7th october

Congratulations to Kerry Crick and Rhea for their agility win on Sunday meaning Rhea goes up from 4th grade to 5th
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=2362103528705
Rhea was one of a litter of puppies we took in during the summer of 2009
She will be part of a SBT agility team giving a display at Discover Dogs  12th/13th November as part of a SBT day to promote Staffords in a positive light.

We will be also be there on the Welfare Stand and I am hoping to take Peppa (deaf dog) if I can get her steady enough by then.
I have walked her successfully with Spryte twice now and today my friend Steven took Spryte and Khan and I took Peppa and they were fine off lead together.
She also had her booster and then went in Pets at Home and from there walked over to Halfords, a five minute walk through Godalming, and back by which time we were both exhausted.
She is still amazing with her responses it is hard to realise she cannot hear.

Through Ali Taylor's facebook group, 'Staffie with responsible Owner,' we have found bandanas with 'I'M DEAF' on and Ali is treating us to one which is very exciting.

Pets at Home have a charity week from 14th October / 21st October we will be attending on some days ( to be finalised on Monday)

It is SBT Welfare AGM on Sunday in Leicester, Dave and I are attending.
Dave has produced our yearly accounts. I think it only right that you should know what your money goes on which also explains my visit to Halfords with Peppa.
Sapphire whilst busy chasing her ball at the ponies collided with the number plate of my car snapping it off!
It really is like that old joke of the car coming off worse than the dog. anyway despite taking my registration  documents it turned out I needed picture id to obtain a new plate at Halfords, so more successful as a dog training excercise.
Eventually got new plate from a garage, who believed I owned it without photographic  evidence as I drove it there.
Haved charged it down to rescue.

5th October

Angel Update.
 by David Egan.

Today was Angel’s third training session and what a change in such a short space of time.  Just goes to show what a clever little girl she is.  Her basic obedience is excellent so a new owner isn’t going to have any problems on that front so long as they continue  to keep it up.  She is a very high energy girl who requires a lot of stimulation but is incredibly eager to please so time spent playing and training with her will be repaid with love in bucket loads.  A calm home with a calm handler will bring out the very best in this little dog.

Anyhow, back to today.

As usual we spent some time throwing a ball and laughing at Angel’s attempts at trying to catch it in mid air.  Her timing is ever so slightly off because she chases the ball at light speed but the look of triumph on her face when she does achieve the impossible is a delight to see.  Then two walkers and a black lab appeared on the bridle path the other side of the fence and Angel set off at a rate of knots to investigate but this time without any outward signs of aggression.  Result.  She came back readily enough when called, demanding more of the ball light speed game.  I then went to get my dog Shadow and walked along the bridle path to see if Angel would demonstrate any dog aggression to Shadow. At first she ignored Shadow being more intent on the ball that Alison had in her hand with the occasional visit to the fence just to investigate.  We had a brief moment when Angel had a quick pop at Shadow but he had a quick pop back and before anyone could say anything both were munching grass muzzle to muzzle with calming signals being displayed by both dogs in abundance.  We then had a brief session of walking the two of them up and down the bridle path on the lead which resulted in no aggression whatsoever albeit some slight pulling from Angel.  It was the same when we did some more lead work on the training square.

There is still work to do with Angel but she is an absolute star and a pleasure to work so really no work at all.  It takes time to undo unwanted behaviour that we all so innocently instil in our dogs but with Angel, that time will be shorter than most.        

David Egan
MOC MFSTR Dip.Dog.Psy (dist)
http://www.livingwithwolves.co.uk/

4th october

11.34 Just received an email from lady in Orkney, she has found another female SBT closer to her.

Still no word from Orkney.
Tried ringing but no answer. I do know they are having very bad weather there at the moment.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was a legitimate reason for them not getting in touch and Sapphire was still to go to an island home?


A new pic of Sapphire taken today, she is unaware of our  concerns for her future.

 Gareth has offered to drive her there (or at least part way) if the distance was the issue, thank you Gareth, but at the moment that is not the issue and so we wait...

Peppa (deaf dog) is proving to be a joy and a delight. She also seems remarkably easy to train. Her owners had taught her to sit and it is proving fascinating to realise how little we need our voice in training a dog. We may think the dog is listening to what we say but in fact it may be responding to lots of other things.
For instance it is hard to believe Peppa cannot hear on a walk as she seems to turn when you call her name but when she sleeps she sleeps soundly, often upside down and last night Sara came home followed closely by Dave in the car, the other dogs exploded but Peppa slept soundly on.
I am trying to flood her senses and introduce her to as many new experiences as possible on walks.
Yesterday we went to the Gunpowder mills and she paddled in the Tillingbourne. The leaves were blowing off the trees and falling into the stream before being swept away, she loved it! Chasing them like a kitten.
I let her off briefly to play, then she turned towards me and I called her (with body language) and she did a perfect recall!
Today Sam finished school early for open evening, so we walked her with Spryte. At first she pulled after Spryte but gradually settled. In the fields Spryte went off lead and by then she had settled enough to go to the end of the extension lead and they were soon trotting side by side and sniffing at the same place.
She went up to her tummy in the river on the way back.

