28th September.

Yesterday, Thursday,  was taken up with an urgent situation where we were asked if we could help with the removal of  a Staffie bitch and seven five week old pups plus the father, another dog, cats and rabbits  from a lady's home as they had been left by a relative. As well as the call from the owner of the house, we were also contacted by a rescue we know who were closer and also involved.
We could not help directly and the whole thing was not straightforward but it seemed to take hours of phone calls and the usual mental/emotional gymnastics that always seem to accompany these things, we reached a solution this morning after I finally managed to speak to the other rescue.
All the animals are now in a safe environment.

Chloe playing!

Today started with a text from Dave to say he had heard on the travel news that Cranleigh High St was closed due to vehicle hitting a building.
As my son is at school in Cranleigh with an increasingly unreliable bus service, I offered to give him and his friend a lift.
It was not the High St but the road to the school. It was indeed closed with police tape and a large police presence, a huge green digger was across the road with a large hole in a building.
When Sam came home he filled us in on the details. The thieves had stolen the huge green digger and rammed the Lloyds Bank Cash Point inflicting little damage they had then reversed (possibly to get a better run) but had hit the building behind creating a huge hole. At this point the police had arrived and the failed robbers made off!
 The school children had taken photos on their phones and Sam was most amused  to note, when he passed after school, that the cash machine was still working, flashing its lights, inviting you to use it, whilst the innocent building behind was annihilated!

Shake them big ears!

In the evening Jessie (daughter) and I gave Chloe and Angel a last walk along the bridleway, the ponies were eating their hay across the field. As we came back Chloe ran into the sand school and then into the field focusing on the ponies. We called but to no avail and she ran closer to them. Jessie went into the field to call her (trying to make herself more interesting to Chloe than anything else) it didn't work and to our horror Chloe ran up to Basil, trying to play,then dashing off again. We thought she was going to come back to us but she ran in a second time and then as we watched helplessly, went right up to his hind hoof and sniffed. Basil lifted his foot and kicked, there was a sickening thud, Chloe flew through the air making a horrible noise, something between a yelp and a growl, she landed and twisted then lay still. I shouted to Jessie to pick her up as I thought she had had a blow to the head and may have stopped breathing, I thought if we were quick we could revive her. I asked Jessie if she was dead, but thankfully she was breathing and conscious. I rang the vet as Jessie carried her to the car, a short journey up the road. She had a nosebleed which stopped quickly and by the time we reached the vets she had recovered considerably, they came out to meet us, but seeing her conscious and alert we were downgraded from an immediate emergency and waited our turn to see the vet.
The vet (not lovely Jane as she is away) gave her a thorough examination and concluded she had had a lucky escape.
We took her home where she seemed fine, eating her dinner and giving lovely cuddles to everyone.
She has continued to look well today, I can hardly believe it when I replay that ghastly moment. We have delayed treatment for her Demodex, which should have been yesterday, just to make sure.
 She now weighs 5.30kg so could have the treatment anytime from now.

27th September

The only thing that kept me going today was the promise from the weather people that tomorrow is going to be better.
 My sympathies to those who are effected by floods, I heard one man speaking on the radio say it was worse than being burgled because you lost your home.

I am grateful for a dry home, though at the moment not always warm or with hot water as the problems with the boiler continue. However, I found myself by 8pm having not only fed everyone including Dave before he went out, but also, taking advantage of a moment with hot water, done the washing up (this is unheard of in our house as Dave usually does it before he comes to bed at some unearthly hour.)
I came upstairs to the 'office,'  really just our bedroom, but where computer and phones and the 'rescue' is run from, and felt momentary at a loose end, no calls to return, emails to reply to.  Chloe was lying quietly on Sara's lap in the lounge all other dogs quiet and settled, I had forgotten I had seen Lexus making his way into the kitchen with that 'intent on evil' stance, dismissing it from my mind, and sitting down at last after a long day decided to ring Val, who has something very interesting (it could only happen to Val ish ) going on in her home, which we cannot tell you about!!  During the conversation I heard Jessie go downstairs and start shrieking, I thought it was at the site of the puppy looking cute cuddled up but 'no,'  LEXUS!  Yes, 'That Dog' at it again, he had opened the sliding cupboard, taken out a bag of flour and eaten it, creating mess all over the kitchen floor!
He is still searching out windfalls on his morning foray down the garden, having been unsuccessful the other morning I caught him helping himself to one of the unripe apples off the miniature tree, he held it between his teeth and reversed before devouring it with relish!

