We rescued Millie as a 3 year old staffie/unknown cross about 7 years ago. She's transformed our lives! We'd drawn up a list of what we we thought we wanted in a rescue dog (male, under 1 year old etc) but when we came across Millie on dogsblog.co.uk that list went straight out of the window as she looked like a dog who really needed our help and touched our hearts.
Millie was in a bad way when we got her. She's been abused in her former life and then hadn't coped well in kennels (where she had been for 6 months) as she found the environment stressful. The kennels http://www.tarrs.org.uk/ is an independent charity set up by a dog warden and survives on donations - the owner rescues dogs she comes across in the course of her day job and find them loving homes.
When we got Millie she was very skinny and you could see all of her ribs/backbone. Infact in the first few days before she started to put weight back on several people had a pop at us in the street for not feeding out dog properly until we explained her situation. Now Millie is a healthy and happy mature dog who turned us from a 'couple' into a 'family'. She's incredibly affectionate and charms every person she meets. And I really think she knows she's been rescued as she is devoted to us and really seem to appropriate her home and all the security and comfort it brings.
Despite being 3 years old when we got her she put pay to the fable' you can't teach an old dog new tricks' and she finished the top of her obedience classes. She's also never been destructive and again, that's one of the plus sides not not having a puppy, the rescue center can give you a clear indication of the personality of the dog so you can see how they will fit with your lives.
We can't imagine our life without Millie. I think you can often spot rescue dogs as the devotion in their eyes when they look at their owners shows how much they appricaite being given another chance. You'll never regret it.
Melissa B
Millie was in a bad way when we got her. She's been abused in her former life and then hadn't coped well in kennels (where she had been for 6 months) as she found the environment stressful. The kennels http://www.tarrs.org.uk/ is an independent charity set up by a dog warden and survives on donations - the owner rescues dogs she comes across in the course of her day job and find them loving homes.
When we got Millie she was very skinny and you could see all of her ribs/backbone. Infact in the first few days before she started to put weight back on several people had a pop at us in the street for not feeding out dog properly until we explained her situation. Now Millie is a healthy and happy mature dog who turned us from a 'couple' into a 'family'. She's incredibly affectionate and charms every person she meets. And I really think she knows she's been rescued as she is devoted to us and really seem to appropriate her home and all the security and comfort it brings.
Despite being 3 years old when we got her she put pay to the fable' you can't teach an old dog new tricks' and she finished the top of her obedience classes. She's also never been destructive and again, that's one of the plus sides not not having a puppy, the rescue center can give you a clear indication of the personality of the dog so you can see how they will fit with your lives.
We can't imagine our life without Millie. I think you can often spot rescue dogs as the devotion in their eyes when they look at their owners shows how much they appricaite being given another chance. You'll never regret it.
Melissa B
First of all let me tell you a little about me.
I am Emma, 27 from Croydon.
I love dogs they are my passion in life. I live for my dogs I owe them my all. I own 9 rescue dogs who have all been in a very bad place to start with and After months of work they are rehabilitated, happy and healthy.
I run two dog grooming businesses which are aimed at the welfare of the dog not the money that will line my pocket.
I am very successful in what I've done with the dogs as its my true passion In life.
When I was young I was badly bullied. I had a very bad upbringing and struggled with some of the things I had been through in my younger years. All this lead to self harming and attempting to take my own life. I didn't want to be here any more. I had depression and anxiety. Then my life was about that change and that's all down to doodles my first ever rescue dog.
I rescued doodles from a puppy farm where he was kept in a small metal cat size cage, he was matted, aggressive and a very nasty sight.
Doodles needed my help. So that's what I did I handed over the money paying for this disaster of a dog who had already bitten me just to give him a better life. He was a challenge.
Doodles had muscle wastage, fleas, ticks and mites. He was matted solid covered in urine and poo. He was dog and human aggressive and nearly had to be pts.
I didn't want to give up on him. Doodles like me had had a very bad start to life and needed a friend, needed a chance, so this is what I gave him.
We worked very closely together helping each other and before you know it doodles had stopped being aggressive towards me and I
had started to go out and about meeting new people. We were growing and shinning together Showing the world that nothing will stop us now. So months went by doodles and I had come so far and he was doing really well. I decided to rescue another dog. Purdy my poodle to see if this would complete doodles. Again purdy was the same sort of story as doodles and they helped each other through to where we all are today.
So now I have 8 rescue dogs 9 dogs in total. I run my own business I go to dogs shows every weekend. We do lots together as a pack. We go to crufts and discover dogs. Doodles has played Toto in the wizard of oz. He has done a model cat walk show at blue water. He's won the heroic hound award. He's won overall dog at discover dogs. He still has many more years of sharing his storey and doing many more things. We have also appeared on TV twice and in many news papers and magazines.
My story shows why giving a rescue dog a chance can change your life.
