's Blog

Max is a gentle little fella that came to our family through CAESSR.

He is only 4 years old and very eager to play run around. Unfortunately he has been diagnosed with diabetes which at present is still unstable.

We are working hard with local vets to tailor the best insulin treatment for Max based on his calories intake and level of activities. So far he had two multiple glucose tests and the dose of insulin was changed on both occasions but we are determined we will get this poor boy sorted. Overall his fructosamine level indicates good control and all vital organs are performing well but his eyesight has been affected and Max suffers with bilateral cataracts. Given his general health and young age he would be ideal candidate for eye surgery but it is rather costly procedure.

He also needs daily insulin, currently at 13 units twice a day, blood glucose testing, regular vet appointments to keep on top of his condition...so far through some lovely people associated with CAESSR and some dog lovers from UK Diabetic Dogs forum we were able to gather sufficient supply of insulin, syringes and pen cartridges to last for next couple of months but it is never ending expense and we would truly appreciate any form of help either towards insulin or potential operation.

This little boy deserves to be a happy loving dog, he brought a ray of sunshine to our home and he is well and truly loved by all

Thank you

Sorry for late update been really busy here!

I’m doing fine, Mum says she thinks i’m going a bit deaf and my eyesight is not so good. I’ve had a couple of wobbles on my legs but i’m still really enjoying life!

Mum and Dad have bought a caravan and so we are going more. I love being on holiday!!!

We still go out with the springer group as well and i’m definitely the leader of the pack - I love it! All the other dogs follow me around and look up to me. Mum says i’m a proper old gent and that they love me to bits.

I’m a very lucky boy.

Thank you from

Bracken x

Christmas seems a long time ago, but it was only three months. Charlie had a lovely time, and managed to let us know exactly which presents under the tree had food in them...and especially the ones that contained chocolate! We had to make sure they were quickly put somewhere out of the way before he opened them for us. This was quite a shock as our other Springer, Nell, has always ignored food presents. She did make sure she got between him and the presents, however, when he wanted to open them!

Since Christmas Charlie has not been too well. When we first got him he was in a very sorry state, and although he has put his weight back on (now a very healthy 24 kilos) the starvation he went through has really upset his stomach. He has had constant bouts of diarrhoea and sickness, and even on good days he had horrible mucus around his poo. This was an indication of possible wheat intolerance, and our vet said this is not uncommon with a dog who has been starved, so we changed his diet to a wheat free mix, and also sardines in oil which helps his glossy coat.

All has been well for awhile, but in recent weeks he has been withdrawing from us and putting himself in the spare guest room out of the way, so we knew he wasn't happy. It was back to the vets again, and although I felt a bit daft saying " He is eating well and loves his walks but there is something wrong as he is sleeping in the spare room" the vet understood, and after looking at him said that his stomach was very tender and swollen again, so his gastroenteritis was back. Poor Charlie! It is 3 mls of medicine an hour before food again. One look at the syringe and he is off...anywhere he can, as he knows I am going to squirt it down his throat and the really doesn't like it. It seems to have done the trick, however, and he is a lot better again. I think this is something we are always going to have to cope with.

Sally, Ian and Anna.

Hi All!

Charlie definitely has his feet under the table. When we have people round he can normally be found under the table waiting for anything that might fall off the table. We have discovered that he has a love of humous and Chinese take aways, amongst many other things!

He used to sleep all day when we got him, but now has more energy and is awake more during the day. Evening sees Charlie and Nell asleep together, usually bum to bum on the sofa.

Ian and I recently had a week away, and the dogs stayed at home with Anna. She enjoyed their company, and now Charlie is much happier with her, instead of ignoring her all the time. When we returned, however, he went absolutely crazy, danced around me in circles, giving tiny nips of pleasure.

He has decided he now owns us, and when we go out on walks we can let him off the lead. He leads the way, but turns round to keep an eye on us, and make sure we don't get lost. He has learnt that if he turns, and we are standing still making circles with our fingers, it means it is time to turn round and go home. He then runs back quickly and leads the way back.

