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Do you remember this Mumsnet story…? Update

427 replies

Petsaresafe · 24/04/2026 18:28

Eight years ago I was on Mumsnet and there was a thread from a lady who was barricaded in her bedroom with her kids while her drunk husband was outside it. She had found a place in a refuge but was panicking about what to do with her pets. People all over the country were offering help. I was one of them. As it happened we were only about 30 miles away, and we had room to foster both the dog and the bunny, so the lady asked me to take them. Two days later I went to collect them. She had three young children, who were incredibly brave saying goodbye to their pets. Another Mumsnetter was coming to pick up the lady.

When the dog got to our house he was terrified of men, barking at every man he saw. He also dribbled pee all the time. Wishing a week he stopped both and glued himself to the side of our other, confident dog. The only time I have seen him do the wee thing since was when my father was slowly dying in hospital and I was crying a lot. He’s always been very worried if anyone is angry or crying.

He was 3 when he arrived. Last month he turned 11. He’s still happy and loving life. The bunny lived for another five years. His companion (that we got him) is still here and on her 5th companion - she’s like the Duracell bunny, keeping going as those around her go!

I lost touch with the family. They had so much going on. But if you’re out there I hope you see this and know he’s had a great life, still is!

Do you remember this Mumsnet story…?  Update
Do you remember this Mumsnet story…?  Update
Do you remember this Mumsnet story…?  Update
Do you remember this Mumsnet story…?  Update
OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Canwerecover · 24/04/2026 21:19

Petsaresafe · 24/04/2026 20:43

And for a little amusement-
at the time, we’d just lost our previous lab and decided that we’d stick with having two dogs, as three was harder work. Then I got involved in the lady’s thread and offered her a foster home. And she messaged me, and we chatted, and I said I would take her pets. It was about 10pm at night. I was watching tv with my husband and I had to tell him. I said “errr, I think I might have just got us another dog”. “Whaaast?? He replied, “no, we said we weren’t going to get another!” So I told him the situation. And my husband said “oh god yea, go get him!” Then I had to explain that there was a bunny coming too!

And this is the pair of them now. The dog, who didn’t like men and the man who didn’t want another dog!

Edited

And that picture speaks a thousand words… things happen for a reason, this photo confirms that! Well done @Petsaresafe and your DH, you are fabulous 🐾

BurtsBeefCrisps · 24/04/2026 21:20

This is the kindest and most heartwarming post I have ever read on Mumsnet xx
So lovely x

Petsaresafe · 24/04/2026 21:22

Frugalfashionista87 · 24/04/2026 21:17

OP, out of habit I’m on Mumsnet before sleeping and your post has made my heart burst 🩷 I’m signing off for the night now on such a good note. I know these praises are
embarrassing you, but God bless you, you’ve really made a lot of us smile tonight. The photos of your dogs, the rabbit, your rescue cats, honestly you’re my type of person 🩷

Goodnight.

Have a picture of the original bunny (front) and his girlfriend who is still with us and living with two other rescue bunnies.

Hopefully this thread will also show how rescue animals can be absolutely fabulous, despite what they’ve been through. We have always had rescue dogs, quite a few have had terrible starts, but they have always been wonderful after a little time and love.

Do you remember this Mumsnet story…?  Update
OP posts:
chickadont · 24/04/2026 21:23

What a wonderful person you are! I once read something that said “your dog is just one being in your life, but to your dog you’re their only being”. You have made their life, and please don’t forget underestimate the kindness of what you have done.

Frugalfashionista87 · 24/04/2026 21:26

Petsaresafe · 24/04/2026 21:22

Goodnight.

Have a picture of the original bunny (front) and his girlfriend who is still with us and living with two other rescue bunnies.

Hopefully this thread will also show how rescue animals can be absolutely fabulous, despite what they’ve been through. We have always had rescue dogs, quite a few have had terrible starts, but they have always been wonderful after a little time and love.

Oh, my heart! 🩷🩷

CarrotSpa · 24/04/2026 21:27

This is the best thread ever! I’ve a huge lump in my throat. Completely overwhelmed with the emotion on here 🥰

LovesLabradors · 24/04/2026 21:27

What a good thing you did, OP - I really hope the family sees this and are ok now.

