Celebrating rescue animals and advice for their owners.

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
I'm a huge supporter of rehoming and rescuing unwanted and homeless dogs so thought a new thread would be nice where we can celebrate them! Noticed a few forumites have rescued or who have family that's have rescued dogs recently, @littleme @gilesjuk which is just fantastic, so this is the place to chat about them, the dogs! Also might be helpful if we could support each other and offer advice as few of them are undamaged by the terrible experiences they've had along the way :(

So I'll start! I have 2 rescue dogs. One came from Spain 8 years ago having been found as a puppy in a bin. Thankfully he'd had no trauma and arrived age 5 months a total blank canvas. He's a Spanish Greyhound (galgo) x Belgian shepherd (Malinois) and has the most wonderful nature, literally bombproof with all humans of any age. He does however have an extremely high prey drive which has proven difficult but I think we've finally conquered his wayward recall and he's now an all round wonderful boy as long as you aren't a squirrel or cat he is unfamiliar with!

IMG_20210519_111806.jpg


As our boy is getting older and the number of unwanted dogs has risen over lockdown, 2 months ago we rescued a little waif from Romania. Although she came at 5 months old it's clear she has had some terrible experiences and she is very timid of life and all things outside the house really. As far as we know her litter of 12 were caught by the dog catcher (I can't help but think of chitty chitty bang bangs child catcher), put in the kill shelter and the 10 pups that survived were saved from death at the last minute. Eventually a link with a UK rescue was established and some of the pups found their way to the UK. She is totally adorable but really has needed the hard yards in terms of socialisation. We've conquered a huge fear of people walking towards her or behind her on the pavement, traffic is still scary, bikes conquered, buggies, kids on scooters sorted, but it has been a massive amount of hours. 2 weekends in London have helped as it's so busy. Still to conquer is not barking irrationally at visitor's! She does settle eventually and dog savvy visitors do get to stroke her, but strangers in general are seen as something to be avoided. Any advice on this welcomed! Think she'll always be a velcro dog but dog training in a group has helped expand her circle of people she dems safe! Having said all of that, she's a proper little minx who fortunately my old boy loves!

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IMG_20211102_104730.jpg


So that's my little gang.

If anyone is thinking of rescuing a pupsters, I can recommend

Penkridge Dog Walking, home boarding and rescue - they have a FB page but it mightn't link correctly here? https://www.facebook.com/penkridgedogwalker

There is also a FB group that has gorgeous pups in Romania looking for homes, usually via Soul mutts rescue

Animals in Need Staffordshire

Pads dog training have been a great help with her timidity and general socialisation

I'm looking forward to hearing about your rescue pupsters! And if anyone has any advice of desensitising to visitors I'm all ears :)

Edit - another useful link here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/196149827625014 - Animals in Need, Staffordshire.

Edit - thread title changed from "dogs" to "animals".
 
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staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
Awww , absolutely fantastic photos :love:

No longer have our 3 legged rescue little girl , but next dog ( still working on hubby..) will definitely be another rescue.

We soon got her over her fear of brollies, torches etc ( must have been belted with them in her past) , and she loved everyone .But even after 18 years with us she didn't like a certain type of looking men wearing wax jackets and hat. That bad memory of hers stayed with her all her life.


Looking forwards to reading of everyone else's rescues , and seeing all the photos! :)
 

gilesjuk

Well-Known Forumite
I've had my greyhound Alvin since 7th October. Rescued by Greyhound Rescue South Yorkshire and then passed onto HYPS where I adopted him from. On the 11th December I'm going to see another greyhound, a female one who is very confident and should help me with the issues I've been having with Alvin. I went on a greyhound walk today in Tamworth and even though he heard some bangs go off he carried on as normal, so he is better with company.

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staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
I've had my greyhound Alvin since 7th October. Rescued by Greyhound Rescue South Yorkshire and then passed onto HYPS where I adopted him from. On the 11th December I'm going to see another greyhound, a female one who is very confident and should help me with the issues I've been having with Alvin. I went on a greyhound walk today in Tamworth and even though he heard some bangs go off he carried on as normal, so he is better with company.

