Letters

Hello Ian and John

Having just received your email regarding photos for this years calander it has prompted me send you an update on Tilley.

I hope you are both well. With the help of Tilley we have come through this awful pandemic with no problem.

We are so glad that we were able to pick her up just before lockdown.

She settled into our home with no problem at all and made herself very comfortable more or less staight away. I think she just grizzled a bit for a couple of nights but after that no problem at all.

Her biggest problem was the big outside world. When we first took her out she would literally scream the place down, spin on the lead and get herself in a real state.
If she saw another dog she would just get into a real panic. Whilst she wanted to go out for a walk the experience just seemed to terrify her and she would shake from head to foot.
However, rather than wrap her up in cotton wool so to speak we persevered and just re-assured her but at the same time did not over fuss her. What made it harder was that when she did relax she would not take a treat as a reward at all. She wasn't too bad in the car but if we stopped at traffic lights for example she would scream. Then of course we were into lockdown so we had to start a whole new excercise regime which set her back a little. Her biggest problem was when she saw other dogs. Again she would get in a real state. Eventually though we did manage to get her to walk quietly past another dog and take a treat as a reward. Progress was being made at last. We did finally establish that if we saw another dog that was calm and quiet she did not bother at all. If a dog barked or lunged at her she was teriffied. We therefore wondered if she had ever been attacked, we will probably never know. We did buy one of the I need space yellow dog flags, which did make people (or at least most) aware and they would keep their dogs under control. The attitude of some dog owners never ceases to amaze me!!

Another thing we discovered that would cause her some anxiety was going through metal gates.

Now that lockdown has been eased a little we have been taking her out for walks a little further afield and ones we started to take her on when we first got her. We wanted to get her used to going in the car again and thankfully she has been as good as gold and is or appears to be enjoying her different walks.

She is a bright little girl and we think that her biggest fear and anxiety was whether she was going to stay with us, return to kennels or be re-homed again. She has had to learn to trust us and know that wherever we go she will always be with us and be safe. She is getting much better and is far less anxious. She is quite a talkative little girl but the tone is more of excitement now rather than fear.

We have occasionally left her at home for an hour whilst shopping and she has been fine at home, the welcome you get on return is wonderful. She really waggs from head to tail, her tail is like a rotar blade on a helicopter, it just goes round and round and round, we have never seen anything like it before.

We know there is still work to be done but we can see definate progress. She is going for her first grooming session since we had her in a couple of weeks. The lady we use is brilliant and has made sure Tilley is booked in on a quiet day when she can give her the time and attention she needs on a first visit.

We have no regrets whatsoever on adopting her and are really enjoying having her around.

I am attaching a photo of her in her favourite pose, she spends a lot of time like this, usually on the bed - I know a bit naughty but never mind.

We will try and get some more pictures of her over the next couple of months and see if we can send one for consideration for the calender or Christmas Cards.

In the meantime, we hope everyone at CAESSR stays safe and well, including any dogs of course.

Best Wishes
Lesley, Mel and Tilley

Hi Ian

Hello,

Murphy is doing fantastic, he is the most amazing affectionate, loving, well behaved dog, we absolutely love Murphy in our family.

Murphy is incredibly well trained and such a good boy all of the time. We absolutely love Murphy to pieces.

Would there be any possibility we could have some puppy photos of Murphy as we would love to see him as a puppy?

Best wishes

Lucy

Hi John,

Hope both you and Di are keeping well and staying safe in the midst of all this craziness!

Barney has settled in as though he's never lived anywhere else! He is a truly amazing and loving dog. We have decided that now would also be the right time to bring a new fur baby into our family, as Tilly and Barney will be excellent role models to help a newbie settle in as both are very chilled and calm dogs (amazing, I know when you think Barney is a working cocker!!)

I am still working from home although I am currently on furlough until September, James is still working as usual, Sam (who you didn't meet) is currently at home on furlough and Megan is currently working from home, so we think this is the most perfect time ever to adopt a brother or sister for both Tilly and Barney!

Thank you John and stay safe.

Best wishes,

Sally