OPERATION: FIND AMOS A HOME!

For the past three years, Amos - aka 'Moose' - has been living at Dogs Trust Canterbury. He's a wonderful dog: smart, friendly, loving, playful. All the staff are in love with him. But sadly, other dogs make him anxious and the barking of his fellow residents means that he never presents himself well in kennels, and is constantly overlooked.

We desperately want to see Amos in the loving home he totally deserves. So we've made this video - a little longer than most, but you won't want to stop watching this adorable boy once you start!

Please watch and share. It would mean the world to us if this boy finally met the family of his dreams.

 

|Amos' Vital Statistics:

- 7 year old Collie Cross
- At Dogs Trust Canterbury
- Has to be the only dog; can't live with cats.
- Would benefit from a calm, adult home (children 14+ considered)

Call now to offer him a home: 01227 792 505

Meet Dogs Trust West Calder's UNusual Supects (aka the Collie Collective!)

If you look at our website or drop into a centre you'll find that - while individual dogs vary a great deal in personality - some traits are quite common. The majority of the dogs that we rehome are very much indoor pets, for example. Also, working households often find that they need to arrange 'daycare' for their dog in some form or another, be it a paid professional or a keen friend or relative - we even give advice on working out if you have time for a dog.

Some dogs just like to be different, though! As 2013 kicks off, Dogs Trust West Calder finds itself with a collection of Collies that don't fit the mould - and need an equally individual owner to make their dreams of a home of their own come true.

To offer any of these beauties a loving home, please call 01506 873459 or drop in during opening hours.

Shelley: Home Alone

A hugely affectionate girl who loves a good cuddle or game with her carers, 8 year old Border Collie Shelley is also a bit of a comedian who makes funny faces - sticking her tongue out - when you throw a toy!

Shelley can be nervous with strangers and dogs, but she's obedient, and does enjoy a country walk. Some coverage of vet bills is offered (please speak to staff at the centre to find out more). She needs an adult only home, and would prefer to be the only pet.

Distinguishing Feature: Shelley could easily go to a working household as she will happily pass the time with her toys and enjoying her home comforts when left alone.

Cassie: The Great Outdoors

3 year old Collie Cassie loves her walks; she is a very outdoorsy dog.  She is happiest around water - she splashes in it, digs in it and fishes for stones  She would be great fun for someone who loves long walks in the country side.

Cassie is worried by strangers and dogs but is very obedient and keen to learn new behaviours.  She loves when we play with her but is also happy lazing around most of the day. She needs an adult only home and would prefer to be the only pet.

Distinguishing Feature: Cassie would be happy living outside in a cosy den and she's relaxed about being home alone

Rocco: A River Runs Through It

Rocco, a 5 year old Border Collie is affectionate and loves to play - he will play with any toy that moves!  He is worried by strangers and dogs but has slowly been building up his confidence here at the centre and has met a few dogs that accompany him on his walks.  He would enjoy walks in the countryside.

He needs an adult only home and would prefer to be the only pet and can be left at home alone if his owner works or would also be happy with an outdoor kennel.

Distinguishing Feature: Rocco is a full-on water baby. He has a pool in his kennel in the summer and misses it so much in winter he'll head straight for the shallow river on our grounds whenever we let him.

Buster: Home Alone 2 

Buster is a sweet 8 year old Collie who enjoys playing with his toys on his walks.  He has lots of energy and loves nothing better than chasing after his favourite toy ever: a ball. Still, he'll happily play with any toy, given the chance!.

Distinguishing feature: Having tired himself out on his walk, Buster then enjoys a long lie-in at home, so much so that he’d be happy living with owners who worked all day.

Marty: The Ladies Man

2 year old Border Collie Marty is a youngster who bonds strongly with his carers and enjoys long walks in the countryside.  He loves to chase things, so staff have channelled this desire onto games and Marty is delighted when it is play time especially when it is a squeaky toy.

Marty needs an adult only home but would be happy living with another dog or  keeping someone's working dog company.  Marty can also be left at home alone if the owner worked.

Distinguishing feature: Marty prefers the company of women.

Jock: Sleepy Hollow

Jock, a 4 year old Border Collie would get on fine with a working owner, provided he gets lots of time outside. He's worried by strangers and dogs, but is doing very well learning new skills at the centre.