His hair has grown back after his shave for X-rays, and is lovely and wavy. He loves getting wet in the rain, and then adores being towelled down. He loves having his ears played with, but becomes anxious if you touch his back, so cuddles involve a lot of eye contact. We have realised that as well as being deaf, Charlie also finds it hard to see very well. At the moment we are not too sure if this will get worse. However, he doesn't let it get in the way of life.

Charlie's favourite hobby is helping clean out the bins in the different rooms, especially if there is an ice cream or chocolate wrapper in them. He also loves to help with yoghurt pots, and will clean them out in next to no time.

The biggest problem we have is Charlie's continuous eating of grass. We are not to sure how to discourage this, and think this is the reason he gets so much mucous in his throat, and why he coughs so much. Any ideas gratefully received!

Sally, Ian and Anna.

Sorry for late update been really busy here!

I’m doing really well, my family bought a touring caravan in May & we have been on a couple of lovely holidays, Illfracombe in July & Cornwall in September. I absolutely love caravan life & love being by the sea.

We did a couple of coastal walks one of which turned out to be 8 miles round trip but I kept up & loved it, but I was a bit tired the day after though!!

I am slowing up a bit and my eyesight is getting worse I’ve developed a bit of a bladder control problem nothing serious and Mum says they wouldn’t be without me so I don’t think they mind too much! It’s just another thing that comes with getting older (apparently!).

Mum says, everyone who meets him falls in love, all out springer friends refer to him as old bones!!

I’ve recently had a little weekend away at my Grandmas, as Mum & Dad were away with friends to Church Stratton & it was a bit too much for me but I got so spoilt at Grandmas she loves me so much she kicks her husband into the spare room so I can sleep on her bed with her!

All in all i’m loving life & looking forward to more caravan holidays with my family!

Thank you from Bracken x

Hi everyone, my name is Charlie & i’ve recently been homed in a foster family (& I love it). This is what my new family have said about me so far........

It’s been almost a week since we took Charlie in as a short term foster, & as you know he is already one of the family, & will be with us forever now. This was the picture that stole our hearts when we got him home…

He has trained us well so far, we are aware that he needs his breakfast as soon as he wakes up, after he has dashed out for a quick wee in the garden! He loves a walk on the sea-shore & also on our local linear park, he totally ignores other dogs. He is profoundly deaf & cannot hear anything we say, so we are trying sign language with him. When he first arrived he wouldn’t play but now he is really enjoying tug games. He gets on really well with our other dog, Nell & they have become firm friends......as long as Charlie doesn’t try to take her yogurt pot from her when he has finished his.

He loves sardines in his kibble & his coat is now really glossy! He seems to be a bit of a sprollie, he loves to be out & about. In the evening he falls in to a deep sleep in his favourite new bed, here he is next to his new sister.

Best wishes & thank you - Sally, Ian & Anna.

Further update;

I’m very much at home now.....infact I think i’m top dog, when Nell my new sister tried to be top dog I just nipped her on the bum! I love long walks & exploring new places. People keep asking my Mum how old the puppy is - & she has to tell them i’m 12 & a half years old! Mum says i’m a very good actor though, as soon as I go in to the vets I act like a real old man & get lots of sympathy!

I was quite skinny when I first arrived at my new home but i’m putting weight on nicely now. I still have a cough but the vet says I will probably always have this!

When we are getting ready to go out, I can’t wait - sometimes I think my family are being a bit slow so i’ll just give them a gentle nip to get them to hurry up - Mum says this is very cheeky!

I’ve recently had an X-ray to check my chest & heart were all fine, they had to shave me a little bit.

Hi everyone, as you can see I have my paws full with my little sister Miss Lucy.

She can be very annoying, but Mum says I am really good with her.

I teach her how to be naughty & how to get treats. About a month ago I had a cyst on my ear & she helped to take care of me whilst I was recovering.

