Marzy is back to his usual self. Was not eating or drinking at first but I used the tried and tested tricks you learn with children and dogs. I got some dog milk to colour his water and it worked a treat and I used half pouches of meat with gravy in his food. Got him eating drinking and he improved rapidly.
Well, fair to say that Dolly has had a lovely year. She is in good health, and enjoying hurling around, even though she injured herself jumping up at the front door a few weeks ago and had to have some anti inflammatory medicine to help her recover.
In summer we went to the Isle of Man and Dolly had a great time exploring the glens and beaches. She had her first ride on an old electric tram up to Ramsey, and was really well behaved. We stayed at a self catering cottage which had a field for her to play in, complete with apple trees so she could eat the fallen ones, and especially heaving in rabbits to chase. What more could a girl want?
We have had rogue builders working on the house which were sacked earlier this year, and now have other builders coming in and out. Dolly has found this a bit of a strain, but has decided they are not worth biting, just tries to get rid of them by lots of barking. I would love to join her , but one dog making the noise is enough for anybody. In complete honesty, she had done really well throughout and we are proud of her.
Dolly has decided that squirrels were put on this earth to be chased. The only problem is they cheat like mad, and run up trees, which she does not appreciate. The last few weeks there have been dozens of them, and she has had to ignore some in order to chase others. She runs for miles on her morning walk, but is a little more dignified in the afternoon. What we don't understand is she lets them come up to the back door at home, and even lets them destroy my containers with bulbs in!
We have decorated our spare room this year, and Dolly thinks it has been done just for her. She loves it, and creeps up there at every opportunity. Photo of her on her favourite bed attached, along with some modelling of her Christmas jumper!
Marzy has had another checkup and is doing very well. I'm pleased to say he is as active as ever but likes to come home and snuggle in his bed after a walk.
Lulu had surgery in September due to a broken cruciate ligament. She is now back to normal. She just needs a little ‘leg up’ so she can get up onto the sofa for cuddles! Lulu now has a lovely new pal to keep her company called Suki. She keeps Lulu alert and they’ve formed a great bond. They love to curl up on their mom’s knee together.
Jackson is now 11 years old and still doing really well on his medication. He does have arthritis now but he is still as crazy as ever and loves his walkies.
He has been feeling sorry for himself recently as he has had a sore patch on the top of his paw. Luckily the vet has prescribed him some cream for this and it is finally starting to heal.
Jacko’s favourite day of the week is Saturday because he gets to see his Nana and she always brings him a treat (or two).
He is definitely getting more mischievous now he’s getting older, his favourite things to steal are glasses and socks!!
This year he has been on a few little adventures to make up for not going on holiday since the start of the pandemic. He especially loved the pumpkin patch where he could roll in all of the hay. We also took him to a charity dog show, where he won 1st in Waggiest Tail, 3rd in Golden Oldie, 4th in Best Rescue and Reserve Best in Show!! He was very proud of himself and had a few extra treats that day.
Jacko still loves meeting new dogs and people everywhere he goes, and regularly sits by strangers in cafe’s waiting patiently for some of their food! He is constantly making us laugh and has such a loveable personality.
Barry Allen is doing very well considering his health conditions. He's a very happy and content little boy. Unfortunately, the medication that he has for his epilepsy has begun to affect his liver, so he's now on supplements to help his liver. Barry Allen doesn't appear to know he's poorly and likes to live his best life. He's very food motivated but also loves snuggling on the sofa with a blanket. It's hard to believe we've only had him for 2 years, it's like he's always been here.
Marley is receiving ongoing treatment for E. coli. He has arthritis in both knees and hip dysplasia on one side and his kidneys are not in a good state.
Due to his health, Marley has gone to a long term foster home (his foster mom has promised him he can stay with her forever) where he is receiving lots of love and the best possible care. He now has a new memory foam bed (Which Marley loves!) to help with is arthritis and hip dysplasia.
Marley's ongoing health care is being supported by CAESSR. Could you help too? Would you like to sponsor Marley and ensure his medical needs are met?
If you would like to help Marley please contact Emma Downing via email: box80@hotmail.co.uk
Barry Allen has settled in really well. The first few months were really tough. Barry was at the Vets more than he was at home, due to his pancreatitis and epilepsy, but he's a little fighter and thankfully, he pulled through. He still isn't seizure free but they are much more controlled now and as a result less frequent. Barry doesn't seem to know he's a poorly boy though and he's very much a typical cocker - he loves his walks, a fuss and he especially loves his food! He has the sweetest nature and everyone who meets him just instantly falls in love with him. He's the most gentle soul and as long he's got his humans and a full stomach, he's a very content little cocker.
Dolly has had a lovely time during the Covid lockdown as she had most of the family at home, which is where she thinks they should be... looking after her.
She now quite likes going to the dog groomers, and puts herself into a trance whilst she is washed and cut. Then she becomes a mad whirling creature the moment they have finished.
