WAG! Autumn 2013

THE MAGAZINE FOR SUPPORTERS OF DOGS TRUST

AUTUMN 2013

Plus Dogs Trust Honours 2013

Hello from the Editor!

R

ecently while out on a ramble with Daniel the Spaniel and his ever-flapping ears, one of my fellow walkers, knowing where I worked, wondered how long our “A Dog is for Life Not Just for Christmas” slogan has been around. I confess I was flummoxed. Back at the office, Clarissa Baldwin, the slogan’s creator, informed me she came up with it in 1978, and therefore this year it celebrates its 35th birthday! That’s the Wag! front cover sorted then...

But is it still relevant? Undoubtedly, unfortunately – yes. With so many people now choosing to buy their dogs, among other animals, online, it seems to me that making a pup purchase has become something people do at the drop of a hat. It all feels a little too easy for something which requires around 12 years of love, care and serious responsibility.

We’ve given you a free car sticker so you can help spread the word, but if you already have one, then please pass it on to a friend.

We’ve also got the Dogs Trust Honours winners, more charming readers’ dogs than you could shake a stick at, plus a selection of stylish brollies to keep your collective bonce dry as a bone this autumn.

Wishing you and your dogs a very happy Christmas and a joyous New Year.

Deana Selby, Editor PS I apologise to anyone who felt let down by the photo in our previous issue of Yasmin le Bon at our Dog’s Dinner event wearing what looked like a fur wrap. The wearing of real fur is not something Dogs Trust promotes.

PPS With the festive season around the corner, please do send all your used stamps to our expert philatelist volunteer Jenny Thomas at 15 Wentworth Ave, West Finchley, London N3 1YA. Thanks to Wag! readers and Jenny, you’ve raised a fabulous £7,000 through stamp sales so far this year!

Facebook: Twitter:

facebook.com/dogstrust @Dogstrust

You Tube: www.youtube/dogstrust Read our blog: www.dogstrustblog.blogspot.com

Behind the scenes this issue...

Gratuitous Pug. Brix Smith Start with Gladys at the Honours

"My, what big ears you have!"

Tol and Atrayu go nose to nose

Contents 3 News Dogs and the Law 4 News Binned at Birth 5 News Buster's Seaside Rendezvous 6 Feature Dogs Trust Honours the winners!

12 Feature Readers’ Dogs Extra - maximum cuteness alert!

16 Feature Re'tail' Therapy 16 News The Tail End 18 Feature Pets at Home Dogs Dinners

A dog is for life, not just for Christmas® This issue: Editor: Deana Selby Contributors this issue: Hannah Baker, Matt Boustead, Stacey Conway, Margaret Donnellan, Rebecca Eighteen, Sarah Graham, Annie Holland, Hannah Macey, Sarah Morgan, Phillip Simmons, Ziela Haider Veterinary Director: Paula Boyden BVetMed MRCVS Design: FP Creative Print: by Red Mist Editorial directors for Condé Gnash: Daniel the Spaniel, Deedee, Dennis, Florence, Freddie, Fynn, Gracie, Myrtle, Safid and Manky the bald cat. Welcome to Mavis T Collie in customer services.

Send your dog photos (former Dogs Trust residents only please!) to: wag@dogstrust.org.uk Tel: 020 7837 0006 Registered charity 227523, SC037843, CHY16218 Our stunning cover models – Buck and friends - are all from our West London rehoming centre – to download your own 35 years of “A Dog is for Life” image, go to bit.ly/DTwagmag

Scooby sit!

Hannah gets to grips with a recalcitrant Cairn

2

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

Deana and Poppy sharing a moment

Photography by David Hartley Design by Anthony Oram.

Wag! News

All that’s going on in the world of Dogs Trust…

Anti-Social Behaviour, Dogs and the Law

Dogs Trust Ilfracombe – Brighter, Better, Doggier

D

ogs Trust Ilfracombe Rehoming Centre has officially re-opened after 17 months of building work and a £2.1 million rebuilding programme. Joining these delightful Terrier crossbreed puppies were our CEO Clarissa

Baldwin OBE, centre manager Pam Stow, deputy chairman John Gaye, schoolchildren from Kingsacre Primary School as well as fundraisers, volunteers and staff.

We would especially like to thank our supporters Bernie Slater and Pat French, both of whom made generous donations towards the works. Since 1975, Dogs Trust Ilfracombe has cared for nearly 21,000 rescue dogs of all shapes and sizes.

The new-look centre uses our years of experience in dog behaviour to create a better environment for our dogs, including glass-fronted and angled rehoming kennels, a training building, dog assessment room, outdoor runs floored in astroturf, sand or concrete and a veterinary room.

See the improvements for yourself at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe, Hazledene, West Down, Ilfracombe North Devon 01271 812 709.

Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust chief executive, writes: Recently, you may have seen several items in the news about dogs and the law. I’d like to reassure you that we’ve been working closely with the government to ensure that the dog’s point of view is always represented. In a nutshell, we believe that there is no excuse whatsoever for a dog to be out of control. The few owners that do allow this to happen spoil it for the rest of us.

During the summer I presented evidence to both the EFRA Committee and the Home Office’s Anti-Social Behaviour Bill Scrutiny Committee on this matter. I remain deeply concerned about the effectiveness of the proposed legislation, specifically for the lack of genuine preventative measures it includes. The fact that the legislation is not dog-specific and will rely on non-statutory guidance for enforcement is also a worry.

We do, however, welcome the Government’s plan to introduce an amendment to the Dangerous Dogs Act, to include an extension of the Act to cover dog attacks taking place on private property.

