Founded 1973
MORE RESCUE 'HAPPY ENDINGS'
We all love happy endings and just thought we'd like to share a few with you below!
SAFFY
Sapphire (Saffy) has come so so far from the being the timid terrified little girl we first met and is 100% part of the family. She has without any doubt made the house a home. After her terrible start in life she found her first moments of happiness with her foster Mum, Jackie. Jackie was brilliant and so patient with all her problems from the eating issues caused by her cleft pallet and hare lip to the fear of everything from people to pigeons!! She came to me after a very nervous first meeting where her shaking could have been measured on the Richter scale!! Its taken time, but we are at a point where she now loves her walks, enjoys the vast amount of attention she receives everywhere we go, and takes great delight in chasing the cat until the cat chases her (Saffy is yet to understand that not all animals want to play puppies!!)
She runs around and chases her tail, and has a huge collection of cuddly toys in various states from new to just a leg as the rest is now missing!! She also has a tendency to steal underwear, bras being the favourite, which she enjoys displaying mainly when we have visitors!! All in all she is now a happy healthy and very much loved little girl. She has had her first professional photo shoot of which I have attached a picture. Thanks again to everyone for bringing Sapphire into our family.
NELSON
For a large dog I haven't come across such a scaredy-cat; frightened of the dark outside & also the wind. Although he seems 'alright' with fireworks, as in he doesn't bark & go loopy like Buster use to. He's had his booster jab, but his skin flared up. It seems to start again once we decrease the tablet to one a day, 11/2 a day keeps it reasonably under control. For the last 2 weeks he has been having evening primrose as well, hopefully when they build up in his system we can do without the tablets..
David has made a ring that fits around the seat column of my electric buggy & I clip his lead to it so Nelson can move either side of me, so he is always on the verge side. He dosn't like going to the toilet while on the lead, not even to cent. Although, if he finds any hedgehog or fox droppings then we can't resist in having a good long roll in it! He now barks when someone puts things the letterbox, & 'sings' when the car is moving, but other than that there's no hint of the staffy talk as yet. It seems that has had some formal training as sits, lies & return on command. Really helped as that didn't take long to get use to walking to heel along side the buggy.
(Nelson came to us after his previous owner suffered a bad accident and was unable to take care of him).
BRODIE
Just wanted to let you know that everything is still going well. I am afraid we made a conscious decision to let Brodie sleep on the bed! I appreciate this is not every bodies choice but she really behaves her self and curls up at the foot of the bed and comes up to the top when the alarm goes off for a cuddle! She seems to be house trained as we haven't had any accidents inside. We have taken her out for loads of walks, she can get a bit verbal and agitated when she sees other dogs but is still ok to handle. I am practising different tactics to see which suits us best. We are booked in to see the vet tomorrow, to register and have a check up and we have solved the riddle as to whether she is spayed or not as she came into season yesterday. Ricky is besotted with her and I quite like her too!!
MEG (WAS PEGGY)
Meg is fine - we have our grandson staying this week so she is loving all the attention and playing in the garden. We went to Hunstanton today. Meg had a lovely time on the beach and was running to get to the sea!! She nearly pulled me in head first!! She would have gone for a swim if my wellie boots could have gone that deep!! It was really really windy and we were getting blown along but she seemed to enjoy it! We had a picnic and now she is sleeping it off on the settee. She is eating very well - is totally on the Burns now and has lost that weight - she is getting nice and muscular now- I cannot believe how fit she is for her age. The Burns = less coming out the other end too which is a bonus! She has a good long walk every day and plays for about 40 mins in the garden with the ball so gets lots of exercise. I hope you are fine and finding good homes for your rescue dogs - when we look on the website we want to take them all - one day we shall have a retirement home for all the oldies!! and the donkeys etc!!
Take care - Meg sends a big hug and lick to you. Karina, Graham and Meggie xxxxxx
MATTIE
Matty and us are getting along just fine, we are all getting into our new routines and everything is working out ok. Matty hasn't lost much weight yet but he should do soon as he is always on the go during the day. By the way he snores louder than my hubby!!!
We have still to take him out on the boat but time is against us this year as I have got to have a small operation on my hip the end of this month. We will probably take him there for the day just to get him on board and sort out where he will sleep. I am going to ask for some earplugs for Christmas because his snores will certainly reverberate round a steel narrowboat.
FREDDIE
I had a quick look on your website the other day to see what other staffs were looking for new homes and it made me happy to think that we were able to give a home to Freddie, even happier to think how much he has changed from when we first got him. He is like a child when he plays with his toys, and now has no problem destroying them! He loves his walks and if he gets woken up early in the morning, then we have a very grumpy staffy on our hands! he just ignores us. Still a bit scared of things, especially big dogs!!!, He also has a bit of a problem with cats, he likes them and will run away from them rather than go near them.
We love him to bits and are so happy that we got him, and i he loves us too, as he can not bear to be parted from us, when we come in he jumps up in the air, with his big paws and the tail and bum do not stop wagging.
