28th June

The team had a very good day at Battersea Old Windsor raising £165 (full report and pictures soon)

What with the weather and family do's we have been a bit out of routine, with Sandy in particular, missing out, but today she had a really good run, which she needs.



Socks and Lizzie



Dave is now on pre-ordination retreat and Sara on holiday in Devon, due to the teachers strike we have no college or school tomorrow which means I have the rare treat of no committments tomorrow all day....hundreds of things to do but nothing at a set time.... I will let you know  how I get on,

25th June

GOOD LUCK to the Guildford Staffords Team  attending Battersea Old Windsor Open Day today

Come and see us at our stand.

24th June

Nettie, who despite our best efforts did not have a happy ending.

Mace's appeal certainly caught a lot of peoples attention.

Sadly Mace is just one of hundreds of Staffords in this situation and he did have an owner who cared enough to do his best for him when circumstances dictated that he could no longer keep him.

Due to the huge numbers of Staffords and Staff crosses it does mean that many have to die, there are just not enough good homes to go round.

I personally think an owner making the decision to put a dog down, because they can no longer look after it and rather than let it spend months in rescue kennels or be shoved from pillar to post, is a responsible attitude and to be commended. It should not be confused with the people who do literally abandon their dogs or pass it to a rescue not caring what happens, saying,"They found him a lovely home!" When in reality the rescue discover the dog is un-homable and after lots of time, money and anguish end up being the ones who have to make the decision and put the dog down and suffer the terrible emotions that accompany it.

The Stafford Forum formed with Battersea, SBT rescues and breed council members,of which we are part, are trying to tackle the huge problems facing Staffords.

They have written to Lord Henley asking for the compulsory microchipping of all dogs.

It is slow progress but it is a start.

Today we heard from an organisation called Animal Rescue & Care ( ARC ) who are offering FREE neutering for Staffies and Bull breeds during July/August

This is open to all private owners only requiring them to take their dog to certain vets our nearest is Twickenham Veterinary Surgery 0208 898 0528

We hope to display a poster to download soon.

If you know of anyone who could benefit from this please let them know.

Two things helping to make a difference.

23rd June

CONGRATULATIONS to Gareth and Brenda Parry on the safe arrival of their Grandaughter Erin!

Also we are now sorted with all dogs having places for when we are on holiday.

Spangleberry kennels are making room to take Sandy, we did at one time board our dogs there and although they couldn't help with three and despite being full they have made space for Sandy.

David and Pat Bennet, who had Jess from us, also offered to help, even offering to house sit! After some thought we have asked them to take Angel instead of Val. Although Val was willing to take her it is easier for her not to and we thought Angel would be better in a country environment with only one other dog to adjust to.

A very BIG thank you to all who offered help.

Now some very cheery news!

CONGRATULATIONS!

To Kerry and Reah on Reah's first agility win.

Reah is one of a litter of pups we homed two years ago and she joined Kerry and her two other Staffies, Neighla and Harvey. Kerry competes at Agility most weekends.

Despite a good start Reah had recently lost confidence and on the advice of Jo-Ann Essex a member of East Anglian SBT club and Rescue, she was only taking Reah over part of the course then retiring her after giving her plenty of praise. She had done this a couple of times and was ready to do it for as long as it took, even a whole season, and this is what she was doing as she started this course, having got part way round, Reah was going so well she carried on,only to learn later that they had won!!

This was at RVA Peterborough and means Reah goes up to Grade 4

What a fantastic result!

Well Done Kerry and Reah! All at GDSBTR are very proud of you.

22nd June



A happy ending for Mace

 Thank you Gareth for your comment (blog 21st June) but I would like to add not only did Gareth harangue all his doggie chums about Mace he came to the point where he was prepared to be the answer, despite it being the worst possible moment, with his daughter in labour, he was ready to re-arrange his life, however inconvenient that was, only to find out he didn't need to, this dog that was desperate was now homed! And I can tell you what a crushing disappointment that is! So thank you Gareth and Brenda for stepping in and caring enough to get hurt, I am sure there will be another desperate case along all to soon.......

