progress update: 12/8/25

“I’ve been walking Sam usually once a week for about the last 5 months. When you first meet Sam, he can be quite a barky boy but getting to know him and having him start to trust you is such a rewarding process and he is such a gentle, loyal soul.

A couple of weeks into walking Sam, he started to recognise me and stopped barking when I arrived at the door, instead greeting me by quietly wagging his tail (or now sometimes enthusiastically trying to give me and my partner face kisses!)
He’s always excited to go on walks, and one of his favourite things is splashing around in water. We used to think he had boundless energy but he’s started to slow down and mellow out the more we’ve got to know him. When he gets tired, he’ll start trying to stop at every bench on the way to ask me to pick him up so he can sit with me to have a cuddle. The transformation from when I first met him is so vast, I never imagined that he would be a cuddly dog but he just needs the time and space to get to know someone who will be patient with him and understand that his behaviours come from a place of fear and uncertainty rather than aggression.

He’s a really communicative fellow who I hope will find someone who listens to him and values his personality – he’s a quirky, funny little guy with so many little preferences and expressions to learn about. It’s so clear when he’s wanting to cuddle with us (even outside, where he’s always on edge about strangers) that he would be a really loyal, affectionate companion to someone if he had the chance to be in a loving home environment where he felt safe. If I was in a position to be able to bring Sam into my own family, I absolutely would, but even though that unfortunately isn’t a possibility I’m glad that I get to be a friend to him in this chapter of his life and see him become more happy, relaxed and confident, and I hope others will take the time to get to know him because he’s very special.”

progress update: 25/6/25

Ash or Sam as we call him has been with us for a while now.
He is a great character who gets on with all dogs.
He has a lot to say for himself at times but is learning that barking doesn’t get the attention he wants.
I think in his previous life he was hit with a stick or somethimg similiar. The first time I moved the mop he backed off and was clearly frightened of it. Now he isn’t bothered in the least by the mop.
He gets overexcited when on the lead and will bark .
Sam is about a year old and intelligent.
Learns very quickly.

The first time I let Sam off the lead my heart was in my mouth somewhat not being a 100% sure of whether he would come back. I had a strong feeling he would as he always did in enclosed areas but you can never be sure. He was brilliant off the lead. I never immediately start calling a dog but give them time to sniff and explore then call them .
Here is a video of the first off lead walk:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064402165059

Continue reading “Sam (a.k.a Ash) needs a home !!”

progress update: 25/6/25

Rover is still looking for his forever home.
Rover has been with us for over two years and needs someone with experience of Collies.
He becomes very centred on one person and takes time to get to know new people.
His recall is excellent.
He has been trained to walk to heel having been an ex-farm dog.

progress update: 11/12/23

Rover is still looking for a home.
He has come on so well in the last few months, is great with all the dogs that come into the Rescue and fab off the lead.
Loves to be brushed and will oblingly roll over on his back to have his underside done.
Loves lots of fuss.
Very loyal and would be happy in a home as an only dog or one with other dogs.
He does need a home that has dog experience.

New territory for Rover yesterday and scents to follow.
Rover will follow a scent backwards, sideways and forwards tracking where it is leading . Good mental exercise alongside the physical.
I wonder sometimes while watching him, that if he could be trained to a scent that he would be good at tracking.

https://www.facebook.com/100064402165059/videos/858714735583846

progress update: 25/10/23

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=858714735583846
Rover and I have been getting out before it is light for walks and by 8am we are ready to go home.
We walked off the main paths to start with and across the heath which at times is tricky in this wet weather. I think that if Rover could talk he would be asking why we have to go the difficult ways across the bog. I was questioning myself on that one too after misjudging a step and sloshing back in a water-filled boot. When back on the paths we met a few other early bird dog walkers and Rover completely ignored them and at the end of one walk two cyclists whizzed round the corner right next to us. Rover completely ignored these too.
We have met many dog walkers and he is oblivious to them.
He has come on so much in the last couple of weeks.
In fact it is my favourite walk of the day as he is so good.

Rover has been with us a while now and we would love to find him a home.
He gets on with all dogs and has a good heart.
He was spooked by something or someone at some point on a walk, we haven’t quite worked out what and he can be a little barky sometimes.
He is not the sort of dog to stray too far ahead and seems to have been trained to stay close as we walk.
He is fantastic off the lead.
Better in a home without children and will need a home who has dog experience.
He would thrive in a home that already has a dog.

Rover is a fabulous dog.
He has a zest for life and endless curiousity.
Loves people, loves walks, loves meeting other dogs.
Can pull a bit in his urgency to say Hello to them.
He is a dog that needs to be doing something and will be perfect for a Collie active home.
He likes to be close to you in that Collie way and I can imagine him doing something like heelwork to music.
He came from a farmer who was training him to work sheep but Rover was not in the least interested in rounding up sheep.
He had far better things he fancied to do.

Rover is about four years old and probably a failed working dog.
Very thin when he arrived but now putting on weight.
He gets on great with other dogs, has the usual lively energy of a young Collie.
He is hand shy but coming round quickly to the realisation that he is not going to be hit.

If you may be able to offer a home please call Helen on 01202 380467

Phone calls & messages are usually only taken during office hours Mon – Sat. Emails and Facebook messages can usually only be responded to within 3 days, so please be patient if you don’t get an answer straight away:  Helen is often too busy to explain how busy she is!

We usually only rehome within approx. 50 miles of the Bournemouth / Poole area so that we can ensure the continued well-being of the dogs in our care.
We will only rehome further afield if the homes are exceptional.
We are NOT looking for just ANY home that is offered.
All potential homes will be assessed to try and ensure the best possible home to cater for the differing needs of each individual dog that we rescue