In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a Greyhound female, to the nearby Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, run by a man named Geoff Grewcock and known as a willing haven for Animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need. 

Geoffand the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved.

They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.

But Jasmine had other ideas. No-one remembers now how it began, but she started welcoming all Animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn't matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, any other lost or hurting Animal, Jasmine would peer into the box or cage and, where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.

Geoff relates one of the early incidents. "We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them."

"But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings.

"She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose."

Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary's resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits.

And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the Roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted.

"They are inseparable," says Geoff "Bramble walks between her legs and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary.

It's a real treat to see them."

Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next Orphan or victim of abuse.

From left, Toby, a stray Lakeland dog; Bramble, orphaned Roe deer; Buster, a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; Sky, an injured barn owl; and Jasmine with a Mother's heart doing best what a caring Mother would do...

A Pet Owner’s Guide to Savings

• Consider alternatives to veterinary care. If you can’t afford vet fees, check out humane society or university veterinary clinics which may offer thriftier medical services than private practitioners.
• Look out for specials such as reduced veterinary-service events sponsored by government agencies or pet stores. Also, some vets will give you a discount if you bring in several pets at once, so bringing in the whole brood routine check-ups and inoculations will save you time and money
• Tell your vet if your pet is a stray. Many vets offer a discount if a pet was an abandoned or homeless creature that you rescued. The discount is usually at least 10 percent off.
• Seniors should also ask their vets about discounts. Some vets offer seniors discounts as high as 20 percent!
• Reproductive reasons aside, spaying or neutering your pet decreases its chances of developing a number of illnesses.
• Keep track of your pet’s records such as inoculations and other health-care services. If you switch vets, you’ll avoid having costly procedures repeated.
• Be selective about follow-up care. Don't automatically follow up with expensive emergency-hospital staff (if you can avoid it.). See if you can instead follow up with your regular vet during normal business hours.
• Learn what constitutes a true emergency situation. For example, weakness and difficulty in breathing is an emergency.
• Consider purchasing pet health insurance. It works in much the same way as it does for people -- there's generally a deductible, a co-pay or both, and forms to be filled out
• Don’t settle for prices; shop around for medicines, online and locally.
• Seek a second opinion when your vet suggests a pricey procedure.
• Brush your pet’s pearly whites! Not only will your pet's teeth suffer if you don't -- it can seriously affect your pet’s overall health. Oral bacteria can lead to serious problems and complications.
• Ask your vet for samples.
• Consider your pet’s diet. Upgrading to higher-quality premium foods can pay off in health dividends.
• Take advantage of the free resources offered by your local pet-supply store. Their personnel tend to be animal lovers with a fairly good knowledge regarding a variety of pets.
• Read, listen and watch. Take advantage of other free resources, such as pet publications, informative email subscriptions, and TV and radio programs.