Bobby and Max
our Dogs of the Week!

You must read our Adopting a Dog page, this is very important  for you to know the process, what is involved and why we do it. 

 Please do not adopt a dog unless you are committed and you understand that dogs take time and work.

Please ensure you keep in touch with us and if you have ANY problems, health or behaviour wise please call us for advice ASAP. 

This cheeky pup is with us as his family are moving and cannot take him with them.  It doesn't sound like he's had much socialisation and is apparently too boisterous with small children but he will be assessed fully tomorrow and the site updated then.

Poor Buffy has been returned to us! Did this quiet, loving little girl do something terrible that could not be resolved by training I hear you ask?  Well.  I'll leave it to you to decide.  Apparently to get to a park her new owners were using a crossing that beeped.  This 'freaked' Buffy out so she was returned to us!! This is the 2nd time this POOR girl has been returned.  The first time was because her new owner decided she'd adopted a dog too soon after losing her dog and couldn't 'bond' with Buffy!!!

PLEASE DO NOT ADOPT A DOG YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO WORK WITH AND GIVE TIME TO - THEY ARE NOT DISPOSABLE COMODITIES!!!!

Buffy is only with us as her original owner sadly died.  She is only 6 and a sweet, loving but slightly timid girl. A tiny collie x maybe sheltie. Her original fosterer has since returned to work so cannot foster her, it would be a crime if this girl has to go into kennels... Thankfully another fosterer has offered her a place with them!

Twighlight is a lovely collie x husky.  She is only a 14 week old puppy.  She will need a sensible home, both breeds have specific needs so we have to be careful to ensure any future owner is aware. Because Husky's have strong inbred hunting instincts we will not home her with small animals - We'd rather not risk anything, this is from experience!  Similarly we would not home her with small children, she is going to be a very big dog and too many times have we been asked to take dogs as they have grown too big and bouncy for children, we try to ensure all our dogs go to homes that are suitable for them!

Snoops is only 5 years old - he was taken to be put to sleep after growling at a child.  He is very well mannered and obedient and great with adults.  We have him in emergency foster care, he's obviously very scared of small children as he is hiding from them so needs a home with older children only.  He's a bit growly at his fosterers dogs but he has only just arrived.  He needs somewhere else ASAP, please help save this gorgeous boy.

If you would like a loving companion to sit on your lap and cuddle this is the dog for you! He LOVES his cuddles.

Snoops is becoming more relaxed in his foster home - still scared of the children but what a lovely boy!

Tarran is a lovely 3 year old dog, really friendly no trouble whatsoever. He's calm, has no behavioural issues, great with the kids and the cat. He's on a diet so hopefully the weight will start to drop off. He's well trained and has obviously come from a family where he has been well loved.

Obi is friendly, 17 month old collie cross. He came to Dog Friends due to a family ilness and has been in his new home for the last four weeks. Although his adopting family really love him and he has settled very well, they live in a terraced city house and feel his life would be better in a home with better access to lots of open space for walking and playing ball which he LOVES. He is large and quite strong but very friendly with people of all ages. He is fine with other dogs and never gets into fights in the park. As long as he has had his exercise he is generally good in the house and has never made a peep during the night. Prior to coming to Dog Friends he lived outside in a kennel but he will happily sleep indoors.

Obi would love a home where he can get lots of exercise. He is generally great off the lead and will not run off too far but it can sometimes be tricky to get him back on the lead because he is having so much fun. He needs to work on his lead walking as he does tend to pull at times particularly when en route to the park or on busy roads which seem to make him a bit nervous.

Overall he is a lovely and good natured dog who would make a great yard dog or active family pet.

Mistletoe was found straying in Wales, she is a Collie x Huntaway about 6 months old.  Missy is very good, she has accepted she is at the bottom of the pecking order, is behaved, quite, listens to commands will certainly sit to command. She is painfully thin so we will be building her up with a good diet.

Saxon is a gorgeous Collie x Gsd.  About 4 years old.  He walks really well on the lead and despite having very bad ears is very cuddly.  He would be a lovely easy first foster dog for someone! Please contact Louise if you can help, he is currently in kennels.

25/11 - Saxon shouldn't be in kennels, he is a great dog, not too keen on being in the car but that is the only negative thing someone could say about him!  Please call if you could foster him!

27/11 -

Cannot believe poor Saxon is still in kennels, this boy is so loving and gentle , today I flea and wormed him and he just sat there and let me do it he is the same when he has his ear treatment put in even though it must be very sore. He puts his paws up on your chest not in a jumpy way just to try to get you to stay then puts his head in your arms he really is gorgeous and needs to be in a home with people to love him, he weighs 23 kilos and is the size of a collie it breaks my heart when I have to leave him.

