29th September

Breaking news....ok we have a plan.


The very lovely Saffy who will be sharing her home with Boycie

 As always its messy and not quite what we hoped for but it's a plan.

Sally, Simon and Saffy have come to the rescue again (they did the same thing a year ago by fostering Bullseye so Sandy could come in)
They will take Boycie for a maximum of six weeks, if he gets a home in that time all well and good, if they feel Saffy could accept him they will keep him but otherwise he will come back to us at the end of six weeks.
We are very grateful to them.

They will pick Boycie up on Sunday.
I will collect Peppa from kennels but also I have decided to put Sandy into kennels for a week, as she was very happy there when we went away. This will give us a little more space to settle Peppa and also cover Sunday 9th October when Dave and I are at SBT Welfare AGM.
Sara my eldest daughter is working that day which leaves Jessie and Sam at home to manage the dogs until we return late afternoon. (We will probably take Jade and Angel with us)

So thats the plan, not ideal but lets hope it works.

Heard today that Glenn and Anna are taking in a 4 month old female Staffie pup, apparently the owners have got fed up with her!
Also heard an elderly lady advertised her car for sale. A couple came to view it, they suddenly shoved their Husky into her car and left, leaving her with the Husky!!
With rescues full, people are dumping their dogs, tying them at railway stations or to trees, often with a note and vaccination certificate. Things are very,very bad.

I feel very discouraged over Sandy.
We launched that big campaign to bring her in and now nearly a year on we have not homed her.
You have to ask, 'Was it worth it?' Is she really any better off?
We have trained her but when things go on longer than six months it starts to have detrimental affect on the dog.
She is a perfectly nice dog yet no interest at all. And why should they be interested when they can buy a puppy for next to nothing and not undergo any homechecks or abide by any rules?

We have invested so much time, energy, effort not to mention money all for nout.

28th September

Breaking news...........Paddy's owners have found him a new home, this takes the pressure of us a bit.
I am collecting Marley on Friday afternoon and taking him to Glenn. ( Glenn is overun with dogs and this puts him under considerable pressure. However, will be good for this dog as he will get long walks, after being cooped up in a second floor flat.)


Angel

 Only one offer of help so far to relieve our situation.

Thanks Gareth for your wonderful comment, as ever. A dog friendly restaurant on the beach,now that sounds good.
Dear Valerie spent a whole week unable to relax and enjoy anything because of her dogs being unsettled a couple of years ago...they have stayed at home since! That's Val and Stuart too, not just the dogs!

My actor cousin Ian Brooker plays Wayne Foley in the Archers (please tell Brenda) I will tell him to look out!

Dave and I discussed returning to the tearooms without dogs but not sure we would ever find it again....


Angel had her second session with David Egan this morning and she was a star!
It is wonderful to see her enjoying herself so much she is so quick to learn.
David used his dog Shadow to walk along the bridleway next to her.
After an initial bad reaction from which she was easily distracted she acted like he wasn't there.


No you don't.

 David was very pleased with her. Another session next week.



Who is this?




What German Shepherd?



Boycie came to the ponies this afternoon.
He managed without being sick and was great. Not bothered by the ponies, enjoyed a game of ball and pottered around whilst I sorted the yard.
He just needs his recall sharpened a bit (comes when he chooses) otherwise he is a great lad.

27th September

We need still need to home Jade,Sapphire, Boycie,Angel or Sandy to give us space to get Peppa our little deaf girl out of kennels.
This is urgent as she is very stressed.
Even if you can just foster temporarily it would help.



Boycie needs a home

 Also funds needed as we are stretched to the limit.


Spent the afternoon lost in West Sussex.
We had a homecheck for Buster at Shoreham. Disliking venturing so far on my own I persuaded Dave to come with me by suggesting fish & chips on the beach,with him paying of course. Normally we would have taken his car but it was having it's MOT so we went in mine taking Jade and Angel and myself at the wheel.
This proved to be a mistake as I am an erratic driver, with strong hesitation tendencies and more interest in the scenery than the road. (Apparently!)
Plus I kept getting texts which Dave was required to read and reply to, thus making him dizzy and nauseous and confounded by predictive text.
Also we missed two turns directed by the satnav because we were debating my driving skills or lack of.

