Donations

So this time last year you may remember me saying I had been down to a county show in Cheshire, obviously this year I couldn't go along as I was petsitting up here in Scotland however obviously Kathy went along and over £400 was raised for the rescue over the three days. Obviously we are very grateful.

Now heres a surprise donation. The other day when on the phone to my dad he told me a letter had come through the post with £10 in it, written from a kind lady who had said it is for the rescue and if she had more she would give it. Now the only person I can think this could be is a lady up my street who I may have mentioned before. One day as I was cleaning my car, Roo, Blanche and Tinks yapping from inside the house and Sally stood outside with me a couple walked past with there collie (I think). They stopped to talk and ask about what I did so obviously I told them. A few weeks ago while walking the dogs I saw the lady from her house, and she shouted down asking how I was and how the dogs were and asked what rescue do I foster for. Just these 2 occasions and I believe this lady has posted this very kind donation through my post. I can't explain how happy it made me, yes its not the hugest amount of money but if everyone did that random act of kindness it would be brilliant and would go straight into paying the vet bills for these dogs. Now if anyone wants to make a one off donation you can on here http://www.westyorkshiredogrescue.co.uk/donate.htm. If the lady whos donated me that money sees this please donate via that next time as thats just the way I'll put your money through :) 

Now out of the asking for donations stage, the other day I remet Mabel. http://lucythedogfosterer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/sweet-old-mabel.html as Mabel was with us only a couple of days I didn't post much about her but that was my first post. Mabel weighed in at just 11.7kg and was so skinny and fragile it made me cringe looking at her without her coats on. We all thought Mabel would be in rescue until her days ended and by the looks of it, I didn't feel like she had long but a lovely couple in Scotland, with alot of experience with lurchers and greyhounds, who run a boarding came forward. Within a couple of days her new owner was down and picking her up. The other day I went to see her, and what a chunky girl she is now! Shes gained around 3kg, and although it doesn't seem much, trust me it is! She even has little rolls of fat as she lays down, as opposed to being able to see all of her ribs and spine. It was so lovely seeing her and she greeted me with a smile and plenty of cuddles. The best thing was I got to see her in her new home, living the life of luxury, spoilt to her own living chair and her own space on the sofa next to her new owner. Living in the countryside, with an enclosed run where she can play chase. It really did make me smile and her new owner was so happy to have taken her in and I think we all must say it was fate they all found each other. From huge lurchers to a medium staffie x whippet is a bit of a change but she seems very happy in her new home and so do her owners. I've forgot to fetch my camera wire with me but as soon as I get home I will post on here the pictures of her and me :) 

Currently in rescue:

Roxy - 1 year old loveable labrador cross
Patch - 6 year old collie cross
Barnaby - 2 year old collie x jack russel
Misha - 5 year old staffie
Doris and Dixie - Pair of 10 year old jack russels
Cinders - 10 year old poodle cross

Vikki - 1 year old jack russel x chihuahua 

Bobby - 2 year old yorkie

Biscuit - 9 month old mastiff x

Baxy - 5 year old yorkshire terrier

Tolley - 16 month old border collie

Boo - 2 year old collie

Gilbert - 2 year old patterdale

Benji - 7 year old yorkshire terrier

Max - 5 year old agility jack russel 

Hugo - 2 year old jack russel

Bert - 5 year old labrador x collie

Away

So I know I said I would post more now I'm on holiday but think I may just make it a complete break. As far as I'm aware Oscar is doing fine at home and after buying him a gentlelead he is walking much better on walks and no longer pulls as bad (according to my dad), however he has tried to get it off which has led to him running off on a walk to get to another dog, who he just barked at. Thats all I can say about Oscar for now anyway, as far as I'm aware nobody has registered interest in the poor pup but he will get rehomed eventually. 

Now haven't posted this for the last few posts as haven't had the time but I'll try get back into it now.
Currently in rescue:

Roxy - 1 year old loveable labrador cross
Patch - 6 year old collie cross
Barnaby - 2 year old collie x jack russel
Misha - 5 year old staffie
Doris and Dixie - Pair of 10 year old jack russels
Cinders - 10 year old poodle cross

Vikki - 1 year old jack russel x chihuahua 

Bobby - 2 year old yorkie

Timmy Tucker - elderly miniature poodle

Joey - 10 month old collie x

Biscuit - 9 month old mastiff x

Baxy - 5 year old yorkshire terrier

Tolley - 16 month old border collie

Boo - 2 year old collie

Alfie - 4 year old border terrier

Gilbert - 2 year old patterdale

Benji - 7 year old yorkshire terrier

Max - 5 year old agility jack russel 

Hugo - 2 year old jack russel

Building a Routine

Rescue is never easy and that means neither does being a foster but it is so rewarding! The hardest part of being a foster isn't when they go to their new homes, its the challenging dogs you get in. The fact that every dog you get in is different and you need to learn how to treat each dog. But imagine how much you get to learn, imagine the feeling when a dog comes in a mess and goes out a totally different dog. Take Bunny... everyone remembers Easter Bunny. When Bunny first came into rescue, she hid in my tiny 'hallway' (if it can be called that) and would go nowhere near people. As soon as we let her outside with Tinks, I knew she was going to be a great dog. She jumped for joy and ran like there was no tomorrow but still inside she would not approach humans. After a couple of weeks I could get her to come over to me with a treat in my hand, but still when people came to view her she was very wary. It didn't stop the lovely couple who ended up taking her all the way up to Scotland. Less than 6 months on Bunny is a changed girl, she is their pride and joy and a really mischievous young girl! She has ruined a load of their things but not their lives! The best thing about Bunny is the frequent updates I get from the couples daughter, who is now pregnant. Bunny is so loyal and loving she knows and has been resting her head on her stomach. I will never forget Bunny but her story is truly one of pure joy in rescue.

