I HAVE a soft spot for a beagle that lives around the corner. Her tail wags like a supercharged metronome and, frankly, she's a slobberer. I only bump into her occasionally so you can imagine what a softy she is with her owners.

I mention her only because she was not always happy. She was a rescued dog and had a start in life you would not wish on Cruella De Vil.

When the family that took her on first got her, she was a pretty thing, though sad and stunted. Any dog lover would have wanted to give her a home.

But very few would have been suitable.

She was so disturbed by her awful early experience that she could not even go through an open door. Instead, she would, agitatedly, turn in circles.

She ended up in a kind and loving home, thank goodness, where her gentle new family put in a huge amount of time, patience and care to build up trust. And it took years.

Today the RSPCA still has 30 dogs rescued from an illegal puppy farm that need re-housing. After their appalling early experience of human care, it is wonderful that the other side of human nature can be seen in the 500 inquiries made to offer them homes. But what is sensible is that the RSPCA recognises that good intentions are not enough. A nervous dog, frightened of every unfamiliar sound and movement, needs a great deal of time and attention that I, for one, would be unable to give. Those dogs deserve the right homes.

Me? I'm just thankful for the occasional slobbery greeting from the rescued dog from round the corner who is now a confident, lovable hound.

The beagle has landed on her feet.