Zombi The Wonder Dog

Once upon a time in the mountains of Crete there lived a small wild grey dog. Life was not easy and Zambia (for that was her name) survived many hardships. One day her life took a sudden, permanent change for the better. She met Gillie who, like English girls the world over, had a genetic weakness for bright eyes and a wagging tail, or at least wagging stump with the bone sticking out the end. Eventually Gillie & Zambia returned to England, and after quarantine (for Zambia !) lived happily together. As time went by a daughter (for Zambia) appeared, she was very beautiful but thought by most to be a little short on grey cells. Her name was Zombi. In time Zombi met a handsome collie (Gelert), and Zesti, mad but looking like her grandma appeared.

One day a friend of Gillie's (Trog), them both being partial to good food, decided to take her for a surprise birthday treat at The Gordleton Mill Hotel, which neither had ever been to before. They decided to take Zambia, Zombi, and Zesti who were to stay with a friend at Tiptoe, and to walk in the New Forest in the day. Just south of Lyndhurst at Clayhill Heath looked like the perfect spot for a nice walkies. Unfortunately Zambia, now a venerable 14 years, took one sniff of the Forest smells and instantly reverted to the wild Greek mountain dog she was. In full cry she disappeared into the depths of the forest, followed by Zombi, and Zesti. After about an hour Gillie heard the puppy barking, and shouted for her. Zesti quickly returned. Gradually it went dark, and Gillie's voice got hoarser. The Police were informed, the forestry commission were informed, and at 6pm Gillie gave up looking. They drove dejectedly to Tiptoe where Zesti was staying, and on to Gordleton Mill at Hordle. After a stunning meal and a few too many drinks they retired to bed worried, and stillmissing Zambia & Zombi.

Around 5am Gillie awoke from a dream to hear a pathetic wowling noise outside, could it be her dogs ? She got up and went to the window, there on the fire escape, looking at the bedroom window and pointing was a wet, tired, filthy, but happy Zombi. She had made her way 8 miles (as the crow flies) across completely strange country, through Brockenhurst, across a main road, across a main railway line, to the hotel, round the back, up the fire escape to exactly outside the correct room. Nobody suggests Zombi is short on grey cells any more - indeed she is now known as Zombi The Wonder Dog!

As for the 14 year old Zambia it turned out that after a couple of hours hunting, when she was getting tired and hungry and realising she was lost, introduced herself to a friendly man in a caravan. He of course fell for the bright eyes and wagging stump and cared for her until the next day when he walked her into Lyndhurst Police station. Gillie caught up with them as they were walking back to the caravan (having purchased Zambia's lunch), and was reunited.

So the weekend ended happily after much worry, a magnificent meal, boundless help and sympathy from the New Forest people, and what you must admit is a fairly incredible journey.

Gillie and Trog were married in October 1992.