Letters

Hello Di and John,

I cant believe we have had Izzy (was Lexi) 7 months now, it feels like I have never been without her. She really is a complete bundle of joy and a very happy dog. We have now found a park here that is totally enclosed which has helped us with her recall and she goes there daily so she can run, and run she does, as you can see below. The bottom 2 photos where taken just last night and as you can she knows how to pose for the camera !! When we take her anywhere she gets lots of attention which she loves. She has such a friendly nature and really can be very gentle too.

We are taking her camping next week to the Forest of Dean which she will love I am sure even if the weather's not to great lol! I really do have the spaniel bug now thanks to izzy I just love her energy plus there's never a dull moment here with her and the cats although they're not so sure, they are coming round very slowly and will now all sit on the bed together as long as the dog doesn't move or throw socks at them like the other day lol when my mothers cat came to visit.

Izzy has now got a very good sit and stay due to her going to dog training so we will continue with this and then probably in the autumn go to see the gun dog trainer again and start her being trained to flush just for fun as she really enjoyed her training before, as she flushes anyway on walks she should be good at it.

I hope you are all well

Regards

Vicki (30-05-2014)

Hi all at Caessr

After my last message with Christmas news and the risk of sounding repetitive, Jamie enjoyed his first Easter in France. Since we rehomed him last July, he has had the opportunity to spend most of the Bank Holidays there and we can now announce that he is a well "seasoned" traveller!

The French are very relaxed in their attitude to pets in public places and he is always made welcome in shops, cafes, bars, restaurants - even in the bank. We hoped his charm would give us a better interest rate but that didn't work although he is made a fuss of and I have to make sure he is stuck to my leg with Velcro.

He is very happy being the only pet at home and takes advantage, but when meeting other dogs on walks or training sessions is very friendly, always has a good reaction to them and wants to play. He did encounter a different type of "group" (I don't know what the collective word is) of wild boar when on one of his mornings walks where we live in the Forest of Dean. It's been one of my worries going back into the forest 3 years since our previous cocker passed away, and their numbers have increased but luckily Jamie was too busy "trying" to catch a squirrel and Joseph had already noticed the boars so put Jamie on the lead. One of the adults did come towards us and Jamie barked (not of aggression - more of fear) and luckily they ran away.

He has a very placid and calm nature, loves being groomed, bathed, teeth cleaned etc. Makes a nice change from our previous one, no more traumas. There is still an issue with his night time habits. Wanting to wake up early but will sleep for ever in a vehicle. Was wondering if the previous owners could give us some clues about his routine at night. We also don't allow him ( or our previous dogs and it's never affected the level of affection/love from all parties) on the furniture or upstairs in the bedroom. He has his own bed in the kitchen which has a sheet or blanket which he scrunches up and makes a mound to lie on even if I make it nice and flat which I think would be more enjoyable. What do I know being a human? Plus all his toys, intact or destroyed. Also he steals from the vegetable rack. Maybe he wants a healthy diet.

I'm still trying to get him into flyball classes but so far dates don't tie in with my schedule. Hopefully something soon will come along.

Regards

Jennifer, Joseph and Jamie (27-05-2014)

Hi to all at CAESSR,

My name is Todd and I've now lived in the lovely new home you found for me for a year and a half. I love to go out in the car for lots of different walks, and apparently I've conquered "The Bosley Cloud" several times, but I've got no idea what that means!

My family and I recently moved to a bigger house in the countryside and I absolutely love it! I have lots more room to ping around the house, a lovely big garden to investigate, and we're just around the corner from my great-grandparents and uncle, so I get to pop in often for fuss. I've got a lovely big family who visit me, and I have to say I rather enjoy being the centre of attention. People tell me I'm gentle and kind, so I feel very special. We're now closer to the farm where I go for lots of walks and I love bounding through the long grass that's grown, and if I'm lucky, spring a pheasant or two....

I love cuddles, sleeping, playing with my toys, going out in the car and eating, and I've also proved to a bit of a natural with a football! I always keep a close eye on my people to know what we're doing next as I'm deaf and can't hear instructions, but my people show me hand signs or different faces so I know what's going on. Some of the things I have learned are to sit, stay, come and to find my ball. I think I'm rather clever and I love to learn new things. My people think other people should know how lovely and clever deaf dogs can be, and to give other deaf rescue dogs like me a chance.