Emma and my furbabies. Woof woof
I am Emma, 27 from Croydon.
I love dogs they are my passion in life. I live for my dogs I owe them my all. I own 9 rescue dogs who have all been in a very bad place to start with and After months of work they are rehabilitated, happy and healthy.
I run two dog grooming businesses which are aimed at the welfare of the dog not the money that will line my pocket.
I am very successful in what I've done with the dogs as its my true passion In life.
When I was young I was badly bullied. I had a very bad upbringing and struggled with some of the things I had been through in my younger years. All this lead to self harming and attempting to take my own life. I didn't want to be here any more. I had depression and anxiety. Then my life was about that change and that's all down to doodles my first ever rescue dog.
I rescued doodles from a puppy farm where he was kept in a small metal cat size cage, he was matted, aggressive and a very nasty sight.
Doodles needed my help. So that's what I did I handed over the money paying for this disaster of a dog who had already bitten me just to give him a better life. He was a challenge.
Doodles had muscle wastage, fleas, ticks and mites. He was matted solid covered in urine and poo. He was dog and human aggressive and nearly had to be pts.
I didn't want to give up on him. Doodles like me had had a very bad start to life and needed a friend, needed a chance, so this is what I gave him.
We worked very closely together helping each other and before you know it doodles had stopped being aggressive towards me and I
had started to go out and about meeting new people. We were growing and shinning together Showing the world that nothing will stop us now. So months went by doodles and I had come so far and he was doing really well. I decided to rescue another dog. Purdy my poodle to see if this would complete doodles. Again purdy was the same sort of story as doodles and they helped each other through to where we all are today.
So now I have 8 rescue dogs 9 dogs in total. I run my own business I go to dogs shows every weekend. We do lots together as a pack. We go to crufts and discover dogs. Doodles has played Toto in the wizard of oz. He has done a model cat walk show at blue water. He's won the heroic hound award. He's won overall dog at discover dogs. He still has many more years of sharing his storey and doing many more things. We have also appeared on TV twice and in many news papers and magazines.
My story shows why giving a rescue dog a chance can change your life.
Emma and my furbabies. Woof woof
My husband & I acquired a border terrier puppy (Milly) just over 8 years ago and by the time she was about a year old I felt she should have a companion. My husband insisted that we should rescue one this time: I had my mind set on another terrier (probably a Jack Russell as they are more available than borders), a male and a puppy or young dog.
We tried a local rescue centre but they had nothing suitable so we turned to another one. We were home checked. The first dog we took Milly to meet, it was clear that she and Molly (!) were just not going to gel. A Jack Russell puppy came on the horizon – twice – but there was a hiccup both times at which point my husband gave up.
Taking Milly to the local dog groomer for a nail clipping, I saw a pretty Jack Russell puppy in a large crate and enquired about him: he seemed very young to be there. He had been taken some days earlier for a wash (aged 12 weeks) and never collected. One of the staff was fostering him while an appeal was made in the local paper. They allowed him out to see how he & Milly would get on – like a house on fire. I expressed an interest and said we had been home checked. My husband went to meet him briefly.
A few days later I had a phone call: if you still want him, come and fetch him. Milly & I walked up and he came back in a bag against my chest while she spent the entire return trip jumping to try & get him. Once home, he bonded very quickly with me as Milly was so excited at the real-life toy that he was overwhelmed. I was determined not to have a puppy called Roger – his given name – and each time I talked to him I used his new name. By the time he went to sleep at night he was Freddy.
The reason I wanted to share this story is what followed. For about two weeks he was the perfect puppy, by which time he obviously felt secure enough to allow his real persona to be revealed. What do terriers do? They chew. For the next 4 or 5 years we had to deal with a trail of destruction. His speciality was ripping up books. This had nothing to do with being left. If I was in the study working on the computer, he might sneak in behind me and help himself to books from the shelves. We had to put a bolt on the door. We dealt with this as well as we could, determined not to let him go. He had already suffered one abandonment and we loved him too. He is an intelligent and affectionate dog. Sometimes, hearing his story, people would condemn the woman who left him, to which I would say she clearly hadn’t realised what a destruction machine a sweet puppy could become and at least she left him somewhere safe. I also want to encourage anyone who adopts a destructive pup – they do grow out of it.
He is now 6 1/2 and for at least a year his destructiveness has gone. Very occasionally he will pick up some item and move it about. If that’s a book, it usually gets torn in the process. However, he has lots of other things to interest him. He continues to be a lively, friendly, intelligent and loving dog and I’m constantly grateful that we have him. The barking – that’s another ball game! Talking of which balls are his passion!!
Heather B
We tried a local rescue centre but they had nothing suitable so we turned to another one. We were home checked. The first dog we took Milly to meet, it was clear that she and Molly (!) were just not going to gel. A Jack Russell puppy came on the horizon – twice – but there was a hiccup both times at which point my husband gave up.
