Bobby Hello – I’m Bobby – My life has turned out great! There was a rocky time back last summer when I found myself in a pound due to be ‘put to sleep’ – I don’t really understand what that means, but I know that it is bad. I was taken to some other kennels in August 2009 and then in October, I went to a foster home. Nobody seemed to want me because they said that I was ‘a cross’. I tried to be really friendly and good with everyone I saw but still nobody seemed to want me. Eventually on 12th December I met some really nice people and a small dog that I was not too sure about. I wanted to jump and play but he seemed a little worried about that and so to reassure him I jumped on him some more. Anyway, they took me home, which wasn’t too far away which was good as I do get a bit sick in the car. Now a live in a real house, with a real family who seem to really like me! I have settled in now, really making myself at home, and I haven’t chewed too many things! I am sleeping well at night, next to my new Dad. My new Mum and Dad bought Oscar and me new collars and a long tuggy toy so we can play together, my new little brother is still a bit wary of me when I get very excited. Mum says I have to try and play a little bit gentler with him until he gets used to me. He did get a little bit angry with me to start with when I tried to play with him, but he's fine with me now and we had a great time in the snow. My Mum goes to some training classes and does agility or something, and she took me and Oscar out last week where I met lots of other people and dogs. We sat next to a big Greyhound who was really nice. She was very calm and her Mum gave me some of her sweeties, I don't think she was very pleased that she was giving them to me! There was one dog there which I am not too sure about though. Mum says I have to be nice to him as he is a baby and doesn't know any better, but he did annoy me he kept trying to jump at me and Mum and play, but I didn't want to play with him. I think his Mum needs to have words with him and tell him not to be so rude, invading my personal space!! Mum was really pleased with me though and said I did really well, considering how many noisy, unruly dogs were there. I can't wait for next week now! The really good thing is that I still get to see my old foster Mums, Auntie Tania and Auntie Alison and they always make a huge fuss of me when I go and visit. I feel like the luckiest dog in the world. Look what I won! Feb 2010, I won a rosette, certificate and everything!
	George Hi George here! Well I had pride of place on this website and various forums when I was sick and I quite got used to having all the attention and then I was taken off the website altogether which I was not happy about at all. My story, for those that don’t know it, is a sorry tale. I was found on the streets and I don’t really remember much before that; I was taken to the council pound, where I stayed for ages with my brother, Henry, but nobody wanted us. One day, a nice lady called Rachel came to the kennels and put us both in her car – we went on a long journey which went on for ages and ages and I was very scared and very sick – I don’t like cars at all. Anyway we eventually stopped and I went into a proper house with proper beds and everything – I thought that all my Christmas’ had come at once, but sadly I had to move on from there after a couple of weeks as there were just too many of us in the house and I was put into another kennel on my own. Henry got to stay in the house – some brother he turned out to be! When I was in the new kennels I became very sick and needed an operation. Well, let me tell you that I thought I was a ‘gonner’ because my new friend, Aunty Alison told me how expensive it was – over £2,500. I know she thought I was worth it because she sat and cuddled me but all the time she was talking to herself (these humans, I ask you) puzzling how she would get the money. Well lots of lovely people donated money to me and sent me get well cards and everything, so I had the operation and got much better, convalescing at Aunty Alison’s house where I made friends with lots of other dogs and people. My luck had eventually turned and I am now in my ‘forever’ home with John. I have to look after him all the time as he doesn’t like me to leave him on his own too much. I even have to take him to the pub sometimes so that I can make sure he gets home safely. I feel very important to have such a responsible job. I still get to see Aunty Alison and some of my other friends as I live close by and I even was at the front of the picture that was in the local paper of us all. Who would have thought that my life would turn out like this – without all my new friends I simply would not be here – a big thank you to everyone who has helped me!
	Inca My name is Inca and when I was put up for rehoming everybody wanted me because I am so good! My old owner was very sad to have to rehome me as I was being left on my own too much but I was very brave and tried to make the best of it. I went on a big adventure and moved all the way up to Scotland with my new owner who adores me already. You can see me on the beach and out and about; I even go to work with my new owner so I have to be on the go all the time. I can tell you I was pretty exhausted at first but now I am much fitter and I do have a lovely ‘Tuffie’ fluffy bed to sleep on at night to recuperate. It is colder up here but luckily for me I have a big thick furry coat, which I have groomed at the groomer so I look even more beautiful – what do you think?
