28th November

Thanks Val for yesterdays blog (one of the most popular ever) and for pleading our cause but especially for spending yourself on behalf of Fleur and getting a very deserving dog into a loving home.
It is so satisfying when an abandoned unwanted dog suddenly finds love and they become transformed before your eyes from an ugly mongrel into an adored pet.
This has happened for Smudge. Once she was the most unwanted puppy in the world , now a family are counting down the days until she comes to their home.

David did some work with Kye and again instead of seeing an unruly monster we saw  a handsome intelligent pup.
David has promised to work with him and so we now feel able to take him on and home him ourselves instead of waiting for a space in another rescue as we were doing.
There are some people who have a gift for seeing a dogs potential and in turn helping me to see the dog differently and Sandi and Sam Keen are two who have this gift and who have been very supportive at all our latest events.

On Sunday I arrived at David's clinic about 12.30 Apparently it had been non stop all morning. Melissa brought Bullseye along now looking sleek and handsome and Julie demonstrated obedience exercises with her Collie.
Despite this people did not seem to grasp the need to donate and  a somewhat disappointing £13 was raised.
Never mind, Smudge found a potential home so it all  seemed worthwhile!

I am glad every day is not as manic as the last two days have been. Just listen to all I did on Monday.

After taking all the dogs down the garden and feeding them I then took my daughter to college for 9.15am On board were Kye, Chance and Tara.
Dave (my husband ) was on a government training course all day, so Tara came with me as we still dont like to leave her with no-one at home, Kye was going to the vets for his kennel cough vaccine prior to going into kennels.
After the vets we went to the farm to bring the ponies in and each dog had a walk.
It was then I noticed Chance's neutering scar looked red and inflamed. Phone call to vet. It was agreed to take him at the same time as Sandy in the afternoon.
Then we returned home and Kye and Chance went in and Angel and Jade went into the car after a trip down the garden. Then I took Spryte and Khan and Lexus down the garden.
I was waiting for Kye's vaccinnation certificate to come in the post but despite the post being there the certificate was not. A couple of phone calls revealed the certificate was still with the previous owner but as this was close to the kennels I arranged to collect it prior to dropping him off.
Next I drove to the bank and met up with my daughter, then a quick visit to Sainsburys to buy Chinese for my son Sam's birthday dinner ( oh yes I forgot to mention it was Sam's birthday, 14 ) then we filled up with petrol before meeting David and Smudge at Pets at Home.
Smudge on board we went back and turned the ponies out also giving Angel and Jade a run.
Then home where Tara was dropped off (as Jessie could now dog sit her ) Angel was replaced by Kye and Chance in the car.
Then I took Khan and Spryte a walk while Jessie made me some toast and took Lexus down the garden.
When I returned from the walk Dave was home, paperwork was not in order so the afternoon course was cancelled!
Then we left to take Kye to kennels picking up his vaccination certificate on the way.
The plan was to drop Kye off and collect Sandy to take her to the vets for her booster and return her to kennels before 5pm when they close. As it was 4.20pm (the time of her vet app ) when I collected Kye's certificate we could see there needed to be a change of plan.
Kye and certificate were dropped to the kennels. Phone call to vet changed Sandy's app to following day but decided to still take Chance and wait for slot for him to be seen.
Peering into the car at this point and seeing a brindle face staring back at me, even I was beginning to get confused who it was.
Dark, rush hour drive across Guildford to vet. Chance given course of antibiotics.
Drive home, feed dogs whilst preparing birthday meal. Dave has his early and leaves for college.
Eventually we eat, Happy Birthday Sam.......now only phone calls to make and maybe write the blog....

27th November

                    Happy Endings, New Beginnings!!!!!!!!
  



Fleur has gone to her new home this afternoon. Checking that all arrived safely home, the update this evening was that Fleur is laying with all four legs outstretched watching Midsummer Murders! We wish Fleur and her new owners Karen and James a long and happy life together.

