In the year 2000 we adopted our first dog, a retired racing greyhound called Blossom - and our life changed.
Since Blossom we have rescued Buster, a blue greyhound who never made the grade as a racer (apparently he ran round the course in the wrong direction!), a Saluki called Billy who had been dumped outside a veterinary surgery with a very badly broken leg, a Stag Hound called Daisy who came across the sea from Ireland and the latest member of our family, Angel - a whippet from Wales.
16 years after adopting our first dog, we just cannot imagine life without dogs.
We decided to invite DogFriendly members to tell us their stories about the dogs they have given forever homes to in the hope that it will help others who are thinking about having a dog - there is nothing like a rescue dog, although as many of the stories concur, it is often the dog that rescues the owner!
Hope you enjoy these wonderful tales.
Steve Bennett
Since Blossom we have rescued Buster, a blue greyhound who never made the grade as a racer (apparently he ran round the course in the wrong direction!), a Saluki called Billy who had been dumped outside a veterinary surgery with a very badly broken leg, a Stag Hound called Daisy who came across the sea from Ireland and the latest member of our family, Angel - a whippet from Wales.
16 years after adopting our first dog, we just cannot imagine life without dogs.
We decided to invite DogFriendly members to tell us their stories about the dogs they have given forever homes to in the hope that it will help others who are thinking about having a dog - there is nothing like a rescue dog, although as many of the stories concur, it is often the dog that rescues the owner!
Hope you enjoy these wonderful tales.
Steve Bennett
Thought I would share my rescue experiences with you.
Our first rescue was a four year old Patterdale Terrier, he had been put in to the rescue centre because he needed too much exercise and attention, he had been living in a flat!
At first he used to stand by the front door when he wanted to go out and we had to train him to the back door but that was easy and he loved the fact that we have a very large garden and his first job every morning was to roam the entire garden, it was like he was making sure we had not had intruders in to the garden overnight.
He was a lovely dog and everyone who met him was captivated by him, he went on holiday with us and was so much a part of our life, then sadly cancer struck but he had been with us for about ten years.
We now have our second rescue, he is a mixture of I don’t know how many dogs, he looks like he has Patterdale, Jak Russell and Whippet in him. He was thrown over the wall of the rescue centre during a Sunday night in December, can you believe there are such people out there.
He is a challenge when we take him walking, he suffers from fear aggression but he is getting better, albeit very slowly. We have spent hundreds on dog training but to no avail and have given up on that route. We now use a calming spray when we walk him, not sure if that is working but our love for him and reassuring words appear to be making his walks a little bit better for him and people who we meet tell us he is doing better.
In the home and car he is an absolute angel, again everyone who meets him falls in love with him. He is very people friendly which is amazing considering what people have done to him in the past.
We always take him on holiday with us and we are looking forward to the day when we can take him in to the pub with us when we are on holiday but at the moment he would get too stressed if another dog came in to the pub, so he misses out on that treat but I am sure that eventually he will be able to enjoy a night out. He has visited one or two tea rooms, we have made sure there is no other dog in there before we venture in and always watch out to see if anyone is coming in with a dog, not overly relaxing for us but we are doing our best to get him socialised.
We have had him for two years now and can’t imagine what it would be like without him and I would say to anyone who is thinking of getting a rescue dog to go for it. However, I do get somewhat annoyed by the rules set by the rescue centres, I know they have to be very careful but I have supported a well known rescue for 20 plus years and when we lost our last dog, I saw a dog on their rescue pages and made enquiries. Before I was asked any questions about my lifestyle I was told I could not adopt the dog before Christmas (I wanted to adopt when I finished work on the 17th December), as it would be too stressful for the dog. A loving home more stressful than kennels, I ask you. As a result of this attitude I cancelled all the direct debits I had for this organisation and no longer give them any support. I do however, support Southern Shih Tzu Rescue and Freshfields Rescue who have two centres, one in Liverpool and one in North Wales.
