A Failed Foster-Mother!
Two years ago, my wonderful Labrador Henry died. He was only 4 and a half and he left me heart-broken. The house was empty, I could not bear to look at his toys and started to comfort eat.
A friend of mine saw how unhappy and lonely I was and suggested that I foster another dog. The local Vets also had this idea and put me in touch with the local contact for the Labrador Rescue Trust (http://www.labrador-rescue.com/). A lovely lady came to visit me at home and asked me a raft of questions, ensuring that the home that I had would be suitable. The dogs come first – and so they should! I was very specific: I wanted a black Labrador, between the ages of 3 and 5.
A couple of days later, the telephone rang and Elsie (the lady who had vetted me) asked if she could pop round with a photograph of a dog that needed rehoming. Yes, I said and round she came. I saw the photo and burst into tears. There before me was a gorgeous black Labrador – but he was the double of my Henry and I knew that I would not be able to cope. Sadly, I had to say no.
Another couple of days passed and the telephone rang again. There were a couple of Labradors coming up from Cornwall (I am in Northamptonshire) who were looking for homes. Elsie brought their photographs round to see if I would be interested. One was black and the other one was yellow. There was a lot of information about both dogs: whether or not they liked cats, how they got on with other dogs/people, any health problems, what their recall was like, their ages etc. Masses of information and I was able to ask questions to clarify the details.
I asked if I could meet one of them, Merlin, and a couple of days later he arrived. Bless him, he was totally bewildered, but after being given a couple of treats, he started to settle down. Although he did cough a little when he was eating the treats, I put this down to excitement. His bed came with him, along with his lead and collar and a couple of toys, so he had some familiar things around him. I was also advised of his food and when he would eat.
We spent a peaceful night but the following morning I noticed that he still had a bit of a cough. Off to the Vet we went, where he was diagnosed with Kennel Cough – not surprising as he had been in kennels prior to meeting me and, although he had been inoculated against it, still managed to catch it. The inoculation is rather like the ‘flu jab for humans – it is only effective against certain strains. Anyway, I let the Labrador Rescue Trust know and they paid the bill for his treatment.
Merlin was now in isolation for 10 days but after the first 5, I was able to take him for a walk as long as we did not meet any other dogs. In a way, this was a blessing in disguise as it gave us time to get to know each other.
The first time that I let him off the lead, I did so in a fenced in field – just in case! I needn’t have worried. I called his name and he turned on a sixpence to come back. He and I have bonded brilliantly and, as I type this, he is laying on the floor with his head on my feet!
Oh yes – I wanted a black Labrador aged between 3 and 5, remember? Merlin is yellow and was aged 6, going on 3, when he decided to adopt me 18 months ago. Yes, I am a failed foster mum – and wouldn’t have it any other way!
Jan P
Two years ago, my wonderful Labrador Henry died. He was only 4 and a half and he left me heart-broken. The house was empty, I could not bear to look at his toys and started to comfort eat.
A friend of mine saw how unhappy and lonely I was and suggested that I foster another dog. The local Vets also had this idea and put me in touch with the local contact for the Labrador Rescue Trust (http://www.labrador-rescue.com/). A lovely lady came to visit me at home and asked me a raft of questions, ensuring that the home that I had would be suitable. The dogs come first – and so they should! I was very specific: I wanted a black Labrador, between the ages of 3 and 5.
A couple of days later, the telephone rang and Elsie (the lady who had vetted me) asked if she could pop round with a photograph of a dog that needed rehoming. Yes, I said and round she came. I saw the photo and burst into tears. There before me was a gorgeous black Labrador – but he was the double of my Henry and I knew that I would not be able to cope. Sadly, I had to say no.
Another couple of days passed and the telephone rang again. There were a couple of Labradors coming up from Cornwall (I am in Northamptonshire) who were looking for homes. Elsie brought their photographs round to see if I would be interested. One was black and the other one was yellow. There was a lot of information about both dogs: whether or not they liked cats, how they got on with other dogs/people, any health problems, what their recall was like, their ages etc. Masses of information and I was able to ask questions to clarify the details.
