Why our Abi is truly a top dog

9:38am Saturday 20th September 2008

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EIGHTEEN months ago she was found abandoned wondering through Hampshire woodland by a concerned RSPCA officer.

With her head covered in cigarette burns and a timid nature, there was little hope that Abi would find a loving family to take care of her.

But the three-year-old Saluki was quickly adopted by a couple from Fareham and after some tender loving care has just been nominated for the RSPCA’s Rescue Dog of the Year competition.

Special For owners Dave and Margaret Griffiths it was that first meeting at the Stubbington Ark RSPCA that made them realise how special Abi was.

Dave, a retired accountant, of Lechlade Gardens, Fareham, said: “When we went to go and see the dogs at the centre they were all going ballistic and barking. But she was just lying in the back staring into space.

“I called her over and tapped the wire and she walked over to me with her tale wagging, sniffed my hand, gave me a lick and then went and sat back down. It was as if she chose us. I looked at Magi and we just said ‘that’s the one’.”

Margaret, 54, a former insurance underwriter, added: “She’s been absolutely brilliant ever since we had her. Due to David’s health he stumbles over occasionally but she will wait with him on the floor until help arrives. It’s as if she senses trouble.

“If anything ever happened to her I don’t know what we would do.”

Abi is one of 90 dogs from around the country with a chance of being named overall RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year.