 What with flour and apples perhaps I should bake him an apple pie!

Chloe in her jumper!

I visited Jesse pup at Kate's yesterday evening. He is doing very well, hardly looked up from playing with Lara and Moose but he is beginning to calm down and settle more quickly with them. We walked them and he is fine on a walk
. They are happy to keep him for the moment as he fits in with their dogs and it is obviously doing him lots of good and was a timely move for him.
 Moose was very affectionate towards me, all 55kilos of him! He is gorgeous!



I spoke with the dog warden about the 7/10 year old stray female and they had managed to find her a rescue space.

Little Lola has settled in to her foster home with SOS dog rescue, she has seen a vet and her skin treated.

Well lets hope the forecasters were right and the weather is picking up for the next few days.

24th September

I hope you watched For The Love Of Dogs this evening and saw the lovely Marcel and the visit to the Chelsea pensioners.










Here is Marcel modelling a Battersea knitted coat (patterns provided) just what Chloe could do with.

I have had four calls today asking us to take dogs in, one from a 71 year old gentleman with a male and female, brother and sister, 3 year olds. He said he could no longer walk them.

Another from a dog warden about a female past her seven days and in urgent need of a rescue space. She was from a family home but had been in the pound on several occasions and the family did not want her back. She was between 7 and 10 years of age!

I so wish we could help more dogs. If anyone out there could think of anyway we could help this older lady please let me know ... she could be a gem like Marcel.

23rd September

How do you manage to get a puppy (with very little fur ) outside to toilet on a day like today?
Poor little Chloe just shivered and cried until I scooped her up and took her back into the dry.
. I know we have done well for most of this month and it is Autumn and we should expect it but it was horrible,horrible,horrible!

Jesse is becoming calmer with the other dogs but Kate said she caught him this morning stealing underwear from the washing basket and burying it in the garden!

Remember to watch Paul O'Grady at Battersea  tomorrow, Monday ITV 1 8pm.  This episode features a lovely old Staffie called Marcel whose progress I followed during his stay at Battersea.














This is Rhea's winning run at agility from this morning. Rhea was one of a litter of pups we took in during the summer of 2009 She is owned by Kerry and Simon Crick and Simon was running her today.

21st September

A good day at Pets at Home with lots of good conversations and most people who gave money taking a leaflet.
Sam and Roxy came to help and Sandi popped in. It was good to see as it has been awhile and she was looking great.
Chloe was more than cute, happily sitting on my knee for hours. Although her skin is less angry she is shedding hair and in danger of becoming bald ( thankfully we can treat her with Promeris Duo in a weeks time.) However it was a chilly morning and she was shivering with cold so we bought her a sort of doggy jumper, even more cute if that was possible.

A couple of people were interested in fostering or adoption at some point and we saw some old friends like Heather with Chester and Carol with Tilly and Tilly's new friend Alfie who looked just like her!

Total raised was £49.91 but lots of good networking.



Jesse has finally become worn out and stopped playing.

The little dog I saw last week has gone to SOS Rescue.

20th September

We are at Pets At Home Godalming Store today Friday 21st September 10am/4pm  we would love to see you.

Kate has sent the following photos of Jesse playing with Lara and Moose. I cannot believe how big he looks (Moose is enormous!)

Kate writes :-
He stayed still for 2 minutes! Moose is getting picked on, he won't stand up for himself (or even stand up...still on his back!) but Lara is doing a good job of sorting the mad puppy out

Jesse with Lara

Using Moose as an Umbrella!

