I just thought you might be interested in our story of Django.
We have always had dogs ! Our first one arrived 6 weeks before the birth of our first baby - superb timing in so many ways, and our most recent forever friend came into our lives nearly 4 years ago.
Sam, the previous rescue, had been with us for 15 years and when he finally went to his doggy cloud, we felt lost. However, we had a family wedding, we were both due to retire we wanted to travel and move house and it didn't really seem fair to impose that on a dog who may already have had his own problems .
We managed under 3 years.........
Then we realised that chatting to strange dogs, looking at websites and generally missing the mud ( ! ) was not good enough so we visited The Dogs Trust at Snetterton.
The staff were great - we had the chance to see all their guests and make a choice if we could. We had decided that we would like a small to medium sized dog and so chose Django ( then called Major ) who is a lab/collie cross and not small in any sense of the word.......
Once we had made our decision, the staff told us what they could about his history. He had come from Ireland and that was about it. He was probably about 2 to 3 and had been trained a little. OK we thought , looking into his big soulful brown eyes, we'll have him. After a couple more visits we took him home, discovering that he was the only one going home that day who didn't have to been cajoled into getting in the car.
We have now been a family for nearly 4 years and although there have been problems, some of which will, I suspect, be ongoing, he is a delight. He's an easygoing dog even if others yap at him, rarely barks unless the front door bell rings, loves going out for a coffee or a meal with us and we are very lucky to live in Suffolk which is amazingly dog friendly.
Its not all been plain sailing as he is terrified of gunshots and this makes Autumn and Winter walks a challenge but we take him into our nearby town and walk there. Thunderstorms are interesting as , should they occur at night, he burrows under my pillow to hide and I have to tell you, sleeping with a big black hairy pillow would not make it into the treatment book of any spa !! He's fascinated by small furry things and can vanish into undergrowth if we are not careful and digs for England on occasions. However, he charms even those who claim not to like dogs and although he still can't play the guitar like his namesake Django Reinhardt, we are so glad we brought him home with us.
Sally B
We have always had dogs ! Our first one arrived 6 weeks before the birth of our first baby - superb timing in so many ways, and our most recent forever friend came into our lives nearly 4 years ago.
Sam, the previous rescue, had been with us for 15 years and when he finally went to his doggy cloud, we felt lost. However, we had a family wedding, we were both due to retire we wanted to travel and move house and it didn't really seem fair to impose that on a dog who may already have had his own problems .
We managed under 3 years.........
Then we realised that chatting to strange dogs, looking at websites and generally missing the mud ( ! ) was not good enough so we visited The Dogs Trust at Snetterton.
The staff were great - we had the chance to see all their guests and make a choice if we could. We had decided that we would like a small to medium sized dog and so chose Django ( then called Major ) who is a lab/collie cross and not small in any sense of the word.......
Once we had made our decision, the staff told us what they could about his history. He had come from Ireland and that was about it. He was probably about 2 to 3 and had been trained a little. OK we thought , looking into his big soulful brown eyes, we'll have him. After a couple more visits we took him home, discovering that he was the only one going home that day who didn't have to been cajoled into getting in the car.
We have now been a family for nearly 4 years and although there have been problems, some of which will, I suspect, be ongoing, he is a delight. He's an easygoing dog even if others yap at him, rarely barks unless the front door bell rings, loves going out for a coffee or a meal with us and we are very lucky to live in Suffolk which is amazingly dog friendly.
Its not all been plain sailing as he is terrified of gunshots and this makes Autumn and Winter walks a challenge but we take him into our nearby town and walk there. Thunderstorms are interesting as , should they occur at night, he burrows under my pillow to hide and I have to tell you, sleeping with a big black hairy pillow would not make it into the treatment book of any spa !! He's fascinated by small furry things and can vanish into undergrowth if we are not careful and digs for England on occasions. However, he charms even those who claim not to like dogs and although he still can't play the guitar like his namesake Django Reinhardt, we are so glad we brought him home with us.
Sally B
We really wanted a dog, but working full time every rescue centre turned us down, except Just for Dogs in Brailsford, Derbyshire. We were told we could have a dog, but it had to be the right one for us, not the one we would choose ourselves. So Gerti entered our lives. She was a 'lifer', having been in the home for 4 years. She had been overlooked every time due to her size (Bull Mastif cross) , and the three previous times she had tried to be adopted, she had been returned within 2 weeks for various reasons. So for 4 weekends we went to walk her so we could get used to each other and then we brought her home.
