For the love of DOGS

Emily Astillberry, 40, found happiness – and a husband – while caring for animals in need

- SERENA SHORES

After a long, gruelling day at work, RSPCA inspector Emily Astillberry knows that, whatever kind of day she’s had, her husband Dean will know what she’s going through, as he’s an inspector for the animal charity too.

‘It always means so much that I know he has that level of understanding because some of the days are sometimes a lot tougher than others,’ says Emily, from Mileham, Norfolk. ‘Dean and I both say it’s the best job in the world, except when it’s the worst one, and we have each other for support, to offload and occasionally shed a tear.’

Emily has been an inspector for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for 16 years, while Dean has 27 years of experience helping animals in need. As well as a hectic blended family of five children aged six to 18, the couple also look after two rescue dogs of their own. Indeed, their love story was also a love story for the two furry souls they’d each adopted 12 years ago.

‘Dean rescued Eric, the mini dachshund, around the time I gave a home to my darling Bobby, who is a Staffie-Jack Russell-cross,’ Emily smiles. ‘Bobby had suffered horrific cruelty when I found and rescued him, and was terrified of everything and everyone,’ she says.

‘But when Dean and I moved in together, Eric, who was confident, gave Bobby confidence too – he taught him how to be a dog again. I have to say they really loved each other and Bobby actually cried when Eric died. It just shows how much dogs have to give.’