1st February

Peace reigns at last! My daughter and grandson Charlie who is 6 years old, arrived for dinner this evening with a  cacophony of noise from Daisy, Honey and Oscar with Doris quietly waiting at the rear for some attention. Charlie gently strokes Doris and gives her a kiss on her head, respectful of her age, she licks him in return. Once they have greeted one another Doris lays in her bed. Charlie and Honey have a special affinity, she absolutely adores him and is never far away from his side. Oscar once he has had some attention will lay down and get on with dozing on the sofa. Daisy on the other hand treats Charlie like a naughty puppy, gently mouthing him if she thinks he is getting to boisterous. Charlie and the dogs are never left on their own together a practice that we have always done and is recommended at all times.

Daisy, Honey, Oscar and Doris are all rescues, each are different, varying ages and reasons why they where in rescue.

Daisy adopted from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home (BDCH) age approx 1 year. She had just had a litter of pups, when the puppies were 6 weeks old and all sold, Daisy was handed into BDCH the owner stating she had killed two kittens aged 3 weeks from a litter they had bred. Daisy is now 10.

Honey, BDCH aged 16 weeks reason for re homing:- She bit, chewed and jumped up. Honey is now 7.

Oscar, Guildford & District SBTR aged 16 weeks, reason for re homing:- Relationship break up, the owner had a young child,  she moved back in with parents, dog being neglected and mistreated. Oscar is now 3.5years.

Doris, from a pound with a put to sleep date, rescued by Animal Helpline Peterborough aged 13+ years, reason:- was a stray. Doris could not walk far due to breathing difficulties when we got her and would not have been able to walk far we therefore assume that she was dumped somewhere as she would not have been able to walk far from where she lived.

Sadly there are many myths that people perceive about re homing  a rescue dog.  Many think that rescue dogs are unwanted because they are problematic. Most dogs are given to rescue centres through no fault of their own, common reasons are relationship break-ups, moving abroad, moving home, allergies and the arrival of a new baby. Some owners cannot cope with the dog. This is rarely down to the dog but usually because the owners have chosen a breed on looks alone and not done their research on what the specific breed of dog needs to be happy.

You can't train a rescue dog! All dogs have the potential to be trained but they are also individuals with different motivations and will learn at different speeds. Poppy was a problem dog but with Mark and Cats devotion Poppy is a credit to them and a testimony to what can be achieved see blog for 22nd and 23rd January. This takes commitment, time and effort on the part of an owner, which many do not want to undertake. Many are misguided to think a dog instinctively knows what is required of them, they should walk without pulling, come when called, sit and stay. These all have to be taught with consistency, all members of the household following the same training routine using the same commands to avoid confusing the dog.

All rescue dogs have medical problems. Not all rescue dogs have medical problems, the majority are young and healthy, those that come in with a medical problem are treated and are not re homed until they have made a full recovery or the prospective owner is informed about the treatment the dog requires.

Rescue dogs are not damaged goods and not all have been cruelly treated either. Rescue dogs go on to make loving loyal companions. Which is why we now have four Staffords of our own.

After our German Shepherd Max and  Jack Russell, Sally passed away, Stuart and I had vowed we would never have another dog, finding it to difficult to make the decision to have them put to sleep through ill health and subsequently the loss. For 9 years we enjoyed  the good life, travelling to the far parts of the world, which are all now a distant memory. Instead we have a life filled daily with laughter, frustration, joy and love thanks to Daisy, Honey, Oscar and Doris. We have come to terms that everything has its lifespan, although it does not stop us shedding a tear and the pain so unbearable when they die. With so many dogs needing homes we will continue adopting a rescue dog.   Valerie