A to Z blogger challenge, Day 7, Greyhound Rescue West of England.

G is for Greyhound or more specifically the Greyhound Rescue West of England.

I'm so excited today as we have a first selection of lovely pups, looking for their forever homes, as well as the awesome charity GRWE who are working to make their doggy dreams come true. The work GRWE does it truly amazing, if you don't believe me keep reading:

Greyhound Rescue West of England – award winning dog rescuers.

GREYHOUND Rescue West of England (GRWE) won the title ‘Animal Charity Team of the Year’ at the annual Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) awards last year. The charity which has just one paid employee, rehomed 516 ex-racing greyhounds and lurchers in 2013 and GRWE’s Facebook page now exceeds 5,000 likes.

 The charity’s achievements, as recognised by the ADCH, are achieved through vast expertise and experience - and the hands-on work of rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming is where the team excels. GRWE take great pride in maintaining high standards, reflected in one of the lowest return rates - percentage of dogs returned after a homing – of all dog rescues. For 2013 this is just 5.8%. Their rehoming process is simple but thorough. Firstly, potential adopters talk with home checkers and rehoming officers about what they expect from their new pet.  This is the start of a match-making process. Meanwhile, dogs in their care are constantly under assessment – everything from walking up stairs to how they walk on a lead.  So, ultimately rehoming officers can introduce potential homes to the hounds who fit their expectations of a dog.

 But of course people sometimes want help to get to know their new dogs, and GRWE’s post-homing support team (headed by Carol Baby, author of ‘Greyhounds; a guide to care and understanding’) have great experience in helping families to understand their new pets. The team use the latest thinking in dog behaviour including clicker training to support rescued dogs and help them be ready to become beloved family members. Many volunteers have recognised qualifications in canine care and behaviour. Their support is available throughout the life of the dog.

  GRWE is currently running an emergency medical appeal; in 2013 the charity has taken in a high number of dogs in need of urgent and costly veterinary attention. They also run a sponsor-a-dog scheme which helps to rehome dogs who have on-going veterinary costs, and a kennel sponsorship scheme starting at £24 for three days or £240 a month. GRWE owns no kennels; dogs wait for rehoming in rented kennel spaces or in foster homes around the country.  Every dog they have waiting –up to 70 at any time - costs about £8 per day, even before the neutering, vaccinations and micro-chipping which GRWE cover as standard.

 If you are starting to believe that this is an extra-special volunteer team, you may be right; in 2013 supporters have climbed mountains (from Ben Nevis to Kilimanjaro) and as well as sponsored runs and cake-making, have been seen in busy shopping centres bathing in baked beans!

 The charity also runs a Friends scheme for which subscribers receive regular updates including GRWE’s own magazine ‘Talking Greyhounds’. Celebrity backing for the team is also growing, with actor Anthony Head, author Jilly Cooper and TV vet Zara Boland among those putting their names behind GRWE.

 Contrary to what you might expect, ex-racing dogs require very little exercise; the breed description recommends two 20 minute walks a day.  Greyhounds spend large amounts of time sleeping, although lurchers rehomed by GRWE come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and exercise preferences. Why not visit http://www.grwe.com to see dogs waiting for a home, or ring 07000 785 092.

There are lots of dogs looking for homes at Greyhound Rescue West of England and if you are considering adopting you should go and check out the GRWE Adoption page for and extensive list. Below I've lined up a few of their cutie's to wet your appetite.

First is Fab Freddie and I really wanted to feature this beautiful boy because it is going to be his 3rd Birthday this month. Can you help give him the best present a dog could ask for, a happy, loving forever home.

GRWE say that Freddie will be a dream come true for which ever lucky family adopt him, as his carers in the foster home where Freddie currently resides cannot speak Highly enough of him.
This hansom boy is not only clean in the home but very well behaved all around, including walking well on the lead.

One area where Freddie needs a little help is in building his confidence as he is shy around new people until he has had time to get to know you a little.

If you think you can give Freddie his happy ever after please call GRWE on: O7000 785 092 or visit the GRWE website, for more information.

Next I have the adorable Banner, pictured below.

Will let Banner speak for himself I think. Enjoy!!