We did try quite a few different possibilities for Mace and expend a lot of energy, thinking how we could help. Although on this occasion we did not come up with the answer we did try and we are very pleased his story has had a happy ending.

21st June

URGENT APPEAL FOR MACE

Stop press

I have heard this evening that Mace's owner has found him a new home.
It is a lovely home and Mace's owner is very happy with it and the people are very keen on Mace.
He thanked us for all our help and a lot has happened since I last wrote the blog.
Gareth and Brenda Parry had offered to take Mace, despite the fact it was terrible timing for them as their daughter had just gone into labour, we are very grateful to them.

Thank you for all your support.
We are so pleased Mace's story has had a happy ending.

18th June

URGENT APPEAL FOR MACE

5 DAYS LEFT






Lots of good news today!

Maureen Pickles has officially adopted Leah.
Thank you Maureen and family we wish you many happy years together and many happy caravan hols.

Anna and Glen from Doghouse Training are able to board Jade and Sapphire for us whilst we are away, as they did last year. Both dogs are used to the routine there and it is much better than kennels with lots of long walks so that is great. Thank you Glen and Anna.

And a cheque for £400 from Pets at Home for the four days we attended the store during their National Fundraising Week for Support Adoption For Pets.
Overall the fundraising week was a great success and all the stores raised the greatest amount yet £54,190
all of which will be used to provide financial support to local rescues and re-homing centres like us.

Thank you Pets at Home and all at the Godalming store.

17th June

URGENT APPEAL MACE

6 Days Left


Our Annual Family holiday is approaching in 5 weeks time.
As you are probably aware we just have the one week down at Pagham (just over an hour away) as getting away is difficult because of the dogs. As Sam is still at school and Jessie at college we are tied to school holidays.
Lexus and Spryte come with us, Khan goes to Burntwood Kennels. This year I have four rescues to find places for.
Valerie is having Angel (as Angel does not kennel) that leaves Jade, Sapphire and Sandy needing somewhere.
When we regularly used kennels it was no problem as they would normally find spaces for us but this year I have left it too late and everywhere is fully booked, though several have taken our details in case they have a cancellation.
I am sure you all appreciate how important it is that we have a break as a family, so if anyone can help by suggesting a good kennel or fostering a dog for a week we would be most grateful.
Or house sitting even better! You need a strong constitution!


Lexus on Holiday

 The dates we are away are Saturday 30th July/ Saturday 6th August.

16th June

URGENT APPEAL FOR MACE 

7 DAYS LEFT


Do you ever wonder if you really know what your dog wants?
We train them, bath them, search out interesting walks, spend hours and vast amounts of money on feeding them the "right" food and finding the softest bedding......and yet...





I let Angel run off the lead today, the first time apart from short spells during walks. I had a clear view and two empty fields, I unclipped the lead, she bounded off and promptly rolled in something disgustuing!

Having disguised her scent (and colour) she was ready to hunt...

and ate something, probably equally disgusting..

then more bounding and sniffing....

one happy, if somewhat smelly, slightly off-white dog!


I had the privelege of walking Khan and Lexus today as Dave was out. It was good to see Lexus run around and enjoy himself as he is 9 next month and is beginning to look stiff and I have noticed his back legs looking weak and wobbly on occasions, hate to see him getting old when he has only just come into our life.

Sandy and Spryte's walk was almost jeopardised by a jogger at the wrong moment but we let him get over the hill out of site and Sandy had her time running free and did not run after him.

15th June

URGENT APPEAL FOR  MACE

8 DAYS LEFT     We need a foster or permanent home urgently.

Mace is a 9 year old SBT male whose owner is emigrating. We want to help but have no spaces.

UNLOVED AND UNWANTED.

This is the headline in the Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies newsletter.
They are talking about Coloured Gypsy type cobs who are constantly wandering onto motorways,illegally tethered on Industrial Estates and dumped on private land, starving and injured.

UNLOVED AND UNWANTED................
The Staffordshire Bull Terriers of the horse world?

On a lighter note.....That Lexus!!!

