31st March

I have been busy writing the write up we hope to get into the Surrey Advertiser and ideas for the article for Dogs Today. Not bad for a Saturday night when all I usually do is crash.

Here is a Stunning picture of old dog Tara taken at the Stafford walk.

She is snoring next to me on the bedroom floor even as I write this.

30th March

Our first day at Pets at Home for their two week charity drive went well, though it was a little slow.

Most schools broke up today, and the people who did come in were in a hurry, jut wanting to get their things and go, we had an excellent view of the petrol queue into Sainsburys!
We are selling raffle tickets again for a national charity draw, but unlike other times, this time all we collect goes to us, hence the need to work hard at it. We sold about 26 tickets at £1 each and had a few donations on top of that.

Our other days are :- Next Tuesday 3rd April, Easter Monday 9th April, Friday 13th April and Sunday 15th April. 10am/4pm 

29th March (evening)

We are at Pets at Home (Godalming Store)  tomorrow 10am/4pm

Do call in and see us or if you can help out with some collecting for half an hour or so that would be great.

Smudge

29th March

More donations have come in for the Stafford Walk taking us up to £128.50

The article for the dog magazine they are asking, 'If money was no object, how would you re-brand Staffies?'

Roxie and Drake

Do email your ideas or add as comment.

27th March

Our next stint at Pets at Home Godalming store, starts this Friday 30th March 10am/4pm




Have just replied to three emails and three phone messages about re-homing dogs. I am afraid we have refused them all. We certainly have no room to take any in and no resources to offer rescue backup to any on the website.
HOWEVER, lots of positives.
We have some fantasticastic photos of the walk, I had to drag myself away from them to do some work.
Also a well known dog magazine asking for input on an article about re-branding  Staffies as they had seen about our walk!

I think I failed to mention that the Reverend David Oakden joined us at the end of the walk with that disreputable rogue Lexus.
Maybe it was all too much for Lex as that night our eldest daughter Sara was making her way from the bathroom (downstairs) to bed. Lexus looked at her 'with his bear face,' and followed her upstairs. The girls then heard a noise outside their bedroom door.'It's Lexus,' stated Sara ' he followed me.' Jessie went out to check, no sign, then she saw him going down the stairs,' Oops! Oh no!' Poor chap had been trying to tell them something, now it was too late he just couldn't hold it any longer! All down the stairs, all over the hall. His exhausted master was not amused!

Angel too has caused a stir.
I was on the phone to my horse vet. It was quite an involved and tricky conversation and I was being a demanding client,(it happens!)
We had reached the point where the vet was expounding advice, which was good, but I was required to just murmur agreement every now and then. I was stroking Angel, and she chose that moment to do her deep growl, which we have learned is friendly but which can be disconcerting if you aren't used to it. The voice on the other end of the phone fell suddenly silent. 'Oh that's my dog,' I said quickly, realising she thought it was ME growling in disapproval at what she was saying! Mind you she did go back and double check for me, maybe I should growl down the phone more often.

26th March

We have some lovely news.
 Luci, the puppy Val has been fostering, has found a new home.
The home came through Luci Langstone-Bolt, who adopted Blaze from us and is the very friend Val named Luci after!

Molly and Nancy.

They are a family with two daughters of 15 and 12 and they met Luci on Saturday.
Val said it was wonderful to see her enjoying so much attention and how good it would be for her to have a home of her own instead of fitting in and sharing with the pack as she does at the moment.
Due to a pre-booked holiday it is hoped Luci, who they have already re-named Molly, will join her new family just before Easter.

Thanks to Val who has done a wonderful job turning Luci/Molly around.
 Now with Nugget joining her and a busier time at work it is good she will have one less dog to worry about.

We wish Molly and her new family many happy years together.


More Stafford Walk pictures soon.

25th March

Another fantastic Stafford Walk!

We had perfect weather and another very good turnout for our second Stafford walk.
There was a mixture of some familiar faces and some new.
 There were more 'other,' breeds than last time and I am pleased to say Jo-Jo the Yorkshire Terrier was there again.

Jane and Michael came all the way from Hastings with Kissi a two year old rescue from the RSPCA. She was a real stunner.

Kissi

Sam Keen's friends Claire and Geri came from Brighton with their collection of doglets.

