SUE-PER WOMAN

SUE WRIGHT WEARS MANY HATS IN HER DAY TO DAY LIFE BUT HER LOVE OF DOGS ALWAYS SEEMS TO SHINE THROUGH. WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE WONDERFUL PROJECTS SUE HAS BEEN INVOLED WITH OVER THE YEARS.

Sue Wright is a rare breed of human. With a Finance Law Degree, she was called to the bar in 1993, a lifetimes achievement for most. Sue went on to win a Woman of the Year Award, saved a suicidal teenager from a motorway bridge, fostered and adopted five children, and spearheaded over £2.5M in fundraising. An exhaustive list - I’m sure you will agree. But it is her love of dogs that we are celebrating and the endless work she does for our fourlegged friends.

I think you’ll agree that dogs are a great source of reliable, consistent love and affection, and are almost always considered part of the family.

Our readers may remember a tragic incident that occurred in late 2014, where more than 40 dogs were killed in the fire at Manchester Dogs Home. The dogs that survived were moved to the Cheshire Dogs Home in Grappenhall whilst they assessed the situation and determined their next steps. Many charities and individuals stepped in immediately to help, both practically and financially. Sue was one of those people.

Taking on the role of PR and press at the charity, the news spread across the world, and the fire became one of the most trending topics, second only to the Oscar Pistorius trial.

An aircraft hangar was quickly located to store dog food, beds, coats, and leads. Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of stock accrued and a fundraising page was set up on JustGiving so that the dog’s home could raise money to rebuild. They raised £2.3M. The team reached out to all large construction companies and asked them to donate what they could; even Dulux donated paint.

Animal rescue is a female-dominated industry, and Sue has always been involved with it in some way. She helps to move dogs from one part of the country to the other, never taking fuel money.

“You’ve not lived a day until you’ve done something for somebody who cannot repay you. I take my hat off to those who help rescue animals. It’s a financially demanding job, and they put feeding the dogs before feeding themselves. They’re incredible.”

Whilst on holiday in Morocco in 2022, Sue was appalled by the overpopulation of stray dogs where she was staying. Each day, she and her family would go to the beach and see hundreds of dogs looking for food, water, and shelter. Of course, Sue found a way to help. Each day she would fill bin liners from the hotel room full of sausages, bacon, and another other meats found at the breakfast buffet, much to her partner’s embarrassment.

“The dogs live in packs on the beach, and they have their own territories. One day, I went down to feed a pack, and a starving male dog approached the territory and overstepped the mark. Several of the dogs ran over and pinned him down, attacking him. All I could hear was him yelping and crying for help. I was thinking, “Oh my god! I caused this.

“I was desperately trying to save the dog, who I thought had a fractured leg, by googling rescues/shelters. Sadly, I had no choice but to let the dog go and contact a small shelter I found. They advised me to ring them back when I found the dog again.”

Moroccan authorities round up stray dogs and put them in a room called a ‘death camp’. They are basically left to starve and end up eating each other. Once Sue learned of this, she and her partner Faisal hired a sand buggy, whilst the children were in the kid’s club. They searched for the male dog that was attacked - whom she had now named ‘Bobby’.

“We found him panting in the heat, under a bit of shade, about three miles away. I sent Faisal back to be with the kids and called the rescue shelter with my location. I gave him some water and stayed with him for an hour until Lucy reached us. En route, driving down roads she’d never been down before, Lucy found an 18-month-old German Shepherd lying on the side of the road with his back leg hanging off. So, she scooped him up and put him in the back of her small Peugeot 205. When she arrived, I just couldn’t believe the state of this poor dog. It was so sad. There I was, dipping in and out of dog rescue, but this was just ONE hour of Lucy’s life. Unbelievable! I decided there and then that I would commit to paying the vet fees for the two dogs – whatever that entailed: amputation for the German Shepherd, vaccines etc.. I wanted to bring Bobby home to the UK and have him rehomed here.”

Leaving Morocco and arriving home, Sue was introduced to a kennelfree rescue in Manchester. She explained what she had done historically regarding fundraising and donors, and said she would be willing to help them if she could have some help in return. You guessed it! Bobby and the German Shepherd, now named Brago, were to be shipped over to a rescue. By this point, Brago’s leg has been amputated and he was recovering well.

It took approximately four months to get Bobby travel-ready, at the correct weight and vaccinated. A volunteer drove him from Morocco to Paris; then another volunteer brought him across the English Channel. They collectively paid for a pet transport company to take him from Dover to Manchester.

He arrived in the freezing winter of the UK, bewildered, not really knowing what was happening to him. He stole everyone’s hearts at the dog rescue and was fostered. He was the perfect house guest. It was funny really, because he was never house-trained, but he instinctively knew what to do when nature called.

