Fen

progress update: 28th Nov

Fen has gone to his new home today !!

I am only 6 months old and had spent several weeks wandering on my own.
I ran across the road and was hit by a car so when I was found my tail was quite mangled.
I know this because I heard people talking about the serious injury to my tail,
I went to sleep and when I woke up my tail had gone and so had the pain.
I stayed with a kind lady who looked after me and not long after I was picked up and taken onto a very big thing they call a ferry.
After a long car journey we arrived at a house and I was carried inside, where there was other dogs.
I was extremely frightened at first and hid but after a while a black and white collie who was very excited and looked a bit like me asked me what my name was.
I told him I didn’t know and he said I would be given a name soon and he was in charge.
His name was Dooley and there was another dog there called Rocco who just sort of smirked and said I’d better not play his cds.
I don’t know what a cd is so I don’t think I will.
Dooley has told me it is his job to teach me my dog manners and he has a couple of times today already!!
Though I didn’t think that I was doing anything wrong.
Dooley said “That’s just so you know and it’s for your own good no-one likes an unruly pip squeak.” He’s seems to be mellowing and has played with me since.
I heard Helen laughing and saying to someone that Dooley was sussing out which of the dogs he could get away this behaviour with.
She told him to behave and strangely enough he seemed to listen to her.
Dooley says she has a soft spot for him because she says he is crazy but she loves him anyway.
He seemed to like this and hopes that she will buy him a special star collar.
I don’t know what the special star collar is but I think Rocco might tell me once he has stopped smirking.
I’ve been told by the people at the rescue I’m very sociable and will make some family a nice companion but also I heard them say that this works both ways and that the family must also meet muster and make me a good family.
I need a bit of training but don’t know what training is but I am sure I will find out soon.
The food is not bad here and I was very hungry by Sunday, we didn’t get anything to eat when we arrived as Helen said our stomachs were upset from the long journey and she didnt want to overload our systems with food.
Today we had lots of food.
Helen had to stand in front of me to stop me from eating everyone else’s.
Well you know for a long time I had to beg for scraps so a chap gets into the habit of grabbing whatever is going free!

Fen is a  6 month old collie pup.

Found very emaciated with a mangled tail as a result of being hit by a car.

Vets were unable to save his tail which had to be amputated

He is good with everyone but will need training


Sammy ( a.k.a Hattie )

progress update: 25th Nov

Sammy has now gone to her new home !!

progress update: 5th Nov

Sammy has gone to stay with Jane who has promptly renamed her Hattie Jacques !

I arrived from Ireland on Saturday and realised straight away that my food rations may not be what they once were.
Having lived in a pub I have enjoyed lots and lots of tidbits and unfortunately this shows in
my waistline.
Helen said it showed in hers once too when she ate far too many Cream Eclairs but if I do like her and eat smaller portions and drop the habit of eating everything in sight I too will lose weight.
She said I will feel a lot better for it as every inch of fat on the outside is an inch of fat on the inside pressing down on my internal organs.
I am not sure that I am looking forward to this and on Wed I am going to stay with Jane who is very sensible with dog’s diets and walks a lot.
I enjoy a walk or two if it is a gentle stroll but I don’t think this is what Helen and Jane have in mind. Oh dear !!
I used to belong to an American couple who bought a pub in Ireland and then sold it.
They went back home and phoned the new owners to say they didn’t want me anymore.
I was very hurt by this as I had been a loving and faithful companion.
I heard mutterings from the humans that this wasn’t the first dog that they had done this to.
The people at the rescue told me not to take it to heart that some people are very
shallow that I am better off without them and that as I am such a nice
character I will soon find a home with people who will appreciate my
kind and gentle nature.
Dooley and Rocco have been very kind to me and when I was a bit upset when I first arrived they let me share their beds.
I had to make sure Fen didn’t gobble up my food, I’m not good at protecting food as it has in the past come fast and in great plenty but Helen stood in front of my bowl and wouldn’t let him have it so I was able to relax and eat it at my own pace.
Fen has gone to stay with Jackie and Bob so my food is safe.
As you can tell I think a lot about food and if you have been on a diet you will be able to sympathise
with me.
I had better go now as Dooley is about to tell me his Echo story again and even though I have heard this at least a dozen times I must look interested and try not to fall asleep!

Sammy is a collie mix approx 2/ 3 years old

She is very friendly and currently very overweight.

She belonged to an American couple who returned to America and left her behind.

She gets on very well with other dogs and is very friendly.

She will need a strict diet and more exercise!