INDIE
She has settles is so very very well, we feel like we have owned her for years and know her so well. She is a lovely dog and we would be lost without her. She is good company and keeps us fit with all the walks. It's as if she speaks to us, she tells us when she wants to go out, play and even goes to bed when she is ready. She lies by the side of Tony on her special blanket but does try to get on the bed, we sometimes let her too, she is very hard to refuse. (Softies that we are).
Indie has given us so much pleasure, we only hope that we are making her as happy, and if instinct is anything to go by then I would say that we are. She is really good during the day when we are at work, we let her on our bed when we are out cos she thinks we don't know about it. We even leave the TV on for her. We think she has lost weight too and the vets will be weighing her next week so we will know. But she seems slimmer and more active. She is so knowing and understands all that you say to her. She has a special toy that our son bought for her its a Kong Toy, they are great !
(Indie came onto rescue after her owner had died)
BUSTER
Buster is just great, seems to know when to bark when he hears the door when we are closed but not when we are open, loves all the long walks and goes without a lead now too ! had his nuts off a few weeks ago and he never bothered, didn't even need to wear the lampshade thing. In all, he's really good, fitted in real well and gets loads of attention off every one who comes in the pub, (he's a right tart). still don't like beer & crisps tho & people think he's strange cos of that but it saves me a fortune I guess. He's still lively and into everything (never known such a nosey dog) he loves water now too!
(Buster was just unwanted but has now found a forever home that loves him)
TASHA
Tasha is just fine. At the moment we are teaching her to play with a ball, she hasn't quite got the hang of it yet but is getting better by the day. She is a little gem, we love her lots. Having a new floor laid at the weekend white hairs on a black carpet just don't go! Tasha is settling in really well. She's met her new vet and had her injections, and she was such a good girl. The vet thinks she is beautiful and that she will be a brilliant pet, mind you so do we. We will be having her spayed in three months as she came into season at the weekend. We took her away for the weekend to Poole. She had great fun on the beach and she also met some ponies in the New Forest. She has made a new friend called Poppy, who we usually see when we go out for a walk. She has also learnt to go out in the garden when she needs to answer the call of nature. She's definitely a quick learner. She also walks really well on the lead no more pulling.
LESLEY
We are all fab. I'm finally back at work having been off work sick for 9 weeks - blame the baby! Lesley is doing WONDERFULLY! She now has a lovely routine where the alarm goes off in the morning. I get up to let her through the gate at the top of the stairs and she snuggles down under the duvet with us for 10 minutes before getting up and going W's. She even has her moments when she runs up to Stevie and prior to sticking her nose up his bottom gives him a sniff and wags her tail. She isn't quite as sure about him helping himself to her food.......so she just lies down outside the kitchen and waits for him to finish before clearing off the rest of the food bowl to avoid that happening again. She is very protective of me now and I think she sense's that I am pregnant. Our little household is going to be very noisy when the baby comes, with the baby screaming and Lesley's talking and snoring, but she is very good and quietens down when told to.
I don't think Simon or I could imagine life without Lesley. We still regularly look on the SBT rescue at the dogs that are needing homes and we pray for the lottery to come our way so we can take them all off your hands and buy them a field each to run about it. I just hope that all the other owners have been as lucky with their dogs as we are with Lesley. Lots of love to you and all the dogs. Lizz, Simon, Pip (20weeks), Stevie, Lesley and Reg
GYPSY
Gypsy
is doing brilliantly, and we're getting to know her personality now. The two dogs are
getting on really well now and it's lovely to watch them playing in the garden together!
Louis is 10 going on 6 again. She has made him feel so much younger I think!!! He seemed
to be the boss at the start but I think she has the upper hand now, and he's happy to
follow her everywhere!!
(Gypsy's previous family loved her very much but was unable to care for her)
POLLY
When we first got Kez (was Polly) she was a little frightened and overwhelmed because of all the people that we had come to see her, but she sat very calmly taking titbits from the children and being patted it must of been very strange for her but she settled very quickly and after the first night she was running in and out of the garden with the girls and she was very happy, we have a large family and Polly loves all the children. We would like to thank Wendy for giving us the chance to own a dog again and for bringing her all the way to us.
What can I say about Kez (Polly) she loves going in and out of the swimming pool , going for walks, having a bath and she loves having her belly rubbed and she also loves going on the trampoline too!!
We are very very happy with her and we think she has settled in really well.
