Thank you to those of you who have shown such an interest in Lily and Maddison.
Update 11:58 (13th December): A short update on Lily's progress.
We are aware that many people have been waiting anxiously to hear more about the pair but we wanted to give both dogs time to adjust to their new circumstances before updating you on their progress. We appreciate that it can be frustrating waiting to hear more about such a public appeal, but we had to consider the dogs' wellbeing first and did not want to release half the story; it was, in fact, only this week that we had a full update to give.
A home was found for both Lily and Maddison and due to Lily’s special circumstances the settling in process needed to be very gradual. However, despite the best efforts of staff and the very committed new owners it became evident that Lily and Maddison were no longer happy to live together. Quite simply the nature of their relationship changed in their new home environment and after careful consideration and many attempts at re-introduction in different surroundings which continued until very recently, the decision was made that they would need to be rehomed separately.
Maddison remains very happy in her new home and Lily is doing fine back at the rehoming Centre. She is getting on very well without Maddison as living with her in a home environment just didn’t seem to work and was clearly stressful for her. The staff at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury are looking after her so well and she is not short of love and hugs. Our number one priority has always been the health, welfare and safety of both dogs, and this decision was not made lightly.
We hugely appreciate the concern and affection shown for these two dogs by supporters around the world, and thank you for your patience in awaiting this update.
Q: Why did it take so long for Dogs Trust to post an update on Lily and Maddison?
A: Dogs Trust has worked tirelessly with both Lily and Maddison since it became evident that they could not stay together in the home environment. We wanted to give both dogs as much time as they needed to settle down before giving an update on them. Their welfare is our priority above all else.
Q: Why were Lily and Maddison separated?
A: The dogs went to their new home together on 29th October and within one day of being in that environment Lily started to show signs of aggression towards Maddison and eventually attacked her. Maddison became very frightened of Lily and the family who was so willing to take on these two huge dogs were heartbroken to have to make the decision to contact Dogs Trust again to make them aware of their concerns. It was then decided that for the welfare of Lily and Maddison they should be returned to Dogs Trust where Training and Behaviour advisors could asses the unexpected situation.
Q: What happened when Lily and Maddison were returned to Dogs Trust?
A: From 30th October - 7th November Canine Carers and the Training and Behaviour Advisor at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury worked with Lily and Maddison every day to try to rehabilitate and reintroduce the dogs to each other. They did a scent transfer in their kennels and made sure that they were introduced to each other in different locations at the Rehoming Centre to give them the best possible chance to rebuild their relationship. Staff produced a daily report on their progress and gave them the most thorough assessment possible.
Sadly, the nature of their relationship seemed to have changed totally since being in their new home environment together.
Lynn Barber our Head of Training gives this assessment:
'The aggressive reaction Lily had towards Maddison in her new home is almost certainly because she is blind, meaning she will have adjusted and reacted differently compared to a dog with full vision. Lily had been living in a home for six years and in an environment that she was comfortable in and used to. The move to kennels with Maddison would not have been too hard for Lily as the kennel environment is limited and easier to adjust to. This means her relationship with Maddison would have been easy to maintain and remained stable.
Until that point assessment proved that the dogs were happiest together and that they offered each other valuable support – rehoming Lily and Maddison together became the Rehoming Centre’s priority.
Sadly for Lily moving to another home proved extremely stressful and she struggled to adjust to the new environment, find her way around, and build a new relationship with her owners whilst maintaining her friendship with Maddison. The stress and uncertainty Lily felt during the move resulted in her attacking Maddison. Unfortunately some fights in the dog world are so distressing that it becomes too difficult to forgive each other. After weeks’ of trying to reintroduce the dogs it was clear that they were extremely distressed in each others’ company and happiest when kept apart.
