Toby Toby is an older dog who was picked up as a stray and was due to be pts in the pound as his time was up. He is a GSD cross and is fairly small weighing only about 20kg. When he arrived he was in a terrible state, his ears thick, crusted and infected, problems with his eyesight and he was licking and gulping as though his tongue were over sized. Toby was also very frightened and cowered and became very agitated whenever he was touched. Some strange behaviour was also noticed which suggested that there may be underlying neurological problems. Toby spent two nights in the vets and had x-rays and tests under general anaesthetic. He was also given a much needed bath. Toby was found to have the worst lab results ever – he had proteus, staph. and strep infections in the left ear and proteus, strep and e.coli infections in the right ear. He was treated with antibiotics and steroids but due to the intensity of the infections and the length of time which he has undoubtedly been suffering, we knew that it was likely to take a considerable length of time to get him right. He continues on antibiotics but it has not been possible to eradicate all the infection as his ears are so thickened that the medication is unable to get to the source of the infection in sufficient concentration to clear it. Toby is now being fostered and has a warm Aga to snuggle up to at night. He is slowly getting brighter but has a long way to go – he is partially deaf, has reduced vision and the ‘mouthing’ which may be due to the infection and/or anxiety is starting to reduce. Toby is eating well and has considerable energy but is happiest when he is in familiar surroundings. He has cost around £500 already in vets fees and his treatment will be ongoing – we have been advised that as the infection cannot be cleared with medication, Toby needs an ear canal ablation in both ears which is estimated to cost in the region of £2,500. Any donations to help us pay for his ongoing medication and treatment would be very gratefully received. Update 30th January 2010 Toby had his first operation on 28th January 2010 and came home today. He had a total ear canal ablation on his right ear which was his worst ear. He had a chronic thickened ear and all of the inflamed tissue was removed. Fingers crossed that Toby makes a speedy recovery – he is a little subdued at the moment but he is well medicated and we are sure will pick up quickly. The vet did a special rate of £1,000 for the operation and, all being well, he should be fit enough to have the second ear done in about 6-8 weeks time. Update March 2010 Poor little Toby had his second ear operation on 26th March – he is recovering well and is due to have his dressing changed on 29th March. Ann Rees kindly donated a coat for Toby to wear as he had been through so much – he looks really smart in his new coat!!! Check out her website www.annrees.co.uk – any orders made through this website quoting the code ‘Toby’ will result in a much needed donation to the rescue. Update July 2010 Toby is ready for rehoming! He has been through so much and really deserves his own home. Toby has lots of energy, but does get a bit confused. He has absolutely no malice in him but when excited will jump up and grab things. Toby is deaf since his ear operations and his eyesight isn’t very good. When Toby came into the rescue he was very frightened and cowered whenever he was touched, but he is much better and is happy to be fussed, although he panics if he is picked up. Toby needs a home with a garden which he can get to know and play in; and he needs a lap to put his head on for a fuss – he would not cope well with walking in an unfamiliar environment. A friendly, beautiful, happy little dog who really does deserve a second chance in life. Watch a video of Toby>> If you can help Toby please email us at: admin@southerncountiesgsdrescue.co.uk Or phone 01425 473907

Cassie Cassie spent the first 6 months of her life kept in a shed on a puppy farm before going to her first home. Her first owners only kept her for a year before parting with her. Cassie’s found her new environment very scarey. Her new owner worked full time and also had 3 young children it was a busy household! When left alone she would chew and scratch anything in her way perhaps a hang over from her puppy days being left in the shed. She would also bark constantly and became very protective. June 2008 saw Cassie’s desperate owner approaching various rescues in an endeavour to rehome her as they were frightened she would turn on one of the children and bite them. No rescue place was forthcoming and so she was confined to the kitchen wearing a muzzle much of the time! In June 2009, we took Cassie into our rescue where we hoped in a quiet environment she could relax and learn to love life again this has not been the case as commercial kennels are a busy environment for a scared dog. She is stressed all the time, and weighs only 21Kg! Life as Cassie sees it!..... 6 months on a puppy farm, shut in a shed, A cardboard box and straw for my bed. Listening at night to the scurry of mice, Life really was not nice! At 6 months I thought my saviour had come A new owner to love me and give me some fun But 12 months later I was given away I don’t think I was bad - I have to say I know I wasn’t, because I wouldn’t have dared You see life in the shed had made me nervous and scared Life really was not nice! My new home was busy and they worked all the time I wanted to be with them so would scratch and whine 3 children to guard and protect was my role To bark and scare away strangers was my goal Life really was not nice Banned to the kitchen for 12 months was my fate Always to wear a muzzle, which I really did hate What had I done wrong again, someone please advise Life really was not nice! So now I am in kennels, where I am always on guard Life for a scared dog is really very hard I dream of a life where I can relax and play ball And lie in the grass with no worries at all Life would really be nice! Cassie now needs a quiet environment where she can build her confidence and learn to trust people again. We want to provide that special place and let her have time to play with her ball and chase the wind - the sort of things dogs are born to do. We have a foster home ready and waiting but we need a kennel and that is where we need your help. We need £1500 to purchase the materials for this kennel and we have volunteers waiting to build it for us. Are you able to make a donation or help us to fund raise - every little helps! Donations can be made either by cheque or by clicking the donate button above. You could also download and distribute an appeal poster for Cassie. Alternatively email your fund raising ideas to lynne@southerncountiesgsdrescue.co.uk Please help us make Cassie’s world a lot brighter. We owe it to her to show her that a dogs life can be fun.

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Registered Office: Bogmyrtle Cottage, Tom's Lane, Linwood, BH24 3QX
Company Number: 6866590   We are a charity for tax purposes (XT20569).