From Street Dog to Soulmate: Pippa’s Journey Home
Follow the heartwarming journey of Pippa, a once-homeless pup who travelled
across borders and beat the odds to find her forever home with Nicola. From street
smarts to stable life, this is a rescue story full of love, second chances, and plenty of
tail wags.

From Street Dog to Soulmate.

Hi, friends! I’m Pippa, formerly Cleo, back when life looked a little different. Since I lack opposable thumbs and the ability to type (minor details), I’ve got a human to help share the story of how I found love, safety, and tummy rubs in my forever home with my mum, Nicola.

They call it a humble beginning. I call it street smarts 101. Born outdoors, raised on instincts. I was still falling over paws I hadn’t quite grown into yet, and trust me, that didn’t exactly scream “survivor.” But even then, I knew life was going to be tough. No dinner bowl waiting for me. No warm blanket. No cosy bed. Just the cold ground, an empty belly, and the hope that tomorrow might be a little kinder.

I was on the streets for quite some time before I met Vera. I was unsure at first; most humans hadn’t exactly been kind, so being nervous made sense. Vera was patient, and something about her felt different. A good soul and a warm heart, something you humans might say, and honestly, I’d have to agree.
She took me to her shelter, and for the first time, I knew where my next meal was coming from; no more going to sleep hungry, just a full belly and a safe place to rest.

Moving to a new home.

It wasn’t long before Vera told me I was about to embark (see what I did there?) on a brand-new journey to the UK. I’d never travelled so far and wide before, but one thing I did know for sure: if I was going to meet my new mum, I’d need a proper bath and a fresh pedicure. First impressions matter, after all.

DNV Save Animals is the name of Vera’s pack. They told me my new mum, Nicola, had also been through a tough time after losing a comrade of the four-paw kind, Maisie, a gorgeous Jack Russell crossed with a pug. Maisie lived to be eleven and a half years old. I’m guessing that’s nearly ninety in human years.

Nicola had been searching for the right dog for a while, but sometimes the expectations of some rescues made finding a match harder than it should be. Then she found DNV Save Animals, where the same high standards, integrity, and honesty in finding the perfect home really stood out. Drum roll, please. This is where she found me.

My new mum Nicola says she chose me because I was just the right size to snuggle and, well, cute enough to win her heart. Girl power was part of the plan; she wanted a female companion to keep things balanced, especially since I would soon be meeting her mum’s two whippets, who are girls, too. Being young helped too because Nicola was looking for a dog who could keep up with the busy lifestyle, and
energy is something I have in bundles.

Bags packed and a farewell to Vera, I’m heading to the UK! Meeting my new mum, Nicola, for the very first time, I was a little bundle of nerves. But those nerves soon melted away because deep down, I knew she was the one for me. I truly appreciated us meeting and felt so lucky that she chose me. It didn’t take
long for me to feel at home with her. I wanted to show her how much she meant to
me already, so I spent my very first evening curled up, fast asleep on her lap.

Every new adventure brings its own challenges.

Men with hats and beards make me nervous, probably for reasons I don’t fully understand. But I’m open to learning how to love and trust again.
You might not catch me wearing a hat anytime soon, though… I’m a dog.
My new mum has been so patient and understanding with me, and I love her for that. Every street dog needs that kind of patience and care, and I promise to protect her with the same kindness.
Over time, I met so many new friendly faces. I really appreciate their patience, too. I go to them when I feel ready, because feeling safe has to come first for any dog, especially one who started life on the streets.

Mum takes me to the stables with her. A place filled with all sorts of new smells. Some are lovely, and some are definitely a bit questionable. The biggest surprise was meeting the giant dogs, which I later found out are actually called horses. It’s nice here. People come and go, which means I’m slowly becoming more confident when meeting new faces, too. Don’t get me wrong, I occasionally bark, but a
wagging tail follows. I do struggle with separation anxiety. It’s tough, but for me, it’s all about feeling safe
and comforted. Mum’s understanding of it is beyond compare. She slept with me in the kitchen during those first few days, then slowly moved her bed a little farther away each night over the next three weeks. She never rushed me, and that made all the difference.

I still let her know when I miss her, especially when I want to be part of whatever’s going on. But I settle quickly now. I mean, I don’t want to miss out! Mum always says there’s nothing better than coming home and having a nap on the sofa together. I think she might have a little separation anxiety from me, too.

Mum has an ATV buggy, and when she gives me a treat, I race alongside it with my tail high and my ears flapping in the wind, always ready to follow her to the next task.
I spend every day at work with Mum at the equestrian centre. If we’re not out in the fields, you’ll probably find me fast asleep on the windowsill in the office. I fit there perfectly. Sleeping on the job is something that has fast become part of my skill set.

During my lunch breaks, I play with our family whippet, and let me tell you, we bring
plenty of laughter to anyone watching. Mum tells me not to let my size fool you, I conquer the stairs in giant leaps, three steps at a time! I’ve got a whole bunch of sounds I use to tell mum exactly how I’m
feeling. She says it’s like I’m talking to her, and honestly, I think we understand each other perfectly.

Mum thinks her clients might prefer stopping in to see me instead of her. It feels nice knowing I bring smiles to so many people’s days. Life with Mum is more wonderful than I ever dreamed. We’ve already shared so many special moments, and the sweetest part is knowing there are countless more
waiting for us.

I didn’t know what home meant until I found you. Now, your love is where my heart
lives.

You can see the details of the daily work at the DNV shelter on our Facebook Page Here
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088068337888550

Or if you have a dog in mind, please fill out an enquiry form
Adoption Enquiry – DNV Save Animals | Saving Street Dogs and Cats in Bosnia