it`s our birthday 125 years young! 1891 - 2016

IT ’ S OU R BI RTH DAY
1 2 5 Y EARS YOU N G !
1 8 91 - 2 01 6
WAG: THE MAG FOR DOG LOVERS
SPRING 2016
MEET THE TEAM
NEWS
INTERACT
MORE WAGS
PER HOUR
Wagulous news!
Your Wag will now be available
online and updated regularly
with even more news, videos
and lots of photos – so for
some extra juicy bits visit
dogstrust.org.uk/wagmagazine
and wherever you see this sign
Photo: Clive Tagg
Job title: Canine Carer. Lizzie is just
one of 417 canine carers working at
our 21 rehoming centres. Everyday
duties include feeding, exercising,
training and socialising the dogs in our
care, as well as getting to know each
dog on their kennel block well enough
so that they can find the very best
owner for each individual dog. The
kindness and knowledge of our canine
carers are just two of the things that
makes Dogs Trust great.
How long have you worked at
Dogs Trust?
Two years as a canine carer; before
that I volunteered as a dog walker.
I’ve always been passionate about dogs,
which is why I volunteered.
What do you like most about it?
I love bonding with the dogs in my care;
taking puppies home for a sleepover is
always good fun but tiring! I also enjoy
coming up with new ways to publicise
some of our dogs to the public, as
photography and PR are a part of
my role.
What do you find most challenging?
I get a bit sad when a dog I’ve cared
for and gotten to know well eventually
leaves the centre – I know they’re
going to a good home to start their
new life but you can’t help but feel a
tiny bit upset.
Dogs Trust West London, Harvil
Road, Harefield, Uxbridge, UB9 6JW,
tel 0303 003 0000.
Open on: weekdays 12 - 4pm,
weekends 11am - 4pm, Tues 12 7.30pm. Closed on Wed.
The rehoming team at our Basildon centre were
dismayed to find that a nine week old puppy,
who had been put in a cardboard box and left
in a nearby park, had probably been abandoned
due to some unusual scarring on her snout. The team
gave the shivering pup plenty of TLC, and decided to
call her Winnie on account of her bearlike appearance.
Thankfully, the vet team diagnosed her prominent
snout markings as the result of a bad fungal
infection, and she was given medical treatment to
cure her ailment. Although she recovered well, Winnie
is likely to have some permanent scarring on her face.
Personal highlight?
I was delighted when Cher, a Doberman
who was scared of men, eventually
found a great home, after a long wait.
I’d been caring for her for a long time
and we’d built up a strong bond. She
was transferred to Snetterton, so she
could meet a wider audience of potential
owners, and I was so pleased to be able
to visit her while she was there. She
recognised me instantly. Cher was
eventually rehomed to a great new
owner from Birmingham!
WH Y DID M Y OWN E R S
WA N T ‘ SN O U T ’ TO DO
WIT H M E ?
dogstrust.org.uk
Wag extra meaty chunks
Dogstrust.org.uk/wagmagazine
Instagram:
@dogstrust
Twitter:
@dogstrust
YouTube:
youtube.com/dogstrust
Says Maria Wickes, manager of Dogs Trust Basildon,
‘It’s appalling that someone could abandon a family pet
in this way, especially one so small and helpless.
Winnie is perfect in my eyes, and all the staff
here hope she can sniff out a loving owner
very soon!’
STOP PRESS – we’ve just heard that
Winnie has bagged a great new home! See her in
her new home on dogstrust.org.uk/wagmagazine
Photos: Maxine Clarke
Facebook:
facebook.com/dogstrust
Phone:
0303 003 0000
CAN YOU DIG IT?
Email:
wag@dogstrust.org.uk
To commemorate 125 years of caring for abandoned and
unwanted dogs, Dogs Trust will be creating a wonderful garden
at the Hampton Court Flower Show from the 5th-10th July.
We hope this horticultural spectacular will encourage people to
consider rehoming a rescue dog from one of our 21 rehoming
centres and enable us to reach many new potential dog owners
and secure future supporters. We would love to see you there!
Tickets are available at www.rhs.org.uk
Editor: Deana Selby
Readers’ Dogs: wag@dogstrust.org.uk High-res Jpegs only please!
Front cover: Jessica Dance (knitted models) and David Sykes (photography)
Designed by: Anthony Oram anthonyoram.com Print by: Eclipse Colour Print, managed by Red Mist
Editorial address:
Dogs Trust, Clarissa Baldwin House,
17 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7RQ
A dog is for life,
not just for Christmas®
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Spring 2016
www.dogstrust.org.uk
Reg charity nos.
227523 (England and Wales) SC037843
(Scotland) 20057978 (Ireland)
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www.dogstrust.org.uk
Love Is All A-Hound Us
Dennis, the cross eyed Collie rehomed from our
Kenilworth centre, peering at his cake during his ‘one
year at home’ celebration thrown by his lovely family,
Liz and Nathan. Dennis, who has strabismus, was
in our care for a month, before finding love with Liz:
‘There is never a dull moment when Dennis is about,
he is always up to mischief and we absolutely wouldn’t
have him any other way!’
Are you getting married this summer?
You can support our dogs on your big
day using our unique and stylish wedding
favours. We have four designs to choose
from, and along with our Dogs Trust
lapel pin they make a fantastic keepsake
for your guests. www.dogstrust.org.uk/
wagmagazine for details.
‘Sam’ – the star of our new TV
advert. You may have seen our
knitted woollen gent on your TV
screens, as he’s been helping us
spread the message that there is
‘That Special Someone’ – which we
are hoping will help encourage lots
more lovely people to think about
getting a rescue dog!
Dog derriere coat hooks
£14.99
www.dogstrustgifts.com
Pocket Square by Turnbull and Asser. Be the dapperest dog lover on the block by
wearing one of four ‘ready to wear’ designs depicting famous cartoon dogs (£65),
or go bespoke with a 100% silk scarf featuring your very own dog for £295 – the
‘Doggy Warhol’ is pictured here. £295 each, with 10% donated to Dogs Trust.