For the safety and wellbeing of the dogs Lily and Maddison will be rehomed separately. Human company and affection in their new homes will help to take the place of dog companionship and ensure their happiness'
Originally, when Lily and Maddison came to Dogs Trust, they got on very well in a kennel environment. This is the reason that we sent out a rehoming appeal looking for a home that would take them both on. We could not foresee the change in Lily’s behaviour towards Maddison in a home environment but had to act accordingly once this was highlighted to us. Due to the nature of the attack on Maddison in the home Dogs Trust had the responsibility for the safety of both dogs and the family members who took them on.
They were finally separated on Thursday 17th November.
Q: Why did the new owners decide to keep Maddison instead of Lily?
A: The staff at Dogs Trust had made a decision after thorough assessment that they would need to be rehomed separately - for the welfare of both dogs. The family were willing to take Maddison back without Lily. Rehoming Centre staff were relieved as Maddison was not coping very well in kennels.
Maddison was most suited to the family as she has never shown signs of aggression towards other dogs which is important as the daughter of the family has two dogs who regularly visit the house.
Staff at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury are confident that they will find a wonderful home for Lily as there was so much interest in both dogs but also interest from people who would be keen to rehome just one of them. She will have to go to a special home where she is the only pet. Lily adores human contact so it will also have to be a home where she has company for most of the day.
Thankfully neither Lily nor Maddison have shown distress or anxiety apart and in fact the only time they have shown anxiety is when they are together.
Q: Is Dogs Trust involving Great Dane Rescue in the story of Lily and Maddison?
A: Where appropriate we have worked with breed rescue organisations when rehoming some of our dogs but on this occasion with Lily and Maddison we didn’t feel it was necessary as we could not have foreseen the change in nature of Lily and Maddison’s relationship. Dogs Trust has previous experience working with and rehoming Great Danes successfully.
Q: What is Dogs Trust doing to help Lily now that she is back with them?
A: Firstly, Lily is getting lots of hugs and attention from the staff at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury. She is being thoroughly assessed by the Training and Behaviour Advisor and we are carefully looking at rehoming possibilities for her.
Q: Has Dogs Trust informed the Daily Mail about the changes in Lily and Maddison’s relationship and circumstances?
A: By the time the story of Maddison and Lily’s rehome had gone to print the attack had happened. Unfortunately it was too late as the story had already gone to press. However the Daily Mail have since been informed of the current situation.
Update 14:25 (23rd November): Just to clarify, as this was originally not in the statement but is in fact the case, initially both dogs were returned to us while behavioural work and assessments were carried out. Apologies for not making that clear in the original text.
Update 15:07 (24th November): We have updated the above with answers to frequently asked questions. We also posted this in its entirety on Facebook at 17:27 last night. You can see that entire thread here.
Update 11:58 (13th December): A short update on Lily's progress.
38 comments:
Sad that they have had to be separated, but the happiness of both dogs is most important. Really hope someone can offer Lily a happy forever home soon!
I think perhaps you need to run another story with the Daily Mail on what has actually happened with Lily and Maddison, as a lot of people are wondering why the "best friends" pictured are now not so best friends. I think perhaps there should have been an update sooner at least to say you are waiting for the full circumstances to become available than to leave it to someone to go to the kennels and find Lily there. Thanks!
Very sad they were separated Hope lily not on her own for to long dose she stay at the kennels at night
i find it totaly out of order to split these two danes maybe the new home was to much for the bling dog and i still feel both dogs should of been brought back not just one ,they have been together so long !some thing isnt right .a special bond was with these two and nothing would change that other than the new owners
Looks to me like they now have their perfect dog & Lily is no longer required. I have run my rescue for well over 20 years so am not 'joe public' & cannot see why the 'devoted' pair are suddenly enimies? Something has happened in the new home. I would if it was my dogs bring both back.
