Such a Well Behaved Dog

So yesterday we all went to Dogs Unleashed in Cheshire, the weather held off and we had a fantastic day. Mr Binx made his presence well known from the word go and as a responsible owner for most of the day he was muzzled. Before anyone starts thinking what a horrible person, consider this... what would happen if Binx attacked a dog who dived over to him (as puppies do). He didn't like it and he did have a go when the dog did it so having the muzzle just stopped him snapping at the dog. I have no issue with muzzles when the dog can breathe, eat and drink okay as Binx could, if anything with a nervy dog like Binx its a show of responsibility, I even had a fellow cairn owner come over and tell me how she wanted one for hers. Most of the time Binx would happily approach other dogs but as soon as one barked he did go crazy and bark back and as much as I love him gosh hes annoying! It does make me wonder how much longer he would have been with us if we didn't adopt him because he really does need to be with another dog. Anyway away from my naughty Mr Binx and on to Chance! 

Chance is so nervous when he meets new people in the house so I was a bit worried about how he'd get on but there really was no need. Every dog that passed, Chance would go prance over and give them a sniff so politely. He has the nicest manners and never shows any aggression even when he can see Binx barking next to him. A few people got the honours of being approached and sniffed by Chance, its only when they go to touch him where he can be a bit wary. You could see in his eyes and the way he walked though how happy he was to be amongst the crowd. Considering how nervous a dog he is, its quite surprising! Chance did enter a dog show and came 4th in the rescue category, he doesn't have much of a sob story... except for being rescued within an hour of being put to sleep. He wasn't in the worse condition when he came into rescue and other than been a stray we have no history of him. Its not about the history though, any dog who is saved from deaths door is a miracle in my eyes and because he was still in rescue he deserved 1st place in my eyes! I'm not bitter though haha. I am so proud of Chance. I always feel crazy when I say I'm proud of my dogs but to me they are like children and for every single achievement they fulfill I'm proud, even my foster dogs! 

 

I hope that if people know how confident Chance can be in a large area with hundreds of people and dogs, they may realise he will gain confidence and trust in them. I hope that he will get his forever home, its easy enough to look at him and say aw look how sad he looks, aw he needs a home. Don't just say, act! Chance is such a loving dog and is so easy to look after. He needs a few short walks a day and someone around most of the time. Surely there is an active retired person out there to suit his needs? Who is desperate for a friend who will often stand there with his head on your knee looking at you lovingly... I know the right home is there and no matter how long we wait he will find his perfect forever home :) 

Lucy, Chance, Mr Binx, Tinks and Sal x

Dog Show Season

I must admit the best thing about Summer has to be all the dog shows! On Saturday dad took Mr Binx and Chance up to Colne Valley Garden Centres dog show to advertise the rescue and of course Chance. The main reason actually was to see how Binx would react in a large crowd of people and dogs... he was very well behaved and didn't make a noise so I am very proud. This Saturday coming we will be going to Dogs Unleashed in Derbyshire. This dog show is amazing and after going last year we decided to book the Saturday off to go this year. It is huge with lots of charities and stalls to visit, plenty of activities for the dogs to get involved with and even a swimming pool for the dogs! Fingers crossed the weather stays nice and if your down for the day keep a look out for us to meet Chance, we will be wearing WYDR t-shirts to support the rescue and fingers crossed find some homes. Oh and if you do see us wish my dad a happy birthday :P. 

On July 27th we will be going down to K9 Party in the Park in Halifax with the dogs... and no doubt Chance will be still with us then. Will clarify that one closer to the day as it will depend on if I can have a day off work and if I'll be suffering from my 21st birthday on the Saturday xD Bark in the Park will also be on the 16th August at Ravensknowle Park... No doubt I will be working but will more than likely pop down in my dinner break.

Yes this is a bit of a random post but what I'm trying to say is dog shows are brilliant for a number of reasons. We can get the word out about the rescue, if your going how about emailing us for some posters to print off and hand out, we can get Chance out and show what a good handsome dog he is and try find him a home. They are such good opportunities to socialise your dogs and can help you interact with your dogs on things like agility. If we didn't go to a dog show when we first got Tinks we'd never have known about her agility potential.So many charities go to these events, you can donate, have a go at a raffle or just find out more about different charities. Most of these events will have free microchipping which is becoming law in 2016 so please make sure your dogs are chipped. If your dogs are chipped just get them checked while your there... you never know the chip may have immigrated or deactivated somehow. And the final reason to go the dog shows?? Its so much fun, seeing your dogs happy and seeing everyone elses happy dogs, its hard not to enjoy yourself! So enjoy Summer everyone and if you have a day off on the weekend, find a dog show and go enjoy yourself!! 

Lucy, Tinks, Mr Binx, Sally and Chance xx

Home and Back to Normal

Huuuge apologies for the lack of posts but life has been a bit hectic, I finished college just before going on holiday and as I've said my hours at work have gone up which is needed. But I am now back from holiday so really need to get my head back in gear with this blog. Even though my hours have gone up at work, college is now over so the main stress and time taker is over. I get a lot of people asking what I plan on doing. I genuinely aren't 100% sure, I'm not topping my course up to a degree because I don't have the time, patience or money. I may take an online course in Canine Behaviour but for now I'm just going to relax, enjoy the dogs company and been at work. September I may start the course but for now I need to graduate from my current course, enjoy my 21st birthday and try grow up just a tad.