Now I hope to be able to walk them both together on my own.


In the house things are not so perfect. She becomes 'fixed' on other dogs when in her crate and growls, which the kennels told me she had started to do there. I distract her and use the 'Look at me,' command as David has taught me with Angel. When she breaks her gaze and turns to me she gets a reward.
The other problem is she does bark and whine and it is very high pitched! She does it when I go outside and when another dog is getting attention/fed which obviously here, is quite often. We are divided in how best to approach this as I think ignoring it is the answer but Sam thinks the Victoria Stillwell method of using a hand signal and then rewarding the quiet is the way. As these two completely contradict one another it is a bit tricky, but as I am here more than my son I will probably get my way!

Sandy is on The Kennel Club Facebook page.....Hmmm, I am not terribly impressed....more about that tomorrow.

3rd October

I received this lovely update on Kim from Peter & Mary Thornton the other day.

Hi Alison,
Just thought I would let you know how Kim is getting on.
It's now three years since you found her for us, and I am pleased to say she has turned out a really fine, loyal dog. I am sure you remember the night we all went to the donor's flat and collected her -  what a nightmare she was! I have to admit in the early days I did wonder if we had taken on a bit too much, but after lots of patient, firm handling it just shows what can be achieved. Lots of exercise and good food have changed the rather weak dog you saw into a strong, energetic animal with a coat that is admired by all. She now walks to heel in the fields on and off lead as required, and her recall, sit, stay, & paw are almost 100% reliable. She no longer tries to attack horses & sheep, and is OK with neighbours' dogs she knows, but I have to keep her on the lead when strange dogs are around. Regrettably she is still very aggressive with cats, rabbits, & foxes - I dont think I will ever change that!
Hope things are going well for you, keep up the good work
Kind regards
Peter & Mary

I do remember how wild she was and how calm they seemed. Also the way they agreed to take her there and then out of what was the most dreadful situation but how kind Mary was to the poor chap handing her in who had a number of issues himself and was not coping. It was one of the most moving evenings of my life, so rare and unexpected to witness such compassion and kindness as well as re-homing a dog, just like that!
Thank you Peter and Mary for ensuring another Stafford has a happy ending ( and not without a lot of hard work and patience.)
Homes like that are few and far between (especially recently.)


It is good to be reminded of successes as despite having the blessing of Scottish rescue, I have not heard from the lady in Orkney who was interested in Sapphire.
I am crushed with disappointment.
Knowing I can share this with all of you, and that you too will be as disappointed as I am is the only comfort.
Poor Sapphire.

2nd October



Saffy

 Another morning to rival an Archers episode!
When I said yesterday I couldn't wait to bring Peppa out of kennels I nearly added that I would find it hard letting Boycie go but this morning he woke me with loud barking when I could have had the first lie in for two weeks. I presume Khan wandered through to the kitchen and disturbed him. Poor Khan due to the first months of his life he knows he needs to go down the garden but he doesn't quite connect up why and really needs a walk to remember what he is supposed to do. So having been dragged from my bed there followed a frustrating rigmarole of visiting the garden several times before Khan eventually realised why we were there, by which time it was not worth returning to bed.

Dave was preaching and presiding at our church, our vicar being away but Boss vicar being drafted in to keep an eye, creating more pressure on what had already proved a difficult sermon.
It was my turn to do coffee but not sure whether I was leading the prayers too as the lady doing the reading might also be expecting to do the prayers. I was conscious of needing a quick get away to see Boycie off with Sally and Simon and then get to the kennels before they closed at 12.30.
Having spent half the night on the phone to Orkney, I quickly strung some prayers together, hardly inspired, and dashed over to bring my ponies in.
I arrived at church as they were singing the first hymn, no idea whether I was doing the prayers or not and had to sit at the front as no other spaces so couldn't see if the lady in question had notes with her.
When she stood up to read I caught Dave's eye and he gesticulated, non too subtly, that she was in fact doing them, causing a few raised eyebrows among the members of the congregation still awake!
I could then relax and Dave preached a good sermon despite the pressure and the heat!