	Kye Remember me? I came into the rescue in August 2009 and I really wasn’t very well. I had had to wear a buster collar for months and was very itchy and sore all over. Nobody had done anything to help me – I was very thin and frightened. One day I was moved around and ended up at the vets, which was the start of my change of luck! Most dogs hate vets but really from this day on things started to look up. I went to stay in the New Forest where I was well looked after and was given 3 meals a day – imagine that! I also had to have baths regularly in the warm shower and various tablets (I’m not sure why). Gradually my sore skin felt better and I was even able to play with some other dogs – Tiggi and George! I got braver and braver and felt stronger and stronger, but I was a bit worried as I knew that I couldn’t stay there forever and I didn’t want to go back to the life I had before. Well you will never guess what happened next – a kind lady came along to see me with another two dogs – Bowen and Jessie and she offered me a ‘forever’ home, even though I was still a little nervous and still taking tablets! I moved to my new home in the middle of October and I have had an absolutely fabulous time ever since. I have company all of the time and I get to play with Bowen and Jessie as much as I like. It’s much better than at that foster home where they kept leaving me to go and see other dogs – I have my family with me all the time – imagine that! I have done so well that I even no longer have to take any nasty tablets and all of my hair has grown back. I feel like the luckiest dog in the world!!!
	Jackson (now called Troy) Hi I’m Troy. I spent a long time in a pound in Ireland being walked by lots of different people, but I was a bit of a naughty boy and got so excited I dragged them round when they took me out. One day I had to go on a long trip over the sea with some of my other friends from the pound, and I finally arrived, very tired, at my new Mum’s house in England. My Mum introduced me to some new friends Holly and Toselan, and after a while we all had a drink out of the same bowl. I also have my other friends Amber and Arnie who are cats. I am now a happy, excited, playful, and gentle boy, but I have been very naughty! I’ve eaten socks, beds, underwear, and a bra, but I’m slowly calming down as I get older. I meet with lots of other dogs and have already won a trophy for handsome male, me yeah! I know there are lots of better looking boys but hey Mum’s very proud of me. It’s great to have a family of my own.
	Ben (now called Kenton) Hi Kenton aka Ben here. Just thought I would send some pictures of me chilling out in my new home. I still think about my old mum and dad but I have to say that I do like living with my two new doggy friends. My new mum says that I am getting on very well and I am now quite happy to see everyone when they call – and I don’t bark at them now either (well not often!). I also go to training classes once a fortnight where I get to meet lots of other dogs which I really enjoy – none of them are as pretty as me though! I do like to play with my ball in the garden, and when I am out on walks I am getting much better at coming back when called but you know what it is like, there is just sooo much to see and explore – I will try harder though. By the way did you know that I am actually a very special boy as I was the very first rescue dog for Southern Counties GSD Rescue
	Kylie’s mum and dad think she is a star Kylie has settled in really well and it is like she has always been ours. She loves going to the forest and is very sociable with other dogs and people alike – especially the postman! Message from Kylie ......... Dear All, I am really loving my new home and I think I have been really good. I bark at the postman every day to say hello and I haven’t once growled at the cats – in fact, don’t tell them but I actually quite like them! I absolutely love walking in the woods as there are so many nice smells and lots of other dogs to say hello to. Yep overall I am very happy here ......... definitely think I will stay!
	Snowy So sorry it's taken a little while to get over some snaps of me at my new home - so many new things to take in and lots of new faces to meet! All go.......!! Really sad I missed you today when you visited....I was at work watching men driving machines and things....I just hopped in and out of the landcruiser for a doze, and mooched round the lovely grounds when I needed some 'me time' and a stretch of the old legs! Anyway - here I am - a new man - groomed, bathed and HAPPY!......I eat all my dinners up and just love my new comfy bed 'indoors' - it's like being in a hotel !! I just want to lounge around all the time but Daddy Stephen insists on letting me run round the orchard chasing a squeaky ball - he's a bit mad I think! but its all so exciting. Mummy Julie chats away to me like i'm a 'real person' and she is always telling me how lovely I am! I have a new friend up the road, his name is Ben. We sit together and even drink our water from the same bowl sometimes! I do miss my dear Sooty though and I think about her so much.....lots of love to her x I think of you lots too Auntie - where would I be if it had not been for you. Thank you for all the love and kindness you gave to me over the weeks, you made me very happy during my stay, and you will always be very special to me x I know you are a busy Auntie doing that wonderful thing you do rescuing sad dogs but I hope we will see each other again soon.