That Jesse look!

19th September

Ice on my windscreen this morning, heating on tonight, just in case little Chloe gets cold of course!

Speaking of Chloe she has had a busy day. she especially enjoyed playing in the ponies sand school, a huge sand pit to her. She is a crazy little thing and very bold, so different to the tiny, frightened little thing we picked up. She is fascinated by the ponies and has been running the gauntlet dancing round their feet and not coming away despite my urgent pleas. Now Jesse, for all his faults, always knew when I used a certain tone of voice and responded, but not Chloe. She is filthy from rolling in the dust which she seems to enjoy. We popped into the vets and she has almost reached the magical weight of 5kg, weighing 4.95kg when she stopped wriggling long enough for us to read it!



Jesse is still behaving, was a good boy overnight and is continuing to get on well with Lara and Moose but Moose is still spending most of the time on his back. Hmmmn ... I wonder where all this started?

When Kate had the grand tour of Oakden Mansions, including the 'poo pit,' she met each of the dogs and you will never guess who she described as 'a real sweetie,' yes 'That Dog' managed to pass himself off as as 'A real sweetie!' Wonders will never cease.
'That Dog,' is busy foraging for windfalls again each morning and generally stirring things up in the house. I have got up at least four times from writing this to chastise him and Sprite who have spent the evening rumbling at each other, note these are our own dogs acting up not the rescues!

We are having another collection day at Godalming Pets At Home store this Friday and again on Friday 19th October and Sunday 18th November. I think we will hold another Stafford Walk on Sunday 18th  November and then remain in store collecting for the rest of the day.
This is all in an effort to raise funds which are very,very low in fact we do not have enough to pay our vet bill this month.

I am aware I need to get on and get charitable status for Guildford Staffords and I am reluctant to do any high profile appeals until this is done (a very daunting task) but we have six dogs in our care who all need feeding and veterinary treatment which all costs money.
 Our only funding is from public donations and the donation when we home a dog ( which as you are aware is few and far between of late.)
I realise I am 'preaching to the converted,' and do not want to put pressure on those of you who are very generous already but do please spread the word.
 Small amounts, small regular amounts, giving a little if you would like to help by fostering but are unable ANYTHING but please help us to continue helping Staffords especially those we have taken in and committed to help.

18th September

Well it has certainly felt like a monumental day today but that was because I was letting my baby go.
Kate picked Jesse up this morning, he really couldn't be in a safer pair of hands but try telling my emotions that!
 After four months of him filling my every waking thought and some of  my sleeping ones too come to that, it just feels very odd not having him around.

Chloe is back and has slotted back into the routine but I feel I don't know what to do with her, she certainly won't get as much time and attention here as she had with Sam. She is very lively but has learnt a beautiful 'sit.'

As if letting Jesse go and entertaining little Chloe were not enough for one day I came in to receive a call about a five month female very local to me needing to be rehomed, there was no way we had space but given her age and her  location I felt compelled to have a look.
She was a small, sweet little thing who had an air of sadness about her. The lady's daughter had got her against Mum's wishes but Mum had an entire Male and couldn't afford the little girl as well.
I tried to offer support with food and paying for a spay, as they were heading for a problem in that direction with the pup maturing rapidly and the male dog, but thankfully SOS Dog Rescue have now agreed to take her.
The lady's  male dog found me very exciting  covered as I am with doggy smells, he became quite amorous and dribbled on me! O well all in a days work!

Do you think this is where Jesse learnt his tactics?

After walking all the dogs, seeing to the ponies and visiting dogs it was nearly dark when Chloe finally got her second walk, fortunately my daughter cooked dinner.

Boycie jumped on my laptop breaking some of the keys, my son mended them but has two the wrong way around which has made typing this interesting.

Jesse is doing fine. Lara the Boxer cross loves him and he has been playing with her and Moose, somehow managing to get huge Moose on his back and being undaunted by their size.