It was lovely to see Smudge (growing up and looking fab) and Roxy and Drake the two pups who came on our November walk, also growing up and doing well. Roxy is deaf.
All of ours were there too Skye with Jon and Lynne, Roxy with Sam Keen and we took old dog Tara who thoroughly enjoyed herself.

Everyone behaved really well and the dogs were good too.

Thanks to Sam Keen for all her hard work, organising, also to her Dad, Ben for being photographer for the day, to Jon and Lynne for printing the posters and advertising and to everyone who came along.

We raised a very welcome £78.50 for funds.
Thank You.

24th March

STAFFORD WALK TOMORROW 11am start from The Manor Hotel,Godalming. GU7 3BX
1 hour lead walk. £3.00 entry.

Don't forget the clocks change tonight> we spring forward >  1 hour > so lose an hours sleep

We will pass where this shot was taken

Obviously the weather is not going to be a problem, but I am getting a bit worried about the parking as the pub is likely to be extra busy with the nice weather, we have asked permission but we don't want to upset them!
Please park in the top right hand corner as far away from the hotel as possible, we may have to direct some of you over the road if it becomes too crowded.
We would like you to use the hotel for refreshments afterwards but perhaps not stay too long and make way for the lunchtime trade.

Otherwise it's all systems go and we look forward to seeing you all.

Here is my mobile number for any last minute emergencies :-07770596506  Alison.

23rd March

Just 2 sleeps until our
  Stafford Walk  Sunday 25th March 11am Start from The Manor Hotel, Godalming. GU7 3BX


See you there.

Val and I were chatting the other day (nothing new there!) and came up with the idea of  stating something positive for each of our current rescues. Of course they all have lots of positives but we sometimes get bogged down in the negative.
We will start with Sapphire. She does not mind, or get upset by, being left, (unlike most of the others.)

Saffy on the last walk with Roxy and Skye

Luci is very good with other dogs, both out but especially at home.

Tara is a joy to walk, on and off lead.

Angel is very obedient and well trained.

Chance will happily potter around outside with you, as long as he has a ball.

Boycie makes a lovely, faithful companion.

22nd March

Have heard back from Guildford BC regarding the STAFFORD WALK     and they wish us every success!
So we have a green light and we are ready to go.

Boycie

Yesterday, having a bit of free time I had my own little Agility Competition with Boycie, Angel and Chance. It involved taking a photo of them jumping a jump. At first I thought Angel was going to be the winner as it took me less goes to get a good picture, but when I looked at the photos I saw it was not that good a shot and that I had three fairly good shots of Chance. So I declared him the winner!

Angel

It was amazing how just trying to control them for a particular purpose made it more focused and ordered.
 I have just broken off writing this to do my dogs for the night and as I have mentioned before I play out my own little imaginary agility as each tears up from the garden and stops by the back door. I gesture for a Sit and Wait then open the door and they bound in, skidding to a halt to await their biscuit

Chance with the winning jumps

In my mind I can hear the roar of the crowd, gasps of awe at the wonderful control I have, and the breathtaking speed of the dogs ... well we can all dream ... on occasions.

21st March

What a beautiful day! Perfect as far as I am concerned. My daughter had lessons cancelled at college too so I had a wonderful free morning.

Only 3 days left now before our   Stafford Walk    and I emailed both local authorities and the police at last!!
The police were the most efficient and pleasant, saying the officers on duty that day would be informed but they did not expect any issues.
One authority has not yet replied but they were helpful on the phone and told me which department to email.
The other (I shall not name and shame) said the equivalent of, they couldn't stop us but they would make a note for their records in case they had any complaints!!!


I am getting a bit worried we may not have enough room in the pub car park so I asked the Golf Club opposite if we might be able to use their massive car park but they said there would not be room as they were very busy at the weekend, I said I thought it always looked quiet, but well  ... I think that was a,'No.'
Though they didn't seem to notice when we parked a horsebox there and unloaded a small Welsh pony, the other week ..
The weather too looks like its set fair ...we look forward to seeing you there.

20th March

Boycie looking handsome.

Only four days left before our Stafford walk Sunday 25th March 11 am from the Manor Hotel, Godalming.


