Letters

Hi John and Di,

Just wanted to let you know how Charlie is getting on with the new behavioural centre.

He went there for his behaviour assessment day, and they felt he wasn't aggressive at all, just completely un socialised and very low in confidence. They have given us advice as to how to manage this on a walk to try and bring his confidence up. Every day he is barking less at dogs and managing the situations well by himself. Today he played with another dog for ages, chasing and being chased. Was lovely to see! Hopefully he will begin to be less snappy with the other dogs there soon.

He has been back to the day care centre for a whole day last week and they said he was becoming more confident already and had started mingling with the other dogs. He is going back later this week. He seems to love it there, and comes home shattered!

He is fab in the car now too.... We've put a bed in the back and he generally just settles down in his bed with a chew for the whole journey!

Thanks so much for funding this, we are really hoping it is going to make Charlie a much more confident and happier dog! 

Thanks

Fiona (27-01-2014)

Hi

Just to let you know Ruby is doing really well, we have been using a halty collar with her and she is really enjoying her walks. She is getting to know what things are and started to be more confident when we are out exploring. She has been very brave and paddled in an inch of water this week. She found the ducks just too interesting to just pass by. She had a wonderful Christmas and was an excellent vacuum, clearing away the wrapping papers which she placed in a foot deep pile in the conservatory shredded ready to bin.

Been to the doggy beauticians and had a cut and style. Gained another friend whilst she was there.

She found out what a hyde stick is for!! She loves them.

A lot more settled and content and has a collection of toys that she uses and plays with now. We have noticed that on the lead she is much more relaxed and compliant. She is now enjoying life more as she relaxes.

Sleeps with the kids or with us she knows what to do and lays on her own bed in the bedrooms.

The house is also was busy with people and she gets on with them really well.

A great dog. Really please with her and her manner. Will send a photo when we can.

A (25-01-2014)

Hi To all at CAESSR,

I managed to attach a photo of Alfie.

Thank you for letting me give him a home.

He is an adorable little dog. I've had him for two months today and he follows me everywhere.

Best wishes for the New Year.

Shirley (18-01-2014)

Hi John,

Just a quick note to thank you so much for telling me about Lexi.

She has only been with us since Saturday but its as if she has been with us forever. We fully expected to have some teething problems when we brought her to our home but she has settled in so well. In fact as soon as she came into the home she went straight to my son and sat at his feet. She loves to lie with me on the sofa, or sits on his knee.

She has soon learnt what the lead means and although a little wary the first few times (took a little persuading to get her off the sofa), as soon as the lead is clipped on she heads for the door. She is absolutely gorgeous, I cannot thank ou enough for telling me about her.

I will let you have some pics of her soon so you can see how well she is doing.

Can you please pass on my thanks to Brenda, Diana and everyone else at CAESSR

Pat (13-01-2014)

Di, Happy New Year.

Back in September (I think), we collected Meg from Leek. She has turned out perfect and is much loved by everyone she meets. In fact we now have friends asking if they can look after her when we go away.

She is definitely a working dog because when I let her off the lead in the Coppice she charges off into the undergrowth and occasionally pops back to see where I have gone. When she flushes something interesting (she got two pheasants the other day) she looks at me as if to say why didn't you shoot one! All the grandchildren love her to bits and she is super with them although she is definitely my i.e. a man's dog.

As you can see from the pix she is now well fed and sleek not the half starved thing with dry dirty fur.

Many thanks

Rod (15-01-2014)

Hi John, Di and all at CAESSR,

It’s Boo (was Boosh) wishing you all a Happy New Year.

It is almost a whole year since I came to my forever home and what a lovely year it has been.

I’ve been having lots of love and attention and have made lots of new friends to play with on my walks in the lane behind my house. That is, of course, when I’m not chasing birds. I still haven’t caught any but… I’ve also found a new game called “chasing the squirrels”. I haven’t caught any of them either, be it in the lane or in my garden.  

We also have visits to the seaside which is a lot of fun, especially when Mum and Dad’s grandson comes with us. We have a competition to see who can get the wettest. I always win.

 At home that pesky cat who was so stand offish has now become good friends with me, so much so that I let him sleep in my bed until I want to be in. It’s nice that the two cats and I can be friends without any animosity. It took a while but we got there with a little perseverance.

So, as you can see, I have enjoyed my first year in my forever home, and I would like to thank everyone at CAESSR who worked so hard to find me such a loving family to live with. They now belong to me and I wouldn’t swap them for the world.