Anyway I got a bit off track there, I was going to say about Oscar. Oscar is hard work, even by my standards. He is so hyperactive and can go from calm to mouthing/biting in a matter of minutes. Although he does not intend harm and is only trying to play, hes a hyper boy and I don't think he realises it at times! We're still getting round to finding a way to stop this, at the moment its all about ignoring him when these behaviours come into play. We did try lemon juice to stop mouthing the hands but it turns out he loves it! He tries to go near the little juice bottle and then although he pulls a funny face when its in his mouth he comes back for more! We will get there though but he will need continuous training and I can't reiterate that enough. Thankfully the routine we're settling in now is preventing any more food agression problems. In the morning Oscar is crated for his biscuits while I eat my breakfast, then in the afternoon it is similar. Oscar is crated while I make and eat tea and then has his biscuits, while my girls have their food in the other room. So far it is working well and he's had no more problems with our Sal, in fact he just keeps trying to play with her, much to her dismay. Even if she growls at him and tells him no he just ignores her and tries to play. Obviously this boy is very dog friendly, as long as food isn't involved. Although it is bad me listing all his problems, none of these are not solvable in time! I mean when Oscar first came in he wouldn't sit still for a minute, right now he is curled up next to me fast asleep. In a loving home this boy wil be just fine and we will find that for him! 

I think thats all for now, I need to do a full rescue update at some point but I will get round to that next week when I have more time... I am going away on Thursday, dogsitting i Scotland so I will still have internet access to keep you updated on the rescue but I'm leaving Oscar with my dad so can only give small updates on him based on what my dad says

Lucy, Tinks, Sally and Oscar x

Too tired....

... so sorry for the lack of updates and any mistakes made in this post haha. Oscar is doing well and seems to be settling down a lot, although he still nips ankles when he gets excited and does mouth he is calming down slightly when greeting people. I'm really proud of him in all honesty as today he has been left for 7 hours (an unusual occurence) and not only did he not destroy anything, he hasn't had any accidents.

After discussing with Kathy we have decided Oscar will need experienced owners. He is starting to show signs of food agression and is starting to get possessive over the kitchen, especially with our old girl, Sally. I am thinking this may be because he knows she is vulnerable as he is fine with Tinks so he will only be rehomed with another dog similar to him, preferably bigger. Oscar is hard work with his high energy requirements and as I've said before needs a lot of time and patience put in to him. He will make the perfect dog to someone who has the time to give him everything he needs. He can walk for miles but when it comes to bed time he loves to snuggle up for a cuddle under the sheets! Although he can't go to young children as he is too boisterous, he would do well with teenagers who have as much energy as him! 

Lucy, Tinks, Sally and Oscar x

Calming down... just the slightest

So Oscar is actually starting to calm down a little bit and his true colours are clearly shown now so I can give you a proper update. Oscar is a 9 month old border terrier crossbreed and he really is completely mad! Oscar acts like any young puppy and is always on the go. He loves to play with toys and Tinks and absolutely loves people. My friend came over the other night and he was just smothered by big Oscar kisses and nibbles. As I've said before Oscar really does need to learn some manners and needs to learn to not jump on people and playfully nibble them as much as he does but that will take time to set in to place and at the moment it is just teaching him what no and down means. Oscar is such a happy boy he doesn't understand when he is doing wrong, which I guess is a good thing because he obviously hasn't had a bad past. 

Oscar absolutely loves his walks and it is near impossible to really tire him out. He does pull on the lead so wears a harness but this can be trained out of him in time. As he is only a pup there is a lot of work needing to be done with him on the training side but as he's so active I'm hopeful he will be a quick leader. Now I've finally managed to get some photos today, but it was so hard as he does not sit still one bit! He just kept jumping up at my dad, biting his lead or coming to slobber me! 

Lucy, TInks, Sally and Oscar x

Such a Mad Dog

Literally cannot say anything else about this little man. He is totally insane and is non stop on the go. He is over the top about everything, he leaps everywhere, jumps on top of you, smothers you with kisses. He is ace though and is such a loving dog living life to the full. Oscar needs someone with plenty of energy who is around all the time and is willing to give him all he needs and put the effort into training him. Oscar may be 9 months old but he still thinks hes a puppy and will mouth, however we will work with him and hopefully with plenty of excercise he will calm down. Now I'm still absolutely shattered after only getting back yesterday morning and 2 days at work but I will try update later this week

Lucy, Oscar, Tinks and sally x