View attachment 11705
:love:Glad he is making progress and enjoyed his walk with others today.
Sounds like he will enjoy the company of a sister...good luck on the 11th. Hope they get on well.
 

gilesjuk

Well-Known Forumite
:love:Glad he is making progress and enjoyed his walk with others today.
Sounds like he will enjoy the company of a sister...good luck on the 11th. Hope they get on well.

Thanks. I'm doing the phone call today at 6pm, part of the questionnaire about adopting. Already sent off video of home for the home check. Since it's a different rescue centre they have to do their own check.
 

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
Thanks. I'm doing the phone call today at 6pm, part of the questionnaire about adopting. Already sent off video of home for the home check. Since it's a different rescue centre they have to do their own check.

So happy you're rescuing another one, and just in time for Christmas! Having just successfully integrated another rescue to my long established dog I can't believe how much my old boy is enjoying the company!

My last dog was a fawn greyhound bitch who lived to a good old age. Lovely undemanding dog she was but got very stiff joints in middle age - around 7 - despite having never raced. Had to seriously limit her free running after that.
 

gilesjuk

Well-Known Forumite
So happy you're rescuing another one, and just in time for Christmas! Having just successfully integrated another rescue to my long established dog I can't believe how much my old boy is enjoying the company!

My last dog was a fawn greyhound bitch who lived to a good old age. Lovely undemanding dog she was but got very stiff joints in middle age - around 7 - despite having never raced. Had to seriously limit her free running after that.

Yeah. When I had both my lurchers it made for a more exciting household. Was kinda dull once I lost one of them. At least with two if one of them sulks upstairs you've still got some company, unless they both go and sulk :)

That sounds unfortunate, I don't think the arthritis meds are particularly nice either. My lurcher was on them for 2 years and it put him off his food at times.
 
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littleme

250,000th poster!
I'm a huge supporter of rehoming and rescuing unwanted and homeless dogs so thought a new thread would be nice where we can celebrate them! Noticed a few forumites have rescued or who have family that's have rescued dogs recently, @littleme @gilesjuk which is just fantastic, so this is the place to chat about them, the dogs! Also might be helpful if we could support each other and offer advice as few of them are undamaged by the terrible experiences they've had along the way :(

So I'll start! I have 2 rescue dogs. One came from Spain 8 years ago having been found as a puppy in a bin. Thankfully he'd had no trauma and arrived age 5 months a total blank canvas. He's a Spanish Greyhound (galgo) x Belgian shepherd (Malinois) and has the most wonderful nature, literally bombproof with all humans of any age. He does however have an extremely high prey drive which has proven difficult but I think we've finally conquered his wayward recall and he's now an all round wonderful boy as long as you aren't a squirrel or cat he is unfamiliar with!

View attachment 11702

As our boy is getting older and the number of unwanted dogs has risen over lockdown, 2 months ago we rescued a little waif from Romania. Although she came at 5 months old it's clear she has had some terrible experiences and she is very timid of life and all things outside the house really. As far as we know her litter of 12 were caught by the dog catcher (I can't help but think of chitty chitty bang bangs child catcher), put in the kill shelter and the 10 pups that survived were saved from death at the last minute. Eventually a link with a UK rescue was established and some of the pups found their way to the UK. She is totally adorable but really has needed the hard yards in terms of socialisation. We've conquered a huge fear of people walking towards her or behind her on the pavement, traffic is still scary, bikes conquered, buggies, kids on scooters sorted, but it has been a massive amount of hours. 2 weekends in London have helped as it's so busy. Still to conquer is not barking irrationally at visitor's! She does settle eventually and dog savvy visitors do get to stroke her, but strangers in general are seen as something to be avoided. Any advice on this welcomed! Think she'll always be a velcro dog but dog training in a group has helped expand her circle of people she dems safe! Having said all of that, she's a proper little minx who fortunately my old boy loves!

View attachment 11703View attachment 11704

So that's my little gang.