Hello my name is Banner and I am a blonde bombshell. Everybody I meet says how gorgeous I am. I am just 3 years old and had to retired from racing due to an injury but that is now healed and I have been given another chance at a different life - hopefully one that includes you!

I will happily take a human with me on my travels and walk very nicely on the lead, wherever I go. I still need to understand what very small dogs are but of the dogs I have met so far, I have been polite and friendly to all. I get on well with humans, so don't mind being around well behaved, older children but I do not like cats. 

I could live as an only dog (with someone around a fair bit) or with other sighthounds. If you are looking for a handsome boy in your life, then look no further. 

If you think Banner is for you please call GRWE on: O7000 785 092 or visit the GRWE website, for more information.

Another beautiful black and white greyhound for you next with Whiskey.

I'm going to let Whiskey do the talking. Enjoy!

Hello, my name is Whiskey, and ex-racing greyhound; I am nearly 4 now, measuring 28" to my shoulder and I'm black with a patch of white on my chest. My walker says that I have very expressive ears that flop back and forth as I walk - you can see them in my photo! I do enjoy my walks, looking around for anything interesting but I do walk nicely on my lead, trotting along happily sharing sniffs with the volunteer's own dog on a walk yesterday.

Last week, I had a lovely time when taken out on a social walk with loads of other dogs, I enjoyed seeing them all. I love a bit of fuss and am friendly and affectionate. Actually, I have been in a home but had to come back as I got scared when left alone. Therefore, I do need another dog for company and someone who is willing to work with me to build up my confidence so that I will learn to trust that they will always come back home to me again.

Though I am quite big, I promise I will curl up small and fit your sofa if you can find a place in your life for me; perhaps you are the person who could give me a second chance?

If you think you could give Whiskey that second chance please call GRWE on: O7000 785 092 or visit the GRWE website, for more information.

And last but far from least a wonderful Golden oldie Charlie. If I could I would snap this guy up he is adorable. Sadly I can't but can you?

Charlie is 11 years old and has found himself looking for a new home due to a change in circumstances. He is currently having a great time in foster. Where he enjoys long walks followed by a lovely long snooze on the sofa, flopped over with all four feet sticking up in the air.

Charlie can happily live with other dogs or on his own and has a very simply list of wants, to be walked, loved and fed. 

If you think you can give this beautiful golden oldie a  wonderful forever home, then please call GRWE on: O7000 785 092 or visit the GRWE website, for more information. 

Remember that the GRWE website, has lots of lovely dogs looking for homes, both male and female with all kinds of requirement needs. They also come in a range of different coat types. I have mainly shared the black and white boys here as I understand these are the guys who struggle the most to find a loving home. If you do adopt a pup because of this post please let me know as it would make my day to know that although I couldn't give one a home myself, that someone had done so because of this post.

If your considering adopting a Greyhound, but would like to know more here is a video that may help you make a more informed decision:

A to Z challenge, day 6, Fourche Terrier.

F is for Fourche Terrier, a new breed to the doggie world that is essentially a cross between a West Highland Terrier and a Yorkshire Terrier and to represent this lovely new breed we have Sam, compliments of his lovely mummy, Wendy.

Like all Terriers, Sam is a lively little dog with plenty of attitude. So much so, that he has earned himself a couple of very special nicknames. The first, Wendy says, is "Samuel LJ, as in Jackson, as he has a face that says it all, when he isn't happy about something." The second, and the one that really made me chuckle, was ASBO, due to him being slightly dysfunctional at times. Really, this Cutie? Just look at that face. 

Sam is a very brave little chap, too. He once saved a farmer from a very angry Aberdeen Angus mum with calf, when the farmer's own dog, who was four times the size of little Sam, ran away with his tail between his legs. Awww, our little hero. 

Sam is a stubbon little boy who does what he wants when he wants.  His pet hates are cats, hoovers, and baths. The bath one's a shame too, considering his breed, which requires regular clipping. Poor Sam. Still, I bet he feels much better for it, once it's done. 

On a more positive note, Sam's mum says, "He LOVES food and will do anything he can to wrap you round his paw to get it, even yours!"