It's a sad outcome, from a human perspective, but no doubt those humans who worked so hard to bring this to what they thought was a happy conclusion have done what they believed was what Lily & Madison wanted.
seems very odd to me that these very close dogs are suddenly not getting on and if genuine why not keep lily instead as maddison will obviously be more rehomeable. i have no problem with them being rehomed seperately but its certain made me question if the story has been misleading from the start. however i do hope lovely lily finds someone to love her soon.
This is very sad but something doesn't ring true. It's very strange how two dogs who were the best of friends no longer get on. I would have thought being in a strange environment would have brought them closer together not further apart.
I have until recently been a volunteer at Dogs Trust for a number of years, and it's not all the " Happy Ever After" place they would have you believe. And the money wasted in these centres is astronomical.
Dogs are sent out to unsuitable people, and there is constant pressure for rehoming figures.
Dogs are moved from one centre to another, and for the long term dogs, this can be very detrimentle to their trust issues and well being
I couldn't agree more with all the comments made,They should not have been split,it is disgusting to hear that a charity such as the Dogs Trust would do a thing like this,i thought they were more understanding in animals needs and not to rehome animals to any Willy Nilly.
I agree with the above posts something doesn't ring true here and seems abit odd to me. Two dogs who have been together for so long who are companions and share a special bond would not fall out like this ! If anything they would become even closer being in a strange enviroment. As with Sue's comment I have been involved with fostering rescues and have got rescue dogs myself. Ive fosterd dogs who have had to remain together because they have always been with each other, not once have I witnessed those dogs falling out or needed splitting up regardless of what surroundings they were in ! This to me says more about the owners than the dogs. In my opinion the dogs should be reunited and try them in a new home. Seems strange that its lily who is back in kennels....Somethings not right here !!
I work at the dogs trust where lily and maddy are, and please do not think that we just gave maddy back as this was not the case. Maddy and lily both came back to the centre after having a fight at their new home poss due to the stress. They were kept seperated for the rest of the day and the next day were tried together again at which point it was apparent on the walk that lily was still not accepting maddy back for the days to pass they were tried again and again, but it was decided for the health and safety of both the dogs and the staff that things were not going to work. The owners were extremely upset maddy was tried with their daughters dogs and got on fine which is why they took maddy and not lily as lily has been tried with other dogs and did not get on with them. Lily does not need a guide dog she can cope fine all she needs is love from someone she is still looking for her forever home where there are no other dogs if you think you could give her this or know someone you can please contact the centre. The old owners are still concerned over lily and want to be updated with all news on lily. Please do not judge before you know the story and how hard the staff worked for both lily and maddy as we love them both.
This seems so sad, looks like they should have tried harder to find a suitable home for both of them, especially after publicising that they had such a strong bond, maybe the chosen home wasn't right. Interesting the dog that has been kept by the new owners is the one without problems
Thank you Anonymous from Dogs Trust for making the story between Maddison and Lily clearer. I would like to point out that I was not criticising Dogs Trust over their care for these dogs or any other dogs entrusted to them and I am sure they have their best interests at heart.
Dogs can live happily together for years without any problems then for no reason at all suddenly start fighting. I had 2 border collies, both rescues, who would sleep in the same bed play together and even eat from the same bowl, then for no reason they started fighting after 2 visits to the vets i decided i had to rehome 1. My daughter was able to take 1 and both lived long happy lifes. I don't know what happened between them but it was impossible to keep them together. Hope Lily finds her forever home soon.
so sad, the dogs must be sad, at being parted, we just need to trust that the right decision was made by all involved.....hope lily can soon find a loving home and will soon ajust !
In my opinion Lilly would be more suited to a specific great dane rescue, this breed do not do well in kennels, they need to be with people and can get easily stressed leading to gastric torsion(bloat), she has been through alot and should not be left on her own. No dis respect to dogs trust but giant dogs need experienced, breed specific care.
I think this is shocking you had over 2000 people wanting to home these 2 dogs TOGETHER!!! you tried a home something went wrong somewhere!! so instead of keeping them together and making sure you find the correct forever home for them both you seperate them havent these dogs been through enough without being seperated now!! I think this is shocking!!