Distinguishing feature: Jock would be happy in a cosy outdoor den; his carer always fills up his kennel with duvets and he loves retreating there at the end of a busy day for a long snooze.

To offer any of these beauties a loving home, please call 01506 873459 or drop in during opening hours!

Flash and her puppies

Every now and again we get wind of a really lovely, heart-warming, and blog-worthy story here at our head office. Well, today is one of those days! Samantha Davis, Supporter Relations Office for our Canterbury Centre, is going to tell you the touching story of Flash, the pooch in the spotlight with her 6 adorable puppies (picture above).

Take it away, Sam:

All dogs are amazing. We obviously think so… we do afterall work for Dogs Trust. However, sometimes a dog comes into our centre at Canterbury, with such an exceptional story, we have to share it.

On 9th December 2010 a very underweight black and white Collie approximately 3 years old was picked up in Northern Ireland by the dog warden and taken to a local veterinary clinic. She had been hit by a car and suffered several injuries as a result. She had a broken hind leg and a puncture wound to her abdomen. The Vets gave her all the necessary treatment for her injuries and cast up her leg. She had no microchip and nobody claimed her.

2 days after the accident she gave birth to 6 puppies and the clinic held onto her for just under 3 weeks. This was the best place for her in her condition and she gained weight and the puppies developed with few complications from the accident. In this time, the clinic tried desperately to find deserving homes for Mum and pups but struggled to find anyone suitable.

Their only option was to hand them over to a local animal organisation that in turn got in touch with us. An arrangement was made for Flash and pups to be brought over to us on 29th December so we could care for them and rehome them through our centre. Whilst a 20hour journey wasn’t ideal for the dogs, it meant that we could save them from an uncertain future, care for them whilst they were recovering and then rehome them to responsible new owners.

When Flash arrived we didn’t know what to expect. Having been through such an ordeal, we prepared for a dog that could be very nervous and apprehensive of new people and strange places. We thought particularly, around her puppies she could show signs of distress and maybe even aggression.

We couldn’t have been more wrong. She turned out to be the sweetest natured and most affectionate Mum we’ve ever had in. She has a wonderful temperament and copes amazingly well with her situation. Her leg is still in a cast and she continues to feed her pups. She can’t yet be separated from them; so much so that a trip to the vets for an X-ray and recast was a family affair and the puppies went along for the ride!

The puppies are now 4 weeks old and are doing well. We are slowly weaning them onto dry food and getting homes ready for when they can leave Flash at 8 weeks old. We already have a perfect home lined up for Flash where she can relax and enjoy herself.

Both Mum and Pups have captured the hearts of all the staff and volunteers at Canterbury. We shall be sorry to see them leave. We are confident however, that once rehomed, their ordeal will finally be over and they can enjoy their ‘forever’ homes, and be given all the love and care they deserve.

VIDEO: Bentley the Canine Care Card Dog's Story

Bentley is a beautiful Collie x German Shepherd cross (we think) who was entrusted to our care through the Canine Care Card scheme, which means we promise to care for and rehome your dog in the event of your death.

He was a bit of a special case though, as you'll see by watching the video below.

And in case you're wondering, Bentley has now found an owner and will be heading to his new home soon! Update 24/04: Bentley has now gone home!

VIDEO: Bentley the Canine Care Card Dog's Story from Dogs Trust on Vimeo.

There are lots of other dogs who'd also like their forever homes, like lovely lady Lurcher Felicity and bouncy Boxer cross Shadey, both in Kenilworth.

For dogs needing homes across the UK, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming

Salisbury's Seb was SO ready for his closeup...

Supporter Relations Officer Leslie Gold Carley at Dogs Trust Salisbury (follow them on Twitter) recently discovered the power of a rehoming appeal by video. This is Seb's story in her words...

Just a few weeks ago we started using video here at Dogs Trust Salisbury to help publicise our dogs. The idea, of course, was to let people see them in a different light. We all know that people respond to still photos of dogs – after all, what’s cuter or more appealing? – but would harnessing the powers of video help some of our dogs find new homes?

