Letters

Dear all at CAESSR

Coco continues to settle into life with us at the stables and is proving to be a regular feature in the yard where he spends many hours each day 'helping' Tricia with the horses.

He's now enrolled in a local obedience class and is doing well, but he still has issues when left on his own. Night times are still difficult and he managed to 'eat' the kitchen (rugs, drawers, rugs, doors etc) when we left him alone at night. It would be interesting to know where he slept with his previous owners.

As a test, we decided to let him sleep in our room, but this proved to be a big mistake as he tended to wander around and continually jump on the bed. The next plan was to put him in a crate at night, which was OK for a few nights but last night he managed to escape and start eating the kitchen door again. So tonight it's back in the crate with a more secure door.

However, he's a sweet dog and is proving popular with friends and the regulars in the local pub, he's even calmed down when the postman arrives, but we still have to keep an eye open when other dogs are around.

I've attached a couple of photos.

Best wishes to all

Bruce (31-03-2014)

Hello Di,

Just a quick message to let you know how Misty is settling in here. Misty certainly is a man's dog, she loves Frank to bits but spares a little time for Indy and myself She loves going on her walks on Cannock Chase every day and has made lots of new doggie friends. People who we meet cannot believe she is 9 as she never stops running around.

She doesn't grumble at Indy as much - every day seems to get better.

Thank you for giving us the chance to adopt her and help fill the gap that Ellie left in our lives

Best wishes

Janet and Frank xx (29-03-2014)

Hi Di,

Just a quick word to let you know how Mason is getting on.

Well it's been a busy four weeks since we got him. He's been to the vets for a check up and had is booster injection, also been to be clipped, he was very good.

He goes with us in the car every were, I have to clip him in so that he can't jump out, he goes on the bus with me two nights a week to my local which he enjoys.

We have not been to caravan on Anglesey but I think he will be ok. We have not left him on his own yet but thought we would give him chance to settle in.

I have attached a picture of him, he's certainly established himself here

Kind regards

Barry and Pat (24-03-2014)

Hi Ian

Roxy is very well and we are really enjoying her as an addition to our family. She is very loving and attentive and gets really excited when her lead is taken out and she knows she is going for walks!

She has adapted very well to our grandchildren and their dog - never showing any aggression. She is also very good when she goes out with us in the car - she is a joy to have around.

Kind regards.

Trevor (24-03-2014)

Hi Ian and Di

Great news Tess has had her first run off the lead and her recall was pretty good.

Her stitches are out and healed nicely.

She and Woody are great friends.

Baker family (23-03-2014)

John,

Wanted to let you have these pictures taken of Jack today at Frinton.

Jack has settled in unbelievably well and we love him to bits.

Best wishes

Emma, Barry & Jack (22-03-2014)

Hi All

Ben Powell here, just letting you know how my life has changed since my boat trip across the Irish sea. I am now living in my new home with John and Pat who I think have something to do with CAESSR as the phone never stops ringing.

It took few weeks before I became fully house trained and discovering many delicious foods, I've only ever eaten cattle kibble before. It was planned I would only to be here for a short time but now I've stopped peeing up the furniture I think they will let me stay.

Enjoying life a lot better now as you can see from my picture,even though after a trip to the vets I now bark two octaves highe!!!

Ben (21-03-2014)

Hi John

It seems along while since we updated you on Caddie’s progress. So here we are.

Unfortunately. she suffered a spinal hernia between Christmas and New Year, and we thought we had lost her. She couldn’t move, eat or drink and was just a limp little bundle of chocolate fur! (and this all happened in less than 24 hours) Luckily the vet referred her to the local (about 50 miles away) veterinary hospital where she was sedated, dripped and confined until she was fit enough to be operated on the following day. The surgeon who performed the operation is one of the world’s leading experts in this field (presents papers in the States about spinal surgery in dogs) and she was so well cared for/nursed/loved etc that although we were both worried sick, they ‘phoned every day with an update on her progress and recovery. Throughout all this trauma she still tried desperately to wag her tail and all the nurses loved her I think she might have got extra physio, because of her personality – they did not want her to leave!! [and believe it or not the bill came to less than €2000.00!]

We visited her a couple of days after the surgery, and although the prognosis was good, she could not support herself and they could not predict the extent of the spinal cord damage and whether she would ever be able to walk again. Luckily the progress has been fantastic, although the recuperation has necessarily been slow and carefully measured, she is back up to about 98% fitness. She is wary about jumping now, but is quite capable of walking a reasonable distance and scampering in true spaniel fashion.

I’m not sure whether the fetes had something to do with it, but after she was discharged from hospital and had spent a week or so on her bed in my office (with plenty of attention), I managed to break my ankle and was confined to ”barracks” for about 6 weeks! So we have recovered together, learnt how to walk together and are still on a limited exercise regime in order to build our strength.