It is our belief that there are too many separate pieces of legislation, and would like to see a consolidation of all dog legislation that contains preventative measures.

As many of you will be aware, Dogs Trust has long argued for drastic changes in dog legislation, in fact ever since the Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) was introduced in 1991. We are concerned that Government proposals to examine the dangerous dogs issue under the Home Office’s Draft AntiSocial Behaviour Bill could serve only to complicate matters for both dog owners and law enforcers.

If you feel strongly about dogs and the law, please do write to your MP – you’ll find a suggested letter here: http://bit.ly/antisocialdogs

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

3

Wag! News

‘Minimum Standards’ Mean Maximum Benefit for Pets

T

he future is beginning to look brighter for pets advertised online, thanks to the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG), who recently launched their minimum standards for classified advert websites with the help of Environment Minister Lord de Mauley at a reception for websites and MPs in Parliament.

Dogs Trust knows that many people are now choosing to buy their pets online, and for several years we’ve worked hard to try and improve this lucrative business model. Some of the most inappropriate online pet adverts we’ve seen include vendors attempting to:

- Swap a mountain bike for a Bengal kitten - Swap a puppy for a mobile phone - Exchange a Chihuahua puppy for a Golden Retriever puppy - Offer cash for ‘as many live rabbits as possible’ - Sell pairs of marmosets.

Binned at Birth

4

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

Dogs Trust chairs PAAG, a body comprising organisations from across the animal welfare sector striving to ensure the responsible advertising of pets.

PAAG has worked tirelessly in recent years to develop minimum standards for classified websites to abide by. These new standards outline the legal, ethical and welfare requirements that websites should follow when publishing pet adverts.

PAAG was delighted to recently receive endorsement for these standards from the Government, and will continue to monitor and advise websites on animal welfare issues. For more information go to www.paag.org.uk.

This tiny slip of a thing, Willow, was found at just one day old, tied up in a refuse sack stuffed in a dustbin. The pup still had her umbilical cord attached when she was found by a woman in Leeds, who brought her straight to Dogs Trust Leeds Rehoming Centre.

Unsurprisingly, the newborn

Jenny’s Silver Service There now follows a public service announcement from Wag!: Happy Dogs Trust birthday to you, happy birthday dear Jenny Hopkins of Dogs Trust Newbuuuuury, happy 25 years birthday to you! On behalf of the thousands of dogs you have helped to find loving homes over your quarter century, thank you.

Jenny says: “I‘ve been around dogs my whole life and this was my first job. I can’t imagine doing anything else and it’s this passion, along with the fact that no two days are ever the same that has kept me working here for so long. It’s the people who are prepared to offer a dog a home and the characters I’ve met – two and four-legged that continually inspire me.

Even after all these years I haven’t hardened to the heart-wrenching reality that comes with an owner standing in front of me completely distraught because they have to give up their beloved pet. It’s a driving force because you know that dog is relying on you to help them.

I have so many moments I’m proud of at Dogs Trust – from hand-rearing litters of puppies and seeing them grow; to partaking in rescue dog agility with my own dog and working with such a brilliant team of people here.”

was very poorly when she first arrived, with staff having to feed her every two hours, including through the night, to ensure she had the strength to pull through her ghastly start to life.

Amanda Sands, our Leeds manager, says, “My staff were shocked to see the state of Willow. We could not believe that someone would abandon a puppy in a plastic bag in the rubbish so callously.“ We’re pleased to report that Willow is now reserved to go to a very good home near the centre. Our Leeds centre cares for over 100 dogs on any day. You can contact the centre on 0113 281 4920.

Wag! News

Buster’s Seaside Rendezvous

Itchy hound prefers to be a beach babe

L

ab cross, Buster, was diagnosed with a chronic grass allergy soon after arriving at our Darlington centre three years ago, meaning he was unable to set foot on grass without suffering the itchy consequences.

Luckily, staff discovered he loved nothing better than frolicking in the sand while on a summer trip to the beach, so they set about finding him a loving home by the sea.

Buster’s luck changed when he was spotted

by Peter and Shelley Lawton, from York, who fell in love with the fun loving pooch as soon as they saw him and gave him a loving home, just in time to enjoy a perfect summer of day trips and weekends away at the beach in Bridlington and Hornsea. Shelley Lawton explains, “We have experience of dogs with this condition as our dog Bessie previously suffered with a grass allergy and we know how it can affect a dog’s quality of life. We wanted to find a companion

for her and when we heard about Buster in our local paper, we knew we could offer him a happy home. He fitted into our lives perfectly and adores Bessie – plus he never misses out on our seaside trips. We are so glad that the Darlington team never gave up on finding Buster his perfect home. The four of us now enjoy tonnes of grass-free adventures together.”

Cindy the English bull terrier cross is searching for love, but so many people have walked on by her kennel at our Merseyside centre she’s beginning to worry that no one will offer her a forever home – simply because she is deaf.

This pretty-as-a-picture two year old loves being trained, and has learnt ‘doggy sign language’ from the centre’s training and behaviour advisor, Michelle Roughley.

Walk On By Walk On By

“Cindy is so enthusiastic, plus her strong sense of smell and love of treats makes training her that much easier. We use a flicker training technique, which replaces the sound of a clicker, with a light to mark a command, which is then followed by a reward. We also teach her sign language, so she now knows the hand signals for sit, down, recall and thumbs up for ‘good work’. She gets very giddy when we give her the thumbs up; she is so pleased with herself!”

