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The Tale of Rojo - A Lesson in Pet Ownership and Environment

This is a true story that involves me as a child, growing up in the 1960s with my family. It describes the reason that we had to re-home our beautiful Irish Setter.

Rural Oblivion

In the mid 1960s, amidst the era of flower power, we lived in a small village called Sendmarsh near Ripley, Surrey. My mum and dad decided to bring a new member into their household - an Irish Setter named Rojo. Rojo, with his beautiful red fur, quickly became a beloved companion to the family, providing entertainment and joy, a long time before the internet dominated daily life.

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Each morning, I'd rush downstairs to give Rojo a big hug. He was such a happy dog, you could tell by his eyes. I think he was about 2 years old when we got him. I'm not even sure how we came to be his owner. It was quite a long time ago.

Trained........A Bit.....

Rojo could walk for miles. We would drive out into the Surrey Hills to open places like Sheepleas and Newlands Corner. These were big open spaces that allowed Rojo to run free. He always used to come back, so he had been well trained prior to our ownership.

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Rojo's adventurous spirit led to a dilemma. Behind and to the right of our back garden lay a farm field with dairy cows. Rojo's keen sense of smell and energetic nature drove him to jump the fence and frolic in the field, much to the distress of the cows. He couldn't see the field, so he would've sniffed the scent. The fence was alo at least 1.5 metres high! I watched Rojo jump it once and was amazed how easy he made it look.

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The farmer, concerned about the impact on his livelihood, warned my parents to keep Rojo away from his field. Despite their efforts, Rojo's escapades continued, leading to a heartbreaking ultimatum from the farmer - keep Rojo out or face dire consequences.

A puppy is for life not just for Christmas

Abandonment was out of the question, but not unknown even back in the late 60s. I clearly remember TV campaigns before each Christmas, where the key message was "A puppy is for life, not just for Christmas". Sad to think that even back then, there was a problem with abandonment. Back then, Battersea was possibly the only dog shelter in the UK.

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Faced with a difficult decision, we realised we had to find Rojo a new home where he could roam freely without disrupting livestock farm life. Rojo was restricted to a lead when let out into our back garden. We would take him out for walks more frequently, to places where it was safe for him to run free.

Mum and dad made so many enquiries to find a new, safe home for Rojo, and it most cases, to no avail.

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Eventually, a farmer moving to Norfolk offered to take Rojo, recognising his potential as a working dog on the farm. Though it was a tough farewell for us, we knew it was the best outcome for Rojo's well-being.

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Reflecting on the experience, we learned a valuable lesson in pet ownership and environmental consideration. My dad described Rojo darting through the field, barking at the scattering herd of dairy cows, sending them in all directions. The farmer was shaking his head in frustration, as he hurried to calm the panicked cows.

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All dad could think about, as he called and chased Rojo to catch him, was how different things might have been if he'd chosen a breed more suited to rural life. He apologised profusely to the farmer, but also understood the farmer's warning.

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The entire experience served as a reminder to carefully assess the needs of a pet and the surroundings in which they will thrive, ensuring a harmonious coexistence.

Informed decisions that consider your local environment

This amplifies the importance of pre-ownership pet education. I don't imagine many people who live in rural farm areas give much consideration to which breed of dog they decide to own. I've seen more than one report on BBC Countryfile, stating problems that farmers encounter with dogs roaming on their land.

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The more information we can provide about this aspect of dog ownership, the better informed prospective owners will be. Informed choices will always make us better pet owners.

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The story of Rojo serves as a poignant reminder of the responsibility that comes with pet ownership and the impact of animal behaviour on environmental factors. While the outcome was bittersweet, it highlights the significance of thoughtful decision-making when welcoming a new furry friend into a family.

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That's it for this month's newsletter. We hope you enjoy our latest content and find it helpful in your journey in pet ownership. Stay tuned for more updates!

Keep learning and growing,

Andrew Bigwood Founder, Pet-Pledge

70, Pinewood Avenue, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3AB
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