30th October

Battersea are about to launch a campaign to promote SBT 's in a positive light to try to help in homing the many they have in their homes.
A photo of one our dogs, Dolly, and her young owner is to be featured in their campaign.
Dolly was the puppy who came to us on Christmas Eve last year. She is adored by her new family.

Smudge extended her education today by playing with a young female Whippet, seeing a river and investigating mole hills! She wasn't too keen on the river she raised her hackles  and put her tail between her legs.

I now know her owner advertised her on Gumtree as she passed my number on to an interested party. Had we not taken her in it sounds as if we would have had another unwanted litter as she was wanted (free) to be a playmate to a male Staffie of a similar age.

29th October



Exploring at the ponies

 Aaaah! Happiness is a sleeping puppy. Smudge was a good girl through the night settling down and sleeping soundly.
We took her to the ponies today where (as well as the ponies) she met several other dogs, a  Tibetan terrier, the two Spaniels from the farm and Daisy the Collie who is excellent with puppies. At home we have had her out with Khan and Lexus. Lex seems intrigued but Khan does not like puppies and barks and gets upset.
One of my pupils walked her and we gave her a good long play so that she would be tired and sleep. Listen to that.....  Silence ..broken only by a deep snore, RESULT!

After work I took Sandy and Chance up to the fields for a run. Darkness was falling. They had a great time running shoulder to shoulder and Sandy was exhibiting lots of calming behaviour which I was very impressed by, she really has come on.
Unfortunately it was marred near the end when a large Lurcher or Wolfhound appeared from nowhere and surprised them. They didn't react well and neither did I. The dog ran off back to its owner half a field away, by now it was dark. In the confusion I dropped  a lead and couldnt find it in the dark so had to share a lead between them on the way home.
Before we got back the wretched fireworks had started.

Looks as if we are going to get two nights of Trick or Treaters this year too, deep joy.

28th October

Do not start a dog rescue if you want a stress free life! ( Though I am sure you knew that.)

We seem to have had at least one crises a week for the past month but this week we have had three!
Dave rang me at work today to say we had received a call from a vets about a 3 month old female who they had been asked to 'put to sleep' as the owner was moving and couldn't take it with them!

With rescues full people are becoming desperate, but this was unbelievable!



Smudge (also impossible to photograph.)

 People regularly use the term, 'getting rid' of a Staff when they contact us now, but this owner really did just want 'rid' of this puppy, not caring what happened to her at all.

Despite not really having room we felt we had to take her in, even if it was only temporary.
One of the vets from the practise lives near me so she dropped her off this evening, after I had hurriedly bought a new crate, bedding and puppy food.

She is a wriggly,lively, skinny thing who so far seems undaunted by coming into a house full of adult Staffords. She is a very pretty 'silver' brindle colour.
We have not had such a young pup for a long time, (still has baby teeth.)

Thanks Mark for your comment.
 As for the posters, with all the things we have going on I was fairly 'tongue in cheek' about the discrimination and realise it is illegal to put posters in some places, but you usually get a few days before they are removed but this was almost instant!
I do find it faintly amusing that someone might find us so offensiveness.
And they weren't the ones on telegraph poles, those are still there!

Soo stressful here tonight! Only place for puppy to run round and investigate is the kitchen which then winds Chance and Sandy up. Ended up walking her up the road at nearly midnight to try and tire her out before bed!

27th October



Lexus doing what he does best.

 Welfare are reconsidering their decision on the free neutering and trying to find something that is workable for all.

2nd Chance Rescue  have assessed the home situation of the10 year old female in Portsmouth and have taken her in for us for a few days.
It seems the two year old was haranguing her and she was just trying to tell him she had had enough but it was decided for everyones sake she was better out of the situation. She is fine with older children.
2nd Chance will keep her for us for a few days free of charge, the only space we have is kennels. If anyone is able to offer a foster space for her please let us know, no small children and not good with Stafford bitches.

