[DogsBestFriend]

Aw, thanks again Aggie! Wishing you and yours a delightful Easter also! We’ve three altogether – the girls’ harnesses are the ones that were unsafe though, but I think I will treat Harry to a new one as well (his is the same type as the girls have but his hasnt opened yet so far but its probably only a matter of time……). I reckon that Roxy (who is ex Calista from Ashton last year) has a bit of filling out to do yet – dals tend to fill out in the muscular dept so the Clix will be handy for her, and poor Lola is on a weight maintenance programme, though like all girls, she relaxes her diet on hols and tends to gain a bit so this should be handy for her too!
BTW, HAPPY EASTER TO ALL AT DID, ALL THE FOSTER MUMMYS AND DADDIES OUT THERE, TRANSPORTERS, ADMINS, ALL OF US WHO HAVE EX ASHTON/DID DOGGIES, AND OF COURSE, TO THE DOGGIES THEMSELVES!!!!!!!!

[DogsBestFriend]

Hi Trinity’s mum! Thanks ever so much for your post! You are very thoughtful to have taken the time to put up the brill photos of the harness, modelled by the very beautiful Trinity (what a cutie!). I really like the look of this harness and think that Trinity, though a bit smaller than our Lola, size wise is a near enough match for the girls! I’m thinking that this harness would be perfect for them. It looks really comfy but most importantly safe. I especially like the fact that should the dogs travel in the back seat of the car (they travel in their purpose built travel crates), the harness has the dual purpose of being a safety mechanism in the car also, which is great. What is especially good about Trinity’s harness is that it would appear to be so much safer than the ones we were previously using; this is because I can see from your pics that the place where the lead hooks into is a single loop – ours being double (joining both ends of the harness together) is where the problem of opening has occurred when the lead grazes against the double loop, it has activated the opening mechanism of the lead, thus causing it to become detached. I’m delighted with the positive reports on your model though and will defo take a trip to Maxi Zoo over the Easter weekend – nice Easter treats for the doggies (though they would, of course, favour the totally unsafe option of choccie eggs – absolutely no chance! ). Thanks again! And huge thanks from three happy and safe doggies!

[DogsBestFriend]

Marie, firstly I should have made it clear that of course the paramount issue here for our dogs is safety, but naturally I would like them to be comfortable also as I have seen various people over the years use ones that I have considered to be cruel as they cut into the dog’s skin and have made nasty welts. Secondly, the harnesses are for our girls – two dalmatians. One of the dals is large enough, probably a wee bit smaller than your average dobie, and the other one (Calista from Ashton last year) is roughly the size of our collie terrier, so I’m guessing that is medium in size. I’ve not used the harnesses since I became aware of this situation and have taken them on off lead walks only just until I get some new ones. Its just that I dont want to waste the money purchasing ones that are totally unsuitable and unfortunately not all pet stores have been as accomodating as Petstop in terms of letting the dogs fit them on first! Thanks a mill!

[DogsBestFriend]

Have been following Kenny’s story closely and we are over the moon to see that he has found the home he deserves. Big huge pats and licks to Belinda (his foster mammy) and all others who helped get him to where he is today – well done!!!!! He reminds me a lot of our Harry (except maybe Harry has a longer beard – BUT Kenny’s may grow with time!) He is a lovely little guy and hopefully DID can keep the happy ever afters coming for 2011. Here’s hoping!

[DogsBestFriend]

I would say, to take the hand off Marie and jump at her offer of help! Seriously, yourself and your little girl would be learning from the expert for sure! Only other thing I suppose maybe that hasnt been said, if there is a local park or green area where you take her for a walk, insofar as you can, why not go there at exactly the same time, every day, or days, whenever you take her for a walk? I can guarantee you, if its a green area, and other doggies are there, it wont take you a wet minute before you’ve chummed up with other dog walkers. Apart from a few wierd ones, or those who cant socialise with other doggies for very genuine reasons, I’m sure most of us love our dogs to meet and greet other dogs. Its a great form of communication and camaraderie for dog and owners alike and it wears your dog out as well! I’m sure there must be some people that you could buddy up with. Well done for trying to address the problem, once you’ve identified it. No good would come of putting your head in the sand and hoping it will go away – my friend had a dog like that before and unfortunately it did lead to aggression issues later in life for her dog, as she had a dog that was not socialised and just did not know how to relate to other dogs. As with all other issues, behavioural or otherwise, I’d recommend consulting the experts, ergo the lovely Marie, or one of the training groups. I can personally recommend any of the DSPCA run courses…… Good luck with your little one! If all else fails, I could take Harry over to meet her – his pic is on the boards under Calista the Dalmatian (on the Happy Endings page) – he loves other dogs and would love a gad about with her. The only issue is that he would be a lot bigger, he is a collie/terrier cross so I dunno if that may scare her? Its just a thought…. I wouldnt bring the girls over as they would be too big for your little one. Like I say, Marie would be the best bet for now, but if all else fails, pm me and I’ll do what I can! Best of luck now!