If you have room in your life for a smiley, eager to please dog, with a penchant for learning new tricks and playing with cardboard boxes, please call Dogs Trust Merseyside on on 0151 480 0660 or drop into the centre at Whiston Lane Liverpool L36 6HP.

Margo Rocks Proving that age is no barrier to a) having fun b) helping others, here’s Wag’s favourite lady Margo Giles shortly before hurling herself out of a plane in order to raise money for Dogs Trust. Margot, 79, who rehomed the delightfully rakish Rueben from our Shrewsbury centre six years ago, maintains that dog ownership keeps her fit, healthy and in tip top condition. Margot tells us, “Rueben is fabulous, fit and very handsome; the best dog I’ve ever had.” Margot – we salute you.

Check out daredevil Margo’s pics at justgiving.com/margo-giles

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

5

Wag! Feature

Photography: Clive Tagg

Dogs Trust Honours 2013 T

Dog's Best Friend Karen Law Co-founder of the Deaf Dog Network

6

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

o say Karen Law likes deaf dogs is something of an understatement. For years, Karen has been advising people who own deaf dogs and helping them overcome all sorts of problems – both with their training and managing other people's misconceptions about deaf dogs.

Karen set up the network with animal behaviourist Jacqui Bunn, and between them they have over 40 years' experience of training hard of hearing dogs.

Karen started the Deaf Dog Network, as she says, “Because I realised there was no central point for people to go with their questions. People want to do the right thing by their dog but often just get confused. The most common questions we're asked is 'How do I train him?', 'What signs should I use?' and even 'Is it fair to keep a deaf dog?'

“I was prompted to start the network when I began noticing just how many deaf dogs were ending up in rescue centres, often waiting for months, even years, not finding homes – and the only difference between them and some other dog was that they couldn’t hear.“ Dogs have always played an important role in Karen's life,

but at one point they were vital in her recovery from a nervous breakdown, in which she lost her job, partner, home and children.

At a particularly low point, Karen took the decision to volunteer with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, which she claims was essential in helping her come to terms with her difficulties. She also rehomed a deaf puppy, the adorable Gollum, at 8 weeks from Thames Valley Boxer Rescue. Getting to know Gollum so well helped Jacqui master training techniques.

Seeing Karen out walking with her gang of 'deafies', as she calls them, it's immediately clear that she has a huge empathy with the animals. Each of her five dogs watches Karen intently, and all are extremely obedient, checking in with Karen every few seconds.

As Karen puts it, “Dogs are my whole life, they’ve given me so much. The Deaf Dog Network is there to help dogs and people, and if we can help just one deaf dog not end up languishing in rescue, or being put to sleep by an exasperated owner, then it's absolutely worth it. This year already we’ve helped save 30 dogs’ lives; not through rehoming, but by helping their owners.”

Wag! Feature

Dogged Devotion Daisy, owned by Tracey and Craig Marshall

D

aisy the Bull Mastiff has been responsible for bringing back the laughter to the Marshall family following a tragic event.

Tracey and Craig’s son, Jack, was diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was just four years old. As Tracey recounts the heartbreaking story of Jack’s diagnosis, treatment and eventual passing from cancer, Daisy dozes next to her, resting her huge head on her lap, snoring gently.

Tracey explains, “Jack was diagnosed with a brain tumour shortly after he’d started at school. In the space of a week, Jack changed from being a normal four year old boy with a virus, to being very poorly indeed.

“To watch my son lose something of his personality every day was so hard; perhaps one morning he didn’t smile so much, or the next day he’d not speak to you. To see that and know you can’t do anything, and know it’s only a matter of time – I don’t think you can get any worse than that.”

Two years after his diagnosis, Jack died, aged seven, cuddled up in Tracey’s arms at

home. Tracey says, “The weeks and months afterwards were the most horrific of my entire life.”

Daisy came into Tracey and Craig’s lives a few months after Jack’s passing. Tracey was virtually a hermit, feeling so depressed that she didn’t want to see or speak to anyone.

Eventually, with elder son Josh returning to school and husband Craig going back to work, Tracey felt like she needed ‘a partner in crime.’

Daisy played a vital role in Tracey’s grieving process, as she explains, “I felt that my role as Jack’s mum had been taken away, and I felt a dog would be a good thing for all of us, not just me but for Craig and Josh too.

“So we bought Daisy. Daisy became the reason I got out of bed each day, because I had a puppy that I was responsible for, so if I didn’t open the back door there’d be a puddle on the kitchen floor.

“She provided a different focal point too.

People would stop and ask me about Daisy while we were walking, and it saves them

feeling awkward about not knowing what say about Jack. She gets us all out together on family walks. I’m certainly more back to my normal self. We’re even in the process of setting up a charity in memory of Jack, for which Daisy is the mascot.“ Tracey continues, “Her support is quite subtle in other ways. While he was ill, around 10pm each night I would give Jack his medicines on the sofa. Since his passing, around 10pm I have been getting uptight and unhappy, I didn’t realise it at first.

“But at 10 every evening Daisy balances herself partly on my leg and the footrest of the sofa, and she’ll lay there for a while, and kind of chat to me. Craig pointed out that she must be sensing when I’m feeling especially sad.

“What Daisy did for me at the roughest time was give me a bit of my life back, and even make me look to the future – something I’d never even thought possible after Jack died. Daisy has got us all laughing and smiling again. It would have taken us so much longer if she’d not been here.”