I came home and fed both him and Khan, Dave had walked them and Lex and Khan were mooching round the kitchen, Dave and I were catching up on each others day as well as discussing some important matters. Suddenly Dave noticed a noise coming from the bathroom, which adjoins our kitchen (I know! Probably illegal) and there was Lexus IN THE BATH! eating the soap AGAIN!
"That dog!!"

14th June

URGENT APPEAL FOR MACE  9 Days left 

See earlier posts

Lexus is up to no good again! Between his walk and his dinner yesterday he inexplicably chewed up Sara's glasses!

I have been asked for Guildford's contribution to Stafford Welfare Magazine.

I have written about Riley, Syd and Sandy. Two homed one still waiting.

If you are not already a member of Stafford Welfare do consider joining, it is only about £7.00 a year.



The remains of Sara's glasses



For that you are sent two magazines full of moving stories and news from the other branches so you can see how things are in other parts of the country. Welfare is the umbrella group for the local branches of SBT rescue. Their only funding is from people like you. As well as supporting the rescues they contribute towards vet bills that the owner cannot pay and anything that promotes the well being of Staffords.

13th June

URGENT APPEAL FOR  MACE   10 DAYS LEFT

We have 10 days left in which to find Mace a foster or permanent home before his owner emigrates and he is pts

12th June

URGENT APPEAL FOR  MACE

See blog 9th June

Thank you to Gareth Parry who has kindly donated  £25

Gareth also posted this comment below






"Dogs are our link with Paradise. They don't know evil, or jealousy or discontent, but they do feel for us. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon, is to be back in Eden where doing nothing was not boring. It was Peace."
O read this quote from Milan Kundera at the funeral of a friend who died surrounded by her rescue dogs.

11th June

We are still looking for a foster or permanent home for Mace.

Can I make it clear that at the moment he is not a Guildford Stafford but belongs to his owner.

Should a foster/permanent home become available it would have to be approved firstly by his owner and then by Guildford Staffords.

Only then would he come under the ownership of Guildford Staffords.

Any foster home/permanent home needs to be in a 10 mile radius of Guildford so that we can keep an eye on Mace.

His owner wants him to go to a settled home suitable for an older dog and would rather put him down than have him face disruption and unease, I agree with this.

I appreciate this is a very emotive appeal but there are hundreds of Staffordshire Bull Terriers in this position every day.

There are not enough homes to go round.

Please consider how YOU can help. If you are unable to offer a home you can make a donation so we can continue our work and help more unwanted Staffords.

Guildford Staffords currently has four dogs in it's care. We need money for food and veterinary care

10th June

URGENT APPEAL FOR   MACE  

Mace is a 9 year old male. We have less than 2 weeks to find him a HOME or FOSTER HOME

His owner is emigrating, no rescues can help, we have no spaces.

If no-one can help he will be pts

More details on 9th June blog

He looks such a lovely boy we really want to help.

9th June

My night away was great, thanks! The dogs were all fine, I thoroughly recommend it! It's also nice to be home again.

Thanks Gareth for your comments, especially for the moving quote which I would like to use again.

However, today I would like to draw you attention to a dog we have been asked to re home.

The situation is so bad, all rescues are full and it has become all but impossible to re-home them. Battersea and the RSPCA are refusing to take anymore Staffords as they cannot home the ones they have and we are the same with four with us who are really sticking.

So when people call us asking us to help them re-home their dog there is nothing we can do, no-one to even refer them to.

This is the situation with Mace a 9 year old male  who has been with his present owner from 7 weeks. Now Mace needs a new home as his owner is emigrating in two weeks time.

We have no spaces. Mace's owner does not want him to go into rescue kennels or be passed from pillar to post, if a home is not forthcoming he will have him pts. We only have two weeks.

CAN YOU HELP? We need a foster or permanent home for Mace ASAP.

Mace is 9 years old, good with children, good with other dogs, Though has never lived with another dog. Good on and off lead.

7th June



Lexus and Khan. Best Friends!



Apparently David Egan's visit to Melissa went well though there was quite a bad spat, leaving him in no doubt what he was up against! They have signed up for more training, it is a work in progress. We will keep you informed.

