Letters

Hi Ian and everyone at CAESSR,

Just to let you all know Rex has settled in extremely well at my home. It is three weeks since picking him up from Stoke and could not have asked for a better chap. You may remember that he came from the Old Windsor branch of Battersea but was only with you a couple of days before he was with me but he is such a lovely lad.

We go on walks every day and usually at least two hours and he is loving it, he has been to various areas and is such a happy soul and turning into a character. He does have an issue with wild birds such as blackbirds though so I have to be on my metal when taking him down country lanes as he does tend to pull suddenly but in time I am sure he will get bored with them!

Everyone who meets him say the is a lovely looking boy and how handsome he is, he knows this already though! So many have taken him to their hearts and he is my pride and joy. He came to me at the right time, I lost my beloved Cocker Spaniel, Bramble, on the Saturday and come the Monday, Rex was with me so we are helping each other.

Many thanks for allowing me to have this beautiful boy,

Wendy (27-04-2014)

Hi Ian and Di

Max took part in his first ever flyball competition over the Easter weekend and he was a star. He and his team came 3rd in one division and 4th in another.

Here are a couple of photos.

Best wishes.

Rachel (22-04-2014)

Hi,

Thought you might like an update on Penny.

Still having trouble house training her but I really don't care if it never happens as it's not her fault. She does 90% of her toilets outside so is better than when she arrived.

She is a fab little girl, loves being with me all of the time and is getting better with Simon and other new people in her family.

I'm now used to her 5.30am wake up calls for her breakfast, she LOVES her food and enjoys a carrot while I'm cooking. She is getting along fine with her new brother and sister although she likes to run and dig with Jagger (he isn't the best role model as he is naughty).

I am totally smitten and can't thank you enough for her.

Amanda (23-04-2014)

Dear Ian, Di and John

Where do the months go!!

We adopted Mia 8 months ago and her adorable character has finally emerged. She's a delightful dog and has filled the void left by our other dear cocker spaniel who passed away 1.5 years ago.

We felt that Mia would benefit from some basic training and, after a 10 week course, she emerged with flying colours. We're so proud of her because it must have been daunting to find herself with new owners and a different routine. She was unsure of other dogs for a while but, her confidence has grown, and she's now happy to play and run around with them.

Mia enjoys her longs walks in the countryside and it's wonderful seeing her off the lead bounding through the meadows. Also, rather than us having to call her when she bounds off, she'll look back to ensure that we're still there.

The first time we took her to the coast she behaved like a puppy again, chasing seagulls and having so much fun. She was wary about the sea and, instead, watched other dogs splashing about. Hopefully, one day she'll have the confidence to join in the fun too.

In September we're taking Mia on holiday to a cottage in Cornwall. We'll be close to a coastal path and there will be plenty of woodland for her to forage in to her hearts content.

Thank you, again, for our lovely Mia.

Love

Kay and Graham (23-04-2014)

Dear John

Just a short note to say a massive thank you for Freddie.

He has settled in extremely well, mainly thanks to your excellent guide and tips that we have faithfully followed.

He is best friends forever with our 23 year old son William and the pair even share a bedroom! William has always been a dog lover and is very mush an outside man. They walk, play and spend every waking hour together. Freddie s a keen swimmer, William is not. We followed your guide and took Freddie straight to the garden. He loved it and then promptly jumped in the pond and had a good swim round. This was a surprise for the inhabitants but the ducks have left now and weren’t paying rent anyway!

William took Freddie to a local obedience class that meets close by. They specialise in field sport training. Freddie stood out head and paws above about forty regulars. The only problem was his rather robust attitude to some of the other dogs there. There was only one winner though!

He has lost a couple of pounds but is eating well. He gets on very well with our miniature dachshund and the two make a lovely pair of dogs. Freddie and Archie could not be happier.

Your guide to settling was particularly valuable as I said earlier. Freddie was very well trained as you were aware, he just needed time to remember how to live in a home but he has turned out the most perfect companion we could have hoped for. Watching him emerge from his shell has been a privilege. It has been like seeing a flower coming into blossom. Patience has been rewarded many times over.

Hope these photos bring a smile.

Best wishes to you and all involved in your excellent organisation.

Richard and Gill

& Freddie and Archie (20-04-2014)

Hi Di, Ian, John and Pat

We collected Rupert on Wednesday the 19th March. After being on the waiting list with CAESSR for a couple of months, we were very excited and before we went to collect him, we had a shopping trip for him to make sure that he was comfortable when he came. He bounced up to us and that was it really, it doesn't feel as though we have never had him.