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

7

Wag! Feature

Vanessa Teamby, deputy manager at Ramblas, with Becks the Springer

Pawfect Company Ramblas Nursing Home, Scarborough Manager, Heather McAusland Nominated by Sue Stone, together with Spider

S

ue Stone nominated the Ramblas Nursing Home for the Pawfect Company award because of the way the home not only allows her dog, Spider, in to visit his ‘Grandma’ each day, but because of the way they way welcome him too.

As Sue explains, “The reason why I’m so pleased the home lets Spider come and visit is because it was very traumatic for the family when Mum first had to move into a nursing home. We were all nervous, but we were led by Spider. He took no notice that the environment was so different, it was still his Grandma, he just shot right up to her and gave her kisses. To him it was the same Grandma he’d always known and loved. And so the family just took their lead from his behaviour.

She adds, “Sometimes when we visit mum she doesn’t want to talk, but Spider gets quite annoyed if his Grandma won’t speak to him, so he starts barking. As soon as mum knows Spider is there, she suddenly changes her mind and wants to talk again, and usually says hello or tells Spider to stop barking!”

And it seems that Sue’s mother, Daisy, is not the only Ramblas resident who perks up when Spider is about.

“When the other residents see him, whatever else is happening, he becomes the centre of attention. Most of them want to say hello and give him a stroke or a biscuit. He clearly likes them and the residents seem to like him. I guess it’s because he’s a being that comes in without noticing whether you’re in a wheelchair, if you’ve got your teeth, if you can’t speak well, or if you can’t move. As far as he’s concerned, you’re just another friend.”

It seems Ramblas’s dog friendly attitude is all down to the home’s manager, Heather McAusland, who adds, “A lot of our residents have owned dogs at some time in their lives and some people really miss the companionship. I see that sometimes people who don’t react to anything very much, when they see a dog it really lights up their face, and it might be the only thing that makes their face animated. We have dogs such as Spider and his ‘cousins’ Elmo and Doogles visiting almost every day, so we try to make sure their needs are met as well – we keep bowls of water out and plenty of biscuits in the kitchen!

“It makes me feel proud to see our ‘dogs welcome’ ways being acknowledged, in fact, the staff and I are astounded we’ve won an award for allowing dogs to come and visit their people!

Hopefully seeing this award might help other nursing homes to consider being dog friendly in the future.”

8

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

Sue Stone with her delightful Spider

Wag! Feature

Hero Dog - Service Atrayu, owned by Tolemey Nominated by David Pugh, of Newfound Friends

F

or seven year old Tolemey, happiness is a dog called Atrayu. This young man has been fighting an aggressive form of leukaemia for the past two years, but helping him cope with some very testing times is his best pal, a gigantic, laidback Newfoundland called Atrayu.

Most weekends sees the pair practicing their watery life saving techniques at a nearby lake, as Tol and his family belong to the small charity, Newfound Friends.

Because of his illness Tol has to take regular medication and undergo procedures, and some days his immune system is weakened and the doctor will advise him against swimming. However, whenever he is able, Tol

likes nothing better than spending a day in the lake being rescued by his massive mate.

As Tol says, “This is Atrayu, he’s nearly two years old, and he’s really soft and cuddly and he’s my best friend. I feel happy because whenever I’m sad I can just go and cuddle him.”

A painfully shy chap, Tol has had to deal with so much more than most children his age. As his mum explains, having Atrayu by his side has massively boosted the youngster's confidence.

When Tol first began visiting the lake with Newfound Friends, he was too weak to swim.

Two years on, and he is confident in the water, recently attaining his 25 metre badge and just about to start his life-guarding training.

As his mother says, "Tol relies on Atrayu for so much, but watching them together you can just see they have such a special bond, it's been amazing to see this unfold. I used to hear Tol talking to himself when he was particularly down, but I soon realised that he was actually chatting quietly with Atrayu. I think our dog has done wonders for him. " David Pugh, who nominated Atrayu for the Hero dog award, and created Newfound Friends, has got to know Tol and his family well over the past two years: "I've no doubt that Tol and Atrayu share a special bond. Sometimes for a young child it’s very difficult to express what they’re feeling, and I’m sure Atrayu helps Tol do this.”

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

9

Wag! Feature

Hero Dog - Service Melvin with Alice Nominated by Jenny Moir, Canine Partners for Independence

F

or Melvin O’Dowd, Alice the chocolate Lab came into his life not a moment too soon. Having been badly injured while serving his country with Royal Fusiliers in Northern Ireland, Melvin was eventually discharged from the army in 1995.

His spinal injuries left him reliant on a wheelchair to get around, as well as leaving him in chronic pain, together with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

As he explains, “Since my discharge, I deteriorated, physically and mentally. I felt my life was ebbing away, as I was in a lot of pain.

I started looking around for dogs that could help, because I couldn’t get help anywhere else, and that’s when I came across Canine Partners for Independence.”

A fully trained assistance dog, two year old Alice was trained by Canine Partners for

10

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

Independence, and has been living with Melvin and his two teenage sons since November 2012.

She’s sweet natured and gentle, as you might expect, plus her training means she can do the day to day tasks which Melvin would otherwise find difficult, if not impossible.

Gazing fondly at Alice, Melvin adds, “She gave me my life back. Anything you want to do, she’ll try and help. I no longer have to ask strangers to help me, and that way I keep my dignity.

“Once you lose your dignity you lose everything. She’s brought it all back for me.

More than that, she loves you for who you are.

She’ll help do the laundry, the shopping, she pays the bills, she can fetch my phone, brings me the post.