Taking Milly to the local dog groomer for a nail clipping, I saw a pretty Jack Russell puppy in a large crate and enquired about him: he seemed very young to be there. He had been taken some days earlier for a wash (aged 12 weeks) and never collected. One of the staff was fostering him while an appeal was made in the local paper. They allowed him out to see how he & Milly would get on – like a house on fire. I expressed an interest and said we had been home checked. My husband went to meet him briefly.
A few days later I had a phone call: if you still want him, come and fetch him. Milly & I walked up and he came back in a bag against my chest while she spent the entire return trip jumping to try & get him. Once home, he bonded very quickly with me as Milly was so excited at the real-life toy that he was overwhelmed. I was determined not to have a puppy called Roger – his given name – and each time I talked to him I used his new name. By the time he went to sleep at night he was Freddy.
The reason I wanted to share this story is what followed. For about two weeks he was the perfect puppy, by which time he obviously felt secure enough to allow his real persona to be revealed. What do terriers do? They chew. For the next 4 or 5 years we had to deal with a trail of destruction. His speciality was ripping up books. This had nothing to do with being left. If I was in the study working on the computer, he might sneak in behind me and help himself to books from the shelves. We had to put a bolt on the door. We dealt with this as well as we could, determined not to let him go. He had already suffered one abandonment and we loved him too. He is an intelligent and affectionate dog. Sometimes, hearing his story, people would condemn the woman who left him, to which I would say she clearly hadn’t realised what a destruction machine a sweet puppy could become and at least she left him somewhere safe. I also want to encourage anyone who adopts a destructive pup – they do grow out of it.
He is now 6 1/2 and for at least a year his destructiveness has gone. Very occasionally he will pick up some item and move it about. If that’s a book, it usually gets torn in the process. However, he has lots of other things to interest him. He continues to be a lively, friendly, intelligent and loving dog and I’m constantly grateful that we have him. The barking – that’s another ball game! Talking of which balls are his passion!!
Heather B
Rescue....Isn't that when we humans do a good deed thinking we are rescuing a homeless dog to find that really they rescue us.....
That has been my experience since I was a child.
All together I have had 5 rescue in my childhood and 4 since I left home with numerous puppy's added to the mix...
To give your home, your love and most importantly your time to a dog when they need it most is the most rewarding thing you will ever do in life (assuming you are a doggy person) and you will benefit from this in more ways than I could ever tell you.
My experience is mainly with German Shepherds and in recent years with Pembroke Corgis.
These dogs come into your life when you need them, they usually find you even though you are the one with the car and computer!!! That's just the way it works.
Don't close your mind to anything that crosses your path.
I'm not going to pretend that it's always been easy as my dogs have had abusive and unbelievably hard lives. Don't have expectations of them and give them time.
I'm deliberately not telling you about my individual dogs as everyone's experience and circumstances are different, my dogs were treated badly and I am fortunate to have the time and space to bring them round, but many many dogs out there need a home because of circumstances beyond anyone's control and are happy, healthy dogs.
You may be the first person that has really loved this dog so trust them to accept this. They live in the moment, don't feel sorry for them if they have been badly treated in the past or lost their home as a sad voice from you will worry them. Always be strong and upbeat, they are pack animals and looking for security and strength in the pack leader not weakness. Ask any dog what the time is and they will say ' Now '
Although your home is the norm to you and a place of love and safety your rescue dog needs time to believe this. Remember how you felt when you were a child starting a new school, it takes time to feel secure and happy in your new surroundings, it's much the same for them.
Personally I believe that Rescue dogs know that extra mile you have gone to help them and return that to you in abundance.
My dogs make me laugh every day. I will end by telling you about one of my Shepherds.
His name was Gilbert, he was starved, beaten and locked in a cage at the end of the garden for years. Eventually his owners gave him to a local rescue centre 'Chilterns Dog Rescue'
We bought Gilbert home, he was about 4 years old, he was the only rescue that had bought me to tears, I fed him 8 small cooked meals a day, my other two dogs taught him how to live in a house and how to behave around the horses.
At some point in his life he had been trained in obedience which helped.
He was a big dog but only 20kg. It took about a year to bring Gilbert back to the magnificent dog that he was.
Although he had aggression issues with other dogs he loved people, ironic, and he loved my mini JRT and my Corgi, he was huge and the bottom of the pack.
He had the most unbelievable sense of humour and a love for life like I had never seen. He gave us 6 years of laughter every day, he ran with the wind, he chased the birds in the sky and he was always happy. He taught us to treasure every moment and love unconditionally.
I look at his picture every day and thank god he came into our life.
Go get your rescue, you won't regret it xxx
Nicky T
That has been my experience since I was a child.