Whenever we go anywhere I am always flirting with all of the ladies! I think it keeps me looking so young. Mum says I’m Sean Bean & James Bond all rolled into one. I have sent my photos to be in the calendar this year & hope I make it in because I’d love to show off my little sister. I was 14 in June & I am slowing down a (little) bit. I still tear thru the house with Lucy though!

I hope you enjoy the photos and I will write again soon!

Lots of love and nose kisses - Brandy.

Since my last update, I’ve had a few health issues but hopefully I am on the mend now.

I’ve had to have a few more teeth removed but I recovered quickly from this procedure much to the delight of Matthew & Laura.

I’ve enjoyed lots of trips to the seaside, picnics, countryside camping & even a trip to Snugbury’s Ice-cream (which was fantastic), I’ve also started spending time with friends & family. This is to help build up my confidence away from Matthew & Laura. I’ve enjoyed my trips with friends & family so much, I even know when we are walking past one of their houses & i’ll sit down & bark at the front door - just to say hello!

I’ve recently enrolled at Direct Dogs with Sue Harvey (COCOA) but I’ve only just had my first class as my vaccination card was missing!

I’ll have a further 7 weeks of classes between now & November, I hope I’ll soon be trained well enough to start helping others like CAESSR have helped me. Laura says I’m less OTT around other dogs - but I still love playing with the other dogs (more than hanging out with people). My confidence has improved enough to allow well behaved children to stroke me as well now - which is great!

Sadly, my trips to the country & city parks recently seems to have resulted in some kind of insect bite or goodness knows what, but it has led to serous swelling of one of my back legs. I wasn’t limping & it’s not showing signs of infection but my leg is so sensitive to touch that the vets have decided they needed to keep me in to give IV pain relief, general antibiotics & to send off a sample for testing. Until they know what is causing the swelling & how to reduce it, the vets want to keep me in to give intensive treatment & to monitor my condition. But hopefully it’ll all be sorted out soon & I can continue with my adventures & my new training!

Thank you for your continued support.

Since my last update, well i’ve gone through quite a lot!

Back in September 2015 I was booked in for a major operation to brace both my back legs as I was suffering from intermittent dislocating knees. At the same time, I had multiple teeth removed, a lump removed from my lip and I was castrated! My foster parents Laura and Matt expected me home the next day but complications left me unable to walk, i’d got a huge fluid build up on both of my legs which resulted in me having to have one leg operated on again and I had to have my lip restitched. Laura and Matt told me afterwards that the vet had prepared them for the worst on 3 separate occasions but each time I showed slight improvement, it helped that Laura and Matt visited me for a few hours every day, often bringing with them other friends and family to cheer me up! The Nurses at the vets were fantastic and became just as invested in my recovery as my foster parents.

Laura even purchased a specialist harness to support me to walk more comfortably and I made rapid progress! I spent a total of 5WEEKS in hospital - so I was so pleased to finally go home!

So that was September, between October and December I was suffering with severe allergies, itchy red skin and biting myself. This led to an exclusion diet and experimental meds and medicated bathing to help sooth my skin........this meant I couldn’t have any Christmas treats! In February I had a final operation to remove a damaged nail bed on one of my toes which was causing me most discomfort and I was chewing my foot.

Matt and George	Burlaston	Burlaston

Then in March, a genetic swab sample was sent to France for testing to see if the cause of my feet chewing was in fact a rare condition - which it was! It was a positive result of Acral Mutilation Syndrome. Laura and Matt have stuck by me and decided that they could continue fostering me, providing my quality of life is maintained but I will now, always need constant monitoring to prevent myself from self mutilating as my condition progresses with time.

This month we’ve had some good news - my vet is pleased with my progress and has signed me off for first time since I arrived with Laura and Matt a year ago! I’m still on the specialist vet food and having medicated foot baths multiple times every week, continued allergy and pain relief medication to help with my torn and damaged back feet - but I’m improving everyday.