Fleur was up for re homing due to her owner having to move into accommodation where only one dog was allowed, she had two, Fleur and her mother Nellie. Fleur was the elderly lady's dog which she had had from a puppy and Nellie had been her grandsons dog.
Alison took the call requesting the dogs be re homed by the owner due to the circumstances. Before Alison agrees to re home a dog the dog/dogs require to be checked for suitability. I went to check their suitability for re homing as they were within my area. I refused the mother Nellie but I accepted Fleur for the website due too her fantastic temperament and demeanour. Obviously due to the current situation with Staffies we have to be very selective on suitability for re homing.
The assessment is not a quick in and out, questions are asked whilst observing the dog in its home environment, this can take up to an hour or more. If a dog is accepted we then have to take photographs and compile a write up for their page on the website. This is then added by the webmaster to Guildford's website and we add it to Staffordshire Bull Terrier Welfare's website, should the dog be over 7 years we submit a request to The Oldies Dog Rescue website for inclusion. Whilst waiting for enquires to come in there are the unrecognised factors that have to be dealt with In the case of Fleur, she needed vaccinating, spaying, micro chipping her claws clipped, Advocate, worming, and she a health check. The elderly owner was unable to do this because of finances. Due to the logistics of taking Fleur to Guildford and Districts vets she went my vets where rescue rates had been agreed. This meant that two full morning were taken up, collecting her from her owner, taking her to the vets and returning Fleur to her owner. Not knowing how Fleur would travel I enlisted the help of a friend to handle Fleur whilst travelling. 
When an enquiry comes through Alison and I discuss the suitability for dog and applicant, a telephone call ensues, then a home check by Alison or myself in some cases we will contact other rescues if they have done a home check previously or their veterinarian for a reference. If all the boxes are ticked, a meeting is arranged with the suitable dog and it's prospective owner. If all goes well the dog is adopted there and then but in the case of Fleur, Karen and James had to come back as Fleur had to have her 2nd vaccination. This required that I was present for transfer of ownership and adoption documentation to be completed at handover.
 The time that this one dog has taken to re home, if you equate it at an hourly rate, that one would pay a service provider  you would be looking at a fee of £400 or more. Add to this the cost of veterinary services of £200 which includes only a percentage of the fee towards spaying. Whilst a donation of £150 is requested for a dog and £30 administration fee for a dog who remains in its current home untill a new home is found it does not cover the cost incurred. Certainly an accountants advise would be to cease trading!!!!!
This is not to mention that whilst Alison or I are undertaking these duties our families, jobs and dogs take a back seat. For Alison more so than I it does mean that she has less time to spend on walking the dogs that she has in her care for re homing. Juggling our lives to the fullest extent is part and parcel of our everyday life. It can be filled with happiness when a dog is re homed but when there are those lovely dogs who remain 'waiting' for such a long time it is soul destroying.
I know that I may be 'going on' but this is the other side of rescue that many are not aware of. Especially when you are told that someone has not got the money for the care of their dog, then proceeds to tell you later that they are going on holiday to America!!!!!!!! 

Breaking News:- Smudge has got a new home. I am sure Alison will tell you all tomorrow.

 Smudge dreaming of her new home
                             
Thank you Alison for your well wishes on the birth of our grandaughter.

Henry, our daughters staffie now aged 14 years  is being impeccable. He lays beside the crib and when the baby is picked up he follows close to heel ensuring that she remains safe. Henry was like this when Charlie, our grandson was born and has remained his bestest friend (Charlies words not mine).  


 
      Please continue to support Guildford and District SBTR 
        Donations always needed help to continue their work.
Author:- Valerie

26th November

Don't forget!

Living with wolves dog training and behaviour clinic Tomorrow Sunday 27th November 10am/3pm Pets at Home Godalming.

Best laid plans......I had a call from the kennels this afternoon to say Tara had 'removed' a panel from her kennel and appeared in reception!
As they could not ensure keeping her in could I go and collect her asap.
They were happy to take Sandy in her place, so once I had finished my lessons I drove over to pick her up.
I thought I had done well arriving at 5.20pm but as I turned in the drive I remembered they close at 5pm Oops done it again!
Sandy was happy enough to go in. Tara was waiting with Tina sitting on her lap!

She is a sweet little girl but has become increasingly upset when she hears or sees someone around and cannot get to them. This has become worse since she changed kennel as they are working on her old kennel block and now any changes upset her.
This is separation anxiety and something I fear and dread, as, if severe it is impossible to home the dog and  I have known some so bad, impossible to keep them anywhere until a home can be found.

I drove Tara back beneath Guildford's Christmas lights wondering if we were going to be able to help her.
She came happily enough into the kitchen and ate some food. She had a growl at Chance who was being silly, every time a new dog comes in it changes the dynamics and others can get upset.
Whilst I chatted to Val, on the phone, mother and baby doing well by the way, Tara curled up on a rucksack on the kitchen floor and fell into  what looked like the deepest sleep she had had since before going into kennels!
So far so good but with so many dogs she has to sleep in a crate. I offered her a treat and in she went though obviously not as happy.That was two hours ago, she seems to have settled, lets hope for her sake she will.

