My name is David and I currently reside in the Rooksdown area of Basingstoke. I have been around dogs my entire life from Terriers to Border Collies, from Lurchers to chihuahuas. I used to work in the NHS but due to ongoing health problems I had to quit the profession. I met and adopted a very special dog called Rusty that came to me from Romania. When he arrived, he was emotionally shut down. After enduring a 5 day car ride through the low countries of Europe, being rescued from a situation where he was left chained outside with no food and water, it was no surprise that he came in and collapsed in exhaustion. For many days, you could do whatever you wanted to him and he wouldn't have reacted, such is the nature of an emotionally broken dog. After a few weeks, Rusty began exhibiting what seemed to be aggressive behaviour if you would touch him for too long. Being unqualified and uneducated at the time, I enlisted the help of a local behaviourist who assessed him and told me that Rusty had conflicted emotions. He hadn't learned how to say he had had enough. He hadn't learned that he could walk away, so the only way to get me to stop was for him to snap. After my education and qualifications, I understand and realise why this was not aggression. Rusty had every opportunity to bite me but he never did. As he came out of his shell, his reactivity came storming forward. I believe Rusty and I were meant to meet; he was the dog that pushed me to become what I am today. Rusty had many other issues and sadly passed away on the 15th June 2025 at 6 years old but I'll be forever grateful to him for the education he provided me.