The first 4 days were great. She was a model dog, no messing in the house and a dream to walk, Then she started testing the boundaries - messed on the floor, became a nightmare to walk and was very naughty in the house! She had not been socialised so was fear aggressive to other dogs, and she had an undiagnosed food aggression which we only realised when she went to bite me! I was determined to stick with it and I am so glad we did! We have had her since 2009 and with determination and sheer hard work (not least some injuries including a dislocated shoulder thanks to a sheep incident!) she is now a well adjusted and socialised dog. She can be left all day without soiling in the house, and I have changed jobs which means I am home much more than before. She has gone from a pulling dog to one that walks mostly to heel, she has lots of positive meetings with other dogs, and she is a loving family pet with no sign of aggression remaining. It hasn't been an easy road as she had her baggage and she was institutionalised, but everyone falls in love with her when they meet her thanks to her loving nature.
Adopting a rescue is just as difficult as raising a puppy. Puppies need training, socialising and care...rescues need love, some training and patience. The reward is so much more though - seeing your new adoptee's real personality unfold as trust is gained is priceless.
I type this as Gerti is snoring on her bed!
Paula N
The first 4 days were great. She was a model dog, no messing in the house and a dream to walk, Then she started testing the boundaries - messed on the floor, became a nightmare to walk and was very naughty in the house! She had not been socialised so was fear aggressive to other dogs, and she had an undiagnosed food aggression which we only realised when she went to bite me! I was determined to stick with it and I am so glad we did! We have had her since 2009 and with determination and sheer hard work (not least some injuries including a dislocated shoulder thanks to a sheep incident!) she is now a well adjusted and socialised dog. She can be left all day without soiling in the house, and I have changed jobs which means I am home much more than before. She has gone from a pulling dog to one that walks mostly to heel, she has lots of positive meetings with other dogs, and she is a loving family pet with no sign of aggression remaining. It hasn't been an easy road as she had her baggage and she was institutionalised, but everyone falls in love with her when they meet her thanks to her loving nature.
Adopting a rescue is just as difficult as raising a puppy. Puppies need training, socialising and care...rescues need love, some training and patience. The reward is so much more though - seeing your new adoptee's real personality unfold as trust is gained is priceless.
I type this as Gerti is snoring on her bed!
Paula N
I have 3 rescue dogs, all Staffies, who get such a raw deal & bad press. Never come across such a loving faithful breed of dog. My last one is from Little Angels Staffie Rescue, who rescues dogs from death row. I also sponsor them along with Happy Staffies & Pounds for Poundies. I have been adopting rescue dogs for a great number of years & nothing gives me so much pleasure as doing this. Give them a chance & a loving home.
Vanessa S
Vanessa S
Our Rescue Greyhound Gladys
When we lost their eight year old greyhound Doris to cancer in May last year, we barely hesitated before contacting Greyhound Rescue West of England (GRWE) to see if there was another little girl we could adopt.
We came across greyhounds quite by accident. We’d always had dogs but we loved whippets and when we lost one of our dogs very young, we wanted to get another. We were told about a whippet cross who had turned up in a pound in Swansea, but when we went to collect her, we thought ‘that’s no whippet!’ Sure enough, it wasn’t – she was a young greyhound and after some initial health problems, with lots of love and a good home, Wendy lived a long and happy life with us.
From that moment, we were hooked on greyhounds.
When we then lost our other dog, we got in touch with GRWE to see if we could find a suitable companion for Wendy. That’s when Doris came into our lives. Doris had been raced on flapping tracks, which are unregulated greyhound racing tracks and she was extremely nervous. She was only two when she came here but she was already very scared of people and other dogs. She did get better as she got older, but we always wondered what had happened to make her so fearful. When Wendy died, we decided that we were too old to have two dogs, so for a few years, it was just the two of us and Doris.
But in May last year, we lost Doris to bowel cancer and what a shock it was not having a dog in the house! In 44 years of marriage, we’d never been without one, so we immediately got in touch with GRWE again to see if there was another suitable girl that we could bring home. Fortuitously, a few weeks earlier, a little black greyhound had been found abandoned in the Forest of Dean and had been taken into a foster home while she recovered from multiple injuries, including a broken toe. She was covered in pressure sores and extremely underweight so we had to wait a couple of weeks to meet her while she regained her strength.
