The unconditional love of a pet can do so more than just keep us company. They’re always there for us when we need them, sticking by our side throughout the highs and lows of life.
Lisette van Riel knows that more than anyone. When the 40-year-old discovered her dad had died while living almost 5,000 miles away on the other side of the world, she was left inconsolable.
But the love of her rescue dog Beautie got her through the devastating time – saving her from sinking into a deep depression.
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“She gave me a reason to get up in the mornings,” Lisette said. “She knew when I was having a bad day; she would sit in front of me staring into my eyes and lick my tears away.
“She would snuggle up to me when I needed it. She knew I needed comforting. I just felt so thankful during that time.”
Lisette rescued Beautie, a saluki border collie mix, while living in Dubai in 2014. Lisette and her husband Daniel Jones, from Worsley, had not long moved to the country to volunteer at a dog rescue centre.
Though the marketing consultant hadn’t been looking to adopt a dog herself, she couldn’t help but fall in love with three-legged Beautie. And when she learned the 10-year-old pooch was struggling to find a forever home, Lisette knew she had to step in.
“She was a three-legged dog very happily running around,” Lisette added. “I thought, ‘Oh my God, if I was looking for a dog, she would be the one I’d want to choose’.
“A couple of weeks later, I saw a post on Facebook saying no one wanted her, even her foster family, because of her three legs people would assume there would be extra costs. I thought I needed to do something.”
Lisette and Daniel had only been caring for Beautie for a few weeks when they received some heartbreaking news. Lisette’s dad John had suffered a heart attack in the Netherlands, meaning Lisette had to get there as quickly as she could.
Tragically, the 69-year-old passed away just before Lisette's plane landed. “He had health issues, but this came completely out of the blue,” she added.
“I remember I had friends over and it was meant to be a happy time. I got that call and my world stopped.
“I had to fly home as quickly as possible, but before I landed he passed away. I didn’t get there in time.”
Lisette stayed with family in the UK for three weeks before having to return to work in Dubai. “My mum told me I have a dog now and I needed to get back because she was waiting for me,” Lisette added.
“It was so hard, but knowing she needed me gave me a reason to go back. Without her, I’d have probably ended up depressed and wanting to go back home. It should have been me comforting her – I had only just rescued her!”
After moving back to the UK in 2017, Lisette, who lives in Ackworth, West Yorkshire, felt inspired and motivated by Beautie to make a difference to other rescue dogs in need.
With the help of her cousin, Lee Brown, she decided to set up DoggyWarriors, a non-profit organisation raising money for dog charities and small rescue centres across the UK.
Each month, DoggyWarriors partners with five different small dog charities in the UK to raise money through their charity lottery, DoggyLottery.
Since July 2020, DoggyWarriors has raised more than £70k for 80 different rescue centres across the UK, including Paws2Rescue, All Dogs Matter, Wild At Heart Foundation and Greyhound Gap.
Lisette’s end goal is to “significantly lower the number of dogs that get abandoned each year," she says.
“I made a promise to Beautie,” she added. “I might have rescued her, but she rescued me right back. I’m going to do everything I can to help more dogs.”
To find out more or take part in the doggy lottery, visit DoggyWarriors website.
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