I asked if I could meet one of them, Merlin, and a couple of days later he arrived. Bless him, he was totally bewildered, but after being given a couple of treats, he started to settle down. Although he did cough a little when he was eating the treats, I put this down to excitement. His bed came with him, along with his lead and collar and a couple of toys, so he had some familiar things around him. I was also advised of his food and when he would eat.
We spent a peaceful night but the following morning I noticed that he still had a bit of a cough. Off to the Vet we went, where he was diagnosed with Kennel Cough – not surprising as he had been in kennels prior to meeting me and, although he had been inoculated against it, still managed to catch it. The inoculation is rather like the ‘flu jab for humans – it is only effective against certain strains. Anyway, I let the Labrador Rescue Trust know and they paid the bill for his treatment.
Merlin was now in isolation for 10 days but after the first 5, I was able to take him for a walk as long as we did not meet any other dogs. In a way, this was a blessing in disguise as it gave us time to get to know each other.
The first time that I let him off the lead, I did so in a fenced in field – just in case! I needn’t have worried. I called his name and he turned on a sixpence to come back. He and I have bonded brilliantly and, as I type this, he is laying on the floor with his head on my feet!
Oh yes – I wanted a black Labrador aged between 3 and 5, remember? Merlin is yellow and was aged 6, going on 3, when he decided to adopt me 18 months ago. Yes, I am a failed foster mum – and wouldn’t have it any other way!
Jan P
I have loved dogs all my life, I have bred for many years and for the last 20 years i have bred shar-pei. I am a very good breeder. I always put the pups and Mum first. I have a very good reputation as an assured breeder, but only have ever bred in my home.
But this is to say I am retiring and speaking to so many people over the years i find it very sad when I meet an older person who has always had dogs but because they are older don’t want to take on a pup, or say what will happen if i die. I always say to them have you considered an older dog, they always need a new home. So many old dogs need a home and so many old people missing lost pets. what can possibly make more sense.
I have helped rehome many dogs over the years, because I care, but I want to get the message to the older people. The ones I have persuaded had never given it a thought and I bet there are loads out there that are the same.
Margaret W
But this is to say I am retiring and speaking to so many people over the years i find it very sad when I meet an older person who has always had dogs but because they are older don’t want to take on a pup, or say what will happen if i die. I always say to them have you considered an older dog, they always need a new home. So many old dogs need a home and so many old people missing lost pets. what can possibly make more sense.
I have helped rehome many dogs over the years, because I care, but I want to get the message to the older people. The ones I have persuaded had never given it a thought and I bet there are loads out there that are the same.
Margaret W
We adopted a ex breeding cocker spaniel 9yrs ago from Many Tears Animal Rescue and it was the best thing we ever did and it has changed our life in ways that we could have never imagined. As an ex breeding dog she had never been walked on a lead, didn't know the kindness of people, didn't know anything about living in a house or house training. But none on that mattered to us and she was now part of our family. She slowly got used to us, our house and now has transformed into the most loving, soppy dog that we could have hoped for. But our story didn't stop there. Having visited the centre and seen a small glimpse of all the dogs that need a home for one reason or another we had to do more to help. We became fosterers and became a half way house and begin the process for another scared dog to show them life can be fun until they get a forever home of their own. Well like i said that was 9 years ago and we still have our cocker spaniel and we have had over 80 foster dogs through our home, Yes it is hard work at times and heartbreaking but it is immensely rewarding seeing that dog wag its tail for the first time or come over and ask to be fussed.
'You can't change the world for every dog, but for one dog you can change its world'
Sharon G
'You can't change the world for every dog, but for one dog you can change its world'
Sharon G
Three years ago I lost my beloved Westie unexpectedly which was devastating. She was my third dog, all of them I had from puppies and as I was getting older I decided not to have another dog. But I missed walks and cuddles so decided I should offer a home to a rescue dog. I went to Dogs Trust but at the time they only had large dogs so I went to the RSPCA.
