Christmas has been and gone

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Tinks really did enjoy her first Christmas with us, and loved opening and playing with all her presents. Toby was great opening his presents and loved his squeeky toy so much it has now lost its ears and hat. So we all had a really nice day.

Anyway Toby has a viewing tomorrow! Kathy received a phone call from a man today enquiring about Mr Lock but as he's just found his new home she let him know of little Toby. After a quick phone call to me, asking about Tobys behaviour and his habits he asked if he could view him and was very eager to come as soon as, which is tomorrow morning. I really hope it goes well, as long as their Retriever gets along with him I don't see why they wouldn't want him. 

Today we went on a walk and a little cavalier was walking off lead. I was trying to stop Tinks snapping its head off so didn't take much notice of Toby who was really quietly sniffing the dog and not making a fuss at all. He is really behaved in that sense. Thankfully even the food agression is getting better now and if it wasn't for Sally getting more food agressive, he would be fine as he has gone to share with Tinks with no issues. He will growl as a warning but I don't think he will snap unless the other dog intiates it. Unfortunately that is Sallys only issue, as well behaved as she is, she can be very possessive with food she likes (naturediet). I have also worked out that Toby has never yapped at me when I leave the house but always yaps at my dad, I have no idea why. It does seem to be getting better though and if he's tired out it's not a problem. 

So thats all for now, I'll try update on Monday and if I don't I wish you all a Happy New Year :D My aim for 2013, to foster at least 10 more dogs :)

 

 
Lucy, Tinks, Toby and Sally. x

Merry Christmas

So this will most likely be my last post before Christmas so I thought I would say Merry Christmas to everyone and all your pets :) I hope everyone has a great day, and I hope your dogs have all got as spoilt as mine :P 

Toby is doing really well and is looking forward to opening his presents so much he opened them straight after I wrapped them, meaning I had to wrap them again. Haha.

So here are some photos of the girls and Toby. I hope you all have a great Christmas and I will email shortly after with all the information on Tinks' first Christmas with us :) 

 

 

 

Oh and before I forget I want to give a big thank you to my dad for standing outside his work all day last week with the dogs to raise money for WYDR. He successfully raised £66.12, thank you also for everyone who donated and to the person who bought the dogs some Misfits treats :)

So Merry Christmas, 
Love Lucy, Tinks, Sally, Toby and my dad, John :) 

Its Strange to Think...

... that this time last year I knew nothing about West Yorkshire Dog Rescue. I was living away from home and too busy with uni to even think about adopting another dog, never mind fostering. It was only when Em died that I started to browse rescues just to make me feel better in a way but I knew I wouldn't be able to adopt another dog any time soon, my dad was totally against it and I knew it wouldn't be the best idea but I still couldn't stop pondering on the idea. It wasn't long after that I emailed WYDR asking if I'd be able to foster in the Summer, I expected a no but it was worth a shot. When I got a yes I still didn't expect that I would become a foster. In March when I left uni, mainly due to the death of Em and homesickness I decided to ask Kathy again about fostering, once an appeal was made on facebook. Within a week I had my first foster dog and since then its been none stop. The rescue has well and truly changed my life, and provided me with another doggy best friend in Tinks :) 

Toby is my 13th foster dog, including Tinks. I have helped rehome 13 dogs in 9 months, that is more than one a month! 12 dogs will be spending their first Christmas in their forever homes. That is just with me, one foster, so imagine how many dogs the rescue in general has rehomed this year! This is why the rescue needs fosters, the more fosters, the more dogs they can take in, therefore the more dogs that find their new home. It all adds up. 

My 13 dogs of the year: 

Bella
Judy
Holly
Shadow 
Phoebe 
Dylan and Harley
Tinks 
Amber
Bailey and Gemma
Kali 
and Toby who is still looking for his forever home.

Toby will be my Christmas dog, the rescue will stop rehoming on the 19th for Christmas. A dog is not an item and shouldn't be classed as a Christmas present. So please don't forget a dog is for life and not just for Christmas. I'm dreading the New Year with the rescue because we all know its the time when a lot of dogs are dumped. 

Toby is doing very well, he is coming out of his shell alot now, he is showing some jealous behaviour with my 2 and is rather food aggressive so needs to be fed in a separate room. It is unlikely he will actually bite but he does growl as a warning, which makes my dogs back off. I'm looking forward to Christmas with him, I bought his presents today and he decided to rip the wrapping paper off them straight away, so watching them all opening their presents on Christmas day will be great.