It was great to see Sally, Simon and Saffy. They have done wonders with Saffy, she was a very damaged little dog and could so easily have ended up in the wrong home because she looked so beautiful. I shall never forget when I asked Simon if they were sure and he said 'Yes.' They wanted one they could help like her. Well they have done a brilliant job.
Boycie and Saffy seemed fine. Stage one completed.

The kennels hung on for me remaining open an extra 20 mins (thank you)
Sandy went off happily enough and Peppa came out and had a long walk at the ponies while I tuned in to the fact she couldn't hear and comunicated in other ways.
She really is a  sweetie and it all went very well. At home she had a few problems knocking over water bowls 3 times, I was constantly mopping up. She is now sleeping on her back snoring!

I picked up Marley on Friday afternoon and took him to Glenn. He seems a nice dog (big head) and Glenn thought he would be fine.
It was so hot and the whole experience so discouraging I did temporarily lose the plot, also managed to lose a collar, but it is tagged so meets the legal requirements and may turn up!



Marley

 Have spoken to John Laker about home for Sapphire and he is happy to go ahead. The lady is speaking with her husband and will contact me tomorrow.
I so want it to happen I can't bear it, thank you Gareth for your lovely comment and all of you for your loyal support. Lets hope.

1st October

Dog walk, Friday, with Steven.

Well I think some of you must have been praying!
I was pretty down when I wrote my last blog on Thursday, and even worse yesterday so didn't write at all BUT we have had some encouragement!
The first was an email from Welfare saying the Kennel Club had offered putting one of our hardest to rehome on their facebook page. I immediately thought SANDY!
Valerie has emailed details across today and hopefully Sandy will be on there soon. Apparently a German Shepherd was on and has now found a wonderful home.

Then this evening when I got in there were two phone messages, the second the usual, a 5 year old male, owner having housing problems,  I spoke to chaps mother, he was heading back to London, dog in Bognor! Lets hope he was on the beach!
The first the lady just asked me to ring her back and gave me the number then adding, 'O, you will need the code.' and then telling me the code separately. Which is very unusual these days, you must admit.
 It turns out there is a reason for this, she is in/on Orkney!
 And, listen to this Gareth, she is interested in Sapphire!!
It sounds a wonderful home but we have to check with Scottish rescue, as it would be wrong to steal one of their homes, but still encouraging.

Earlier today, when out on a ride with one of my pupils I met two gentleman with an English Bull Terrier and a lovely brindle and white Stafford. They had recently adopted the Stafford, Grace, from Battersea Old Windsor and were on a walk but lived in Woking. They had originally looked at male Staffords but Dottie the EBT was too laid back and the males kept jumping on her so Battersea suggested Grace although not their normal practise to home two females together and it had been a success.
It was lovely to see two beautiful dogs with responsible owners and a happy rescue story.



Dottie and Grace.



Can't wait to bring Peppa out of kennels tomorrow...

29th September

Breaking news....ok we have a plan.


The very lovely Saffy who will be sharing her home with Boycie

 As always its messy and not quite what we hoped for but it's a plan.

Sally, Simon and Saffy have come to the rescue again (they did the same thing a year ago by fostering Bullseye so Sandy could come in)
They will take Boycie for a maximum of six weeks, if he gets a home in that time all well and good, if they feel Saffy could accept him they will keep him but otherwise he will come back to us at the end of six weeks.
We are very grateful to them.

They will pick Boycie up on Sunday.
I will collect Peppa from kennels but also I have decided to put Sandy into kennels for a week, as she was very happy there when we went away. This will give us a little more space to settle Peppa and also cover Sunday 9th October when Dave and I are at SBT Welfare AGM.
Sara my eldest daughter is working that day which leaves Jessie and Sam at home to manage the dogs until we return late afternoon. (We will probably take Jade and Angel with us)

So thats the plan, not ideal but lets hope it works.

Heard today that Glenn and Anna are taking in a 4 month old female Staffie pup, apparently the owners have got fed up with her!
Also heard an elderly lady advertised her car for sale. A couple came to view it, they suddenly shoved their Husky into her car and left, leaving her with the Husky!!
With rescues full, people are dumping their dogs, tying them at railway stations or to trees, often with a note and vaccination certificate. Things are very,very bad.

I feel very discouraged over Sandy.
We launched that big campaign to bring her in and now nearly a year on we have not homed her.
You have to ask, 'Was it worth it?' Is she really any better off?
We have trained her but when things go on longer than six months it starts to have detrimental affect on the dog.
She is a perfectly nice dog yet no interest at all. And why should they be interested when they can buy a puppy for next to nothing and not undergo any homechecks or abide by any rules?

We have invested so much time, energy, effort not to mention money all for nout.