Rupert has become a very loved member of our family. He has settled nicely and has beautiful manners. He loves the active lifestyle that we all have and he has a particular liking for balls of all descriptions and has become an avid Sheffield Wednesday fan as you can see.

He loves the countryside around us and loves the freedom he has on his walks and his recall is brilliant. He meets lots of new friends on his travels and he loves to play.

We have attached some photos for you and would like to thank you all for your assistance and guidance.

With all our love

Rob,Julie and the boys (18-04-2014)

Hi John,

An update to let you know that Tess is doing very well and loving everyone.

She's doing brilliantly off the lead now discovering the delights of Northamptonshire . She's had a trip to the coast, canal and reservoir walks.

She's doing great with food not so possessive and in such a rush to eat and plays well with Woody.

She loves looking out of the lounge window and wears her tail at anybody that looks !

She travels well in the car and has met some other family members. She's also been to the pub and was given lots of fuss.

The Baker family

Dear John and Di and everyone at CAESSR

Well the first few days of Bangs new home didn't go quite to plan with me being hospitalised and receiving surgery from a cat bite of all things. But he was collected and looked after by my partner and my other dog was babysat by my father until I returned home.

He got used to his surroundings had his first 2 baths and smells of our other dog. Once I got out of hospital we walked both dogs together before taking them home together for the first night in the house.

Our collie dog BUTE who is nearly 9 year old accepted him as part of the family, completely relaxed as if he has always been here!

There has been some mass toy destroying for the first few days but the novelty of that seems to have worn off now that he understands there will always be toys there and there more fun to interact with us with.

There is no destruction in the house and only a few wee marking pees on the first 2 nights. His stitches from neutering are healing well also.

When out on our doggy adventures his recall is much better than expected. however his basic training lacks massively so we will have plenty to work on, hopefully when he learns to look where he’s going and not just nose to the ground maybe one day he'll learn from the other dogs :)

His new name Bang suits him well as he is just an explosion of energy and water obsessed, when strolling down the canal one morning I told him and Bute " in " to get in to the side making way for cyclists and where Bute moved in to the side of path Bang promptly dived into the canal. Couldn't help but laugh and the cyclists had a good giggle saying well I did tell him to get "in".

We are having to adjust his walks to a mix of on and off lead exercise and have lots of smaller walks , as he’s not up to all day adventures. Even though he wants to he needs to get his weight up and build some muscle before he can keep up with the rest of the pack . Bang is currently on 4 meals a day.

He behaves well at the pet shop, travels well in the car, shares the space with other dogs and is very respectful of their space too, have had two incidents when he just flipped out and tried to attack two dogs (one, which was my fathers, not a good start ) and a black lab on the street. so he can be unpredictable but otherwise great and very sociable with other dogs. training will help control this.

Bang and my father’s dog Sabre (collie/lab / whippet/ gsd like mongrel) ( looks like a black fox or miniature Belgian Shepard) after two fiery meetings have both been introduced slowly and gradually after a few extra walks walking a few metres apart on lead getting used to each other’s company without any threats they have had two days of bonding off leash , without Bute so Bang wasn't walking into an established pack ..... and now the 3 of them are getting on wonderfully and playing very well also .

Bang also has the patience of a saint when tolerating my friends 21 week oversized husky x pup with it tugging on his ear, grabbing his tail... and doesn't even react to him just potters on like he's not even there ! Which made it even more surprising when he has reacted unprovoked to very select other dogs!

We will be working on his condition, training and confidence over the foreseeable future. Any time you shout for him or ask him to come for dinner he just comes and flops upside down at your feet no matter what you say or do!

I really cannot fault the wee guy, can see there being much less training difficulty's than most dogs I've dealt with in the past. Bang has just slotted into our family like he was meant to be here. He even loves his own bed and has selected the space at the side of our bed for it to be placed at night.

Just want to say a big massive thanks to you all at CAESSR, without great people/ organisations like yourself, me amongst many would not have these fantastic four legged family members to share our lives with and these furry wee fellas might have not got the second chance they deserve through no fault of their own.

Sending much love and thanks

Alanna and Craig (14004-2014)

Hi,

Some pics for you.

Olly has settled so well, so quickly. More than I could hope for.