The weather here today is fantastic, and whilst I cannot walk a significant distance, Peter has taken Caddie down to the local lake so that she can have a really good romp. She doesn’t like going in the water – but it’s still a great attraction!

Didn’t hear how your Battersea visit went, but have put in our nominations on Petplan!

Take care, and love to you all,

Caddie, Di and Pete (20-03-2014)

Hi Di and John,

Just to let you know Tess is doing very well.

She and our other dog Woody have made great progress and have started play fighting which they are both loving.

She is now eating from a bowl and enjoys some toast in the morning. She is very loving with all the family and enjoying a good sniff in the fields nearby.

We are starting to see a real character. She does get anxious if we leave a room but settles well at night. We are so pleased to have her and hope she will continue to gain trust.

I have attached a couple of photos and will send more when we can.

Best wishes

Baker family (14-03-2014)

Hello everyone at CAESSR!

Do you know it's been just over two years now since my mom and dad came to fetch me to bring me to my forever home! Doesn't time fly when you're having fun?! The past two years have been a whirlwind for me, and I'm so grateful to you for finding me my new home.

My mom calls me her beautiful boy, and of course I know it's true. I love my mom and dad (and my Kat) to bits, but they all say I'm a terrible flirt. They are right, I love all the attention I get, but it's definitely my mom's arms I curl up in at night to sleep - and yes, that is under the duvet!

I have really grown in confidence since being here. The first time we came across a river I didn't know what to do, and was too frightened to paddle in the water, but now there's no stopping me! Swimming is one of my favourite things to do, and mom reckons I can sniff out water from miles away. Rivers, lakes, ponds or even the sea. I love it!! When we go kayaking in the sea I even have my own life jacket to wear to make sure I am safe.

My mom is a teacher, and last week for World Book Day we dressed up together. I was Shadow from the Michael Murpurgo book and I was very proud to wear my camo coat. She took me into lots of classes and talked about the special jobs that Springers do, and how clever we are. The children fed me treats and I showed them how I can sit, shake a paw, ask and roll over. The children were very well behaved and I enjoyed cuddling up to them and letting them fuss me. Oh, I even treated a few of them to one of my special kisses!

My mom and dad take me everywhere and I know I am the centre of their world.

Thank you, CAESSR, for placing me here and giving me the life I deserve!

Love and sloppy kisses,

Archie (11-03-2014)

Hi Di

I have emailed before, but I really wanted to share with you our complete pleasure in having Max in our family.

He is truly a lovely dog, he walks to heel on the lead now (with a halti) his recall is really good (unless rabbits are about!) and he behaves impeccably at home and at friends and families houses. He socialises with dogs fine now and often finds some dog to run around with when we are out and about on our walks. He even shares his ball and sticks!

He sits by the door with Mark's socks in his mouth in the morning, as he knows once I am downstairs it's very near to walk time with daddy!

He loves playing ball and if particularly fond of chase with my daughter. My son has taught him a few tricks, Max can now do a high five!! He loves sitting in 'his' chair in our bay window, watching neighbours and the world go by, he certainly lets us know if someone is around. He just loves being near all of us and loves attention, of which he receives lots.

Thank you once again.

A very happy Jenkins family (09-03-2013)

Hi John

Just sending you a quick email to let you know how Monty is getting on.

He has settled in really well he loves his walks and playing with his toys. He gets on with our other cocker spaniel Fudge really well,they love playing together. Monty especially likes his walks when we let him off the lead in the field he - gets on with the other dogs out there really well.

We have recently been to the lakes with him and Fudge they both loved it! They got really mucky and they both had a few showers!!

We were going to keep him down stairs in the kitchen at night but then the puppy eyes kicked in! He now sleeps on our bed!!!!

We couldn't have wished for a better companion for Fudge and a better dog for us.

We will keep in touch and come up and walk some dogs for you.

From Monty,Fudge and family (09-03-2014)

Hi Ian

Frank's a lovely boy. We love him to bits and couldn't live without him. He's one of friendliest dogs you could hope to meet! He loves it down here in Somerset with all the open fields, rivers and smells. He also loves being pampered and spends the majority of his time on the sofa getting plenty of cuddles!!!

Sadly when we got Frank we noticed his eyes weren't quite right. They looked cloudy and he kept bumping into things at night. This got progressively worse and has sadly now rendered him completely blind due to a retina condition. We have taken him to a specialist however sadly there is nothing they can do to rectify it.

He copes surprisingly well however and manages to navigate his way around the house well. And we even let him off the lead on his walks and as long as we keep on talking to him he's fine.