But the emotional help is the biggest thing. I can have horrible nightmares and she can pull

me out of it. She jumps onto the bed and pats me with her paw til I awake. She‘s there for as long as I need her to be, once she thinks I’m alright, she jumps off the bed and goes back to sleep.”

It was just a few weeks after Alice first came into Melvin’s life that she proved what a hero she could be. “I had my wheelchair on charge so wasn’t using it, and I had to go to the bathroom, but I felt unwell, and then I collapsed and couldn’t move at all. Alice went and pulled the emergency cord and got me the help I needed.

If it weren’t for her I would have been on the floor all night. I’d only shown her the cord once when she first came into the house. She knew she had a job to do and was pleased to do it. Alice is part of my family and she always will be.”

Wag! Feature

Hero Dog - Pet Gypsie, owned by Nicky Hoad

N

icky tells Wag! what happened one night; “I’d been running on the running machine, I got off, had a bath and went to bed.

In the middle of the night Gypsie jumped on my chest and licked my face in a panicky way, not her usual gentle way, until I woke up.

“All I could smell was horrid smoke, so I went into the other bedroom and I saw I’d forgotten to take the plug out. The rubber part was still going round and round, there was dense smoke everywhere, with flames coming out of the machine. I grabbed my quilt and threw it over the machine and ran out of the flat. If

Gypsie hasn’t woken me I believe the smoke would have killed us, not the flames. The smoke was so thick you could smell it in the flat two weeks afterwards, with all the windows open. There’s no doubt Gypsie saved our lives that night. Apart from my daughter, Gypsie is the best person in my life. I nominated Gypsie because every story you hear in the press about Staffordshire bull terriers is negative. It takes someone who lives with one and knows them, to come out and say they’re not all bad, they’re fantastic dogs, but they’ve been given a bad reputation by irresponsible owners.“

Hero Dog - Pet Scampi, owned by Rosie Foster

R

osie Foster had owned Scampi barely three days when the petite, twotone Terrier, saved her from a potentially horrific attack.

One evening in February this year, Rosie was walking Scampi through the underpass near to her home, but had the sensation of being watched. As she continued, Scampi let out a low growl, and Rosie saw a man was pretending to watch the traffic, but felt as if she were being followed. The next thing she knew she’d been grabbed from behind and was being dragged into the bushes.

“Scampi went ballistic barking, and I reckon he must have bitten him because the man suddenly let go and ran off."

Terrified, Rosie managed to run home and call her best friend,

who told her to call the police.

When the police arrived Rosie explained what had happened, adding that she believed Scampi must have bitten her attacker.

The police took DNA samples from Rosie’s clothing and Scampi’s mouth. Unfortunately, Rosie’s assailant has yet to be caught.

Since then, says Rosie, Scampi has not let her out of his sight.

"He comes everywhere with me, even indoors. He snuggles onto my shoulder if I watch TV, or when we’re out walking he always looks back over his shoulder to check I'm alright. He'll even try and come with me to the bathroom!

"I know what would have happened had Scampi not been with me that night. Our bond is incredible. We’re inseparable."

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

11

Wag! Feature Thanks to everyone for sending in their lovely photographs.

Readers’ Dogs Extra Sweeter than a cup of tea and a custard cream at 3.30pm

Champ

Newbury

Champ the choc Lab writes, “It took me one week to learn how to use the dog flap, so now I can go into the garden whenever I like. My human mum and dad love me loads and I particularly like snuggling up on mum’s lap in the evening when she watches TV. Here I am cuddling up with dad, Harry and Maisie.”

12

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

Readers’ Dogs Daisy

Merseyside

Dot

Merseyside

She’sin spottular, elegant and tres chic – More delicious than a 99 Flake a heatwave Lynda Bassett tells us that Daisy, a Glen of Imaal Terrier, has to appear in Wag because her beloved husband, Dave, is undergoing treatment for illness, and it would cheer him up hugely to see their delightful Daisy in Readers’ Dogs. Dave, we hope your Terrier proves to be your perfect tonic.

and Dot of Dogs Trust Merseyside is the apple of Jeanette and Gerard Van Der Veen’s eyes.

“We are very pleased with Dot and we are now big supporters of Dog Trust.” Hurrah, welcome aboard!

Wag! Feature

Minger

Kenilworth

Wag! can’t quite believe anyone would choose to call their dog Minger, but Hope and Matthew Nelson assure us it’s used with great affection.

After rehoming MingMing in 2002 the Nelsons moved, avec Ming, to Canada.

Hope explains, “Minger has had an adventurous life, a world-travelling rescue story of epic proportions for a little guy. He sleeps every night in the arms of his best friend, my stepdaughter Sherilyn. Also, out of excitement, he holds your fingers in his mouth while roaring his pleasure in his throat.

“We want to thank you profusely. For as his borrowed twilight clock continues to tick along, we are so thankful every day for this crazy, funny, loving 'mutt' and the years of love he has given us all. Your belief in never putting a healthy dog down enabled us to give this boy a life he might never have had elsewhere.

“Please keep up the great work… for every dog deserves a chance and WE are the lucky ones to have given our MingMing that chance!”

Bess

Macca

Holly

Ooh we love a wedding here at Wag! Although Bess looks underwhelmed by the nuptials of her owners, Judith and Barry Edwards, they say their wedding day would not have been complete without her. Ain’t love grand?

What a magnificent troupe of hairies! Kevin and Carole tell us Macca (back row) will be holidaying in the Lakes this year with his new pals. “He has been off lead and his recall is fab.

He loves playing on the fields with the others and it’s lovely to see. He is a superstar and we love him to bits.”

