After losing our family dog Keesha at the ripe old age of 13, I knew I couldn’t live without a dog around. The house just didn’t feel right without one.
I looked and looked at different rescues — the prices, the requirements, all of it. It was hard, especially having a young child at the time. I just wasn’t getting a look in anywhere.
Nearly a year to the day we lost Keesha, I was on my way to meet a rescue dog.
Finding Him
Through a family friend, I got put in contact with a lovely lady who worked with a Greek rescue called Zante Strays. She volunteers at the shelter when she’s on holiday and also fosters from her home in the UK.
My message to her was something along the lines of:
“Hi, I’m Kiah. I’m looking for a young rescue, not a puppy. I’ve got a young child who’s good with dogs and I’ve got the time and love to give one a proper home.”
I sent a couple of photos of my house and garden and just waited.
Not long after, she told me about a young male who had just come into her care.
He’d been found wandering on his own and taken into the shelter. He’d only been there about three weeks, but he wasn’t coping at all. He wasn’t eating, and from the photos you could see everything — ribs, hips… he had nothing to lose.
So it was decided he’d be brought over to the UK.
And two days later, I went to meet him.
The Day I Met Him
I didn’t even have a car at the time, and he was about 3–4 hours away. My family friend took me and my daughter all the way there.
The second I saw him, I was gone.
He’d been called Gentle at the shelter because he was so nervous, but in the garden he was a completely different dog. Absolute chaos — zoomies like I’ve never seen before.
Straight over to me and my daughter like he already knew us.
I just knew.
That was my dog.
I was trying (very awkwardly) to ask what the next steps were — home checks, all that — and she just said:
“He’s chosen you. You can take him home today.”
I could’ve cried on the spot.
Bringing Him Home
I was not prepared to bring a dog home that day.
So we stopped on the way back for food, toys, treats — everything.
He was so skinny. I couldn’t stop looking at him. Every rib, every bone… I just wanted to feed him properly, but I knew I had to be careful.
Didn’t matter anyway.
He wouldn’t eat dog food.
At all.
I tried everything.
So we started with human food and slowly mixed dog food into it. It had to be heated, obviously, but it worked. Looking back, he was probably just decompressing — he’d been through a lot.
Learning Each Other
I took everything step by step.
Once we got one thing right, we moved onto the next.
He was around 15 months old, so lead training was a big one. He’s clever, nothing seemed too hard, but he was distracted… and scared.
Then I started teaching eye contact.
Game changer.
Everything just clicked. He was focused, listening, not worrying about everything around him. It was just me and him.
He’s not food driven at all, especially outside, so that wasn’t an option for rewards. Didn’t matter — he just wanted to be with me.
The “Mountain Goat”
Slowly, he became an absolute pleasure to walk.
Still known as the “mountain goat” in the house though.
Over time he’s become reactive to other dogs and prefers to be left alone by most. He’s very selective with his friends… and that’s fine.
One of those friends is my cousin’s dog, Diesel.
Honestly, the biggest bromance I’ve ever seen.
They love a chase, but mostly just a good walk through the woods. They suit each other perfectly. I’m glad he’s got a proper little adventure buddy.
Just… Him
He fitted into my life so easily, I couldn’t believe it.
For once, it actually felt like I’d made a really good decision.
He’s such a vocal dog, which not everyone appreciates, but I love it. He doesn’t do it for no reason — he’s telling you something.
He’ll look at you, then at what he wants, then back at you and bark.
Like he’s having a full conversation.
Most people don’t get it.
But I do.
Our Adventures
We’ve done some amazing things together already.
We’re lucky living on the south coast — loads of walks on the downs, beaches, just getting out whenever we can.
We even did Snowdon, which was honestly amazing. Marley looked like he belonged up there.
He’s not really a water dog — more of a puddle jumper — but he’s getting there.
The Journey Continues
Marley changed everything for me.
And now the pack has grown, and we’ve got so much more planned.
More walks, more camping, more trips.
I can’t wait to take you along with us.
If you’ve got any questions about Marley or the adoption process, feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to help.