I have been asked to remind you that the clocks change the night before the walk. We 'spring,' forward, so lose an hour, so don't forget to change your clocks or you'll miss it!


We are getting quite a few enquiries and we are getting excited now. One couple are coming from Hastings with their rescue Stafford.  Another, more local lady with a pedigree dog who had no idea of the problems facing the breed at the moment. How wonderful we can all join together and share experiences and opinions.


Sam Keen came and did some more training with Chance and Boycie on Monday.
Chance has now learnt 'Down,' he is such a clever boy, very quick to learn.
Boycie gives a lovely paw, we are also working on ways to stop him getting too wound up.


We have had two people in the past week contact us about re-homing their dog only to find both adopted them from Battersea. We direct them back to Battersea but it is very depressing.

19th March (2)

Deb Fox who adopted Reuben ( now Harley) sent this photo of Harley with her baby son. Harley was wonderful with Deb's grandson, now he has another baby to protect. (Nanny Dog.)

I continue to wrestle with the unfortunate event of Boycie and the Spaniel. Not only re-living it and 'if only,' it, but all the different factors and the implications not least of which that I still owe my daughter nearly £400 which I had to ask her to pay on her return from hospital after witnessing her boyfriend suffer a broken collar bone after a dirty tackle in a football match!
Plus continuing to promote the breed as the 'Nanny dog,' and ask people to 'Walk their Stafford with pride,' on our forthcoming walk.
Well if 'Pride comes before a fall,' I have already had mine.

Whilst in Sainsbury's car park the other day I heard a commotion of 'yapping.' Then a lady walked past with a tiny Yorkshire Terrier on a lead, possibly a puppy. Spotting all the crates in my car she looked at me sheepishly, then suddenly the yapping started again, I looked up to see she was passing a young man coming the other way, the little dog was barking furiously at him, he raised his hand in greeting and carried on.

On Sunday I had my walk with Lex and Tara Scuppered by a couple and their Sunday guests walking a Springer. They were in front of me crossing the river meadow where recently they have re-erected signs asking us to keep dogs on leads and to stick to the footpath ( I will keep my views on this for another day, but we do try and abide by it.) As I watched, the Springer ran down to the river and into a spinney, back to the path crossing it and into the horses field, back again and into the garden of the cottage belonging to my artist friend Juliet.
Not once did the owners correct or call it, just carrying on their conversation with their friends.

NOW replace the Yorkie barking madly at everyone it passed with a Stafford. It would be reported as a Dangerous Dog.

Replace the Springer dashing over private land, into a field with horses, into someones garden, with no word from the owner, with a Stafford, you would be behaving irresponsibly.
Because these dogs are' OK' their behaviour is considered non threatening even cute.

I am fed up of always being accused as the aggressor and even more fed up of always being the one to pay!

19th March

Under 1 week now until our Stafford Walk    Sunday 25th March  11 am  from Manor Inn Godalming GU7 3BX


We have also been invited by Godalming Pets At Home store to take party in their charity drive.
It runs for two weeks and the dates we are doing are as follows :- Friday 30th March/Tuesday 3rd April/ Easter Monday 9th April/Friday 13th April/Sunday 15th April

Could YOU help with collecting?

This will be different to past years and instead of receiving £100 for each day we are there all the money collected and from 'Round the Pound' will go to us as we are their designated cause. This means the more effort we put in the more money we will get.
They think Easter Monday will be especially busy so we could major on that. I would like to ask you all for your help as I was looking forward to a bit of a break over Easter, obviously that is not to be. If anyone can give up an hour or two to help with collecting please let me know.

16th March

10 days to go to our next Stafford Walk Starting from Manor Hotel (Premier Inn) Guildford Rd, Godalming.           
GU7 3BX      Sunday 25th March 11am    £3.00 entry
Come and walk your Stafford with pride.

I spoke to my friend in Scotland today. She said they had had some lovely spring days perfect for hanging out washing, adding,'Not that I did.'
 Today was another beautiful day for getting out in the garden and lifting your spirits, but I did neither. Despite the wonderful spring weather this week I have had neither the time nor the heart to enjoy it.

