Shoreham Dalmatians reunited after 3 years go 'dotty' for each other

I admit I got a little teary-eyed when our communications team told us about this story, so I wanted to share it with you.

Back in 2008, two Dalmatians, seven-year-old Freckles (left) and six-year-old Tippy, came to Dogs Trust after over 50 dogs were seized from an animal hoarder and sent to various rescue and rehoming organisations. Understandably the difficult circumstances they'd been raised in affected the dogs; although Freckles bounced back quickly and found new owners easily, Tippy was more troubled and started undergoing training and rehabilitation at Dogs Trust Shoreham.

Over time the nervous dog who didn't like to be touched started to set free his friendlier, more playful side, and it seemed like Tippy might be ready for a home soon. By chance, Freckles' owners, Graham and Cheryl O'Neil, rang the centre saying they were looking for a friend for Freckles. Centre manager Tracy Rae thought that since they'd lived together before, Tippy might be that new friend.

Graham describes the moment the dogs were reunited:

"When they caught sight of each over the fence they jumped up and wagged their tails. The minute they were let off lead in the field that was it - they ran off, barking and nudging one another. We felt like bystanders watching two friends catching up! Tippy has settled in really well now - he loves having a mad half hour and then settles down for a snooze on the sofa."

Tracy and the team at Dogs Trust Shoreham are delighted for Tippy, saying:

"Tippy will love living with Graham and Cheryl. He’s such a gentle, affectionate boy and having Freckles for company will help him relax into his new environment. His carers have worked so hard to bring him out of his shell and we’re very proud to see him go off to such a great home."

Dogs Trust Shoreham cares for around 70 dogs at any one time and will never put a healthy dog to sleep. The charity cares for dogs of all ages, breeds and sizes and would like to urge anyone looking to take on a dog to please get in touch.

If you would like to offer a dog a home, please call Dogs Trust Shoreham on 01273 452576 or visit the centre on Brighton Road, Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex BN43 5LT.

Great dog videos: Keanu @ Dogs Trust Shoreham & Fudge @ Dogs Trust Bridgend

Rhia, the Supporter Relations Officer at Dogs Trust Bridgend, took a camera out to follow around the lovely Fudge as he enjoyed playing in the snow.



Video is a great way of giving a chance to dogs who might not show their best side off in kennels, so the centres are gradually increasing the amount of video they take; it's hard to squeeze in the time, but worthwhile! I'll be working on some new footage from Merseyside today.

Over Christmas, one of our lovely supporters, Karen Wild, also harnessed the power of video to do a feature on Dogs Trust Shoreham's longest resident, Keanu. He's a nervous but affectionate soul who's been with us six years.

It might be January now, but we're showing Karen's video, from her Intellidogs site, once more in the hope that he'll finally find the home he's looking for.



Please contact the centre directly to ask about either of these dogs. (The numbers are on the links the centre names go to).

Happy Dog Stories: Chico @ Dogs Trust Shoreham

From time to time, our centres report stories that really warm out hearts. Here, Tracey Rae of Shoreham Rehoming Centre tells the story of Chico and the battle to save his eyesight and find him a home...

"Chico is an adorable 6 year old wire coated terrier. He came to Shoreham in May this year as part of a transfer of 10 dogs from South West Scotland. Despite his long journey, Chico was full of beans when he arrived and he continued to woo the staff with his cheeky personality.

"Before he had his vet check we believed that he was quite elderly because he had cataracts in both eyes that were progressing quickly and his eyesight was already severely impaired. We were astonished to discover that he was probably only about 6 years old and it was upsetting for everyone to think that he might lose his sight completely at such a young age.

"Luckily Grove Lodge, the vet practice that we use at the centre, has an eye specialist, Denise, who was convinced that she could help him. We made arrangements for him to be admitted but we knew that his aftercare would be critical. It was essential that he be kept quiet and still so that the surgery could heal properly. If he continued to bounce around his kennel, he could very well bounce his way to blindness.