25th November

Well what a day!
From finding a Staffie puppy running in the road when I pulled out of the drive from my ponies, to a German Wire Haired Pointer still missing after running off last night, and everything in between!
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the puppy. A young man grabbed her and I jumped out of my car and joined him. She was tagged and he rang the number. It turned out she belonged to the gardener from the house opposite whom I know as he has an older Stafford. Someone had left the electric gates open and she ran out and into the road stopping the traffic. Fortunately she survived, but bad call mate!

Returning from the walk with Steven, Khan, Spryte and Sandy I received a call from a friend to say there was a discussion on the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2 about did Staffies deserve their bad reputation. I hurried back nearly bringing on a heart attack, after contacting Val who was herself rushing from a job to join her daughter who had gone into labour whilst shopping in Croydon.
I heard most of the debate and thought it very balanced. Lesley Mcfayden from East Anglian SBT club and part of our forum spoke very well even mentioning the Stafford agility team (of which Rhea and Kerry are part) and National SBT Day.
There was an unfortunate comment from a lady from another rescue who tried to give out her web address!
I missed some negative comments about all Staffie owners being morons, I will listen again. Owners are posting positive Staffie pictures on Radio 2's facebook page. I have put on some photos of the walk.
There is an article in the telegraph, something on BBc Kent, the message is getting out there.

Val's daughter gave birth to a baby girl after a textbook delivery at 3.30pm Our congratulations to Mum and Grandparents.

Then news from Sam that a Pointer had gone missing from a neighbour at the ponies.

Sadly only one of our 3 homes came to fruition and that is for Fleur who should go to her new home on Sunday, we are pleased but it does not alleviate the situation here.

Our plan is to change Sandy and Tara over on Monday. Kye will also go into kennels unless something else has come up for him.
Smudge comes back Monday for a week.

24th November





Living With Wolves Dog Training clinic THIS Sunday 27th November 10am/3pm at Pets At Home Godalming.

Gwen Laker, Audrey Hubery and John Laker from Welfare at parliament.

Apparently the parliament meeting went well with Battersea raising all the relevant points relating to Staffies and the problems at this time. Launching their Staffies are softer than you think campaign.





Tara an old lady needing a home

  We remain in crises still coping with several dogs over our limit.
We have still not found a rescue space for Kye and Smudge needs to come back to us for a week as David has a dog coming in for training. Unless we have some movement we have no space whatsoever to take her back.
Tara is becoming stressed in kennels so I have taken the decision to swap her with Sandy. Sandy seems quite happy in kennels (and stressed here) but as Tara does not cope well with change once here she will have to stay until she finds a home.




Kye needs rescue space

  I have had three calls from people who need to rehome their dog or else they will lose their home.
One man was moving into accomodation where he cannot have a dog. It is heartbreaking but how can we help when we cannot cope ourselves.

23rd November



East Anglian Stafford agility team at Discover Dogs Kerry and Rhea back left and Kerry's husband with Neighla, back middle.


The link below  is Battersea at parliament today where members of SBT Welfare were invited.               Click http://www.battersea.org.uk/about_us/media_centre/press_releases/battersea_shows_off.html

Link below shows footage of Stafford Walk :-


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnRAEv1_j3Y&feature=email

We hope to have an article in the Surrey Advertiser either this week or next week

22nd November

Tomorrow John and Gwen laker and Audrey Hubery from SBT Welfare join staff from Battersea Dog And Cats Home at an informal meeting of Parliament where Battersea will launch its recent campaign of promoting Staffies. We wish them well.

I had a lovely time first thing this morning taking the dogs down the garden one at a time and playing with them or clearing leaves in an unhurried way. Not sure why it happens so rarely.
Chance has been neutered, he was a good boy and it was all straightforward, he doesn't seem to have noticed yet and is as bouncy as normal.



Jade

 Best news is we have three possible homes, here's hoping...!

21st November

And we raised  a fantastic £158.50 for funds!

Photos are still coming in, I have added some to yesterdays blog.
Thank you for all your lovely comments.
If some of you who were on the walk and chatted to any of us about training or possibly adopting another dog, do get in touch by email or call me on 01483 578230
Rachy, who missed the walk, with the Staff x Pug we would love to see a photo of your dog do email one across.
Also if anyone has photos please send them in.