Lady

progress update: 16th Nov

progress update: 20th April

Lady’s Story (As told by Lady)

“My story really starts around September last year when I noticed my owners were looking at me in a different way and having whispered conversations about me. I was pregnant at the time and it was starting to worry me, however I had my pups in October but the whispering went on until in November they took all my pups except one away. Soon after that they took me and my pup to the vet and left me there. The vet took my pup away and I was left on my own feeling confused and very puzzled.

A few days later a lady came and took me away from the vet and then took me to on a long journey which took a couple of days, on arrival I was given to another lady called Helen who took me to a vet and then to a house where I met two people who I was told would look after me until they could find new owners for me.

This is a photograph of me on my first day in my new house

These new people already had a yellow Labrador called Bracken who seemed quite happy to have me in his house. I was given my own bed and Bracken and me were taken for long walks in the woods and on the heath which I really enjoyed but Bracken was a lot older than me and could not keep up so I ran around on my own. Occasionally we met other dogs and some of them liked to play chase with me and I really enjoyed that.

Christmas and New Year came and went and then in January the people who were looking after me told me that Bracken was very ill and would not live much longer so they had decided to adopt me and become my new owners. Just after this my new owners took me to the vet for an operation which meant I would not be able to have any more pups, it took me a few days to recover but everything seems fine now. Since the operation life has settled into a pattern of two to four walks a day which I enjoy very much but in April I had a new adventure. My owners put a large box behind the car and we went to a place called Wales where I am told there are some good golf courses. During my stay in Wales I met a friend of my owners and we went for some very long walks. We were away for a week and I found it very enjoyable and I am told that we will soon be going to Dartmoor for a week which I am looking forward to.

This is a photograph of me, Bracken and one of my owner’s friends on a walk in Wales.

This is a photograph of my owners’ car and the box that goes behind it which they live in. I am not allowed inside and Bracken and I live in a thing called an awning which fits on the side.

It is now nearly the end of April and I have just passed my third Birthday, unfortunately Bracken is getting worse and I am very worried about him but he seems happy to stay in his bed. My owners now have to walk Bracken and me separately but I get a longer walk which I enjoy.

Looking back I owe a big thank you to the lady who brought me to Helen and especially Helen for finding me a new home, for the future I hope all animals will find good homes where they are treated with kindness.”

Lady

Bizzie and Lizzie

progress update: 10th Oct

Bizzie has now found a home !!

progress update from Claire: 29th Sep

We have had some nice walks in the sunshine. She loves to cool down with a dip in the sea or river. We took her to Highcliffe beach on Saturday. As soon as she hit the surf she was ready for us to throw the ball. She seemed quite particular about how far and in which direction she wanted us to throw it. Some of my girly throws didn’t even register for the chasability factor, so I had to get it myself! Thankfully the waves were a bit better at bringing the ball back than she was. She did tear off up the beach a couple of times but my jumping around and calling enthusiastically must have been more appealing than the Jack Russell she had spotted digging in the distance because she did come back!
Sunday at the river was similar. Bizzie was barking at me to throw the ball that she hadn’t yet retrieved from the previous throw. Thankfully two boys were paddling nearby and waded over to recover the ball before it bobbed off down the river.
She has been good in the house and in the car. She seems very calm for a young Collie.
We’ve been playing with the toys in the garden she’s already got her favourites and gets a bit impatient if I don’t throw them quickly enough.

My neighbours have been telling her what a lovely girl she is but we weren’t in any doubt about that, were we!

progress update: 22nd Sep

Lizzie’s family are very kindly fostering Bizzie so that the sisters are back together again

while Bizzie awaits a new home !!

Update 16th Sep

Oops!! Due to a bit of confusion over the names of the sister pups

yesterday we listed Lizzie as being back at the Rescue.

We wish to apologise to Lizzie’s ( somewhat worried ! )

family and re-assure everyone that Lizzie has a very good home and is being well looked after.

It is in fact little BIZZIE who is back with us at the moment !!!

This is through no fault of her own and so we are now looking for a new home for her, and her alone

[ not Lizzie as well !! ]

Anyone who may be able to help,

please contact Helen for more details !

Bizzie’s progress update: 26th July

Bizzie is a lovely girl and has been no bother at all apart from chewing a few shoes but hey i

obviously had too many!

We have had some lovely walks and Bizzie loves playing with the kids at the beach,

she is a fantastic swimmer.

We did get told off for trampling someones picnic but as i pointed out there are plenty of beaches where dogs can’t go.

We are off to Yorkshire next week and Bizzie is coming too so I’ll keep you updated.

She might come home with a northern accent!