Now there’s no excuse
for a messy hallway!
You can see our advert, plus behind
the scenes action here:
DOGGYDUB
You will soon be able to dub your own
voice onto video clips of our dogs – go to
www.dogstrust.org.uk/wagmagazine to
see how to share talking (or singing!) dogs
with pals on social media.
Stanley the Sussex
Bulldog at our Salisbury
centre. Not only can he
stuff a toy pumpkin into
his chops, he brings joy
to all of his canine carers’
lives. They would LOVE
to see him settled in a
new home, so to learn
more about this funloving big fella please
watch him in action here
Is it
really
Monday
morning
again?
or call the centre on
0303 003 0000.
Bartolo, the much missed dog of Maria Elena Candilio.
Maria kindly organised a charity polo match in Richmond,
in memory of her beloved Bull Terrier, Bartolo, donating a
fantastic £900 to help the dogs in our care.
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www.dogstrust.org.uk
Lady and Godiva, joint winners of our
Westminster Dog of the Year competition.
The miniature Schnauzers, owned by
Andrea Jenkyns, MP for Morley and
Outwood, scooped the coveted title
thanks to their unique singing talents.
China mugs £14.50
Teatowels
£13.50
www.dogstrustgifts.com
By ceramicist Fenella Smith,
available at John Lewis and
dogstrustgifts.com Not only will
your tea taste better* but 25% of
profits from the Dogs Trust range
will be donated to help our dogs.
*not scientifically proven!
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www.dogstrust.org.uk
NEWS
D O G S T RU ST
R E S C U E S SMU GGLED
‘ D E S I G NE R’ P U P S
NEWS
Dogs Trust has taken in 18 pedigree puppies potentially the tip of the iceberg - as part of
our ongoing investigation into the illegal import
and sale of puppies into Great Britain from
eastern Europe.
The pup group, comprising ‘en-vogue’ breeds such
as Chow Chows, Pugs, English and French Bulldogs,
had been smuggled into Dover via Hungary, with fake
passports, and were all under 15 weeks old - thereby
rendering any vaccinations they might have had
ineffective. We believe they had been bred abroad
and smuggled into the country to be sold online, just in
time to be someone’s - potentially disease-carrying Christmas present.
The tiny pups had travelled hundreds of miles, and
some of them were at an age when they were too
young to be separated from their mothers. Until
now, any smuggled pups uncovered at Dover port by
customs officials were at risk of either being sent back
whence they came, or being put to sleep. To alleviate
this terrible situation, we have undertaken the full cost
of putting these puppies through quarantine, will pay
for all of their veterinary fees, and will eventually find
them loving homes them once they have completed
their quarantine period. At time of going to press, we
are fully prepared to help any further smuggled pups
in this way, through our partnerships with quarantine
establishments and the customs authorities at the port
of Dover.
Says Paula Boyden, veterinary director:
‘This puppy smuggling scandal cannot be left to animal
charities alone to fight - the British government must
lead on a multi-organisation plan to stop this evil trade.’
Photo: Clive Tagg
LESLEY’S BUSMAN’S HOLIDAY
Most people like to leave their work way behind
them while they’re on holiday – but not Lesley
O’Donoghue, our super dedicated assistant
manager from Dogs Trust Manchester.
Last August she flew to Cyprus for a friend’s
wedding, but while her fellow guests spent
their post-nuptial spare time chilling out by the
pool, Lesley spent her hols cleaning out kennels
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Spring 2016
and helping to socialise the stray dogs at the
volunteer-run Noah’s Ark Dog Shelter.
Says Lesley,
“At the wedding venue there was a quote on
the wall that said ‘Do what you love and you’ll
never work a day in your life’ and that just
about sums up how I feel about my work!
www.dogstrust.org.uk
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Photos: Steven Dunham
Do you remember Mason, who
splashed all over the cover of
Wag summer 2015 issue?
Handsome Mason was cared for at our West London
centre for over two years, waiting for Mr/Ms Right to
come along. The super bouncy Springer had been handed
over by his previous owners when they felt they could no
longer handle his high exercise requirement, combined
with his flair for escapology.
To help satisfy Mason’s high energy drive, assistant
manager Emma Taylor would take him for regular swims
at the Dipping Dogs hydrotherapy pool. Mason’s mastery
of doggy paddle led to him being snapped by underwater
photographer Lucy Ray for the front cover of your
summer Wag.
It was this stunning shot which caught the eye of Carolyn
and Ian, who have supported Dogs Trust for over 30
years. Immediately, they visited our website to watch
footage of Mason cheerfully splashing about during the
photoshoot, before making the 240 mile round trip from
their home in Nottinghamshire to Dogs Trust in Harefield,
West London, to meet him.
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As Carolyn explains,
‘It was love at first sight. When we first read in Wag
about Mason’s need to live far away from any roads we
immediately knew we could offer the right home; we live
so far from a road that we have to pump water from a
well! Plus, we have about 130 acres of woodland around
our house and several ponds, which our other Springers
have always loved cooling off in. Mason is my mother’s
maiden name, so it was clearly meant to be!’
Several months later, and Mason has clearly landed on
his paws:
‘Mason is making full use of the ponds, and has made
firm friends with our other rescue springer, Toby, whom
he clearly adores. He also loves to play tug of war with
our grandpuppy, Benji. He is super affectionate, we love
dog cuddles and always watch TV with a springer on our
knees. We have a very happy ending; Mason is here for
ever. We’re so glad we spotted Mason in our Wag!’
www.dogstrust.org.uk
GR E AT B R I T I S H B A R K OF F :
NEWS
E A S T E R S P E C IA L
ARCHIE,
JE T’AIME!
Photos: Solent News
Archie, a former stray, has been enjoying ‘la vie en rose’ at our
West London rehoming centre, helped by a volunteer who
originally comes from France - and he loves her accent so
much that French has become his first language. Now Archie
will only fully obey commands if staff copy her distinctive
gallic accent.