We also received a cheque for £400 from Pets At Home Support Adoption for the four days we did there in October. Our thanks to them.

Back to reality we took Kye in as an emergency on Sunday evening. This is the 8 month old who has had a different home for each month of his short life. As he is a cross we are trying to find him a space with another rescue. Having him puts us way over the limit of dogs with us and can only be a temporary measure.



Kye

 We desperately need homes or foster homes, do consider if you could help in this way.
Poor Tara is still in kennels and needs to be in a home asap.



Tara

 Chance is being neutered tomorrow.

20th November

Well our STAFFORD WALK was a HUGE SUCCESS!

Far beyond anything we could have imagined!

http://www.staffiezone.org.uk/discover_dogs_2011_.html


Before I set out I checked my emails only to hear from the people who couldn't make it so I was feeling pretty discouraged when I arrived at 10.15am.
Sam and her Mum Sue, and Roxy were soon there and I booked them in and then someone else came and they just kept coming!

Soon the car park was full of very excited Staffords and it was only 10.50am
We moved down towards the river to try and calm everyone down and then we were off!
You can imagine we made a very impressive presence. Once on the river path everyone settled down, crossing the roads we stopped the traffic and once back outside Pets at Home shoppers were asking us what was going on.
David was accosted by desperate dog owners so that he ran out of cards, someone took a photo of the side of his van to get his details and we left him there still talking to people!
The only thing missing was a hot drink and snack at the finish...maybe next time.

We had 36 dogs and many more people. Everyone behaved responsibly even though some of the dogs were not easy (especially mine) and it passed off without any unpleasant incidents.

My thanks to EVERYONE who came along, special thanks to Sam Keen and her Mum Sue, David and Helen, Sandi (our official photographer ) and Morag who produced our wonderful stickers.

I am going to award prizes.
We had 36 dogs. All Staffords apart from two Collies and a Yorkie called Jo-Jo (prize for being the smallest dog there, and the bravest!)
We had several Staffie crosses Two Staffie x Newfoundland ( prize for being the biggest dogs there)
A very well behaved Staff x Labrador and Ernest Staff x Boxer ( rescue from Acek9 ( Treetops) wins prize for best rescue.
There were 3 quite young puppies one of whom was deaf  Roxy ( special needs prize) with her brother Drake and Maisy who was only 13 weeks ( prize for youngest) and of course dear Smudge (prize for youngest rescue)
Gareth came with Monty! (Prize for travelling furthest) he came all the way from Wiltshire setting off at 8am!
Guildford Staffords included Monty, Hippo,Tara, Sky with their adoptive families. Jade, Sapphire, Chance and Smudge, still waiting for homes.
Several people came without dogs including Ellen  who came on her own (so gets a prize for that ) she took Jade and coped with her very competently despite Jade barking for almost the entire walk ( she shares the prize for the noisiest with Rex)
Hippo wins a prize as Guildford Stafford celeb and the Stafford with shortest legs!
Sandi wins a prize as best turned out owner in her Welfare Deed not Breed pink tee shirt and matching wellies!
Kathy and Alan with Bella and Jess with Buster all win a prize for coming when they were nervous about their dogs. Bella and Buster both did really well and well done to you guys for turning up and taking part.

Everyone was asking when was the next one going to be....

19th November

STAFFORD WALK TOMORROW!

Tomorrow is our big day. Looks as if the weather is set fair. We do hope many of you join us.
The purpose of the walk is to show publicly what good dogs Staffords can be with responsible owners.


Daisy and Honey at Discover Dogs

 We hope it to be a positive experience for all who come along.

Dogs will have to remain on leads throughout. Even if your dog is O.K. others may not be. We will have a number of 'reactive' dogs there and we want to encourage owners who are not normally brave enough to attend such events, to come along but we do not want to spoil it by others being inconsiderate or insensitive.

Our behavourist David Egan from 'Living With Wolves,' will be present and a number of stewards who are experienced trainers will also be on hand ( in high viz gear )

We have also printed out some guidelines which will be handed out to each walker plus a sticker and poo bag!

Can't wait now to meet you all.  Let's change public opinion....let's  WALK OUR STAFFORDS WITH PRIDE!

17th November

2 Days to go until our Stafford Walk!   Our advert will be in Surrey Advertiser 'Whats On,' magazine again tomorrow. Nothing left to do except pray it doesn't rain!  Knowing what Staffords are like in the rain they will be going nowhere!



