28th November 2010

Looking out of the window to a white glistening sheen over the gardens and rooftops, winter has truly arrived early . Daisy, Honey, Oscar and Doris are oblivious, fast asleep snuggled together on the bed.

.They hear their bowls rattle for breakfast. Doris makes her way down slowly, followed by Oscar in an all out charge. Daisy now pacing back and forth in anticipation. Honey the last to surface from the warm bed. Breakfast over, a quick turn in the garden and a mad rush back to secure their place on the bed with the exception of Doris who wants her special time for cuddles.

All are rescue Staffies happily living together, all with their own personality and needs. Ages ranging from 3yrs to 13+ yrs.

Shopping the next requirement of the day. Dogs safely in their own areas of the house, radios synchronised to the same channel ready for the Tesco marathon. Having run the gauntlet in Tesco's I bravely decided the garden centre was the next port of call.
I spied a rather plump middle aged Staffie bitch with her owners in tow. Never being able to walk past a Staffie I bent down to stroke her. I heard the owners say that they would like another one, to the couple standing next to them. Never one to let an opportunity pass, I accosted the owners, thinking this could be a chance for Bullseye or Riley. Sadly they also had a handsome Boxer with them but would have taken another Staffie had the circumstances been different.

I can honestly say that during each day somewhere in the background my thoughts are never far away from those Staffies needing our help. Whether it is finding homes, raising funds, educating people on the breed or raising awareness of their plight. Of which I have recently emailed Lord Hattersley, he owned a Staffie X called Buster, because of his relationship with Buster Lord Hattersley wrote a book called Buster's Secret Diaries. The antics of  Buster made me laugh relating many of them to my own dogs. Sadly Buster died last year. On behalf of Stafford Welfare I have asked  for help albeit in a small way, also would he consider becoming Patron to Stafford Welfare. As yet there has been no reply. 

Home at last welcomed by 4 enthusiastic dogs all descending on the bags to see what goodies the humans have bought home. Daisy decides a DVD is food and runs off with it. Thankfully no harm was done only a chewed box!
Time to check the emails, 2! A smile spreads across my face, an adoption and a foster enquiry. My heart sinks and I slump back in the chair.
10 year old bitch owner is going away in December she offers £100 for us to re home  the dog to a good home!
2 year old dog, has bitten owner on several occasions, the last time the dog had come over for his belly to be
rubbed and then gone for the owner. The owner is now frightened of the dog. Could we take him and re home him otherwise he would have him put down on Monday. Sadly we had to advise the owner that the dog was not suitable for re homing and what he proposed was the kindest thing for the dog.

Alison and I talk on the phone trying to bolster one another up. Tomorrow is another day maybe just maybe a suitable home will come up for one of the dogs.This is what keeps us going.   Valerie