Such a hard place to visit, I wanted at the very least to give them all a cuddle but I saw Foxi sitting right up to the bars looking so sad and confused. She had arrived the day before from Portugal (a two day journey) brought the England by a Brighton charity called Helping Paws (a very small charity who do amazing things).
To cut a long story short Foxi was soon mine. I won’t pretend it has been easy, Foxi was a street dog so was frightened of everything and had some strange ideas about where she should toilet! But I could not give up on her and constantly thought about what a terrible time she had experienced.
Now we are totally besotted with each other. The quiet little dog I first saw has shown she has a loud, piercing bark which she uses to defend her home. She loves to run and test out her sniffing skills. This does lead to the occasional problem as she has never lost her urge to hunt for her dinner so if she gets the scent of a rabbit etc she takes off and her recall goes out of the window therefore some walks still have to be on an extending lead. She has a big bushy tail which came in useful one time when she was half way down a fox hole. She now cautiously makes friends with humans on our long walks and we are looking forward to our second holiday together (with a friend who also has a rescue dog) in a cottage in Devon.
She is so affectionate and I am so pleased that I went down the path of welcoming a rescue dog to my life.
Margaret W
Such a hard place to visit, I wanted at the very least to give them all a cuddle but I saw Foxi sitting right up to the bars looking so sad and confused. She had arrived the day before from Portugal (a two day journey) brought the England by a Brighton charity called Helping Paws (a very small charity who do amazing things).
To cut a long story short Foxi was soon mine. I won’t pretend it has been easy, Foxi was a street dog so was frightened of everything and had some strange ideas about where she should toilet! But I could not give up on her and constantly thought about what a terrible time she had experienced.
Now we are totally besotted with each other. The quiet little dog I first saw has shown she has a loud, piercing bark which she uses to defend her home. She loves to run and test out her sniffing skills. This does lead to the occasional problem as she has never lost her urge to hunt for her dinner so if she gets the scent of a rabbit etc she takes off and her recall goes out of the window therefore some walks still have to be on an extending lead. She has a big bushy tail which came in useful one time when she was half way down a fox hole. She now cautiously makes friends with humans on our long walks and we are looking forward to our second holiday together (with a friend who also has a rescue dog) in a cottage in Devon.
She is so affectionate and I am so pleased that I went down the path of welcoming a rescue dog to my life.
Margaret W
We have had many rescue dogs and wouldn't do anything else. We have lived in various countries and have often "picked " dogs off the street or from local centres.
The two we have now came from K9 in Kuwait. We had lived in Kuwait many years ago and now our son and his family live/work there. (They do the same and take local dogs their last 3 were from the Dubai streets!). We were living in Istanbul and it was coming up to time for my husband to retire and we wanted another desert dog. We went to Kuwait and to K9 and "reserved Doris and Jenny. Doris had been in the kennels for 5 years and Jenny about 1. Jen had been involved in a car accident and had had several operations. Both were super dogs and we fell in love. We retired to France and the family came for Christmas bringing the dogs with them Doris was very nervous at first and terrified of going in the car. Jenny is naturally bouncy and helped Doris a lot. Doris is no longer nervous and love playing with her toys and Jen.
We have had them 41/2 years now and do everything together!! This year will be their 4th visit to UK and they have traveled in France with us.
Doris is about 101/2-11 and Jen 6 years. They are great dogs. With rescue dogs you need time and patience but we have never had one that hasn't settled. Some of our dogs have gone from country to country with us we could never have left them.
Below is a picture of them, Doris is the creamy coloured one and Jen likes to be called fox red!
Trisha D
The two we have now came from K9 in Kuwait. We had lived in Kuwait many years ago and now our son and his family live/work there. (They do the same and take local dogs their last 3 were from the Dubai streets!). We were living in Istanbul and it was coming up to time for my husband to retire and we wanted another desert dog. We went to Kuwait and to K9 and "reserved Doris and Jenny. Doris had been in the kennels for 5 years and Jenny about 1. Jen had been involved in a car accident and had had several operations. Both were super dogs and we fell in love. We retired to France and the family came for Christmas bringing the dogs with them Doris was very nervous at first and terrified of going in the car. Jenny is naturally bouncy and helped Doris a lot. Doris is no longer nervous and love playing with her toys and Jen.