Homecheck over we headed for the beach, due to commitments in the morning we had left late it was now 2.30pm and we were hungry.
We found a reasonable beach with easy parking but no fish & chips. Dave walked off to find food and I tried to get dogs onto beach. I couldn't take both out together and when I took one out the other barked and I couldn't go far away because the windows were all open (it was by now a beautiful afternoon)
Didn't need to worry as there was Dave returning, empty handed.

Stressed dogs, no food, a million things to do at home including walking all the other dogs we got underway.
We trusted ourselves to the satnav even though it seemed to be taking us an odd route.
If we passed somewhere doing food we would stop.
Suddenly the satnav directed us to turn right although the main road stretched ahead and this seemed to be a lane, then we saw the sign for Tea rooms (was the satnav providing us with a place to eat as well as taking us home?)
We turned into a beautiful spot with a stream with ducks and behind geese,chickens, collies and a pretty pony.
Jade began to bark so I stayed with her while Dave checked it out. A good selection. We went to order keeping an eye on the car. I spotted a mediteranean vegetable pudding, that sounded good, the dogs started up again,'I'll have that.' I said as I rushed back to the car. Dave was just ordering all day breakfast but they said they didn't do fried food after 2.30, he settled for poached egg on toast!
I got Angel out of the car, by now she was very wound up.
Dave called when the food arrived.


Dolly on the beach, as no photos from today!

 I had a huge plateful of Pudding, mashed potatoes, carrots ,cabbage and peas!

So that's how we came to be sitting in a tearoom garden on a warm September afternoon somewhere in West Sussex surrounded by elderly people, and mothers with children enjoying tea and carrot cake, whilst I ploughed my way through pudding, mash and three veg as fast as possible to return to stressed dogs!

Eventually got home to wound up dogs needing walks, a son who had left his P.E. kit (including new trainers) on the bus and an answerphone full of messages, ponies to turn out and a daughter to collect.
Lets hope it was worth it.

The life of dog rescue may be many things, but dull is not one of them.

26th September

URGENT
We desperately need a foster or permanent home for one of the dogs currently with us so we can bring Peppa (our little deaf girl) out of kennels so we can start to assess her.

This is urgent.



can anyone give Sandy a home?

 Can anyone help with a temporary/permanent home for Sandy, Sapphire, Boycie, Angel or Jade?
 
Sandy is the most urgent as she has been with us a year and is getting stressed.

We also require funding to help with the EIGHT  dogs we are currently helping.



Thanks for the donations and offers of help coming in, we remain in crisis.

Other news:-
David Egan is coming to do a second session with Angel.
We have produced another draft of Dog Lost poster and hope to make a film in a couple of months time.

Lexus has finished his antibiotics, his paw seems much better, if it doesn't completely settle down he may need it X-rayed. This morning he was climbing up the hedge to reach crab apples, as his supply of windfalls has finished. Still working on his five a day!



David explaining.





A very happy Angel.

 Some more pics from Angel's session.



Recaall!!



25th September

URGENT

Dear Supporters,
We have a problem. Well several actually, dog shaped problems.


Peppa needs to be out of kennels.

 We desperately need a foster or permanent home for one of the dogs currently with us so we can bring Peppa (our little deaf girl) out of kennels so we can start to assess her.
This is urgent.



can anyone give Sandy a home?

 Can anyone help with a temporary/permanent home for Sandy, Sapphire, Boycie, Angel or Jade?



 Sandy is the most urgent as she has now been with us almost a year and is beginning to show signs of stress.

Next week we have committed to take a dog called Marley in for Epsom Canine Rescue. He is living in a flat with two other dogs with a middleaged lady trying to cope on her own as well as work. Glenn has agreed to take him for us, putting himself (and Anna) under considerable pressure.
On Saturday, the lease ends on Paddy's owners flat so he has to come in, at the moment it looks as if he will have to go into kennels.
As well as homes we also need funding as helping so many dogs is costing us a lot of money.

Please,please help and share with as many people as possible. Thank you.

24th September

Angel's session with Dog Behavourist David Egan http://www.livingwithwolves.co.uk/

Angel is 5 years old. We originally took her in just over 3 years ago from a home where she had been allowed to rough play with a male dog all day without any intervention or other stimulation. She chased her tail so badly it was damaged requiring antibiotics.
She then went to a couple who trained her to a high standard but they could not overcome her dog aggression when passing other dogs on the lead and returned her to the rescue after 2 years.
Her tail chasing stopped within weeks of going to them but has returned to a lesser degree whilst in rescue.
David had come to help with the aggression when passing other dogs.



