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Do you remember this Mumsnet story…? Update

426 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
KTMeetsTheRsUptown · 24/04/2026 23:22

This is the best thread I've read on MN. You are a real gem OP 🥰❤️❤️❤️
If I die and come back as a cat or dog can you adopt me so I come sit on your sofa too 😅❤️❤️❤️

FaceIt · 24/04/2026 23:27

I think I remember it.
Thank you so much for the update. The photos are amazing.
It’s so lovely to know there are good people out there ❤️

Healthyalltheway · 24/04/2026 23:32

What a wonderful update - I hope the lady sees it and thank you OP for you and your family doing such a wonderful thing. One very happy Lab in those photos 😊

PleaseStopEatingMyStuff · 24/04/2026 23:34

Wow! I do remember this unfolding-i cant believe it was so long ago! What an amazing update OP. Thank you for all that you have done for the family and those beautiful, happy animals.

Newyearawaits · 24/04/2026 23:39

Thank you for sharing this heartwarming update

ItstoolateformeDaveyourselves · 24/04/2026 23:50

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

That is beautiful. A lot of trust and care there. I do not know the original thread but I do hope that the lady and her family are doing well and settled outside of what sounds really difficult.

Roomforapony · 24/04/2026 23:51

Thank you @Petsaresafe for this wonderful update and for showing love and kindness to the OP when she was in despair.
Knowing their beloved pets were in safe and loving hands would have eased their hearts during such an awful time. I hope they become aware of this post🙏🏻
You are an inspiration❤️

Petsaresafe · 24/04/2026 23:51

KTMeetsTheRsUptown · 24/04/2026 23:22

This is the best thread I've read on MN. You are a real gem OP 🥰❤️❤️❤️
If I die and come back as a cat or dog can you adopt me so I come sit on your sofa too 😅❤️❤️❤️

You’re welcome, but there’s always a fight to get a place on our sofa. They aren’t even meant to be on it, they have plenty of comfy beds dotted around.

Night everyone. Thank you for the lovely comments.

OP posts:
mumofoneAloneandwell · 24/04/2026 23:51

Wow what a lovely thread 🥺

And what a lovely place mumsnet was all those years ago.

Best to you, op @Petsaresafe ❤️ and I hope that the family are happy and thriving xx

literallyarabbit · 24/04/2026 23:53

This is so wonderful, as are you @Petsaresafe

❤️❤️❤️

KitchenColourandstyle · Yesterday 00:05

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

I didn't see the original post but we'll done you. That's one happy pup. I hope the lady and her children have found peace and joy too.

Do you remember this Mumsnet story…?  Update
SpainToday · Yesterday 00:08

What a lovely story xx

StrandedStarfish · Yesterday 00:08

I do remember that thread. I hope the lady and her family are all safe and happy.

Thank you for your post and your kindness. I wish you all of the blessings of the universe for everything you did.

Cherryicecreamx · Yesterday 00:10

Wow I like to think Mumsnet can be a supportive place, but this is next level. How amazing you were in a position to be able to help out like this and provide these animals with so much love ❤️ I hope she gets to see this post and her and the children are in a much better place now x

EconomyClassRockstar · Yesterday 01:42

I remember and I LOVE this thread. I really hope that, if anyone is reading this in a similarly difficult situation, they can see that MN can really help when the going is that tough. Good job, OP and how lucky are you to end up with a family member you love so much?

CharlieEffie · Yesterday 01:43

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

Its always the husband/dad who doesnt want the dog that forever has the biggest bond with said dog 🤣

This thread has made my heart happy, i know you said your embarrassed that everyone os singing your praises but as a fellow animal lover the fact your providing a loving and safe home to all these lovely rescues- you fully deserve the praise

EconomyClassRockstar · Yesterday 01:44

And I hope the previous owner and her children are happy, healthy and never looked back.

ShetlandishMum · Yesterday 01:45

I wish the family could get in touch. Thank you for all you have done for the bunny and dog and kept them safe and happy in a troubled time.

MarmaladeorJam · Yesterday 01:48

I remember.

There was a lot of worry about people offering help - as in, you have no idea who these people are. The concerned posters were correct of course.

It was so horrid for the woman and her children.

My goodness OP - can you imagine how scared the children would have been for the dog, had they left him behind? It would add a whole layer of misery for them.

To know he went to a kind lady must have given them a lot of courage to do what they needed to do.

And if by chance the original poster happens to read - I do hope you are all well.

99bottlesofkombucha · Yesterday 02:22

This is so beautiful and I’m so glad there are people like you out there!

biggestcatmom · Yesterday 02:49

I don’t remember this thread but just want to say thank you for all you did for the family and giving this lovely dog a happy and good life. We need more people like this in the world

grinandslothit · Yesterday 03:34

Yes I do remember the original story thank you for such a lovely update and giving them good homes.

GoldbergVariations · Yesterday 04:06

Bless you OP x.

Mummyoflittledragon · Yesterday 05:23

Yes, I remember the thread. Thank you for the update. You are so amazing for helping her out and for giving your lab the most special home. I hope she and hee kids managed to have a good life. ❤️

historyismything82 · Yesterday 06:32

Petsaresafe · 24/04/2026 23:51

You’re welcome, but there’s always a fight to get a place on our sofa. They aren’t even meant to be on it, they have plenty of comfy beds dotted around.

Night everyone. Thank you for the lovely comments.

What a lovely soul you are, lovely dog too. Such a pleasure to read something so heartwarming instead of the usual depressing shite online. You are an angel. Thank you for making me feel warm and fuzzy.

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