This story isn’t just about saving a dog. It’s about timing, trust, and the quiet magic of welcoming a companion who turns your world upside down in the best possible way, one wave chase, squirrel rebellion, and sofa snuggle at a time. From being picked up by Vera in November 2024, to today she has influenced all around her in the nicest ways possible.

Olive’s Story: Rescue, Waves, and Squirrel Showdowns

Rescue has always been a part of my life, something gentle, familiar, and instinctive.
It wasn’t really a choice; it felt like a natural extension of how I have always seen animals. My childhood dog came from Manchester Dog’s Home after being found on the streets. My sister adopted her dog from Turkey. Rescue dogs have also been a part of my grandparent’s lives, animals with stories and scars welcomed without hesitation. The love they shared felt inherited, something I grew up watching unfold
naturally. That unspoken bond quietly passed down showed me what rescue truly means.

So, when I finally reached a point in my life where I could get a dog, I didn’t hesitate. I knew I would adopt. I had just finished renovating my first home, settled into a full-time job, and was living in Newcastle, about three and a half hours from my family. I realised I needed a four-legged, fluffy companion just as much as they needed me, a partner in crime to share life’s little adventures. I carefully researched and reached out to rescues both in the UK and abroad. Then I found darling Nanu, now Olive. It was love at first sight. You know that unmistakable feeling when you just know?
That is exactly what happened.

Just like that, the adventures of Oliviaa and Olive began. It wasn’t simply about adopting a dog; it was the start of something quietly extraordinary. Life was already full, but with Olive it became richer and more vibrant, threaded with new routines, muddy walks, unexpected laughter, and that unspoken companionship that changes how you see everything.

From the very start, she was kind, calm, and full of love. I know how lucky I was; two worlds collided perfectly in that moment. But I also know that not every street dog will come with those qualities immediately. It takes patience, time, and a lot of love to bring out the best in them.

There were small signs of her past. She was nervous about walking through doors at first, which honestly broke my heart. It felt like stepping into the unknown was still something she feared. But with patience, cuddles, and some treats, she realised there was nothing to fear on the other side.

As you might expect from a street dog, toilet training required patience and consistency, but it was manageable. I stuck to a steady routine with trips outside every half hour, plenty of praise, cuddles, and treats. Day after day, we both put in the effort. Watching her progress so quickly reminded me just how much patience and love can achieve when you don’t give up.

Now picture this: cue the iconic The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly theme music playing in the background. The tension is thick, like a classic cowboy standoff. On one side, Olive, eyes locked and ready for a duel. On the other, squirrels and birds, confident and daring, challenging her focus. The showdown is about to begin, a wild battle of wills between a determined dog and fearless wildlife. You don’t need to
know the film to feel the epic energy.

I’m not sure if Olive has some unresolved history with birds and squirrels, but these standoffs have required extra training. Staying with the movie theme, it’s a bit like that scene in Finding Nemo where Bruce makes the promise, “Fish are friends, not food.” Olive has her own version of that and has been enrolled in recall classes with the Dog’s Trust, focusing on building recall rather than chasing every feather and fluffy tail she sees.

It’s a process, but with patience and persistence, Olive is learning to choose her battles proving that even the wildest showdowns can be tamed with love and a little training.

I was asked, “How has the addition of your pup changed your life for the better or in ways you didn’t expect?” Honestly, it’s hard to put into words. Olive has changed everything. She is my whole world. I adore her completely and cannot imagine a single day without her. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

When I first told my friends and family, I was rescuing a dog I had never met from Bosnia, a few thought I had lost the plot. And to be fair, it probably sounded a little wild. But they trusted me, and now they understand. They love her just as much as I do. She is spoiled beyond belief, adored by everyone, and treated like the queen she is.

Olive is quite the character, full of cheek and charm. She has this unique way of telling me when she wants her own way. She uses gentle mouth play that basically says, “I’m not done until I get that belly tickle.” When she first arrived, she was stubborn about going outside for toilet breaks. Often,
I had to pick her up and carry her out. Believe it or not, that ritual hasn’t changed. She still pulls it every night before bed. It’s like she’s perfected the art of negotiation.

Affection is Olive’s language, and she’s fluent. The idea of personal space doesn’t exist. Kisses are not optional; they are mandatory. Her warmth and closeness feel like a constant, reassuring presence.
Her absolute favourite place is the beach, and I’m lucky enough to live close enough to visit often. She’s a true water baby, completely captivated by the waves and endlessly determined to chase and leap through them. We often stop by a local beach cafe where she’s become such a regular that she heads straight for the door, fully expecting the warm welcome and spoils she’s come to love.

Olive thrives at the dog park too, running free and wild with her furry friends. Most of them, like her, are rescues, which makes the camaraderie even more meaningful, a reminder of how far they have all come.

When I first got Olive, I had one non-negotiable rule about furniture. That lasted about two seconds. How do you say no to sofa snuggles? It quickly became our
favourite part of the day.

She has this cheeky habit of pulling out every toy right after I put them away, like
she’s staging a tiny rebellion. “Nope, these belong right here!” it seems to say.

Olive adores my boyfriend, and he’s just as obsessed with her. She’s also the unofficial queen of girly nights in, and somehow, she’s become a local pub legend, a
rescue turned rockstar dog.

It’s the little things, her quiet determination, unwavering loyalty, and unmistakable spark, that make Olive so much more than just a rescue. She’s a steady force that grounds me, a constant reminder of the strength found in patience and love.



The main reason I want to share my story is to encourage younger generations to open their hearts to rescue dogs. At 26 and living on my own, this feels like the perfect chapter to invest the time, patience, and love needed to help a dog heal and thrive. Rescuing Olive has taught me that it’s not just about saving a life, it’s about building a bond that transforms both of you in unexpected ways. When the day
comes that I have a child, I’m confident they will grow up with the kindest, most loyal companion, a friend who has already taught me so much about resilience, trust, and unconditional love.