Thank you for finding me my forever home,

Love from Todd xx (Emma and Andy.) (25-05-2014)

Hello John,

Podge here. Just to let you know my new staff are looking after me, got them on 24 hour call, it's great!

Keeping one sleeping downstairs with me, just in case I need anything in the night {the stairs are a bit hard on the knees at the moment}

Thanks for finding me a nice girlfriend, see photo. Bit frosty at first, but things are warming up nicely now { nudge nudge, wink wink, know what i mean, John}. Just waiting for the old knees to be in full working order.

Thanks to all at CAESSR, will keep you posted,

Lots of licks,

Podge .xxx  (24-05-2014)

Hello.

...just an updated about owen the blue roan cocker.

He is a great dog...no problems. Ann was right when she said we were a perfect match.....we met that day and we all fell in love with him....and he loves to give loads of kisses...and sit really close to you to rub his belly.

He loves swimming....and his bed is full of toys and balls...no room for him to get in so he shares the bed....lol

The best thing we did....thanks to John and Di...

Marion Simon and Kieron xx (18-05-2014)

Hi there -

We have had Millie for around 3 months now, Millie has brought so much joy to our family and to everyone she meets, such a sociable and happy springer.

Millie loves playing, anything to do with a stick or ball and you have her undivided attention, Millie loves time along our local canal and up at the stables, where we also have horses. Millie's real bounce is when I reach for the lead and she knows its time to play.

Millie has been away on holiday with us to the Lakes, loved getting very wet and muddy, more of a paddler than a swimmer, always smiling. She is in excellent health, and has settled well into the home along with our 2 cats, Millie loves jumping up on the bed for snuggles, and we dont mind either. Or little boy and his friends all love Millie, as she is very friendly and interested in anything anybody is doing.

Thank you CAESSR for the newest member to our family, hope to speak soon.

Richard, Lisa, Isaac and the cats x (18-05-2014)

Good Evening Ian,

I hope you are well, we have been asked by Di to send you an update on how Ollie is getting on and some photo's.

He is getting on really well with our Labrador Harry and is settling in well.

He is a lovely dog and a credit to his previous owners who have clearly spent a lot of time instilling the basic's in him.

We took him to register him at our vets yesterday and check his stitches (as he had the op on Friday before we picked him up), all is well and they said he was a lovely fella.

He is loving the open spaces to run and is out with Mike every day across the fields.

Kindest regards

Catherine (13-05-2014)

Hi Ian,

Your email was timely as I was thinking you might be interested to hear how Tilly is getting on.

She has settled in very well and is now very much part of the family - so much so that we find it hard to imagine life without her. She seems to have bonded equally well with all of us and hasn't attached herself more to any one of us. We are very pleased how well she and Samuel have bonded and she is a wonderful companion for him. She is giving us a tremendous amount of fun and laughter and raises our spirits on a daily basis!

There have really been very few issues - she is good at night and is able to be left for 2-3 hours during the day without any problem. We have been amazed at how much energy she has when walking off the lead, simply charging around everywhere at full tilt! Her recall is not very good when off the lead - too many distractions - and training is difficult as she is not interested in treats when off the lead. However, she comes back regularly to make sure we are keeping up! We have various places nearby where she can be off the lead, so she is getting plenty of exercise. She loves chasing rabbits and squirrels, although in spite of a few close shaves has not managed to catch any!

You warned us that she can be possessive and we have experienced this - almost as though she has another personality when she has something in her mouth. We doubt we can change this behaviour now so try and avoid giving her balls, chews, etc. which she will guard and causes her to growl if we get too close.

We would be very interested to learn more about her early life and training if her previous owner felt like passing any information on. We wonder for example if she was a working dog and also any specific commands she responds to. For example, whilst she pulls on the lead much of the time, she will walk to heel pretty well when off the lead, so we wonder how this came about?

I attach a recent photo which I hope Tilly's previous owner will like and that you can put on the website. However, if you would like any more, please let me know.

Best regards to all of you,

Jon, Liz and Samuel

Hi Ian,

Murphy has settled in very well and is being spoilt rotten. We all love him so much, he loves his walks at the nature reserve and he loves making new friends. We will keep you updated with his progress, and must thank you so much for finding our new family member.

Many thanks

David Jo and Rhys.

Ps Murphy loves his drives out with me in the car. (11-05-2014)

Hi John,

Farley has been groomed and didn't need a muzzle.

He continues to make everyone smile.

He's a real tonic for my parents who lost their much loved dog in January. And he's coming to Cornwall on holiday in August.