Greeting Angel

 David began the session by explaining the three options open to dogs when meeting othe dogs.
Flight, freeze and fight.

By having dogs on leads we take away two of the options. He also said that dogs in the wild never meet nose to nose as that is attack mode, but prefer to arc round to each other.









David taught the 'look at me', command.







'Look at me'

Other dogs were introduced to see how close Angel could tolerate other dogs before reacting and so David could assess the severity of her reaction.












Introducing another dog



Angel flying!

 We ended with some play.

..With a little more control.



23rd September

In answer to Gareth's comment re my vet's suggestion to 'clear the decks.' She made it in response to my despair at having to turn so many dogs away.
The reality is that perfectly healthy Staffies and Staffie crosses are being put down, the latest figures are one dog every 35 minutes put to sleep.

If you look at things objectively; we are supposed to be a rescue but we cannot take in anymore dogs because we are full with four who are 'sticking', two of whom have been with us over a year.
Everyday we have calls from people wanting us to rehome their dog but also from dog wardens, pound kennels about dogs who will be pts if no rescue place is found.

I was asked by a local kennels if I could help with these two males. The brindle and white is a stray, (sorry picture would not load, but he looks just like Boycie.) the other little chap was signed over to the dog warden by his owners as they could not take him to a new property. He is under a year and has marks on his face.

If no other rescue can take them they will go to Battersea so should get a chance of finding a home but Battersea is also full to overflowing and has to 'select' dogs that have more chance of being homed and they too have a waiting list for private dogs being handed in.


Staffordshire Bull Terriers are in CRISES and it is hard not to feel overwhelmed and helpless.

22nd september

Happy Birthday Dave!

Today is my husbands birthday. I know I sometimes make him out to be 'bad cop' over the dogs but he does have a lot to put up with.....like being 2 dogs over our limit for weeks. For being 1 dog over our limit for most of the two years since he was made redundant.

He walks Khan & Lexus everyday and often walks Spryte and two rescues especially on Saturdays when I am working.

We couldn't have managed with so many dogs without his help.

I constantly flout the rules, like having no dogs in the bedroom.

So I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to him on his birthday for all he does for the rescue and

especially for falling in love with LEXUS and letting him be part of our lives.

21st September

Had a fantastic session today with David and Helen from Living with Wolves.
Angel thoroughly enjoyed herself. The verdict was that it would take time working to de-sensitise her but that she was a lovely, bright little dog who needed plenty of mental stimulation.
I have some great photos and will put it all together in a few days.
My thanks to David and Helen for giving so freely of their time.

Have officially 'lost the plot'. I was convinced I had forgotten Sapphire's booster, even checked her vacc card, asked the vets to check, no record. Took her in this morning and only after she had her injection did we all realise she had had it after all! Some confusion over her name Sapphire/saffy and not opening her card fully! So poor Saff has been vaccinated twice, it shouldn't hurt her, but I am seriously concerned about my memory!



Princess

 Thanks Gareth for a vote of confidence.

My vet was despondent about some of the things she sees with Staffies. When I told her I thought things were worse than ever and we couldn't home anything she suggested 'clearing the decks'. Putting down the ones that were sticking to make way for ones we could home!
That would mean Saffy, Jade, Angel and Sandy all going... I couldn't do it of course but it does make you think. It is nearly a year since we took sandy in, You have to ask, was it right to take her out of that situation just to sit in rescue?
Have renewed efforts on posters I wonder if we could put one on google ads?

On a cheery note, have heard from Kerry that Reah is taking part in an agility display at Discover  Dogs.
And heard from the family who adopted Princess, Spryte and Jade's mum, nearly four years ago.

20th September

Boycie is fine and has enjoyed two short walks and several trips down the garden. I have made sure his tin of sensitivity control has lasted all day. he will get his last bit shortly. So far his tum is holding up but I wanted to be sure!
He is now ready to go to a new home, there are a couple of possibilities, we really need the space as I have heard Peppa is not doing so well in kennels so really needs to come out.
Heard from another kennels today with four Staffies needing homes or rescue space.
I really think things are worse than ever. When talking to this girl she had already tried all the usual places, there is just no more room in rescues, no decent homes so nothing is moving the result can only be more and more staffies being put to sleep  yet still people are breeding them, over 1000 puppies for sale in the ads, where, oh where, will it all end?