So I started taking him home for weekends, and we’d go for
long walking holidays together in Derbyshire. I’d sing him
classic French children’s songs, and call him French pet names
such as Poupounette, which translate as ‘lovely doggie’ and
mon petit chou, meaning ‘my little darling’, and after that he
started trusting me more and more.
For the last ten months, Marie-Hélène Léoni, originally
from Savoie in the French Alps, has spent most weekends
with Archie, allowing him to socialise and adjust to a home
environment. She has been taking Archie for walks near her
home in Maida Vale, London, and even started singing French
children’s songs to him.
“And because Archie was responding so well to what
I was saying, staff at the centre started to speak to him in
a French accent.”
And when he returns to the rehoming centre after weekends
away with Marie-Hélène he’ll only react to commands in a
similar accent. This has forced our staff to adopt French
accents when interacting with the four-year-old canine.
Miss Leoni, 57, said: “Archie was very worried when I first
met him, but working alongside the canine carers at the
centre, I could see his potential.
You loved our Christmas doggy treats in the last issue, devised by super
volunteers Eileen and Nyla, so they’ve created some easy easter treats for you to
bake for the canine in your life. Please remember that chocolate is highly toxic for
dogs, so while you’re scoffing your easter eggs you can give Rover these cheesy
treats instead.
Vet note! ‘Do remember to check with your vet first about whether your dog has
an intolerance to dairy products. Although the cheese is used in small amounts
some dogs can be sensitive to it.’
Lizzie Smith, Archie’s canine carer, adds: “Archie had clearly
had some bad experiences before he was rescued. But
following the groundwork carried out by the Dogs Trust team
at Harefield, Marie-Hélène’s patience, love and devotion has
helped return his confidence and made such a difference to
his life.
Marie-Helene said: “After my dog died I still wanted one in
my life, and when I discovered what Dogs Trust was doing, in
terms of rescuing and finding new homes for dogs, I wanted
to help.”
6 APRIL – RED LETTER DAY FOR DOGS!
April 6 marks a very special day for canine welfare
in England, Scotland and Wales – it’s the date
by which all dog owners are legally required to
microchip their dog and register them with a
government compliant microchip database.
were able to be reunited with their owners as a
result of having a microchip – and is the most
common method for strays and their owners to
find each other. Dogs Trust has been offering
subsidised microchips for all dogs for the past
ten years and so far we’ve managed to chip an
incredible 900,000 dogs in the UK. To take
advantage of our FREE chipping offer, and to
make sure you are on the right side of the law,
visit chipmydog.org.uk
From this date, all puppies must be
microchipped and registered with a
microchip database by the time they are eight
weeks old. In 2015, around 8,000 stray dogs
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Thanks to ravenous Rolo Millar,
ex-Kenilworth boy and bon viveur!
Photos: Josephine Slade
Tweet us a pic of your dog enjoying
their easter biccies: @DogsTrust on
Twitter and Instagram!
INGREDIENTS
METHOD
180g strong stoneground
wholemeal flour
150g porridge oats
80g mature cheddar, grated
1 egg, beaten with a little water
Set oven to 180c / gas mark 4
To make a smoother biscuit
whiz the porridge oats together
with the grated cheese in a
food processor.
Line a baking tray with greased
baking parchment.
Mix dry ingredients together.
Add beaten egg and water.
Mix to form a firm dough,
adding more water as
necessary.
Roll out on a floured board to
a thickness of between 1/4 and
1/2 inch.
Check biscuits after 20 minutes
and turn over for a further ten
minutes for a crunchier biscuit.
Cool on a wire tray and store
in an airtight tin for two weeks.
They can also be frozen.
FEATURE
CELEBRATING
125 YEARS OF
LOVE AND CARE
Did you know that 2016 marks the 125th year of Dogs Trust?
We’re celebrating our 125th year of love and care for dogs – of all shapes and sizes.
ounded in 1871 by Lady
Gertrude Stock in
order to ‘protect dogs
from torture and ill
usage of every kind’,
the National Canine
Defence League’s inaugural meeting
took place at the very first Crufts, in
Islington, London. The charity’s earliest
campaigns were firmly focussed on
fighting restrictive laws which sought to
have all dogs muzzled.
Fast forward 125 years, and Dogs
Trust (we dropped the ‘National Canine
Defence League’ in 2003) is now the
UK’s largest dog welfare charity, with
a network of 20 rehoming centres in
the UK and one in Dublin. We cared
for 17,347 dogs in 2015, and we’re
expecting to care for many more in
the coming year.
Over the past 16 years we have
been busily building new rehoming
centres so we can look after even
more dogs. Thanks to your help, we’ve
been able to rebuild eight of our older
rehoming centres, and build nine brand
new centres.
Our Impact
The majority of our rehoming centres
are bright, modern and designed with
the comfort and welfare of the canine
residents in mind – if you’ve not visited
a centre you are in for a treat! We are
also lucky enough to be able to advise
other welfare groups around the world
on improving kennel design.
In 1998 we redefined our mission:
working towards the day when all dogs
can enjoy a happy life, free from the
threat of unnecessary destruction.
From that date, everything the charity
has done has been in pursuit of
achieving this goal. 1999 marked a
year of massive change for the charity.
We had a complete rethink about our
approach to tackling the stray dog
problem in the UK, as we knew we had
to be more than just a sticking plaster on
a gaping wound.
We also knew that to effect change
we would need to change people’s
attitude towards dog welfare, so we
introduced an extensive range of
neutering, microchipping and youth
education campaigns.
Stray dogs collected by local authorities 133,500 102,363
21,360
5,142
Dogs Trust rehoming centres 13
21
Dogs cared for by Dogs Trust
11,252
17,347
Healthy dogs destroyed 0
0
D ID YO U K N OW…
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2016
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www.dogstrust.org.uk
In 1899 the League successfully campaigned against a compulsory muzzling
of dogs bill
In 1912 the NCDL opened its first home in Fulham, London. In 1926 we ran our first animal ambulance.