1/12/09 - I have decided to take in Saxon as a foster dog because people are overlooking him as we don't know what he is like in a home.  Saxon is a beautiful, gentle boy with so much love to give.  So far he is being very good in our house, sitting quietly whilst I work.  He has shown no agression or dominance, despite my boy lurcher showing his teeth when around food and treats.  We have had some marking problems (although he has learnt quickly to being corrected), but no other mess - We all have to remember that Saxon has spent at least 4 weeks in various kennels and his world has again completely changed in the last day.  He is an intelligent boy, already learning to sit when asked who will learn quickly.

Saxon is a dream to walk on the lead, always staying slightly behind or next to you, his trotting pace is quick, but he always adjusts it to be by your side.  He is so gentle that even a small child could hold him.  I let him off briefly earlier, and he stayed right by me!
 
He does not seem interested by other dogs and completely ignored my chickens, which is a sign that he may ignore cats, but this would have to be tested.

When we first got in the car he was barking at oncoming cars, this was corrected by a squirt of water and he stopped immediately!  This boy will learn anything to please an owner

I feel he really needs someone he can trust and bond with in her new home, he needs people who could dote on him and give him lots of love and attention!  I feel at the moment, he would be ok with young children as he is so gentle, but this will need to be assessed further. 

Dougal is a 3 year old Westie.  Like many Westies he has a mind of his own and if allowed to will do his own thing, and he has learnt that sometimes snapping gets him his own way so probably best not to go with Children.  He does bark, especially at postmen and he doesn't like travelling in the car - that's his bad points.  He is however utterly adorable and is only being given up as his owner has a heart complaint and can no longer care for him  if you could foster or adopt please call. He says:

Shep has just arrived and is a typical lively 4 year old collie.  He has been handed into us reluctantly, his owner can't take him with her into rented accomodation.  She says he is good with children.  He seems slightly wary of other dogs at the moment and of men too but he's only been with us a few hours. He's a handsome lad but we've not been able to get a good pic yet - he doesn't seem to know what treats are!

When I picked Max & Bobbie up from the vets where they were due to be put to sleep I asked the vets to print off their history so I could read a bit about them. They have not been to the vets a lot since 2003 when they first registered. It says they are both 12 years but the vets think Bobby is a bit younger. Max has been a couple of times for a bad back which has been solved with a course of Rimadyl but then goes away and an ear Infection which he has now so he has ear drops twice a day which he is happy to let you administer. They were then brought in on 11 Nov to discuss both dogs age and temperament as they said the dogs were both urinating in the house and fighting each other and snapping/biting at owner. For this reason they wanted to have them put to sleep as they didn't think a rescue would take them.

Max has poor eye sight in his old age and the vets think this could be the cause as it is common for older dogs to get a little grumpy especially if they have trouble seeing. The vet brought them out and They came and greeted me with tails wagging and seemed very happy. They settled well for the car journey home and when we arrived home I took them for a walk in the field with the other 10 dogs I have staying. They both went to the toilet outside and were happy to go into a bed together for the night. Again they came on a walk this morning and went to the toilet outside.

They have shown no aggression to each other, the other dogs or myself and have completely ignored my baby. I even fed them together and they were fine. They jumped on the sofa but listened when I told them to get down. Max seems more confident than Bobbie despite his poor eyesight and age and he still tries to play with the other dogs and enjoyed a good walk. They seem very happy together but I think they could also be re homed separately going by what their previous owner said about them so not to cause further problems. They would be quite happy as an only dog or with another older dog and would be a great companion for someone who wants a little lap dog.

Jimbie is a big, strong and quite dominant Akita.  He will need a very experienced home with someone that knows the breed.  Please call if you can help.

 

This is Sammy a lovely 9 year old collie x.  We have been asked to help him find a fantastic home as he is not keen on his owners toddler.  He is very loving and wants all the love to himself.  He's probably be happiest living as an only dog as this is what he is used to.  He loves his walks and cuddles and will make an ideal companion for someone!

