Ratty

The October/November Pawbags prize of the advent calendar was won by Ratty’s owner Marcia Virdi. When I called Marcia to give her the news, I found out a bit about Ratty.

I love chatting to you, my readers, when I call with the wonderful news that you have won one of the fabulous Lifestyle competition prizes.

I am sure you will agree that this was one story definitely worth sharing with you all…………

The Virdi family were living in the Yucatan and very early one morning on a single-track road in the bush, they came across this little abandoned pup sitting in the middle of the road. There were no other pups or any sign of the mother anywhere around and they decided they had to rescue her before she was eaten by a jaguar or large snake.

Marcia’s daughter, Jette scooped her up, wrapped her in her hoodie, as she was covered in fleas etc and took her to the Hacienda. There she was dunked in water and rubbed dry, gradually she found her feet as she was being sniffed by Mambo, the Dalmatian that Jette had rescued a couple of years earlier. It was decided at that time to call her Quine.

Marcia went on to say “That night we took the dogs to the vet as we were away for the weekend and Quine definitely needed some medical care. She was tiny and her stomach was as wide as her length, she had ‘Yoda’ ears and a curly pig’s tail. The vet said he had never seen such a sick dog, and to be warned.

“But Quine thrived, living in a bird cage at night for the first month while she got used to life in her new home in order that we didn’t tread on her if we got up at night. She really found her feet going to the Hacienda each day but the Mayans working there couldn’t get their tongues around Quine so that is why we renamed her Ratty.

“She and Mambo chased each other around the property, they barked at every four-legged animal that appeared from the bush and at any strangers that arrived. Each day Ratty and Mambo were let out of the car to run down the driveway to the Hacienda, a good 4 km track, sniffing the exciting smells that had passed in the night. Ratty managed to keep up with her long-legged friend and they both normally collapsed in the shade on arrival.

“Once she was stung by a scorpion which wiped her out for several hours. Jette had been stung by one earlier in the month so knew exactly what it felt like. Ratty always insists on playing with anything that came into the Hacienda, thus the scorpion sting! She never failed to be puzzled by the tarantulas that jumped out of her way just as she thought she had caught them. The jumping always surprised her, and it made her jump.

“Jette continued to rescue animals, Monkey (an Airedale) and a few weeks later, KitKat a kitten who was being stoned by some boys as she was passing. At that point I put my foot down not to rescue animals that put her in the way of danger.

“They all slept together in a jumble and often attempted to do so on Jette’s bed when there were the big thunder storms as often happened in the Yucatan. KitKat adopted the dogs and would lick their ears for them.

“When Jette left Mexico she relocated Mambo, Monkey and KitKat but insisted on Ratty coming home to Scotland. The first dog we rescued was Crack (a Shepherd cross) from Gabon but she had passed away at 13 a year earlier. Ratty arrived in Edinburgh on a day that was very snowy. It never seemed to bother her, immediately running her nose through the snow as she ran in woods out the back of our house.

“Her fur grew much longer, and she adapted to life in Scotland, her appetite never diminished and her habit of taking food from the bowl, moving away to put the mouthful on the floor to eat in peace and quiet away from the other dogs, then taking another mouthful and doing the same thing.

“Ratty has won her first prize - an advent calendar from PawBags of Lossie and loved what was inside. She devoured the treats as if she’s never tasted anything so good. She couldn’t wait for more!

“Jette has since then, rescued Wila (an Australian Heeler) from the pound and more recently fostering Ricky (a long haired Saluki Greyhound mix) in Ireland.

All are beautiful dogs who have been very gentle with children and extremely loyal.

Closing dates:

A new year and another opportunity to win some fabulous prizes from Lifestyle’s generous clients.

I hope you enjoyed reading about Ratty who won the advent calendar. Who knows you could be in a future feature if you have a story to tell about your prize.

This issue, as always, we have some amazing prizes, starting with your own Bespoke Memory Bear lovingly made by Shona. Visit the MillHouse hotel with a companion of your choice for a delicious afternoon tea for two. If you are looking for a gift for someone, what better than

Competition Codes

MEMBEAR

Bespoke Memory Bear

MILLTEA

Afternoon Tea for two at Mill House Hotel

MORAYGIFT

Moray gift Card valued £50

BEOURBRIDE

£100 gift voucher

LARDERPIES