Thats all for now,

Lucy, Toby, Tinks and Sally 

Rescue is never predictable...

So the dog I was going to get on Saturday didn't end up coming, I was then going to end up with a puppy which didn't happen then we were going to see about a dog from the stray dog pound but before we had time for that Toby came today. 

Toby is a 7 year old yorkie and is such an affectionate boy. As soon as he came in he sat on my boyfriends lap to get away from Tinks. He is so cute and loved his walk. He has so much energy he just runs along in front of you, always checking back to make sure your still there. Apparently Toby only has one problem, which I have yet to witness. He will go for you when you leave the house. This is thought to be because he hasn't been let out enough and he just needs to get out there and join his owners on their adventures. Thankfully I have a week off now (Crazy right?) So Toby will have someone around all the time and will have plenty of time to get used to me, the house and the dogs. So far though he is very well behaved, hes not reacted to these 2 at all and Tinks has actually behaved well with him, which is probably because hes small. 

Thats all I can really say for now until I've got to know him better. 

Lucy, Tinks, Toby and Sally xx 

 

Hurray!!

Kali has got a home! I think it was pretty obvious when we entered the house and Kali went and sat with one of the ladies that she was at home. And she really did make herself at home, including marking her territory xD She spent ages exploring the large garden she has and she was fine with the two dogs in the house, even when one of them was a bit funny with her due to being over protective. It is fair to say she has the perfect home their and I'm sure she will enjoy Christmas with her new family. After all they will be spoiling her to a Christmas dinner. Seriously  I'm already jealous for her! So thats Kali, she has her retirement home where she will fully enjoy the rest of her life with a lovely family and 2 doggy companions.

Lucy, Tinks and Sally xx

Wishes Can Come True...

... we just need to believe in them! 

So big news... Kali is going for a viewing tomorrow and is more than likely going to get a new home! The lady adopted an old, deaf dog from the rescue last year named Judy (not my Judy) and was looking into adopting another dog. After being turned down by the RSPCA, basically being told they had no dogs suitable the lady noticed Kali in the paper today so contacted Kathy. Well its all gone up from there, when I got home I gave her a ring and gave her a bit of an insight of Kali... how shes the perfect dog and by far the easiest foster I've had and she seems very interested. Even better news she says if she likes her she'll be having her tomorrow. Since the lady has already adopted a dog, we know shes a great owner and know she has a suitable house. Anyway it sounds like Kali will be going to a perfect home with 2 other older dogs for company. The lady was so nice she said 'I just love adopting dogs and would love to give one a Christmas home... a forever home' Then went on to explain how she'd get 2 holidays a year, one in Cumbria and one in Skegness. Kali will really have the perfect home if she goes with this lady and I can't see a reason for tomorrow not to go well so fingers crossed Kali will be leaving us tomorrow. As happy as I am for her I've really formed a bond with Kali and seeing her stuff packed up in the corner is so sad but I know this time when she goes she will never leave that home again and she will truly have her forever home. 

I will obviously update you with that tomorrow after I've done the visit with Kali and hopefully it will be good news. Kali is all clean and smelling pretty and seems pretty happy tonight knowing somebody out there wants her.

Now onto the next foster dog! Well this one plans on coming whether Kali goes or not as he urgently needs to come in. He's a little 12 year old jack russel male who apparently has a thing for the ladies. I don't know much yet and won't until the day but I do know he is not cat or child friendly, which is never a good thing, so he could be with us a while... then again I said that about Kali. An update on him will be done Saturday... unless I forget in all the business. 

I think thats about it, wish us luck for tomorrow,

Lucy, Kali, Tinks and Sally x 

Off Lead Running

So on Sunday we decided the fields would be too iced up to be too muddy for the dogs so we went for a nice long walk in the fields. We let Kali off lead for the first time and she was so well behaved! She walked so nicely in front of me and my dad and she really enjoyed the freedom of having all the fields. She doesn't wonder far in front of you and always waits if she gets a little ahead. The walk was going so slow like I expected until Kali decided she'd lose the plot. Tinks was running around like a nut job and she felt like she was missing out. So the young Kali came out to play! And Wow, she can run! For an old dog she is certainly good on her legs, Tinks loved chasing her around and they both looked like they were having so much fun it was so nice to see. It wasn't the Kali me and my dad were expecting to see but it was such a pleasure! Just look at the (Rather blurred) photos and tell me she's not having the time of her life! So yes theres still plenty of life in her yet and when she was running in them fields it did show. When we got back home, she collapsed in front of the fire and just snuggled up all day, so happy with the day.