I now go everywhere with Laura and Matt, my favourite place is Barlaston Downs which we visit a few times a week! Laura says I’m now wonderful with other dogs and I social with new and old poochy friends daily - which I really enjoy. And I’m no longer scared of strangers or little children and even play with younger members of the family when we go visiting!

It’s been quite a while since I last wrote but I’ve been so busy having fun and going on lots of lovely breaks with my family! I’m doing really well, still maintaining a healthy weight at 22kg. My Mum has recently changed my food to a senior brand and I love it - I think it’s given me a new lease of life as Mum says I’m acting like a pup again!

Last year we had several holidays we went camping to the Gower and had lots of beach and coastal walks. I absolutely love camping and the beach. Mum says I make friends everywhere we go as I’m such a gentleman. We also went to Par Sands in Cornwall where we stayed in a caravan and from there to Newquay, Padstow and to Looe where we had loads of walks, although I was a little naughty and went after a seagull in Looe and nearly got swept out to sea! Mum says being an ex-working dog I sometimes get blind sighted by feathers!!!

Over on Cannock Chase		Me & my Sisters
My smart new harness		Woolacombe beach

We also went away for New Year to Devon and stayed in a little barn again lots of lovely beach walks and forest countryside to explore. Being on the beach on New Year’s Day with my family is the best! I do suffer a little bit with my back legs after big walks and sometimes it makes me limp when I’m tired. Mum thinks I might be going a bit deaf but I still hear the biscuit tin open a mile away!!!

We’ve recently joined a Facebook group called Springer Spaniels Staffordshire where we do monthly meets on Cannock chase where there are sometimes up to 25 Springers on the walk! I’m known as “Old Bones” as I’m definitely the eldest but I love to play with the pups!

Mum says “He is such a joy to have around can’t believe it’s been 2 years and we love him dearly”. I’m such a lucky Spaniel!

Thank you from

Bracken

It’s been 8 months since I last wrote but I am doing great! I gave my family a bit of a scare a few months ago as we thought I might have bone cancer in my front right leg but after a few tests at the vets it turns out I have the early stages of arthritis. It’s being monitored and the pain managed with paracetamol!

l of life (even with the arthritis) and we’ve been on lots of adventures, as you can see from the photos! Dad tells me he has lots more adventures and outings planned for me, Beau and Ben for the Spring which I’ll be able to share with you next time!

I hope you enjoy the photos and I will write again soon. I want to say thank you for your continued support and sponsorship - it really does make a huge difference! Thank you

from 

Bailey x

I came to CAESSR as my previous family just could not get to the root of why I was chewing my feet raw. They did some tests but to no avail. In the end, they decided the best thing for me was to have a big change and to go and live with another family in the hope this would break my chewing pattern.

Upon arrival, I was checked over by a vet, and they too exhausted all options and there were murmurs of the words amputation, but CAESSR and the vets were not going to give up that easily. With lots of anti-biotic, constant dressings and the use of steroids over the next few weeks it seemed like things were improving.

Finally in May, I got the silly ‘lampshade’ off!! I was free again!!.... Unfortunately it was short lived. My foot suddenly started to get sore again and I started chewing one of them. My foster Mum thinks it may have been a thorn, and due to being bandaged for so long, I had very soft pads. So it was back on the medication and bandages, but only one foot at least.

As things were improving, I went to a new home, but after only 2 and a half weeks, I came back to Laura.Although I thought I was being friendly, the other dogs in the house did not. I believe my social skills may need some work.

Although I am a very sociable with my human friends, but due to bandages and cone restriction, I’ve had limited socialisation with dogs. This is something my Mum is working on, and with the help of our neighbours pup Dotty, I am starting to make good progress.

On the 9th of July, Laura and Matthew decided to foster me permanently! Yay.

My foster Mum Laura, noticed I was walking a little funny too, and it was decided that they best check it out, as they suspected I may have a mis-aligned vertebrae. I had an X-Ray, which wasn’t conclusive, so then I had to have an MRI Scan. The vets suspect nerve damage may be causing my problems, perhaps giving me pins and needles in my toes, causing me to chew.

