be filled in on the situation. As the guard explains that a shaking male dog has been found by a member of the public and brought to Battersea, she feels a familiar wave of emotion. That poor dog could have been lost and alone for hours on this freezing cold day without food or water. Sadly, it’s a scene that Liz and the staff at Battersea have witnessed many times. Once more, she braces herself to pick up the pieces and start healing another broken dog.

  Liz heads outside, and although she’s trained to read animal body language and has had many years of experience, she approaches cautiously, slowly and gently, because the dog might be scared or nervous. He might also be injured or traumatized and lash out. That’s why Battersea has expert handlers like Liz. Today, it’s clear there is no danger, just fear and sadness.

  The shivering dog is taken to the Lost and Found reception, where a nurse is waiting to check him over. She looks for injuries and illness, and when she’s satisfied that he’s all right, she gives him some water. He’s still shaking, but every now and then, his body stills. The staff are extra gentle with him, and when their assessment is finished, they take him to a kennel with a padded bed, extra blankets and toys, and place him inside.

  Becky is soon on the scene. With no collar, microchip or other clues, she christens the brown-haired terrier Pudding and enters his details into the database.

  For the next seven days, Pudding is a ‘wandering ward’. But on the eighth, he will legally belong to Battersea and can be rehomed.

  By now, the shivering has subsided and Pudding is quiet. A late portion of Christmas dinner is served and he sniffs at it tentatively. Becky stays put while Pudding eats what is likely to be his first meal in hours. His water is topped up and, as Becky disappears around the corner to fetch something, Pudding lets out a whine.

  When she returns, she hands Pudding a wrapped parcel. Jolly Christmas elves are dancing across the green and white wrapping paper, not that Pudding notices. He’s already got his paws around the present and, with a squeak and a tear, his colourful new toy is out and his tail is wagging at full speed. Like every other resident, Pudding is receiving his own Christmas present; each one is carefully chosen to match the animal. The small terriers get tennis balls and squeaky fluffy toys, while there are heavy-duty, indestructible playthings for the bigger dogs that pique their curiosity and keep them stimulated.

  Of course, no Christmas Day would be complete without turkey, a Christmas tree and snowmen, although here at Battersea, those items have found their way into the kennels in the shape of festive toys donated by supporters. Across the site in the cattery, catnip-stuffed snowmen and festive baubles are being juggled, chased and chewed.

  By now, all the residents have had their presents and, after an afternoon’s play, they are worn out. At five p.m. it’s time for bed. The music is turned down, the lights are dimmed, and an hour later, calm has settled over the Home.

  But before the staff and volunteers leave their posts and return to their own homes – and their own Christmas Day – they make up a few fresh kennels and pods, just in case.

  1. One Very Important Person

  I’d just sat down when a little face peered around the corner. Behind our Westie, Hamish, Lucky, ou
r Collie, was waiting too, and their expectant stares were my cue to feed them. I got up and went into the kitchen. Behind me the clickety-click-click of four pairs of paws followed suit.

  It was dinner time and, like an Olympic synchronized swimming team, these two were now moving in unison, but their sport was eating. Whatever they were up to, you never found one without the other. They adored each other.

  It was only to be expected that Lucky would be the first to notice the change in Hamish. He had always been on top form, but over the last few days, he had become lethargic and quiet. Lucky sat beside him while he slept in his basket. Instead of snoozing, as she usually would, she was on high alert and moved at the slightest sound he made. Now, instead of being playful with him, she was very quiet. Like his shadow, if Hamish moved, so did Lucky.

  I reckoned the recent cold and snow had taken it out of him, but when Hamish couldn’t muster the energy to move and I had to carry him into the garden, I knew it was time to call the vet. Tests showed Hamish’s kidneys and other organs were failing and, days later, he slipped away peacefully. He was fifteen years old.

  Hamish had had a great innings but that didn’t ease the pain of losing him. We were devastated and so was Lucky. A week earlier, Hamish had been bouncing around and now he was gone, leaving Lucky confused and lonely. Whenever she clapped eyes on me, her eyebrows shot up and I knew what she was thinking: Where is he, Mum? When’s Hamish coming home?

  After a while without Hamish, Lucky began to understand. She no longer jumped to her paws at the familiar rattle of the letterbox to race Hamish to it, and when five o’clock rolled around, she didn’t stare at me with that demanding ‘It’s dinnertime’ look.

  I spent extra time with her, hoping she’d get back the spring in her step, and so did my husband, Jim. We gave her cuddles and kisses and tried to tempt her into playing with her favourite tennis ball. Usually she’d bring it to us, and sit staring at us with it in her mouth until one of us gave in, but without Hamish, she wasn’t interested in anything, not even her ball. Lucky had lost her playfulness.