I hope my tales, convince any doubters that rescue is the way to go.
Barbara D
Our first rescue was a four year old Patterdale Terrier, he had been put in to the rescue centre because he needed too much exercise and attention, he had been living in a flat!
At first he used to stand by the front door when he wanted to go out and we had to train him to the back door but that was easy and he loved the fact that we have a very large garden and his first job every morning was to roam the entire garden, it was like he was making sure we had not had intruders in to the garden overnight.
He was a lovely dog and everyone who met him was captivated by him, he went on holiday with us and was so much a part of our life, then sadly cancer struck but he had been with us for about ten years.
We now have our second rescue, he is a mixture of I don’t know how many dogs, he looks like he has Patterdale, Jak Russell and Whippet in him. He was thrown over the wall of the rescue centre during a Sunday night in December, can you believe there are such people out there.
He is a challenge when we take him walking, he suffers from fear aggression but he is getting better, albeit very slowly. We have spent hundreds on dog training but to no avail and have given up on that route. We now use a calming spray when we walk him, not sure if that is working but our love for him and reassuring words appear to be making his walks a little bit better for him and people who we meet tell us he is doing better.
In the home and car he is an absolute angel, again everyone who meets him falls in love with him. He is very people friendly which is amazing considering what people have done to him in the past.
We always take him on holiday with us and we are looking forward to the day when we can take him in to the pub with us when we are on holiday but at the moment he would get too stressed if another dog came in to the pub, so he misses out on that treat but I am sure that eventually he will be able to enjoy a night out. He has visited one or two tea rooms, we have made sure there is no other dog in there before we venture in and always watch out to see if anyone is coming in with a dog, not overly relaxing for us but we are doing our best to get him socialised.
We have had him for two years now and can’t imagine what it would be like without him and I would say to anyone who is thinking of getting a rescue dog to go for it. However, I do get somewhat annoyed by the rules set by the rescue centres, I know they have to be very careful but I have supported a well known rescue for 20 plus years and when we lost our last dog, I saw a dog on their rescue pages and made enquiries. Before I was asked any questions about my lifestyle I was told I could not adopt the dog before Christmas (I wanted to adopt when I finished work on the 17th December), as it would be too stressful for the dog. A loving home more stressful than kennels, I ask you. As a result of this attitude I cancelled all the direct debits I had for this organisation and no longer give them any support. I do however, support Southern Shih Tzu Rescue and Freshfields Rescue who have two centres, one in Liverpool and one in North Wales.
I hope my tales, convince any doubters that rescue is the way to go.
Barbara D
I was so pleased to get your email about giving us the chance to put our rescue story across 😀
We lost our furbaby Samson last year, he was a mastiff, who we loved very much and also a rescue.
We had a hole to fill and love to give and also our remaining mastiff, Reggie was lonely and grieving, as were we.
We made a decision as a family to get another dog, preferably another mastiff, as we had a soft spot for the breed.
We looked about for breeders and on our journey we came across rescue centres popping up in our news feeds and on the Internet and on tv about all the abandoned and unwanted dogs in rescue centres.
We live in Suffolk, and somehow ended up calling a rescue centre in Essex called AA dog rescue in Latchingdon, Essex , run by a lady called Charley Nathan and Karen .
We Called them about a mastiff they had there and were told he had already gone, but , they do have lots of wonderful dogs wanting a forever home.. In particular a litter of 4 mastin ligero cross pups from Spain.
We headed down to Essex that afternoon.
We arrived before the centre was open,but were welcomed in with open arms to have a look around.
We looked at some beautiful dogs, staffys, mixed breeds of all ages and backgrounds, AA rescue a lot of dogs from kill shelters in Spain, that's when we met the ligero pack!! As we looked tentatively over the stable door to see what these dogs were like, Karen and Charley let them out to meet us, it was the loveliest moment ! These pups, although 8 months old now, and quite big already , were full of life and love to give, this was apparent!! Our hearts melted and we wished we could have all 4!