I picked up a copy of 'Dogs today'

It is published locally and they are very pro Staffies.

 There is a charity spotlight section where you can put an advert.

Also hardest to rehome ad, must get Sandy on there.

Maybe I could try them with my dog lost poster as the editor had visited Battersea and said she would like every Staffie owner to walk round and then it may make them think twice before breeding.

There was also a wonderful article about Pepsi a SBT who ended up in a sanctuary and returned a rabbit who had escaped from her enclosure. They are now best friends and he goes to visit her each day where she pats his nose with her paw through the wire! How lovely is that!

Also an article on Shetland Sheepdogs.
It asks How many in rescue each year?
Answer 40.
 40!! compare that to Staffies!

19th September

Breaking news.............  Boycie has been neutered, at last! He is a bit sore and reeks of anaesthetic, he had two little walks at the ponies (just down the road from the vets) but he is really very bad in the car and was dribbling on the way home, he was sick on the journey over there this morning, despite having eaten nothing since early evening the day before, so I have not dared give him anything to eat yet, not even the tin of sensitivity control, he is unusually quiet so probably a good move.

Lexus, you will be pleased to hear, is improving but has more antibiotics just to make sure, and keep us poor! (That rhymes! Not intentional.)

David Egan has agreed to come and assess Angel and we plan to take photos and cover it on the blog.

Rang owners of 6 month old pup in Guildford and guess what? No answer! Left message and guess what? No-one rang back! Checked number in case I had rung wrong number and guess what? It was the right number.
 Perhaps they will ring tomorrow, they sounded so desperate when they called last week..........I have been thinking about that puppy all weekend.

Had a call for funding last week for a 7 year old male dog called Bronson in Redhill who needed a growth removed from his mouth.
This is SBT Welfares department. The dog has to be a true Stafford for them to provide funding. This is because Welfare originated from the SBT breed clubs and they were the people who donated the money.
They no longer insist on the dog having KC papers, as so few have these days, but it must look like a pure Stafford and they like evidence to prove that.
So I set off with my camera only realising when I was the other side of Dorking that I was thinking of Reigate as Redhill! Too late by then and not much further.
On arriving I discovered he was a grumpy old so and so, glad we were not being asked to rehome him! His owner had to take most of the photos as he didn't like the camera, or me very much, but I was pleased to see he was a full Stafford. His owner is struggling with a number of things and her dog is her life.
Welfare agreed to pay the full amount and he will have his operation this week. Great news!
Guildford are paying for him to be neutered at the same time, poor chap he will be sore both ends!

I feel very strongly about neutering Staffords. Recently I have neutered any dog when requested and would like to launch a free neutering scheme but it would be hard to stay within the perimeters of Welfare regarding full Staffords, so I am not able to start this idea yet, we may have to have separate funding for such a scheme.
Can I ask you if you would be happy to support such a scheme? Feed back please.

I am adding this to yesterdays blog at 2pm.
What I meant to ask is how do you feel about money you have already given to GDSBTR being used for neutering? I am aware it is your money, is this how you want it spent?
Also, I have spoken to David Egan and he would very much like some feed back about his article. Is there anyone out there?

15th September

 Thanks to David Egan for yesterdays blog. I hope you found it interesting, do feel free to comment whether you agree or not.
David is one of several 'experts' who help us. Each sharing their own particular way of doing things and enhancing the lives of our rescue dogs, we are grateful to all of them and do not hold to one particular  view.

Melissa, who adopted Bullseye, has been helped by David with integrating Bullseye with her other two dogs.
We hope she will share her experiences with us soon.

Three messages when I got in at lunchtime. Three more dogs, the last was a 6 month male in Guildford who they had been trying to re-home for 2 months, with no success, because the ladies two year old son was terrified of him. They had bought him from a couple in Godalming who couldn't cope with him!

6 months old and already on his third home!

I am going to see him on Monday.

My son wanted to see what would come up if he Googled 'Staffordshire Bull Terrier.'
Almost immediately  came the adverts for puppies for sale.
I thought I would take a look.
I looked through the first two of 91 pages!

The highest price of KC reg pups was £500  Some pedigree pups were advertised for as little as £250
There was an 8 week old female pup for £150 which is the amount of donation we ask for our dogs.

Older pups they could not get rid of were advertised for £50 less than a weeks grocery bill.

What is this world coming to for our beloved breed?