He sleeps all night with me and has to be woken in the morning. He has a good healthy bark when the postie comes but stops when told. He's been well trained and is very obedient. The phone obviously sounds different to what he's used to. I can ring out no problem but most, not all, incoming calls have him howling like a banshee. He stops when comforted. The volume and tone have now been altered so I'm hoping that's just temporary.

He loves sleeping with me. He did chew the top sheet and was told 'no,naughty' which he understood. He was cuddled up close to me the following night and while I was stroking him and telling him what a little beauty he is he was chewing the corner of a pillow case through to the feathers!! I thought he was 'grooming himself, paws and claws' as Jasmine would do that sometimes before sleep.

All toys that can be ripped apart including rope things have been dumped. He may just be a chewer or maybe the bed in particular is a novelty. I think he'll soon get the message.

He coughed for 15 mins after lights out last night. I got up and gave him honey on a spoon. He does not cough often but is very rasping when he does. As he's barely barking it should soon clear up if barking in the kennels is the cause.

His fav place is the solarium or wandering around and lying between pots in the courtyard on his own. He pops in to see I'm still here and mooches off again.

He really loves his walks in the field. It's more a very big grassy area in two parts bound by mature trees and a copse dividing the two with bushes all around. He dives into one bush in particular and has to be pulled out backwards. Sniffs all the way and has left his markers.

He's made friends already with my nearest neighbours. He's so happy, totally at home and uninvited visitors were warmly welcomed yesterday.

Next week he will start his walks in the big wide world but first he can have an hour in and around the field area he knows. He definitely knows where home is.

Thank you so much for all you do for these wonderful four legged friends. He's an absolute joy. Lying in the sun appearing to admire the flowers as I type this.

Please tell his former owners he's as happy as a sandboy and greatly cherished

Ciao

Patricia (13-04-2014)

Good Evening John,

Just thought I would give you a brief update.

Sam now known as Bobby travelled beautifully in the car on the Friday evening back to West Yorkshire.

He slept on the sofa on Friday night and has claimed that as his own!

He had a little accident on the carpet on Saturday morning but I discovered this morning he is in fact fully house trained.

We went on a 9 mile hike yesterday through woodlands and moorland where he stumbled across black grouse, pheasants and partridge. He walked to my heel continually. He also enjoyed a swim yesterday.

Today we did a 10 mile hike through woodland and along a canal. He fell into the canal by accident. (we laughed). We also went to a flea market today and he behaved wonderfully. He also travelled on a train today, again he behaved impeccably.

He had fresh ox heart for tea on Saturday and lambs liver today mixed with IAMS. He is not a greedy dog but enjoys his food!

He is currently sitting at my feet under my work desk as I write this email.

We could not have hoped for a better rescue dog. He is an Amazing Wee Dog and we have already developed a trusting and loving bond with him. I think he has chosen me as his master.

Tomorrow he is going to Derbyshire with me to work so he will be well travelled.

I will keep you updated.

Thanks again for suggesting Bobby to us. He has picked the right forever home and we love him.

Best Regards

Hi Ian,

This is Molly, we adopted her from CAESSR in October 2011 and just thought we'd update you.

She is a perfect springer, although almost 11 years old now she still has oodles of energy and still loves chasing rabbits and birds!!

Our life changed when we got Molly and for the better, the love she has for us is shown in her ever wagging tail!! She is a wonderful dog and we are so grateful that we were the ones to adopt her.

When we picked Molly up from John he asked us to look after the 'old girl', please be assured she is well looked after, spoilt rotten, loved by us all and is definitely living her twilight years in a very happy home.

Thanks again for placing Molly with us.

Amanda (11-04-2014)

Hi Di

Just a quick note with a couple of pictures to keep you up to date with Marley.

He really seems to be settling in now. Was a bit of a shock to the system to us all but even after just a week he has calmed a lot. Lead training is progressing but needs a lot more work so much improved though.

He is enjoying running free with Pam and myself through the forest. Never fails to return with a stick or even a ball. Loves a swim too.

Am sure he will become a much loved part of the family.

Keep in touch and kind regards.

Neil (09-04-2014)

Hi John

It's hard to believe its only 8 weeks since we brought Maisie home from CAESSR. It feels as if we have always had her with us, as she settled in so well from the very first day. We couldn't have been given a more loveable dog, she is full of love and fun and so placid ideal for our circumstances.

Maisie loves her walks, pulls on the lead on the way out, but the minute we turn for home she walks to heel! I attach two photos of her, one with her favourite toy that goes everywhere!

A big thank you to everyone at CAESSR.

Best wishes

Judy & Malcolm (03-04-2014)