"So began ‘Operation Chico Time’. Lisa Haynes (pictured left, click to enlarge) the centre’s vet nurse decided to take him home with her for the first couple of days after the op and spent a sleepless weekend as Chico had a very different idea about what constituted keeping still! Her dedication paid off and Chico got through those critical first days with a fighting chance. Lisa then converted an office at the centre into a padded boudoir for Chico and cancelled a holiday so that she could give him his eye drops (which he wasn’t very keen on) and lots of attention (which he was very keen on). Everyone crept around outside the room so that we wouldn’t disturb him and the reception staff came running, primed with hot dogs if they heard him start to bark.

"All the staff and volunteers at Shoreham rallied round to help him recover and a wonderful new home was found for him with a lovely couple who were happy to visit and sit quietly with him during his recovery. Finally 2 weeks after his operation, he had a check up and was pronounced ‘sighted’ once more! Shoreham was a very happy place even though he was still on strict bedrest.

"Denise, the vet who treated him has now nominated Chico for the Grove Lodge ‘Braveheart’ award which is given to dogs who have undergone extensive and complicated surgery. So fingers crossed, he will be ‘Chico the Brave’ by the time he goes to his new home."

Meet Dogs Trust's Dogs: Charlie aka Chas

Whoops! Charlie has just barked at me to remind me that he should have had his day in the sun yesterday. My apologies, Charlie, now please take centre stage!

Name: CHARLIE (also known as Chas and Chuchi Waller)

Breed: Terrier Crossbreed

Colour: Black and Tan

Age: 11

Who's your favourite two-legged friend at Dogs Trust? My friend Jo in Fundraising who used to be like a second Mum to me until she got her own 4 legged friend so now she is more like an Auntie. I go for lots of walks with her.

Who's your favourite four-legged friend at Dogs Trust? Buster Boy who lives with Jo. He used to come for sleep overs when she first adopted him and we became best friends even though he is very tall and gangly and sometimes steps on me when we are out running in the woods.

What's your favourite toy? I particularly like handbags and shoes and I have a matching pair of pink fluffy ones at the moment which I love.

What's your favourite treat? I have a shoe fetish so my biggest treat in life is when I'm allowed to nuzzle my head into a shoe. Luckily lots of staffmembers keep a spare pair under their desks or friends that know me well willingly kick off their shoe for me to enjoy. It’s the best fun ever.

What do you dream about? I cant stop dreaming about chasing squirrels but sadly I always wake up before I catch one. Its just not fair.

Where's the best place to take a walk? At lunchtimes I always go along the canal which is nice but at weekends I love to spend hours up Hampstead Heath which is full of squirrels just waiting to be chased.

What are you favourite activities? Besides chasing squirrels I also love watching horses and cows – they are so strange looking. I sometimes dance and I love having a mad five minutes with my soft toys just before home time. I have a long pink boot that Aunty Clare bought me which is a particular favourite at the moment.

What's the one thing you can't stand? I don’t like large un-neutered male dogs that always try and push me around in the park. I much prefer gentle dogs like the lovely Sadie I share an office with.

What do your humans like best about you? Most people think I have very soulful eyes and ask if I'm wearing eyeliner; what a silly idea – I'm completely natural.

How did you meet your humans? I was found running loose in traffic and some kind soul picked me up and took me to Dogs Trust where I met my future Mum. She inisisted on taking me home and within 24 hours we knew we would be good friends. So I never did get sent to Shoreham as planned I found my new home straight away and have never looked back.

Check in next Monday for another doggy profile!

Dog(s) of the Week: Jess and Brinkley @ Dogs Trust Shoreham

Introducing... Jess & Brinkley!

Breed: Golden Retriever Cross (Brinkley) and Crossbreed (Jess)

Age: Jess is 5 and Brinkey is 2

Likes: Both of us are shy and nervous types, so what we like best are patient people who will take the time to get to know us and wait until we trust them at which point we hugely enjoy cuddles.

Dislikes:

Jess - I am not keen on cats and although I can get on with other dogs I am very nervous so I need time to get used to the idea.

Brinkley - I haven't tried hanging out with cats yet, but Dogs Trust say they'll introduce me if a new owner really needs me to. I've had a rough start in life so I am not keen on too much pressure but will show a lot of love if I'm given time to adjust.

Needs: Both of us need houses with children over 12 where we are preferably the only dogs.

Contact: Call Dogs Trust Shoreham on 01273 452576 or visit Shoreham's rehoming gallery on Dogs Trust's website.