I think Sam sounds like an awesome little dog. Now, let's get to know the breeds that make him:

The West Highland Terrier.

The Yorkshire Terrier.

A to Z challenge, day 5, English Bulldog

E is for English Bulldog and I have the cutest English Bulldog ever for you today.

So, without further ado, meet the adorable Bruce.

Bruce is one of the youngest participants in this doggy themed A to Z challenge at just 5 months old. Yet, despite this, he is a pretty laid back chap. His owner Rachel tells me he loves nothing better than a good cuddle on the sofa. I suspect hugs and kisses are an easy win for this boy. Would you just look at that beautiful face. 

Bruce adores people and hates for anyone to walk on by without giving him a fuss. This probably has a lot to with him being hand reared, after his mother sadly died in labour, but it makes for one very well socialized and lovable pup.

Like all dogs, Bruce does have his foibles and this little bulldog has a serious fetish for feet and shoes. His poor human mummy returned from a walk with Bruce recently in which he had succeeded in completely destroying a pair of shoes that prior to the walk had been fine. I'm sure he slept well after that walk. 

When it comes to sleep, Bruce might not be your best bedtime companion because, like most Bulldogs he has a pretty impressive snore. Still, you'd need to weigh up the irritation of the snore versus the amazing snugability of this guy before banning him from the bedroom; however, when you think about it, we often put up with men snoring beside us, so when you consider they can't even come close to the cuteness factor of this guy, it kinda makes the choice a little easier. 

Despite being a relatively laid back breed, Bruce is very clear about what he will and will not do, to the point that, on more than one occasion, poor Rachel has been forced to carry him home from a walk, after he has laid down and refused point blank to move; which, when you consider that English Bulldogs, despite being small, are very stocky and thus pretty heavy, cannot have been an easy task. 

So, if you love Bruce (how could you not) and would like to know more about this breed then check out the video below: 

Finally,a big thank you to Rachel Shackleton for allowing us to use her beautiful baby for our E dog. 

A to Z challenge, day 4, Dawn.

So, it's day four of the A to Z challenge and our first Featured Doggy is here. Featured Doggies are those who claim the letter for their name, as opposed to their breed.

So that means D is for Dawn and she is a beautiful Rough Collie.

This ten year old girl came to Hilltop Animal Haven, just a few months ago, due to her owner becoming unwell and feeling unable to give her the love and attention she deserved.

On her arrival, there were a few issues to iron out, including poor dental hygiene, weight, and knots in her coat and paws that were in serious need of some attention.

Sammy, the manager at Hilltop, tried to deal with Dawn's feet, but it was too much for this timid little girl and she literally threw herself to the floor with fright. Not wanting to distress her any further, Sammy decided to wait until, either her confidence had grown, or till after she'd been to the vet's to have her dental work done, before trying again.

Teeth and feet sorted, Hilltop still had some larger concerns to deal with. Dawn's weight was putting a lot of strain on her legs and she was finding it hard to walk very far. She was put on a healthy diet and very quickly improvements in her movement became apparent.

The downside to this extra mobility; however, was that it now became easier for Dawn to avoid the grooming that she was none to keen on. Sammy tells me that grooming Dawn is a step by step process; groom a leg, follow Dawn around the house, groom another leg, follow Dawn around the house, and so on and so forth. Still, I know Sammy, like myself, could do with all the exercise we can get, so Dawn is probably just trying to help Sammy shift a few pounds lol. (Sorry Sammy, I couldn't resist.) 

This sweet little girl really does have a very timid nature. The smallest of noises can give her a fright, such as a spoon dropping into a cup or the click of the stair gate closing, but the staff at Hilltop hope that given time, and with the other dogs to guide her, Dawn's confidence will grow and grow. They've already seen her first bark, tail wags, and even a happy dance or two at the site of her breakfast. So, the future is looking good for Dawn thanks to Hilltop Animal Haven and the incredible work that they do. 

Hilltop Animal Haven is a non-profit organisation that takes primarily older animals that otherwise might be destroyed.

They have a huge host of cats, dogs, sheep, chickens, horses, and other animals that they care and provide a permanent home for.