14th September

Greeting A Dog – And What We Are Actually Saying To Them

By David Egan  http://www.livingwithwolves.co.uk/

You’re walking down the street and you see someone you know out walking their dog.  You stop to say hello to that person for we are social creatures and besides, not to say hello would be or could be construed as bad manners.  It is therefore only right that you want to greet the dog also, after all, how many of us can resist those big brown eyes and the chance to show just how good and friendly we are with dogs.

So firstly we greet the person standing face to face, chest to chest, direct eye contact, we smile (bearing teeth), we reach out to shake hands or we lean in close to kiss on the cheek.  All perfectly normal behaviour for us, after all we are descended from apes and that is the way they greet each other.

We then turn our attention to the dog and greet him in the same manner.  We look straight into his eyes smiling, we stand square on and lean over the dog whilst telling him he’s a good boy and isn’t he beautiful.  We then reach out to pet him on the top of the head and to rub his ears and neck.  All perfectly natural to us and meant only to be a sign of friendship.

But whilst we are descended from apes, dogs aren’t.  The way we have just greeted him, in his eyes is the cardinal sin of doggy etiquette.  We have just demonstrated to the dog through our unintended ignorance, virtually every aggressive signal there is that we are about to attack him.  For example, looking directly into a dog’s eyes, unless you know the dog is a signal of aggression.  To stand over a dog square on and to then touch the top of his head or neck is a signal of aggression.  To smile at a dog (bearing teeth) is a signal of aggression, to make noise (talking) whilst doing all of this is a signal of aggression.  Ask yourself this………….how intimidated would you feel if a strange, huge creature who towered above you stared you in the eye, showed its teeth then patted you on the head?

Whilst we may get away with this behaviour with a dog that we know, it could be a totally different story with a dog we don’t.  The best we could hope for in this kind of situation is a well behaved, tolerant dog that suffers this kind of ‘attack’ gracefully but how many times have we seen a dog back away or to ‘freeze’ and stare back at us.

So how do dogs typically greet each other to avoid conflict?  Well the first thing is they never approach face to face (unless they mean business) as we do but from the sides, no eye contact and no fast movements.  It’s like a slow dance with calming signals being sent out all the time.  The dogs remain fluid in movement for to tense up at this stage and show stiffness of movement denotes aggression.  Once all the formalities have been acknowledged by both dogs they either turn away from each other or one or both will initiate a play bow.

So how can we as humans talk ‘doggy’ when greeting one.  Well the first thing is to ask permission giving the owner the chance to tell you how the dog likes to be greeted or to tell you it’s not a good idea.  Whilst you are doing this ignore the dog, if the dog wants to be greeted by you then he will let you know by coming to investigate you.  Always let the dog make the first move, if he doesn’t instigate the greeting do not push one on him.  Do not stick the back of your hand directly up to his nose (typical ape greeting) as that can be another signal of aggression.

 

Look at the above picture.  I am greeting my dog only after he has greeted me by crouching down from the side, no eye contact and by rubbing his chest, all of which is none threatening and meant to put him at ease. It is me respecting him as a dog and acknowledging his boundaries.  If you don’t want to crouch down either through embarrassment or age (I know from personal experience how difficult it is to get back up from that position) lower your hand as far down as possible with the palm showing and let the dog come to you.  This is a non threatening gesture because sometimes treats are delivered this way and treats are always a good thing. 

 

Always remember, dogs, just like us, have their very own language and if we take the time to learn what our dogs are telling us, just imagine how much better our relationship with our best friend would be.

13th September

Lexus got his breakfast!
Jane thinks it is a nail bed infection and he has a course of antibiotics.
He had his first tablet in his breakfast.
IF it doesn't improve he may need it X-rayed.

I have spent all evening catching up on phone calls and emails, it looks as if we will be having three new dogs come onto our books.











Yes indeed! That dog!

Thanks for your good wishes for him, he is taking his medicine.

Boycie is staying well at the moment. Second Advocate tomorrow and neuter on Monday. Hope the stress of that does not set him back.

12th September

Lexus is off to the vet in the morning with sore paws!
He has been licking his front paws for a while (making all the cushions on the sofa wet!) On Friday morning he could barely hobble down the garden. As I was going to the vets anyway with Spryte and Boycie for vaccinations I enquired as to whether they had any free appointments in the evening,they didn't.
 I stepped outside and rang hubby to ask his movements for Saturday. He was not impressed saying he hadn't realised I was going to make an appointment and wasn't I fussing unecessarily?

