A fostering update

We began fostering again in December 2011 after Mum took a trip to the Many Tears animal rescue is Wales. We have helped this charity out for about 3 years now and have fostered for them for over a year. This is the first time that my Mum had visited the centre though, it was a sad day seeing all the dogs coming in from various pounds but also a great day to see just what goes on at the centre.

Mum arrived home that evening with 3 new arrivals, Bradley a 7 week old collie cross and Jimmy and June two ex breeding Shih Tzu's. First up is Bradley...

Bradley arrived at the centre whilst my Mum was helping out with some other dogs, he had been collected from a farm where he was going to be shot. He was a little nervous at first but once he had been checked over and given his vaccinations and a name he was put on the list to come home with us!
He was such a great little puppy, very happy and playful and he got a home within a few days of being with us! He only lives a few villages away so we get to see him regularly which is lovely.

Along with Bradley we also took home Jimmy and June. They are Shih Tzus that came from a puppy farm. They are 4 and 5 and have lived in dark sheds there whole life with no real human contact. There only purpose in life was to produce puppies. When Mum was at the centre she passed long corridors of kennels full of dogs, most of the dogs are jumping around excitedly and barking. My Mum got to a kennel that she thought was empty until she looked closer, Jimmy and June were inside cowering, wanting the ground to swallow them whole. They had been at the centre for over a month but were still so nervous and shut down. Mum put them on leads to walk them out of their kennel but they both completely shut down and froze. Mum knew they needed to live in a house and have help with their issues so she offered to foster them.

Just being around our dogs has completely transformed the both, Jimmy was very nervous around men but we are getting there and he is slowly trusting people. They LOVE their walks and love running around over the fields off the lead.
It's so great to see how far they have come, I can't imagine how scary the big wide world is when you have spent your entire life living in a dark cell but they have adapted amazingly. They will make great pets for a very special family.

(photos taken from the Many Tears website)

Next up we had Vee and Rift, two gorgeous puppies from different litters who were both taken to the pound in Ireland. They were both Lab crosses.

Sadly I only got one photo of Vee before she left to go and start her new life with her family. This photo was taken just before she left!

And Rift....He was a lovely little boy who went to his home at the weekend. He was so chilled and calm for a puppy and a very quick learner.

We still have Jimmy and June but will be collecting two more puppies in the next week or so! Bring on the chaos!