All together I have had 5 rescue in my childhood and 4 since I left home with numerous puppy's added to the mix...
To give your home, your love and most importantly your time to a dog when they need it most is the most rewarding thing you will ever do in life (assuming you are a doggy person) and you will benefit from this in more ways than I could ever tell you.
My experience is mainly with German Shepherds and in recent years with Pembroke Corgis.
These dogs come into your life when you need them, they usually find you even though you are the one with the car and computer!!! That's just the way it works.
Don't close your mind to anything that crosses your path.
I'm not going to pretend that it's always been easy as my dogs have had abusive and unbelievably hard lives. Don't have expectations of them and give them time.
I'm deliberately not telling you about my individual dogs as everyone's experience and circumstances are different, my dogs were treated badly and I am fortunate to have the time and space to bring them round, but many many dogs out there need a home because of circumstances beyond anyone's control and are happy, healthy dogs.
You may be the first person that has really loved this dog so trust them to accept this. They live in the moment, don't feel sorry for them if they have been badly treated in the past or lost their home as a sad voice from you will worry them. Always be strong and upbeat, they are pack animals and looking for security and strength in the pack leader not weakness. Ask any dog what the time is and they will say ' Now '
Although your home is the norm to you and a place of love and safety your rescue dog needs time to believe this. Remember how you felt when you were a child starting a new school, it takes time to feel secure and happy in your new surroundings, it's much the same for them.
Personally I believe that Rescue dogs know that extra mile you have gone to help them and return that to you in abundance.
My dogs make me laugh every day. I will end by telling you about one of my Shepherds.
His name was Gilbert, he was starved, beaten and locked in a cage at the end of the garden for years. Eventually his owners gave him to a local rescue centre 'Chilterns Dog Rescue'
We bought Gilbert home, he was about 4 years old, he was the only rescue that had bought me to tears, I fed him 8 small cooked meals a day, my other two dogs taught him how to live in a house and how to behave around the horses.
At some point in his life he had been trained in obedience which helped.
He was a big dog but only 20kg. It took about a year to bring Gilbert back to the magnificent dog that he was.
Although he had aggression issues with other dogs he loved people, ironic, and he loved my mini JRT and my Corgi, he was huge and the bottom of the pack.
He had the most unbelievable sense of humour and a love for life like I had never seen. He gave us 6 years of laughter every day, he ran with the wind, he chased the birds in the sky and he was always happy. He taught us to treasure every moment and love unconditionally.
I look at his picture every day and thank god he came into our life.
Go get your rescue, you won't regret it xxx
Nicky T
We adopted “Jim” in March 2014 from Raystede , in Ringmer ,East Sussex. Jim was a London stray and around 4 years old at the time when we adopted him. After making initial enquiries about Jim, the feedback which we received from Raystede was honest and a pretty accurate summary for a dog which lacked any known “history”. Jim came to spend a week’s trial with us to see if we suited each other and if we could give him the home that he needed.
Jim settled in very well straight away, we were unsure if he was toilet trained and what he would be like with children and other dogs. He was, and is , perfectly fine in all these areas . He did growl a couple of times if he thought that he was going to be “man handled” but this soon disappeared. I can’t blame him for this , as he was in a strange place with people he did not know or trust.
We can only guess at what sort of life he had previously but we do know what his future with us will be like . Sadly, there are “clues” which suggest that he was not treated very well in the past . Time, patience and kindness we hope will overcome these remnants of his past .
We are lucky that Jim “found us” as he is part of the family and we can’t remember what life was like without him . Jim has been to France and Cornwall on holiday with us and takes it all in his stride. As long as he is with “his people” he is happy wherever he is from Hotel hopping to busy French restaurants.
He has won many local shows for having the “Waggiest tail” . To be honest his tail has not stopped wagging since he has found his forever home ..
We would thoroughly recommend giving a rescue dog a forever home !
Jo H and Graham S
Jim settled in very well straight away, we were unsure if he was toilet trained and what he would be like with children and other dogs. He was, and is , perfectly fine in all these areas . He did growl a couple of times if he thought that he was going to be “man handled” but this soon disappeared. I can’t blame him for this , as he was in a strange place with people he did not know or trust.
We can only guess at what sort of life he had previously but we do know what his future with us will be like . Sadly, there are “clues” which suggest that he was not treated very well in the past . Time, patience and kindness we hope will overcome these remnants of his past .
We are lucky that Jim “found us” as he is part of the family and we can’t remember what life was like without him . Jim has been to France and Cornwall on holiday with us and takes it all in his stride. As long as he is with “his people” he is happy wherever he is from Hotel hopping to busy French restaurants.
He has won many local shows for having the “Waggiest tail” . To be honest his tail has not stopped wagging since he has found his forever home ..
We would thoroughly recommend giving a rescue dog a forever home !
Jo H and Graham S