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Mitch
One Tuesday afternoon in February 1990 Mitch came into our home and into our hearts. My Mum was waiting at our front gate
for my youngest sister to come home from school when a car drew up outside our house. The man driving the car was going to
visit the nearby newsagents and left his children inside to wait for him. When he returned my mum noticed he was carrying
a small black and white bundle against his chest. She got into conversation with him and he told her about this cute little
puppy. They had taken in a stray bitch that was very poorly. After a couple of days she presented them with six puppies, one
of which died after a few hours. She did manage for nearly three weeks to look after them but she was so very weak that the
effort killed her. The family rallied round and kept the litter alive by hand feeding them (unfortunately on cow’s milk).
By this time they were about three and a half weeks old and still going strong. My mum offered to take one of the pups and
the man reached into the box on the back seat and gave her one of them. Little did she realise what she had let us all in
for!!
We took him to see the vet at the afternoon surgery. He gave him a worming dose because he had a very large belly. He was
a very small puppy (weighing in at only two pounds) but the following day he passed the biggest work load I have ever seen!!
The vet recommended a diet of Beta puppy and Whelpi (a milk substitute) to feed him on. My mum was the one at home during
the day so she took on the responsibility of most of his frequent feeds. He also needed to have his abdomen rubbed to help
him to go to the toilet, something that his mother would have done for him. She even volunteered to have him sleeping in her
bedroom, a bit of a miracle when she has never allowed any of our dogs upstairs before or since. He even made her break another
rule about having a dog in bed with her on that first night because he was lonely for the other puppies. An old fashioned
stoneware bottle and a blue and white teddy helped him to sleep on his own after that. He obviously thrived well on his new
diet because he quickly outgrew his night quarters in mum’s bedroom, made out of large cardboard boxes and was soon
moved into a new bed in the kitchen, a much easier area to keep clean. He shared out house with Becky, a 14 month old collie,
who was to become his best friend and Jade, a 12 year old collie/lab cross (who sadly died later that year).
He Went on to grow into a large Boisterous collie with a loving nature and an amazing zest for life. He was a very handsome
and stylish dog (I know that I am a bit biased) and he won many rosettes at local companion dog shows over the years. I like
to think that by bringing Mitch up on a more healthy diet and with help from the vet in those early weeks helped him to grow
up stronger than his siblings. The rest of the litter were all much smaller than him and all seemed to have serious health
problems. Two of them died by two years old, one reached five years and one got to nine years old but he had a poor quality
of life with a serious heart condition that had kept him housebound for several years. We lost Mitch in February 2004 at 14
years old, when an aggressive abdominal cancer caused him to weaken rapidly. I have many happy memories of our time together
and they will keep me company for many years. He is very much missed by my family and we will always remember how that small
black and white bundle changed our lives forever.
Candys
The Terrible Trio
It all started in June 1991 when I rescued Maddy, a 4month old cross breed. I should have known I was in
for trouble when she had jumped from the back of the car onto my lap before I’d left the kennels! Trouble was an understatement
– possibly due to her unknown past, but what a thief she was – bins, cupboards, fridges, freezers even jumping
onto the work surface to steel chicken stock from a pan on the hob! So we joined the local dog training club which we thoroughly
enjoyed and soon got into agility, even trying our ‘paws’ at competition although not very successfully. Injury
(the dogs that is) forced us to give up and now nearly 14 years later she lives a quiet life of sleep, walkies and most importantly
food, & yes she can still get into the fridge if given the opportunity!
So I decided to look for a more intelligent model and in October 1995 I rescued Conner from Border collie
rescue, and with him a whole new set of problems! It took nearly 5 months to house train him, I had to teach him to walk on
the lead, he had no idea how to play but loved to run with Maddy. Unfortunately he was also terrified of men and would hide
behind me and bark in fear. So again I joined the local dog training club. With a lot of time, patience and perseverance he
started to improve. Then in 1996 I moved to Cumbria, a stressful time for all of us but we soon settled into our new lives
and I found Lune Valley dog training club, here Conner continued to improve and with the help of the trainers, especially
Carla, I was encouraged into competition obedience. We did reasonably well regularly being placed but never quiet reaching
that 1st place in beginners.
Then in December 2000 Sue Jones decided that I was to adopt Kess! When the litter was born I had said NO,
I can’t have a third dog but on visiting Sue for a Christmas ‘drink’ I discovered Kess had been returned
at 16 weeks of age and well the rest is history! She started life with me, Maddy & Conner a tri coloured bundle of trouble.
Despite a few puppy hic ups and chewed table legs, she soon learnt her place – Maddy was boss and she could boss Conner!
Being a more intelligent version of the other two she quickly picked up her obedience training and I began to enjoy the spoils
of winning at competition obedience. After a bit of a break at the beginning of last year (to organise my wedding) and the
continued help of friends and trainers we are now getting back into the swing of competing. Settling into a new home, family
life with Mark (my husband) and two cats has all been taken in her stride. Although she acts the ‘wimp’ on occasions
we are all fast coming to the conclusion it’s an act and that Kess is far cleverer that any of us give her credit for!