I had lots of lessons today. Jade, Saffy and Angel came with me and all enjoyed a good run at some point in the day.
Dave gave each of the ones at home a walk.
When I returned late afternoon I tried Chance and Sandy together on a walk. Thankfully it worked as this will make my life easier. They had a lovely run in the dusk, it was dark by the time we came back. The only negative, three of our Stafford Walk posters have been removed. It could be where we had put them but I still feel slightly discriminated  against.

26th October evening



Angel

 Just shows I should have more faith. I despaired yesterday when I spent most of my otherwise free day walking dogs but considering the weather today it was time well spent. My only commitment today was cancelled so I was able to catch up on things (in the dry) after all.

Second Chance Rescue in Southampton have agreed to look at a 10 year old bitch in Portsmouth for us and probably take her in. I have received two calls for her. She is supposed to have snapped at a toddler and the Landlord says they are not allowed to keep her anyway.
With no-one taking Staffords anymore I really feared for her welfare. Second Chance will keep her for a few days and then she will have to come into kennels.



Chance

 I have heard from SBT Welfare today that they are not going to fund a free neutering programme as they feel it will be abused and the dogs participating not full Staffords but crosses. This is a big disappointment especially as I have spoken to some vets  who are willing to do it at cost price. We cannot go ahead now until we get funding from somewhere else.

26th October

Oops! Have become out of sync with my blogs. This should still be 25th but have been writing late and not posting till gone midnight, so not quite sure where I am, if you see what I mean.



A Treetops rescue, what a lovely girl.

 


  Thanks Gareth and Sandi for your encouraging comments.

Walked Chance with Spryte and Khan today, he was fine and had a really good run at last. I know I can trust those two, they won't play with him and so a calm atmosphere prevails.
He also had his first vaccination. Jane the vet loved him and thought he was one of the nicest we had ever had in. David Egan also said he would be an exceptional dog and whoever adopted him would be very lucky. I still haven't fully recovered from that first night...but yes, he's coming along ok. I suppose we ought to put him on the website.

More pics from Pets at Home.



The very handsome Buster



She won prize for biggest dog of the day.



Mellow with her owner Yvette.



It was all too much for some!

After walking Chance we then went out with Sandy and Khan (again) he has slept alot tonight. This time we put up posters for the Stafford Walk. Will hit the vets tomorrow. Also an ad going in the Surrey Ad, Whats On, supplement on the 4th/18th November.

This is Kye the pup who had had 6 homes in as many months. We are so pleased Lee and Lorna are keeping him.


Kye



25th October

Total for the week at Pets at Home was an amazing £434!!! 

The staff there are thrilled and say it is the best they have ever done.

Thank you SO much everyone who turned out to help.









Other news :-  Chance has been left at home twice today (other people in the house ) he was fine. Yahoo!

Concentrated on getting all dogs out for a good run in the sunshine as it hung on for one last day.

I am exhausted, looks like I am not alone!

24th October

We had a FANTASTIC last day at Pets at Home.


Lily




Sky

 Lily and Sky ( formerly Dolly ) came with their owners to see us.



Sam and Roxy came first thing and back again for the end of the day. Sam's numerous friends also came to support.

John brought his dog Sky who was very well behaved.

SOS Dog Rescue came with their gang.









Dave rescue pup

 David and Helen and Sandi were all there again.



pup from breeder

 And lots and lots of dogs including lots of Staffords and three Stafford puppies!











pup bought for £40 off Gumtree



We gave away all our flyers for the Stafford walk and most of the next batch Dave brought over.

Pets at Home give us £100 for each day we are there.
The money we collect goes into their charity fund Support Adoption.
On tuesday we collected over £50
On Wednesday over £70
On Friday over £80 I will let you know Sundays amount when we have it and the total for the week.

Thank you so much to all who supported us, it was one of the best weeks we have ever had.

We have so many photos I will put them on throughout the week.

After such a busy week you would have thought we would all be glad to go home.........but Roxy wanted to have......

...just one last fuss.

22nd October

Last Day at Pets at Home tomorrow. Sunday 23rd October.   10am/4pm   Do come and join us.



Peppa in her bandana.

