Hi my name is Keith, and this is Buddy's story.

The Story of a dog now called Buddy.

Last Thursday at 10 am I was driving down a little country lane in Redbourn. Hertfordshire. When this rather large German Shepherd dog came running out of a dirt track in front of my van. Just avoiding being hit by us.

The dog had hair down to the ground and was so matted with dirt. We stopped and spent 30 minutes trying to get him on a rope. Eventually once contained we knocked on the door of the nearest house to see if they recognised but no one did. A kind lady who we now know as Vicky allowed us to tie the dog up in her garden while we made some phone calls. Thank you for the cuppa tea.

The local vets in Hemel Hempstead said if we could get the dog there they would check if it was chipped. We spent the next hour trying to encourage the dog into the van with food but to no avail. Not wanting to pick him up in case he bites. To our rescue came three firemen who happened to be out on a driving exercise. Using a blanket they managed to get the dog into my van.

We drove to the vets and he was chipped but not registered. They said we could leave him and in around four hours the warden would come and take him to apple down dog sanctuary unless I could take him there. So we put him back in the van and off we went. Arrived at the sanctuary and they refused him as he was found in a postcode outside their area. So once again back in the van.

Phoned At Alban's dog warden and they said we will be out in four hours. So we arranged that they could collect from my house.

I arrived home with one large smelly dog and asked my neighbours who own a raw dog food shop if they had any food. "Why you don't have a dog" was the response. I opened the door to my van. Omg. They were amazing. They were straight on the phone to a dog groomer just around the corner. 20 mins later we are in her parlour. Hair too matted. Rotting and mouldy. There was no choice as to groom. He had to be sheered. Three hours shaving and an hour for four baths and we had a new dog. Neighbours then stocked me with a new bed, blankets, bowls, food, collar and lead. Then the staff at their store all chipped in and donated a beautiful hamper with treats and toys.

This dog was pulling on everyone's heart strings, including mine.

I called the dog warden and cancelled the visit. This poor dog had been through enough for the day. Exhausted. Scared. Confused. That was enough. He wouldn't leave my side. No aggression just sad tearful eyes that were affixed to me all the time. I brought him in. Made his bed in the heated conservatory. Sat stroking him till he slept.

Then I went off to bed. When he realises I wasn't there it started. Two full hours of barking. Howling and scratching at the internal door. Before he exhausted himself and went to bed.

The following morning the dog wardens arrived and informed me that he would go to the pound for a week and if no one claims him then they would try to find him a rescue centre. This poor dog has had a rough enough life and somewhere along the way this has to stop.

I signed a s150 stopping him being removed from my home. This means he is with me for 28 days. If he isn't claiming in the time. He is then legally mine.

And he has a place called home.

You can tell this dog. Now called Buddy has never been indoors.

He had never seen a TV. It at first scared him. After I muted it he sat like a child mesmerized looking at the screen. The hoover to him was like a pug growling at him.

He has survived in the wild and the strangeness of a house . Warmth and security is overwhelming.

In 48 hrs of being here. I have a stripped of wood back gate because I dared to leave for 45 mins for a doctor's appointment. Leaving him with the conservatory and access to the garden. Scratches on the front door.

But it is early days and each day he is showing character and improvements.

I had a dog trainer out yesterday and we spent a few hours. Lots of good advice on walking habits and training an old dog new tricks. (Buddy has been aged at nine years old). Yesterday he learnt to jump in to the back of my people carrier and we drove to London to introduce him to another dog at my partner's home. That went really well and he travels fantastic.

Just got to stop the howling at night. I did sleep on the sofa the other night and allowed him to sleep on the floor next to me. Good night sleep but the trainer said not my best move so last night we were back to the conservatory and the howling.

In times like this you really meet some really decent people. People with compassion.

I would really like to thank the following people who have made all this happen.

Aiden, Michael, Vicky (lady in redbourn). Paige and George (at Pawsomme pets) the dog groomer, the three firemen, the trainer. All have given their time freely and items to help buddy recover.

I never set out to have a dog in my life now. Although I was brought up in a family who always had German shepherds in our home.

I got up and went to work like any other day. Buddy found me and I won't let him down. God has a strange way of working. Thought financially I wasn't in the best place at the moment. So far the cost has been minimal but it does mean at present I can't leave him alone for any period and I have to get him to the vets to be checked over and vaccinated etc. that's why I have turned to here.

Can you be part of Buddy's story. Regular updates on my social media.