In 1967 our non-destruction policy was introduced by then-CEO, Col RoosemaleCocq. Since then we have never put a healthy dog to sleep.
In 1978 ‘A dog is for life not just for Christmas’ slogan created by then press officer (and later CEO) Clarissa Baldwin.
In 2015, more than 8,000 stray dogs in the UK were reunited with their owners, thanks to having a microchip. Compulsory microchipping is about to become law this spring, thanks to the campaign of Dogs Trust and the Microchipping Alliance.
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So what does the future hold? With
your help, we’ll be able to save even
more dogs’ lives than ever. We have
plans for brand new rehoming centres
to be created in the UK in the coming
years. We will continue to work closely
with DEFRA to put an end to puppy
smuggling. Our new Dogs Trust Dog
Schools will be popping up all over the
UK, in order to help dog owners have a
better understanding of their pets. In
the years to come, many more dogs’ lives
will be saved. We are confident that –
with your help – we will one day see the
day when no healthy dog is destroyed.
*source: Pet Food Manufacturers
Association 2013
**Dogs Trust analysis
Knitted models by Jessica Dance
Photography David Sykes
1999
19992015
Put to sleep by local authorities As a result, despite the UK dog
population increasing by 34% (6.7
million in 1999 to an estimated 9 million
in 2014*), the number of stray dogs
being destroyed by local authorities has
decreased by over 33%**.
www.dogstrust.org.uk
2015
TRAINING
TAR G E T
P RACT ICE!
With Dogs Trust Dog Schools set to pop up all over the UK this year,
what better time to introduce our new training section! Dog School is
open to anyone, not just rescue dogs, and not even just new dog owners.
Sign up for a five week course where we’ll show you how to train
and communicate with your dog, under the expert guidance of Dogs
Trust approved trainers, using only kind, positive training methods.
Courses cost around £50 for five sessions, and are now available in
Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Swansea, Bridgend, Canterbury, Basildon,
Manchester and Liverpool.
TOP T IP S
If your dog is short and/or you find it
difficult to bend you can use a wooden
spoon instead of your hand.
Always end a training session on a high
note; it lets your dog know he can do it,
gives him a rush of ‘happy hormones’,
and will make him super keen when you
start your next training!
Have your high value treats (ie yummy
titbits your dog doesn’t have every day)
in a bowl ready for when you begin.
1
Before your start any training,
your dog needs to be in a familiar
environment, so you know he is starting
off feeling happy and relaxed.
2
Photos: Clive Tagg
So, why teach your dog to target
against your hand?
1 It‘s useful for any time you want
your dog’s full attention, perhaps
when you want to groom him.
2 You can use a target command
to grab your dog’s attention when
you want to get him away from a
potentially difficult situation, for
example, if you want to avoid a
confrontation with another dog,
or you want to distract him from
chasing joggers.
3 Handy for when you want to check
his body for lumps, bumps or ticks, or
keep him still while at the vets.
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When your dog sniffs and touches
your hand with his nose you ‘mark’ it
by saying your special word, and
then give him the treat. Repeat this
for a while, remembering to mark the
behaviour with your word and give the
treat instantly.
If your dog gets something wrong
NEVER tell him off; just keep quiet and
try again. Ticking off your dog because
he can’t grasp something is a sure-fire
way to make him hate training.
R EA DY? T H EN OFF W E G O…
Here’s our training and behaviour
advisor, Daniel Thompson, with the
beautiful Mavis (rehomed from Dogs
Trust Shoreham three years ago),
to show you how easy it is to get
your dog’s attention by teaching them
to target.
Decide on a marker word that you
and your dog will come to understand
as ‘that is correct,’ for example, ‘win’,
‘fab’, ‘brill’ – a short word that lets your
dog know the thing he did is what you
wanted. Teach your dog this is the
special word that will earn him a treat by
saying the word, ‘fab’, then giving a treat
straight away, every time. Your dog will
soon learn ‘fab’ = treat!
You could use a hand
signal instead of a
word, which is handy
if you are training a deaf
dog. Daniel is shown
using the ‘thumbs up’
as the marker for
Mavis.
Start by stroking very lightly with the
back of your hand and reward when
the dog continues to focus on the target.
Gradually increase the time you are
stroking and the length of stroke. If he
comes off the target then start back at
an easier point where contact with your
hand is not as long.
3 You’ll need tiny portions of high
value food eg cooked chicken, liver etc
(as long as you know your dog is not
allergic to them.) Rub a piece of treat
in your hand and then drop it back in
the bowl so that your hand smells of
the tasty food.
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6
You now want your dog to hold his
nose to your hand for a little longer mark and reward when he keeps his
nose on your palm for two seconds, then
gradually increase the length of time.
When your dog can reliably wait for
five seconds with his nose on your hand,
introduce a low-level distraction – for
instance hold a bit of kibble or a toy (but
not their favourite one) in your other
hand. Hold your hand out and ask for
the target, and if he touches your hand
with the distraction present, mark and
reward with a titbit.
This may be quite
difficult for him, so
don’t be surprised if it
takes a while. With all
dog training the rule is
‘Be patient!’
7
4 Do not give him a treat if he mouths,
paws or barks at you, as this may mean
your dog is becoming confused or
frustrated. You may need to proceed
at a slower pace, and give your dog
more encouragement by using treats
to build up a positive association with
the targeting. It may also be more
productive to take a break from the
training for a while.
You could now
introduce a stroke
to your dog’s side while he is targeting
to your hand. Your aim is to get your
dog to stay on target while you stroke
his body.
Once your dog is doing this happily
you can then start introducing a brush.
Make sure your dog isn’t worried by
the object to begin with and when you
introduce the brush, start the same way
you introduced the back of your hand
with very light, short strokes. Gradually
increase the length of time and stroke
you are doing with the dog, and at any
point the dog comes off the target start
back at an easier step.