Dolly's favourite game is to walk alongside my granddaughter helping herself to whatever the toddler has in her hand... usually food. Dolly loves the baby's wooden Duggee toys, and often wanders off (or slinks away more likely) with one of them in her mouth.
We recently went to Norfolk on holiday, and Dolly came with us of course. We stayed outside Cromer just by the beach, and Dolly started every day with a long walk along the beach to Overstrand where we had breakfast in a very dog friendly cafe on the clifftop. It was the perfect start to her day and ours. By the end of the holiday she was used to running in and out of the sea, which was lovely to watch. There was no chance of swimming though! In the car on the way home Dolly let us know how sad she was by groaning. She has turned out to be very vocal, usually at 5am in the morning when the sun is up and she thinks we should be too.
Dolly's lack of socialising when she was a puppy has had a profound affect on her, and she can sometimes annoy other dogs by running at them. They then chase her and she screams loudly and sounds awful. Usually we put her on a lead if we see another dog walking towards us, and that reassures her, but sometimes they just appear. She has a small group of 'friends' that she is used to walking with, and is fine with them. We notice that if she meets a dog as a puppy, she is always fine with them even when they have grown up. However, her anxiety means that we have to be very vigilant with her when we are away from the house.
Sally
Lulu is fine, growing old gracefully, is still loving her swims and walks and tummy rubs. Like many Spaniels shes a bit of a foody lover so we are kind and try not to give her in between treats too often.
As we have members of the family who have dogs she gets lots of visits which is great as Routti her house mate aged 12 passed over a few months back, so the extra doggy friends and grandchildren do help keep her on her toes. She enjoys being in “ Top Dog” place.
We are so grateful Lulu has a sponsor, it helps to know she has a secure loving home with us, so many thanks to Lulu’s Sponsors.
Chewy's big moments from the last year - moving house from Warrington to Saughall - learning to poo and wee outside, learning "paw" and "wait". Learning about tummy tickles, snoring, sleeping in his bed with us, that water is great - but you don't swim according to Chewy you stick your head under water and blow bubbles.
Given that Chewy had been locked in a shed for 6 years before he became our awesome "long boi" and had to learn everything. He is living proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks. No one should ever think that a rescue dog no matter what their background is a bad idea.
Next up is coming away with us in our camper van and being at our wedding. Willow is our ring bearer (we love Chewy but he'd only get in a sit-chew-ation which is what we call it when he gets tangled).
We love him so much - here's some photos from today*. There's some of Willow his best friend and little sister.
All the best Mark & Cat
In July 2020 in the midst of the pandemic Meg's owners sadly found themselves in a position of having to make the heartbreaking decision to find her a new home, (she has always been a very much loved dog) and after much discussion they approached CAESSR for help.
Meg has been a working gun dog for most of her life and obviously needed someone who could allow her to continue to enjoy a life where she could express her natural instincts and training, (without the actual gunwork etc.) John spoke to one of our long-term fosterers was very happy to have her come to live with her. She was taken directly to her new home by her owner (COVID precautions adhered to) and settled in almost immediately; welcomed by the resident cat, (It was quite comical as she hadn't actually met a cat before so she just sat down until he touched her nose and sat down with her, they now sleep together).
Meg has become very well known in the village where she now lives and is always much admired by all who meet her, she is so friendly and loving to everyone. Her nick-name is 'Zebedee-on-speed', she is great jumper!....those of a certain age will no doubt know to whom I refer.
Sadly in early July 2021 Meg developed, very quickly, three mammary tumors and after examination she had major surgery to remove them along with the removal of her ovaries. Meg has recovered very quickly from the surgery and now back to her bouncy, full of fun self. No one every believes that she is 9 years old.) But, there has to be a but, unfortunately the histology examinations revealed that the tumours were malignant which means that on-going veterinary care in the form of regular scans etc. are going to be an essential part of her care.
As you can see from her photographs, Meg is a wonderful, lively and loving dog with a real zest for life and it would be a real gift to her if there is anyone out there who is able to contribute to her ongoing veterinary costs.
One of Max in his cage/bed...no matter how much blankets I put in he just chucks them all out. His cage/bed is his space I guess. He goes in there when we have people around when the fuss gets too much for him. At night I do close the gate as we had some accidents - but none since the cage so it works well.
Hi,
My lovely boy is doing very well. He has got a few more lumps and bumps. He is due a check up at the vets shortly. He's now 12 and is very active but does like a snooze lying across your knee. Due to lock downs he has missed his friend's and family. Now he even looks forward to the groomer coming to bath him.
Marzy also likes to style his own bed, which he has three of because he's fussy. He also steals the toddlers dummy.
I have now had Marzy for just over 2 years. He is still full of fun and makes me laugh every day.
I took him to the vets for his yearly booster and had him checked over. The vet still recommending leave his face alone as the lump has not grown. However he does have some other fatty lump that have grown slightly.
Food and fun are all that he cares about. I tend to be the fun. The other day he decided that after resisting for 2 years he would jump on the brook. He came out with what can only be described as the biggest grin on his face, and loads of dirty water everywhere else.
