5th December

Everyone has been asking how Tara is.
She is very well in herself, no obvious signs of anything today.
She saw the vet this morning and we discussed different options. The blood in urine is probably just cystitis and not really serious in itself, I have taken a urine sample in to be tested this evening.
The worry is, if she has some underlying cause, as she also has some other worrying symptoms.
We really wanted to put an advert in the paper, latest tomorrow, to get her a home before Christmas but of course we cannot do that if she has something wrong with her and our most pressing need at the moment is space as we have two dogs in kennels and two dogs we know of in Guildford who urgently need a rescue space and of course the pre Christmas dumping has begun, I turned down four dogs on Saturday alone.

However, we have agreed to go for a blood test which she will have tomorrow and we will go from there.

She was very bouncy on her walk this morning, and spent a long time out in the kitchen this evening while Sara attempted The Sun crossword and Sam and I attempted to help! Rather than the rucksack Tara curled up on Sara's bag.
 I washed her bed (again) last night and dried it on the radiators this afternoon. It is one of those special beds that reflects the heat ( good for old,young and sick dogs ) it came from the charity bin at Pets At Home and is probably the best bed we have ever had.
After her time in the kitchen she went happily in to bed on her clean,dry, warm bedding. She really is a sweetie. Thank you for your concern.



Khan,Lexus and Smudge last week.

 During a busy family moment today Lexus went into the bathroom and removed the lid from a full bottle of shampoo! Dave caught him just in time! He is still managing to root out windfall apples down the garden each morning, despite them being rotten and having the frost on them.
He also still continues his bad behaviour at breakfast time,launching himself from behind the kitchen cabinets and barking madly so that Tara and Chance have learnt to join in.
That Dog!

4th December

We had a good day at Bull Terrier Rescue Christmas Fund Raiser.
 Although local to us this is a big day in Bullie Rescues calendar and many people had travelled some distance to be there.
 We met people like ourselves who despite family committments fostered and gave homes to several needy dogs, each with their own sad story to tell but now safe thanks to rescue.

Sandi, David, Sam Keen,Jon and Lynne turned up to help so we were well supported.
My mother in law also came as she lives practically next door! She spent some money, winning on the tombola and the raffle with ticket number one! It was good to see her and catch up.

Epsom Canine Rescue, whom we work closely with, had a stand there as well as a local pet store and the Donkey Sanctuary from Witley.

We all agreed we had never seen so many English Bull Terriers before and also we envied their calm nature compared to Staffords. We couldn't imagine so many Staffords together in such a small area.
There were some lovely dogs and we all fell in love at least once with a kissable pink nose.

Several had Demodex mange, seeming even more prone to it than Staffords and we were able to share about Promeris Duo, a spot on treatment which really gets rid of it which we have been using since we tried it on Hippo many years ago.

This whole event comes about due to the efforts of one lady who organises it and concentrates purely on fundraising, which just shows what can be done.

We raised £52.50 which was surprisingly high for such an event and due to the generosity of people giving extra for bits bought.

Our Thanks to Bullie Rescue for inviting us.


I am sorry to report that Tara is not well. She passed blood in her urine when Dave walked her today and then needed to urinate frequently for the rest of the walk. We have also noticed she drinks a lot. I will speak to my vet tomorrow.

3rd December

Looking in my local paper I see the Bullie Rescue event we have a stall at tomorrow is advertised as a 'Dog's Christmas Party' and there is a DOG SHOW for anyone who wants to bring their dog along as well as stalls from various rescues. ALL money to charities such as ourselves.

From 10am Milford Village Hall

2nd December

Bullies in Need Christmas Fund Raiser  Sunday 4th December 10am start at Milford Village Hall, nr Godalming.  We will have a stall there.

Yesterday my car went in for its MOT and Dave was on a course so I had an entire day at home, very different from usual and certainly different from Monday and Tuesday when I spent most of the day driving.
I thought I would get plenty done but most of the day was spent walking dogs and we had the Forth bridge scenario again in that by the time I did the last one it was time to take the first ones out again.
Despite this I managed to wash my kitchen floor but all to no avail when it started raining as by the end of the day it was black again!
My car returned in the evening with a new MOT certificate and an affordable amount to pay, hurrah!



Tara on the rucksack. The mark on her nose is where she has bitten at the kennel (now healing)

 Tara.
We had to collect Tara from the kennels on Saturday evening as she had demolished half the kennel and they had nowhere secure for her to stay.
We didnt know then how she would settle but a week on she is doing well.
She still prefers not to be crated and still curls up on the rucksack by the shoes when out in the kitchen. However, she will go into her crate and settle especially if she has had some time out first.
She does get upset by the unavoidable movement of other dogs and when we go out. She mainly makes silly noises but will also bite the wire of the crate and some how lift the whole thing up so it makes a thumping noise, which was what she must have done in kennels.
She enjoys a walk and is good off lead with excellent recall.
She is pretty grumpy with the other dogs.
Today I left her loose in the kitchen and went out for a while. Although she doesn't like you going, and greets you with enthusiasm when you return she does settle.
I am going to put an advert in the local paper for her.

Today Steven helped me walk dogs and Chance had the best run he has ever had with Spryte and Khan. He really stretched out.
Afterwards we walked Tara and Lexus which was so funny and so easy after the hooligans we are used to.
After walking them side by side we let one off then the other then both off at the same time. Tara loved him running really fast for the first time and trying to get him to play!

It was definitely the highlight of what has proved to be not just busy, but a very stressful week for me.

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.