The Tattooed Tart

I am one of those people who rely on the presence of a dog to go for a walk, to get exercise and breathe fresh air. I have just never gotten used to just going for a walk for no reason, therefore a dog was not only desirable as a companion but essential for keeping my waistline from getting any bigger!!

A phone call led us to the local shelter where we came across a small black dog that had been found wandering the streets. She was a terrier type, wildly enthusiastic with the most intense stare. That I have seen in a dog.

I was in love immediately, totally smitten, however, there was a problem looming on the horizon. Joy has never been the greatest fan of terriers so this was going to be a very hard sell.  Fortunately, Joy saw that it was love at first sight and didn’t object so we adopted this small black nameless dog. She was named Joy and became Ziggy. Many of my dogs over the years have had the letter Z in their name which gives a very unmistakable sound that makes it so much easier for a dog to recognise.

The next step was to get her neutered. This was done by a delightful veterinary surgeon whose sobriquet is The Greek One. Small in stature but big in personality this lady also has a wicked sense of humour. It is customary for charity vets to tattoo near the operation sight, therefore, ensuring that In the future if the dog is returned any vet will instantly know as soon as the belly is shaved that she has been neutered. The tattoo in itself can sometimes contain a subliminal message. One veterinary surgeon I assisted tattooed NL signifying New Life. For a stray dog, life is hard, no permanent shelter, no guaranteed food or water, a world without healthcare and a precarious future. To live that shadowy existence is tough but on top of all that imagine having to cope with a litter of puppies. For a stray, it really is a new life being neutered. Now the Greek One tattooed Ziggy as I knew she would but it wasn’t until much later that I realised what she had done and it has caused much mirth and been a source of conversation ever since.

Ziggy is one of those dogs that adore humans. From pensioners to children, male and female, her wild enthusiasm is infectious. Everybody is greeted with her intense stare and a furiously wagging tail, so furious that her entire backend moves. Obviously, there is a high degree of self-interest in her behaviour. Naturally, she has worked out that her demeanour brings its own rewards, lots of attention, loads of fuss and the occasional treat. Even whilst we are in the cafenion having a coffee it is common for a child to come over to play with Ziggy and parents of nervous children constantly ask if their children can be introduced to Ziggy such is her reputation.