30th December

Our 6th Dog of Christmas is Rosie.

Rosie is our newest dog coming in at the beginning of November. She is now 8 months old.
She had been living in a third floor flat and the reason she was handed in was because they were in breach of their tenancy agreement.
Despite her accommodation she is perfectly house trained and has never had an accident inside which is surely creditable to both her and her previous owners.

She has a very sweet nature but she does have some issues which now makes me question the real reason she was handed in.
At first she lacked confidence on walks and would sometimes refuse to walk or run for home. Chloe helped her with this and taught her to play and she is now much better.
She has become used to the ponies and also learned respect when Basil clouted her with a front hoof when she got too close. She now gives them a wide berth and can be trusted off lead when I am doing jobs around the yard.
Her recall is  good but she now has confidence to run around and investigate things on a walk.
She is a high energy dog and requires lots of exercise which may be why she began to have some problems living in a flat.

The main issue we are finding with her is her jumping up with excitement when someone walks into the room.
I know all Staffies have a tendency to this but trust me this is extreme and sometimes painful. Also she will then become suddenly still but not in a relaxed way. My conclusion is that the previous owners found some way of controlling her hyper behaviour which has now produced these two unhealthy extremes within her.
We recently tried a rattle bottle for her jumping up but she ran into her crate and would not come out so we will not use that again!
She is calm when it is just me she also responds very well to TTouch but we do need to find a way of controlling the jumping.
Chloe helped Rosie learn to play but now Chloe has found a home of her own it gives me more time to work with Rosie so she can be ready for a new home too.

We have an update on Chloe and photos of her in her new home which have been added to her Christmas blog 28th December.

29th December

Our 5th Dog of Christmas is Molly

Molly

Molly came into us on Friday 15th December,
 A true Christmas dog, I undertook fostering her as there was 'no room at the inn'. Due to Molly's circumstances Alison and I felt that at 20 weeks old we needed to secure Molly's future. Little did we realise what an undertaking this would be.

Molly when she first came to us

Molly was a frightened insecure little dog with severe separation anxiety. Molly was frightened even to go out into the garden and if she could she would have melted into my body.

Oscar and Molly " It wasn't us"

The road was a long hard one, which at times I could not see a light at the end of the tunnel.  Molly integrated with Daisy, Honey, Oscar and Doris, with Molly and Oscar being mischievous partners. Slowly but surely she improved, at last Molly was ready for a home of her own.

Nancy and Molly.    Love at first sight.

 

Purely by chance an old colleague of Luci Langstone Bolt, whom we had re homed Blaze to, contacted her for advice on adopting a rescue Stafford. Luci put them in touch with me, knowing  that I was fostering Molly.

Martha and Molly

 The home was ideal for Molly,  Mike, Jo, Nancy and Martha adopted Molly on Good Friday 6th April 2012, another special date in the religious calender, could this be coincidence?....I will leave that up to you to make your own mind up.









 

Molly was not going to be allowed on the new furniture!

I sadly received an email from Mike telling me that Jo had passed away in late October.
Molly was still a rascal and was helping them through the tough time. She had picked up on their moods and for the first two weeks Molly was very clingy and would not leave them alone, but was back to her normal self.

Molly happy and confident.

Our thoughts are with the family at this time of the year.




With special thanks for giving Molly a loving home. x








Author :- Valerie

28th December

Our 4th dog of Christmas is Chloe.

Chloe when she first came in.

We took Chloe in after our holiday in August,despite not having any spaces we felt we could not ignore the call and when we got there and saw her circumstances we were so glad we had said yes as she really needed out.
She is Staffie x Bulldog but looks little like either, she is a great character and is very popular with everyone.

Chloe had two foster homes during her time with us, both loved her and she benefited from her time with them but due to circumstances they were sadly unable to keep her.

jump judging at a local hunter trials

Playing stick with Ernie in her second foster home.

She has Demodex Mange which is improving with treatment.

With Evie and Sparkle

Breaking news is :- She has gone to a new home today, lets hope it works out!

Some photos Of Chloe's first few days as you can see she is making herself very much at home.

My waste paper bins have never been so empty! She has met Archie the cat and is quickly learning to ignore him.

Chloe kisses!

27th December

Our 3rd dog of Christmas is Jade.

Jade stayed with us for more than two and a half years, probably the longest of any dog so far.
There was no reason for this, nothing wrong with her, just the right home had not come along.
Jade is sister to our own dog, Sprite, and I knew her as a puppy.

