Monday, June 6, 2011

Jacob and Camilla

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This odd-sized duo have been dubbed a real-life 'Little and Large' after becoming friends at an animal sanctuary. 
Two-hundred-pound Great Dane, Jacob, may be a hundred times bigger than tiny two-pound Chihuahua Camilla, but the feisty little pooch doesn't hesitate to put him in his place and he has patiently learned to put up with her mood swings.
Jacob became a big hit with visitors and staff as the largest dog ever to be housed at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Ramsbottom, Lancashire - even bigger than the sanctuary's resident Shetland Pony - after his owners could no longer care for him.


New friends: Bleakholt Animal Sancuary in Lancashire have just received two new dogs, their tallest ever - a Great Dane called Jacob and their smallest ever a Chihuahua called Camilla 
New friends: Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Lancashire have just received two new dogs, their tallest ever - a Great Dane called Jacob and their smallest ever a Chihuahua called Camilla

But it was pint-sized pooch Camilla - who at 7in tall is too little to sleep in the kennels and has her own makeshift bed in the sanctuary's office - who really took a shine to the huge dog.
Stray Camilla, who hit the headlines when she arrived six weeks ago in a poor state, with staff fearing that she may have been treated as a Paris Hilton-style fashion accessory, is now recovering well and happily focuses all of her attentions on her new pal.

The unlikely pair keep sanctuary staff entertained with their comedy duo act, which has been likened to Morecambe and Wise with Jacob as the long-suffering Ernie Wise and Camilla as feisty Eric Morecambe.
 

Best pals: Jacob towers over Camilla at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Lancashire

Sanctuary boss Neil Martin said: 'They're fascinated with each other. Camilla will have a go at him, she's really feisty. He has seemed a bit frightened of her at times when she acts out, he's very cautious but he suffers her attentions patiently.
'They are very curious about each other. He has no idea of doing her harm even when she's annoying him. He's a gentle giant.'

'Bedraggled' Camilla was picked up as a stray six weeks ago and was found to be underweight, suffering from a skin condition and the sort of behavioural problems that led Bleakholt staff to suspect that she may have been carried around in a handbag. 

Mr Martin said: 'She's looking better and feeling better, but there are still problems in her temperament. She's still quite aggressive because she was probably rewarded by her owner who maybe thought it was cute when she growled and barked but now we're training her but ignoring her when she acts out.'

New addition Jacob - who stands at almost 4ft high - was brought in by his reluctant owners just four weeks ago as they were separating and could no longer care for him. 

The shelter initially assigned two members of staff to walk him, but gentle giant Jacob was so laid back and well behaved that they soon realised one was more than enough. 

Mr Martin said: Jacob's subdued outlook is a stark contrast to Camilla's feisty nature and that the pair often amuse staff when they are together.
He said: 'When he first saw her he looked down at her and seemed confused regarding what she was. Like all Great Danes he's got a 'whatever' point of view. He can't be bothered fighting.
'They are very curious about each other. He has no idea of doing her harm, even when she's annoying him. He's a gentle giant.'


The unlikely friends could also have finally relegated to a controversial one-size-fits-all dog-food campaign that featured in The Apprentice to the doghouse.
One of the teams in an episode of the TV business talent show launched a brand of pet food called Everydog, which was subsequently shot down in flames by boss Lord Alan Sugar. 

Little and Large: Camilla perches on Jacob's broad back
Little and Large: Camilla perches on Jacob's broad back 

Mr Martin said: 'Just imagine Camilla and Jacob on the same diet. They have different needs. She would choke on normal-size dry food pellets.
'Jacob, as a lean-waisted type of dog, needs adapted food to keep gastric torsion from occurring.

'The idea of one food for every dog is ludicrous. We can do far better for dogs by giving them different diets.'

He added that while explained that the Jacob slept in the kennels Camilla was being socialised and was given the full run of the office. 


Jacob's arrival coincided with the welcoming to the sanctuary of three-year-old miniature pony Tweedledum, who was found wandering alone along a busy dual carriageway.

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