1 stood out for us, Jose , he was the quietest of the bunch and a bit wobbly in his legs.. We likened him to crazy legs crane! As he was so gangly!! When we sat to get close to them he was pushed out by his brothers, so retreated and just watched 😞 we decided to walk him, whilst Charley was getting the lead for Jose, Clive, my husband said "look" I looked and there was a little brindle girl, eyeing us suspiciously, bark and growl a little at Clive ( he is a mountain of a man to be fair) we liked her ballsiness and asked to walk her too....
Anyway, that day, we left the proud owners of Jose and Dana (now Iris) . We paid the £400 donation and the dogs were due to be delivered a week later, after neutering and home check ..
The whole experience was a beautiful one .. We have had these babies since 2/1/16 and they have settled themselves in to our family with ease.. Reg our mastiff loves them so much as do we.. They had never lived in a home before and before they were rescued did not know love of attention, they were very nervous of people, household items and carpet!!! They still bark at the tv, are scared of the Hoover etc, but we love them so so much .
I would recommend rescue dogs and would highly recommend AA and their tireless wonderful work.
The sky 1 series Digs Might Fly, recently took a dog from AA, shadow , to appear on the new series and he's doing very well 😀
Anyway, thank you for giving me the chance to tell our story .
Regards
Cheryl J
Jose and Iris 🐾🐾
We lost our furbaby Samson last year, he was a mastiff, who we loved very much and also a rescue.
We had a hole to fill and love to give and also our remaining mastiff, Reggie was lonely and grieving, as were we.
We made a decision as a family to get another dog, preferably another mastiff, as we had a soft spot for the breed.
We looked about for breeders and on our journey we came across rescue centres popping up in our news feeds and on the Internet and on tv about all the abandoned and unwanted dogs in rescue centres.
We live in Suffolk, and somehow ended up calling a rescue centre in Essex called AA dog rescue in Latchingdon, Essex , run by a lady called Charley Nathan and Karen .
We Called them about a mastiff they had there and were told he had already gone, but , they do have lots of wonderful dogs wanting a forever home.. In particular a litter of 4 mastin ligero cross pups from Spain.
We headed down to Essex that afternoon.
We arrived before the centre was open,but were welcomed in with open arms to have a look around.
We looked at some beautiful dogs, staffys, mixed breeds of all ages and backgrounds, AA rescue a lot of dogs from kill shelters in Spain, that's when we met the ligero pack!! As we looked tentatively over the stable door to see what these dogs were like, Karen and Charley let them out to meet us, it was the loveliest moment ! These pups, although 8 months old now, and quite big already , were full of life and love to give, this was apparent!! Our hearts melted and we wished we could have all 4!
1 stood out for us, Jose , he was the quietest of the bunch and a bit wobbly in his legs.. We likened him to crazy legs crane! As he was so gangly!! When we sat to get close to them he was pushed out by his brothers, so retreated and just watched 😞 we decided to walk him, whilst Charley was getting the lead for Jose, Clive, my husband said "look" I looked and there was a little brindle girl, eyeing us suspiciously, bark and growl a little at Clive ( he is a mountain of a man to be fair) we liked her ballsiness and asked to walk her too....
Anyway, that day, we left the proud owners of Jose and Dana (now Iris) . We paid the £400 donation and the dogs were due to be delivered a week later, after neutering and home check ..
The whole experience was a beautiful one .. We have had these babies since 2/1/16 and they have settled themselves in to our family with ease.. Reg our mastiff loves them so much as do we.. They had never lived in a home before and before they were rescued did not know love of attention, they were very nervous of people, household items and carpet!!! They still bark at the tv, are scared of the Hoover etc, but we love them so so much .
I would recommend rescue dogs and would highly recommend AA and their tireless wonderful work.