Shocking thats these dogs have been separated! And why send Lily back when it will be harder to rehome her. Great Danes DO NOT do well in kennels and obviously Lily is in great distress as was seen on Sunday by a friend. Strikes me a more suited home with experienced great dane owners and someone with experience of blind dogs should have been foundin the first place.
I have to agree that the dogs should stay together. Both at new home, or both somewhere else. Maybe the sighted dog is picking up on the fact that the new owners were maybe giving more attention and care to the blind dog? Without even realising it? I can't see a good future for the blind dog. United we stand...divided we fall. Don't want to judge new owners without knowing them, but obviously the needs of 2 new-to-them dogs, and one being blind was not going to be easy. I wonder if they gave too much attention to the blind dog, (very understandable), and it made the sighted dog jealous? Shouldn't the test have been to take them both back, to see whether they once again were compatable? ...and if they were, to try again with another owner - and there were enough of those to choose from.
I can't stop crying
Something is kind of fishy here. It doesn't make sense that they would not get along all of a sudden.
Absolutely disgusting! I do not belive that all of a sudden the girls did not get along together. As a previous comment said the family now have their perfect dane and Dog Trust has at least 1 rehoming number to add to their tally. Dogs Trust - you are a disgrace and are definately not taking the dogs welfare into consideration. I will certainly be bringing this to other people attention as I dont feel you have the dogs best interests at heart. The dogs should have been taken back together. Appauling!
why does everyone want to believe the worst??? the story is clear that the dogs didn't get along. stress and change in pack members (ie losing their original owners) changes the power structure in a pack and can often lead to a lower level dog trying to up its position in the pack. ANYONE who has dealt with ANY animals knows this. take one component away, or add one new one and it's a different story. all the complainers here should step up and help before they open their big mouths
Please dogs trust, if Lilly has to be seperated from Maddy then at least send her to a great dane rescue where they know more about giant breeds and they can find a loving home for her.
I find this story really hard to believe.....they lived togeather for years with no problems and then when rehomed the problems began ?????.
Had the new owners had Danes before...did they even know what they were doing ?.
It's been said that The Dogs Trust assessed and tried everything to sort the problem out...yet again I fail to see how this can be true...what was the time period between then having the dogs, them coming back and the decision being made ???
Ohh well it got everybody into the News that wanted to be there didnt it.....at the expense and the stability & happiness of 2 dogs.
These two should have been given to a Dane rescue to re-home not just a run of the mill re-homing centre who know little about such a breed.
I'm disgusted.
We have posted a further update on our blog that should answer some frequently asked questions. I hope this helps to clarify things.
Surely it's better for Lily & Maddison to be seperated if they aren't getting on. I've known dogs that have been best friends for years, then fallen out over who knows what and then couldn't bear to be near each other.
I'm sure the Dog's Trust did everything they could to try and resolve the issue between Lily & Maddison, but sometimes things just don't work out like everyone wants them too.
You had no way to foresee her reaction?...Yes you did.
How many homes did you turn down because they HAD to go together?
I am a behaviorist and can say with all confidence there was NOT enough time given for proper adjustment. Did the new owners pay for an actual behaviorist to come out and spend a significant amount of time? Someone who specializes in Great Danes and/or blind dogs? I find the Q&A nothing but PR damage control. I am disgusted by this news. This DOES NOT ADD UP. You turned people away because it was crucial they go together and now,they are happier apart no big deal? The story changes to suit your needs pretty easily. Yes stressful situations can change things and a blind dog may need longer than normal to adjust and show some aggression during that time. Not really a surprise there of course I didn't realize yo had an easier return policy than Wal Mart. I will be surprised if this is approved.
