Very brief

Basically I have too much college work to do at the moment so don't have the time to fully update but Gastby a.k.a Bailey and Gemma have both gone to their new homes today and are now happily together with a lovely family! The family had already viewed them twice and when they had a second viewing the other day I think it was made definite that these two were for them. Bailey loved the 14 year old daughter and I think they will be well and truly spoilt.

So I do need to post more at some point when I have the time about an urgent vet appeal and an update on Amber but for now I MUST WORK!!! haha. 

Lucy, Tinks and Sally xxx

Yay

Sorry for the lack of updates, being kinda hectic here. My mum ended up coming over to stay for a bit with her 3 dogs so being a mental 7 dog household. The dogs have being very well behaved though considering. 

So today Gemma and Gatsby had a viewing. It went really well :) The couple were lovely and the woman really did not want to leave these 2. Even though Gatsby was a bit loud in his hello due to nerves they reacted really well and just slowly let them get him used to them. Gemma was just cute Gemma with her tail wagging full blast.

So the viewing went so well they both have another viewing on Saturday! Where Gatsby and Gemma will meet the couples 14 year old daughter. So lets hope that goes well, then a home check can get underway and hopefully they'll be going to their new home! So come on everyone, cross everything you have per usual for my lovely foster dogs in hope they remove the  title of fosters and instead become adopted by a lovely family.

Lucy, gemma, Gatsby, Tinks and Sal

Photos

 So heres some much promised photos of these two gorgeus doggies. The first lot are Gatsby, the patterdale and the others are Gemma of course, the corgi x jrt 
 
 
 

Fireworks

So its that horrible time of the year again when theres fireworks driving our dogs mad. Tonights been the first night to see Tinks response. Hurray, she is not fussed! At least thats something less to worry about twice a year. Em used to be petrified of fireworks and it was so awful seeing her so scared. Just thought I would copy over some advice from the West Yorkshire Dog Rescue facebook page. 

The weeks leading up to November 5th and continuing through until the New Year can be a traumatic time for some pets. Signs of ‘firework fear’ or the phobia of loud noises can range fr

om mild behavioural changes to severe destructive behaviour.

SIGNS INCLUDE:
• Hiding away (under table, behind sofa...)
• Seeking closer human contact
• Whining or barking
• Destruction of living area

HELPFUL STEPS YOU CAN TAKE AT HOME:
• If you have to go out leave the TV or radio on and close the curtains
• Provide a ‘den’ for dogs (containing favourite blankets and toys) where they can hide (dog crate, under table)
• Obtained from your vet - Use an Adaptil Diffuser in the room that will provide ‘refuge’. The diffuser needs to be plugged in twenty four hours a day and ideally from at least a week before the anticipated event. Adaptil helps your dog feel more calm and able to cope with the fear better. Feliway is a similar product available for cats.
• Don’t drag your pet out from under the table/ behind the sofa as this will increase their fear. Your pet has chosen this place as a safe haven.
• Try not to punish your pet as this will make them more anxious and reinforce their fear behaviour.
• Try not to reassure your pet either! This may prove difficult; however, you are reinforcing their fear by signalling that they are showing the correct response to the situation.

EMERGENCY SHORT TERM HELP FOR YOUR PET
• Medications that your vet may use to help your pet include;
• Valerian & Scullcap tablets – work very well at reducing mild anxiety and are safe to use in combination with other medications.
• Diazepam or Alprazolam – provide both sedative and anti-anxiety effects. It is important that the treatment is given before nightfall and therefore before the ‘bangs’ start. A test dose should be given on a quiet day to assess the effectiveness.
• In very severe cases a stronger medication may be prescribed

REMEMBER!
Long term management should be sought rather than a quick fix. A process called ‘de-sensitisation’ teaches your pet not to react to the fear stimulus and then eventually to associate it with something positive

 Gatsby and Gemmas response to fireworks is to bark along with them. 

 I will post some photos after this post so keep a look out :) 

Random Post

So when I say its a random post it pretty much is. Yesterday I bought a book as a bit of a laugh for me called 'The Dastardly Book for Dogs'. I just thought I'd share a paragraph that seems very true.

