Everyone Loves Scruffy

Dani's endearing little rescue dog definitely had a mind of his own - and apparently an extensive fan club too

- GAIL WARRICK COX

Scruffy!" Dani exclaimed. "Where are you going?" Each time she opened her front door, Scruffy would pull her towards the village. It was becoming a daily battle.

"Let's go walkies in the countryside," Dani encouraged as she steered Scruffy to the lane that led to the fields beyond.

Dani was new to the area. Working for a big tech firm in the city had been great for a while, but Dani never really felt she fitted in. It was all a bit too glamorous for her, so when the chance to work from home arose she took it and moved to a quaint village.

It was daunting moving somewhere new on her own so Dani got herself a friend - Scruffy, a rescue dog.

As they made their way up the muddy lane, a huge tractor came thundering by.

"Morning, Scruffy," the driver called.

Dani wondered how he knew Scruffy's name. Perhaps all Border Terriers look a bit scruffy? He was especially so; his fur had a kink giving him a fluffy look, his eyebrows were too long and one of his ears refused to lie flat.

Dani looked down at her own fraying jacket, torn jeans and tatty green wellies. She was quite scruffy too. Perhaps the driver had been addressing her.

The next morning Scruffy pulled Dani towards the village as usual. She needed supplies so she followed, his lead taut between them as he hurried ahead.