 Chance is ok.
He settled enough the first night for us to sleep. The next day he came with me to Pets at Home along with Angel and Jade.
He is fine in the car. David Egan came over especially to have a look at him.
We have decided he is between 12/16 months. He knows nothing about anything which explains why he was so stressed in kennels. David spent some time with him and he was very good meeting people. By the end of the day he had learned to sit.

It was a good day at Pets at Home. Being a Friday it was busy. Sandi came to help, followed by David. My friend Steven popped in ( it was his birthday ) and Sam and Roxy came for the last part of the afternoon. So someone was there most of the day.
David had a great day time enjoying the dogs.
He helped a girl lead train her beautiful Stafford Buster.

It was a very good day.

Chance was better that night but was noisy some of the time and I had to restrict my movements to avoid upsetting him due to this and feeling exhausted I did not manage to write the blog.
tonight with Peppa gone things are so much better. Sapphire is back in her original crate and Chance is under the kitchen table where he seems much happier and settled almost immediately. Thank goodness!

Peppa was collected at lunchtime by her new family and I have heard she has already been to the beach.


Car park recall



Any spare change?



David just having too much fun with the dogs! They seem to be enjoying themselves too!

20th October

We will be at Pets at Home Godalming store again tomorrow Friday 21st October and Sunday 23rd October 10am/4pm  All welcome.

I am writing this from a new location, I have moved into the hall way with my back against a dog crate!
There is a reason for this, lets rewind 24 hours or so or even to Tuesday night.
Tuesday evening I spoke to a lady who was interested in adopting a small male SBT, she also had several more specifications. Encouraged with a possible home and the ensuing space left when Peppa went to her home on Saturday I emailed the kennels who regularly send me details of dogs they are desperate to find spaces for. I had noticed they had several nice males. If spaces are not found they go to Battersea, which is ok but it is a kennel environment and they have so many.

So I said I would have a space for a small male from 24th October.
Wednesday morning saw an early start and an excellent day at Pets at Home. I eventually got in tired at gone 6 pm. The answer phone was flashing and as I worked my way through feeding the dogs I saw there were 6 messages. I know something is afoot when there are so many messages.
I was right. Rebecca from the kennels had first rung before 9am about a small male she had and his reaction to other dogs pleading with me to ring back. She continued to ring throughout the day eventually about 3 pm she said I needed to get back to her else the dog warden would be taking the dogs to Battersea. There followed a final call saying all the dogs had gone and they had nothing remaining suitable for me.
Can you imagine how I felt? All the good conversations of the day suddenly meant nothing, I had let this dog down.
I have a friend Ali taylor, who works at Battersea. I messaged her and she said she was at Old Windsor the next day but she would see what she could do.
The next morning she rang bright and early to say the dogs were there at Old Windsor but which was mine?
'He is a brindle and white entire male,' I replied. 'They are all brindle and white males,' came the reply.
Rebecca said if you give him a cuddle he licks his lips! This seemed to help and Ali put him in an office.
I put aside my plans for the day, yet again, and set off to pick him up despite the fact we didn't have a space until Saturday.
When I walked into the building I could hear the most awful noise. 'Is that him?' I asked the receptionist with a sinking heart. It Was!
After signing him over, Ali showed me why it had been so hard to decide which one he was. There were several other similar dogs including a pup 4/5 months with mange. Ali would have been pleased for me to take him too.
Then I had a tour of the kennels. Nearly all Staffies. A short legged boy called Herman caught my eye. He had a black patch but otherwise he could have been my Lexus. He jumped up at the door and started making Lexus noises.
Time to head home, surely it had all worked out brilliantly, I had got the dog? But I couldn't stop thinking about the puppy and Herman.
New dog was quiet in the car. Once home I started walking everyone as today was my only free day to give everyone a decent walk.
By the time I got around to walking new dog, lets call him Chance I was beginning to have doubts and rang David Egan for advice on separation anxiety.
Once home all went well until I put Chance in his crate. He then began the most awful, frantic noise I had heard when I arrived at Battersea. Separation anxiety is the biggest no no for me. It is impossible to home them and impossible to keep them anywhere until this 'perfect' home comes along. What had I done? Our wonderful rescue had gone horribly wrong. We couldn't stand the noise! What about our neighbours? What if someone called the RSPCA? After all he sounded distressed.
I rang David in tears. He couldn't hear me because of the dog!
He talked us through what to do, especially not to reward him by letting him out.I drove to Pat H to buy a kong and fill it with peanut butter so he had a reward when he calmed down. The next plan was to sit with your back to the crate and slowly move further away.
This has worked, but I am still on the second step of the stairs and really,really need my bed now.
Come on Chance, we have given you a chance.....please take it.