Saffy in the new exercise area

 Have spent another frustrating day running out of daylight. I ended up turning ponies out in the dark and Sapphire Jade and Angel having their evening run in the dark! Though cannot complain about the weather, another pleasant, surprisingly warm day.


The oak tree showing the Ivy and lower branch removal

 The tree surgeons were back in my neighbours garden finishing off the clearing. I am still thrilled with my new exercise area which we are continuing to clear. I bring you some exclusive pictures. This area is about 1/4 of my garden and was very dark from the overgrowth of next doors trees but now has been opened up, making a lovely area for the dogs to play in. I wish I had some 'before' pictures but I do not.


Looking down the garden

 (Danger reality check)...

I am sure you will be pleased to hear that the dog poo pit is still working with hardly any smell. I add the bio chemical about once a week and also sluice with water. It is a far more eco friendly way of disposing of the waste than using bags.

16th November

3 days to go to our Stafford Walk  Sunday 20th November  11am start  from Pets At Home Godalming

Please join us and show how good our breed can be with a responsible owner.  Let's walk our Staffords with Pride!

Follow this link to see one MP's support for National SBT Weekend.   http://www.epolitix.com/1832-blog/blog-post/newsarticle/guess-the-dog-loving-mp-2/

Congratulations to Jenny and Simon owners of Boris on the arrival of their daughter Rosa Mary on 18th October. Jenny writes  

 ' Boris has adapted really well to the new addition in the family.  We are so proud of him.  He licks her feet in the morning to say hello and is very gentle around her.  When the Tesco delivery man comes he sits beside her cot protecting her!  He has not shown any agressive behaviour and has settled into his routine again since we bought her home from the hospital.'

I have put out a request on the website ( as not everyone reads the blog!) for homes and donations for the many dogs we have in, or are supporting at the moment as we are under considerable pressure in all areas and running dangerously low on funds.

15th November

4 Days until our Stafford Walk    Sunday 20th November   11am Start from Pets At Home Godalming


John laker, myself and Boycie at Discover Dogs


Sorry about the problem with the blog yesterday, we have tried to rectify it but to no avail, we hope you all realised you just needed to click on 'read more.'

We are getting excited now about our walk on Sunday. Please remember the purpose is to promote the breed in a positive light and dogs will need to remain on the lead throughout the walk and keep a safe distance from the dog in front. We would also like to dissuade you from letting your dog meet nose to nose with another dog.
Also the route is very wet so remember your wellies.



Sally and Boycie

 We walked Angel and Chance together today and Angel did not react to him AT ALL unbelievable for her. She must find him very non threatening.

14th November

Sorry Alison,

I was so tired after Discover Dogs that I fell asleep and ended up with Domino's Pizza, then promptly fell off to sleep again!!!!!
Admission for dogs and handlers this year was via a side door, apprehension creeps in as you join the queue, hoping that the dogs are going to be good. Phew! No need to worry. It was busy with dogs coming from all angles but everything was fine. We arrived at the stand to see Alison deep in conversation with a lady, Sally with Boycie on her lap in the pen and Simon intently looking on. John and Gwen were talking to people and Sandy at the ready with her camera. There was a lady (sorry cannot remember her name) who works at John and Gwen's kennels handing out leaflets to all those who passed and Marsha with her daughter, she had re homed three rescue staffies two of which were from John. It is at events like this that you meet people that are of like minds all pulling together for our special breed.
As it was change over we do not get the chance to catch up so with a brief hello it was time for Alison and co to leave but Sandy who against my standard of photography is a marvel took some photos. Thank you Sandi.
Daisy and Honey settled quickly, Stuart stood with Daisy outside the pen and I had Honey inside the pen sitting on my lap doing her meerkat impressions, which never fails to draw the crowds especially children which Honey adores.
This year the vibes were very much pro Stafford's, parents were not rushing their children pass but took the time to stop and stroke the dogs.

One lady had happily spent £70 on treats and a new bed that is off of the ground to help prevent her dog from smelling for her staffie x. Many owned staffies producing their mobile phones with photos of their dog. One lady had recently lost her staffie and was looking for another one but wanted to re home from a rescue close to where she lived. The consensus was, as we all know it's not the dog it is what is hold the other end of the lead!
One couple who own 3 gun dogs but also would love to have a staffie talked about the problem with staffords, they live in South Norwood, London. I happen to know this area as Blaze who is now happily re homed with Luci came from there. It transpires that dog fighting in South Norwood Country Park is rife.
An American lady who now lives in England, owned and bred Pit Bulls when she lived in Manhattan said that they are lovely dogs but again it is down to the owners. She did remark looking at Daisy and Honey, Staffords are far smaller than Pit Bulls, so buyers beware of those remarks 'long legged'.