He desperately misses the grandchildren as he loves children. So the day before lockdown we met up with them. Suddenly I had a puppy on my hands. No control over him at all. He and the three year old just running and shouting and barking. I'm so lucky, thank you all at CAESSR for the gift of a wonderful Marzy my very best friend.
Vicky
A year ago, on January 4th. we went to see the wonderful people at CAESSR to meet our "long boy" who has quickly become an indispensable part of family.
When we picked him up he was scared, confused and so thin you could feel his backbone. This was all despite the love that CAESSR had shown him - he just wanted a safe place with humans who love him.
In the year since Chewy became an Ormerod some highlights have been ....
But best of all he's learnt that he's our Chewy and we love him so much.
Here's to another amazing year with the most wonderful spaniel we could have wished for.
Mike
Dolly has been keeping quite well this year. She has loved the lockdown year as she has had the whole family to play with instead of just her mum, which she thinks can be quite boring! We have had builders around for a lot of the year and Dolly has decided they are a great source of food as they often go out to buy themselves a pie, and this has been a problem for us, as we don't like her eating the silver foil pie dishes. She, on the other hand, considers them a luxury.
More recently she has loved the snow we have recently experienced. This is new to her, as she was in a shed all her life before she as rescued, and we haven't really had snow since we have had her. She sees a large patch of it and hurls round as though she is a puppy, and ends the snow out everywhere. It is such fun to watch.
Max is doing well, as always. He is always hungry and honestly will eat anything but by now the house is Max proofed:) He is hungry because we are very strict with his measured portions, and there are no snacks at all but because of that his diabetes is well controlled. For the past 2 years there was absolutely no need to up his insulin - I wish some of my diabetic patients had the same results:)
He is used to injections and after a meal he just barks for me to inject when he is done with his food. His sight is pretty much gone, but he knows his way around the house. (I am worried he will be lost for a while when we do move house, but he will get used to the new layout. He can still see objects that are close to him and the contours but going for a walk is stressful for him. We have a big garden, again he knows every corner and it's a safe environment for him.
There was a time when he would pee at night, next to his bed. He is normally very good so we thought it is because at night he couldn't see and maybe he thought he had went outdoors. Anyway I got him a big cage like thing and that's where he sleeps at night - it's been over a year now and no accidents anymore. If he needs a wee he will bark.
There was a disaster recently...we used different groomer...hmmm...he doesn't look very much like a spaniel. My husband said he is not gonna walk Max outside the garden until his coat grows back. It's still better when I gave him a haircut.
There's so many happy memories of our CAESSR rescues its hard to know where to start but here's our attempt, starting in June when ...
Chewy continued to go from strength to strength as his fitness came back. He filled out, learnt about the joy of weeing on molehills (to this day we fear that to the diminutive Talpa europaea his approach is synonymous with that of a god of foul smelling rain) and running around in random directions. He was happy. For a few weeks we were only able to walk him on his own and whilst he bonded so well with us he lacked a canine companion to teach him the art of dog. As a result, the concept of doing anything other with water than drinking or sploshing through the shallowest and stillest of puddles was still anathema to him.
So in early March when we crumpled and welcomed a small golden ball of energy otherwise known as Willow into our lives I had hopes that she might help him with his sense of aquatic perplextion. Despite her being a rescue too, her background meant that she was already a pretty confident little girl despite the upheaval of being kennelled and losing her routine.
On her first proper off-the-lead outing she went from prim and proper princess to mud splattered bog snorkeler in a matter of seconds leading to her first bath with us. The result of the initial rinsing was a large volume of what looked like a rather fine, thick gravy. Much warm water and plenty of doggo shampoo later she had pretty much reverted to her initial colour, smell and texture. On her next outing we passed the old Latchford canal – now in the care of the Wildlife Trust and a wonderful overgrown haven beloved of ducks, kingfishers, geese and midges, into which Willow dove nose first and proceeded to happily swim in circles.
Chewy had a lightbulb moment – something which, bless him, is something of a rare occurrence – and to our amazement jumped in after his little sister. Not being sure whether he should sit there and float or sink – sadly he doesn’t seem to possess the canine innate ability to swim – Willow took him in paw and the two of them proceeded to go ballistic. Despite still not having learnt to swim he absolutely loves water with his little sister having given him the confidence to try and enjoy it. Chewy’s favourite method is to wade out until he is up to his chest and then proceed to stick his head under water in order to blow bubbles.
The lesson from this is that life for Chewy and Willow seems to be much more fun with a canine companion. Willow has taught him so much since she became part of the family and its a joy to see how much he copies her mannerisms. His first actual trip into the sea was spurred on by Willow jumping into the surf like a pro. He immediately hared off in the direction of North Wales leaving a trail of spray and befuddled seagulls behind him.
We have no doubt that in Chewy’s case his little sister has been instrumental in letting him grow into the confident happy dog that he is now. And of course we’re incredibly grateful to CAESSR without whom we wouldn’t have these two wonderful spaniels with all their soggy exuberant joy in our world."
Thank you.
Hi,