A friend's husband is restoring one of the sheds at the Gunpowder Mills and I stopped to chat with Lexus and Tara on their walk. Tara made a fuss of the men but kept jumping up so I put her back on the lead. Lex had already disappeared, mooching around the building and the men's tools. I called him back once only for him to disappear again and walk straight into someones garden to explore in there. I managed to persuade him out and continued the walk before he got into anymore mischief, the men were laughing, I bet he would love to accompany his owner to work and potter around all day and play ball ...

15th March

I hope you have all enjoyed watching the Stafford Agility at Crufts, wasn't it great?
Paul O'Grady spoke up well for Staffords too and generally there seems to be lots of positive feed back from Sunday at Crufts. This is due to the work of the Stafford Forum and Battersea, I am amazed how quickly it has had an effect.

Khan and Lexus (best friends)

Paul has been at Battersea filming for a programme for a while, I will keep you informed.

Thank you to those of you who have made donations towards the vet bill incurred on Saturday it is greatly appreciated.

I am still struggling a bit to keep all the dogs happy, today was particularly difficult as we give a friend of Jessie a lift to college meaning we can only take three dogs instead of four and I was not able to get home until after lunch.
When I did the dogs at home were quite wound up. Thankfully there aren't many days like that.
Khan and Lexus definitely miss Dave being around. Lexus has played up so much recently that I am no longer finding it amusing.
The two most notable incidents are when I found him with his head deep inside a brand new bag of food, like a pig in a trough, but even worse, whilst wrestling the bag to the floor he had knocked down some packets of worming granules, which had spilled everywhere! I am not sure how much he ate but his belly was almost touching the ground and 'nature has been taking it's course,' ever since!
Then the other morning he climbed up and removed Sam's cup of squash from the mantel piece above the fire, at least 5ft high, he was only in there for 20 mins.

That Dog ... again!

12th March

Paul O'Grady judging the Stitches with Ali Taylor on the Battersea Stand

Below is the link of the East Anglian Stafford Display at Crufts if anyone has not seen it.

Thanks Mark.



Just found the link on youtube (and spent a very enjoyable half hour watching it!). Hope you don't mind me hijacking the blog Alison but thought I would share the link and save you the hassle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjbZqwAJ3w4

Mark

11th March

DID YOU SEE IT?
Did you manage to see the Stafford Agility Display at Crufts?

We watched live on Youtube and it was absolutely fantastic!
Kerry and Rhea were amazing AND Guildford SBT Rescue got a mention, how brill was that?
This was just what I needed to get me to pick myself up off the floor and carry on.

Kerry ran Rhea and her husband Simon ran Neighla her older dog.
Ali Taylor's dog Squirt was there with Laura and Jo-Ann Essex had her two amazing dogs Bacon and Mouse who were also competing in the Crufts agility and they are show dogs and star in films and commercials.
Lesley Mc Fayden was behind the scenes organising it all.
Ali Taylor, Jo-Ann Essex and Lesley are all part of the Stafford Forum I think you will agree with me that this went a long way to promote the breed.

Val has some photos of Rhea's run and we will try and put the Youtube  link on when we have it.

Thanks for your kind comments on the Boycie encounter. I can assure you my hand is the least of it, my pride and the rescue bank balance are in a far worse state!

10th March

 STAFFIE AGILITY  1.10pm main arena  CRUFTS Sunday 11th March

To watch LIVE go to Youtube and type in CRUFTS if you cannot watch it live you can always watch it later

Guildford Staffords would like to send all good wishes to all the Staffies and their handlers taking part and especially to Kerry and Rhea. We are proud of you.




Unfortunately Boycie's viewing did not go well. He took a dislike to the family's Spaniel and went for her locking on to her ear. We managed to get him off and initially it did not look too bad but there was a small tear which required two stitches, as it was out of hours we have ended up paying a vet bill for nearly £400
The spaniels owner received a bite to his thumb and I have a puncture wound in my left hand.
Not to mention how upsetting it was for the children to witness.
I have never had a viewing go quite so disastrously wrong and don't feel much like running a SBT rescue at the moment ... lets hope the Staffie Agility at Crufts cheers us up tomorrow.
Boycie lived happily with Saffy for several months and walks with our dogs without any problems, he was even our star at Discover Dogs so I was really taken by surprise

9th March

I have done my dogs early tonight, had my bath and I am writing this before I fall asleep, at least I hope that is what happens.
I am feeling particularly tired tonight, birthdays can be tiring as sometimes good things are. Val mentioned I had six ponies but this time last week I only had five. Basil appeared on SOS dog rescue's site, yes you have read it right, needing a good home. He was just what I had been looking for and he joined us on Sunday in that awful weather, not recommended for watching ponies sort out their hierarchy in the field.

