The family went to Windybottom Dog Rescue Centre. It was a very kindly place where the rescued dogs were played classical music to calm them down.
“I’m not taking the first dog I see” said Mum. “Put him back and let’s see the rest”.
But the dog had made the decision for them, and he had become their new pet. Mutt, Rescued Dog.
Mutt, Rescued Dog, had been living wild on the streets of New Mills for many months. He hadn’t had much to eat, and he hated stone waggons which he felt, not unreasonably, were trying to kill him.
Because Mutt had been starving living on the streets, the family had to feed him up very carefully -only giving him boiled rice at the beginning. Mutt soon thrived and loved his food. If he wasn’t fed on time, he gave the family very frosty looks.
Mutt soon settled in to his new life with the family, and they loved him so much. One drawback was that when he saw a stone waggon, he tried to bite it.
One terrible day, the saddest of sad things that can ever befall a family happened.
They were too sad to feed themselves, and they completely forgot to feed Mutt too. And, do you know, Mutt never mentioned to them that he hadn’t been fed. He gave no frosty and pointed looks at his empty bowl. He knew how sad they were and he didn’t bother them.
Fortunately, the family had very good neighbours who came in and fed Mutt and fed them too.
Eventually, Mum and Dad had to pull themselves together and feed and walk Mutt. Whilst they were out they spoke to other people and they stroked other dogs. They started going back out and about, and they began to feel better.
You might think differently, but I know that Mutt is the kindest, wisest, most beautiful, loyal dog in the entire World.
© 2026 Sheila Oliver (story) David Kelsall (illustrations). All rights reserved.
