We now move to Jan/Feb 2002. Our winter holiday in Paphos again, the weather wet and cold. Those poor dogs at PAWS! – it wasn’t long before we were down there offering to help. We spent the next five weeks, three days a week “ mucking in “ – poop scooping, cleaning out and feeding.

The one fact that became evident is how dedicated all the carers are, and consequently how happy all the dogs become as well as being friendly and good natured, despite the way some of them must have been treated before they arrived.

Whilst working here a small two- year old Terrier bitch was “dumped” and for two days would not eat and must have wondered where on earth she was. Glenda persuaded her to eat (from her hand) gave her some love and cuddles, and then she was eventually allocated to a pen with some poodles.

The culmination of the story is that we fell in love with her, named her Keo (after our favourite Cypriot brandy) and decided to get her back to England as soon as possible. For the next nine months Keo was cared for by Annie and staff, taken on numerous vet trips, had a blood sample taken, given a microchip, issued with a Pet Passport and she flew to England on 25th November when we collected her from Heathrow Animal Reception Centre.

Whether a dog is re-homed locally in Cyprus, or like Keo, in England, or any other country, it’s obvious that none of this would be possible without the caring attitude of Keith, Annie and all the helpers together with the support from all the fundraisers and sponsors to whom we convey our sincere thanks. We are now looking forward to a new phase in our life with Keo as a big part of it, and as at writing, being less than one week since her arrival, she has already made herself at home by earmarking Glenda’s armchair as her bed.