Her story is an extraordinary one and I am in the process of making it into a book as it typifies what can happen to a modern day SBT through no fault of their own.

Doing agility with Alan Downer at Epsom Canine rescue Show  

Early last year her circumstances changed when Mr Hammond got in touch.
He wanted another dog for companionship and contacting another rescue told them he had once owned Staffords and they were the 'Best dogs he had ever had.' Hearing this the girl immediately rang me.
I took several dogs to meet him including Saffy but it was obvious Jade was the most suitable and the home was also perfect for her.

A home of her own.

It was very odd after over two years to take her somewhere and just leave her, I shed some tears on the short drive home, but it has turned out to be a big success, they adore her and she is very much the 'Lady of the Manor.' No more than she deserves.

26th December

Our 2nd dog of Christmas is Jesse.

Jesse came to us at just three weeks old after a group of homeless people in central London asked a girl to take him saying otherwise he would die as they could not afford to keep him!

We bottle fed him every three to four hours at first and watched him thrive.








He came on holiday with us and paddled in the sea but mostly he played with Lexus.

He is currently fostered with Kate and Dan and is best friends with  Moose and Lara.

Jesse's first Christmas ... opening his present :-
Jesse loved the wrapping paper but soon decided on the bone inside!

25th December

Our first dog of Christmas is dear Sapphire (Saffy) after two and a half years in rescue at last she has found a home of her own and will spend this Christmas in comfort.

It has been quite a year for Saffy as earlier in the year she had a cancerous lump successfully removed from her leg.
 We launched an appeal and the money was raised in just three days.

Thank you to all who gave money so her operation could take place.

Despite lots of publicity there was still no home forthcoming for Saffy until November when Jude and Adam got in touch. They specifically wanted to offer Saffy a home as she had been in rescue so long.

Saffy recovering from her op, scar still visible.

                                                                               

We can ask for no better present this Christmas than to know she is loved and in a home of her own.

Just thought you'd like to see a wee photo of Saffy sleeping off a very fun Christmas! She has had a fantastic time enjoying lots of walks, food & hugs from family & friends. Was lovely to see her as your first dog of Christmas!

23rd December

        Happy Christmas from all at Guildford & District
                        Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue.

The riding school Christmas party was a huge success despite the weather.
The ground though is saturated and the river very high with more rain to come. My sympathies to any of you who are actually flooded.
There has been no evidence of the rat since Thursday when we rumbled his cache of dog biscuits.

We are finishing the year on a high. We have had lots of donations coming in so we are in a stronger position as we go into next year and work towards charitable status.

Four of our long term dogs have found homes this year.

Thank you all for your support.

We will be doing our Twelve Dogs of Christmas again this year.

21st December

Dave informed me just before he left for work that the trap had not caught the rat and that he had moved it nearer the dresser and that it should not be in reach of the dogs.
I came down took Sprite and Lexus down the garden brought them in and fed them, also Khan, who Dave takes out when he gets up. I then watched the weather, dismay and despair! It looks like the Riding School Christmas party is going to be wet. Engrossed in the weather I slowly became aware of a strange noise from the kitchen. Surely not? Oh yes it was! Lexus was in the corner licking the peanut butter from the rat trap. I didn't hear it go off but he seemed unharmed, however he did have a little trouble manoeuvring out from the corner, his usual very efficient reverse gear suddenly absent.
Chloe was next out, I noticed immediately her skin had settled down from her recent treatment and she was feeling better. As soon as she had finished her breakfast, she too found the trap and the peanut butter!
Enough was enough, the trap was removed from the dresser corner.

I left home at 9.30am with Angel, Rosie and Chloe on board. There followed a busy day. All dogs had a good run.
It was a beautiful day and very peaceful at the ponies, but I had to go to the bank and dread of all dreads needed a few essentials from the supermarket. The idea was to do this, return home and then come back later to turn the ponies out.
However, after discussion with my daughter it was agreed she would walk our dogs at home and after my visit to town I would turn the ponies out, thus saving a journey and leaving the evening free for baking for the party tomorrow.
A good plan especially as the 'town' bit took far longer in the Christmas rush.
However by the time I reached the ponies, even after a supermarket sandwich, I was beginning to flag.