I have re-started chewing both feet again, and the problems with my walking were attributed to me having knee problems now too. I keep dislocating my knees whilst walking, as my joints are mis-aligned. This is the main reason for my sponsorship request. The operation to re-align them is going to be £800+ each side!

I am currently on 2 different antibiotics a day, some form of anti-depressant (which is something to do with the nerve damage), evening primrose oil and steroids! Boy that’s a lot of pills, but I’m a good boy and just take it all in my stride.

At least one thing though…. I am a hit with the lovely ladies down at the vets practice. They all know me very well and I get snuggles daily when I go for dressing changes.

We are very grateful that you have offered to contribute towards the costs of all my care. Thanks to CAESSR I am hopeful that we can get to the root cause of my problems and get it fixed. I will may need on-going care, training and treatment, but with your help, this is now possible.

Thank you,

George

Well it’s 8 months since I last wrote and boy it’s been a busy time! At Hallowe’en I had a real treat - I had a new baby sister! She’s called Miss Lucy and we’re getting on really well, i’m teaching her lots of different things including how to be a little bit naughty! Sometimes I have to tell her off but only when she is annoying me and I want to nap!

I’m now 13 years old but still enjoying everyone and everything! I’ve been to the beach and the park for some lovely long walks with my doggy friends.

Christmas feels like such a long time ago already but I hope you all had a lovely time with friends and family. We did, I even gave my “girlfriend” Nurse Lena a very special Christmas gift!

My Mum has told me I’m a real charmer! I’ve been getting lots of yummy treats in the mail from friends and fans - which is fantastic. I’ve even shared them with my little sister!

I hope you enjoy the photos and I will write again soon!

Lots of love and nose kisses

Brandy x

It has been another 6 months since my last update... boy doesn't time fly! I wanted to write to say a big thank you and to let you know how I’m getting on.

The new year started out with a big problem for me this year. My mum noticed that I had a growth on my lower lip, under my chin. As mum’s do, she got really scared and took me to the lovely Dr. Alison and my Girlfriend Nurse Lina. They see me regularly, so I get a little bit spoilt when I go hehe. We had some tests done and it turned out that I needed surgery to remove it. I was very lucky and everything turned out well for me.

I am enjoying the Park and my Garden now that the weather is warmer.

I meet and greet new friends almost every day. Most days I take my little Girlfriend Milly out for a walk as well. She loves it and we are the most popular Pups in our town.

I am still as naughty as ever but Mum really doesn't mind. She thinks it's cute and so do all of the ladies.

Oh and guess what? I am 13 years young today!! It’s my birthday, I’m so happy that you have helped me live a wonderful life here with Yvonne (mum).

Love and Nose Kisses,

Brandy

It has been another 6 months since my last update... boy doesn't time fly! I wanted to write to say a big thank you and to let you know how I’m getting on.

I have been doing really well over the summer, although I did have to have surgery on my eye due to getting an ulcer. I was a very brave boy though. I am pleased to report that it is now all healed up and I look as pretty as always! I've been practising my 'Selfies' see...

I am very popular with the ladies... both human and furries. :-)

I have a new play friend called Millie who I go to see and go for walks with. I am such a lucky boy to have so many friends. I can't believe how much fun I used to be missing out on. I love my new life, my new friends and my new home. I want to say a HUGE thank you to my mum Yvonne for giving me a nice home, having lots of patience with me and helping me become the lovely chap I am today. It was 2 years last month that my new fantastic life began. I'm so happy now!!!

My mum says I'm a spoiled pampered and upon occasions naughty little chappy.... Oh yes, life is good!!! I've added another picture for you to admire, I am looking rather handsome, if I don't say so myself!

Love and Nose Kisses,

Brandy

Last winter I felt quite overwhelmed by the support and good wishes that I was receiving on CAESSR’s facebook page. Thank you to every one for that, this really helped with my recovery. I wanted to say an extra special thank you to Rhudi who has given up her pocket money to sponsor me.