[DogsBestFriend]

Tks buzz’s Mom and Debs of course! To be totally honest, its been a rough trot with Roxy – I could fill the entire site with the list of things she is afraid of! She is totally neurotic about any change in routine at all – if I even cross the road at a different place to where she’s used to, she will let me know and refuses point blank to venture any way thats out of her usual comfort zone. I was an animal nurse some time back now, so thankfully picked up lots of useful tips along the way. Of course it helps always having had dals (amongst others) in the family all our life. Such a sensitive breed and not minimising any other doggies, but they do tend to never forget the bad stuff. I’ve been desensitising her to so many things along the way and we are making slow but steady progress. It was a real milestone to get her, after several months, to venture through a turnstyle gate, so she could get to her favourite field to have a play. She, of course, is totally different with her brother and sister when they are with her to mind her, but I am confident, that with time, she will relax enough to be the dog she wants to be One of her fav things is watching telly! Its gas, you should see her – she is like a child – she sets herself up in the middle of the floor, right in front of the TV, then drags her bedding over, to make herself comfy Once she’s set up there, I can leave her on her own for a good hour or so, if I have to take one or both of the other dogs to the vet! She is most interested in Animal A and E, from TV3, or alternatively any of the national geographic nature docs, especially the most recent one on polar bears, she just loved that! Its another vital part of visiting the poundies I think, being able to put faces to the names from the board, its the really nice social part of DID I think! All in all, of course we are absolutely delighted we got to take Roxy from Ashton – although of course its not necessary to have experience of a particular breed, I do think that she has thrived, with the previous knowledge and current experience we have of dallys. She couldnt be more loved and of course Harry and Lola are over the moon to have another playmate, although Harry feels it prudent to draw the line at three probably fear of reduced rations in these recessionary times! Oh, and a very Happy New Year to all at DID and the various pups and menagerie of animals too, of course!

[DogsBestFriend]

Hi Dogsrule! Firstly let me clarify that I am in no way any expert on behavioural and training issues, just so thats clear! BUT, I am delighted that you are paying this very serious issue due care and attention. In the first instance, as per usual, I would recommend, especially with any possible aggression issues, that you seek the advice of the professionals on this matter – I am sure DID recommend lots of people on these boards that you could consult. In addition, I participated in an excellent very much hands on course with the DSPCA, which was very much audience interactive and was given by two experts in the behavioural / training fields, with years of experience between here, the States, India etc etc. The issue of aggression was also raised there. Its an area I have been quite interested in since one of our dogs (Lola) was savagely attacked and almost killed last year in an unprovoked attack by a restricted breed who was off lead at the time and had absolutely no recall. This issue ended up being pursued through the courts. The dog of course, was not to blame, irresponsible owner!!!!!
Primarily, I would say to you, to read the dog’s behaviour first – watch in his posture for any signs of aggression, his stance will give you a good clue as to how he MAY react. Also, we have been told by a behaviourist that you should never introduce your dog or let them interact on a lead as dogs have the inbuilt fight or flight instinct, ergo, they are on lead and feel trapped so they will do one of those two things. Contrary to this, its not a good idea to let them loose together until you are sure of how they will get on. Other than that, because Im not an expert, nor do I know your dog, I would as I advised, seek expert help as this is an area that can very quickly go wrong and escalate until the dog is out of control and its much harder to treat the problem then unfortunately. I have seen the results of other dog aggression with our dog, when we nearly lost her so it should be given the attention it deserves…..
Lastly, in a possible dog fight situation, never ever intervene. If the fight is contained in somewhere like your back garden, a garden hose is very effective just to break it up. You will hear people come out with all sorts of mumbo jumbo like where to kick a dog, how to subdue it etc etc. TOTALLY DISREGARD. The experts at our course recommend something really simple but totally effective – simply remove an article of clothing and throw it over the aggressive dog’s head. This wont solve things totally but it will momentarily stun the dog and provide enough distraction for you / your dog to get to safety. I have tried it since, and it does work.
The very best of luck in your quest to address this issue. Well done for identifying it early and if you can, continue to socialise your dog, where possible, if there is no real threat to another dog. The longer this problem persists the more troubled a pet you will have in the long run…….