Eventually all chores completed I took the dogs out for a quick walk, individually so they could concentrate on what they were supposed to do.
When I took Chloe she ran into the field, picked up a scent and completely deaf to my calls, ran off disappearing into the woods. It was by now almost dark. She is chipped but she broke her tag the other day, besides I had loads to do once I got home and I just wanted to be there not here.
I walked Rosie to try and entice her back, nothing. Then I could see her, I called, sent a text  home saying I had found her but although I was in reach of her at one point, she was still hunting and ignoring me, ran off again. I could hear her and went into the field and called. She ran right up to me but was still hunting and ran off again!  Eventually I employed my driving off in the car tactic. She trotted up to me on the bridleway as if she had never left my side.
Maybe it is the rat that has awoken this hunting instinct in her, whatever it is we are going to have to be aware, she becomes very,very deaf.

Despite the late homecoming we have made 124 sausage rolls. The forecast is diabolical so they may be needed.

20th December

It looks like the Christmas cards have got through! Emails from recipients with updates on their dogs. I will get round to sharing them but at the moment have more pressing matters.
Came down this morning to evidence of our (visiting, at least I hope so) rat, in the kitchen!
It had deposited a half eaten old Bonio in front of Chloe's crate. How it had managed that without Chloe going bolistic, I don't know, or how we manage to have a rat in the house at all with six Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

Angel ... Top Ratter!

It was obvious from Chloe's reaction it was under the dresser so we brought in Angel. She found it and silently but with every sinew of her body and intense concentration kept it holed up under the dresser while we had breakfast.
There was an electronic beeping, which we supposed was from a phone,no longer in use, that had been disconnected from Angel's exertions.
My son needed a lift to the bus so, alas, we could not stay and see this through, so we put Angel away and after a couple of false starts set the trap.
On my return all was calm and the trap still set so I left it and took Angel, Rosie and Chloe off to do the ponies.
The pouring rain meant none of them were very happy to be out.

There was no sign of the rat on my return and judging by the dogs reaction it was no longer under the dresser but in the corner under the piles of newspaper.

Later when Dave came home and with the help of Sara's boyfriend, we took Angel back in and pulled the newspapers from the corner ... no Rat! No Hole! but a pile of dog biscuits and chewed wire which was causing the phone to beep!
I feel better it hasn't actually got a nest in my kitchen, cunning plans to trap it are under way.

Have also been busy making 50 mince pies for the Riding School Party.

Chloe has had another Promeris treatment for her mange and has had a bit of a reaction and so had a quiet few days but nothing like the first time.

18th December

Just so you know it can happen to all of us ... Lexus attacked a neighbours Labrador today.

I was on our usual walk with Lex and Khan through the Gunpowder Mills. Khan was on the lead but I had let Lexus off and he was in front of us. A lady came round the corner with her Lab on a lead, Lexus ran straight up to her dog,  ignoring my shouts and just laid right in.
 I asked her to grab him, which she did, while I tried to get close enough to grab him but keep Khan away. She thought I was there and let him go and he turned round and started all over again!!

The lady could not have been kinder, or faster of hand, and seemed remarkably unruffled by the whole incident which is more than could be said for me!
Whether it helped that I had only seen her on Sunday at the carol service and offered her a mince pie (and asked after her dog) I don't know.

Butter wouldn't melt in that toothless mouth ... 

The Labrador is only eight months old and came to them from 'friends' who 'no longer had time for him.' The all too familiar story, the dog has a number of issues, nice of Lexus to add to them!

Is Lexus bad with other dogs? I hear you ask. Should you have been more prepared?  Well, yes, we have always been careful, but never had a real problem, until today.
 We do not usually meet anyone and I had just become complacent, after all he has no teeth and a dodgy hip.
How nicei it must be to be the 'victim' and claim the moral high ground.
 Some people always seem to hang on to victim status whatever the circumstances, 'He was bitten by a German Shepherd as a puppy.' 'Its just fear aggression.'
Well, I could claim none of these things, I was an irresponsible owner.

I don't think the Labrador was harmed. I apologised profusely and also dropped a note through the owners door later.
And as for Lexus, was he repentant? Not at all! On the contrary he thought he had done something marvelous, bounding around and grinning at me for the rest of the walk as if to say, 'I got him, did you see? I may not have any teeth and a dodgy hip, but I've still got it. Did you see Mum? Did you see?'

He will remain on the lead in future.