She was a little bit older at nearly six, but we felt that she would suit us perfectly as we are around 70! The day she arrived, she pottered around the house and you could tell she just decided to stay. She was ‘our dog’ immediately! She’d been named Matilda, but we called her Gladys – because we were so glad she was here.
Gladys is such a friendly soul, she comes everywhere with us.
She couldn’t be any more different to Doris. She’s so relaxed and friendly with everyone. She comes to gardening club with us and nudges people if they forget to give her a fuss and she’s also a regular at art classes. We had a great holiday with her last year; we rented a cottage in Wiltshire and did lots of walking and she definitely enjoyed coming to the pub with us.
We’re very lucky here in Stroud with wooded areas and green spaces, so Gladys gets two good walks a day. But it’s a common misconception that greyhounds need a lot of exercise. They love to run (and I love to see her run) but they also adore coming home and sleeping afterwards. Gladys is a typical greyhound, she’s very lazy, and although her bed is in the kitchen, she does sneak up in the night and get in between us. She just loves to be with us both.
Greyhounds are very gentle with lovely temperaments.
We don’t have children ourselves but we took Gladys to visit our niece recently and she has two, aged 9 and 5. They adored her and wouldn’t leave her alone. She was so tolerant with them – very gentle and easy-going, although she was exhausted when we got her home!
We’ve always had rescue dogs – we wouldn’t countenance having anything else because there are so many that need homes. And an older greyhound seems to be a perfect fit for us, particularly as we’re getting older ourselves.”
Gladys fits in with our lives beautifully – she’s adaptable and affectionate and we adore her. If anyone is thinking of getting a dog then do consider a rescue greyhound, they have so much love to give and will repay your kindness every day.
Val F
When we lost their eight year old greyhound Doris to cancer in May last year, we barely hesitated before contacting Greyhound Rescue West of England (GRWE) to see if there was another little girl we could adopt.
We came across greyhounds quite by accident. We’d always had dogs but we loved whippets and when we lost one of our dogs very young, we wanted to get another. We were told about a whippet cross who had turned up in a pound in Swansea, but when we went to collect her, we thought ‘that’s no whippet!’ Sure enough, it wasn’t – she was a young greyhound and after some initial health problems, with lots of love and a good home, Wendy lived a long and happy life with us.
From that moment, we were hooked on greyhounds.
When we then lost our other dog, we got in touch with GRWE to see if we could find a suitable companion for Wendy. That’s when Doris came into our lives. Doris had been raced on flapping tracks, which are unregulated greyhound racing tracks and she was extremely nervous. She was only two when she came here but she was already very scared of people and other dogs. She did get better as she got older, but we always wondered what had happened to make her so fearful. When Wendy died, we decided that we were too old to have two dogs, so for a few years, it was just the two of us and Doris.
But in May last year, we lost Doris to bowel cancer and what a shock it was not having a dog in the house! In 44 years of marriage, we’d never been without one, so we immediately got in touch with GRWE again to see if there was another suitable girl that we could bring home. Fortuitously, a few weeks earlier, a little black greyhound had been found abandoned in the Forest of Dean and had been taken into a foster home while she recovered from multiple injuries, including a broken toe. She was covered in pressure sores and extremely underweight so we had to wait a couple of weeks to meet her while she regained her strength.
She was a little bit older at nearly six, but we felt that she would suit us perfectly as we are around 70! The day she arrived, she pottered around the house and you could tell she just decided to stay. She was ‘our dog’ immediately! She’d been named Matilda, but we called her Gladys – because we were so glad she was here.
Gladys is such a friendly soul, she comes everywhere with us.
She couldn’t be any more different to Doris. She’s so relaxed and friendly with everyone. She comes to gardening club with us and nudges people if they forget to give her a fuss and she’s also a regular at art classes. We had a great holiday with her last year; we rented a cottage in Wiltshire and did lots of walking and she definitely enjoyed coming to the pub with us.
We’re very lucky here in Stroud with wooded areas and green spaces, so Gladys gets two good walks a day. But it’s a common misconception that greyhounds need a lot of exercise. They love to run (and I love to see her run) but they also adore coming home and sleeping afterwards. Gladys is a typical greyhound, she’s very lazy, and although her bed is in the kitchen, she does sneak up in the night and get in between us. She just loves to be with us both.
Greyhounds are very gentle with lovely temperaments.