They are always grateful for donations and support from fellow animal lovers. So, if you would like to help an elderly animal live out its life in happiness, please check out the Hilltop Animal Haven Facebook page and ask what you can do to help.

If you would like to know more about the Rough Collie, please check out the video below:

A to Z challenge, day 3, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

C is for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and I have a very special doggy to represent this breed; one who sadly passed away, only recently.

So, it is with great pleasure and a little sadness that I introduce Billy.

Billy lived the last 6 years of his life at Hilltop Animal Haven. A rescue that specialises in not only giving elderly animals a place to call home, but making that place as much like a normal family home as possible.

When Billy arrived at Hilltop, he was ten year old and decidedly overweight. On entering the house for the first time, his immediate response was to cock his leg up the nearest chair and claim this new territory as his.

He place as top dog remained from that day forth and not even dogs, bigger than him, were safe from a telling off. A quick nip from Billy would put them in their place.  

This beautiful little chap melted my heart from the very first moment I laid eyes on him and despite some of his quirky habits, he was an amazingly awesome little dog. 

Billy's two biggest drives in life were food and sleep and he often combined the two frequently falling asleep with his head in his food bowl. Sammy, the manager at hilltop and one of my best friends, told me a story of how she once came in from tending the other animals to find Billy in an over indulgence coma, curled up, fast asleep, in a massive bag of dog food which he had sneakily raided while she was gone. 

But, it wasn't just dog food that garnered Billy's interest. The litter trays at Hilltop also had to be carefully monitored during Billy's reign or any cat poop that wasn't cleared away fast was at risk of heading down Billy's throat. He was not exactly a dog you wanted to allow to kiss you, but he was still a real babe. 

Stair gates had to be installed to stop this little food thief from being able to access the kitchen because Billy was  a real opportunist, who was less than impressed by this no nonsense approach. Sammy and other staff at Hilltop took to monitoring his food intake and waistline. 

Still, Billy lived a life of luxury at Hilltop with lots of loving people to cuddle and pamper him; people who never gave up throwing the ball for him, even though they knew Billy would never actually give the ball back. 

Pampered and preened, Billy really did live the high life with all his doggie needs carefully attended to. Sammy even let him sleep, while she clipped him. Sometimes, I wish they took humans, too. :)

Billy won over the hearts of every one he met, but sadly his own heart was not in quite such good shape, as he suffered from a heart murmur; something Sammy tells me is a common complaint of this breed. His hearing was impeccable; however, and he never failed to hear a biscuit or other item of food hitting the floor. 

This little boy was amazing and I cannot tell you how often I wanted to sneak him out of Hilltop under my coat, even if Sammy insisted I would soon bring him back. He will always be dearly missed and has left me and I am sure many others beside with a permanent longing for a little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel of our own. 

R.I.P. Billy. You will forever be in our hearts. 

If you want to know more about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel check out the video below. 

A to Z challenge, day 2, Border Collie.

B is for Border Collie.

Well it had to be, didn't it? Have you met loopy Lu aka Ludo?

                              

Yes, my baby. He's a Blue Merle Border Collie. He isn't the first Border Collie I've had either. In fact, I've been lucky enough to have several pure and not so pure collies and all of them have been awesome. So, I am a huge fan of this breed. Believe it or not, my lovely little De man (pictured below) is one of my not so pure Collies. His Collie side is very deep, when it comes to looks; however, the intelligence he has in buckets.

                               

So, what can I tell you about Ludo? Well, he is two and a half years old and has been a part of my family since he was the ity bitty ball of fluff pictured below. He was a present from my husband for completing and getting my first novel published.

 We'd hoped that he could also be trained to help me with a few jobs, around the home, that I can no longer do myself due to my disability; however, his mischievous streak and my softness meant we didn't succeed too well with the service dog training. This isn't to say he can't do the things I ask, because he can. Like all Border Collies, he is very intelligent. His mischievousness just gets in the way. For example, Ludo will help me unload the washing machine, pulling out all the clothes like a good boy for me and dropping them in the basket. The problem is, once they are out, Ludo will get this cheeky glint in his eye and ram them all back in, double quick. The miscreant!