There was a time not long ago when dogs were necessities, not accessories. We coralled wayward sheep in the farmland. We brought warming brandy to climbers in the hinderland. We were a valued asset to every fireman, a faithful sentinel for every rag-and-bone man and a slavishly loyal friend to everyman. We roamed freely because we earned our keep, and our agressions and wanderlust were celebrated, not curbed. It was a time we ran on the ground instead of being toted around in frilly pink satchels, a time when we were simply hosed off in the garden instead of ferried to the groomer. It was a time B.D. - Before Domestication, when we could be what we are, dogs.

Dogs should be treat like dogs simple enough to say. So if you want a funny book looking from a dogs perspective it looks like a funny read... and was only a pound :) 

And staying on the subject today my calendars quote is so true:

You ask of my companions. Hills, sir, and the sundown, and a dog. They are better than beings, because they know, but do not tell - Emily Dickinson 

Photo Shoot

So yesterday Studio 18 put on their annual charity day and chose West Yorkshire Dog Rescue as their charity. Being the 'best dogs' in the rescue at the moment Gatsby and Gemma were invited along to get their photos taken by the Examiner. Unfortunately I was working so didn't go along but apparently they were both very well behaved, which to be honest is no surprise. Thanks to the lady as well that made the dogs a tray of Peanut butter dog biscuits! The dogs love them, even though they are restricted to one a day on their diet. 

I really don't understand why these 2 have been in rescue so long, they've both been in around 6 months now and really they're both such lovely dogs. The only bad thing I can say about Gemma is that shes a slobbery monster! Haha, she loves giving kisses first thing in the morning and when you come home and I'm sure she tries to nibble your ears. She's such a cute girl though. And Gatsby well hes just a total stunner, I love him to bits. He's just a chunky boy. Can I just say he is full patterdale, his stocky body does make him look a bit like a staffie but that is just because he's fat. Not that I've got anything against staffies, I absolutely love them since being in rescue and especially after meeting the gorgeus Domino last week. 

The other day we went for a nice long walk in the field. Gemma was great off lead and loved playing fetch, even though I did have to tug the ball off her. She was so well behaved chasing after the ball with Tinks. Gatsby does not have the best recall and because I was on my own I didn't let him off the lead this time, it's hard enough keeping an eye on Tinks nevermind worrying about him. He didn't seem to mind anyway and just walked next to me through the fields. Unfortunately I didn't get to take any photos. Again because I was on my own and keeping an eye on 4 dogs is a challenge as it is. 

So Gatsby and Gemma are two gorgeus chubby dogs, it has now been decided they can be rehomed separately as long as they have another dog for company. I will try add some pictures at some point this week. 

Lucy, Tinks, Sally, Gatsby and Gemma x

Good news....

... No Gemma and Gatsby have not found a home lol. Although that would be fantastic unfortunately that's not the good news. 

Ambers new owner text me last night, I've been thinking about her a lot since she left, worrying about whether she's settling in and how they're coping with her but theres been no need what so ever. Amber sounds like she's enjoying her new life well and truly and I can tell she's getting spoilt! She is meeting new people, new dogs and loves her new best friend, the young boy she has been rehomed with her. She gets walked 3 times a day and apparently greets him like he's been gone forever when he comes back after school. I am so happy for Amber and the family who rehomed her and I am so happy they accepted her into their family straight away and ignored her quirky barking behaviour when she meets new people.The best thing is I know with this family she will get everything she needs and more and I think it won't take too long for her to get used to people and calm down with new people.

So thats one piece of good news but theres another! My dads cousin started fostering a couple of months ago after an emergency dog came up, Penny the JRT. After doing that they fostered Heather for a short while and recently they have fostered a staffie, which is yet to be put on the website named Domino. I have met him and he is such a stunning boy so I couldn't blame them when they said they wanted to adopt him! Which is great news, even better they will continue to foster in the new year. This is why it is important to share posts on fb! So family can find out and  have their hearts melted by these dogs! Oh and another good thing about Domino he absolutely loves their niece (8) and nephew (2) and they love him to bits right back. I'm so happy for the family. 

Now one more... but keep hushed for now Blitz the staffie has got his new home after spending so long in rescue. So lets hope his time with his new family goes well and he will become a permanent addition along with his doggy friend Tallulah.

So thats all for now, 

Lucy, Gemma, Gatsby, Tinks and Sally xx