	Shambles (Now called Remy) I had got myself into a bit of a state when I was found wandering the streets of Birmingham, but after being found and spending a short time in kennels I have been spruced up and have some new friends. I got lonely in kennels and tried to stop people from leaving my kennel by grabbing hold of their arms which, for some reason, they didn’t seem to like. Anyway my new Mum and Dad came and met me and were not phased by that. I am now living with Zaki (a very handsome Saluki) and Jessie. I have put on weight and am nearly up to my ideal weight so I look even more handsome. Zaki and I are the best of friends and I really enjoy chasing him when we are out! Of course I always pretend that I can't catch him - and Zaki enjoys teasing me by racing in circles, letting me get close and then accelerating – he doesn’t realise that I am only pretending!. Everyone falls in love with me when they meet me not only because of my natural good looks, but also because I am so friendly – I just love meeting new people and getting lots of fuss! Things are certainly looking up for me now!!
	Max (now called Zeus) I’ve now been in my new home for a few weeks and already I’ve got a new name. I am kept very busy – I have to keep an eye on everyone all the time to make sure I’m not missing out on anything. I love going in the car, and can’t wait to jump into the boot as soon as it’s opened – no matter what I jump in on top of. I really love going out for walks and meeting new people and new dogs. I have been on holiday in Devon recently. I went to Dartmoor and did some rock climbing with my new family. Alix and Leigh showed me how to get to the top of Hound Tor, but they didn’t tell me I had to walk down again so I just jumped! All that exercise made me really hot, so I had to go and cool off with a swim in the river Dart. I do love to get dirty and wet, but then I get to have my paws dried for me which is a real treat. This week the builders have started on a new extension, so I’ve got to keep an eye on them to make sure they’re doing it right and not slacking off for cups of tea. I’m not supposed to go upstairs which makes it difficult for me to get a good look at what the builders are doing, so I have to sneak up when no one’s looking. I’m so happy here as there’s always so much going on, lots of people to play with, lots of walks and lots of feeds to build me up.
	Sooty Hi Sooty here - I am a very lucky dog having found a lovely new home where I am the only dog and I do not have to share all the hugs, fuss and food with anyone else. My new Mum and Dad are very pleased with me and I have been settling in really well. We have had a bbq and I ate some bacon and a sausage. I haven't been sleeping upstairs I seem to prefer sleeping in the living room and I'm not too sure about having my own sofa just yet; I prefer to be with my new mum sharing hers. I go to work on the farm with my new Dad where I have a new bed in the office. I am back at work now but last week we went on holiday to Cornwall in a camper van – I don’t remember ever going on holiday before. It was great – playing on the beach and walking along the cliffs – I don’t like the sea very much – it’s the waves that I am not too sure about. I have walked about in Padstow and Wadebridge and I was very good with all the people and with other dogs. I still miss Snowy but I am glad that he has found such a lovely home too – I am very happy. Love sooty xx
	Sky When I was young I lived in a pub with my Mum and Dad and got to meet lots of people and other dogs. I met my friend, Talin, when he came into the pub and he was looking for a new home as he was being bullied by some other dogs so he came to live with us too. Sadly we had to move away from the pub and my Mum and Dad had to go to work all day and Talin and I were left at home on our own. We didn’t get many walks either and Mum and Dad thought it was best that we were found a new home where we could have more attention and exercise. It was very sad as they really did love us but they thought we would be happier. When my new Mum and Dad picked me up I was quite scared all on my own with people I didn’t know. I had to travel a little way and was quite sick on the journey, but Mummy Amy and Daddy Mike didn’t seem to mind. I am happy now as I get to go to work with Mummy Amy every day at the stables and I see lots of people and dogs again. I have to share my home with a cat but I don’t mind that. I spend lots of time outside running around and my figure has improved a lot – I am now quite shapely – a real stunner though I say so myself. I hope my old Mum and Dad do not miss me too much and I hope that Talin has found as nice a home as me.
	Lucy (now called Misty) I am such a beautiful dog and so well behaved that, I don’t understand how I ended up in a rescue. My new family adore me and I adore them. I have lots of hugs and attention and am very useful around the place. I even keep the grandchildren entertained by playing ball with them until they get tired.
