1,000-mile trip to rescue Harley

A Kilkee woman made a 1,000 mile round-trip journey to rehome five-month-old puppy Harley from the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in London.
Julie Roche fell in love with Harley, a bull mastiff cross puppy, after a friend saw the pup’s photograph on Battersea’s website and posted it on Facebook.
“I fell for her the moment I saw her photo,” Julie says. “I showed her to my children and husband and we knew she was the dog for us. It was only after we’d decided we had to rehome her that we realised she was in London. But I thought you only live once and knew she was worth it.”
Julie started her journey at 5pm last Friday by driving to the east coast of Ireland, before taking the 2am ferry over to Wales. From there, she drove to London, eventually arriving at Battersea at 2pm on Saturday.
“It was a very long journey so I felt really tired when we arrived at Battersea but as soon as I saw Harley I knew it had been worth it, I just felt great,” Julie explains. “Then, we got in the car to do the journey all over again, although this time Harley was snuggled up on the backseat. After an overnight stay in Dublin, I got back home on Monday.”
Battersea rehomes animals all over England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and last year even welcomed a new owner from Denmark. However, Julie’s 1,000-mile round trip is still one of the longest distances a new owner has travelled to rehome a Battersea animal.
Harley had been brought into Battersea by her previous owner, who didn’t have enough time to care for her. As Harley, just months old, was only a young pup, she was fostered by Laura Ingall from Hampshire.
Laura explained, “Harley really enjoyed living in the country and she got on really well with the horses, donkeys and sheep she met. She is a perfect little dog and I know she will enjoy life in Ireland.”
Harley’s love of wildlife will come in handy in Kilkee, as Julie owns three cats, two donkeys, five chickens and another dog.
“It’s a bit of a menagerie but I know Harley will fit in really well with the other animals,” Julie added. Harley will also get to enjoy the Clare countryside during long walks on a beach near Querrin.
“I am absolutely delighted that I chose to come to Battersea,” Julie says. “It is a long journey to make but I know that I am making a difference to a dog who really needs a fresh start. I have a friend who wants to get an English bull terrier and I will definitely encourage her to visit Battersea.”