We don’t have children ourselves but we took Gladys to visit our niece recently and she has two, aged 9 and 5. They adored her and wouldn’t leave her alone. She was so tolerant with them – very gentle and easy-going, although she was exhausted when we got her home!
We’ve always had rescue dogs – we wouldn’t countenance having anything else because there are so many that need homes. And an older greyhound seems to be a perfect fit for us, particularly as we’re getting older ourselves.”
Gladys fits in with our lives beautifully – she’s adaptable and affectionate and we adore her. If anyone is thinking of getting a dog then do consider a rescue greyhound, they have so much love to give and will repay your kindness every day.
Val F
Rescue dogs? Best thing in the world.
New home, May 2005. Walls painted, carpets in, flat-pack conquered…. Dog rescue time! As we walked around the rescue centre I found myself opposite two little creatures, scruffy white bog-brushes….one trotted up and leaned against the bars so I could tickle him. The other, lounging regally, only wandered over once my husband appeared and when she licked him on the nose that was pretty much it. I think they’d practised their moves.
The day we bundled them in the car and took them home is officially my Best Day Ever. I loved them instantly and more every day. Stanley and Daisy walked into our house as if they had been destined for it and every moment we had with them was golden. They were about five and a half, brother and sister, Stanley a perfect Goodwill Ambassador who loved everyone and sat among the ducks waiting to be thrown bread in the park, wiggling happily and surprising many an unsuspecting family. Daisy…. well, she was a stone cold killer wrapped in the body of a dainty terrier princess whose talent for crime was only outshone by her ability to rule the household. She carried a real torch for her vet, and flirted with many, many unsuspecting men.
For over five years Stan loved us unconditionally, whether curled up on my lap, running like a whirlwind, showing wary toddlers the wonder of dogs, observing Daisy’s latest crime spree or gazing at us as if we were the best thing he’d ever seen. He lived to 11, taken early by voracious cancer in 2010. I loved him more than I can ever say.
After Stan passed away Daisy was bereft, so along came Bert: a ginger, lumpy mutt with three good legs, dumped in a forest and rescued, the perfect pal for a girl like Daisy. A sensitive soul, Bertie adjusted slowly but gently to his new home. The most easy-going and comforting presence, Bertie worships my husband, hates blond dogs with a passion, is the most handsome creature I have ever seen and looked after Daisy like a bronze angel.
After a couple of years we felt we had room for a third pack member: enter Nobby. Rescued from the pound on his last day and fostered in Wales, we knew from the moment we met him that he’d fit in. A tiny hairball with short legs and a wiggling tail-stump, Nobby clearly had a ghastly start in life but his sweetness just shines out. Children love him, cats are fascinated by him…even ducks love Nobby. He is learning the art of sleeping on my lap – slowly – and I’m so grateful we found him.
Daisy left us a few weeks ago, regal to the last, at the age of 16. She just wore out, gracefully and peacefully and I will be grateful for that forever. Whether popping mice, dispatching pigeons, stealing food or giving the best cuddles, she was a wonder and loved beyond expression. The boys are fine; the humans miss her more than they can say.
R. Osborne
Info:
Stanley and Daisy from the Blue Cross, Burford.
Bertie from Dogsfriends, Bristol (visited the website, asked about a few dogs all of which were in foster homes, eventually went down to meet Bertie in his foster home and his fosterer brought him up to us the next week).
Nobby from the amazing Four Paws Animal Rescue, South Wales (they are brilliant; fantastic communication, excellent fosterers who give full updates on all dogs and they absolutely put the dogs’ needs first. We met Nobby in his Welsh foster home and went back to collect him a week later.)
R. Osborne
New home, May 2005. Walls painted, carpets in, flat-pack conquered…. Dog rescue time! As we walked around the rescue centre I found myself opposite two little creatures, scruffy white bog-brushes….one trotted up and leaned against the bars so I could tickle him. The other, lounging regally, only wandered over once my husband appeared and when she licked him on the nose that was pretty much it. I think they’d practised their moves.
The day we bundled them in the car and took them home is officially my Best Day Ever. I loved them instantly and more every day. Stanley and Daisy walked into our house as if they had been destined for it and every moment we had with them was golden. They were about five and a half, brother and sister, Stanley a perfect Goodwill Ambassador who loved everyone and sat among the ducks waiting to be thrown bread in the park, wiggling happily and surprising many an unsuspecting family. Daisy…. well, she was a stone cold killer wrapped in the body of a dainty terrier princess whose talent for crime was only outshone by her ability to rule the household. She carried a real torch for her vet, and flirted with many, many unsuspecting men.