19th October

What a different day!
At Pets at Home again but so different to yesterday. Sandi BC was first to arrive, good to see her and have some support.
David Egan and Helen arrived about 11am and things really started to buzz.
Helen was very pro-active selling the raffle tickets. David took Angel, sapphire and Jade in turn and chatted to people about their dogs and any advice they needed.
We gave out the Stafford walk flyers to anyone who had a Stafford.
Angel behaved very well and loved looking round the store.
I met some old friends including Jackie from Vigil GSH Rescue who was manager of Treetops Kennels when I used to kennel my rescues there.

David and Helen left at 2pm and it was quieter in the afternoon but very pleasant in the sun and Jade and Angel took it in turns sitting in it with me.
A lady called Linda who is interested in adopting a male came to introduce herself and very much liked Jade, I did try to persuade her! Last but certainly not least Sam and Roxy called by to share the last stint and give some ideas for the Stafford walk route (I was being too ambitious with the distance and need to walk it and time it.)
The bucket was very heavy when I handed it in and given we raised £60 yesterday there must be a fair bit more today.
All in all a good day.
Day off tomorrow.
Back Friday

David and Helen are back 11am/1pm Sunday.
(Photos courtesy of P@H)

18th October

We will be at Pets at Home Godalming store again tomorrow Wednesday 19th October  10am/4pm
David and Helen from 'Living with Wolves' will also be there to give out advice and work with Angel.

A good first day at P at H for their 'Support Adoption' week. Jade, Sapphire and Peppa came with me. Peppa did very well though she was a little 'green' and could only cope with short spells on duty but she is still very young. All the staff at the store thought she was adorable and one girl said she thought Peppa must be the deaf dog as she had seen me 'signing!' That was a great compliment as I have just treated her as I do the others but reminding myself she cannot hear.
No helpers materialised and I did find it quite hard going, I saw one or two people I knew but if they are not from the 'Doggy' part of my life that is not always very helpful. I sold nearly 30 raffle tickets and some people just gave without buying a ticket.
It became obvious we needed flyers for the Stafford Walk to give out to any Stafford owners so we have printed some this evening for the rest of the week.
Sitting there did give me chance to observe things and one of the things I noted was there is no correlation between people and the cars they drive and cars are definitely status symbols in this part of Surrey and not dogs!
The people interested in Sapphire have rung to say they have decided against taking her which I think is wise, however, a lady today is one who liked Sapphire when she saw her over a year ago when we were collecting. She used to have a Staffie x and has horses but refused because she works full time. Sandi Beeton-Caird was with me and I remember she tried to point out the alternative for Saff and how much more she would get with the lady than at present. I reiterated this again today as I have often wished I had her number to tell her Saff was still with me, she said she would speak to her husband (usually the kiss of death) but let's hope.....
Peppa's new family are collecting her lunchtime on Saturday and looking forward to settling her in over half term week.

18th October

We will be at Pets at Home store Godalming 10am/4pm today......Please come and support us.

It looks like I won't be taking Peppa to Discover Dogs but for the best reason, she has found a home!
A lovely family who have had two of John Laker's dogs previously and have recently lost an old dog called Sally. They are looking forward to continuing Peppa's training.



Happy now, with his pal Khan.

 Also another enquiry for Sapphire. Again a long way away (Lincs) but also with a female Jack Russell so we are not sure it would work. They are getting back to me tomorrow as we would hate to miss a chance.