It was a rewarding and worthwhile day and if you had time to wander there was everything you could imagine to buy your canine friend and come home with an empty wallet or purse. Or better still the chance to re home that special dog!!!!!!

13th November

We have done Discover Dogs! One down three to go!
Next Sunday 20th November is our Stafford Walk 11am from Pets at Home Godalming.
Sunday 27th November Living With Wolves is holding a Dog Behaviour and Training Clinic 10am-3pm
(Pets at Home, Godalming) Donations to Pets at Home 'Support adoption Scheme' and Guildford SBT Rescue.
contact david on 07971627146 to book your place


Boycie

 and on Sunday 4th November we will be at Bull terrier Rescues Christmas Fund Raiser at Milford Village Hall, Nr Godalming from 10 am

We had a good day at Discover Dogs. I picked Sandi up slightly late this morning but as we texted Sally to say we were running late we received a text from her to say the same thing. We made good time arriving before I had even finished telling Sandi the uncensored version of the latest ups and downs in rescue.
The last bit to the car park is always tricky as the sat nav takes us to Earls Court. I made a sudden detour when I thought I recognised a greengrocers, incurring the wrath of the London drivers expressed in the usual way!
But we made it and as we turned into the car park I remarked 'Ooh there's a nice Staffie,' only to realise it was Boycie with Sally and Simon, great timing.

 Boycie was an absolute star! Calmly taking the stroking and patting from young and old, large and small and generally ignoring the other dogs, looking stunning in his red harness. The only time he wasn't happy was when Sally and Simon left him with me whilst they looked around the show. He became very subdued eventually lying down on a chair with his back to everyone. We thought he was getting tired but once they returned he was back to himself again!

Val and Stuart arrived with Daisy and Honey at lunchtime immediately stopping the crowds, and Boycie and the first shift were able to go for a well earned rest.
I didn't quite make it back to hear Dave play the Last Post at the war memorial, having walked ALL the dogs for me earlier, but it was great to get back to the dogs and get them out briefly before dark.
(Val may add her report of the afternoon later.)

11th November

This is officially NATIONAL STAFFORD WEEKEND with events taking place up and down the country

We will be on the SBT Welfare stand at Discover Dogs on Sunday

Guildford & District SBT Rescue wishes GOOD LUCK to everyone at their events.

That dog Lexus has not had a mention lately but it is not because he has been behaving.
Even with the garden cleared he still manages to source a windfall apple each morning, consuming it with relish and then choking on it when he tries to bark to encourage a speedy arrival of his breakfast, resulting in disgusting noises.
His tongue sticks out from the toothless gap in his mouth more often than not these days, but always when he is sleeping on the sofa.

Smudge is getting on well with the cats so far. Her education has been extended to another twenty dogs of various shapes and sizes and two cows.
Not that it has all been straightforward as David has been subject to Staffie predudice, when a Westie ran up to Smudge and she stiffened because she was unsure only for the Westie owner to shout,'Get that Staffie away from my dog!' David was incredulous and asked her if she was joking. Welcome to our world David! Glad to know it happens to experts too!
He has produced an advert for her which we are going to display in vets.

Poor Tara has developed an ear infection in kennels and is feeling sorry for herself. We really need a foster home for her.

My horse osteopath, Morag, also a Staffie owner has produced some fantstic stickers for the Stafford Walk.
It is also advertised in the Whats On magazine in the Surrey Advertiser.

Good luck to the Stafford Agility Team at Discover Dogs tomorrow.
Sam please introduce yourself to Kerry and give her our love.

10th November

I thought I should clarify our reasons for not offering rescue back up for the 10 month old male one of our blog followers had offered to foster.
The first is that we have not seen the dog and he was described as long legged, we never take a dog in without seeing it first.
The second was we have no space at all to put him in if something should go wrong with the foster home and especially if he did not get on with the fosterers dog, which leads into the third that from the description this dog was not good with other dogs and needed to be the only dog in the home with a very experienced handler who could spend time training him and also the dog sounded as if he would not find a home easily leaving us with another 'sticker.'
When I share these dire situations with you I know it gives you a sense of helplessness but I want you to be aware of the gravity of the situation with SBT's, it is not just this one dog,there are hundreds more in the same predicament. Gone are the days when you could rescue a difficult Stafford and save its life because the reality is you will be stuck with it because no-one else will want it, and there will be another hundred dogs exactly the same out there.