Boo (10-01-2014)

Hi Ian and everyone at CAESSR

Well we have had Max for nearly eight months now. He is such a lovely boy and really loves my other two dogs, especially Kahnah my younger goldie, they are the same age and have very similar energy and love to chase each other.

Max enjoyed his first Christmas with us and is now back to flyball training with Kahnah, his first open competition will be in April (he did a starters competition last year and his team came second).

I attach a few photos so Elaine can see how well he is doing and that he is happy.

Best wishes to everyone.

Rachel, Ella and Max *:) happy (10-01-2014)

Hello,

Just to give you an up date about Amber. She has settled in very good with our other two dogs Jasper and Kes. She has her moments of madness running around the house at ninety miles an hour but is so funny at times. She still thinks she is a puppy most of the time.

She is partial to the odd toilet roll and the insoles of Tony's shoes. She keeps me on my toes and l would not like to be without her now. She is turning into a lovely lady.

Hope this will give her first family an insight into how she has settled with us.

Regards

Jane (07-01-2014)

Hi Ann, Di, Ian, John and Pat,

I hope You and Yours as well as All the people involved with CAESSR have had a very Happy Christmas and will have an even Happier New Year.

We've been very lucky this year on the new arrivals front insofar that we adopted a young 4 year old male Spaniel (Archie) in June and a lovely girlfriend of the same age for him (Leila) in November.

I'm pleased to report that the Lovely Leila has bonded wonderfully with the Amazing Archie, as well as all of our household and friends - both are progressing extremely well.

Leila is a lovely little social dog, reasonably well house trained, though a devil on a lead: Leila fitted in with our 4 year old male (also chocolate English Field Spaniel / English Cocker) from day one. Archie himself has had to make some adjustments in the process during the first week or so in his transition from being the only dog to having a little companion. Interestingly we've now learnt that his habit of carrying bedding around is as a peace offering and only partly as a comfort....

I currently walk Leila on a lead, while occasionally allowing Archie to run freely since we've had him for six months longer and he's very good at responding to verbal commands - as it gets lighter I'll start releasing Leila with Archie in the fields I walk them in - hopefully before that time Leila will become a little more empathetic with me in tow!

My main hope for the New Year will be that Leila will learn the good behaviour of Archie and that Archie in turn will learn from Leila - there's loads of scope in this since the two personalities contrast each other in many ways. Leila is the more wayward and wild of the pair so hopefully she'll be a little more civilised and quiet by Archie's example - Archie is the more highly strung, so hopefully he'll learn some of Leila's calm sociability. Archie may be physically dominant, but there's no doubt that tenacious Leila is becoming the boss. The pair are so similar on paper yet so complimentary in their natures - they make a truly lovely couple.

Many thanks again to All at CAESSR,

Best Regards,

Denver (AceSpaniel)  (04-01-2014)

Di, Ian, John and Pat,

Hello and hi to you all at Caessr. Dennis is doing very well here and has settled in with our other 2 dogs. They all sleep in front of the fire on a very large blanket, underneath is a king size quilt - they all like their comfort!!!

Dennis is getting on with the horses too.

Sorry, but I am not sure how to send photos - when a friend comes across she will show me how.

Yours

Chris and Jay (04-01-2014)

Hi Ian

Thanks for your email. Coco has settled in quite nicely and has become part of the family. She has had a total check-up at the Vets and has passed with flying colours. We have put her on Iams dry dog food and has really taken to this and it seems to have sorted out her gland problem.

Her training continues along with Oli and they are both excelling. She loves her walks (even if they are early morning and in the dark) but she gets rewarded with playing with the ball. Her favourite toys are a small brown dog and a monkey (almost her size) and continually walks round the house and even the garden with one of them in her mouth. She just will not part with either one of them.

Will keep you informed of Coco's progress in the future.

Best wishes

Dave and Jak (05-01-2014)

Hi CAESSR,

Zico is a fabulous dog. He is very loving and intelligent and also obedient. He has given a lot of happiness to our family and goes everywhere with us. He has a large box of toys, which he loves to play with. His favourite is a duck that he throws and catches.  He knows all his toys by name. I have never had a dog that can do this! He also like to play hide and seek in the garden with my granddaughter.

Zico still has mild fits and is on medication. He hates going to the vets, but my vet is very good with him.

I will try to send a photo soon to add to this update - my computer skills are not good.

Best wishes

Kate (04-01-2014)

Hi Ian,

Sorry its taken so long to write to you with an update and picture of Smudge, we just wanted to make sure we could give you as much info as possible as I know his previous owners were anxious to know how he is getting on! And here goes!