In a picture perfect story-book world, these dogs would still be together. In the real world, there are perfectly normal situations that could result in this being the best situation for these dogs. Dogs can live their whole lives together and then turn on one another, especially through a stressful situation like this. Just because YOU want this story to have the ending you feel is ideal, do not disrespect those in charge of making this decision (knowing the backlash it would bring, do you really think they'd have done it- and POSTED about it- if they weren't doing what they felt was necessary?) They will both be fine; dogs are adaptable and this is about what's best for THEM, not what's best for the starry-eyed public. I am grateful that Dogs Trust seems to really care about what happens with their dogs.
It is a shame but these things DO happen. It is mostly sad to see posters slating the people who have taken on both these dogs and then had the heartache of it not working out. They sound like super people, and to all those who insist they stay together - try separating a serious dog fight between small dogs, let alone ones of this size and then you might not be so blasé. A new environment changes the dynamics between dogs and bleeding hearts anthropomorphism does no one any good, especially a dog.
I believe that the problem is not with the dogs but the humans involved. Directly or indirectly their concerns or anxieties would have had an effect on Lily. Being blind Lily's senses would have been heightened to any bad vibes. The daughter's visits with her dogs would not have helped and maybe should have been postponed until Lily was completely comfortable with her surroundings. In any case these two dogs should not have been separated I don't care how hard you tried. Dogs don't just stop getting along after 7 years. Your statement is a carefully worded smokescreen if you ask me.
I agree totally with Ashleigh Paige.
I have two very large dogs one we have had from a puppy and the other a rescue who was 2yo when we got her. They fought for the first few weeks, but gradually have become mates. They still have a dustup from time to time but are inseparable. I have had to break up a fight but I stay calm and don't panic and they follow suit. They would be devastated if I had to return one of them to the shelter, so I devote a lot of my time making sure that their welfare is my number one priority.
just read peoples comments on not only here but on the dogs trust page as well and i can see that negative comments are not welcome by a certain few.Why has dogs trust not wrote on thier wall to address people instead of just directing them to this blog?The ones that disagree with dogs trust are called armchair experts.Please people read the page
I am shocked and saddened, not at the dogs situation but at these comments. I fail to see why some of you can't believe this update has the dogs best interest as priority. Friendships fail all the time, maybe the blind one took out her stress on the other and it was too much for both to handle? We weren't there and don't know and even if we were would you really know what it was about. The saftey of the dogs and those around them must be top consideration. One of my dogs gets on with other dogs except 1 we meet regulary, he likes the other two in that pack but always has a scuffle with this one when they meet. Neither me or the other owner can workout why but assured there is a reason. Fact is all dogs don't get on, some show it via agression while others give less obvious signals. I'm sure the dogs trust staff and volenteers have tried all they know to resolve the friendship but now are convinced this is the best solution for everyone. Please try to positivly suport their work as without them these dogs wouldn't even have the chances they have now. I find it distressing to read comments like absolutely disgusting and disgrace aimed at a charity trying to help 1000's of animals find loving homes. And for the poster who said they waste money, I hope you never see the RSPCA's books!
I had 4 dogs when my husband died, 3 girls, and one boy, the breed doe'snt matter, but they were the larger gundogs... never once had there been a cross word between any of them, a look from the old girl was enough... but a few days after my husbands death.... the fighting between them was most upsetting... it did eventually settle down...but on occasion , I did have the odd flare up... but now my boy and two girls have passed, the 4 I have now(1 of the origanals)are fine....Myself I think it was because the Alfa male had left the pack... and myself being Alfa female, i could keep fall outs to a minimum... But it is very upsetting to see best friends turn on each other.... Hope Lilly finds a loving home soon :-)
I must say I know of 2 dogs who were bought up together they were best of friends. For some unknown reason one of the dogs attacked the other so badly it had to be put to sleep. Both dogs were the same breed & the same size. So even though sad, it is quite possible that for some unknown reason suddenly their relationship changed. So even though hard to believe, it can happen.
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