Jack is so sad and quiet in the kennels we have not taken his picture for fear of upsetting him further. We sat with him, talked to him, offered him a big selection of treats, showed him the ball to entice him, but he just lay sad and still on his blanket. He seemed so lethargic, didn't make any fearful movements or make any sounds of fear towards us, just stayed still and looked at me with a sad, resigned, sort of "given up" look on his face.  I think he is weak - at one point his eyes kept closing even though I was sitting near him.  He gave me a lot of eye contact (did not look away in avoidance at all) and occasionally his ears moved at the other sounds.  At times he just stared blankly at the wall.  When we left him alone for a while he did eat the treats though which is a good sign.  The vet will be visiting him today Tues 27th and an update will follow asap.

approx 4 year old girl good with children but not a cat lover - currently being assessed more details to follow. Fizz has a bed but has decided the washing basket is better! She has one blue and one brown eye hence they aren't coming out well in the snaps!

27/11 - The people who were to adopt Fizz have decided they cannot afford to adopt.  Dogs do cost an ongoing amount, decent food, yearly vaccinations and of course the dreaded vet bills hence we always recommend taking out insurance. However even with that if you cannot afford a donation for a dog to help other dogs remain alive and well it is a strong indication that you cannot afford to look after a dog going forwards!!

Paddy is a large collie x.  He's neutered and estimated to be about 6 years old.  He has reluctantly been returned to us be cause he has some issues with other dogs so would really need be be homed as an only dog.  He also needs to go to a home with an experienced owner who will not let Paddy be dominant.  He is a lovely dog but needs clear rules and boundries that show him his place is not to rule or guard.  Despite these problem he really will make someone a lovely friend and he deserves a second chance. 

Paddy loves to retrieve, but he doesn’t have any idea what is a good size for an object to throw. He will optimistically drag 12 ft fence rails to me to be thrown or very small pieces of foam.

Richard and Anne who kindly help out with walking some dogs say: "Paddy is a beautiful Border Collie cross.  When we exercised him in the field he loved playing with a ball, he brings it back to you each time and never gets tired of it being thrown.  He is quite obsessed with this game of fetch, and we felt that his concentration on this is a sign that he has abilities and energies which need to be harnessed and focused on specific tasks and roles.  We feel that someone who is experienced with border collies and really understands collie instincts, behaviour, and their need to use this intelligence and energy, and knows how this can be channelled and realised, would be the perfect companion for Paddy. He could have so much to offer with the right person, but his qualities could be wasted without activities and companionship with someone who loves and understands him.  We think that any problems he has had could be dispersed if he could be channelled in the appropriate way.  He is very special and we feel he would reveal his qualities in the right hands.  He seems young and fit, and was quite happy for us to stroke him although he was concentrating on the ball!   It would be a pleasure to groom him because he looks so handsome with his luxuriant, lovely-coloured coat".

8/11/09 He was very friendly when we met him again and perhaps he remembered he had spent time with us once before.  He was relaxed with us - not at all worried when his fosterer handed him over.  We had more interaction with him this time, in the sense of stroking him, affectionate eye contact, lots of wagging, bringing the ball to both of us, sitting down together, as well as the usual chasing after the ball and bringing it back to us, which he loves.  He is very good at giving the ball up, and you can also take it from him.  He let us take out bits of bramble or twig that got caught in his lovely furry tail without any trouble, and he seemed relaxed about letting me dry him with a towel at the end of our time together.  He took treats relatively gently too.  We took him to look at a horse in the stable yard and he did not bark at it or seem to react.  He is pretty good at coming back when you call him.  He is easy to exercise because he will run after a ball enthusiastically for as long as you like (bringing it back) and expends his energy, he obviously enjoys walking with you too.  On the lead he can pull quite strongly, but a lot of the time he does not pull that hard.  He would probably be better on an extending lead.  We think he would be a loyal and affectionate companion, and he is obviously getting used to meeting different people.  We think he's gorgeous! 

Beaches is an ex breeding bitch would was no longer needed by the farmer.  She is exceptionally friendly and waggy though she has spent her life on the farm apparently.

Update 12/4/09

Mojo recently enjoyed a Dogs Friends day out but he tends to bark a lot at new dogs when he first sees them putting them and their humans off meeting him, when he settles down he is a lot better.  He needs an owner used to big dogs who has the time and patience to help socialise Mojo giving him the training and confidence he needs.

Mojo is a very friendly and affectionate, but a bit clumsy, he is nervous of other dogs and we think he probably wasn't socialised at all as a young dog. The first vet he saw thinks he may have been locked up as his poor pads were worn and very sore. He's still a shy boy and will need a home where someone is prepared to put time and training into him and where someone will show him that the world isn't such a scary place.