Sue Briggs says: “This is Holly the 10 year old Yorkie, in the garden with my Dad. She was given a new home by my parents, Jean and Colin Briggs, in December 2012 and now lives happily with them and her new friend Alfie the Dachshund. It would be a lovely surprise for Mum and Dad if you could include her photo in the next edition!”

Shrewsbury

Merseyside

Kenilworth

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

13

Wag! Feature

Saffy Leeds

Saffy writes, “When mum, Judith, first came to see me the Canine Carer told her I'd jumped out of the compound over an eight foot fence!

That was hard to believe at the time, but now she knows how much I love jumping. I love treats too so joining the ‘Tricks 4 Treats’ dog agility display team was ideal. I passed my foundation course and last year I started to take part in shows which I really enjoy. I'm lucky that I have a big garden where I can put in extra practice.” Lovely handwriting, Saffy!

Andy

Bella

Snowy

Inger Den Haan tells Wag!, “Andy came to us as a companion for us all, but especially our four year old son Nathan who has cerebral palsy.

Right from day one Andy adapted his favourite game, tug-of-war, to Nathan's limitations. They’re best pals, and get up to no good together, so we call them Trouble 1 and Trouble 2! If Nathan does something he doesn't like Andy sits on him so that he stops, which is really funny! Or else he comes to us to complain which is a very sensible and safe behaviour.”

Lindsey Claydon adores her Bella: “I had been to the centre a couple of times in search of the perfect pooch when staff asked me if I would mind taking a look at a very special little dog. As soon as I was introduced to Bella I knew she was the only dog for me. She is such an affectionate girl and she has fitted into my life perfectly. The fact that she is blind has never been an issue.

People may see her story and think that she is lucky to have found a home, but I know I am the lucky one. She really is a dog in a million.”

“This is Snowy, rehomed from Leeds in February 2011. As you can see, she is full of life and loves to play with her toys, and especially likes stopping the squirrels eating the bird food by chasing them up the garden! She has a number of Dogs Trust wagging acquaintances in the area, but definitely has a soft spot for Bailey who arrived on the scene last year. She has brought us endless love and joy. And by the way, she does like playing in the snow!” says Michele Jacques.

Fancy that!

Kenilworth

14

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

Darlington

Leeds

Wag! Feature

Mavis

Shelly

Jack

Mavis, the newest member of the customer services team here at Dogs Trust, is shown helping sort out our postbag.

She belongs to Daniel Thompson, who says, “Mavis has been training to hopefully compete in obedience competitions. She loves nothing more than to try and get in the dishwasher!

“My favourite thing about her is in the morning when we wake up, she always get up with this cheeky smile where she looks like she’s wearing my nan’s dentures and does a great big tremendous stretch and groan, then charges to the back door and jumps all over the other dogs to play with them.”

It’s the look of love. “Getting Shelly from Dogs Trust was one of the best things Darryl Wells ever did - she gave him so much more than he could ever have wished for, and when she passed away it left a huge hole in the world that can't ever be filled.

“From the moment Darryl took her home, she was his best friend and constant companion (and, if we may say, playmate too!).

“Trips to the beach were one of her favourite things and she could bound along the sand for hours.

“She gave him some of the best memories of his life!” says pal Chris Aldis.

We love to see a dog that’s really made himself at home, so here’s Jack the Stafford cross proudly plonked on owner Andrew’s lap. Mum Lisa explains, “Jack had been at Loughborough since it first opened last May, and was lucky enough to have had his own armchair in his kennel. As you can see from the photo he hasn't changed his habits much. He is the most wonderful dog and a gorgeous companion - I don't even begrudge him the speeding fine I picked up on the way home from Loughborough to our home in Derby when I collected him!” Please note, Wag does not condone breaking the speed limit, no matter how excited you are about getting your new Dogs Trust woofer home.

Shoreham

Snetterton

Loughborough

Munro

Sally

Sparky

“This is our little Collie Spaniel cross, Munro.

He was enjoying himself in the snow just the other day, trying to catch the snow flakes.

Munro instantly clicked into place in our family.

“He is the most loved dog in the world.

Thank you Dogs Trust West Calder in assisting us in our quest to find our perfect pooch,” says Rebecca Tait.

Wag! believes that no dog is perfect, but Munro looks like a honey.

The Merrisons tell us, “Sally is 10, a Collie-Lab cross and we got her three years ago from the Merseyside centre. We love her to bits. She loves chasing her ball, lots of walks, and following us both everywhere!”

Sparky had spent eight years in the care of Dogs Trust Salisbury before volunteer dog walkers Tina and Norman rehomed him as a ‘Home from Home’ foster dog. He now enjoys new experiences such as the car, train, pubs and beach.

This 13 year old Collie has become tolerant of strangers and has a real pal in Stafford, Len. Last year he won a photo session for appearing in the Salisbury centre’s alumnus calendar. (Pic Credit Trinity Photography.)

West Calder

Merseyside

Salisbury

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

15

The Tail The Tailend end Howyou youare areall all helping helping to How tohelp helpDogs DogsTrust Trust

It's raining, it's pouring... and you look fabulous!

What better way to brighten up a dull, grey day than with one of these wooftastic umbrellas. You’ll be sure to turn heads when stepping out with your canine companion. Available in 6 gorgeous designs, the only difficulty will be which one to choose!

From cards and crackers to Christmas treats for your pooch, there are so many other wonderful ideas in our gifts catalogue and online. Bag a pawfect present for you and your furry friend and help the dogs in our care!