8
5 When your dog is touching
consistently his nose to your hand, put
a command to the action, so use a word
like “Touch” or “Nose” or “Target”. This
teaches him that ‘Touch’ is what you
want him to do.
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10
Once you’re happy he can target
indoors you can try and introduce
targeting outside, in the park, with even
bigger distractions. Be aware that you
may need to repeat some of the early
steps while your dog adjusts to all the
distractions of the great outdoors! Good
luck with your training and make sure
you keep it FUN for both of you!
FEATURE
FALLIN G M AD LY I N LOV E
WIT H A R E S C U E D O G
When Sali Hughes’ pedigree dog died, she got a rescue puppy.
And the experience has changed her outlook forever.
There is a common misconception about rescue dogs, a belief
that somehow they are broken, that you’re getting something
inferior but in fact the opposite is true. Dogs adopted through
reputable charities such as Dogs Trust are cared for properly,
neutered and microchipped as standard, and given a full health
check by a vet. Instead of taking your money and running,
reputable animal shelters sit you down for a full and frank
talking to, ensuring you truly understand what is involved in
caring for a dog, and at Dogs Trust you even get a follow up
call from a veterinary nurse after the rehoming, to check your
dog is settling in well.
Last summer we came home from Dogs Trust Evesham with
Sylvie, a young dog with a sketchy history. What we do know
for sure is that she is healthy, clever, quick to learn, funny,
loving, extremely cuddly and, until we met her, in danger of
spending the rest of her life without a family while countless
new pups are needlessly churned out for sale.
he summer issue of Wag exposed a highly
lucrative racket, whereby puppies bred in
Hungary are smuggled to Britain and sold
at a fraction of the going rate. The puppies
are bred in awful, packed conditions, then
taken from their mothers way too early (while
they’re still tiny and cute) causing trauma and grave damage to
the puppies’ mental and physical health.
The EU demands puppies be at least 15 weeks old before
exportation, but the breeders fake birth dates and documents
to get around these regulations, not only placing the dogs
themselves in great danger, but also putting people at risk,
because the pups are actually too young to be effectively
immunised against rabies.
The story made me feel sick. My beloved old dog, Margot was
put to sleep in my arms shortly after last Christmas, having
lived a long and healthy life. She had been somewhat ahead
of her time. The runt of a litter of French Bulldogs, she was
14
Spring 2016
born to only one of a handful of registered breeders in the UK,
well before her breed was plastered over kids’ pencil cases and
hipster T shirts.
We adore our new dog. The sense of reward I get from
having rescued Sylvie has convinced me that my pedigreebuying days are over. I can see valid arguments for humane
breeding, and as a former pedigree owner myself, I know that
many good and decent people breed and buy dogs out of a love
and desire to maintain and protect their breeds. But pets from
responsible breeders, who put animal welfare before profit
margins, cost money.
Sylvie, like most rescue dogs, is not a designer breed. Far from
it. Part Corgi, (massive bat ears, short legs), part Dachshund
(unfeasibly long body) and with a peculiar bone structure that
suggests a hint of Lurcher and possible maternal liaison with
Basil Brush.
‘So she’s a misshape, and
that is more than OK, because she is not a pair of shoes; she is a living, feeling, loving member of my family.’
So she’s a misshape, and that is more than OK, because she
is not a pair of shoes; she is a living, feeling, loving member
of my family - I didn’t get to choose how the rest of them
looked either.
Rehome a rescue dog www.dogstrust.org.uk
(This is an edited version of an article which first appeared
in www.the-pool.com in August 2015).
Generation Pup
Great news! The University of Bristol, together
with Dogs Trust, is calling on all puppy-owning
Wag readers - and anyone you know who may
be getting a pup - to take part in a groundbreaking study into dog development.
Open to all types of dogs, rescue and nonrescue, the study will follow a group of up to
5,000 dogs over their full life span. We hope
the study will give us a clearer insight into the
effects of environment and upbringing on a dog
as he grows through puppyhood, adolescence,
adulthood and eventually old age.
But, by the time she was five, Frenchies were so trendy and in
demand that unscrupulous breeders had begin to put bitches
to work in puppy farms, forcing them to produce litter after
litter under horrible and unsafe conditions. I was so horrified
by what had become of my beloved breed as it soared in
popularity that, when I was finally ready to find a new pet I
decided that instead of becoming part of the problem, I was
going to adopt a dog with fewer fans.
Funded by Dogs Trust, the study will also
give participating pup owners a clearer
understanding of their pup’s physical and
behavioural development. Please note, all
puppies must be under 16 weeks old when they
enrol. To be a part of the UK’s first ever puppy
life study email admin-puppies@bristol.ac.uk
Hundreds of thousands of dogs end up in rescue centres each
year, many of them designer breeds and pedigrees (it’s true
that, after buying adorable farmed puppies, many owners
realise they grow into dogs and give them up.)
www.dogstrust.org.uk
By adopting from a rescue centre, we are opting out of a cruel
game, reminding ourselves what a pet is actually for, and
engaging in what has been for me one of the most mutually
enriching experiences of my life.
15
Spring 2016
www.dogstrust.org.uk
FEATURE
Andreana, Hope Project user
Photos by Olivia Hemingway
n 20 years the Dogs Trust Hope
Project has transformed the lives
of thousands of homeless dog
owners, growing from just one
monthly clinic held at the Royal
Veterinary College, to running vital services at
over 100 locations around the UK.
The project provides free preventative and
emergency veterinary care to dogs belonging
to people who are homeless or experiencing
housing crisis. Our unique service is as relevant
and as valuable to the people it serves as ever.
It is estimated there are currently 2,744 people
sleeping rough in the UK, many of whom are
accompanied by a pet dog.
