Super Calley’s fragile existence – to happy healthy family pet

Jul 16 2008 by Val Javin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

CALLEY, the dog in our spotlight this week, did not have the best start in life and was in a rescue centre for a time.

Some people may be put off by the fact she’s a rottweiler – but they shouldn’t be, according to owner Frances Ellis.

She took Calley into her home in Marsh after the death of her German Shepherd Zak and has never regretted it for a moment.

Frances says: “Zak died the same day that Calley went into the Dogs’ Trust rehoming centre in Leeds.

“I firmly believe that all dogs deserve a chance of a happy and healthy life and when Calley had come into their care the same day that Zak passed away, it seemed like fate to us that she was meant to come to live with us.

“She’s healed the wounds of losing Zak and given us many happy moments so far in her life.”

She describes Calley as a wonderful dog who is truly loving and devoted and should make people think again about rottweilers.

The pet is companion to another rescue dog, a terrier called Daisy, who is seven years old.

How long have you had your pet? We “rescued” Calley from regional rehoming centre for the Dogs’ Trust in Leeds on November 21 last year, following the death of our German Shepherd. She was 12 weeks old at the time.

What did you call your pet and was there a particular reason for the choice of name? After losing my German Shepherd Zak, I was determined that my next dog would be called Caleb, the Hebrew word for Dog. On rehoming Calley, who was a girl, I decided to keep her name as it sounded very similar to Caleb and also seemed to suit her.

What’s the best thing about your pet? She’s wonderful in so many ways, difficult to say what the best thing is. I have never had a more loving, affectionate, loyal and devoted dog, she’s a joy to own. She is a great ambassador for the much maligned rottweiler breed.

Has your pet got any naughty traits? She likes to pinch my other dog Daisy’s food. She’s 10 months now so at the end of the puppy chewing stage, but she managed to destroy the TV remote control last week and I’ve lost count of the pair of slippers she’s chewed!