MUGSY
We
took Mugsy to Suffolk again yesterday, he had a wonderful day. He just keeps on
running and running, he is so very fit. He is very well behaved and comes back
when called. He is a very lovely boy and we feel so lucky to have him. He loves
people and makes a fuss of everyone. We can't imagine life without him now,
he has made our home complete again. We introduced him to our daughter's cats he
isn't very keen on them, but he isn't too bad with other dogs. I will keep in
touch, the magazine we received was very interesting saw your photo in
there. Bye for now Janet
OLLIE (WAS CHALKIE)
Well, we've now had a full week with "Ollie" (Chalkie, as was) and he has settled in really well. It's almost as though he has always been here! He has been to the vets a couple of times now - to be vaccinated, chipped and get some treatment for his kennel cough, but despite all of this he is doing really well. He is such a lovely boy, we feel really lucky to have found him. He is an absolute star and we wouldn't be without him now. He has got a little way to go until he completely fit and well, but we have bathed him today and he's certainly beginning to look much healthier. I am sending you some pictures of him that show he has already gained some weight. Thanks so much for the wonderful work that you do, and please add Ollie to your list of wonderful success stories! Regards, Steve & Debbie
ASHLEY (WAS
DYSON)
Just to let you know that I have now settled into my new home and I am getting on real good. I have just sent you the latest photo of myself. I am getting plenty of love and walks from my new parents and I am a lot happier now I have settled in. I have had my injections now and having a bath tomorrow as my parents have got me some nice doggie shampoo. thanks again for looking after me when I needed someone. thanks again Ashley AKA Dyson
KASEY
Kasey is fine. She has settled in really well. She loves her walks & the exercise has toned up her muscles. Everyone spoils her rotten which means that Kasey gets plenty of the one thing she craves, loads of fuss. We wouldn't be without her now. Regards, Nick & Kim
LOKI
Loki and Mango are best buddies now. They sleep curled up together , run around on field and beach together and play a lot during the day also run around garden when its not wet! Vet has re-weighed Loki and he has gained over 1/2 kilo in weight already. Ribs are now covered and paws and tail fully healed up. His ears are clean now and fur is growing back. He has a nice shiny black coat and everyone that has met him has fallen in love with him, he is a very affectionate chappie and loves his cuddles which he gets every night on the settee (if Mango doesn't get there first!).
RUBY
An update on Ruby - We collected
her in December 2007 and she has quickly settled into her new home.
We have perhaps spoilt her a bit, but she loves attention and gives a lot of
affection in return. - Mrs Elaine Evans
MAISIE
Just a quick update on Maisie and an excuse to send through this really cute piccy of Maisie on a rare day when it wasn't raining! Maisie went for her vaccination yesterday and was a really brave girl. She now weighs 16.7k (when we first got Maisie she was 19k) and the vet was really pleased although we still have a little way to go! Maisie has about 2 hrs walking a day and never tires of her morning walk round the roman ruins of Silchester - this may be due to an abundance of rabbits she is desperate to chase
She has also been to her first horse show and has helped me walk a couple of courses and been an absolute angel round the horses. Simon and I often walk with Maisie and I ride Oscar my pony down to the local ford which Oscar loves to paddle in whilst Simon throws sticks into the water for Maisie to jump in and get them! Oscar just watches Maisie plunge into the water!
Latest update from Maisie's new home (December 2007) ................. Maisie is doing really well and Simon and I can't believe how lucky we are to have our little friend. Maisie never gets tired of cuddles and we are looking forward to our first Christmas together - we are off to Pets at Home this weekend to buy her Christmas stocking. Maisie has proved herself incredibly safe around my ponies and we all enjoyed many lovely walks when the weather was warmer - just looking forward to spring/summer!
BONNY
onny is great. It took a few months for her really to settle as she was always a little wary and apprehensive and then one day she suddenly relaxed as if she suddenly realised that her fears were unfounded. She now rolls over in her basket to have her tummy rubbed and is very affectionate. She is still mad about chasing her ball and is totally focused on retrieving it as a result of which people stop me in the park to tell me what a wonderfully fit dog I have. If only my figure was like hers! Thank you for letting me have her. Best wishes Benita.
BUSTER
We've had Buster a year now and he
is still thriving - he seems to becoming more obedient by the day and gaining
more confidence, although remains a 'mummy's boy'!
We have just renewed our subscription to the EASBTC newsletter which we love
reading. Sadly my parents staffie "Katie" had to be put to
sleep two weeks ago at the age of 10; I had collected her from kennels where she
had been staying with Pepper for 3 weeks while my parents were abroad and she
had lost 25% of her body weight and was not eating. Mum took her to the
vets the next day where they stabilised her on a drip and operated the following
day to find the obstruction; they found multiple tumours in her stomach, bowel
and pancreas, so she was put to sleep peacefully. We brought her home and
laid her on her beanbag while we said our goodbyes to the 'duchess of the
house', we are just grateful that she hung on until the family were back from
holiday. Is it possible to place an obituary in the next newsletter for
her please?
Buster has now become Peppers best friend - much to his displeasure I think,
judging by his face when she showers him in kisses!
If you are interested in giving a Stafford another chance in a loving and permanent home please contact Jo
FOSTERING
If you are able to help foster a dog for us short term from time to time or are looking to re-home a rescue Stafford, then please contact us.
DONATIONS
The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this
selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or
treacherous, is his dog…he will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick
the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world…when all
other friends desert, he remains
GEORGE C VEST