The pet I’ll always remember: Elizabeth Hurley on Nico the stabbed canine, ‘the loyal angel who kept me safe’ | Pets

Nico had belonged to a good friend – and was cherished – however one night time burglars had damaged in, encountered Nico and stabbed her viciously. She had develop into too laborious to deal with and was despatched to kennels. When I heard of Nico’s plight, I believed: why not have her to remain? This was again within the early 90s and I used to be a struggling actor in Hollywood with time on my palms. Little did I do know she would develop into my lovely main woman for a lot of years.

I had by no means had a canine of my very own and wasn’t positive what to do along with her. At first, Nico wouldn’t eat except she ate out of my hand. I additionally found that nobody had eliminated her stitches, so I painstakingly picked them out with my nail scissors. Then, crossing my fingers and toes, I threw away the tranquillisers. Nico bloomed earlier than my eyes and our mutual obsession started.

My days had been stuffed with auditions and conferences – I would depart the home bright-eyed and hopeful, however return crushed and depressing. Nico would at all times be there, ready anxiously for me. She would know immediately if I used to be upset; I might really feel her nice love attain out and engulf me. On many shamefully self-indulgent events, I buried my face in her neck and wept. She would have made me a cup of tea if she may.

In time, my fortunes modified and I made a decision to maneuver again to England, however dogs needed to full a torturous six-month quarantine within the UK to verify they weren’t carrying rabies. It was an appalling prospect. I subsequently develop into a number one voice within the strain group Passports for Pets, which received the regulation modified in order that absolutely vaccinated animals may journey freely. Sadly, it was not in time for my child, who did her six months behind bars earlier than occurring to have a whale of a time within the English countryside.

Nico, AKA Bat Ears, Two Pelts and Tiramisu, was the loyal angel who slept along with her head on my chest and saved me protected. When she died of most cancers, I used to be devastated. This was earlier than I had my son. Nico had been, fairly merely, the sunshine of my life. I vowed I might by no means once more enable myself to get so near a canine. I’ve had many since, all of whom I’ve adored, however my sooty-eyed dream woman will at all times be my finest in present.