Kind regards

Elliott and Gina (08-03-2014)

Hi John,

It is coming up to 2 years since Riley joined our family! Doesn't time fly when having fun. We all got off to a difficult start but thank goodness we persevered. Riley had clearly not been socialised and had many issues to work through. He lacked confidence and social skills. We did what we could as a family and then turned to the professionals by taking your advice and working with a behaviourist to address his fear aggression. Two years down the line we have a handsome, intelligent, settled ESS, who still has a few minor issues, but on the whole is a much happier dog. My message to fellow adopters is persevere! Some if these dogs have had difficult lives and will not adjust overnight, they need patience, understanding and love by the bucketful.

Riley loves his walks and ball games. Every walk has to include seeking out and carrying sticks and discarded plastic bottles . The record so far is two sticks and 3 lucozade bottles strategically placed in his mouth, which he proudly showed off to everyone he passed! All walks have to be followed by a dip in the stream and a vigorous rub down with a towel. He has bonded well with Maisie our cocker and enjoys trips to the stables to help care for our daughters horse. In true CAESSR fashion I have attached photos of Riley and Maisie our CS.

You guys do an amazing job.

Thank you.

Stuart (08-03-2014)

Hello Di

I thought I’d drop you a quick email as it’s coming up to 2 weeks since we brought Bobs home.

It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster fortnight, but I think things are settling down.

Bobs is very lively (for a 9yr old) and I wondered if you had any more info on how he used to be kept?

I wondered if he’d spent his days alone with access to the garden as I think he’d happily spend all day out there watching the birds! He also initially seemed to go to the loo a lot on our patio and less on the lawn - although that seems to have mostly stopped now.

I know you said he’d never been off-lead, but had he ever been on one? I’m asking because in the days we’ve had him, he’s only wee’d ONCE whilst he’s been on the lead. If he needs something else, he only goes on paths/concrete - and this has only been a couple of times. He wants to go straight out into the garden when we get back from a walk and then he’ll have a wee! Slightly difficult if we’re going out for the day.....He only just seems to be comfortable walking/sniffing whilst he’s out and he pulls like a train - even our harness didn’t work. Dave’s going to do some training with him for that and recall when I’m out with M&M on Saturday. We have a 40ft lead he made for Murphy when we got him, so I’m hoping it may work a bit....he seems very interested in rabbits/cats.

He’s learned to avoid Molly if she has a tennis ball - I think the growls and the odd snap were enough of a warning, although they have curled up on the sofa together once.

He tried mounting Murphy on Sunday morning and was told, in no uncertain terms by Murph, that that was unacceptable behaviour. Then on Tuesday he picked up one of Murphy’s toys and Murph went for him - totally unusual behaviour for Murphy, but they’d all had their boosters on Monday and the vet said he might feel under the weather, plus she’d manipulated his bad leg and given us some painkillers for him but said we couldn’t start them until Wednesday in case they interacted with the jab, so I think he was feeling quite poorly.

2 days on Tramadol and he’s back to his old, chilled self and he and Bobs are running around the garden together and Bobs is being slightly less bouncy with him, so all-in-all I think we’re getting there?

The 3 of them are fine eating together at meal times or for treats, which is great. There’s no probs when we leave them downstairs at night and (as far as I know) there seem to be no problems during the day when we’re out.

He is a lovely dog who just seems to crave the attention he was obviously missing and I know over time, he’ll calm down a bit more (hopefully) although our vet said if we hadn’t said he was 9 she’d have thought he was only 4 or 5!!

Anyway, I’ll keep you posted on him and if you have any further info on him I’d be grateful.

Thanks

Jane (07-03-2014)

We had Jake from yourselves at the end of November 2013.

He is settling in really well and we cannot imagine being without him. He has been out on the Shoot with us from week two and although he needs a bit more training to work closer to us he is doing really well.

We have changed his diet and he now eats loads of fruit and vegetables as well as the normal dog food and he has gained two kilos in weight. He now socialises with the dogs in our area and their owners. He is very friendly with everybody. He loves his walks, being out in the fresh air and walking (running) around the Warwickshire countryside.

Les and Denise (04-03-2014)

Hi All at Caessr,

Just a little note to say that Bailey has settled in really well, and has become a much loved family member. He has been on lots of lovely local walks and seems to really enjoy getting wet. He has made firm friends with my sisters dog Moss. They like nothing more than running around and playing and even sharing food out of the same bowl.

Bailey is a very affectionate dog and loves nothing more than to cuddle up for fuss. We have a couple of camping trips coming up this year with my sisters family, which I am sure that Bailey and Moss will enjoy very much.

Best wishes

Emma, Tom, Charlie and Bailey x (03-02-2014)