Just a few months ago, he was adopted by a family who wanted a smaller dog to keep their other dogs company. They have renamed Bobby ‘Omar’ and have invited Sue to visit him.

Brago is vaccinated and ready to come to the UK, but the backlog of dogs waiting for their new home is so great here that Brago will have to stay where he is for now. He’s doing just fine. The rescue centre has, however, just raised £400,000 and bought a new 45-acre site.

“I would love to do the free rescue on Wirral and replicate what they’ve done in Manchester because it’s the most amazing place. The dogs live in harmony. There’s no barking, no crying or screaming. There’s just peace and quiet”.

Sue’s motto is “Adopt, don’t shop”, something she would dearly love to become more popular.

Currently, Sue has a Rhodesian ridgeback called Ruby. She was a quasirescue and returned to a breeder, which the breeder then didn’t want.

“We had two other dogs, including a rescued Staffy, a few years ago. She was on death row, and the vets diagnosed her as terminally ill. She had four weeks to live, so they wanted somebody to give her end-of-life care. She was in Bournemouth at this point, so volunteers passed her from pillar to post all the way up the M6. My now ex-husband said she was like the Olympic torch. Tammy came for four weeks and defied everyone’s expectations as she lasted four years!

“I’ve had lots of dogs, but I lost two in lockdown. I lost Tammy and Bodie, my border collie. She was 11 and was a rescue dog. Her legs just went from under her one day, and she never recovered.”

The love, care, attention, time, energy, and generosity of Sue Wright knows no bounds. As Sue rightly said: “In a world where relationships are hugely fractured because of their history, the love that comes from any dog you home is unconditional.”

Nigeria: A Heart-Warming Tale of Love and Friendship

As a young child growing up in Nigeria, I experienced endless possibilities and exciting adventures. My family and I resided in a spacious single-story house on the outskirts of Aba.

With its wide-pitched roof and sturdy columns supporting a sprawling veranda spanning the front of the house, it boasted a perfect escape from the intense sun and oppressive humidity. This feature provided a comfortable and refreshing place to sit with family and friends. We even enjoyed sitting on the veranda in winter, frying plantain as we soaked in the warm sun.

One of my favourite pastimes was visiting the local market with my family. The market was a bustling hub of activity, with vendors selling all types of goods on the streets, filling the air with the scent of exotic spices and fresh produce.

We weaved through the maze of stalls and kiosks, mesmerised by the variety of displayed items. The intricately woven baskets and brightly coloured fabrics caught our attention, and we couldn’t resist admiring them. The locals haggled over prices with voices raised in excitement, and I found their negotiating skills fascinating. Our visits to the market were not just for purchasing goods but also for immersing ourselves in Nigeria’s rich culture and traditions.

The devastation brought by the Biafra War severely impacted Nigeria, with one of its most significant consequences being the widespread food shortage it caused. The intensifying fighting forced people to abandon their homes and flee to safer areas, leaving their crops and livestock behind. As a result, people resorted to hunting and fishing to survive and to sell live animals like chickens, goats, and cows for meat in the markets.

Unfortunately, despite the availability of some livestock in the markets, the war also led to widespread famine and malnutrition. Many people, especially those living in rural areas, could not access enough food to survive. This dire situation forced many to eat whatever they could find, including insects, rats, and other animals not traditionally considered food.

While exploring the bustling streets of the local market one day, we noticed a vendor holding two puppies by the neck in the crook of his elbows. Our hearts broke for the helpless animals when we realised the vendor intended to sell them for food.

Without hesitation, we purchased one of the puppies, a beautiful mixedbreed native dog of Nigeria. We named her Skippy after a popular Australian television show about a kangaroo that aired during the 1960s.

Skippy quickly became an integral part of our family, and we were amazed by her intelligence, agility, and spirited personality.

Reflecting on those cherished memories, I now realise Skippy was more than a faithful companion. Though she has long passed, her impact on my life will never diminish, as she transformed my life in countless ways.

From Fields to Friends: Growing Up in Rural Sussex

When my family and I returned from Nigeria, we settled back into our home on the outskirts of a quaint village near Ashdown Forest in Sussex.

Luckily, my grandparents had a smallholding nearby that felt like a second home to me, and I was fascinated by the various animals surrounding me. My brother and I often took on the task of bottle-feeding piglets and lambs near the Rayburn in the kitchen. Providing these tiny creatures with the extra care and warmth they needed was an enriching experience. But it wasn’t just the farm animals that grabbed my attention.

My Hungarian grandmother was a devoted animal lover, and her collection of pets was nothing short of impressive. I can still recall the sight of her strolling down the lane with her seven dogs and fifteen cats in tow. Being surrounded by all those furry friends was pure bliss.