6/10/09 - Update from our volunteers Richard & Anne

This is Guiness shes about 14 years old. She is clearly feeilng very sorry for herself at the moment.  She is an absolute sweetheart.  Not a nasty bone in her body. I took her out today for a couple of short walks.  She is obviously stiff and takes little "dolly" steps but seemed to enjoy getting out.  Apparently she has hardly been out in the last 2 years. She is booked into the vet we think she has an infection and a flea allergy and obviously needs medication for her joints. 

22/10 Guiness is back from the vets, thankfully she doesn't have an infection.  She may possibly have fox mange which she is being treated for.  She was far more settled last night andshe went for a longer walk with friends this morning.  She was pretty amazing and managed to keep up with the other dogs.  She just slotted in and thoroughly enjoyed herself.  She is the sort of dog who gets on with anyone and anything and is very well behaved.

25/10 Guiness is starting to be a little more confident and less anxious now.  She is a bright girl and eager to please.  She has very quickly realised that if she goes in the car it means going out for a decent walk and therefore seizes every opportunity to get into the car!  She doesn't like going out in the garden for a wee and if you don't watch her she will pee on the carpet - so we do have to make a conscious effort to put her in the garden as she won't ask to go out.  We haven't had any accidents for the last 2 days though!  As you can see here she is already looking brighter & more confident.

29/10 Guiness had another evening primrose bath today and her skin is definately improving as she no longer scratches.  She is as good as gold and seems to take everything in her stride.  There are no more accidents either which is excellent.  She has walked near horses, cattle and sheep and totally ignores them.  When out on a walk she never strays very far and her recall is good.  You could not wish for a better behaved dog - we haven't heard a peep out of her.  She is good company and a absolute pleasure to have around.

17/11 The people thinking of adopting Guiness have decided that she is not playful enough to go with their dog so she is still looking for a loving home. 

Callie is a gorgeous collie x springer.  She sadly has come to Dogs Friends as her owner has to go into a nursing home.  Callie is 14 years.  She had a hip operation a few years ago and is slightly stiff on her back legs so just wants a kind, loving retirement home with a garden she can sniff around in with perhaps the odd stroll down the road.

22/1/0/09 Poor Callie has been very ill and the vet has discovered she has a large tumor.  The vet has decided it is not in her best interest to operate so her fosterer is  giving all the care and love to her she needs whilest she can still enjoy her life.  We will not move Callie now, she is happy in her foster home so that is where she will live out her days without any more upset.

18/11/09 Callie is doing well. She is enjoying her life, still enjoying walks and food and is an absolute darling of a dog her fosterer is very pleased to be able to help this fabulous girl have a happy last few months.

Mick has sadly been returned to us.  He is a young, very lively Collie x lab.  He has a habit of mouthing people when excited and this needs careful handling.  His fosterer previously had almost resolved this issue but he has reverted to his old ways.  Unfortunatly his fosterer cannot have him back as she is already working with another dog so poor Mick is in kennels, and very unhappy about it!

Mick is now back in his former foster home settling as if hes never been away, an update will follow.

Since Mick (Henry) came back to us hes been his usual happy, well behaved self. Being more like a Labrador than a collie he is very affectionate and loves his food but he never steals it! He's clean in the house and loves to be groomed and cuddled. He can be left for 4 to5 hours and is quiet and not destructive. He's good with other dogs and enjoys playing with mine but is happy nto except that she is the boss. He travels well in the car and loves his walks.
 
He would make a great second dog for any expeirienced home and would reward them with lots of love and his loyalty.

4/9/09 We have had some fabulous volunteers working with Sol and Tegan - They have discovered that Sol is very protective around Tegan and gets really agitated when other dogs are around.  He also seems to be bullying her slightly so we are trialing them apart for short periods.  So far it actually seems to be doing both dogs a world of good.  We will try them apart for slightly long and see how the get on - so far neither have been stressed by being seperated, in fact both seem more relaxed!  If this continues we will be able to split them which will give both a better chance of finding their own forever home.  However, please note, that if we think either dog will not benefit from this we will not split them.

9/9/09

Both dogs seem to be thriving apart, Tegan is more confident and Sol more relaxed especially around other dogs so we think they can be homed separately so If you could offer one a home please call!

15/9/09 Sol is still coming on leaps and bounds, I took him for a lovely walk today along the Strawberry line and on the way back we stopped for a rest on the river bank so he could cool down and for the first time without me prompting him he walked over and gave me a great big sloppy kiss! it was quite emotional actually!