[DogsBestFriend]

Aw wiggles, I just wanna pinch your little cheeks! You are such an adorable little baby! Lots of love and licks to yourself and your human family who took you in and gave you another shot at life, from all of us here – doggies and humans alike! You look the picture of health and so so happy! May you have many happy years of frolicking in the park with your pals, and long cosy nights in front of the fire, with a bellyfull of grub! (Hey its what all good doggies long for…….) All involved in your care, past and present, should be very very proud of you!

[DogsBestFriend]

Thanks a mill Ev! You know I couldnt praise them all enough, I really couldnt! I was so blessed with each and every one of them and I tell people that every chance I get. I was down in the vets only the other evening with Roxy and a lady who used to breed dals in the past was admiring the pair of them (I bring Lola along to keep Roxy’s nerves at bay) and she was saying how well marked they were and asked me how much I paid for them. She was astounded that they were both Ashton ex’s but then the vet nurse ruined my get a rescue dog tirade by stating that she would only ever consider Dog’s Trust for her own dogs as you cant trust any dog you get in the pound when they’ve not been behaviourally assessed or anything! I was soooo mad with her! I accept you can be very lucky, or very unlucky but I think that, hopefully, many of us who would have the mindset to go for a rescue, will take the time and effort involved to get the dog to a happier place and wont mind about a bit of hard work – in the end you get more love from them you could ever hope to in a lifetime! Hopefully we may meet the lovely Taffy at some DID event in the future! Oh and a very merry new year to yourself and your own family from all of us! B xxx

[DogsBestFriend]

Oh the poor little baby! We’re all delighted to hear that she came through the op OK though and hopefully she is well on the road to recovery. As was very well said by Marie, when you think of all the other poor unfortunates that have come and gone through the pound and other places, where so called individuals will leave them suffer and linger on in pain, rather than pay to address it. Cody is so lucky to have you as her mammy but more importantly (as I always tell people when they say our three fell on their feet with us), you are truly blessed with such a lovely gentle lady. Thank god she is on the mend and as long as she has no more trouble or pain with her eye, then its for the best. How cute is she anyways, with or without both of her eyes! We felt like that when Roxy had to get a piece taken off the tip of her ear, and it was only her ear but they are still the same lovable character at the end of the day! Lots of luck and licks from the 12 legs here and many happy years together.

[DogsBestFriend]