Basil

He is gorgeous, but even blessings can be tiring.
Dave has completed his third week in the new job but we still have all the dogs with us so it is a lot for me to cope with.
A family are coming to see Boycie tomorrow so lets hope it works, just homing one of the dogs with us would take the pressure off.
Back to tonight. It is now not necessary for any of the dogs with me to have to go on a lead when they go out for their last pee. They tear through the open gate to the garden, do what they need to do then bound to the back door. I give them a signal or tell them 'Sit,' they immediately obey, staying statue still, then I open the door and they fly in and into their crate and await their bonio.
 In my imagination we are competing in an agility competition, flying through the obstacles to the roar of the crowd the dogs obeying the slightest signal from me.

Of course it is all my fantasy but for the Staffie Agility teams at Crufts on Sunday it is a reality!
These teams were born out of the Stafford Forum and the idea to promote Staffies in a positive light.
Their display will be in the main area  at 1.10pm on Sunday and I understand you can watch it live on 'Youtube.'
Remember we have one of our very own Guildford Staffords, Rhea with Kerry Crick, Kerry's husband is running Neighla her older dog, let wish them all the best and catch it if we can! We are very proud.                      

Thursday 8th March

                  
              HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALISON

I am sure that for those of you who read the blog you would join me in wishing Alison a very happy birthday and wish her the very best for today and in the future.

It is not an easy task running a rescue with all that it entails not to mention a family to look after and 6 horses!!!!! I think we will all forgive you for not blogging tonight
So Alison, take the time to put your feet up for five minutes and have a glass of wine on this special day.
Best Wishes  Valerie, Stuart, Daisy, Honey, Oscar, Nugget and Luci. xxxxxx
 
 

6th March

Having a spare ten minutes this morning I contacted the two local authorities whose land we cross in the proposed Stafford walk on 25th March.

Nugget settling well

I looked online first to see if I could find a map of the area they covered. I could not so I rang the switchboard of the first, explaining that I ran a dog rescue and was planning an organised dog walk to promote responsible dog ownership and had seen on my insurance I needed the permission of my local authority and the police.
She put me through to Environmental Health, as this is the department Animal Wardens come under it seemed reasonable, but they could not help. I was passed on to at least four different departments in the end. None of them having any idea what to do.
Eventually they suggested a lady, I have no idea of her department. She mused, I explained more fully, we would be on public footpaths, bridleways, roads. 'You need to contact Surrey County Council the.' I made unconvinced noises. Then she suddenly came up with the HSE Health and Safety Executive. It sounded unlikely, but I asked for a number. I waited whist she Googled it, telling me how informative it was but she couldn't see a number. I continued to wait until at last she found the number which she proudly shared, I recognised the code, it was for Merseyside!
She seemed to think she had been very helpful so I tried to thank her with enthusiasm.

Then I tried the other LA. Feeling by now I was part of an undercover survey.
I explained again to the lady on the switchboard. She did not answer but put me through to someone as it began to ring ...and kept on ringing ... she cut in again just before I hung up, answering as if for the first time and then realising said,'Oh yes you are waiting for refuse ... ' Then nothing, I tried a couple of 'Hello's, nothing!
I put the phone down and got on with my day.

I strongly dislike local authorities, that mixture of bureaucracy, self importance , and sheer bloody incompetence makes my blood boil.
It would be better to pretend naively you knew nothing.

I will try and ring the police ... meanwhile lets continue to promote our walk.

5th March

Good news ... Insurance form + payment sent off early this morning, cover from 7th March.
Bad news ... saw that for sponsored walks in public places e.g. Stafford Walk we need permission from our local authority and police ... Drat! Something else to do tomorrow, lets hope they say 'Yes.'

Boycie

Sam Keen (owner of Roxy, honorary Guildford Stafford) came to help me work the dogs this morning.
She got on particularly well with Boycie and Chance and we will be working out an individual training programme for each of them plus videos of them being amazing.