The sky 1 series Digs Might Fly, recently took a dog from AA, shadow , to appear on the new series and he's doing very well 😀
Anyway, thank you for giving me the chance to tell our story .
Regards
Cheryl J
Jose and Iris 🐾🐾
A few years ago we rescued a Labrador who was being ill treated her name was Polly her owner had been shutting her in the garage. Both owner's worked, one at night and one during the day, so she was left alone in a tiny garage with not even a door left open into the garden. On return from work in a morning, if she had soiled in the garage her owner used to kick her even though she couldn’t get into the garden during the day. She used to whine to go out or because she was lonely again, instead of giving her attention he would kick her. Eventually after 13 months of abuse a neighbour called the RSPCA who gave them 2 weeks to re-home Polly luckily my daughter saw her advertised and brought her home. She was wary of me at first and growled at me when I came home. I wasn't sure it was going to work but the following morning I woke up to find her curled up on my bed. She awoke, gave me a look and from that day went everywhere with me. I had 7 years of unconditional love until I lost her 2 years ago to cancer. I miss her terribly rip Polly
Sharon C
Sharon C
In March 2011 after being retired for almost a year, my partner and I decided it was time to consider having a dog. We had both been lifelong dog owners but due to circumstances too numerous to chronicle here we hadn't been in a position to offer a home to a canine family member for some years.
We were in no doubt that we wanted to give a home to an animal from a disadvantaged background and combed the web pages of various rescue kennels. Our only stipulations were - the new family member should be smallish and not too old.
One day (the 8th March 2011 to be exact) we paid a visit to a rescue kennel in County Durham........ Just to have a look, never thinking that night we would have our very own dog.
As we looked around the kennels we were heartbroken by the sight of all these poor animals in need of loving humans to take them home and care for them. In one kennel was a thin, shivery, frightened Jack Russell type bitch. She had no history except to say she had been found wandering the streets. We asked for her to be brought out of the kennel but she was so afraid she didn't want to come out. The person who brought her to us said it would be best if we took her for a little walk up the lane next to the kennel, which we did, but her backside was tucked under and she was terrified. She had no tail because it had been docked, otherwise it would have been tucked between her legs.
Once we had asked to have her taken out of her kennel we couldn't bear to see her go back in so we immediately said we would take her. That was one of the best decisions we have ever made. We gave her the name Daisy there and then and she was microchipped before we took her home that day. For only £100 we got a lovely little dog who was microchipped,spayed, inoculated, wormed and treated against fleas. There was an option to take her back within a week if things didn't work out but that was never going to happen.
I won't say it was easy at first, Daisy was suffering badly from confidence issues. She cowered at the hint of loud noise, didn't want to go out of the house and had a few little 'accidents' on the carpet, mainly due to nervousness. She was extremely submissive, never aggressive. But with kindness and patience her confidence grew and she is now a beautiful companion with a truly individual personality. She is brilliant with the children of the family and everyone has taken her to their hearts. We are both retired, live near the beach and own a motor home so she is fairly well travelled and hardly ever left alone. I cannot describe the pleasure she brings us every day in life.
The bottom line..... If you are thinking it is time for you to add to your family in the four legged, canine way, please consider visiting a re homing/ rescue centre near you. You will find it difficult to come away with only one dog but remember you are performing a valuable social service even by taking that one. These dogs haven't been born with a silver spoon to serve their dog food, they really need someone just like you to take them away from their miserable existence and restore them to their former glory. If you live in the beautiful North East of England here are the details of the re homing centre we were lucky enough to visit that day 5 years ago. The boarding kennels run the Stray Action for Dogs rescue service as a sideline.
Elaine B
Deerness Boarding Kennels & Cattery
Mill Road,
Langley Moor,
Durham DH7 8HF
TEL: 0191 378 0439
We were in no doubt that we wanted to give a home to an animal from a disadvantaged background and combed the web pages of various rescue kennels. Our only stipulations were - the new family member should be smallish and not too old.