So I'm hoping all these photos of a Kali full of life will help find her a home... we can only hope. She does have some media coverage on Wednesday that will hopefully help as well so keep an eye out for her in the examiner. 

Christmas is Coming

Yep thats right, the Christmas trees up and Christmas is definitely on the way :D As excited as I am its not nice to know Kali will most likely not be with her furever family for Christmas. As happy as she is here and as spoilt as she is here it would be nice if someone could give her a forever home, where she'll be happy just to cuddle in front of the fire and make someone very happy. I am really starting to warm to Kali, she is so different from when she first came and has definitely formed a bond with me. So much so that when my dad walked me to college with the dogs yesterday once I'd gone she kept tugging back towards me to get to me. It was so sad seeing her stand at the entrance with her beautiful puppy eyes, as if she was pleading me not to go. So please consider giving Kali not only her Christmas home, but her forever home. :) This formats been silly with me after these pictures so look out for my next blog in a few minutes :P 

 

Oops

I did it again... haha. Failed to update when I said now I must do it now while I remember even though I need to get ready for work. 

So the viewing actually went quite well, Kali was very well behaved and was very happy and loving with the lady. Unfortunately I think she looked too much like the ladies old dog which made the lady realise it was too soon after the death of her old dog, which is understandable. So unfortunately Kali is still with us and hasn't found her new home as of yet.

Kali is becoming much more loving with time, yesterday my dad walked them to college to pick me up and I was greeted with such a happy Kali that she even jumped up at me. Although my friends thought nothing of this to me it was a big achievement. I didn't even know Kali could properly jump up! Not only that but Kali decided that its time she can share the bed with me and Tinks and jumped up last night to join for big cuddles. This morning she even jumped on the sofa with me. I know I shouldn't let her pick up bad habits since she's such a well behaved dog, but shes old and she deserves the life of luxury on the furniture! haha. She is getting on really well, she is so good on walks, she trots next to you and has even started running a little in front of me, then if she sees a puddle she will avoid it at all costs by leaping over it. She's like a tiny little pony, she's so elegant in her walk and even one of my classmates pointed out that she has a good walk for her age. And everyone that met her yesterday really did love her. She's such a gentle sweetheart.

Kali is eating so much better after the operation, she eats twice a day, half biscuits and half wet food and eats most of that. Even though she does leave some it doesn't stop her stealing our twos biscuits. Ah well, I can't complain, I'm sure she's well on the way to gaining some weight. One problem with the little missy is that shes suddenly discovered how we're giving her antibiotics so is getting a little stubborn and spitting them out! Thankfully only have a few days left but will still be a mission. She has a check up tonight to make sure shes doing okay after the op but thats about it. 

Lucy, Kali, Tinks and Sally x

Dentist Trip!

Well really it was a vet trip but it was for a dental, haha. So on Wednesday Kali had her vet trip for a dental and to have her nails clipped. Even though she was a little wobbly on Wednesday night she was pretty much her normal self and even ate much more than normal. She had a full tray of Nature Diet Senior and quite enjoyed that. Kali is now very much back to her normal self, in fact she seems a little happier in her self and is definitely eating more now! It makes me think that maybe her teeth were causing her pain that didn't make her want to eat but now she'll happily eat her biscuits with some meat. She did have 2 of her upper molars removed because they were that bad but obviously this has not effected her at all. Shes on antibiotics and doesn't seem to be any pain. She's just her normal quiet self. 

Kali is definitely cheering up the more shes here, when you come home after being out she'll get all excited and trot around in happiness and will stretch out to show shes happy instead of being all jumpy with you. If you get anywhere near her face she will just smother you with kisses!! She loves her walks and even barked the other day when she saw a cat, and a bag moving in the wind. She rarely barks but when she does its such a funny little noise. 

Anyway since Kali is back to her normal self after the op the viewing is going ahead later today and the lady will be here around 3. So fingers crossed and if I have the time I'll update tomorrow. I can only hope it goes well or we could have Kali for a lot longer... if only people could see past the age, after all age is just a number :) 

Lucy, Kali, Tinks and Sally x

Things Looking up... Already??