Where to start! Smudge (or Mudge Mudge) as he is called at home, is the most gorgeous little man our house could have asked for. From the moment we bought him home we knew he was going to fit right in and he definitely has! Him and his brother (Bailey the BIG harrier beagle) spend every moment together, whether its playing, sleeping, eating and if separated moan until they're back in each others company! The pair make an elite thieves, who given the chance will pinch most things edible, they are selective with socks and love to share a slipper. I actually caught Bailey allowing Smudge to use him to stand on while they tried to take ham off a plate in the kitchen!!

Smudge had a wonderful Christmas and was thoroughly spoilt. Father Christmas bought him a new flinger dinger, new squeaky kong balls, ham bones, a new fleece for when its frosty and snowy and a brand new bed to match his Bailey's.

We haven't yet had a bed chewed or ripped up or anything ripped apart only his cuddly toys, so although we're always prepared, it hasn't happened yet! We think maybe he's too worn out from playing football for hours out on the fields, and if it's not football its fetching the ball whilst swimming about in deep puddles, we think come the summer he'll spend most of this time diving in and out of ponds!!

To sum him up, he's an amazing little dog! Sharp as Einstein when he's out and about, thick as two short planks at home hahaha. We and all the family love him lots and have promised him a loving home, full of fun, cuddles and kisses for all his life.

Thanks!

Kind Regards

Geraldine (03-01-2014)

Hi all at CAESSR

I am just writing to let you know how Sadie (previously Poppy) is getting on.

First of all I would like to thank you for letting us have her – she is an absolute angel and has fitted in unbelievably well, it’s like she has always been here!

She was a reluctant walker at first and didn’t seem to know the ropes but after a couple of months with Roy (our working cocker) she now loves walks and is a real explorer.

I have attached a photo, her coat is slowly growing back following her crew cut (she was terribly matted up when she arrived)and I think you’ll agree she is a very pretty young lady.

We love her to bits, thanks again.

Lucy and family. (02-01-2014)

Hello Ian

Here is a recent photo of the lovely Jake, as requested.

He's doing very well and is a very much loved member of the family, and a little spoilt!

Thank you very much for matching us with Jake, he fits in perfectly.

Lilly & Kevin (02-01-2014)

Hi Ian,

Joe is doing really well. He loves his walks along the canal where he has good recall off the lead especially if there is a treat as a reward when he comes back!

He enjoys the company of a friends' dog and regularly walks with a boxer, Jack Russells, a lab and a cockerpoo.

He enjoys our time in North Wales on the beaches and has become a firm favourite at the school gate when I go to pick up my son from school. He has a lovely nature and always brings a present when we come down in the morning.

He loves all the smells in the forest and can smell if there's been a mouse in the conservatory!.

He is a bit greedy and will take any opportunity if food is within reach but we have learned to push chairs under the table and food well back on work surfaces!

We love him very much and value his companionship.

Rebecca, Nick, Tom and Will (02-01-2014)

Dear Ian,

Thank you ever so much for replying- it looks like Lilly is indeed a working springer! We are absolutely delighted- somehow it makes her even more special, as we have never had a springer before (she's our fourth rescue spaniel). 

I have hopefully attached some photos so you can see what a wonderful job you have done rescuing Lilly- when we first got her from Di and John, she was covered in scabs and matted fur, a whole month after John had been working on her with baths with malaseb every three days- she had 2 types of mange, had a severe flea allergy, had a bacterial infection in her tail and was covered in fleas and scabs when you took her in from being found straying outside Dudley.

The vet finally pronounced her free from mange about 3 weeks ago, she has put on loads of weight, and she has been spayed now. She has gone from sitting there in smelly, scabby misery, not even wanting to move and come for a fuss let alone being forced to go in the car (she stuck to us like glue in the early days of taking her out- we don’t think she had any positive associations of going out for a walk), to the most affectionate dog who is a complete delight to watch as she races through undergrowth, chasing birds and rabbits and peering down holes. She goes out with the dogwalker once a week and he adores her too.

We can’t thank you enough for the work you do. We can’t have kids, so in more ways than usual, Dolly and Lilly are our kids. Who could thank anyone enough for giving them kids?! By the way, Rob says what exactly can you get a working spaniel to do? Work the kettle? Do some housework, maybe?

Thanks again, and happy new year!

Nicky and Rob (01-01-2014)

Hello Ian,

Please find attached some pictures of Pepsi. As you can see he has settled in really well he gets plenty of exercise and loves playing ball on the park.

He is quite a character and we have discovered if you sneeze he jumps on your knee!!!

Best wishes for the New Year

Margaret and Roy (01-01-2014)