If you didn’t receive a catalogue with this copy of Wag! just call 0844 324 8520 or email dogstrust@cbfulfilment.co.uk and we’ll be happy to send you one in the post..

Alternatively, visit www.dogstrustgifts.com and order online to save you time, and us money.

Hair of the Dog At Wag! we know how important it is to feel your dog will be well looked after when he pops into the groomers for his short back and sides, which is why we were pleased to hear that the ‘Quality Assurance Standard for Groomers’ has just been launched by the Pet Industry Federation.

16

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

Quality Assured grooming businesses work to best practice guidelines; they are inspected and tested against strict criteria, with animal welfare as the main priority. More groomers are joining the scheme every day; visit mydoggroomer.co.uk to find your nearest Quality Assured groomer.

Pets at Home Donates Dogs' Dinners Here at Dogs Trust we’re wagging our tails at the delightful news that ‘Pets at Home’ will be providing more than £2million worth of its Wainwright's dog food to help us feed the dogs in our care – for the next three years.

Not only that, each dog leaving one of our 18 rehoming centres in the UK* to start their new life with a loving owner will also be given a free 2kg bag of Wainwright's, worth £6.99.

And we couldn’t be happier with their generous gift; we care for over 16,000 stray and unwanted dogs per year, so dog food accounts for a significant part of our annual shopping list.

The partnership comes as a result of Pets at Home’s new Very Important Pets (VIP) Club, which enables shoppers to convert the points – or VIP Lifelines – they receive when they shop into support for a local or national animal charity of their choice.

The donation builds on Pets at Home’s track record of promoting

WAINWRIGHT'S DOG'S BEST FRIEND.pdf

Photography: Justin Paget

1

08/08/2013

the rehoming of dogs, as it currently runs three in-store ‘Advice and Adoption Areas’, together with Dogs Trust’s own expert staff, in its Barnstaple, Telford and Birstall branches.

Wainwright’s is available as part of Pets at Home’s ‘Feed Natural’ range, with a different food for each life stage of a dog – puppy, adult and mature.

Wainwright’s isn’t like other dog foods.

They don’t use any ingredients known to commonly cause allergies in dogs such as wheat or mixed meat proteins. In fact, everything that goes into Wainwright’s is nutritious, delicious, easily digested and hypo-allergenic.

The result provides all the proteins, fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals your dog needs. No wonder Wainwright’s is a dog’s best friend! *not applicable to Dogs Trust Dublin.

17:13

Max, Fagin and Dougal about to get stuck in at our West London rehoming centre

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

17

Wag! The Tail end

Events

Rehoming Centres

Meet you here, here and here. We’ll be wearing a yellow carnation and carrying a rolled up copy of Wag.

KEY Meet our dogs

Bring your own dogs

Especially for kids

OCTOBER 24-25 Dogmobile - Chester Town Hall 24

Loughborough Doggie Detectives, 1.30 - 3.30pm

26

Ballymena's 'Howl 'o' een' party, 12 - 3pm

30

Loughborough's Spook Night, 5.30 - 8pm

31

Darlington's Spook Night, 6.30 - 8.30pm

Ballymena

028 2565 2977

Bridgend

01656 725 219

Canterbury

01227 792 505

Darlington

01325 333 114

Dublin

00 353 1 879 1000

Evesham

01386 830 613

Glasgow

0141 773 5130

Ilfracombe

01271 812 709

Kenilworth

01926 484 398

Leeds

0113 281 4920

30-31 Dogmobile - Tesco, Crawley

Loughborough

01509 880 070

Merseyside

0151 480 0660

NOVEMBER Ilfracombe's Christmas fair, The Parish Hall, 16 Chaloners Rd, Braunton, 9am - 12.30pm 23-24 Salisbury's Christmas Fair, 12 - 3pm

Newbury

01488 658 391

Salisbury

01980 629 634

24

Shrewsbury’s Christmas fair 11am - 3pm

24

Glasgow’s Christmas fair 12 - 3pm

24

Shoreham’s Christmas fair 11am – 1pm

GLASGOW

WEST CALDER

20-21 Dogmobile - Tesco, Sevenoaks, Kent 24

Newbury’s Christmas fair, 10am – 12pm Ballymena’s Christmas fair 6 - 9pm

30

Darlington’s Christmas fair 12 - 4pm

01273 452 576

Shrewsbury

01952 770 225

Snetterton

01953 498 377

West Calder

01506 873 459

West London

0845 076 3647

For the rehoming centre opening hours please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk

BALLYMENA

26-27 Dogmobile – the Clocktower, Rugby 27

Shoreham

DARLINGTON

LEEDS

DECEMBER 1 Darlington’s Christmas fair 12 – 4pm Canterbury’s Christmas fair 11am-2pm

7

Bridgend’s Christmas fair 11am -3pm

7

Merseyside’s Christmas fair 12 - 4pm

7-8

Kenilworth’s Christmas fair, 12- 4pm

7-8

Loughborough‘s Christmas fair 10am - 4pm

Lust for Life

18

LOUGHBOROUGH

1

11-12 Dogmobile - Asda, Bury St Edmunds 26 Snetterton’s Boxing Day Walkies, 10.30am starting at the centre

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

MERSEYSIDE

DUBLIN

SHREWSBURY KENILWORTH

SNETTERTON

EVESHAM BRIDGEND ILFRACOMBE

NEWBURY SALISBURY

Thank you to everyone who got active and raised pounds for hounds taking part in a running/ walking/jumping or something (!) event for Dogs Trust this year.