 He'll also pick things up for me; but, when it comes to handing them over, he'll lay them down, keeping his nose close, and the instant you try to take it, he snatches it away and parades around the room with glee. Would I change him? No! Not in a million years, because he gives me something better than a helping paw, he gives me joy and keeps me smiling and that is better than anything else. 

                             

Ludo loves speed, too and does pretty much everything at a hundred miles an hour. He also loves people and is incredibly affectionate with everyone. If you ever meet Ludo, you'll need to be firm, because, if you're not, he'll jump all over you and his front legs and paws fly around like deadly missiles, putting you at risk of getting a black eye. :) Doggy people get that Loop's not trying to be mean, but the non doggy people can get a little irritated. So, whichever you are, if you ever meet Lu, just try to remember that he shows his love for everyone the same way he does everything; with great enthusiasm and excitement. At least he no longer gets so excited that he wets himself. That was a huge problem when he was a pup.

Ludo could probably be a lot better behaved if I was tougher, but he's so pretty and sweet, I struggle to chastise him and frequently give into his antics. He does know how to be calm and gentle though. If you watch him with my son, you'll see how brilliant he is in these respects. They're the best of friends and a prime example of that old saying, "Every boy needs a dog."

So, let's learn more about the Border Collie:

A to Z challenge, day 1, American Bulldog x

So today is the first day of the A to Z challenge. My theme started as dog breeds but kind of developed into a dog fest of mixed breeds and feature dogs who were matched to the days letter by their name, we've even got some Charities and rescue doggies, who are looking for homes too. How great is that?

As a result of this I have to say a big thank you to all the friends and a few friends of friends who offered up there lovely doggies for this challenge, as well as the rescues that have been so helpful. The result of which is a month long awww fest :) 

So we're starting off the Awwww factor, with a dog that is so cute you can't help but want to hug him. 

Prepare to melt as I let Karen Amanda Hooper introduce you to her beautiful American Bulldog x Shar Pei, Squishy.

Squish (aka Squishy Von Valentine) was adopted from American Bulldog Rescue on Valentines Day 2014.

I've had two other American bulldogs (my gentle giants, Rooney and Baloo--RIP sweet boys) who were between 90-120 lbs, but Squish is a miniature AB. He's fully grown at 55 lbs, so we think he might be ABR with a mix of Shar-pei (look at that squishy face!) Or, and I mean this in the nicest way, he might be the runt of a litter. But a super cute runt!

I first saw his photo on the ABR Facebook page and I instantly fell in love. He had the cone of shame on his head and he had just been picked up from the animal shelter. He had a severe eye infection and ulcers on his corneas due to neglect. Someone tied him to a pole outside of the shelter and the staff found him hiding in the bushes when they opened in the morning.

They knew next to nothing about him. Being the risk taker that I am, I didn't care. I applied for him before he was even officially listed for adoption.

We've only been together for over a month, and we've had LOTS of training to do, and sadly, some health issues to battle. Even though the shelter did surgery on his eyes and helped his condition temporarily, Squish needs another eye surgery to fix the issues that are still irritating his eyes, so he'll be wearing his cone collar again very soon (and he's not too excited about it).

American Bulldogs are such a loving and fun breed. Yes, they can be bullies (it's in their nature) but with a little bit of training and a lot of love, they can be obedient, loyal, and fun-loving dogs. Not to mention, very entertaining. One of the trademark AB moves is the "helicopter." They leap into the air while spinning. Squish does it all the time. He also does what we call "The Bucking Bronco" dance. That one speaks for itself. He "talks" to me when he wants to play or go out. And he's such a cuddler. I call him my teddy bear. 

American Bulldogs are strong and powerful, so if you are considering adopting one (rescue if you can!) please do your research and make sure they are a good match for your personality and lifestyle.

If you'd like to be friends with Squishy, he has his own FB page. Stop by and say hello. https://www.facebook.com/SquishyVonValentine

You can watch Squishy having fun in this vidio:

So let's look at the different aspects of Squishy's breeds. 

First for his American bulldog ancestry, check out the video below.

watch the video to learn more about Squishy's Shar Pei heritage.