The Furry Tales

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. My new name is Cujo, I come from Romania where I roamed the streets, not having a home, looking for my next meal, drinking from puddles and looking for somewhere to sleep. Well, that was my past. I was captured and sent to a kill shelter but was rescued and sent to the UK, new country and language. I had to learn the basics fast. I ended up at Just For Dogs, Brailsford, nr Ashbourne where my Dad found me and took me to his house and a new life. My second anniversary of being adopted was this Tuesday.

How my life has changed, going from roaming the streets and scavenging to having a roof over my head, a very comfy sofa and carpet, water and food always available. It has taken some getting used to but much better than back home where I faced certain death as I along with the other street dogs were considered vermin.

It took some getting used to but I love being attached to a lead on walks and runs, more often than not, I am allowed to run free and always come back to my name plus I get to have a treat (always worth returning to Dad).

I actually own our house, Dad just pays the bills, the sofa is mine and anyone visiting has to pass my test. This week to celebrate two years of me living with my Dad we went on runs with Derwent Runners and Derby Outdoor Fitness who have warmly welcomed me as an honorary member.

Me and my Dad always go on long walks and runs, sometimes we sleep in a tent and go hiking up really big mountains or very long walks (my favourite thing). We even go to pubs, my/our favourites when home are The Flowerpot, Five Lamps, Smithfield and Little Chester Ale House, I get treats, sometimes beer in my water (sacrilege) and pork scratchings plus lots of attention. Dad is often very jealous of me because women always want to make a fuss of me, I love women. Dad says that he does too but never gets a chance to get a phone number or email address because the ladies just want to meet me.

I really love my new life as of the last two years and hope for many more with my Dad, his/our family and many friends.

Oh, apparently, according to Dad I am particularly good at stealing the show whenever bands play beer gardens and gate crashing hen nights and student reunions by photo bombing group photos and then becoming the centre of attention.

A few photos from an awesome hiking weekend at Ladybower reservoir and Skiddow in the Lake District. Throughout the weekend I let Cujo off his lead as much as possible. His recall is almost spot on! During our hikes and when we visited the nearest town to refuel/kick back and chill, Cujo was the centre of attention and milked it all! a brilliant and challenging weekend. My favourite photo is Cujo having run ahead of us, is stood on a rocky outcrop on Skiddaw looking down on me and my friends.

Hi guys this is Cujo, I know that my human Dad has not posted on here much lately (naughty Dad). It has been just over a year since I came to live in my furever home (really, Dad and you claim to be a journalist!).

This week last year I was chosen my my now adopted Dad (I know, it was a bitter pill swallow but I think my Dad is now used to the fact that I picked him although he claims to have chosen me).

Anyway living in Derby on that first week and indeed first few months I, as an ex street dog from Romania, had to get used to having a roof over my head in all kinds of weather, comfy sofas and beds to lie on (I still can't believe my luck, the novelty has not worn off). I still like to try and eat random discarded food on the street when out walking or running with Dad. I know that there is fresh food and water for me at home (Dad even carries water and a bowl with lots of treats when we are out together). Incidentally, why is that humans make a big thing about going for a walk when all us dogs want to do is go out with our humans and protect them?)).

Dad took me out running with both Derwent Runners and Derby Outdoor Fitness in that first week. I was overwhelmed for the first few weeks and months. Running, my favourite thing and people, my other favourite thing. I used to be mega excited, new adventures and new people. I still love it and my running friends but I like to chill out with great company before running.

Dad also took me to the pub during my first week, what an overwhelming experience that was. In fact we have been to at least one pub every week, mainly weekends (Dad made me write this bit, apparently I will get another of my favourite treats). I actually love going to the pub well I really like The Smithfield, The Flowerpot and Little Chester Ale House in Derby so much that I always drag Dad into these places because I love the smell and I have now old friends and new people to meet. The staff and regulars love me and I love the attention that I get. I often hear comments about 'those eyes' (one of my my parents was descended from a Siberian Husky hence my blue eyes). I should be self conscious but I actually love the extra attention.

I am having a great time and am so glad that I chose Kev as my human Dad. I really love his/our family especially his nieces Elodie and Romilly, his brother and sister and parents. They are all fab but my human Dad is the best (no, another treat and high 5 is great, thank you)!

I love my furever home (no, treats, strokes and cuddles are my favourite thing).

Cujo

Cujo chilled out. I think that he is really settling in and enjoying his new life. Must beat living on the street and fending for himself back in Romania. I got him from Just For Dogs, Brailsford 7 weeks ago tomorrow.

One of my favourite photos from the weekend in Snowdonia. This is me with my rescue dog Cujo, my brother, David, Richard (one of my oldest friends), my cousin Bernard and his son Sam on the summit of Mt Snowdon. A great time was had by all.

'Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a dog of (new found) wealth and taste.' With apologies to Jagger/Richards.

I am foreign and I am getting used to your way of speaking. I was a street dog, it is taking me a while to get used to what you English call 'creature comforts'.

My name is Cujo, I am a Husky cross, I was rescued from Romania and brought to Just For Dogs, Brailsford nr Ashbourne where I was looked after for a few weeks before I met my new Dad who adopted me from there less than a week ago.

I am settling in to my new life in Derby. I have had lots of lovely long walks, been out with my new Dad's running club, various friends and also tabbing with Derby Outdoor Fitness, I kept pace with new Dad and didn't trip anyone up. I have even been out to Dad's favourite pub (The Flowerpot, Derby), made great friends and I really enjoyed the live music. Hopefully I can join my new Dad when he goes to see gigs in live music venues occasionally. Dad is going on long training walks I am coming with him because in a couple of weeks we (if the pub camp site allows) will be hiking Mt Snowdon. This will be the start of many adventures.

Apparently I was named after a best selling book by one of the greatest living Horror writers (so new Dad tells me). But don't be scared, 'Cujo' in ancient American Indian means 'unstoppable force', in another ancient language it also means 'beautiful dog' (I am not vain, ok, maybe I am)!

RIP Mulder.

Brewster was a previous dog of mine. A rescue dog. This was the last photo taken of him (he died a couple of weeks later). One of the pub locals designed this poster for me and a local brewery brewed a one off beer named after him 'Brewster's Last Orders' for a beer festival we had not long after his passing. He hated motorbikes and trains, so living in Matlock Bath and then Cromford was not exactly ideal given the tourism and lure as a mecca for bikers!

Guinness was a previous cat who had from a kitten when I had a pub. A real character, I have a few funny stories about him. This publication Your Cat magazine is genuine. They came to interview me about him as part of a long running feature on Working Cats.