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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
Porkpieandmustard · 24/04/2026 19:07

How lovely. I remember the thread. ❤️

Flicitytricity · 24/04/2026 19:08

Petsaresafe · 24/04/2026 18:56

There you go - there were so many lovely Mumsnet people offering help with the animals. I just happened to be the right fit. We’d just lost one of our labradors, so we had a Labrador sized bed and rugs etc, plus we were rural and had loads of space. Our remaining lab was broken hearted to have lost his bestie, so he got a lot out of fostering this dog - as the fostered dog did from him. That other lab has long gone too, now it’s this dog and our little one, who is even older than him now.

I'd just lost my old lab, and had the younger one pining too!
I think that's why I was so determined to try and help, but in all honesty, I do think you were the perfect choice😁

FranticFrankie · 24/04/2026 19:08

What a fabulous update- hope the family from the original post are doing well
Thank you OP- beautiful dog ❤

Blanca87 · 24/04/2026 19:09

Wow, this post made me tear up. What an absolute beautiful post. ❤️

SweetDreamsAreMadeOfFizz · 24/04/2026 19:09

A lovely deed for a desperate family. This is how I remember Mumsnet - support and compassion and strangers helping strangers because there but for the grace of God etc.
Thank you for being a ray of sunshine today. You're a wonderful human being. X

BinseyPoplars · 24/04/2026 19:09

How kind of you to do this OP ♥️

Petsaresafe · 24/04/2026 19:10

Flicitytricity · 24/04/2026 19:08

I'd just lost my old lab, and had the younger one pining too!
I think that's why I was so determined to try and help, but in all honesty, I do think you were the perfect choice😁

This was the pair of them when he first came. We already had the little dog, and they’re great friends now too, but the labs really drew strength from each other.

Do you remember this Mumsnet story…?  Update
Do you remember this Mumsnet story…?  Update
OP posts:
MabelAnderson · 24/04/2026 19:10

I remember the thread too. I am so glad that you took in the pets and that they thrived, and I hope that the family are ok now. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💐💐💐💐💐💐💐 to you

GremlinDolphin4 · 24/04/2026 19:11

What a wonderful update thank you! You have been so kind to very lucky dog and bunny. Xx

INeedABrewPlease · 24/04/2026 19:12

You are an angel OP! For the dog to fear crying breaks my heart, the trauma that family must have suffered. I do hope they have a wonderful life now. The dog sure does, and to live on a farm, just beautiful. Thanks for the update.

TirednessOnToast · 24/04/2026 19:13

I think I have something in my eye. God bless you OP. I do hope the original MNer & her children met with similar good fortune.

dovesquare · 24/04/2026 19:14

I remember the thread. You’ve made me teary OP. You’re a gem x

Letsgoforaskip · 24/04/2026 19:15

That is brilliant. Well done you 🥰
You provided the perfect solution to people in a crisis and that dog was/is obviously a wonderful fit.
The family must have been hugely reassured that their beloved pets were in safe hands.
❤️

MiffyPurple · 24/04/2026 19:15

What a fabulous story!! Thanks so much for sharing it. I will read it to my family over tea.

PotatoPrometheus · 24/04/2026 19:15

Ohhh this makes me so happy 😭😭 what a lovely story ❤️🐶 Thanks for a little bit of happiness at the end of a long week 💕

AelitaQueenofMars · 24/04/2026 19:15

What a lovely story and a kind heart you have, OP! DH just put on Goldfrapp’s Happiness while I was reading the OP and looking at the pictures and it’s made me tear up. I hope the lady and her children have found love and happiness since, as her pets did ❤️❤️

Pieceofpurplesky · 24/04/2026 19:16

Beautiful and I hope the lady and her children found the peace and love you gave her pets.

IndigoBluey · 24/04/2026 19:16

Lovely post update. Made me tear up. You’re very kind

Butterme · 24/04/2026 19:17

I’m literally crying at this!!
Thank you so much OP. If we all helped each other out a bit the world would be a much better place ❤️❤️

My pets mean everything to me and when I had to move (not DV related) they were my biggest worry as I couldn’t find anywhere that would accept them for ages.

I can’t imagine the stress this would cause someone needing to flee their home because of DV! Especially as pets are usually the victims and a way to gain control over people.

I do hope the lady sees this and shows her children.
🙌🙌🙌

Tuhafeni · 24/04/2026 19:17

What a lovely update. I too hope the lady found a better life and sees this happy story.

Xiaoxiong · 24/04/2026 19:17

I remember the thread!! I was another one who offered, but our dog at the time was a rescue and I wasn't sure how she'd cope. I remember feeling guilty at how relieved I felt when the lady replied to say that someone was already helping her. And that someone was you!! Well done OP, what a wonderful thing you did.

Handeyethingyowl · 24/04/2026 19:17

So lovely. Has made my day reading about this dog’s lovely new life x

Petsaresafe · 24/04/2026 19:18

INeedABrewPlease · 24/04/2026 19:12

You are an angel OP! For the dog to fear crying breaks my heart, the trauma that family must have suffered. I do hope they have a wonderful life now. The dog sure does, and to live on a farm, just beautiful. Thanks for the update.

It’s not that he feared crying, he just emphasised. If I am very upset about something he is there with his head on my knee, trying to make me feel better. Dogs are awesome like that. I try not to cry when he’s around. I think he probably has done his share of that.

OP posts:
Bringflowersofthefairest · 24/04/2026 19:20

Amazing to read this. Thank you for such a wonderful update OP. It was the dogs lucky day when you turned up.
I hope the lady reads this and I hope she and her children are living happy peaceful lives like dog is with you.

INeedABrewPlease · 24/04/2026 19:20

Petsaresafe · 24/04/2026 19:18

It’s not that he feared crying, he just emphasised. If I am very upset about something he is there with his head on my knee, trying to make me feel better. Dogs are awesome like that. I try not to cry when he’s around. I think he probably has done his share of that.

My apologies. He sounds marvellous ❤️

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