Maggie and I met on 19th December 2008 in York. She was advertised on Gumtree as she had been bred at 7 months old and most of her puppies had died, and the advert said that she was 'useless and being beaten up by the ex-girlfriend'.

 

By chance I saw the advert, and I couldn't help myself. She looked so sad, dejected and hopeless. I couldn't bear it, and I felt drawn to her as though it was beyond my control. 

 

I called straight away and the guy told me that he had another offer of swapping her for a gold ring and a motorcycle helmet. I offered him £100 and begged him not to swap her for a gold ring and a helmet, and arranged to meet him as soon as I left work. I was a nervous wreck all day hoping that I would get there first.

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When we met in a cold, dark Co-Op car park that night in December, it was clear that she had been neglected and was not used to being treated kindly.