11th July

Things move so quickly in rescue I have intended to write so many blogs then not got around to it and then it all changes anyway.

I have grown from this ... 

I will attempt to summarise :-

 I have been struggling recently to cope with all the dogs, it is difficult as Jesse is now more demanding and also the disappointment when the possible homes have fallen through has taken its toll.

I know I have said it before but it is so hard to keep all the dogs happy and feel we are giving them all they need. WE ARE NOT THEIR HOME. We are caring for them until their permanent home comes along, but all the time we live with this tension, that we cannot give them what they really need and deserve. Probably for most of you the fact that you make your dog happy is what motivates you and helps you cope with the other not so good things in your life, but we do not have that luxury.
 The only thing that keeps me going is knowing how much better the dogs are with us than if they were permanently in kennels.

Take a car journey, Spryte and Angel have a go at each other, although in separate  crates, which makes Chance bark which sets Boycie off and then Angel spins and chases her tail, aaghh!

 ... to this.

 Some days you cope better than others.

Then there are all the phone calls, 'It's my son's little dog, his partner is going back to work full time and its not fair on the dog to leave it.'
'It's my brother's dog, a Staffy x he is in prison and my mother can't cope.'
'We took in a Staff that was going to be turned out on the streets by my ex-wife, we cannot cope as we have two dogs of our own in a one room flat.'
'I need to re-home two Staffs as my partner has walked out and I have a disabled child.'
Or 'Iam pregnant, my daughter is pregnant, my grandaughter is pregnant.'
'I am not allowed to keep a dog in my flat, if I don't get rid of the dog by tomorrow I will be evicted.'
'I cannot give him what he needs, he needs a home where someone is there all the time with no other pets and no children and then he would be fine, HE IS A LURVELY DOG.' 
  Aaaghh!
Or this one yesterday 'Its my daughters boyfriends dog, they have split up and he is in prison so we need to re-home her, she is a lovely dog and just had a litter three months ago.' !!! 
I am afraid I lost my temper with that one.


We cannot help these people as we cannot home the dogs we have.


Then the would be homes who are either totally unsuitable or let you down.


We have remained at this high level of dogs even though Dave is now working and unable to assist with walking. It is hard to keep all the dogs happy and if we do manage it it is very hard work, day in day out.


Which is why I need a break and I am looking forward to my annual week away.


With few foster homes forthcoming and also concerns of safety we have decided to kennel Chance and Boycie and possibly Saffy for our weeks holiday, using a kennel with high standards and experience of Staffords.
The dogs will need Kennel Cough vaccination, an expense, as well as kennel fees, though we hope to get a reduction.
Please if you are not in a position to foster, consider donating towards this.


We still need a foster for Angel as she will not kennel.


Dates 28th July/4th August.


Thank you,


Alison.