One day (the 8th March 2011 to be exact) we paid a visit to a rescue kennel in County Durham........ Just to have a look, never thinking that night we would have our very own dog.
As we looked around the kennels we were heartbroken by the sight of all these poor animals in need of loving humans to take them home and care for them. In one kennel was a thin, shivery, frightened Jack Russell type bitch. She had no history except to say she had been found wandering the streets. We asked for her to be brought out of the kennel but she was so afraid she didn't want to come out. The person who brought her to us said it would be best if we took her for a little walk up the lane next to the kennel, which we did, but her backside was tucked under and she was terrified. She had no tail because it had been docked, otherwise it would have been tucked between her legs.
Once we had asked to have her taken out of her kennel we couldn't bear to see her go back in so we immediately said we would take her. That was one of the best decisions we have ever made. We gave her the name Daisy there and then and she was microchipped before we took her home that day. For only £100 we got a lovely little dog who was microchipped,spayed, inoculated, wormed and treated against fleas. There was an option to take her back within a week if things didn't work out but that was never going to happen.
I won't say it was easy at first, Daisy was suffering badly from confidence issues. She cowered at the hint of loud noise, didn't want to go out of the house and had a few little 'accidents' on the carpet, mainly due to nervousness. She was extremely submissive, never aggressive. But with kindness and patience her confidence grew and she is now a beautiful companion with a truly individual personality. She is brilliant with the children of the family and everyone has taken her to their hearts. We are both retired, live near the beach and own a motor home so she is fairly well travelled and hardly ever left alone. I cannot describe the pleasure she brings us every day in life.
The bottom line..... If you are thinking it is time for you to add to your family in the four legged, canine way, please consider visiting a re homing/ rescue centre near you. You will find it difficult to come away with only one dog but remember you are performing a valuable social service even by taking that one. These dogs haven't been born with a silver spoon to serve their dog food, they really need someone just like you to take them away from their miserable existence and restore them to their former glory. If you live in the beautiful North East of England here are the details of the re homing centre we were lucky enough to visit that day 5 years ago. The boarding kennels run the Stray Action for Dogs rescue service as a sideline.
Elaine B
Deerness Boarding Kennels & Cattery
Mill Road,
Langley Moor,
Durham DH7 8HF
TEL: 0191 378 0439
I have rescued two dogs now. Indiana will be four in a couple of weeks, I adopted her at three months after she was dumped. I had been looking out for another rescue dog to bring life back to my first rescue dog Bruno.
I took Bruno from the RSPCA in Leybourne. His sign on his kennel said not to overlook him as he had already been there two years. We took Bruno on with the warning from the RSPCA inspector that he would probably not interact with us and he would just be a shadow in the house.
I won't lie Bruno was a challenge, he had a badly broken front leg left untreated that had to be fixed by the RSPCA. Not only did he spend two years in his kennel,at eighteen months of those two years someone re-homed him for two weeks before taking him back, further compounding his mistrust of people.
For a long time,approximately fourteen months he did not really interact and I could not let him off the lead as he would just disappear. However suddenly he just seemed to accept us and during one night at about four o'clock he climbed on our bed and slept between us, from that point forward we never looked back.
We never knew how old he was possible three or four when we got him but he managed to stay with us for eleven years before passing away at home.
When we took Indiana on she was also a challenge, we were her fourth home in three months so she really didn't know what was happening to her. However she had a fabulous effect on Bruno and seemed to give him a new lease of life. He was always fiercely independent and very aloof, but you would often find them snuggled up on the couch together.
Both of my rescues have bought challenges with them but they have been far exceeded by the rewards. To be accepted by Bruno was amazing, to think after everything he went through he chose to trust my husband and I even though us humans didn't deserve a second chance. He wasn't a cuddly archetypal dog but his idiosyncrasies made him unique and simply stunning .