Lexus went for his follow up visit to the vets. His nail has healed beautifully so he was signed off but they explained that it was not normal at all and curled under. This was from when he was in kennels and he wore his nails right down and it has grown back deformed.
I have said before but for those of you who may not know, Lexus was in kennels for six months when he came into rescue before I had a space for him here. It is awful that he stills bears the effects of being in kennels all these years later and it made me think of all those dogs who end up in rescue and bear the scars mental and physical long after they have found a loving home.

16th October

Coming up we will be attending Pets at Home store in Godalming on Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday and Sunday this week. 10am/4pm  Do come and support us  .

The dogs were not enough, heating now on.
All dogs had a good run to make up for yesterday. It is going to be a busy week doing Pets At Home so hard to fit in long walks on the days we are there.



 The village event taking part in the field yesterday  was a scarecrow trail with a nursery rhyme theme. I understand it went very well.
 Before we took the dogs out Dave warned us that there were still scarecrows left up. The first was on a dark part of the path and was Mary,Mary with her cockle shells. She was dressed in white and the dogs were terrified!! Peppa eventually was brave enough to take a sniff and venture past.
One can only imagine the shock of someone passing at night especially if they were on their way home from the local hostelry!


 The next scarecrow was in the open and was a farmer figure with small mammals in his pockets. He proved less scary but was thoroughly investigated and nearly lost one of his pets. Peppa did glance back just to check he wasnt following us.
Next I couldn't resist taking Sandy to see what she made of them. She was much bolder, as I expected, but still hesitated. We met a very nice lady who admired her so I shared her story and tried to persuade her to consider giving her a home but she said she worked too long hours.

Altogether a very pleasant day.

15th October

Brrr gone a bit chilly tonight. Can't decide if we need to put the heating on or if the number of dogs in the house will keep the temperature up!
All is quiet here, which is surprising as none of the dogs had a really good walk today. I was working so Jade, Angel and Sapphire had to wait their turn for a run. Angel ripped the relatively new crate liner into shreds. Lots of green fluffy stuff all over the back of my car, renewing my resolve to never buy bedding with stuffing ever again!
The dogs at home had their walks curtailed by a village event taking place in the river field, how dare they!
Almost forgot an update on Lexus. He is fully recovered, bounding around full of the joys this morning. His smart blue bandage, disintegrated and fell off and apparently he insisted on going on the walk with everyone else and not just visiting the garden as I had expected. The nail looks clean and dry.

Hardly a day goes by without us being asked to take in at least one dog.
When we returned from Leicester Welfare meeting on Sunday there was a message asking for advice and if we could take a six month old male from Woking. I immediately thought it sounded familiar. Do you remember the puppy I had said I would see on a Monday about a month ago but when I rang they didn't answer? Well strangely enough when looking through the internet freeads for figures to take to the welfare meeting I came across an ad for this puppy Kye, they were asking for £200. I could only presume they had sold him over the weekend before I could get to see him.
The girl ringing me now how taken him out of a home close to her which she felt was unsuitable. Due to having a male dog with a medical condition she was unable to take Kye but her mother had him. However, after a fortnight he had destroyed the mother's house and they had advertised him and rehomed him only to get a call from someone warning them the family who now had him had had a dog taken away from them. She was on her way to get him back, wondering how they stood with that and also wanting us to take him in.
By the time I got back to her the family had agreed to hand the dog back and the girls husband was collecting him after they had eaten. I said I would make some calls and tried several rescue friends but no-one had any spaces.
With Sandy still in kennels I had a free crate. I rang back ready to offer a space even if it was for only one night. I felt so sorry for this puppy who had been shoved from pillar to post his whole life. When I rang the girl said her friend had taken the pup as she had two Staffies of her own. I left my number in case it did not work out. Only a few minutes later the phone rang again. The girls male Staff was attacking the puppy, could I take him?
Puppy coming, puppy not coming, puppy coming again...
By now it was late, I waited with the back door open, and went out to greet the new arrival. We lifted him from the car, the poor thing was terrified. As we tried to walk him down the road he dug his toes in. Suddenly the chap said,'Ican't do this, he has had enough i'm taking him home.'
The pup was only too glad to jump back into the landrover.
It turned out the man had lots of Stafford experience but just hadn't felt ready to take on another dog as they had three small children and the male dog but he couldn't see the pup be moved again. I leant them a crate and last reports were it was going ok.
This puppy is on his sixth home, one for every month of his life.
When they contacted the original owner the one who didn't answer my calls it turned out she was on holiday in Turkey, just a coincidence they needed the dog re-homed then.......