Over the last few days we have been asked to rehome four male dogs of various ages none of them are neutered.

We have decided we cannot help, not even putting them on the website until they are neutered.

No blog tomorrow I am off to a hotel for a night of luxury to celebrate my 20th wedding anniversay!

I am looking forward to not having to leap out of bed in the morning and see to six dogs.

My family are dog sitting, with Sara, my oldest, in charge.

You never know she might write the blog too!

6th June

People often say to me"If I won the lottery, " or "If I had a big house, I would have hundreds of Staffies." Well, we probably all know this is never going to happen whether they win the lottery or not but lots of Staffies? All together? Could it ever work at all.

Melissa who recently adopted Bullseye was seeing David Egan, "Living With Wolves" man yesterday to advise about some problems they have been having since Bullseye arrived as their third dog.

Melissa and I discussed at some length whether she should have a male or female and age etc as she already had a male and female. We always advise opposite sex and mixing the ages, young/old etc

Bullseye was a good match but it still doesn't stop those "trigger" moments. We are looking forward to hearing what David says.

We too have a problem at trigger moments between our own three dogs. When a family member walks into the room then Spryte goes for Lexus and he goes back. In between they are fine, best friends. and Khan and Lexus the two males who you would have thought would have a problem adore each other.

V alerie has four dogs living in harmony together. When she had Percy he was bad with other dogs but grew to be fine with the ones he lived with, whilst Doris who came when she lost Percy, was good with other dogs but now she has found her feet she will have the occasional snap.

Many Staffords are happier as the only dog and we are very grateful to those of you who who share your home with one dog at a time.

When several Staffords are kept we always advise keeping them separate when you are out.

3rd June



Reah (formerly Tips)



Sorry I fell asleep, and lost a whole day it would seem!

I heard from Kerry with Reah, a lovely framed photo of Reah doing the weave in an agility competition, also of Colin doing his sponsored agility run in suspenders, not very clear, and a DVD and letter! Very encouraging! Thank you Kerry.

They are taking part in a competition this week and the finals are today so I wanted to put this on so you can all be thinking of them.

GOOD LUCK KERRY AND REAH !! from all at Guildford Staffords.

Reah was one of a litter of five puppies we took in at six weeks old, two years ago. It was not all plain sailing and I would probably not do it again, but we had them long enough to get to know their characters and it means an awful lot to hear how they are doing like this.

1st June



Lexus!



Lexus, still up to his old tricks.

Dave and I were enjoying a quiet moment first thing this morning,our dogs had been down the garden and had breakfast, when Dave scolded Lexus. Standing at Dave's feet he was helping himself to some cardboard from the recycling box which had some food stuck on it!. Having been thwarted he ambled off, then I heard something from the living room, I walked in and there was Lexus standing on top of the clutter on the coffee table, ears pricked, head on one side looking at me! The object of his desire was an empty Coca cola bottle on the shelf, put there by my daughter so it was "Out of reach."

His skill at taking lids off Coca Cola bottles is second to none.

Sandy.

Still doing well, playing with her ball whilst  I pick up droppings, remaining close also on walks.

Angel.

Angel pushed into the rapeseed on our walk and has now got green marks, Is there a special name for a green and white Stafford?

We only saw one dogon our walk, coming towards us along the road, Angel was on a longish lead, I increased my pace and left the lead slack despite her starting to tense. The dog drew nearer, I kept up the pace, we turned off to the right, the dog had disappeared from her view, she relaxed. It couldn't have been better timing but it shows how we can make things worse when we tense too.

We have updated our Links page.

Do have a look at the Oldies Website.  http://www.oldies.org.uk/  They cover  "oldies," from all rescues and often have our dogs on there. We have just put Sapphire on as a "younger" oldie and Valerie's dear Percy is in "In loving Memory."

It is such a well run site they are always efficient and friendly and passionate about every dog they display, they should win a prize.



Val and Percy



It is always good to hear from any of you who have adopted a dog from us. We love to hear how things are going and pictures are a bonus. Remember if you have adopted from us in the last two years you can write a review on us for Rescue Review (also a link )