If you fancy taking up a challenge in 2014 get in touch. Special thanks to Vicky Parker and Mark Parsons (on the left), Jodie Pattison, Kaylie Sands and to all our London Marathon runners for raising thousands in sponsorship for Dogs Trust – we can’t thank you enough for all your hard work getting through the punishing 26.2miles!

We have places in the events on the right next year – Email fundraiseforus@dogstrust.org.uk or call 020 7837 0006 for more info. Remember, if you’ve already arranged your own place in an event please let us know and join Team Dogs Trust!

WEST LONDON CANTERBURY SHOREHAM

Silverstone Half Marathon Virgin London Marathon BUPA Great Manchester Run Bournemouth Marathon Festival Edinburgh Marathon Festival BUPA London 10K British 10K London Run BUPA Great North Run Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon BUPA Great South Run

Wag! The Tail end

Welcome Donation from Welcome Cottages

*Did you know...

W

elcome to a very special partnership…

Welcome Cottages and Dogs Trust.

We’ve been working with Welcome for 10 years now and they - thanks to YOU - have donated over £500,000!

You can discover thousands of wonderful holiday properties all over the UK, France and Ireland that are just ready and waiting for you and your dog. They offer thatched cottages, farmhouses and many more unique properties many of which are dog friendly.

Just over a year since opening, Dogs Trust Loughborough has rehomed its 1000th dog – Mimsy, who now lives happily with the Binghams.

But best of all, when you book with Welcome Cottages, they will donate 10% of the property rental to Dogs Trust. That’s an average of £40 for every booking made – money that makes a vital difference to the dogs in our care at our 19 rehoming centres around the UK and Ireland.

To see the full selection and book securely online visit www.dogstrust-cottages.co.uk, where you can check availability and see photos. Call the friendly booking team on 0845 604 3933 (lines are open 7 days a week).

Staff also rehomed an Afghan Hound who bore an uncanny resemblance to Rod Stewart!

Top Draw! books sold prize draw (winning £100 Marks & Spencer vouchers): Mrs S Richardson, Ayrshire.

For more information about how to play our raffle visit our website www.dogstrust.org.uk. You can request extra books via our ticket raffle hotline on 020 7833 7672.

Unfortunately raffle books cannot be sold or bought by persons under the age of 16 and are only available to residents of Great Britain and not available to residents of Northern Ireland.

On behalf of our four-legged friends, thank you for your vital support.

Black 5503

Winter Raffle 2013

N 12345678

Could you be our winter winner?

Ella

1st

PRIZE

Rosie

£7,500 2

nd

PRIZE

Playing the raffle is an easy and fun way to help me and my canine chums. Tickets are only £1 each and your support helps keep thousands of stray and abandoned dogs woofing in a winter wonderland!

Good luck licks! ille

£5,000 3 £2,500 £1,000 rd

PRIZE

th 4PRIZE

Cam

th 5PRIZE

£750 6 £500 7 th

th

PRIZE

PRIZE

To get your paws on more books, please call our ticket hotline on 020 7833 7672.

£250 Registered Charity Numbers 227523 and SC037843

Photos: Andy Catterall and Martin Phelps

Winter may be setting in but that doesn’t just mean big coats and woolly hats – it’s also another chance to play our amazing raffle.

It’s a great way to help support our canine friends and you could also be a winner, like the magnificent seven from our last raffle. As with all our raffles, there is also a prize for the top ticket seller and a prize draw for all those who sell three or more books.

Here are the lucky winners from our Spring Raffle: Top ticket seller (winning a magnum of champagne): Mr & Mrs Naylor, Cheshire.

Winner of the three or more raffle

R af f le wi nners: 1st pr i ze £7,500 M rs P B ur ton, Her ts 2nd pr i ze, £5,000 M r D Nor r i s, D yfed 3rd pr i ze, £2,500 M rs K L loyd, D yfed 4th pr i ze, £1,000 M r J O ver f i eld, Co D ur ham 5th pr i ze, £750 M r B M ulher n, W Yor ks 6th pr i ze, £500 M r Suf i t, Lond on 7th pr i ze £250 M rs Grei g, K i ncard i neshi re

Autumn 2013 www.dogstrust.org.uk

19

Photography: Martin Phelps

Lovet lasts a tha

e m i t life

Legacy Coupon Please send me a free Legacy information pack which provides full information about how to leave a gift in my Will to Dogs Trust I have already remembered Dogs Trust in my Will

Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (Please circle) Full Name: Address:

S

uch acts of kindness play a huge part in funding the building of new rehoming centres such as Dogs Trust Loughborough, which opened its doors last year, as well as Dogs Trust Essex and Dogs Trust Manchester, which will both open next year. Once those centres are open, legacies play an even more vital role in allowing us to give our dogs ever ything they need to get them back on their paws again. And, of course, legacies help us to maintain our promise never to destroy a healthy dog.

Postcode: Supporter number (if known): Email address:

Telephone: All information will be treated as strictly confidential Please return this coupon to:

Legacy Information Dogs Trust, Freepost WD360, 17 Wakley Street, London, EC1V 1NA

Caring for over 16,000 stray and abandoned dogs every year at our 19 rehoming centres is a massive undertaking and only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. In particular we are greatly indebted to those supporters who remember Dogs Trust in their Wills.

112004

Remembering Dogs Trust in your Will is a wonderful way to ensure brighter, happier futures for thousands of stray and abandoned dogs. For further information, please fill in the coupon or call us on 020 7837 0006 to speak to someone in confidence.