It’s difficult to know where to begin after a break. We travelled for two weeks and now are here in Lamorna, in beautiful sunshine!
The whole journey was about 1500 miles and along the way there was lots of food for thought and sights to gladden the eye. I don’t know where to begin so lets dive in to the most important part of the journey.

Duna and her new home

If you have been folllowing the blog for the last 6 months you will know there were problems between Duna and Bonnie. We tried everything we could to help Duna accept a new dog in her life but the fights continued and got worse with each passing month. Duna’s life became very restricted – I couldn’t walk both dogs at the same time which meant she spent more and more time at home.  She was kept on the patio which was heartbreaking as she felt abandonned. Bringing her into the house meant she had to be tied to a table leg – more anguish. Walks in the woods or the mountains or by the sea were tense as Duna could only be let off leash with constant vigilance and occasionally we missed the moment when her fury arose and had to pull her snarling angry little body off Bonnie. Bonnie was anxious most of the time and started to be tetchy around other dogs.  She  learnt to defend herself, taking her to places in the canine psyche that she had never visited before.
She often ‘won’ the battles but Duna would never give up, always returning for another tussle.

So, sadly and slowly we realised that living together was no longer possible. Someone or some dog would have to find a new home. Quite often it was touch and go who that would be! But realities were faced – I am the major dog walker in our home and Bonnie is my dog so we decided to look for a new home for Duna. Apart from her hatred of Bonnie she is a wonderful loving, intelligent and beautiful dog.  She clearly would be happier in the countryside with a family who love walking and who give her an outdoor life.

We arrived in the UK not knowing what the solution would be and in the first days found a wonderful new home in Norfolk for Duna. She is living with a couple who have a garden and whose own dog died a few months ago. Andy works outdoors and likes to have his dog with him all day, travelling around farms and gardens. He also is a great walker and regularly does 10 or more miles every day. She is living next door to two close friends of mine so I am hoping we can see her again next time we come back and of course will get news of her often.

Leaving her was very sad. I miss her firm little brown and white body, her silky soft muzzle and her long curly ears.  She was very much loved in Catalunya but the truth is that it is not a good life for a springer spaniel in the centre of a town. It’s not a great place for a border collie either but I take Bonnie for her walks several times a day and at 10 she is more ready for a quiet life than 3 year old Duna.

I would never have seen myself as someone who would re-home a dog but this life in Catalunya shows me more and more  how you can’t ever say never!  And I feel sure of Duna’s happiness in her new life.