For over five years Stan loved us unconditionally, whether curled up on my lap, running like a whirlwind, showing wary toddlers the wonder of dogs, observing Daisy’s latest crime spree or gazing at us as if we were the best thing he’d ever seen. He lived to 11, taken early by voracious cancer in 2010. I loved him more than I can ever say.
After Stan passed away Daisy was bereft, so along came Bert: a ginger, lumpy mutt with three good legs, dumped in a forest and rescued, the perfect pal for a girl like Daisy. A sensitive soul, Bertie adjusted slowly but gently to his new home. The most easy-going and comforting presence, Bertie worships my husband, hates blond dogs with a passion, is the most handsome creature I have ever seen and looked after Daisy like a bronze angel.
After a couple of years we felt we had room for a third pack member: enter Nobby. Rescued from the pound on his last day and fostered in Wales, we knew from the moment we met him that he’d fit in. A tiny hairball with short legs and a wiggling tail-stump, Nobby clearly had a ghastly start in life but his sweetness just shines out. Children love him, cats are fascinated by him…even ducks love Nobby. He is learning the art of sleeping on my lap – slowly – and I’m so grateful we found him.
Daisy left us a few weeks ago, regal to the last, at the age of 16. She just wore out, gracefully and peacefully and I will be grateful for that forever. Whether popping mice, dispatching pigeons, stealing food or giving the best cuddles, she was a wonder and loved beyond expression. The boys are fine; the humans miss her more than they can say.
R. Osborne
Info:
Stanley and Daisy from the Blue Cross, Burford.
Bertie from Dogsfriends, Bristol (visited the website, asked about a few dogs all of which were in foster homes, eventually went down to meet Bertie in his foster home and his fosterer brought him up to us the next week).
Nobby from the amazing Four Paws Animal Rescue, South Wales (they are brilliant; fantastic communication, excellent fosterers who give full updates on all dogs and they absolutely put the dogs’ needs first. We met Nobby in his Welsh foster home and went back to collect him a week later.)
R. Osborne
I have had several dogs as Re-Homes. As a Groomer of over 40 years I have managed to rehome quite a few of my clients dogs when circumstances have meant that they are unable to care for them, be it old age, sickness or marriage breakup but I have had two that stick in my mind that I have kept for myself that I consider to be rescue dogs.
The first we called Striker. He was an 18 month Apricot Standard Poodle. He had been advertised in our local evening paper over several weeks, firstly being offered for sale at £700. As the weeks went on the price was lowered. I had been wanting another Standard Poodle as I have had them since 1979 and was currently without one.
I called the people and arranged to go to view the dog. On arriving at the address, it was a small house on a large estate. The house was all open plan with nowhere for the dog to rest undisturbed. The family had 4 children under 8 years of age. The dog was called Nugget. He was a total mess. His coat which had been in a type of show clip was totally matted except for his topknot which had been cut off. He was extremely nervous of strangers and bayed at my husband whilst hitting reverse at high speed. At this point my husband went to wait in the car muttering. I could not get near enough to touch the dog but asked for a tasty titbit and sat on the floor ignoring the dog. The owners gave me a copy of his pedigree. I was astonished to see how well bred he was and so sad that this magnificent dog was so neglected and scared. After a few minutes he crept up to me and tentatively took the food. After a few more minutes he allowed me to stroke him and eventually cuddled up to me. I gave them £80 and took him out to the car. My husband thought I was crazy! I knew that with a little time and love he would come round.
When we got him home it was obvious that he had never had dogs food. Takeaways – yes. Pizza seemed to be his favourite!
After giving him a few days to settle in we renamed him Striker which was part of his pedigree name. A new life and a new home . I clipped all his coat off. We took him to a car boot sale with us shortly after we got him and met a man who said “is that Nugget?” I replied yes that was his name. He told me that I should cut ½ inch off his toe nails. I replied that this would be so painful and make them bleed to which he replied “ oh it doesn’t matter - put some styptic in and it will stop the bleeding”
The poor dog. Over the next few weeks we found out that he had only ever been groomed when put in kennels when the girl spent days dematting him. He had got very hairy ear canals and infection . The owners had apparently waited till he went to sleep and then sat on him and tried to pull the hair out. How this poor dog had such a good temperament I will never know. He never growled even. I made an appointment with the vet to sedate him so that I could cut his nails and clean his ears without any further trauma to him.