Both me and my adopted sister love to go out to play with my friend Henry. He lives nearby and my mum is friends with his mum. I have been improving greatly with my toilet training, walking and general behaviour towards others, but I have found it challenging when my mum goes out. Mum says this is a little better now, but still needs some work.

I have had a few problems with eye infections and also had a few issues with my anal glands getting infected... shhh... please don’t mention that one out loud or I’ll get embarrassed. I have been having them expressed every month, and have to have special bran twice a day to help. They are now all clear, but I still have to go back monthly to check them.

In September, I had another infection in my glands, so the vet lady decided it was best to give me an anaesthetic and flush my glands, clean my teeth and also remove a nasty wart from my face that had been giving me trouble. I had to have a ‘lampshade’ on when I woke up so that I couldn’t rub my stitches. I was not happy about that! I also had some meds to take, but that was no problem because mum wrapped them in Ham for me! This has all now healed and my fur has grown back nicely.

I wasn’t much for the cold weather and the snow at first but over the winter I have grown to like the snow and started to enjoy playing in it. I’m not so keen when it made little snowballs on my feet though.

In the summer months I made lots of lovely friends at the park, and I of course was always centre of attention and got lots of fusses. I proved especially popular with the ladies! I also enjoyed going to the beach with my family. I have been to see the hairdresser a couple of times but my mum says I’m a wriggle worm. I am very popular when I go for my monthly visit at my vets. They always have time to come and say hello, and spoil me with chicken treats.

Throughout the year, my mum has been teaching me how to play. She was successful and now wishes that I didn’t so much as I wear her out. I still only like the soft toys though. I have also leant how to ‘Sit’ and ‘Stay’.

I was very excited about Santa’s visit. Here is a picture of me hiding under my blanket so I could sneak a peek.

I hope you all had a lovely holiday and wish you all a good 2014. I know I will now that I am in my furever home with my lovely family.

Thank you for donating towards my care.

Thank you,

Brandy

P.S. Did you spot me in the 2014 CAESSR Calendar? I’m Mr February along with some pals.

Dear Aunt Pat.......My Mum calls me "her little man”, honestly just how embarrassing is that ?......

I am glad you can see how handsome I am becoming. All the ladies at the Vets think I am "brave" and when I go there they let me run to see all of them. This is so fun. I go to a big park and the seaside as well.

I have a buddy whose name is Henry and last Sunday I had as a visitor a Toddler,that's right,of my very own for the day !.. We played and had treats and when he cried I kissed him till he giggled again. I check 10 times a day to see if those naughty kitties are in my yard......

That reminds me,gotta go check now.....

Love You and Uncle John, Auntie Janet, and All the Lovely People in My Original Vet's that got me off to such a good start......

Licks and Wags,

Brandy.....xxxx

My owner was an old lady with ill health, she was housebound, which meant I was too. When she had been taken into hospital, the neighbours came and fed me, but I hadn’t been out of the kitchen for a few weeks so they convinced my owner to surrender me to Cocker and English Springer Spaniel Rescue, so that I could be looked after properly.

I met CAESSR for the first time on the 23rd of August 2012. They took me straight to see the vet as I was in quite a bad way and they wanted to keep me in to asses me for a few days.

My coat had to be stripped as it was severely matted (2.5KG of fur was removed), I had a few teeth removed and the rest were cleaned, and a big cyst removed that was hanging down under my chin. My claws were so long that they were curling under, so they had to be cut too. Other than that, the vet said I’m pretty healthy for my age.

Over the next few days I got to experience many things. I walked on grass for the first time. I was a little un-sure at first, it felt funny on my toes. I soon felt comfortable and went for a little run on it. I saw Cars and I met the Lawn Mower! I went for walks with my foster sisters Kea and Sky, and we met lots of people and other dogs along the way.

Please help CAESSR to fund my on-going care, training and treatment so that I can enjoy the rest of my life.

It has been just over 6 months since my last update... boy doesn't time fly! I wanted to write to say a big thank you and to let you know how I’m getting on.