Chance is still with us, getting a bit tired of saying that but I'm sure one day the right home will come for him. While we was away he grew quite fond of the petsitter and after she left would go into my room to look for her. He isn't just a mans dog, he is just picky in who he chooses to love... but aren't we all. Chance will make such a great pet, he is so loyal and although he isn't big on giving you love he will happily accept love of you and loves a good stroke behind his ears. Sometimes he will stand by where you are sitting, looking at you as if to say stroke me. Then you can see the happiness in him as you give him a good scratch. There is really nothing else to say that hasn't being said.

From what I can think there isn't much else to add so from now on I'll try and keep updated but with a dog like Chance there really isn't much to say.

Lucy, Tinks, Binx, Sally and Chance xx

Unfortunate News

Yes I've been quiet lately but really there is so little to update on. Chance is still with us and looking for his forever home. By the looks of it he'll still be here while we're on holiday at the end of this month so our dog sitter has an extra dog on her hands.

Now I must say no there is no bad news on Chance, the bad news that Phoebe is back. You may remember the lovely lurcher girl who was with us 2 years ago. Unfortunately her owner is getting a new job meaning Phoebe would have to be left longer hours, which she just would not cope with. If you remember the reason she initially came in was separation anxiety. After having her for the short period of time 2 years ago I think we did learn it is boredom. She needs access to a full house, plenty of walks and someone in most of the time. To read more in Phoebe at first read back on May 2012 here - http://lucythedogfosterer.blogspot.co.uk/2012_05_01_archive.html. Phoebe needs a home with another dog and can live with children over 5. She is very gentle with children and is used to her current owners young nephew. Other than her high activity levels and being unable to be left long Phoebe is the all round perfect dog. Sometimes dogs are returned in rescue, sometimes life doesn't turn out as people plan and the dogs life gets affected but at least we are here to find Phoebe the perfect home and make the transition easier. 

For every piece of bad news I do have some good. You will more than likely all remember Bunny who we rehomed last year, she held a special place in my heart and her owners have never stopped updating me with her progress. Any mischievous antics, naughty ways, fantastic behaviour they have told me about. Now a few months ago Bunnys owners daughter had a baby. Now Bunny is the loveliest of dogs but when she first came into rescue she was a nervous wreck who didn't even want to approach new people. I'd just like to share this photo (with owners permission) of Bunny in her home with her little niece. For all the people who rehome their dogs because your having a baby look at this. This dog would not go near people at one point in her life, she was so scared after being let down in life but look at her now!

Remember When...

I'm sure you can all remember when Chance first came in and we classed him as deaf. Over time we've learnt hes not deaf but has selective hearing. You say his name and he will glance over. Today he was stealing Sallys biscuits, I shouted Chance, he pricked his ears, went back to eating so shouted him again and he creeped forward after he'd filled his mouth with food. He is a very cheeky boy, if he thinks nobodies in the house he will counter surf so the kitchen door needs to be shut! 

Today was the big decider of whether he was deaf, Chance was let off lead! My dad went up to meet our rescue photographer and the results are heart warming. He looks so happy I could cry and it makes me so proud to have accepted him as a foster. If it wasn't for this rescue he would have being PTS simply because nobody wanted him at the pound. Chance responded well off lead and mainly comes back to clapping, so don't think his hearings perfect but he can hear the noises that matter. He loves running next to you and will keep going even when you've stopped... at which point he'll turn around and realise and come back. I'm so happy for him and don't think theres much more to say other than here are the photos:

 

 

 

So hard to post

I really have so little to add, Chance is really more of my dads foster dog so I'm finding it so hard updating on how well he is doing. He is getting more confident and when he is out on his walks he is the happiest boy around, he walks lovely on the lead and if you want to go for a run he can run next to you.

All I can do for now is add this video of him and hope that someone sees the true happiness in him :) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM4Peg3LD_k&feature=share

P.s. really sorry for the lack of updates but had a mad assignment rush but I'm on the final countdown and education for me is nearly over... not that I'll stop learning. Working with animals is a constant learning curve and you learn something new everyday :) 

2 Years Fostering

Well today marks the second anniversary of me fostering dogs. 2 years ago today a little jack russel came into our house and from their the fostering began. 2 years on we are on foster dog no. 32. You may all think its amazing the amount of dogs I've saved over the past 2 years but in reality I don't know where I'd be without them. I've said this many times but people really need to know fostering isn't just good for the dogs its so good for the people involved too. 

In the past 2 years I've learnt far more than anyone will ever learn as a dog owner in their lifetime. I've had hands on experience with nervous agression, separation anxiety, untrained dogs, deaf dogs, old dogs, young dogs, different breeds of dogs... the list could go on forever on what I've experienced and from that experience you learn what to do in certain situations.

And of course without fostering I wouldn't have my two terrible terriers. Tinks and Binx! 

I have no more to add on Chance, we will be going for a nice walk with him tomorrow to meet our rescue photographer and get some good photos of him :)

Lucy, Chance, Tinks, Binx and Sally