Ingrid Campbell shares the second in our 100 Little Tales series and talks about Missy, a terrier mix, who left this world last year. At 14 she had failing health and her sight was dimming but her tail kept up the pace until the very end.
Meet Missy Campbell, the Wee Black Fox of Belfast, much loved and always remembered.
Ingrid said: "In 2008, having already adopted a dog from Assisi a few years earlier, we were out for a drive one Easter Tuesday and happened to be passing the old Carryduff animal shelter.
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"My ex husband wanted to call in 'for a look'. I didn't! I hated those places, I always ended up feeling guilty for not rescuing all the dogs never mind just one.
"I especially didn't want another dog because the one we already had, Duke, because while he was the most gentle dog with humans, he was very aggressive with other dogs even while just out walking him so I thought this was a stupid idea even contemplating getting another one.
"Long story short we spotted 'Chloe' or she may have been 'Sophie' - she was one of a pair of sisters who had been left there by a lady who said she couldn't cope with their behaviour and I think they just had been given no training at all.
"She was smelly and tatty but so friendly and adorable I fell totally in love with her despite all my misgivings of getting another dog. And what would Duke make of all this?!?!
"So we went home, put Duke in the car, brought him to Carryduff with the understanding that if he was having none of it we wouldn't take her.
"They met and he was growling. But she gave him a great big wet soppy kiss right on the eyeball and he licked her ear and that was it. Love at first sight - then Duke went for a German Shepherd who was walking past minding its own business.
"We took this little black dog home and re-named her Missy and she became Duke's wee wifey. They lay together every day, her with her chin on his back. He never stopped being aggressive to other dogs, actually he got worse.
"But for a dog who hated all other dogs he adored Missy and always protected her, always moving to protect her from other walkers or dogs who we came across. Now I'm starting to wonder should this story have been about Duke!
"Missy teased the life out of Duke, she stole his toys and his treats but he never growled at her even once. It was a match made in doggy heaven.
"She calmed him, in all the 12 years we had her, I never saw her even growl at anyone or anything. She was the most gentle wee soul I ever met and a great source of love to my sons Connor, Ross and Stewart and I miss her more than words can say."
If you would like us to feature your dogs in 100 Little Tales, email your story to jilly.beattie@reachplc.com and don't forget to include photos and videos we can share.
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