One such person is Andreana, owner of ten year
old German Shepherd dog, Khan. Andreana, 39,
credits Khan with giving her the impetus to give
up drugs, saying she felt a responsibility to take
care of him, and in turn he gave her a reason
to take care of herself and get clean. Andreana
left her abusive boyfriend in the winter of 2010,
taking Khan with her.
Unfortunately she also developed epilepsy at this
time, to add to her problems.
She explains,
‘If I didn’t go, I knew I would die and there would
be no one to look after my dog.
We stayed at friends for a while, but eventually
we ended up sleeping rough during one of the
coldest winters for years. I really believe I would
be dead by now if it weren’t for my dog. He held
me up. I couldn’t have gone on without him.
‘I B E LIE VE I WOU LD B E DE AD NOW I F I T WAS N ’T FOR M Y DO G ’
In fact, she was once offered a place in a hostel in
west London on the condition that she didn’t take
Khan – an offer which she instantly rejected.
After nine months, Andreana was found by an
outreach team while she was sleeping rough in
Hackney, London. They helped her and Khan to
get a place in a hostel together, St Mungos, and it
was here that she encountered the Hope Project –
and finally started to get her life back on track.
‘It was brilliant, I loved the Hope Project as it
helped me get treatment for Khan whenever he
needed it. The St Mungo’s hostel also accepted my
beloved dog – and from there I went through the
system and eventually got rehoused.’
‘I am clean now and living in my own studio flat
with a council tenancy, I have a garden for Khan
and I am so happy he has somewhere nice to live
for his retirement.’
When the Hope Project launched in 1995 there
was not a single dog-friendly hostel in the UK,
and just one veterinary clinic run by the Hope
Project to support dogs and their owners. Now,
our Hope Project offers an invaluable service in
107 towns and cities, working with local vets and
homelessness organisations, and last year funded
over 1,700 veterinary treatments to help dogs
remain with their devoted owners.
We would like to give our warmest thanks to all
of the generous vets who enable us to help dogs
through the Hope Project.
If you’d like to see more portraits of people and
dogs who have been helped the by the Hope
Project go to dogstrust.org.uk/wagmagazine
He used to whine sometimes, and I couldn’t
figure out why at first, but then I realised that
he somehow knew I was going to have an
epileptic fit. Because he was warning me I
could put myself somewhere safe so I wouldn’t
injure myself.’
During her time living on the streets, Andreana
would always ensure Khan had enough food, and
felt angry when others suggested she should give
him up.
‘I would have given him up if it was the best thing
for him, but I strongly felt the best thing for both
of us was to stay together.’
16
Spring 2016
www.dogstrust.org.uk
17
Spring 2016
www.dogstrust.org.uk
READERS’ DOGS
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, prevent
the dog from barking with a juicy bone. Put on
the kettle, open the hobnobs, it’s time for…
NEWS
Can you help boost
our Barkive?
The Dogs Trust archive is regrettably slim, thanks to an office
fire in the 1970s. If you, or a friend, have anything you could
add then we would LOVE to hear from you! You might have
a National Canine Defence League medal, awarded to human
or dogs for bravery, or perhaps an old postcard or poster,
or an old NCDL Newsletter? Whatever it is, please send a
photograph of your item, plus a short explanatory note, to
archive@dogstrust.org.uk
The NCDL’s Edith Cole Home
for Dogs, Birkenhead, c 1915
Campaigning flyer from 1898
Photos: Thanks to Ernest Bell Library
AL FIE 2 - W E ST LO NDO N
B ENJI - M A N C HE ST E R
Benji has written a beautiful letter thanking his canine
carer, Laura, and all the staff at our Manchester centre for
taking such good care of him during his brief sojourn, and
telling them all about his great life with new daddies Colin
and Richard, and his new Bichon ‘brother from another
mother’, Jack.
Alfie 2 is the second Alfie we have from the Dogs Trust, and
has as much character as fur! My son, Charlie, wanted a dog
like Gnasher, and we got one....he is hilarious, mischievous
and super friendly, and enjoys burrowing in mud like a
truffle-hunting pig. My son has given him the nickname
‘Pigapatomous’ and in honour of Star Wars, ‘Darth Fluff.’
RO NNIE AND
S CO O BY L E E DS
Benji writes, ‘I heard Richard and Colin say the other day
that they want to make sure that I have the best life ever.
Well, if this is the start of it then it looks like I’m really going
to enjoy myself. I just hope my tail doesn’t wag that much
that it falls off.’
To see Benji enjoying his fabulous new life, go here
COR R I E - WE ST C A LD E R
Love is in the air for Corrie, formerly Larrie, when he not
only attended the beautiful outdoor wedding of his owners
Carolyn and Alan Elliott, but also joined them on their
honeymoon, hillwalking in the Highlands.
18
Spring 2016
C AMMY MANC H E STE R
Four-year-old Labradoodle,
Cammy, found herself
homeless when a change
in circumstances meant
her family, who had loved
her since she was a puppy,
could no longer look after
her. She had only been at our
Manchester centre for a few
days when she caught the
eye of Sarah and Matthew
Midgley. A year later, and
she’s about to jet off with
them to start a new life in
Wisconsin, USA. Sarah says:
“She is a wonderful dog. Now
we’ve got the opportunity to
move to America she is, of
course, coming with us!”
www.dogstrust.org.uk
Helen and Ian tell us that
after losing their 16 year
old dog, Elkie, their home
was empty without a
dog. They fell in love
with Ronnie, an 11 week
old pup, who had been
found wandering the
streets of Leeds. A year
later they returned to the
centre to find Ronnie a
friend, where they met
eight month old Scooby.
The dogs hit it off from
the start – and they’re
inseparable!
MEG’S LIFETIME OF LOVE
Meg was left broken-hearted and alone
after her owner suddenly passed away.
Photo: Gavin Dickson
Thankfully, she had been registered on
our Canine Care Card scheme and came to
Dogs Trust Merseyside as soon as possible,
where she found a loving new home with
Mrs Kinsey and never had to worry about
being lonely again.
