One man and his rescue dog... Berti gets a Last Chance

We’d been toying with the idea of getting a dog for a while and on Monday evening a friend tipped us off about a dog he’d seen on Facebook. Described as a chocolate pointer, it was two-years-old and seeking adoption. The photos of Berti were charming – it was a beautiful dog.

Without much hope that he would still be available I made contact with the animal shelter that was trying to place him, the Last Chance Animal Rescue, based in the Cártama/Coín area near Málaga.

As luck would have it Berti was still available, so we arranged to go and meet him at the family where he was being fostered. Well, it was love at first sight – what a fantastic dog! Good-looking, friendly, well-behaved. We agreed to take him there and then on a week’s trial, although we knew we would be keeping him, come what may.

He settled quickly in the car for the journey back to Ronda and seemed quite happy. We bought him a doggie bed and a few other things on the way. On arrival at our home I showed him around our quite large garden as well as the house itself. He seemed to feel at home. He wolfed down his supper, and then I took him for a walk. Inevitably we called in at my local where he was a big hit with the other punters.

Four days in everything seems to be going fine. He sleeps peacefully in his bed on our bedroom floor, loves running around the garden chasing his ball, walks nicely on the lead and seems content. Later today Berti is having his first sleepover with new friend Coco, a Hungarian Viszla, also a pointer, who belongs to neighbours and friends of ours who need a dog sitter for a day or so.

All is positive. Having Berti is good for us, as it makes us walk more than we ever have before. And having a dog helps to relieve the stresses of retirement!