Crufts is approaching and a team of Staffies from East Anglian SBT club will be taking part in Agility there on Sunday.
Kerry with Neighla and Rhea (Guildford Stafford) will be there. We wish them all the best.
(There is a promotional video, featuring Jo-Ann Essex Staffords, I will try and share link.)

Chance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp5BRL0OVHk&feature=share

4th March

Do you remember Val mentioning an old dog called Nugget who was at Battersea D &CH and may come their way after she had undergone some health tests?

Val and Stuart with Luci, Nugget,Honey,Oscar and Daisy.

Well on Saturday they took the rest of their pack along to meet her causing quite a stir with everyone who saw them and couldn't believe they had so many Staffies all getting on and behaving  so well.
All went well with the meeting and they took Nugget home with them as their new adopted oldie.
Nugget had been fostered by Ali Taylor who works at Battersea and she was thrilled that Nugget had a home with Val.
Stuart thinks Nugget has characteristics of Doris and Percy, their last two oldies.
I am sure you will join with me in wishing them all a very happy life with Nugget it is wonderful cheery news after all we have been through in the past few weeks.
No doubt we will be hearing more of Nugget as she settles in.

2nd March

It's early college drop off on Friday mornings, Chance, Boycie and Sapphire came with me, after daughter disembarks we head down to the ponies and bring them in.
Each dog has a game of ball. Chance and Boycie with the ball thrower, Saffy without because she grabs it.
At the end of Chance's game we were a little distracted by the men collecting the rubbish and a lady with a young Whippet, who she told me she had taken Whippet Racing, fascinating.
Then I headed home, as it's Friday and Steven comes to walk dogs with me.

After lunch I returned, this time Angel was with us too.
I looked for the ball thrower but couldn't find it in any of the places I normally leave it. I kept coming back to the car, I was sure that's where I had it last, but there was no sign of it. I lost another one a few weeks ago, I had thought that would turn up but it hadn't. That one was blue, this time I got a red one so it would show up better, but it wasn't helping now. Then I remembered ... there had been a funny noise as I pulled out of the drive this morning, oh surely I hadn't? Could that noise have been a ball thrower falling off the car roof? The more I thought about it, and remembered the startled looks on the faces of passers by when I heard it, the more certain I became that that had been its fate.

I explained to Jessie when I collected her, 'So as we pull out of the drive, see if you can spot it.'
We did ... there it was lying near the golf club entrance, difficult to see if it was intact, but there was worse, it was not alone, lying near it I recognised the blue lead, one of two of our most useful leads, the easy ones you always want to have to hand.
We pulled into the golf club and went to retrieve them, or what was left of them. Both lead and ball thrower were smashed beyond repair.
Is that where the other ball thrower ended up? How many other lost items have met the same fate?
I have done it with my handbag, a set of keys and a cheque book in the past, Val did it with her daughters birthday cake!
I do apologise and promise I will try to be a better steward of rescue equipment in the future ... you would have thought a red ball thrower would show up against a blue car ... wouldn't you?

Pictures of Lexus, courtesy of Lindsay Stewart, taken when he first came in to rescue in February 2008

We have just had the reminder for his yearly vaccination so that would be right.

1st March

What a beautiful day it has been.
March' Coming in like a lamb,' so no doubt it will 'Go out like a lion.' For now though we can enjoy this very pleasant spell of weather without even having to wipe muddy paws, it has certainly been a very welcome respite for me this week after all the traumas we have been through and adjusting to Dave not being around during the day.
Dave has almost completed his second week at his job and although I have no idea what happens when he is there, I can confirm he gets up and goes every morning, well done him!
I took delivery of posters and fliers for our next Stafford walk today from Jon.  Jon and Lynne have kindly produced them for us and they are very impressive.

Stafford Walk Sunday 25th March 11 am      For more info :- staffiewalk@live.co.uk


I have also received the quote for insurance and we have just enough left in the bank to cover it.
We have also received donations from two of our followers, Mark and Gareth, our thanks to you.

Also we have discovered on facebook some pictures of Lexus when he was first in Treetops Kennels. Exclusive ' before he was famous,' shots! When I can work the technology I hope to share them with you.

There is also another charity event we have been invited to take part in at Pets at Home in April, more details soon.