Our Canine Care Card is a free service that
guarantees Dogs Trust will care for and
rehome your companion should the worst
happen. Meg’s story has a very happy ending
- why not ensure the same for your four
legged friend by registering them today?
Applying for your Canine Care Card is easy
and once you are registered, we will send you
a handy wallet-sized card to carry with you as
you would a donor card.
Yes I’d like to apply for my free Canine Care Card
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (please circle)
Postcode:
Full name:
Supporter number (if known):
Address:
Email:
Telephone:
All information will be treated as strictly confidential
Please return this coupon to:
RTJA-SRXG-AZUL, Canine Care Card, Clarissa Baldwin House, 17 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7RQ
Source: 112982
FUNDRAISING
– A RE YOU A RUNNER?
Join team Dogs Trust in these forthcoming runs:
Superhero Run, Regents Park London, 5k and 10k
Edinburgh marathon festival
(5k, 10k, half /full marathon)
Sep Morrison’s Great North Run
NEW! Tough Mudder challenges, London, Scotland,
Midlands throughout the year
Check www.dogstrust.org.uk/wagmagazine for a full list
of all our sponsored sporting events.
20
Spring 2016
Amy Griffith and Katie Thomson competed in the very muddy
Total Warrior Challenge in Yorkshire, which included crawling
through muddy streams and leaping over flames! Amy
wanted to support Dogs Trust after rehoming Jinny, ‘She’s
such a wonderful dog’ from our Leeds rehoming centre back
in 2007.
Wanderwood is pulling on your coat and exploring
outside with your four legged friend; it’s holding
hands under a canopy of trees; it’s birdwatching, bug
–hunting and fresh air breathing. All lodges are pet
friendly and for the dog owners there is WiFi, hot tubs,
complimentary binoculars and umbrellas.
S A MILLI
P
M
!
May NEW! Morrisons Great Manchester Run
Each year supporters across the country take the decision to
raise funds for the thousands of dogs in our care. From coffee
mornings to cake sales, sponsored walks to marathons – there
are just so many ways to get involved!
ON
April Virgin London marathon
If your dog could choose a holiday full of fresh air and
wagulous walks in the great outdoors where would he
pick? Wanderwood is a fantastic range of woodlandbased lodge breaks that will fit the holiday criteria of any
Rover/Rovella!
S TA
B A BY WE WE R E
BORN TO RUN!
W O O F TA S T I C B R E A K S
WITH HOSEASONS!
Meanwhile, Stephen Sherratt, who regularly volunteers at our
Shrewsbury centre, took part in a sponsored bike ride from
Geneva to Caux in Switzerland, and then from Port Vale FC to
Dogs Trust Shrewsbury, raising a fantastic £2,794.
We would also like to send huge thanks to John and Christine
Bradley from Bournemouth, who have raised over £15,000
from their many supermarket and street collections over
several years.
All of our volunteers are brilliant, but Jenny Thomas is special – she’s
been raising money for the dogs for an astonishing 38 years!
With your help, she’s raised over £101,000 for the dogs – wow!
Please keep sending all of your stamps, postcards and foreign
currency to: 15 Wentworth Avenue, London N3 1YA.
Visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/wagmagazine for details.
If you’re feeling inspired to raise pounds for our hounds please
email telling us what you’d like to do – no idea is too weird
or wonderful! We will send you our pack full of top tips and
ideas to help you. fundraiseforus@dogstrust.org.uk
www.dogstrust.org.uk
Finally, don’t forget that while you are on holiday
enjoying yourself a donation of up to 10% of the cost of
your accommodation will be made to Dogs Trust. You
can search and book online at www.dogstrust.org.uk/
wagmagazine or call on 0345 498 6032.
21
Spring 2016
www.dogstrust.org.uk
We would love to hear what you think
of Wag! Please take a few minutes to
complete our simple survey below
or online here www.dogstrust.org.uk/
wagmagazine You could even win a lovely
box of chocolates for your efforts!
Photo: Les Lamb
fundraising
yo
Sp u r o
rin ffic
i
g
Ra al
ffl
e
st
ho
!
Please return the form to Dogs Trust,
Clarrisa Baldwin House, 17 Wakley Street,
London EC1V 7RQ
MEET B
UDDY
TELL US WHAT
YOU THINK!
This year, Buddy and everyone
at Dogs Trust is barking from
the rooftops about our 125th
anniversary celebration!
Buddy, rehomed from our
Basildon centre, is one of
many thousands of dogs
helped by the raffle. You
can help dogs like Buddy
by buying or selling tickets
for £1 each, prizes include
champagne and cash
prizes of up to £7,500.
Call our hotline on 020
7833 7672 to order your
raffle books today – Buddy
is keeping his paws
crossed for you!
Photos: Kevin Jackson
Which articles do you most enjoy reading?
THREE IS A MAGIC NUMBER!
Help us give dogs like Sky a new lease of life.
Which articles do you really not enjoy reading?
The Latin phrase, “omne trium perfectum” proposes that
everything which comes in threes is perfect. And in the case of
beautiful Sky, our three-legged Husky, we’d be inclined to agree.
Which articles do you never read?
Sky was brought to our Leeds Rehoming Centre in an emergency.
She’d been hit by a car, resulting in serious injuries to her
paw. We rushed her to the vet who sadly informed us that the
damaged paw was beyond repair. We agreed that amputation
was the best thing we could do for Sky.
Are there any articles or ideas you’d like to see?
If you’re a dog owner, have you ever used any training tips you’ve read?
Sky needed help and support both straight after her surgery
and once she was mobile again. After all, things would be a little
different now that she had three legs. When she was ready, we
introduced her to a slowly increasing exercise programme, which
not only helped her heal but also gave her the practice she needed
to adjust her balance and gait. Clever Sky made rapid progress
and soon returned to her normal strength.
Have you ever visited our website to find out more about one of our campaigns?
Have you ever bought anything –product, holiday, raffle ticket, canine care card etc - you have spotted in Wag?