As if that was not enough for one day the boiler went out, yet again, and for the second night running I have had to go to bed without a bath, lucky you are just reading this, I will understand if you cross the street should you see me approaching!                                                                              

  

17th September

We have had quite alot going on I need to bring you up to speed with.

Kate the ex Blue Cross girl has met Angel and on Sunday took her for the day to assess her. She was very pleased with Angel even when meeting other dogs.  Kate felt Angel's behaviour was not extreme and if we could find owners who were willing to work with her she could be homed as a family dog.

Kate's rescue dog Lara and Angel did not like each other so we decided it best that Kate did not foster Angel so she is taking Jesse pup instead. This will help me out as Chloe is coming back tomorrow as Sam has an emergency boarder coming in.

Growing!

Grown!

So my little baby is off to boarding school, at least that is how it feels I don't know how I will feel this time tomorrow. I took Jesse to be weighed today and he was 10.09kg having reached the magical 10 figure he has had his first Advocate treatment.
He loves to lie in the sun and is calm at these times and will roll over for a tummy rub.
He will be with Kate's dogs, Lara a Staffie cross Boxer and Moose a year old Bull Mastiff lets hope they can teach him some doggy manners!

16th September

The Tour Of Britain cycle race came through our village today and right past our house. I had completely under-estimated the excitement and took Jesse to the rec only to find the road lined with eager villagers on our walk back. Not easy trying to manipulate a wriggling pup who thought everyone was his friend (and there to see him) past endless feet and small children on scooters. I began to think we weren't going to make it back in time but we did and it was thrilling!
 Far better than the Olympic torch, of course the real stars are the police motorcyclists having far too much fun, shades (were they really necessary?) were de rigeur so they all looked exactly the same!

We did not know until we saw the news that they had to stop at the level crossing just before they passed us.

You are supposed to give puppies as many experiences as possible well Jesse has now witnessed the
Olympic torch and the Tour Of Britain and he is still not 5 months old.

Waiting for the bikes! Hasn't that puppy grown?

Don't forget to watch Paul O'Grady at Battersea on Monday night 8pm ITV 1
I watched last weeks on i player and it really was a classic showing the Stafford agility with Rhea and Kerry and Ali Taylor featured loads plus it was very uplifting and enjoyable if they repeat them make sure you watch!

15th September

The weather today must have been as near perfect as it is possible to get.
A nip in the air first thing so we were glad of our fleecys, plenty of sun and warm by mid afternoon but not too hot, perfect.
Having said that our busy day of lessons did not go smoothly, I suppose you can't have everything.

Just up the hill above us a Hunter Trials was taking place and throughout the day we could hear the loud speaker. I knew little Chloe was helping Sam keen with the fence judging, here are two lovely photos taken today.

14th September

We took Jesse pup on his first really Big Boy walk today. We went to Blackheath Common which is a local beauty spot very popular with dog walkers and horse riders. As it is sand it is a good place to go when it is wet. It is relatively open so you can see other dogs approaching but it is popular so you need a dog that is reasonably good with other dogs.

Roxy and a fast growing Chloe.

We have been having some problems with Jesse with him becoming overstimulated and directing it towards to us expressed by barking, jumping and biting at us. We have taken advice from someone experienced in hand rearing pups, apparently they can have a few issues. One of the things we were adviced to do is walk him with other dogs so we have been walking him with Sprite as she won't play with him (another of his problems is playing constantly with other dogs and not settling.)
Although Sprite won't play with him she does sometimes try to run away. We attached a longline to Jesse's harness and it really went very well.
I was given some alternative advice for Jesse from someone who will remain nameless, he told me to try an electric collar. I replied I would never use such a thing and he explained it would give him a shock making him stop quickly and stop the need to keep smacking him in the mouth every time he nipped! I did try and point out that I didn't smack him in the mouth any time he nipped but it landed on deaf ears!

Sam Keen has decided it is not going to work for her to keep Chloe permanently so she will be needing a permanent home.She has had a growth spurt and is looking fab.