If anyone is thinking of rescuing a pupsters, I can recommend

Penkridge Dog Walking, home boarding and rescue - they have a FB page but it mightn't link correctly here? https://www.facebook.com/penkridgedogwalker

Pads dog training have been a great help with her timidity and general socialisation

I'm looking forward to hearing about your rescue pupsters! And if anyone has any advice of desensitising to visitors I'm all ears :)
They're both beautiful....


Tomorrow* i'll tell you about Cici and Annie, both Romanian rescues, and both very different to each other....


*9hr shift, full of food and gin & need to sleep 😴😴😴😴, me, not the dogs!
 

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
Thanks. I'm doing the phone call today at 6pm, part of the questionnaire about adopting. Already sent off video of home for the home check. Since it's a different rescue centre they have to do their own check.
How did it go?
 

PeterD

ST16 Represent.
My profile picture is Minnie, a former breeder that was discarded when she was no longer financially lucrative. By how she acted she had no dogs life. That said she now has a dog's life.
Before her I had George, another rescue, who had apparently took many beatings.
Our next dog, when Minnie leaves us (she is a one dog in the house kind of girl) will be without question, another rescue. We have always had rescues and that will never change.
 

gilesjuk

Well-Known Forumite
How did it go?

All good, was chatting to the volunteer on the phone for over an hour. It's all down to what happens on Saturday now, I imagine it will be fine as Alvin has met many greyhounds now. He is getting a little better with sounds, walked over the chase earlier across the road from Marquis drive and he heard some sounds but carried on walking after I fussed him. But he made it perfectly clear the route he wanted to take :)

The greyhounds and sighthounds always get peoples attention on walks. Met some friendly people earlier who seemed to be under the impression they would probably see me over there again sometime :)

This is Jasmine, who I'm looking to adopt.
IMG-20211204-WA0003.jpg
 
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kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
All good, was chatting to the volunteer on the phone for over an hour. It's all down to what happens on Saturday now, I imagine it will be fine as Alvin has met many greyhounds now. He is getting a little better with sounds, walked over the chase earlier across the road from Marquis drive and he heard some sounds but carried on walking after I fussed him. But he made it perfectly clear the route he wanted to take :)

The greyhounds and sighthounds always get peoples attention on walks. Met some friendly people earlier who seemed to be under the impression they would probably see me over there again sometime :)

This is Jasmine, who I'm looking to adopt. View attachment 11710
I'm so happy you are helping a black dog. For some unknown reason black dogs and cats spend significantly longer trying to find a home. :(

https://dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/2017/10/02/black-greyhounds-loneliest/
 

littleme

250,000th poster!
Cici & Anni were adopted in febuary & August 2021 respectively from Every Life matters Romanian Rescue in Penkridge.

Cici was a 4/5 month old puppy rescued from the streets of Romania and transported to the UK for adoption, she's adapted very well, house trained, social, loves walks and playing and people, her only downfall is, vomiting on car journeys & digging holes.... In everything...... She seems to think (still) that she needs to dig a hole outside in the ground to sleep in, nothing is safe, despite having the choice of a warm cosy bed she likes to dig a hole on the garden to curl up in.

Annie is a different matter altogether, despite them looking like twins. She's around 4 years old and has has at least 2 litters of puppies. She was found in a graveyard in Romania with her puppies, they were all brought over to the UK and rehomed here. Annie has struggled to learn basic commands, she's an excellent escape artist..... She escaped the dog groomers on Marston Rd and ran all the way to Hopton before being caught. She seems depressed, although she enjoys a walk she doesn't play, she will go into another room and curl in a corner if someone new enters the house, she doesn't want to play with Cici - who wants to play ALL THE TIME! She takes no notice of other dogs at all, and very rarely wags her tail. We think she must miss her puppies terribly, she's depressed and eats to comfort herself (she's a lot fatter now than in that picture) and she can be very difficult to live with. It's hard to know what to do with a beautiful dog that's not interested in anything.

Any help/suggestions welcome.