Shortly after getting Striker, maybe two or three weeks later we got a phone call asking us if we would like another!. A bitch this time who belonged to a groomer who had just lost her husband and had to reduce the 14 dogs to more manageable numbers. She was called Patti ( after a Patriot missile). She was an absolute sweetie with no problems whatsoever.
We had a grooming school and regularly held open days and demonstrations all over the country. Striker and Patti went everwhere with us. Staying in hotels and generally showing off their beauty to all. Striker had impeccable manners and a talent for obedience training. The first night he went, we started in the beginners class. He did so well he stayed for the intermediate and ended up in the advanced doing distance control! I was amazed and the brains this dog had. He ended up in the e dog club demo team jumping through hoops of fire. A magnificent sight. A big Apricot Poodle in full coat jumping through fire.
He had health problems throughout his life. He had to have resection of both ears which resulted in him going deaf, he always had some breathing problems as he got older because he had been brought up in a house were both people smoked and he had no way of getting away from it resulting in emphasyma, he eventually went blind, off his legs and would not eat. He was only 12 years old. He was put to sleep peacefully with me by his side. I will never forget my beautiful brave boy.
The first we called Striker. He was an 18 month Apricot Standard Poodle. He had been advertised in our local evening paper over several weeks, firstly being offered for sale at £700. As the weeks went on the price was lowered. I had been wanting another Standard Poodle as I have had them since 1979 and was currently without one.
I called the people and arranged to go to view the dog. On arriving at the address, it was a small house on a large estate. The house was all open plan with nowhere for the dog to rest undisturbed. The family had 4 children under 8 years of age. The dog was called Nugget. He was a total mess. His coat which had been in a type of show clip was totally matted except for his topknot which had been cut off. He was extremely nervous of strangers and bayed at my husband whilst hitting reverse at high speed. At this point my husband went to wait in the car muttering. I could not get near enough to touch the dog but asked for a tasty titbit and sat on the floor ignoring the dog. The owners gave me a copy of his pedigree. I was astonished to see how well bred he was and so sad that this magnificent dog was so neglected and scared. After a few minutes he crept up to me and tentatively took the food. After a few more minutes he allowed me to stroke him and eventually cuddled up to me. I gave them £80 and took him out to the car. My husband thought I was crazy! I knew that with a little time and love he would come round.
When we got him home it was obvious that he had never had dogs food. Takeaways – yes. Pizza seemed to be his favourite!
After giving him a few days to settle in we renamed him Striker which was part of his pedigree name. A new life and a new home . I clipped all his coat off. We took him to a car boot sale with us shortly after we got him and met a man who said “is that Nugget?” I replied yes that was his name. He told me that I should cut ½ inch off his toe nails. I replied that this would be so painful and make them bleed to which he replied “ oh it doesn’t matter - put some styptic in and it will stop the bleeding”
The poor dog. Over the next few weeks we found out that he had only ever been groomed when put in kennels when the girl spent days dematting him. He had got very hairy ear canals and infection . The owners had apparently waited till he went to sleep and then sat on him and tried to pull the hair out. How this poor dog had such a good temperament I will never know. He never growled even. I made an appointment with the vet to sedate him so that I could cut his nails and clean his ears without any further trauma to him.
Shortly after getting Striker, maybe two or three weeks later we got a phone call asking us if we would like another!. A bitch this time who belonged to a groomer who had just lost her husband and had to reduce the 14 dogs to more manageable numbers. She was called Patti ( after a Patriot missile). She was an absolute sweetie with no problems whatsoever.
We had a grooming school and regularly held open days and demonstrations all over the country. Striker and Patti went everwhere with us. Staying in hotels and generally showing off their beauty to all. Striker had impeccable manners and a talent for obedience training. The first night he went, we started in the beginners class. He did so well he stayed for the intermediate and ended up in the advanced doing distance control! I was amazed and the brains this dog had. He ended up in the e dog club demo team jumping through hoops of fire. A magnificent sight. A big Apricot Poodle in full coat jumping through fire.
He had health problems throughout his life. He had to have resection of both ears which resulted in him going deaf, he always had some breathing problems as he got older because he had been brought up in a house were both people smoked and he had no way of getting away from it resulting in emphasyma, he eventually went blind, off his legs and would not eat. He was only 12 years old. He was put to sleep peacefully with me by his side. I will never forget my beautiful brave boy.