Many thanks

Clare (08-05-2014)

Ali and Anthony,

As you can see from the photos, Rufus and Millie are taking over.

Rufus jumps on the sofa even though he knows he is not allowed. He patrols every inch of the garden at regular intervals and has found it very interesting so far. He has a lovely temperament and is a big soft lump.

Still working on his recall but he enjoys his long walks on the lead. They don't seem too keen on horses though.

Millie is a little sweetie. She chases squirrels and birds. She might be little but she seems to be the boss. She is always taking toys away from Rufus. She is very good on the walks and has very good recall off the lead.

We are enjoying having them here as we have missed the noise and the messy floors.

We will keep you updated.

Lili, John, Rufus and Millie. (08-05-2014)

Hi Ian & Di

It is now a full year since we collected Lucy from the vets in Leek after she had been spayed, and what a wonderful year it has been. Lucy has settled in so well that we can’t imagine life without her, it is like she has always lived with us.

She has 4 or more walks a day the first usually across the road to the village hall park for toilet needs. We get a good morning greeting of licks and paw taps to tell us it’s time to get up.

Going through the car park and on to the park the children going to the local school all love to see Lucy, and Lucy loves to be the centre of attention because of all the fuss she gets from the children and parents. (many of them want to take her home! NO CHANCE).

One afternoon we were walking along the road as the children were leaving school, when all of a sudden! there was a loud scream from a little girl “THERE'S LUCY” and she came running up to fuss Lucy, as usual, Lucy just sat and waited for her fuss and was wagging her tail so much she was sweeping the pavement.

Lucy is a very friendly affectionate dog and has a large social circle of local human and canine friends that she plays, walks or sniffs with, in preference to playing with a ball.

After breakfast, we have a long walk and, if safe, a run around one of the many local woods that make up the National Forest around our village. Another walk across the farm fields, park or woods is usually taken mid to late afternoon and another 1 or 2 walks between 7 and 10 usually rounds off the days exercise.

We have been away in our caravan twice this year to the Malvern Hills and North York Moors and seaside. Lucy loves her trips away to explore new walks and areas to sniff. When we load the caravan, Lucy takes her ‘Teddies’ in to make sure they are not left behind.

We keep Lucy's vet visits, injections, worming and flee treatments up to date with a vets health plan that we pay for monthly.

We are pleased to be guardians to Lucy, and she is such a comic she always makes us laugh at her antics, and she is so affectionate that you can’t help falling in love with her. 

With thanks for introducing Lucy in to our lives

Andy and Janis (07-05-2014)

Hi John & Di,

We hope this message finds you and everyone at CAESSR well.

Just to let you know that Posy continues to thrive and grow in confidence. Her recall is excellent and she loves to bound around Sherwood forest, accompanying our daughter and her pony.

We took Posy to the seaside, for the first time, yesterday and she absolutely loved it. She had already proven herself to be a keen swimmer, retrieving eagerly from local lakes and rivers when we are out rambling and the waves at Whitby did not dampen her enthusiasm at all.

We recently had her tail docked for medical reasons (tearing in brambles almost every time she went out) so she looks quite the gun dog. The kids adore her and she loves a cuddle and is very calm with all their friends when they visit.

Adopting Posy has brought joy to the whole family and so we just wanted to thank you all again for bringing us together.

Kindest Regards

Mike, Jane, Harry, Holly and Amelia and Posy (05-05-2014)

Dear all at Caessr

We just wanted to let you all know that Penny has settled so well. It is an absolute joy to have her and we love her to bits.

She is a contended and happy dog who loves her walks, meeting new 4 legged friends, cuddling up on the sofa and snoozing under the table while I'm busy working, in fact she is never far away.

We heard Penny bark for the first time in four weeks yesterday, we were even beginning to wonder if she had a voice.

Penny's only misdemeanour is her fondness of rolling while in the field, oh well I'm getting used to sorting that out!

Thank you so much for finding us the perfect dog.

Lyn, Graham and Thea (05-05-2014)

Hi John

Poppy is doing very well she has now lost just over 2 kgs halfway to her ideal weight.

She is a lovely lass and as she is loosing the weight her energy levels are improving and her agility. She is now able to scramble over the logs in the woods following our dog sitters two spaniels as opposed to watching them and whining.

She is coming along great.

Debra (05-05-2014)

Hi John,

Just thought we'd drop you a line to let you know Milo is fine and just got back from his holiday in France.

Tony (05-05-2014)