Meet The Faces Behind The Rescue Series

Our Welly Rach

We thought we’d start introducing the faces behind Canine Welfare Fund. The people who keep this rescue going, usually at the expense of their own time, homes, bank balances and whatever sanity they had left.

First up is our Rach.

Well, Welly.

She’s one of our trustees, but if you ask anyone at CWF who Welly is, they’re not going to say, “Oh yes, Rachel, our esteemed charity trustee.”

They’re going to say, “Which dog has she got now?”

And that’s probably a fair question.

Why’s She Called Welly?

Rach was poorly once and so off her tits on prescription medication that she changed her username to Welly Rach.

Why?

Fuck knows.

But it stuck like a sore thumb, and now that’s what we call her.

There’s probably a lesson in there about not being allowed near your phone when you’re out of it, but it’s a bit late for that now.

Sorry, Welly.

She’s a Trustee. Amongst About a Million Other Things.

Rach is a trustee of the charity, which means she’s involved in the decisions, responsibilities and all the less exciting stuff that comes with running a rescue.

And believe me, there is plenty of that.

But she doesn’t just do the behind-the-scenes bits.

She gets stuck right in.

She travels thousands of miles for the rescue. If a dog needs collecting, moving or getting somewhere, Rach is usually halfway to finding her car keys before we’ve finished asking.

I’m fairly sure she spends more time on the motorway than she does in her own house.

Although when she is at home, there’s barely room for her anyway.

Dogs. Fucking. Everywhere.

I’m not exaggerating when I say they’re coming out of every corner.

And she doesn’t just give up a bit of spare time to help us out. She gives over her actual home to the dogs, too.

That’s a hell of a lot to give.

And We’re Not Talking About Easy Dogs, Either.

If you’ve read our first blog, you’ll know the sort of dogs we work with at CWF.

Dogs with complex behavioural needs, sometimes including serious bite histories. Dogs with physical disabilities or complicated medical needs. Dogs who need specialist help, proper management and people who are prepared to put the work in.

Some come to us when they’re running out of options.

It’s not a case of chucking them on the sofa, giving them a biscuit and hoping they’ll be grand by Tuesday.

There’s a lot involved. And some days are really fucking hard.

Rach knows that.

She doesn’t just like the idea of rescue. She gets stuck into the reality of it, including the bits that aren’t particularly nice or easy.

She’s worked with some incredible dogs, including Pips, who you’ll remember from our first blog, and Rex, who we haven’t properly introduced yet.

We will. Rex deserves his own blog, and he’s bloody getting one.

These dogs need people who will keep turning up for them. People who can see past the difficult bits without pretending those difficult bits don’t exist.

Rach is one of those people.

She’s Not Exactly Short of Dogs of Her Own.

Then there are her own dogs, Roscoe and Stella.

Stella is a three legged Staffy mix who originally came to Rach as a foster.

Originally.

You can probably work out how that went.

She stayed.

So not only has Welly got dogs coming out of every corner on behalf of the rescue, she’s also adding to her own collection.

Excellent work, Rach. Really helping with the space issue there.

Right, Here Comes the Bit Where I Get Uncomfortable.

I don’t do gushy very well. And if you hadn’t already worked out that Lacey’s writing this, you fucking have now.

But Rach is an absolute legend.

She’s got her heart on her sleeve and makes absolutely no attempt to hide it. She cares about everyone, sometimes to the point where you want to tell her to sit down and stop taking the weight of the world on her shoulders for five bloody minutes.

She goes above and beyond. Not just for the dogs, but for the people around her too.

If someone needs her, she’s there.

If something needs doing, she’ll do it.

If there’s a dog who needs somewhere safe, she’ll do everything she can to help.

And she does it while having her own life, her own responsibilities and, presumably, a washing pile that can be seen from space.

I take the piss out of her, obviously. That’s part of the job.

But I do see how much she does.

I see the miles, the time, the dogs, the worry and all the things she takes on without making a song and dance about it.

And I know how much CWF relies on her.

That’s Enough of That. She’ll Get a Big Head.

I don’t tell her often enough, but Rach is at the heart of so much of what we do.

Not just because she’s a trustee. Not just because she’s always driving somewhere or making room for another dog.

Because she’s Rach.

She gives a shit. Properly.

And without her, we’d be at a loss in more ways than one.

So, Welly, thank you.

For the miles, the dogs, the use of your house, the difficult days, and for being there when we need you.

For everything you’ve done for Pips, Rex and the other dogs who’ve come through your door.

And for everything you do for us.

Love you, you absolute fucking legend.

Right. That’s enough. Nobody mention this to me ever again.