13th September

Thanks to Val for doing the blog on Monday and letting us know how Tara is getting on with the 'gang,' I think they may become quite famous, also filling us in on Battersea Reunion.

I am sorry you have not heard from me, the reason for this is I had taken the difficult decision to have my old pony put down as he had become very thin and I did not want him going through another winter.
 It was not a decision I made lightly or easily and I went to great lengths to make sure it was done as humanely as possible. This was arranged for Monday morning.

 At 5 O'clock on Monday morning Dave received a call from Torbay Hospital to go immediately along with his three brothers, as his mother was very poorly.

 After the phone call I found it impossible to go back to sleep.

Dave was arriving in Devon about the same time as I was dealing with the pony.
 I think it was one of the strangest days of my life, with so many texts and calls flying around my phone was flat by lunchtime!

I am very pleased to tell you that Mum in law made a remarkable recovery (she is 83 ) and is now out of critical care and eating porridge for breakfast!

'Go Rhea!'

However, due to this I did not remember to watch Paul O'Grady at Battersea Programme on Monday night ITV 1 8pm or remind you to watch it. This episode showed the Stafford Agility Display at Crufts particularly featuring Kerry with Rhea who is a Guildford Stafford (one of our pups from 2009)
There were only a few of the Staffords doing the display who were rescues and all the others rescues were from Battersea.

 So we are VERY, VERY PROUD!

Do watch it on i player if you can or look out for repeats.

Well done Kerry and Rhea!

10th September

                                                         Sorry folks it's me today!!!!

Alison has her hands full today so to give her some respite I said that I would undertake today's blog.

The christening was lovely and such fantastic weather made the day even better.
The feed back that I have received on Battersea Reunion was good although many did not take their dog due to the heat none the less there was a great turn out of staffies. If there was any skirmishes, I can happily report staffies were not involved but smaller dogs!
Ali and co worked tirelessly to set up the designated area on Saturday only to go there Sunday morning to find it has all been trashed, their work in vain and they had to start all over again.

Stuart and I took Daisy, Honey, Nugget and Tara to Streatham Common dog show held by The Friends of Streatham Common last Sunday. Although this is very local to us I was not aware of the show until Ali told me about it as Battersea Dogs & Cats Home had a stand there and Ali was attending.

Ali  with Nugget

Nugget was fostered by Ali whilst she was in Battersea and Ali was tempted to keep her herself but she knew if she did that she would be unable to foster another dog as she would be up to self agreed limit. So when ever we can we take Nugget to see Ali.
 Tara was micro chipped free of charge by Battersea D&CH which we are grateful for. Tara was as good as gold, not a peep from her.
We decided to enter all four into Best Rescue,  not as individuals but collectively as one, after all they go everywhere together. Whilst waiting for Best Rescue so many people stopped, amazed at how good they were altogether, people stopped to take photos and stroke them. Honey who really knows how to play the crowd was in her element, Daisy and Nugget took it all in their stride. I was unsure whether to take Tara as she was an 'unknown' in this sort of situation. We decided that we had to take her and try, she was a star, she did not put a foot wrong or could this be due to the polish sausage I had for reward!
Ali was one of the judges so I knew we would not get a place as I had judged Squirt her Stafford in a show and did not place her explaining that I could not seem bias.

superstars

The judges came round asking about them, the mayor for Lambeth was in awe to see them. I explained they were all rescues and that responsibility had to be on the owners, he gave Stuart his personal card, why I don't know. perhaps he wants a staffie!!! Then Ali with the head vet of the local veterinary practise, she explained that she knew us and that she had fostered Nugget whilst she was in Battersea. He said that he had never come across a bad stafford all the time he had been practicing.
To our amazement Daisy, Honey, Nugget and Tara won third prize for Best Rescue, to cheers from the crowd. when we walked out people came up and congratulated us but to us it was they dogs who won the day.