IMG_20211205_183803.jpg
 

gilesjuk

Well-Known Forumite
I'm so happy you are helping a black dog. For some unknown reason black dogs and cats spend significantly longer trying to find a home. :(

https://dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/2017/10/02/black-greyhounds-loneliest/

Yeah. I had two black lurchers before, but they weren't rescues, although technically they were rehomed with me after my mother became to ill to care for them.

I did sorta pick Alvin because he was different colour to what I'd had before. Had a black and brindle staffie as a kid, then the lurchers. But then I heard about the black beauties being harder to rehome.

But lurchers and greyhounds generally are the hardest to rehome.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
I'm so happy you are helping a black dog. For some unknown reason black dogs and cats spend significantly longer trying to find a home. :(

https://dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/2017/10/02/black-greyhounds-loneliest/
This is the very reason that we only have Black cats (3) they are seen as unlucky and hardly ever adopted.
I was genuinely unaware of this situation until 'someone we know' posted about it on Facebook a few years back.

I can sort of see a 'reason' for the issue with cats - superstition, witchcraft, etc - but why should that affect dogs? - it's beyond me...
 

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
This is the very reason that we only have Black cats (3) they are seen as unlucky and hardly ever adopted.
Ditto although mine are black and white. I just asked the rescue for 2 kittens that were getting overlooked. Ended up with these beauties, the most lovely natured little guys and they're homers so we actually see a lot of them! My tabbies were always out and then all 3 got run over on that bloody Eccleshall Rd :(

IMG_20210207_131508.jpg
 
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littleme

250,000th poster!
I was genuinely unaware of this situation until 'someone we know' posted about it on Facebook a few years back.

I can sort of see a 'reason' for the issue with cats - superstition, witchcraft, etc - but why should that affect dogs? - it's beyond me...
People think the same about black dogs.... Have you never heard about the 'Black dog of depression'? (It often follows me around) . Humans stereotype black animals because of this. However black animals are the best ever!




Superstition and mental health are powerful things.
 

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
Cici & Anni were adopted in febuary & August 2021 respectively from Every Life matters Romanian Rescue in Penkridge.

Cici was a 4/5 month old puppy rescued from the streets of Romania and transported to the UK for adoption, she's adapted very well, house trained, social, loves walks and playing and people, her only downfall is, vomiting on car journeys & digging holes.... In everything...... She seems to think (still) that she needs to dig a hole outside in the ground to sleep in, nothing is safe, despite having the choice of a warm cosy bed she likes to dig a hole on the garden to curl up in.

Annie is a different matter altogether, despite them looking like twins. She's around 4 years old and has has at least 2 litters of puppies. She was found in a graveyard in Romania with her puppies, they were all brought over to the UK and rehomed here. Annie has struggled to learn basic commands, she's an excellent escape artist..... She escaped the dog groomers on Marston Rd and ran all the way to Hopton before being caught. She seems depressed, although she enjoys a walk she doesn't play, she will go into another room and curl in a corner if someone new enters the house, she doesn't want to play with Cici - who wants to play ALL THE TIME! She takes no notice of other dogs at all, and very rarely wags her tail. We think she must miss her puppies terribly, she's depressed and eats to comfort herself (she's a lot fatter now than in that picture) and she can be very difficult to live with. It's hard to know what to do with a beautiful dog that's not interested in anything.

Any help/suggestions welcome.

View attachment 11711
They're gorgeous.

Am I reading it the right way round, that Annie has only arrived in August? If so this is a really short amount of time to adapt to her new life relatively speaking. If she spent about 4 years on the streets in Romania it's going to take a long time to get destress and adapt to English life! I think it takes years and then one day you realise how far they've come. Ex racing greyhounds often don't understand playing, I mean why would they, no one has ever played with them. I guess if you are struggling to survive in Romania that playing is the last thing that occurs to the dogs. Give her time!

Argh, the digging! This is something my youngster does, drives me mad especially now the garden is so muddy. She gets her muddy feet everywhere, up the doors, walls, all over!
 
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