My health is okay, although we did have a little scare after the holidays, when they all thought I might have diabetes as I lost weight and was drinking lots more, however my results all came back negative so we think this weight loss must have just been down to the wonderful holiday I had been on and all the walking I did.

Mum says I’m still a little unsteady on my back legs after a big walk, but I keep telling her this is non-sense, it’s just an old working dogs leg wobble that is all. She says it’s fine and it is just what is expected at my age.

I went to Bideford for the Christmas holidays and stayed in a fabulous barn with acres of land. It was absolute doggie heaven. We spent Christmas day on the beach!! I love the sea and enjoy crashing through the waves, whist trying to chase the odd seagull or two of course.

I get lots of friends visiting (well, they are here for a haircut but I get to play too). All the human visitors give me lots of fusses too. I love to share my kisses with these lovely people.

I have two springer sisters, one called Daisy, who also lets me share her basket. I have settled in very well and I love my whole family.

In March I went to stay with my Nannie for a few nights whilst Mum and Dad were away. Oh boy was this fun!! Nannie spoilt me rotten. I didn’t want to go home!!

I love to always have something in my mouth, a ball, a teddy or a dog toy, I’m not fussed. I love to bring them on walkies with me. Mum usually ends up carrying it home though, whist I have sniffs in the undergrowth hehe.

Thank you for sponsoring me, and helping me to live a happy retirement.

Thank you,

Bracken

Bracken`s Journey

Just another ordinary Monday night 14th July, when I saw a post on Facebook asking if someone could possibly look after a springer boy who had had surgery and needed to recuperate. He needed re homing eventually but needed to stay somewhere where he could be looked after. As an ex game keepers dog he didn’t need a lot just somewhere to sleep for a couple of weeks. Having never lived in a house CAESSR were just asking for a tiled floor or porch.

After a quick discussion with my husband we decided we could offer our support, we already had two springer girls and one more would be no bother. We contacted John at CAESSR and filled in a really simple foster/adoption form online and arranged to pick him up from the Meir Park Vets in Stoke.

Well Thursday 17th July our lives certainly changed!

After the drive up to Stoke (getting lost, wrong turnings and a petrol stop) I finally arrived at Meir Park vets and met John in reception. I had a quick catch up and signed some paperwork and the boy Bracken was bought out to me.

Well he was very happy considering he’d had surgery on Monday to remove a carrier bag from his intestines and a rag from his tummy and he had also been castrated. The lovely vet nurse that bought him out carefully explained about all his medication and feeding and gave me details should I need to contact them.

I helped him in the car and we made our way back home. He had his head on my hand all the way back.

Once home I got him out the car and we made our way inside, carefully introducing him to Millie and Daisy. They all had a good sniff of each other and soon settled down.

Bracken was especially hungry for the first few days as he hadn’t eaten in a long time and was desperately underweight being only 17.2kg, however he quickly realised that he was going to keep being fed and calmed down.

As he had never really lived in a house before we were a bit worried but we let him out after every meal to go toilet and we only had a couple of accidents.

After he had been here for a week my husband and I had absolutely fallen in love with him, as had all our friends and family and no-one was surprised when we called up John and said we wanted to keep him!

The support we received from John is second to none, calls to check we were all ok we gave updates regularly and John still calls now and promises to come visit when he is in the area.

Since Bracken came into our lives we have done so much with him, long walks over Cannock Chase, been on holiday to Wales, he has welcomed many dogs into our garden as I am a dog groomer. He doesn’t bother our cats, is great with my friends children and generally it feels like he has been here forever. He had us a bit worried when he swam the whole length of a lake after a Moor Hen thought we were going to have to get in and save him, and we have recently had to purchase a super king size bed as all 3 of them take up so much room.

Post surgery he is doing great all healed up thanks to Meir Park and is now 18.8kg and looking so much better. He is the most kind natured and loving dog considering his back ground. I would fully recommend getting a rescue dog from CAESSR.