Tara has settled in with Daisy Honey, Nugget and Oscar, quickly learning the routine. She has tried to push in front of Nugget at meals times, this as far as we are concerned is a No,No. Everything we do is in order of when they came in, first in etc She does not go to any of their food bowls and is learning her place. When our grandchildren visit Tara is crated in our bedroom as she has shown signs of not being good with children. She readily goes into the crate and does not stir until we let her out. She loves nothing more than cuddles and is a very undemanding dog. She is a little gem and it is hard to believe that nobody wants her.


Author:- Valerie

8th September

It is Battersea Reunion tomorrow in Battersea Park. John and Gwen Laker will be there representing South Eastern SBT Rescue. Val and Stuart would normally be there but they are at their grandaughter's christening.
We hope a wonderful day is had by all and send our best wishes.
If you are at Battersea Reunion do pop over to the SBT rescue stand to say 'Hello' and offer support.

John & Gwen in blue tops.

This is Val's daughters dog, Henry, he is 15 years old and still going strong. Isn't he lovely?

7th September

Here is little Chloe enjoying a Sunny Afternoon with Sam Keen.
What a difference to the frightened little pup we picked up a week ago (these photos were taken on Wednesday, less than a week since we took her in.)
This is what makes rescue all worthwhile.

Thanks to Sam.

5th September

A busy day on Monday.

Little Chloe went to Sam Keen first thing.
 Sam couldn't wait and was there bright and early awaiting her arrival. Chloe had a wonderful first day with Sam and Roxy and was so tired by the end of it.

We went through all the usual odd mix of emotions. Relief that we had one less dog yet also a sense of loss. It is as if the part of you that stretched to make room does not just spring back into place but is left empty and hanging loosely for awhile, despite all the hard work and effort and extra time it took, this seems to be the case and for the rest of the day I felt out of sorts.

Chloe saw the vet on Saturday and it was confirmed she had Demodex Mange. She is still too small to have the usual treatment so on Sunday Sam, my son, and I gave her a Malaseb bath and then applied Advocate. Her skin was looking less angry by Monday.

At lunchtime I took Taz for his microchip check (it was fine, as were Chance and Boycie's.) A year on he is looking good and he and Bullet (Sprite's sister) are firm friends.










In the afternoon I spoke with Kate, wife of the Keeper at Chance's estate. She used to work at the Blue Cross so knows all about Rescue and the Staffie problem as well as owning a rescue Staffie x Boxer herself.
She is coming to meet Angel to see if she can help with her on Thursday.

In the evening I watched the Battersea programme with Paul O'Grady and thought it very good. Do try and catch the next 6 episodes ITV 8pm Monday nights.

This is probably something we as Stafford owners knew already but if you wanted evidence ...

ttps://www.petnet.co.uk/parkbench/species/dog/news/dogs-really-do-feel-our-pain%20?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&

2nd September

Below is a link about our dear friend Ali Taylor who works at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and features in the Paul O'Grady programme.
Ali owns Squirt they work as wonderful ambassadors for Staffords and are very supportive of rescue.
Ali has vast experience and has helped and advised me with Jesse pup.

http://www.battersea.org.uk/about_us/paul_o_gradys_for_the_love_of_dogs/meet_the_cast/ali_taylor.html

Ali and Val with Squirt.

Sunday Morning.

A rare chance for a lie in.

The' goat noises' that have been my early morning alarm all week have not yet started so I drag my tired body out of bed to get started on the day.

 Little Chloe has been very good and quiet on both nights we have had her.

 Even so the golden rule is to get the youngest out first.

 So out she comes, squirming and wriggling with excitement, and we have a successful wee down the garden, as nothing else seems forthcoming  I pop her back in and take Jesse out.

 He is a good boy but was obviously pretty desperate for that wee! He does all he needs to pretty quickly because he is so excited about Chloe and wants to get back in to say 'Hello.'

Youngest out first but fed last. So next our three go down the garden, come in and are fed, followed by the pups.

 I give Chloe some yogurt with her kibble to get her eating, it works!

I take Chloe back down the garden and not too long a wait and we get a poo.

  

So far so good.