	Henry I was found walking the streets of Birmingham, hungry and tired. I was taken to a pound with my friend, George, where I stayed for 2 months because nobody wanted us. Then it felt like all my Christmas’ had come at once when a lady collected us from the kennels and took us to her home where we met Joe and Molly (who were bigger than us both). She told us that she was just fostering us and that we couldn’t stay there forever. We were given lots of fuss and attention and even had proper beds to sleep on. George became a bit grumpy and he was taken away (I’m not sure where) but I stayed and things got better and better. They have told me that I can stay here forever now as I have promised to be a good dog. I did have one slip up when we went for a walk and I went off and got lost for two whole hours – I was very scared but Mummy Rachel found me and took me home again. I gave her lots of licks to make up for it and I don’t think I will go so far away again.
	Oliver Dear Aunty Lynne, It seems a long time ago since you came and picked me up from the kennels and took me all the way down to Devon. It was such a long journey and although I was really scared I did try and behave myself because I knew you were taking me somewhere safe and you promised to find me a very special home. The kennels were nice with Aunty Janet and the girls. I could tell they thought I was very special and handsome because they used to talk to me all day long and take me for really long walks – not like kennels at all. It was nice there but I was so excited when you came and told me that someone was going to take me to my new home. Aunty Janet give me a wash and brush up which I didn’t really like but knew I had to put on a show so that my new mum and dad wouldn’t be able to resist me. So Aunty Lynne, I thought I would write and tell you what a good boy I have been – not a foot out of place, even if I say it myself. My new mum and dad are great and guess what, they feed me 4 times a day because they think I am still a little thin. I keep telling them that it is all this playing but hey I am not going to argue – food, toys, cuddles, what more could a handsome boy like me ask for. Well that’s all for now, come and see me soon. Better just chill out – all this playing has quite tired me out.
	Jet's story I was a sweet puppy I was born in June 2007 with paws that seemed too big for my body. I lived in a small house with a shared garden which I was allowed to play in sometimes. When I was five months old I was out for a walk and got hit by a car. It hurt a lot! I had to go to the PDSA for several operations on my leg and pelvis. I was very brave, but my leg got infected and it hurt so much I couldn't use it at all. My mum couldn't afford to take me to a vet, so she asked for help to find me a new home where they could look after me better. My new home I went into a foster home in August 2008. By that time I was very thin and my leg was still infected. I couldn't even sit. My foster mum took me to some nice vets who x-rayed my leg and gave me antibiotics and painkillers. That helped and they gave me lots of tasty food to build me up. A few weeks later, I wasn't very well again, and the nice vet said I had got lung worm and had to have more tablets to make me better. My private swimming pool When I felt a bit better my foster mum and dad took me to a physiotherapist. That was fun! I had to splash around on an under water running machine to strengthen my leg. I tried very hard to do everything they asked me to do, but it was hard because I wans't very fit. When it hurt me I was a bit growly, but I didn't really mean to be. Sometimes my leg hurt a lot after playing on the machine and I had to rest and have even more tablets for several days afterwards. I love the snow I managed to persuade my foster mum and dad to adopt me so they could look after me. By Christmas 2008 I was feeling much better and had presents and everything! (Although I had to share some of them with my new friends Ben and Tiggi) One day it was very cold and all this white fluffy stuff fell out of the sky. I ran around in it, and wasn't a bit cold because I've got a big furry coat. I did get it all over my nose though! I wasn't very well My leg was getting much stronger, and I put on some weight, but my leg kept getting infected. I had another operation to clean up the infection, but the nice vet said that some of my problems were due to the metalwork in my leg and hip. My mum then took me to see a very expensive vet who knows all about legs and things, and he said I needed another big operation to pull the wires out. They shaved all the fur off my leg when they operated and I looked very silly. They said I went to the theatre for 2 and a half hours, but I don't remember it. Then I got worse! After my operation, I had a big plaster where they had operated and I felt quite sorry for myself. Two days later my plaster was covered in blood, so I went back to the nice vets and they gave me a green nappy to wear. The next day my leg started to swell up and hurt a lot, so I had to go back to see my friends at the vets again. They said my wound was infected and that I would need to stay with them for a few days. Mum and dad were very worried about me as the vet had told them to expect the worst (whatever that means). I'm much better now I had lots of people looking after me at the vets, but they all had to wear funny things as they said I'd got MRSA. They found me some tablets that they thought might help, and they were like magic. So after a week I was allowed to go home. My leg is much better now and I'm going out for lots of short walks to build up my muscles. Sometimes I can play with my friends Tiggi and Ben if I'm good. My leg doesn't hurt much now and I can sit straight! Mum and dad say lots of people have given money to help me as I've cost £4,500 in the last year, but I think I'm worth every penny!

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