Canterbury has Harry Potter fever with their own 'red head' Weasley family!

To celebrate the release of the final installment of the much-loved Harry Potter films, our team at Canterbury have named seven ginger pureblood boxer puppies after the Weasley family characters.

Like the Weasley family characters, all of these bouncy boxers are purebloods/breeds who would do anything for their friends. They are all special in their own way and will certainly bring a bit of magic to the families who have rehomed them.

Featured in the group photo (from left to right) Canine Carers: Ashleigh Green, Harriet Cardwell, Ruth Howard, Samantha Davis

• Four year old Bill is like his character counterpart is a bit of a ladies’ man and has lots of female canine companions at the rehoming centre! He attracts only the most beautiful of hairy hounds!
• Three year old Percy like his namesake in the film has an independent streak and knows his own mind.
• Charlie is five years old and like his dragon expert counterpart, is a very wise dog. He’s very intelligent, a group leader and the other boxers in the gang look up to him as he’s excellent at showing the others the doggy ropes, especially the younger ones!
• Fred and George are both four months old, and just like the Harry Potter characters are two mischievous puppies with hearts of gold. They’re always finding trouble, but with the best intentions and are quite a handful!
• Ginny the three month old puppy is also the youngest in the litter and is a fast learner; she’ll be a high achiever when she grows up – again, just like her counterpart!
• Five year old Ron, like JK’s character, is fiercely loyal and will be your best friend for life.

The three puppies came from the same litter and it’s likely that the adult dogs are also all related – cousins and brothers and sister etc. All of the dogs have now found loving, active family homes with owners who will be spending lots of time training and working with the boxers. Their new families will certainly be rewarded for their hard work as these dogs will make loving and loyal canine companions!

If you’re interested in finding out more about other dogs currently in the care of our centre, please call 01227 792 505 or visit the Canterbury rehoming centre.

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: Adorable litter born at Dogs Trust Ballymena (Northern Ireland)

Remember that post where I said we do get puppies? This is one of those times. Dogs Trust Ballymena recently accepted a dog who was already pregnant and this adorable litter is the result. (Mum will be neutered as soon as appropriate before being rehomed).

The pups are still too young for homes, but if you want to make any enquiries about them, please contact Dogs Trust Ballymena directly on 028 2565 2977.