25/9/09

SOL has changed so much over the last few weeks since being separated from his mum, now he doesn't have his mum to be protective of he can concentrate on himself. He now craves human company when I walk into the kennel block I call his name and I can hear him getting all exited he is up at the bars by the time I get to him waiting for his tummy rub. We have trained him now to walk on a harness and he doesn't pull not one bit, he will wait when told at the side of the road to cross and is always looking up at you to check all is OK. I love taking this boy for a walk no matter how bad a day you have had he never ceases to cheer you up, he swaggers along just happy to be out and about and is always eager to please, fair enough he isn't good with other dogs but its not his fault he wasn't socialised. He isn't hard work in fact he walks better on a lead than my two he is a total joy to be around, you just have to accept the fact he is getting on in years and isn't interested in making new friends of the four legged variety!  If I thought for one second he would be happy living with two young bouncy Rottweilers I would have him home in a heartbeat. He deserves a place to call home with a comfy bed and a garden to potter about in, he will repay you with love ten times over and will keep a smile on your face I promise you!

Poor Neathcliff has been returned to us as he does not get on with other dogs in the home.  As most of our fosterers have their own dogs we are currently putting him up in kennels but he is very sad there - please can you help?

He is a year old staffie x who is VERY intelligent and quick to learn, he picked up clicker training and would be fantastic at agility.  If you would like a dog to train and spend time with this is the one for you.

He can be dominant so need a sensible, experienced owner preferably without young children but we feel he would be fine with older dog savvy ones.

28/9/09 Neathcliffe, in contrast to Rover, seemed quite at ease meeting someone he didn't know, merely coming over for a sniff.  He is a cheeky, cute-faced little Staffie cross who is full of life and enthusiasm, is bouncy, and loves to play with Rover, although he plays a bit too roughly at times and could probably prove to be dominant with some dogs.  He was thrilled to be out in the field and took full advantage of it, running around with Rover exploring everything.  Then they played with balls and toys, they had some tugs of war which mostly ended with one giving in to the other!  Neathcliffe enjoyed taking treats and was playful and affectionate with us, rolling over on his back to be stroked and also chewing his ball lying on his back!  In our experience, he seemed to have Staffie traits of being friendly with people and, although he certainly loves Rover's company, you would just have to watch him with other dogs in case any excitement or dislike escalates.  A very cute little fellow who in the right hands would make an affectionate, cheerful, playful and bright companion.

 

Our volunteers think Neathcliffe is an affactionate cheeky, playful lad!

31st October 2008

Rover has settled in well into his foster home, but is still looking for a forever home of his own. He ended up with us after he was taken into the pound in Swansea by a man, who claimed he had found him as a stray but the owner of the pound suspects that he was actually Rover's owners. He is quite a nervous dog who is suspicious of strangers and a bit stubborn, he's very affectionate with nice, well behaved dogs and is very agile, and he obviously has the brains and the agility of a collie. We are looking for a home for Rover with dog knowledge, someone who has the time and patience to show him the world and work with him to show him that not everything is as scary as he thinks. We won't let him go to a home with small children as we think they will worry him, however he could go to a home with dog savvy teenagers.

Bess really is a gorgeous girl who has settled in very well with her fostercarer.  She has come to us in very sad circumstances.  She had been living in Wales very happily with her owner and a Jack Russell terrier.  Due to the terrible recent event in the news the owner was no longer able to take Bess and the Jack Russell out on walks together as people were throwing stones at this poor lovely girl.  She wasn't even safe to be left to sniff happily in her own back garden.  She has done nothing wrong apart from being born as a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.  Please do not tarnish all Staffies with a bad reputation. Please could someone give her the chance she deserves, she is only 4 years old and would make someone a devoted, loving friend for life.  Being fostered in Weston Super Mare

Bess recently did not get on at all with someone elses dog so it appears she may be fussy as to what other dogs she likes!

Darling little Dottie dog is about 7 years old.  She has spent her life as a breeding Westie on a large farm.  Her owner felt Dottie has not been very happy for a while and so has now retired her and let her come over to find a wonderful home for the rest of her life.

Sadly Tom has been returned to us.  He just doesn't get on with some other dogs in the home.

Tom is a 12 year old collie, he is blind but he copes very well with this, enjoying his walks and life in general.  He lives currently in a busy house with a cat that he ignores and teenagers who he gets on fine with.  He would just love a retirement home to call his own.

Being fostered in Somerset

Poor Zorro has been with his fosterers for a long time and has some problems - we would really welcome someone who would love a dog - can't commit the time - but would help us with funding by sponsoring him  if you could help please call us. As you can see from the picture he still enjoys life and playing with his toys we just need help in funding the medicines he needs to carry on enjoying himsef!