- Who is leader of our pack?!
Written by Alison
Libbee
Libbee came to me at three months old, the only one left in a litter of eight (after 12 months I realized why!!). She was
a white bundle of naughty poodle with an independent streak.
Whilst I had always attended pet training classes with my other two poodles, it was Libbee who introduced me to the world
of Competitive Obedience.
I was hooked, but Libbee had other ideas, she learnt very quickly what was expected of her but only did it on her terms,
we called her Madam Libbee. We did however do very well and the highlight of her career was being picked for the Northern
Team at Crufts Inter-Regional Obedience Competition in March 2000.
Libbees idea of a good day would be to wake up on my bed (which she does!), get up and sit looking out of the window and
barking at the postman and paper boy (which she does!), going for a walk and chasing the rabbits (which she does!), having
breakfast and sleeping for a couple of hours on my bed, getting up and barking at anyone who dares to walk past her gate (which
she does!), sitting in the car and watching Louie doing all the training (great). In fact Madam Libbee does exactly as she
pleases most of the time.
She no longer competes in the ring but I thank her for all the special times we have had together and I hope she lives
to a ripe old age as she makes me laugh and I love her.
Lesley
Monty's Story
It was Saturday, 29th March, 2003 when Dawn first heard of Monty. A Springer Spaniel crossed with a Beagle,
nicknamed a Spangle by Colin (Dawns husband).
Monty s then owner was wanting a new home for him as her young daughter was heavily bandaged after a skin
graft, following an accident with a fire. As the child was only just walking, Montys owner thought it best if Monty went to
a good home in case the child was knocked over or Monty caught the bandages with his claws.
A meeting later that day and Dawn found out Monty was four months old , weed and pooed everywhere, chewed
things and everything was put out of his reach.
With more discussion it was found out that the three children battered him with toys and he was kicked by
the husband a few times.
Monty arrived next day.
Dawn says Monty is a different dog now. He knows what a long walk is, what it is like to run around with
other dogs, what a bath is. He now attends school regularly and enters dog shows for fun.
Monty has settled down a lot and is working towards Bronze Good Citizen Award at school and for dog shows,
his rosettes are growing in number.
The thanks quite simply is for the love he gives, for the new friends Dawn and Family now have. On Summer
nights Monty could be found running and playing with up to ten other dogs.
For helping Dawn loose four and a half stone and continuing to help with the last stone!! Dawn says without
Monty she would have found it harder to loose the weight as she would not have gone on long walks. The Friends she has made
from Monty playing with the other dogs and from meeting other people at school or dog shows is endless.
THANK YOU MONTY
Dawn
Max
It was mid July. I was minding my own business walking around Morecambe when I came across this friendly
bobby or so I thought he was. He took me to Morecambe Police Station and locked me up with out any explanation. The next thing
I knew I was in the back of the prison van being transferred by the dog warden to another prison at Valley View Pets Hotel.
Let me tell you this is no hotel as I was still locked up. I was being held here until my owner claimed me or else after seven
days I would be transferred again.
After a couple of days locked up the warden brought Ralph and Jonathan to see me. I was on my best behaviour
jumping and licking them. My lead was put on and Ralph took me into the car park to meet Anne who I had spotted as soon as
I came out the cellblock. Again I made a fuss of Anne so we all went for a walk. It was great fun in the field. I was still
on my lead and trying to run. I pulled Jonathan over. You should have seen him, on the other end of my lead, flat out on the
grass. The fun all came to an end and I was put back into my prison cell.
After a few days I heard Ralph. He had come back to take me for a walk with Jasmine who is now my best friend.
So off we went to the field to play it was absolute chaos as our leads got tangled but it was fun!
I was returned to my cell. A few more days past and no one had claimed me. However Ralph and Anne returned
to walk me again. This happened a couple of times and then they took me to their home. When I went into their home I had a
good sniff around then I found a lovely bed and toys waiting for me so I immediately curled up on MY BED.
You know what humans can be like so I take Ralph to Human Training on Monday nights. His latest thing is
to shout lie when I am running around. So I stop and he walks to me. I cant understand why he doesnt just call me, but thats
humans for you.
Finally, have any of you dogs out there tasted wallpaper? Its scrumptious. I should know as I eat the paper
by my bed. Ralph brought two new rolls of paper however I saved him the trouble of putting them up I ate them while they were
still wrapped, serve him right , he shouldnt have left them on the table!!
See You Next Monday
Woof Woof Max and Ralph
Whizz
T he story starts with a phone call from Sue JonesSue rescues and re-homes
many collies. Anyone who does not know Sue should be aware that she is very persistent.