While we are in a sombre frame of mind can I draw your attention to the fact that in a few days time we will have had Sandy for a year.
Do you remember the big appeal and excitement when she finally arrived? This was how the blog started as well.
BUT a year on and we have not homed her.
And unlike some of the other long stayers, she is not happy and for sometime has been stressed by life here.
We are far better than a kennel environment but we are not her home.
This has been bothering me for sometime and I have to ask, should we have taken her in?
Also if she is unhappy and we cannot find a suitable home, what should  we do?
Gone are the days when you could save a difficult Staffy and guarantee a happy ever after........

9th November



Rhea Agility

 We are gearing up now for Discover Dogs on Sunday.
Sandi BC is coming with me to give support as she did last year but she is not bringing cassie as we are going to take Boycie. Boycie is currently being fostered by Sally so she is driving down and meeting us there.
We will do the morning, joining John and Gwen Laker on the Welfare Stand and Val and Stuart will take over with their very good dogs for the afternoon.
There will be a SBT agility team display on Saturday and Sunday with our friend Ali Taylor from Battersea with her dog Squirt and Kerry Crick with her two Staffords Neighla and Rhea ( who is a Guildford Stafford)
Sadly Kerry and Rhea will be there on Saturday not Sunday so we will miss them.

Smudge is doing very well so far with David and Helen. My thanks to Val for getting the pictures up which I was unable to do. You can see what a hard time Smudge is having of it! We bought her a coat today as they are worried she is feeling the cold.
It is so much calmer here without her, although she was delightful, and the other dogs have settled down.
Things have rather caught up with me,however,and I am struggling to stay awake in the evenings and write the blog.



Val with Honey who will be working the crowds at Discover Dogs

 One of our blog followers has offered a foster home to the 10 month old male I mentioned in yesterdays blog. It is a very generous and kind offer but we have regretfully decided we are unable to offer rescue back up for this dog at this time.

8th November

Despite all the encouragement, all the campaigns, things seem to be worse than ever.
I had two calls today from a lady locally wanting to re-home a 10 month old male.
They had agreed to look after him temporarily for a friend of their son but weeks had turned into months until it became apparent his owner wasn't coming back.

They didn't want him, he was after all, not their dog.

They had two Spaniels and he started to fight with the male.
They had ended up with a dog they never wanted in the first place and now he was picking on their own dog.
They wanted him gone.

So they advertised him on Gumtree as free to good home.
Realising the dangers of this they had turned down single men, stipulating he needed a family home.
They had found homes for him twice.
One they had another male dog  so that didn't work.(I think I had a call from this home)
In the next home they had a 10 month old child, he knocked it over.
Desperate to find him somewhere they had paid to have him castrated.

Now they were contacting us.

We were unable to help as we are already running four dogs over our limit.
We could put him on our website but there is no guarantee  he would find a home and they wanted him gone quickly      also he sounded as if he needed some training, if we advertised him and someone came along would we really feel comfortable homing such a dog.
Yet your heart goes out to him, here is a young dog nobody wants and whose future is looking decidedly bleak.
This is not a one off, this is happening to hundreds of Staffords throughout our country everyday.

To end on a positive note.

Smudge appears to have landed on her paws with David and Helen fostering her, so far going well with the cats and getting pampered as these photos show! ( Sorry cannot get them to load.)
By taking her in when we did we saved her from suffering the same fate as this 10 month old and so many others.                                                      

6th November

On Friday we walked the route for the STAFFORD WALK 
My daughter Jessie and my friend Steven came with me along with Jade, Chance and the pup Smudge.
I have to say I am really excited, it is a lovely walk and we start by walking over the bridge in Godalming.
Even with three of us it created quite an impression and the thought of fifteen/twenty or more Staffords with their owners walking over the bridge showing we are proud of our breed was fantastic!


Smudge

 I do hope lots of you will be inspired to come along and join us and make the idea a reality.

It is easy walking and very pleasant but quite wet in places, at least it was on Friday, wear wellies!
There are two open fields where it may be tempting to let your dog off lead for a run but please DON'T as your dog may be fine but others not. The purpose of the walk is not to exercise your dog but to show publicly that Staffies with responsible owners are lovely dogs and we proud to own them.

It takes less than an hour and Smudge, who is only three months old, had no trouble at all completing it.