 Despite there being three available slots on Saturday I said we would leave it.
Once home  on seeing the wounded hero I changed my mind and rang them back. The appointments had gone but they may be able to fit us in, else it was Monday. I described his symptoms and asked their opinion. This is a woman who is at the vets or on the phone to them about something or other most days,now turned into a jibbering indecisive wreck because this was 'MY' dog.
Then the nurse asked gently, 'How is he in himself?' 'Well,' I mumbled, 'He's fine.' Thinking, hang on, this is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier we are talking about, of course he's fine! He cannot put his paw to the ground but that doesn't stop him rummaging in the bushes for windfalls or doing his pre breakfast launch from behind the counter barking wildly and upsetting all the rescue dogs!
 My old dog, Joshua, jumped out of the car and nailed a young male Staff when he could barely stand two seconds before!
 Of course he was ok in himself but that is because Staffs are 5% body and 95% spirit!

So, Lexus is off to the vets tomorrow. Jane said don't give him breakfast, 'JUST IN CASE..!'

10th September

Boycie has had his last Erythromycin tablet. Lets hope he did digest them and stays well.

I went to see little Peppa in the kennels last week, and took her for a walk. She is a real sweetie and it is hard to remember she cannot hear you and adjust your communication accordingly.
We have not used kennels for a while but sometimes it is necessary for a temporary measure. The kennels she is in are very nice with personal care taken over each dog. This is proved by the fact they realised she was deaf. She is quite happy in there and because she is in season  it is the right place for her at the moment.

I have also spoken with her previous owners. Apparently, they suspected quite early on that she may be deaf and took her to the vet, who was rather 'off' with them, examined her ears and told them that Staffies,'Could be stubborn!'
They took her home doubting themselves, and to their credit taught her to sit.
In further conversation with them I do believe they are genuine as they were planning to take her with them to their new home beore they realised they were not allowed.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

9th September

Thanks to David Egan (Living with Wolves ) for his expert comment explaining why the incident occurred with the dog of my disressed caller, I will put genuine enquiries on to him in the future. He will be writing something for the blog soon.
Although it is depressing that the dogs with us are staying so long , it does mean we have chance to work with them.
Sandy got on very well during her stay at Spangleberry kennels and all members of staff were able to walk her.
She is now good on walks, staying fairly close and her recall is good, which is a huge improvement from when she first came.
She is quiet when she comes out of her crate and enjoys a mooch in the garden instead of just running flat out.

She needs a quiet home with a regular calm routine.

Angel too is improving.
She will play ball with ponies in the next field and take no notice.
I am also working with her to ignore dogs on the bridleway below when we are playing ball in the field. She is doing well. We rarely meet other dogs so I cannot remember the last yime we had a confrontation.
Angel is very intelligent and in the right hands will make an exceptional dog.

Boycie has almost finished his antibiotics. He had his second vacinnation today, despite not giving him breakfast he still managed to throw up in my car , bringing up a completely un digested tablet from the night before!
He has also started to be difficult coming back on walks, running flat out in the opposite direction despite my calls! Yesterday was the worst, Dave started out from home to meet me he was missing for so long. He eventually came back, trotting up to me like butter wouldn't melt..

So now he is grounded, lead walks only for the moment, which is a shame.             

7th september

On Friday last week I walked in and picked up a very distressing message of a girl crying down the phone and asking for my help and urging me to ring back! It was a local number, I rang back only for it to go on answer phone. I left a message. I felt very disturbed and anxious, what could be wrong? I very nearly walked up the road to where I know there is a girl with a Stafford who was expecting a baby, imagining all sorts of horrific things.
Then the phone rang again, a different number, a mobile I snatched it up. a similiar voice,upset, crying, I listened. Her 7 year old male Stafford had attacked a visiting child as she rode a bicycle. He was wearing a busta collar due to an ear infection which she believed had lessened the injuries he had inflicted. Obviously shaken she said she could no longer trust him with her own children and she wanted him re-homed.
 I explained as gently as I could that re-homing was not a suitable solution and her options were few.
Then I asked,'You rang me earlier?' 'No,' she answered' It only happened a few minutes ago.'



An un-related pic of Angel. I like this photo of her as she looks so relaxed.