My far from little lady is currently laying at the bottom of our feet snoring louder than any human being I've heard.
Rescue the dogs from the kennels, they may not look perfect and they may take some winning round but what you receive in return is beautiful. Just remember they are a challenge because of what has been done to them, it's not their fault and we have the opportunity to rescue and repair a broken soul.
Kim
I took Bruno from the RSPCA in Leybourne. His sign on his kennel said not to overlook him as he had already been there two years. We took Bruno on with the warning from the RSPCA inspector that he would probably not interact with us and he would just be a shadow in the house.
I won't lie Bruno was a challenge, he had a badly broken front leg left untreated that had to be fixed by the RSPCA. Not only did he spend two years in his kennel,at eighteen months of those two years someone re-homed him for two weeks before taking him back, further compounding his mistrust of people.
For a long time,approximately fourteen months he did not really interact and I could not let him off the lead as he would just disappear. However suddenly he just seemed to accept us and during one night at about four o'clock he climbed on our bed and slept between us, from that point forward we never looked back.
We never knew how old he was possible three or four when we got him but he managed to stay with us for eleven years before passing away at home.
When we took Indiana on she was also a challenge, we were her fourth home in three months so she really didn't know what was happening to her. However she had a fabulous effect on Bruno and seemed to give him a new lease of life. He was always fiercely independent and very aloof, but you would often find them snuggled up on the couch together.
Both of my rescues have bought challenges with them but they have been far exceeded by the rewards. To be accepted by Bruno was amazing, to think after everything he went through he chose to trust my husband and I even though us humans didn't deserve a second chance. He wasn't a cuddly archetypal dog but his idiosyncrasies made him unique and simply stunning .
My far from little lady is currently laying at the bottom of our feet snoring louder than any human being I've heard.
Rescue the dogs from the kennels, they may not look perfect and they may take some winning round but what you receive in return is beautiful. Just remember they are a challenge because of what has been done to them, it's not their fault and we have the opportunity to rescue and repair a broken soul.
Kim
This is Moe a 7 year old Staffie who we got at 18 months. A hard start in life but the hugs - yes hugs and kisses we get are so lovely. We don't know her background as Battersea keep it confidential but she needed some weight gain and was nervous. Now she is outgoing although still has some underlying issues but none that can't be overcome. Support all the rescue centers you can get a loving pet be it puppy or older! When we got Moe there were over 3500 Staffies abandoned that year we helped one.
Babs n Barry T
Babs n Barry T
We adopted a 5 month old pointer cross from a charity based in Spain - SAS. We did really want to adopt in England, unfortunately the RSPCA and Blue Cross said we were unsuitable as we would have left the dog for 2 hours home alone. However, we would not be without our Luna now, so perhaps it was fate!
We adopted her in November 2015, yes we have had teething problems and numerous visits to the vets due to sensitive stomach issues. We do seem to be getting on top of this issue now.
We have had sleepless nights, lots of toilet accidents and a few issues with trust, I think as long as people are aware that it is hard work in the beginning and are prepared for sleepless nights and their patience tested then that is half the battle.
We have had nothing but unconditional love back from Luna which more than makes up for anything she thinks is a good idea!!
My personal advice would be, enjoy the good days and forget about the bad! It does and will get easier.
With best wishes
Amanda G
We adopted her in November 2015, yes we have had teething problems and numerous visits to the vets due to sensitive stomach issues. We do seem to be getting on top of this issue now.
We have had sleepless nights, lots of toilet accidents and a few issues with trust, I think as long as people are aware that it is hard work in the beginning and are prepared for sleepless nights and their patience tested then that is half the battle.
We have had nothing but unconditional love back from Luna which more than makes up for anything she thinks is a good idea!!
My personal advice would be, enjoy the good days and forget about the bad! It does and will get easier.
With best wishes
Amanda G