The very first video we shot was of Seb, a young Collie who has struggled to find a home in part because of a medical condition. Seb is also very much a full-on Collie, with behaviours that are delightful to those familiar with the breed, but which the average first-time dog owner might not be prepared for. So we took video of Seb playing with his tennis ball and posted it, tweeted it, and Facebooked it. You can see the result below.

In the meantime, a very nice gentleman had come to the rehoming centre and spoken to the staff about Seb. He was interested, but wasn’t sure, so he went away to think about it. Then he went online and watched Seb’s video – and suddenly, he said, he saw Seb as a normal dog who happened to have a medical condition. He saw the dog he wanted to call his own. He came back to Dogs Trust and reserved Seb, and took him home this past weekend.

We always knew Seb was a star! We’re delighted we were able to use video to help Seb find his forever home, and we wish him and his new owner all the very best as they settle into their new life together.

Now…who should we film next?

Dog of the Week: Winston @ Dogs Trust Kenilworth

Winston @ Dogs Trust Kenilworth
Originally uploaded by Dogs Trust

Age: 2 and a 1/2

Breed: Tri-Colour Collie

Likes and Dislikes: I'm a very active fellow who gets on well with other dogs, livestock and even cats. I can be a bit nervous and shy, needing time to warm up before I show you my affectionate side. I'd love an adult-only house with people who understand Collies and can keep up with me, ideally in the countryside as I can't get enough of it! I struggle quite a bit in kennels so would love a home sooner rather than later.

Contact: Dogs Trust Kenilworth on 01926 484398 or visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming to see more dogs seeking homes.

Dogs Trust Rescue Dog Agility Team at the Ultimate Pet Show

Just in case anyone still needed convincing that rescue dogs have just as many talents as their lucky counterparts who have had one home since birth, the Dogs Trust Rescue Dog Agility team swept into the Birmingham NEC for the Ultimate Pet Show.

The team of dogs, owners, Dogs Trust staff and four beauties from Kenilworth looking for homes had a grand weekend out at the show, as the photo above shows! For more photos from the event, check out our Flickr stream. Also on site was a Dogs Trust Dogmobile, one of two mobile stands that are taken all around the country promoting dogs looking for homes - you can follow that link to find out more about Dogmobile events in your area.

Among the agility team members was girl called Saskia, who had spent most of her life at Dogs Trust Kenilworth. When she finally found her forever home, it was with Oliver, who immediately got her started on agility. In this video he introduces them both:

Dog of the Week: Cloud @ Dogs Trust Bridgend

Introducing... Cloud!

Age: 8 months

Breed: Collie

Likes: I'm a very intelligent, very active quick learner whose house trained and pretty good off-lead too. I like other dogs, even though the centre staff are still working on my socialisation. To get me used to a home environment, I've been living in foster care. I love my food, and will do anything for it... perhaps that's why I'm so enthusiastic about training!

Dislikes: Nothing much, really! I'm loving, friendly - I even like cats!

Needs: I am deaf, so I need an owner who is prepared to put a little extra work into training me. Dogs Trust are willing to give lots of advice to my new owner, and say it would be better if they've had Collies before so they understand how sprightly and active we are!

Contact: Call Dogs Trust Bridgend on 01656 725219 or see more dogs needing homes online.

Snow dogs! O'Mallie the Collie plays in the Glasgow snow

O'Mallie is clearly quite enjoying him time at Dogs Trust Glasgow; at least while he waits for his forever home he can play in the snow (and eat it)! If you think you can offer this bouncy two-year-old a home, contact the centre asap.



And if you still can't get enough of dogs in the snow, check out these pictures from October last year.

Dog of the Week: Rory @ Dogs Trust Canterbury

Introducing... Rory!

Age: 8+

Breed: Collie Cross

Likes: I love a good play, even at my age, and a nice walk around the woods. I do prefer a calm, quiet environment.

Dislikes: Kennels. I'd so much rather be a family home, perhaps with older teenagers who will be patient with me and help me settle in. Also cats - bleargh!

Needs: I don't mind a little alone time, but I'd rather be the only pooch in the pad as I love fuss and attention.

Contact: Call Dogs Trust Canterbury on 01227 792505 or see more dogs needing homes online.