Have you ever visited a Dogs Trust centre?
Sky is just one of the many dogs who arrive at our rehoming
centres needing urgent medical attention. Every dog will receive
treatment of some kind from check-ups and routine procedures
to lifesaving operations. With so many stray and abandoned
dogs to look after we spend a whopping £3 million on veterinary
bills each year. If you would like to help support our veterinary
work please fill in the donation form on the right and return it to
us. Every donation is vital and your thoughtful generosity could
change the life of a dog like Sky.
If you could change one thing about Wag what would it be?
Name
Address
Email
23
Spring 2016
www.dogstrust.org.uk
EVENTS
KEY
Behavioural seminar, book through www.eventbrite.co.uk
We would love to meet you and your dogs!
Come and see us at all of these places this spring…
Meet us at the Dogs Trust rehoming centre
News Flash!
Dogs Trust is running a brand new series of talks and workshops by
animal behaviour experts, based at some of our rehoming centres.
NB Tickets are only available in advance. To find out more info or book
tickets visit www.eventbrite.co.uk where you will need to create an
account using your email address and enter Dogs Trust into the search box.
February
27
28
28
Your details:
Dogmobile at Asda, Sturry Road, Canterbury CT1 1DG
Prof Daniel Mills weekend behavioural seminar at Dogs Trust Manchester,
(Day 1 looks at needs of younger dogs, day two focusses on older dogs.)
Dogs Trust Loughborough’s Charity Dinner at Chef and Spice. Tickets are £15 in advance, call 01509 882966
Prof Daniel Mills and Lynn Hewison’s weekend behavioural seminar at Dogs Trust West Calder
Tellington Touch workshop with Val Borland at Dogs Trust West Calder
First name:
Surname:
Address:
4
6-7
9-10
16-17
16-17
17
In order to Gift Aid your donation you must
tick the box below:
Postcode:
Payment details:
Yes, I want to help support Dogs Trust with
their vet work by donating
£15
£25
£50
April
Tellington Touch evening for volunteers, at Dogs Trust West Calder
Dogmobile at Waitrose, Eastern Ave, Southend SS2 4DQ
Dogmobile at All About Dogs Show, Newbury Showground, Berks RG18 9QZ
A Weekend about Dogs by Helen Zulch and Lynn Hewison of Lincoln University,
Dogs Trust Canterbury
Sarah Fisher, Tellington Touch workshop at Dogs Trust Manchester
‘The Science of Canine Emotionality and its Practical Application for Owners and Canine Professionals,’ by Robert Falconer-Taylor, at Dogs Trust Glasgow
£100
£250
Dogs Trust West London (Harefield) Fun Day, 10.30am-4pm
Dogs Trust Snetterton’s Fun Day, 11.30am-4pm
Dogs Trust Glasgow’s Fun Day, Chatelherault Country park, Ferniegair (near Hamilton),
ML3 7UE 12-3.30pm
Dogs Trust Bridgend’s Fun Day, Margam Park, 10.30am-4pm
Dogs Trust West Calder’s volunteers and friends tea party
Dogs Trust Basildon’s fun day, Barleylands Farm Showground, Billericay CM11 2UD 11am-4pm
Dogs Trust Evesham’s fun day, Ragley Hall Estates B49 5NJ 11am-4pm
Other £
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(payable to Dogs Trust)
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Dogs Trust Shrewsbury’s fun day, 12-4pm
Dogs Trust Manchester’s Fun Day, Heaton Park, 11am-4pm
Dogs Trust Salisbury’s Fun Day, 11am-4pm
Dogs Trust Shoreham’s Fun Day, 11.30-4pm
Dogs Trust Kenilworth’s Fun Day, Hatton Country World, Warwick 11am-4pm
Dogmobile at Great Yorkshire Show, Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, HG2 8NZ
“Posture linked to behaviour” TTouch talk by Sarah Fisher, Dogs Trust Basildon
TTouch Workshop by Sarah Fisher at Dogs Trust Basildon
Dogs Trust Darlington’s Fun Day at South Park, Darlington, DL1 5JS (free entry) 12-4pm
Dogs Trust Ilfracombe’s Fun Day, Mullacott Equestrian Centre, Mullacott, Ilfracombe,
EX34 8NA, 11am-4pm
Dogs Trust Loughborough Fun Day, Turnpost Farm, East Road, Leicester LE12 6ST 11am-4pm
/
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Signature:
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additional tax relief due to you, you must
include all your Gift Aid donations on your
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3
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I pay less Income Tax/and or Capital Gains
Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on
all my donations in that tax year it is my
responsibility to pay any difference.
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any donations I make in the future or have
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Please notify the charity if you:
May
14
Nick Thompson, holistic vet, discussing vaccinations and feeding, at Dogs Trust Manchester
15
Fun Agility talk and have-a-go session with Garry Lee, at Dogs Trust West Calder
28-29 Dogmobile at Hertfordshire County Show, The Showground, Redbourn, Herts AL3 7PT
Boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for
every £1 you donate.
Gift Aid is reclaimed by Dogs Trust from
the tax you pay for the current tax year.
Please complete your address overleaf as
this is needed to identify you as a current
UK taxpayer.
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (please circle)
Supporter number (if known):
Talking Dogs Scentwork® by Pam MacKinnon at Dogs Trust Canterbury
Talking Dogs Scentwork® by Pam MacKinnon at Dogs Trust Basildon
Dogs Trust West Calder’s volunteer recruitment day, 2-3pm, call 01506 873459
March
2-3
5-6
15
19-20
26 Meet our dogs on the Dogmobile
Yes, I would like to help
dogs like Sky receive all the
veterinary care they need!
PLEASE RETURN TO:
FREEPOST RTJE-SXGL-BEEJ WAG
RESPONSE, DOGS TRUST, MOULTON
HOUSE, 10 POND WOOD CLOSE,
MOULTON PARK INDUSTRIAL ESTATE,
NORTHAMPTON, NN3 6DF