David Egan has taken Smudge as a foster, as long as she gets on with Helen's cats. She and Shadow are already firm friends.
This will give us a much needed break and allow us to give more attention to our other dogs, things are already much calmer, although we loved having her.



Playing with uncle Lexus

 Battersea's Staffie promotion is still being well received with people talking about it after church today. It is really spot on warming the most unlikely people towards them.
Well done Battersea.

3rd November

Just over one week until  Discover Dogs  12th/13th November.
We will be on SBT Welfare stand on Sunday 13th
The following w/e  Sunday 20th November don't forget our Stafford Walk  11am start from Pets at Home Godalming.    Join us and walk your Stafford with pride.

This morning we asked a friend to help us clear leaves in the garden and have a bonfire.
As he arrived a tree surgeon who is working on my neighbours garden also arrived. ( My neighbour is having lots of clearing work done of very mature trees which have taken the light from our garden for years.)

Dave, inspired by the work already done, continued the clearing in our garden putting some old poultry houses onto the fire and removing the 'small' duck pond.

The effect when I returned after lunch was amazing. The lower branches of an enormous oak tree which had reached right across our whole garden, had been removed (I had not thought this possible) letting in so much light plus the other clearing means we have a lovely exercise area for the dogs, without doing anything else to it.
I have often felt our garden is a huge unused resource (since we stopped keeping poultry) but the way this has all come about in the space of a day is, as far as I am concerned, nothing short of a miracle.

Little Smudge has really settled down. Although she still has her moments she is a different dog to the crazy little thing that arrived on Friday night.
It is wonderful to watch Lexus playing with her (definitely softer than you think)
I feel we have come through the latest crises and the house is calm again.

I plan to walk the route for the Stafford Walk tomorrow

2nd November

Battersea have launched their campaign to promote Staffies and try to get more homes for their dogs.
www.battersea.org.uk/staffie 



Staffies.
They're softer than you think.

 I have seen the advert online but was surprised to have a large leaflet through our door today! Fantastic, quite big so you cant ignore it. I was just thinking how I would tell Ali our friend who works at Battersea that we had a leaflet and what a good idea as I tramped up the hill with Spryte and Chance.
I met a lady with a Ridgeback who asked, 'Are those Staffies?' It turned out she had read the Battersea leaflet and looked at their dogs as she had recently lost her other Ridgeback but she had young children and for Battersea children have to be eight upwards. So I told hr I was her local rescue and hopefully we have found a home right here in my village! Thanks Battersea!

Smudge and Chance both slept well after all their activity yesterday.



Hippo, not taken today.

 I saw little Hippo today who we homed over four years ago and who is the smallest Stafford ever! I was sorry to learn she has arthritis in three of her legs, not that you could tell as she jumped around.

1st November

The baby went through the night!
I felt decidedly more human today until tonight when I realised I had missed an appointment for a minor operation I had waited 4 months for!



Kerry and husband with Neighla an Rhea (right)

 A Stafford agility team are giving a display at Discover Dogs.
Our friend Ali Taylor who works at Battersea, and is part of the Staffie forum will be taking part with her dog Squirt. Ali and Squirt work tirelessly promoting SBT's and re-educating young people in their attitude towards dogs.
Also Kerry and her husband will be taking part with their dogs Neighla and Rhea (who was one of our puppies from 2009)
The teams had a practise at Battersea this weekend.


David Egan worked with Angel and Chance today as well as meeting Smudge who transformed from an unruly puppy into a well mannered dog in minutes, how does he do that?

In the evening we took Sandy, Chance and Smudge to Doghouse Agility with Anna.
Sandy was rather too excited but flew over the jumps.
Chance was so good Anna thought he must have done some before (I would think this is very unlikely) he is just a star.


The team during last Saturdays practise.

 Smudge was just there for socialisation, she is too small to do any jumping.

31st October

Smudge woke me at 5.45am.
Took her out and then had to take several of others out too, trying to ensure she did not wake the neighbourhood in the meantime.
Had 3 attempts at getting back to bed before she would settle and just as I managed it the alarm went off!
Felt completely wired all day.
She came with me to the bank to withdraw some of the cash she is spending and then to Pets at Home to spend it!
She attracted lots of attention.
She and Lexus have surprisingly become  best mates.

Dave drove down to Southampton to pick up Tara from Second chance rescue.
Apparently everyone there has fallen in love with her. She is a sweetie.
A quick visit to the vet for vaccine and then a dark drive over to Spangleberry kennels.

We are now full to bursting and one in kennels resources are stretched.