Mel

Lizzie’s progress update: 1st July

Just to let you know how I am getting on in my new home.
I sleep very well at night and get rudely woken at 06.00 when Andy goes to work,
I`ll let him off as he does give me my breakfast before he goes.
I haven`t left any parcels or puddles in the house,
as its so much fun getting lots of cuddles and kisses when I go in the garden.
I then go back to sleep for a couple of hours until Tracey gets up and takes me for a walk.
I love my walks and talk all the way round because everything is sooo exciting.
I met some very big horses yesterday and barked at them as I was a little scared.
Tracey picked me up to say hi to one of them,
but he was still very big and I thought if I turned around he wouldn`t see me!!
I can`t believe how many different animals there are to chase or get chased by, really fun.
I love my new friend Shadow, she is a bit old and doesn`t run around as much as me but she lets me share her blanket so we can sleep together.
We play with lots of toys in the garden together and I chase the birds and squirrels out of the garden.
On Saturday it rained a little, I thought I was back at Jan`s house with Bizzie playing with the hose and thought I would jump in the air to try and catch the water from the sky, I can jump really high.
I will write again with more pictures to let you know how I am getting on.
Lots of love
Lizzie (woof woof) xx

progress update: 28th June

Lizzie has now found a home which has 10 acres for her to explore and play in,

and the same day Bizzie has also found a home where she too will receive lots of love and attention!

progress update : 21st June

Jan was watering her garden but Bizzie and Lizzie thought it more fun to bite the water!

Lizzie in the forest

Lizzie in the garden.

After the shock of popping the football, she found it much easier to play with in it’s deflated state.

See how pleased she looks!

Bizzie and Lizzie are 5 month old collies.

They already know how to sit and are

socialised with other dogs.

They are also good with cats and children.

They will need further training and have lots of energy

so would probably be very suited to agility training.

Abby

progress update: 8th Nov

Abby has now been rehomed !!

This is Abby
Six month old West Highland Terrier cross Yorkshire terrier,
she is more like a Westie in size and build.
Loves dogs, people and I’m sure will be able to get along with cats as she is young enough to train.
She is just a pup so will need training,
she was with a retired couple who found her youthful enthusiasm for life to much for them.
She is a friendly and enthusiastic dog!


Prince

progress update: 8th Nov

Prince has now been rehomed !!

I am 9 years old and have spent all my life on a chain in a back garden.
The people who had me said I was no use as a guard dog, it took them 9 years to realise this.

So, they were going to get another dog and thought they would shoot me.

I’m not sure what this means but I’ve been told I had a lucky escape.
Having spent most of my life on my own I’ve not had much company and I love the company of humans,

I like dogs also but can’t get enough of the fuss and stroking that I have had recently.
Helen says I’m a good old mix of many breeds with a bit of terrier thrown in for good measure.

I’m also good with cats  well any company will do when you have spent your whole life on your own with no telly!

Prince is a 9 year old terrier mix.

He was kept all his life on a chain in a garden.

Apparently, his owners recently decided that he wasn’t a good enough guard dog and that they would get a puppy to replace him.

At first they were going to shoot him themselves, then asked a neighbour to shoot him for them.

He is very shy, and has been hit as he will sometimes shy away from sudden movements

As is often the case with dogs which have spent most of their time alone

he bonds with people very quickly.


Poppy ( a.k.a Dillions' sister )


progress update: 15th Nov

Poppy will be going to her new home tomorrow.

She is going to live with a colleague of Debbie who has rehomed Dillion,

so the siblings will be able to see each other and go for walks together !!

Me and my brother Dillion spent a long time tied up in a dark, dark shed.
Dillion was taken away a few weeks ago and I haven’t seen him since.
Dooley and Rocco told me that he arrived here and went off to live with a kind lady called Debbie.
At least I know he is ok I was very worried about him.
I’m very scared and Helen has made me a comfy bed up in the kitchen,
I haven’t dared move from in front of the radiator yet and anyway it’s very warm here.
Helen says that I will come out of my shell soon as Dillion did and a good home will be found for me.
At the moment I am too scared to lift my head up.
The rope on my neck was very tight and since it has been cut off I feel much better.
I heard Helen on the phone to Mark and he suggested asking Debbie to bring Dillion back for a visit so that we can see each other again.
I am so relieved to hear he is safe.
Helen said it is typical of Mark to think how we may have been worried about each other and she will try to arrange it.
I’ve had a bath because I smelt so bad, I hadn’t noticed this but everyone else had.
I was very scared and Helen said that like Dillion I don’t have a nasty bone in my body and was no trouble.
I am going to stay with Jan across the road tomorrow until a home can be found for me and Helen said her and Louise are very good with dogs and will love me loads.
I’m not sure what love is I guess I’ll find out!

