'Terrified of everything'
Jeremy was a shutdown, shell of a dog when he arrived at Blue Cross, but with love and patience, he’s overcome so much…
From sleeping on straw in a concrete kennel, to squishy beds, fireside naps and countryside walks, life now couldn’t be more different for Jeremy compared to his first 10 years.
The lhasa apso arrived at Blue Cross Suffolk from a breeding facility in September 2024 in a terrible state and petrified of people, having never experienced human contact.
He couldn’t be touched and was even scared of his own food bowl as he’d never had one of his own before. He didn’t know what a toy or a comfy bed was, either.
Jeremy was also badly matted and had dental disease, with treatment leaving him with just four teeth.
Heartbreaking
Hannah Ward, Rehabilitation Trainer and Behaviour Advisor, says: “Jeremy was in such a sorry state when he first arrived. He was terrified, and we didn’t know what the future held for him. It was heartbreaking.
“For the first week or two, he would not move and would shake if someone went into his kennel.”
The team took things slowly. The company of other dogs made him brave enough to go on walks and, gradually, Jeremy began to relax.
Hannah describes seeing him play with a toy for the first time as a “magical moment”. And when he went on a walk without another dog, it was another huge milestone.
With his confidence growing, Jeremy was placed in foster care to see if he could adapt to pet life.
Blossom
Thankfully, he continued to blossom. With the help of freshly cooked chicken, he learnt to approach humans without fear and eventually started to settle in the same room as his fosterer.
Now ready for adoption, finding a home for Jeremy, who may never want to be stroked, was the next big challenge.
But after more than 200 days in our care, he went to live in Norfolk with Catherine Docherty and Miquel Vall-llosera Camps, along with their 18-year-old cat Lucky and fellow rescue dog Bluey, eight.
The couple were certain they could give Jeremy the patient, understanding home he needed after rehabilitating their previous rescue dog, Elliot, who had many challenges.
“When we saw Jeremy, I felt like we had been through this before," says Catherine. "And it’s so rewarding to see how they improve, and the confidence they develop.”
Happy place
And Jeremy has thrived. His happy place might still be perched on the end of the sofa, about a metre away from his family and nearest the door. But it’s enormous progress for a dog who, until recently, was petrified of being in the same room as people.
“He still likes to have his exit clear,” says Catherine. “But at the start, he wouldn’t choose to be with us. He was terrified of everything.”
Catherine continues: "When he arrived, he didn’t go into the living room for days as it was too closed, and too far away from the back door. He needed to know he could run outside. He was just too scared to go anywhere else. But he did want to go for a walk – he just wanted to be with Bluey.”
While he doesn’t seek out fuss – and probably never will – Jeremy can now be touched on cue and can now cope with being groomed. On one occasion, he has even curled up on Catherine’s lap for a snooze.
Miquel says: “He’s progressed so much faster than we expected. Everything is a victory, like the first time he went up the stairs, the first time he jumped on the sofa, the first time he jumped on the bed.”
Lifestyle coach
Bluey, who is described as Jeremy’s “lifestyle coach”, has been instrumental in building his confidence. By his side, Jeremy has even enjoyed long mountain hikes on holiday in Scotland and has recently returned from a second trip there over Christmas.
“If he's got Bluey with him, then he's happy,” says Catherine. “He’s Bluey’s little sidekick.
“If Bluey sees something and goes to run after it, Jeremy will be behind him, not knowing where they're going or why.”
Of Jeremy's first holiday in Scotland, Catherine says: "It had rained a lot through the night on one day, and one of the trails on the hill was basically a waterfall. But the two of them were just running up it, tails in the air, super happy.”
Jeremy’s transformation is remarkable, and Catherine and Miquel couldn’t be prouder of him.
Catherine says: “His story was so sad, it breaks your heart. We just want to make him happy.
“And he makes us smile a lot. Either because he's achieved something new, or because he's just done something funny.”
She adds: “Jeremy proves that, with patience, things can change. There’s no lost cause.”