 I rang the original number, this time getting an answer. She apologised, all ok now, she had panicked.
Apparently her friend had arrived and bent to greet her young male Staff and he had jumped banging into her nose and causing a nose bleed, she had panicked, rung me, but now she had spoken with her vet, they had sorted a plan to neuter and train him, all was ok.

Later that day , yet another message.
I returned the call.
This lady, again sounding similar and asking for help, had a Stafford and another breed of dog. Having been fine for years the Staff had attacked her other dog and she felt she could no longer keep them together.
As the reality dawned on her she began to cry.

I have no idea why suddenly I should get three such similar calls from alike sounding women all upset and asking for help.
The first, the most alarming, turned out to be the least  severe.



Angel again, in disguise, she loves to roll in puddles!

 I hope I was of some comfort even if I could not really help.

5th September

The kennels called this morning to say they think that Peppa may be deaf! It was quite a shock but they carried out quite extensive tests so I feel sure they are right. I thought through the contact I had with her when I took her in the other day but couldn't really think of anything except when I first arrived and four of us went out into the garden calling her and she appeared not to hear. Well, well, that changes things a bit. I do know a lady who 'sign' trains dogs and has two deaf Staffies herself so that's a call I need to make tomorrow.
Anyone up for the challenge of offering her a home? She is a real sweetie.

Boycie is getting better on his medicine though he threw up his tablet this morning, we had to extract it from the mess and feed it to him again! It worked, but hardly the start to the day one wants!
We made sure they all had a good run today as the forecast  for tomorrow looks dreadful.
Boycie and Sandy chased birds across a freshly harrowed field, ever the optimists, it was a wonderful sight!

I predict we will struggle to even get them out to do their business tomorrow.They will do that unique Staffy 'brakes on' when we open the back door. Might get chance to write the blog earlier!

3rd September

Sorry there was no blog yesterday. Hubbie, who is normally last to bed in the wee small hours, suddenly decided he was going to bed at 11pm! As my laptop is on the bed this meant I couldn't write the blog but far worse the dogs were thrown out of their normal routine as he does our dogs last thing. Khan had to be physically dragged outside for his visit to the garden as he couldn't understand why he was being asked to go when the rest of the family were watching TV!
My dogs,who are usually done hours before, did not stir, bless them, which just shows how they can be conditioned to accept things.

Boycie has tested positive for Campyla Bacter which is, as far as I am concerned, a relief. He has now started a course of antibiotics, Erythromycin (the very word soothes me) and will soon be fine. Even I began to wonder if it was a food allergy, you can understand how easily it could be mis-diagnosed.
Quite frustrating as they have to test positive before you can get the treatment, which is a lengthy process. My vets had some in stock so he has already started on his treatment.

Technology overcome new dogs should be appearing on website shortly.

1st September



Peppa, she looks very like the infamous Piglet

 Took in Peppa today, she will be staying in Spangleberry kennels until we have a foster place or home for her. She is a sweetie.
It was a glorious day, driving over to see her I felt a little nervous. You have to find the place, speak with people you have never met, assess the dog and make quick decisions, it is pretty daunting and not for everyone.
Nerves apart I also felt sad, sad for the dog, if I agreed to take her, she would not understand what was happening to her.
First impressions were good. She was small and well behaved, though shut out of the house in the garden.
We are quick to condemn the people handing their dogs in but this young couple were both working, he was a postman. The house had belonged to his parents, his father had died and now the house was sold and the mother already moved. They had a 21/2 year old daughter and to get anything decent they had opted for a council house where dogs were not allowed. Could you really judge them for that?
They had bought Peppa for their daughter on her second birthday (maybe not the best move) and she had called her Peppa after Peppa Pig. The girl did not walk her as she said she was too strong but the chap and the little girl were obviously very fond of her. The following moments when I took her away were heartbreaking....They say men rarely cry but since I started the rescue seeing "grown men" crying has been a regular occurrence.
I stopped feeling sad for Peppa as she seemed fairly unperturbed by the whole adventure, although she threw up twice in the back of my car, she is not used to cars.
I took her to Spangleberry only to get a vet appointment for her kennel cough vaccine that afternoon so she had to come with me for the afternoon and be dropped back to the kennels later.

Unfortunately it involved a lot of driving around, she was very good apart from the vomiting!

With all the driving about I did not finish Sandy and Boycie's walk until 8.30pm with phone calls still to answer!
Due to a technical hitch I cannot put any of the dogs onto the website at the moment.