Morgan

progress update: 23rd Oct

Dear Helen

Morgan is nearly two years old now and has grown into a very beautiful dog, He is almost impeccably well behaved! With just the occasional lapses. When he first arrived he wouldn’t let us touch him – he snarled and went for us – especially me. He wouldn’t eat his food out of a bowl, but if I threw it out onto the lawn, he would gobble it .

He is a joy to take out for his walks, is ball mad and ignores all other distractions, other dogs and people most of the time. He does stop to say ‘hello’ but then gets back to the important business of chasing after his ball. He is eating well, has two walks every day – in Windsor Great Park where he is free to run and play and chase after his ball. There are lots of other dogs to socialise with too. Now, he is a loving and gentle dog, will come for a cuddle and apart from having the top of his head touched, which I understand is fairly general with a lot of dogs, he is happy to be handled.

Brian and I recently went to North Somerset and stayed in a delightful part of the country, very dog friendly. The attached photographs show Morgan having fun on the beach – then having a shampoo!

Our cat Dangermouse has finally become resigned that this noisy beast has come to stay! He often goes across the road for some peace and quiet but when he thinks no one is looking, they play together, and can sometimes be found sleeping together on Brian’s bed. After having had three Border Collies we thought we knew the breed. Morgan has shown us a new side – neither of our ‘girls’ played ball – Morgan is ball mad. We took him to flyball classes for a while, and he loved it, but he wouldn’t go and get the ball from a stranger – so we had to abandon that.

I hope all goes well with you and DAWGS and that you are going from strength to strength.
With very best wishes

Alysia, Brian and Morgan Hunt`

progress update: 30th March

“The change in Morgan over the last year has been dramatic. When we got him he would not let us handle him, he did not like to be touched or petted, he snarled and bit – but gradually, with lots of handling and cuddles he has transformed into such a beautiful happy dog.
One other quirky habit he had, was that he would not eat his dinner out of a bowl. He barked and squeaked, and sat there guarding it tenaciously, but would not eat it. If I finally threw it out down the garden ‘for Mr Fox’ – he would happily rush out and gobble it all up. He is quite the star of Windsor Great Park and everyone knows Morgan- so many people have come up to Brian, who gets taken for a two hour walk every morning, to say what a beautiful dog he is.
With very best wishes to you and many grateful thanks from all the dogs you have re-homed and saved – and from a pair of old fogies whose lives have been transformed by the coming of the lovely Morgan.
Love and best wishes
Alysia, Brian and Morgan.”

“Here’s the latest on Morgan, the Irish Diddycoy we got from you a while ago. He is in to garden designing, thinks he is Dairmuid Gavin, he rearranges the flower pots and sticks and plants and makes a messy camp on the lawn – what a mess! If I did it, there would have been a divorce many years ago, but he gets away with it ….

As you can see he has grown into a beautiful fellow.

Our Burmese cat Dangermouse was very upset when we brought home a Hearing Dog last summer and we did have grave doubts about bringing home Morgan. But there has not been a problem. We have always had Border Collies and DM got on very well with them, and this time when he saw the puppy, he decided he could train it, like he has trained us, and now they get on very well. The cat comes in and invites Morgan to play. This means I hide and when you find me, I can swipe your nose if it gets too close! It took some months before DM came back to being a family cat, he used to sit on a high shelf looking miserable, out of reach of the leaping, barking, full of energy beast we called our puppy. These days, Morgan has quietened down a bit, and DM has got used to him, knows that he won’t be attacked, only thwarted in the usual Border Collie way from going where he wants to go, but he is used to that and has his own way of dealing with it. He runs in one direction and when Morgan goes after him to head him back, he changes tack and heads off in another direction and usually gets away. Then he comes back for more.
He is such a mischief and full of life and love. He has just completed his 10 weeks of training, and as was once said by a teacher “ He is cheerfully indifferent to discipline”. He will sit – because he thinks it means a titbit, but he won’t ‘stay’ – no way. He has recently been castrated.
Brian had a heart attack and bypass late last year, and having Morgan to focus on and take for exercise has made the world of difference to him. Morgan has been the best thing since sliced bread as far as Brian is concerned! He takes him to training classes, (I’m not allowed to go) and also takes him for a long walk in the Great Park every morning. At first Morgan wouldn’t get into the car. He was fine one inside, but it has taken a long time to gain his confidence and get him to go voluntarily into the car. He would rush to his bed and lie on his back as if to say ‘ Oh, please NO, don’t make me go…’ Now, when he sees Brian putting on his jacket he is all bounce and ready for the off.

So that’s the story of Morgan Hunt, growing up nicely and doing very well.”