O n a snow filled New Years Eve 2000 I went to her home in Cumbria. A
litter of pups about 17 weeks old were snuggled up to Sues poodle cross dog, Noodle.
T he pups had been born in a remote barn up on the fells, where their
parents had been virtually abandoned by the farmer. In the barn was also a pile of very dead sheep which the dogs had been
eating.
W ho found the pups is not clear but the RSPCA went and rounded up the
two dogs and the pups. Their first contact with humans must have been terrifying for them. One of the pups got away onto the
moors and was never found.
D ue to their poor condition the pups were taken to Sue for some TLC.
Covered in lice, fleas, full of worms, including tapeworm, all the pups were undernourished and very scared. Two were put
to sleep as it was felt they were so stressed that they would not recover.
O n my visit one pup still needed a home. This was Little Whizz. He shook
with fear, eyes wide, his little heart pounding. Well, what would you have done? He came home with me.
I t was a struggle for him and me to build up his confidence, at home
he is now quite a little B.. But away from home the fears still kick in on occasions.
Despite this he has been placed
in Novice at open shows and actually won at West Lakes Show this year. I still get a great thrill seeing him running in the
fields with all his friends, enjoying life.
A few months after he was found as a pup, Foot and Mouth started, I hope
he thinks he is a very lucky and loved Little Whizz.
Carla
Kizzy
W e chose to adopt Kizzy from Animal Care as we thought she
was a special little dog as soon as we saw her. She has only been in our lives since October 2002 but now we could not imagine
life without her.
When she first came to live with us, she was quite scrawny and a bit
scruffy, but with a really pretty little face with lovely markings round her eyes. She looks as if she has a dab of eye shadow
over each eye and eye liner at the corners. She was also very stressed and nervous, especially with some humans, other dogs
and traffic.
After a few months of love, attention, good food, and lots
of exercise, she has put on good muscle weight and her coat is mostly smooth and shiny. She still gets stressed at times but
is improving all the time, especially with humans and other dogs...if they leave her alone, she is happy to ignore them.
Before she came to live with us she had been injured on one
of her back legs..we dread to think how it happened! The injury was left untreated and has left her with a permanently stiff
back leg. Fortunately it does not seem to bother her at all, she can walk miles, running and playing quite happily although
she bunny hops occasionally and will never be able to do a straight sit!
Kizzy and I attend Lune Valley dog training club regularly
on Monday nights and although she has a sad little face she does seem to enjoy it. We are very proud that she has already
achieved her Kennel Club Good Citizen Bronze and Silver awards we are working towards the Gold award, but need to work very
hard especially on the emergency stop and being handled by a stranger.
She is a lovely little dog, happy and well behaved, well mostly!!
We are so lucky to have her in our lives and we are really glad that we went to Animal Care that day and found her.
Alison
MAX'S STORY
It is just over 13years since I got Max from Animal Care Rescue Centre. He was about a year old and had spent
a large part of that year at the rescue centre.
He was not an easy dog to train and in hindsight had a lot of behavioural problems.In desperation I took Max
to Lune Valley's training classes and he barked and lunged at other dogs for the whole of the first class. We persevered and
over time he became a more socialable dog, though even now there are certain dogs that he really dislikes.
He received his Good Citizen Award (now the Bronze Award) and even managed to win some rosettes at club competitions.
Having a rescue dog has not al;ways been easy and in the early years I spent a lot of time gritting my teeth
and trying to stay calm as he misbehaved.
However, over the years hehas given a lot of love and affection to my family and me. As a family pet he has
been first class, allowing small hands to grab at him and pull his tail. With friends and neighbours his favourite greeting
is to try and get his nose in their pocket to search out treats.
Now, even though his hearing and eyesight are failing his enthusiasm for food, walks and play has not faded
and still make me smile.
Rosemary
Finn's Story
Finn is my very special
boy. He came from a farm near Blackburn nearly 9 years ago - how time flies! For those who maybe interested he is a very handsome
dual registered Border Collie (this means he is registered with the Sheepdog Society and the Kennel Club) and his pedigree
takes him back to Welsh National Champion Bwlch Taff.
He was often a handful
as a puppy and it was difficult to work out what was going on in his head so we went to training classes and became involved
in Obedience. This was not to Finn's liking and after many embarrassing occasions in the ring we turned our attention to trying
Agility - where he was totally over the top and Flyball, which he adores. His real passion though is those long walks on the
fells when he can just be a dog.
His perfect day
would be
Wake for breakfast
biscuits, milk and cheese. Spend the morning sleeping behind the sofa (on it if there is no humans around) waking only to
bark enthusiastically at the milkman and the postman. A long walk on the fells, with the humans carrying the 'butties' to
share on the top. Home for another sleep and then the evening being entertained by the humans throwing toys. Finish to the
day with a final walk around the block, on the leader, so he can safely bark his head off at the big Newfie that lives on
the corner. A large biscuit before retiring up the stairs to sleep by the bed.
Owned and adored
by Sue
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