Then I try popping Chloe's antibiotic capsule into the back of her throat. 'The speed of the hand deceives the teeth,' I seem to remember our old vet saying when I was a child.

 On this occasion it doesn't work as clouds of antibiotic powder keep puffing out of her mouth! I panic and try to find something yummy to feed her so she swallows some of it instead of it covering the kitchen counter and Dave's morning cuppa!

 I grab a little puppy treat (the only one left in the box) but she anticipates and squirms and it pings into the nether nether under the pile of shoes. More powder puffs from her mouth as I desperately grab an unopened bag and try to find scissors to open the packet which seems to have been sealed to withstand a nuclear blast, almost impossible to hold a wriggling pup and manoeuvre scissors, Chloe sticks her nose in the way as she can smell the contents of the bag, more powder escapes!

 Eventually success, any remaining powder is swallowed and she is returned to her bed. 

I take Dave his tea.

 Now it's Boycie's turn, it has started raining, Boycie is unimpressed as we head down the garden I pick up the spade with Jesse and Chloe's poo on it to put in the bucket.

 Boycie cocks his leg then charges after me, in an effort to keep out of the mud he collides with my leg, the poo flies up in the air and a piece lands on his back right between his shoulder blades! You can see him thinking 'What the heck is that?' I let out a groan of despair, he does something between a wriggle and a shake and the poo rolls onto the ground and he hightails it back up the garden without completing his toilet. I try to call him back but he is a sensitive chap and what with the rain and Mum chucking things at him and then telling him off it is all too much.

Dave comes down having ingested more antibiotic than Chloe, and takes Khan his walk (Khan is OCD and needs his walk even if he has been down the garden.)

Angel and Saffy visit the garden and eat their breakfast without incident.

So some things worked, others not quite so well.

Half an hour later they are all settled and quiet listening peacefully to 'Steve Wrights Sunday Love Songs' as I go off to church.

Happy Sunday.

31st August

When I returned from holiday I was determined to cut down on the dogs we have in and Val said she would only help out by keeping Tara as a 'longterm foster,' as long as I didn't take in another dog in her place.

This has to be looked at in the light of how many phone calls and emails I receive asking me to take dogs in.
This week alone I have had thirteen calls and two emails and most I tell we are full and cannot help but yesterday I hesitated whilst answering , one reason was the lady was so determined the dog should go asap, the other was the age, 3 1/2 months, the reason, she had bitten a child, plus it was local and a female. I was seriously tempted!

I rang Val.
Val pointed out it could be a disaster with Jesse, to which I had to agree, I began to think of other rescues I could ask to help. As soon as I put the phone down from Val the girl rang back. She said she could not trust the dog anymore, she wanted it gone! Still not promising anything I agreed to 'have a look' the next day.
In the morning I contacted Sam Keen and asked if she could foster a pup. She had no boarders for a month so said she could help from Monday and agreed to come with me to see her.

You never know what you are going to find on these occasions and I have had many times, especially in the early days when my heart sank, the 'small' 'puppy' you had been told of turned out to be the size of a Labrador and have a habit of leaping to eye level and grabbing at your arm!
Other times you were pleasantly surprised by finding a very nice puppy marvelling that they were just giving it up, but I have never seen anything quite as tiny as this little girl.

There were four children in the house and the mother told me that the older boy had turned against the dog since she had bitten her daughter and was pushing her away!
The little pup was cowering and hiding in her bed.
 They had taken her to the vet and she had had both vaccinations but she had a skin condition which had not  been dealt with.

In short she needed out of there and I have NEVER been quite so pleased I said 'YES!'

Once out she was a different dog, wriggling and squirming with affection, Sam's boyfriend came to meet her and was smitten!
I will keep her for the weekend and Sam will take her on Monday as she has commitments on Sunday, she will just be fostering, so she tells me!

Pup was called Sniffles but we have changed her name to Chloe. So far she has been a dream. Little Jesse looks huge next to her. She plays with him through the crate just as he used to play with Chance.
He is a bit rough with her but they are best friends.