Well, its been a long and fun filled, and also tearful, ten months (cant believe it!) since little Roxy came to join our family! From the very first time I saw her in Ashton, valentine’s weekend , she really did pull on my heart strings and I knew then and there, we would just have to take her home to our little gang. Thank you so much to DID for keeping her safe and snug (her wax jacket helped keep her warm at night) until we finally got to bring her home on February 15th!!!! We were absolutely over the moon and just couldnt wait to spoil her……. After an initial good enough start (she got on terrifically with our other dal Lola and our collie terrier, Harry – what a military operation that took to introduce them all properly ), then she had a further ten days isolation in the spare bedroom (every comfort available to her) as we had been advised to do so by the Vet due to a horrible horrible ear mite infestation. It was awful keeping her apart from the Seniors as we call them – as she also had an awful dose of kennel cough so everytime she had a coughing fit, the pair of them would immediately look up to the ceiling (Roxy was in the bedroom above it!) so myself and himself would have to start coughing frantically to try and cover it up! Then, as she got better, she did a few mad rounds of giddies, tearing accross the wooden floor, and again, the other pair were looking up suspiciously for the intruder! Fastforwarding to today, she has had a very rough trot in life, and as with our previous rescues, her many neuroses did not become evident for a good while – she remains very nervous of strangers to date, especially men, and is very fearful of buses, white vans (ashton), people in general, open doorways, bus stops, oh the list is endless. She cowers down if you clear your throat or if she sees a bottle. I’ve had many a dose as I couldnt put a hat on or pull up a brolly for a good seven or eight months with her. But with a lot of love, tolerance and patience, she is thriving, she really is. Ive done all my own training with her and she has almost perfect recall, she’s really good in the house now (crate training really helped her there) and she’s just a very happy little girl. As anyone with one or two older dogs will tell you, the Seniors have been vital in her training – Lola will mammy her, and Harry pulls them all into line, scolding Roxy, herding her in and watching her like a hawk in general. She’s a well travelled little girl – going on hols with us (as the others always have) – she’s been to Carrick on Shannon, Wexford and all about Armagh and N.I. and although she was terrified going into a new environment the first time, thanks to her big bro and sis, she takes it all in her stride. We had a lot of medical issues with her as she had severe complications following her spay, which took a long time to resolve. Then she was attacked by a dog and had her ear ripped – she rocked the Audrey Hepburn turban look for quite some time on that one, but despite months trying to resolve it, the only option was to take a little piece out of her ear as it just wouldnt heal. She’s just recovered from a chesty cough and is at my feet now wondering what the heck mammy is doing on the funny looking telly! She is a huge fan of the telly – she sits in front of it like a child and particularly loves any of the nature documentarys or Animal A and E – its like watching a spectator at a tennis match! She has brought the fun factor back to our home (its like having two teenagers and a new baby!) and we all love her to pieces. The Seniors have accepted her totally without reserve and are loving an extra playmate! I’ve been meaning to post this up for yonks but she has kept us busy and I made it my resolution to get them up before the New Year! Sorry this is so very long but I just cant stop when it comes to talking about my little gang! So thanks again to everyone at Ashton and DID – rest assured that she has now got the home she deserves! Lots of love and licks from the human servants and 12 paws (with the waggiest tails on the northside!)
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[DogsBestFriend]

Well done DID and Katie, once again and thanks to one and all for giving this lovely lad such a great home! Sergeant Felix looks particularly fetching in his military coat may I say! And what a pretty girlfriend Maisie is! Its great to see that he has a partner in crime and only fair that his Foster Mammy Katie, who put in the hard work with him, gets to enjoy the fruits of her labour! I have seen so many little beauties on this page tonight that its hard to comment on each of them but it truly warms my heart to see the success stories of DID.

I think this is a wonderful page and hard and all as the harsh realities of life are for these dogs, its just great to know that they have been saved from a life of misery and taken out of the last chance saloon of life. He’s a lovely boy and may you all have many happy years together!

[DogsBestFriend]

Awwww, they are absolutely lovely! As with all of the DID charges on these pages, well done for giving this little one such a lovely home! What a fantastic job! May you all have many happy doggy years together!

[DogsBestFriend]

Do you know, I’ve just seen these pics (and those truly horrendous first few ones that made me want to both scream with rage and howl with pain) and I can barely believe its the same dog! Oh I’m just so so happy for Chloe to have finally found the home that this little lady deserves and so happy for yourselves who have done wonderful work in giving Chloe a second shot at life and letting her be the beautiful baby she is today. You should be so proud of yourselves, you really should…… Chloe, as she is today, reminds me of one of our three, who has a bit of a beardie in him. The main thing that struck me about her, as well as her obviously terrifickly improved appearance, is her eyes – they no longer look filled with pain and suffering, she has a spark in her now, as if to say, yes, I’ve been through the mill – but I’ve survived! What a lovely happy ending to her tail! May you have many wonderful and joy filled happy years with your Chloe – you all deserve it!

[DogsBestFriend]

Awww, what a cutie! Absolutely delighted that Russell has found such a wonderful home where he is truly loved. Its so heart warming to read all these lovely success stories on the boards, when there is so much heart ache out there. I bet your Russell probably didnt look like that when you rescued him……. Big thank you for doing your bit for D.I.D. He’s a beautiful dog and may you all have many more happy years together

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