So believe it or not Kali girl has a viewing!! Providing her health check and dental goes well on Wednesday and shes back to her normal self Kali has a viewing on Friday! Hopefully if the lady likes her a second viewing will be done with her dog then we'll see how it goes. The lady is a friend of another foster for the rescue and she already has an older Jack Russel whos very protective against her. Since Kalis around the same age and isn't bothered by other dogs it just seems like the perfect retirement home for her. I can only hope Friday goes well for Kalis sake... maybe she won't be my Christmas dog after all :D 

Oh and I should update about Kali. She has settled in really well now and just loves to curl up in front of the fire. She had a bath the other day and was so well behaved she didn't even mind the hair dryer. She's so lovely. When she gets really excited, like when shes going for a walk or you come home, she'll give out a little song that is so cute, its not even really like a bark. Tinks is starting to settle with her too and is just ignoring her... we will take the Small Dog Syndrome out of her! So thats Kali, what more can I say other than shes a really well behaved dog, yes she has a few accidents but shes old in a new environment, can't blame her there. 

Lucy, Kali, Tinks and Sally

Heartbreaker

Meet the wonderful heart breaker Kali. Just look at that sad face? This girl came today and is such a gentle girl. She is so quiet and just wants a peaceful retirement home. I can't say much about her yet. She's not bothered about these 2, just a little scared of Tinks (with small dog syndrome). Therefore she'd suit a home with calmer quiet dogs. Kali has lived with a 4 year old in her old home so could be rehomed with quiet dog savvy children that will give her the time she needs. Kali is so lovely, she gives you little licks and just looks at you with her sad eyes. It's hard to say I'm not falling in love with this old girl. She would suit a quiet home with someone around most of the time to give her all the love she needs in her twilight years, she loves to go on walks so would need to be walked at least twice a day. She's very well behaved on the lead and doesn't pull and is apparently good off lead. Kali is just a golden oldie in need of a retirement home. She is in very good health for her age. Kali does moult so this has to be bared in mind, she needs brushing daily to remove excess hair and even then she moults constantly. 

I'll update with you as she gets more settled in and calms down a bit as she seems a little nervous and lost at the moment. 

Lucy, Kali, Tinks and Sally xx

APPEAL

Now onto the urgent appeal from the rescue. Madame is a French Bulldog who has just been used to breed from and hasn't been given any proper care.  

Taken from the WYDR facebook page

Madame is a French Bulldog that has been neglected. Her ears are so infected & swollen that they will need operating on once some of the swelling has gone down. Madame is constantly shaking her head.

Her feet are sore & swollen along with most of her body. Her teeth are rotten, Her eyes are too irritated.

This little girl is so miserable & in a great deal of pain.

For us to treat this little sweetheart we have been quoted £1290. This is
before the cost of neutering & vacci

nations that will occur later on once she has recovered enough.

 Now if anyone could possibly donate to this huge bill please please do! http://www.westyorkshiredogrescue.co.uk/donate.htm. Thanks to lovely members of the public we have already received £200 for help to pay towards this but there is still a full £1000 left. So please help and donate, even if its just a small amount, every penny helps!! 

Lucy, Tinks and Sally xx

Real Update This Time

So now I have some time.. kind of, I best update you. So as I was saying Gatsby and Gemma finally got a home! After over 6 months in rescue the perfect owners for them have finally come. The couple, who have previously owned dogs and their 14 year old, dog savvy, daughter really were perfect for them. They loved them and I'm pretty sure they'll give them 2 all that they deserve. Already starting to miss them 2 but it's nice knowing that they're now in their forever home. 

So whos next? Its the question thats always asked when a dog goes. The answer? A beautiful golden oldie. A 13 year old small whippet x ridgeback. This beautiful old girl has the small body of a whippet but the colouring of a ridgeback. Apparently she's a very friendly girl. Good with children and still loves to run. I'll update on Saturday about her when she comes into foster with me. 

So now onto the topic of Amber. The other day Ambers new owner emailed me about how shes getting along. She sounds like shes getting well and truly spoilt in her new home! She has 3 walks a day during the week and 2 long ones on a weekend, including trips to the peak district and to the beach. She's getting a lot of off lead running and all the love she needs. She has 2 doggy friends, a puppy german shepherd and a springer spaniel and is starting lessons for her barking and her socialisation later this month, as promised. It is so nice seeing such a happy ending for Amber. She was such a hard dog to rehome but she has the most lovely nature when you get to know her.

 

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