I have a golden lab just like him, mine was a rescue and she had been a working dog, and had clearly known abuse too. She was terrified of going through doors unless I went first - so possibly avoiding being locked in somewhere, or worse, I suspect someone had kicked her through doorways. So heartbreaking.

She's all healed and so happy now - labs really are the most loving, adorable dogs x

Error404FucksNotFound · 24/04/2026 21:28

I remember that.

I do hope the mum and her children are doing ok

Glitterbiscuits · 24/04/2026 21:29

A massive, massive well done OP! I hope your lottery numbers come up!
And I hope the original lady and her children are now happy and settled as they were brave to get out.

This is how the world should be, people lending a hand.

TreehousePumpkin · 24/04/2026 21:29

Petsaresafe · 24/04/2026 19:50

He is.
I’m a bit embarrassed at everyone singing my praises on this thread. Most people would have done similar if they could. And we have ended up with a wonderful dog, a much loved part of the family, for eight years, out of someone’s tough time..

Edited

Yes you’d think that, but yesterday my tiny Pomeranian was attacked by an off lead dog on the pavement outside our house. He was a big husky Akita mix (we think) and ripped her collar off and rag dolled her. I thought she was going to die.

his owner? No apology. Didn’t give us her name or anything. £1500 at the vet and my baby girl is doing well.

The owner didn’t come over today to ask how she was. With help from the village we located her and took round a letter before action. They came with payment and an installment plan and STILL didn’t ask how our dog was.

You like to think that dog owners are ‘like us’ and they’d do the right thing because they’re dog owners…right? And dog owners are nice people, right?

what you’ve done is incredible!

justasking111 · 24/04/2026 21:29

I do remember the thread. So happy to see the animals are loved

Petsaresafe · 24/04/2026 21:32

TreehousePumpkin · 24/04/2026 21:29

Yes you’d think that, but yesterday my tiny Pomeranian was attacked by an off lead dog on the pavement outside our house. He was a big husky Akita mix (we think) and ripped her collar off and rag dolled her. I thought she was going to die.

his owner? No apology. Didn’t give us her name or anything. £1500 at the vet and my baby girl is doing well.

The owner didn’t come over today to ask how she was. With help from the village we located her and took round a letter before action. They came with payment and an installment plan and STILL didn’t ask how our dog was.

You like to think that dog owners are ‘like us’ and they’d do the right thing because they’re dog owners…right? And dog owners are nice people, right?

what you’ve done is incredible!

Oh how awful for you. I hope she’s doing ok and is back on her feet soon.

OP posts:
jwoo23 · 24/04/2026 21:34

You are an absolute hero. Thank you. All good things should come to you. 🥰

buggermewhatnext · 24/04/2026 21:35

What a lovely heart warming post :-)

Likeabirdjoyfully · 24/04/2026 21:37

That has made my day. Wonderful!

Sparkleandfizz · 24/04/2026 21:40

The world needs more people like you, what a kind and wonderful thing to do. ❤

PlacidPenelope · 24/04/2026 21:40

What an absolutely lovely and heartwarming update @Petsaresafe, you are a really special person. I am going through some tricky stuff at the moment and your OP has restored my faith in humanity.

SinuousTendrils · 24/04/2026 21:40

There's something in my eye!
How absolutely wonderful to read, thank you ❤️

Moonandstarsandsun · 24/04/2026 21:40

Awww this is so lovely. Turned crappy few days into pleasant night.

AcquadiP · 24/04/2026 21:41

Made my day! He looks so happy in those photographs❤️

choccytime · 24/04/2026 21:41

So very kind of you OP and a wonderful happy life for the dog x

Autumngirl5 · 24/04/2026 21:43

Such a beautiful post … thank you. I pray that the original poster is in a happy place now too.

neilshair · 24/04/2026 21:44

I don’t remember the thread but I just wanted to say how utterly wonderful you are OP - take every bit of praise because you fully deserve it.

i do hope the original family are doing well and have also had some better years since then

MyCrushWithEyeliner · 24/04/2026 21:47

I love this thread, what an amazing thing to do. Love the pics of the Labs and the bunnies.

Dogs are the best ❤️

Iloveshihtzus · 24/04/2026 21:48

What a wonderful story. Thank you for posting the update. I often wonder how things turn out for people on here - your post has renewed my faith that good things can happen after trauma. ❤️

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