Update on the Christmas cards.
We have sent some but now run out of stamps, time and will. Cannot carry on or will end up having a 'Christmas Episode,' like Rev in the TV programme of the same name. You may get a card, you may not. You may get one before Christmas, you may not.  But ...  WE WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

17th December

Sorry for the lack of blogs, Christmas and all that!
Today I was making a last desperate attempt to get all my cards done so we could make the second class post deadline tomorrow!!
Due to the expense and lack of time we will not be sending cards to everyone now but will try and catch up with some owners we have not heard from for awhile.





I had the bank statement through today and since the beginning of December we have received over £1,600 in donations! I can't believe it even when I have it in front of me in black and white!
Thank you so much all who have given.
After a very difficult year when I nearly gave up in despair we are finishing the year on a high.

14th December

What a day! I was soaked to the skin twice, now thinking maybe the cold was not so bad, at least you could walk the dogs and they stayed clean. Hopefully be able to work tomorrow.

I received the following email from Christine :-      





Just to give you a further update, Boycie now has a second name: Mr Muscle!  He's on the go all day and seems to have built up more muscles.    
 
He is now much better at Doggie school and tonight is the last session of this course.  We will collect our rosette with pride!  He no longer barks at the other dogs and is much calmer in their company.  He is such a happy little chap and is so lovable.
 
As you know we have always had rescue boxers in the past but I have to say, we are now Staffie converts.  What lovable characters they are.
 
Will take some photos over Christmas and will send them to you.  In the meantime, please tell everyone that has asked after Boycie that he is a very happy boy and we cannot imagine life without him.


Lovely to think of our long stay dogs, Jade, Chance, Boycie and Saffy all with their own homes lying in the warm this Christmas.

13th December

I must apologise, I am getting very behind with things.

Wasting time this morning, so Sam nearly missed his bus, trying to take a photo of Lexus in a Christmas hat! You can see what he thinks about it!

We have got some way with the Christmas cards but had underestimated the price of stamps, we may now have to curtail it a bit, but also have not got around to writing them and yet we are being overwhelmed by cards, letters and donations from all of you.

One very timely gift was a coat knitted from the Battersea Pattern sent by Pat Bennett, just in time for Chloe to wear it during this very cold spell.  Thank you Pat.

 We struggled to get a half decent picture.


I paid the vet today. As well as our three neuters we had some other outstanding costs and it was over £600 but at least we were able to clear it. However no room for complacency, running costs are high and continuous.
Thank you again to all who donated.

11th December

Very cold again tonight as I write this and only two weeks to Christmas, how does it happen?  Every year I think I am more prepared but always end up doing things last minute.
We hope to send out Christmas cards to everyone we have homed a dog to since we began, just to renew contact, plans are under way.

All the dogs seem very sleepy tonight, perhaps it is an instinct kicking in due to the cold weather but they have all had plenty of good runs yesterday and today which must help.

I realise I did not mention Angel the other day. She is well at the moment and generally calmer. Chloe and Rosie are quiet in the car and do not wind her up and I try to avoid taking her with me on days when I know there are 'triggers' for her to get excited and 'spin'. Her tail is a bit pink but not damaged and she has put on weight. I have also done some TTouch with her and she responds well. She has huge muscles in her back legs and is very fit.

On Saturday we took her with us as although it was a busy day of lessons the first lesson this particular fortnight is Charlotte with her Dad Rob Brown. Rob loves Staffies and has been a very generous supporter of the rescue since we started. He has agreed to be our Treasurer  once we become a charity. Whilst Charlotte has her lesson, Rob plays ball with Angel. Having had a really good run she then settles for the rest of the day.

News from Kate about Jesse is that he has settled well and is improving, even walking with their older dogs and showing respect. He and Moose love each other and try to pick up the same stick on walks!

Boiler engineer called today and fitted new fan so we are very warm and toasty on this chilly night.

I will be paying Jane the vet at the end of the week. Thank you to all who have made donations.

9th December

IT DID HAPPEN!   

This morning we were presented by Pets At Home at Godalming with a cheque for £581.92 

Raised during their Support Adoption Charity Week in October.

We would like to say a big 'Thank You' to Pets At Home and their customers for raising such a large amount.

They were very busy today and their 'Santa Paws' Christmas appeal is under way where customers are asked to round to the pound their payment and all that money will come to us too.

On top of that the staff were holding a cake sale on our behalf today as well.

You can also nominate us as the benefiting rescue from one of their loyalty cards too.

Thank you to all the staff at Pets At Home Godalming.