When I saw him he was a cross  EBT so we would have been unable to help anyway. Let's hope these people make it work.

14th October

We are at Pets At Home Godalming Store on Tuesday 18th October  Wednesday 19th October  Friday 21st October and Sunday 23rd  10am/4pm
All welcome!

This evening we have been working on our board we take to events, putting up fresh pictures and tidying it up.
I will drop it at Pets At Home in the morning before work so it is there for the start of their charity week.

We have also produced a poster for our Stafford walk on the 20th November which I am very excited about.

The puppy Val had overnight has been named Carlos and is now safely in the care of Ali Taylor who thinks he is great and will have no trouble finding a home.

Marley is doing well so far in the kennels and seems less stressed in that environment, we have forwarded an assessment to Epsom Canine Rescue.



our wounded hero



Lexus had his nail op.
He came out sporting a blue bandage to the top of his leg.
It was not straightforward and he goes back on Monday morning to have it checked.
Despite Jane looking after us as always it was not cheap! Ouch!

13th October

A very stressful 24 hours.
Glenn asked us yesterday if we could find somewhere else for Marley as none of the homes he had hoped would take him had worked out and he had already turned away a lot of work because of him but now other dogs were booked to come in. Marley stuck to Glenn like glue making it difficult for him to work with other dogs on the walks and Marley became very stressed when he was left behind. The situation had become unworkable.
Having nowhere Marley could go we reluctantly contacted his previous owner. Last night it looked like he was to return there and despite having some good personal news I spent a miserable evening and sleepless night.
This morning phone calls started at 7.30 am and after much to ing and fro ing Nikki, from Epsom Canine Rescue, who had first informed us about Marley, found him a kennel place and possible foster a great relief all round.
So best made plans, my day went in a different direction yet again and I eventually dropped Marley off at the kennels this afternoon (the whole trip took 3 hours.)
He was very good in the car and seemed ok in the very lovely, caring kennels. We will keep you updated.

Hopefully now I can concentrate on the dogs we have here. Despite being full they are quiet and we can give each one some quality time.

A phone call this evening from a girl whose sister had a 13 week old puppy who she wanted gone ASAP
Her partner was in prison and she had two small children, a puppy as well was just too much!
It was close to Valerie and we contacted Ali Taylor from Battersea who agreed to take him to foster and home him through Battersea tomorrow.

So Val and Stuart have an extra lodger tonight!

Lexus has had an early Bonio as he is off for his op in the morning........lets see what tomorrow brings......

12th October

We are at Pets at Home  Tuesday 18th wednesday 19th Friday 21st and Sunday 23rd October
Godalming  10am/4pm daily

Stafford walk for National SBT Day Sunday 20th November 11am




Peppa and Khan in the river

 All was quiet overnight and Sandy seems to have settled back into the routine, she also seems quite tired from the kennels.
Peppa is accepting her even wagging her tail when sniffing at her at one point. They all seem to have accepted their new bed arrangements.
It fell to me to walk all dogs today as Dave was otherwise engaged. The usual three, Jade,Sapphire and Angel came with me to the ponies. I opted to take Khan and Peppa together and Spryte and Sandy.
The Khan / Peppa walk went very well. She loves Khan. I walked round Steven's field to maximize off lead time,they had a great run, it is the first time I have seen Peppa really tired. They cooled off in the river on the way back. Peppa loves the river.
The Sandy/Spryte combination was fine but within seconds of entering the big field Spryte rolled in fox (covered) I felt so annoyed by this and the fact I would need to wash her when I got back that I didn't enjoy the rest of the walk.
Poor Lexus was the only one who didn't get a decent run but had to make do with a visit to the garden.
His nail does need sorting so he is booked in for Friday no breakfast for him that morning.