We have had them 41/2 years now and do everything together!! This year will be their 4th visit to UK and they have traveled in France with us.
Doris is about 101/2-11 and Jen 6 years. They are great dogs. With rescue dogs you need time and patience but we have never had one that hasn't settled. Some of our dogs have gone from country to country with us we could never have left them.
Below is a picture of them, Doris is the creamy coloured one and Jen likes to be called fox red!
Trisha D
I am 23 and have always had a dog (or three!) in the house. My mum and I insist on choosing rescue dogs, but in particular we go for the oldies (our range is kind of 7+). No one seems to want these dogs which always surprises me given how much love they show and I feel it is the saddest thing to be see an old dog in kennels when they should be curled up on a warm sofa.
The two dogs we have at the moment are called Rory and Benny. Rory is a (very) long haired German Shepherd and was rescued from the middle of an abusive relationship in Ireland. He was shipped over to Liverpool and that's where we picked him up from the rescue lady. He was 7 when we got him, he turned 13 in January this year. He's a very independent dog, he isn't the type to like cuddles but the love he shows us by trusting us after what he's been through is more than we could ever wish for. He now has bad arthritis in his back legs and is showing signs of dementia and unfortunately we were unable to get insurance for him seen as he was old when we got him. However, we wouldn't change him for the world, he is perfect to us.
Benny is a Basset Hound and was rescued from a couple who suddenly decided they didn't want him anymore. He was 7 when we rescued him, he is 9 now. He is the complete opposite to Rory in that he isn't happy unless he's draped himself over our laps! He is very cuddly, soggy and squishy! After we rescued him we found out he has a moderate heart murmur and a very bad larynx (he can't bark) which causes him to cough a lot (too old for insurance again). However, he is very content as long as he is warm, loved and fed.
Despite this, Benny along with Rory are the most perfect dogs we could ever ask for and I urge everyone to consider a rescue dog, particularly an oldie. They offer so much more, you develop a bond with your dog because they have quite often been through horrible experiences and you need to rebuild their trust in humans again.
I love my dogs and I hope that other people decide to rescue dogs as well so that they can experience the same love I am so lucky in receiving.
I have attached a photo of them both, they make an unusual pair but they are best friends.
Sarah B
The two dogs we have at the moment are called Rory and Benny. Rory is a (very) long haired German Shepherd and was rescued from the middle of an abusive relationship in Ireland. He was shipped over to Liverpool and that's where we picked him up from the rescue lady. He was 7 when we got him, he turned 13 in January this year. He's a very independent dog, he isn't the type to like cuddles but the love he shows us by trusting us after what he's been through is more than we could ever wish for. He now has bad arthritis in his back legs and is showing signs of dementia and unfortunately we were unable to get insurance for him seen as he was old when we got him. However, we wouldn't change him for the world, he is perfect to us.
Benny is a Basset Hound and was rescued from a couple who suddenly decided they didn't want him anymore. He was 7 when we rescued him, he is 9 now. He is the complete opposite to Rory in that he isn't happy unless he's draped himself over our laps! He is very cuddly, soggy and squishy! After we rescued him we found out he has a moderate heart murmur and a very bad larynx (he can't bark) which causes him to cough a lot (too old for insurance again). However, he is very content as long as he is warm, loved and fed.
Despite this, Benny along with Rory are the most perfect dogs we could ever ask for and I urge everyone to consider a rescue dog, particularly an oldie. They offer so much more, you develop a bond with your dog because they have quite often been through horrible experiences and you need to rebuild their trust in humans again.
I love my dogs and I hope that other people decide to rescue dogs as well so that they can experience the same love I am so lucky in receiving.
I have attached a photo of them both, they make an unusual pair but they are best friends.
Sarah B