I could spend hours with the farm animals and my beloved pets. Polly and Toby, my ponies, were a particular favourite of mine. I loved grooming and riding them around the Ashdown Forest, while Champers the hamster, Mopsy the guinea pig, and Snuggles and Pepper the rabbits provided endless entertainment. During this time in Sussex, a Miniature Schnauzer named Sport was gifted to us by Texan friends and became a part of our family after spending six months in quarantine. With his friendly and cheerful personality, he always welcomed me with a gleeful woof.

Animals have a unique way of touching our hearts and souls, and they can teach us so much about affection, devotion, and empathy. Growing up surrounded by animals gave me a profound appreciation for their companionship. I’m grateful for the joy and comfort they bring, and I’ll always hold the memories of my childhood pets in high regard. They left an indelible mark on my life, reminding me that the simple pleasures of spending time with animals are some of life’s greatest treasures.

Life Lessons: Reflections on Love and Compassion

After feeling unfulfilled in my corporate role within the insurance industry, I took some time to reflect on my choices. As a result, I discovered a new path and decided to become a virtual assistant, working from home. Although the transition was challenging, it was also satisfying, and it filled me with excitement about the possibilities of this new direction.

Pursuing my dreams and passions has opened up new opportunities and allowed me to shape my future with purpose and meaning. As I continued down this path, I encountered unexpected sources of inspiration and guidance - one of which was a sweet little puppy named Bramble.

Bramble quickly showed me what mattered in life. As a puppy, she was curious and always eager to explore the world around her. Watching her bound through fields, chase after balls, and play with other dogs reminded me of staying present and enjoying life’s simple things.

Her wagging tail and happy disposition always lifted my spirits, no matter how bad my day was or how stressed I felt. She was always there for me, offering unwavering support and affection and teaching me valuable lessons about love and compassion.

The Ripple Effect of Kindness: Transforming Lives and Building a Business

I received a call from an elderly neighbour who was unwell while I was at home with Bramble. He asked me to help him walk his Cocker Spaniel. I eagerly accepted the opportunity and arrived with Bramble to find Pippa eagerly waiting at the door, wagging her tail furiously as she greeted us. After securing her lead, we set out for a walk around the adjacent farmland.

As we roamed, I could feel the stress and tension of the day fading away. Pippa was a friendly and affectionate dog, and it was evident that she was delighted to be outside and have some company. Once our walk was over, I returned her to her owner. He was profusely grateful for my help and thanked me for my kindness. It felt gratifying to know that I had made a difference in someone’s life, even in a small way, and I was happy to have been able to help a neighbour in need.

That simple act of kindness had a ripple effect that would ultimately change my life. As I continued to walk Pippa regularly, I realised how much joy and fulfilment I derived from spending time with her. Soon enough, I started considering a career in dog walking and pet care and began researching what it would take to start my own business.

I took action and enrolled in courses on animal care and management, behaviour, training, and first aid while networking with other pet care professionals in my area. By December 2003, I had launched my dog walking and pet care business, quickly gaining momentum thanks to word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients.

As my business expanded, I saw first-hand the transformative power of kindness. I earned a living doing something I enjoyed and improved the lives of the pets and owners I worked with. Walking dogs or checking in on pets while their owners are away could significantly impact their wellbeing.

Throughout the years, I have cared for hundreds of animals, each with unique personalities and needs. Whether it was an early-morning walk or late-night pet sitting, I was there for my clients whenever they needed me. In return, they became an extended family.

The Power of Connection: Reflections on a Journey of Self-Discovery

As Bramble grew older and faced health challenges, she taught me about the inevitability of change and the importance of resilience. Despite her struggles, she remained positive and determined, never giving up on her zest for living.

In 2016, Bramble passed away after 15 wonderful years together, leaving me utterly heartbroken. Bramble taught me the essence of unconditional love, unwavering companionship, and loyalty and made my life more fulfilling. Her spirit remains with me, and I feel her guidance.

Reflecting on my journey, I often wonder if my DNA has passed down my love for animals from generations of animal lovers before me. Or is it a product of my environment, experiences, and learned behaviour that has become so ingrained that it feels like second nature?

Looking back, I am fortunate to have discovered a purpose and a passion that aligns with my core values and brings me immense joy and contentment. I recall how one small act of kindness created a successful and impactful business. It’s a testament to the power of compassion and its positive impact on the world.

Approaching the 20th anniversary of my business, I feel grateful and proud. My life with animals has given me a unique perspective on life and taught me valuable lessons that will stay with me forever. I am thankful for the experiences that have shaped me into who I am today and excited to continue making a positive difference to the pet community around me.

Animals have always been essential to my identity, and I feel a deep connection to them that I can’t quite explain. They hold a special place in my heart, and my life would not be complete without them. My love for animals is integral to who I am, and I embrace it wholeheartedly.