Daily paper of choice for our Welfare Advert seems to be The Telegraph, please read what Gareth wrote :-

Meanwhile, about advertising in the national press. Red-tops like the Sun and Star have a readership which are not the brightest; The Guardian doesn't like dogs, the Mail is similarly anti-everything, so that leaves the Daily Telegraph, which unfortunately, is the most expensive lineage advertising rates but would be an investment because of its A-AB readership (professional and tend to be caring)  OR the Times.  A small ad in either would be good - a display advert much too expensive - but ask.

Thanks Gareth that is brilliant! Does anyone else have an opinion?

11th October

Breaking news :- Stafford walk for National SBT Day.

Sunday 20th November  11am starting from Pets at Home Godalming.    1 hour approx lead walk. £2 entry

Walk Your Stafford with Pride      All welcome.

Sorry I am still so tired after Sunday and the AGM. I did feel I caught my breath this morning but it has been pretty hectic since then and I am struggling again tonight.
Having got Peppa settled in we have now brought Sandy out of kennels, Peppa and Sandy did not take well to each other with lots of growling, although Sandy was displaying 'calming behaviour,' as descibed by David Egan, so there may be hope. Not helped by the fact Peppa has been in Sandy's crate as it is the most cosy but still looking out on the kitchen thereby providing lots of stimulation. I just couldn't decide where would be best for Peppa. After a bit of trial and error, Sandy is back in her own crate, Peppa in Sapphire's and saff in the one that is most exposed, under the kitchen table. Despite a tense start this seems to have worked ok and all has been quiet for the past hour or so.
Things have been going very well with Peppa. Walking her it is hard to believe she is deaf as with her training but when she is asleep (sometimes upside down ) she does not hear . On Sunday morning when we came down early, it was several minutes before she realised we were there, despite switching on lights and even moving stuff on top of her crate!
Though we were one dog less for a week I never quite got that 'this is easy' feeling and now we are back up to full whack it seems overwhelming. I really need to be able to walk Sandy and Pepper together else I will have to do separate long walks.....we will see.

We thought we had a home for Boycie but they have now had to take their son's Stafford back, they kindly gave a donation.
The home we checked for Buster ( remember our memorable seaside trip?) has also gone awry and now we have two new dogs waiting homes.
Plenty of dogs, lack of suitable homes but excited about the Stafford Walk and National SBT Day in November.

10th October

SBT Welfare AGM yesterday.



That Dog!

 Some good things have come out of the meeting.

12th/13th November is National Staffordshire Bull Terrier Day or days.

We will be attending Discover Dogs at Earls Court on Sunday as part of this but I also hope to organise a Stafford walk on another weekend.

Welfare have agreed to fund a neutering & microchipping programme, we have been asked to find prices from local vets.
This will only be for full SBT's and dogs will need to be seen first.

They will also pay for each group to advertise in their local paper for a year and Welfare is to advertise in a National paper......suggestions for which daily paper would be best please.
.

We will be attending Pets at Home Godalming store on Tuesday 18th October/Wednesday19th October/Friday 21st October/Sunday23rd October 10am / 4pm each day to support their charity week.

David and Helen from Living with Wolves will be there on Wednesday 19th October and will work with Angel as her training session for that week.

All are welcome to join us at any time for these days.

Angel had her fourth training session with David today and we had Jade and her loose together in the field with Shadow walking past on the bridleway.
Then Shadow came into the field off lead with the girls on leads. Angel was fearful to begin with but settled down. David was pleased with her yet again.

Rhea continued her winning streak winning her first jumping competition. The dog in second place was 11 seconds behind! Well done Rhea!

Four phone calls today all asking for dogs to be re-homed, we were unable to help.

Lots of new dogs on the website.