Farewell Littlest Bear!

On a sadder note Saturday saw us saying yet again a sad farewell to one of our own.

Last year two lurchers landed in our care, both were elderly and hadnt had a good life thus far. Tipo is one of our current sponsor hounds and Merlin was her companion! Merlin went into foster care and soon became a much loved member of Nicky and Rich's family. He joined Penny and Ed as their new brother and was renamed Ron.

Ron was a batty old boy very much saluki collie cross and although his little cloudy eyes and his gangly legs sometimes let him down he was a game old fella! Sadly on Friday evening his legs let him down for the last time, by Saturday morning he was no better and the vets and Nicky agreed he was tired and scared. With all the love she could offer in her heart Nicky stayed with him whilst he made his final journey.

Nicky & Rich you are in our thoughts, we know just how special Littlest Bear Ronnie Barker was to you both.

Sleep tight lad, you will live on in the hearts of many until we all meet again x

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Did someone say Terrier?

Someone remind me if I say im ever taking a holiday again ... DONT! Its been mental since I got back and both myself and Liz gather to take stock late at night and dont know whether to laugh or cry!

This weekend has been busy even by usual weekend standards!It started at 10 am Saturday after sorting my own hounds I headed up to the kennels with Sue and Andy who collected Robson as a foster. Once there we met up with Jackie and Mark two more volunteers so the three of us could set about the mammoth task of walking everyone and changing bedding followed by walking out two other visitors who I will tell you about shortly.

The first walk saw us taking out Tess, Bengy, Binky, Twirl & Maddie, basically all the shall we say quirkier or more high energy hounds. We followed that with the more sedate walk of Billy, Foxy, Angel and Jade. This takes around 2 hours as each walk last just over 1/2 an hour 3/4 of an hour depending on what pace we take and what we encounter on the way then we have 15minutes or so outside the kennels on the grass for cuddles. After the main munch bunch we walked we took out the guests! Currently we have the pleasure of the hugest Rottweiler male Boris and Rupert the Staffi x Rottie who our kennels are greatfully boarding on behalf of Hope Rescue. Both of the boys are lovely and soft as a brush with people but Boris isnt the best with other dogs which walking the lanes based round a kennels can make for an interesting time! He does though love to cuddle in lean on you and then.... well full sit on your legs for hugs. He is the sloppiest beast I know and its a pleasure to spend time with him as I grew up with Rotts and they are one of my preferred breeds. I just adore them!

After that we headed down to the local dogs home. They have like us had a ridiculously busy week with dogs hitting them left right and center and are just full to the brim struggling for any empty kennel space its so heartbreaking! I would say only about 15 of the dogs were even crossbreeds all the others being pedigrees. You wouldnt believe there were the usual Rotties, staffies, but also a bedlington, a wire haired fox terrier, a St bernard, yorkshire terrier! You name it they had it! Why oh why oh why.

Vicky took me down to meet a lurcher girl who had finished her time. I couldnt believe it when I saw her she has to be Tigs litter sister! Same age same cross only darker brindle and much much hairier and cheekier! Her name is Phebe and she is currently as mad as a box of frogs this girl really needs a good run!

We reserved her and went off to look at the other two inmates who were still doing there time! There was a beautiful brindle whippet x greyhound male and the most adorable little black whippet x greyhound male also. The brindle boy is so thin and was found tied up in a field! Somehow I dont think anyone will be coming back for him! Both are now reserved to us and will come over once they have finished their time.

Just as I was about to leave I wondered into a block I dont often go into usually as its where the pups tend to be but this time I did. STUPIDLY! I found the teeniest tiniest little old terrier man who just looked so damn miserable bless him. He had pulled his blanket out of his plastic bed and was just lying on the floor so folorn and sad. Everybody was passing him by and coing and ooing over the puppies. That was it! Suckered once more what could you do? Toby as he has now been renamed is happily in foster and has to be the gutsiest little monkey ive met!

So without further ado meet the newbies!

Phebe Shepherd Cross lurcher, and the brindle and black whippy boys and not forgetting teeny Toby Terrorist! Could you have left him behind?

The Most Lucious Phebe!

Brindle Babe

Beautiful wee whippet x boy!

Teeny Toby Terrorist!

After that we headed back up to the kennels with Toby Terrier in tow and also Phebe to deliver her safely into our kennel block. She settled well straight away. The kennel staff had a good laugh about our newest little arrival but I think they know aswell as anyone dont be suprised at what Lisa lands with. I did try to tell them that he actually had really long legs honest and that we walked back from the dogs home so they just sort of shrunk on the way!

By then it was around 3pm and after a short break for lunch Tanya and Mark arrived about 4pm. Tanya and Mark are a lovely couple who we homevetted last week as they saw we were desperate for foster homes. They came to collect the delectable Tess. Current news is she is settling in well with them, their lurcher girl Meg and their four year old Son Arthur! All being well I dont think she will be going anywhere once we have gauged just how well she will fit.

Good luck Tess!

Wanna meet the newbie! YIKES!

Okay so not a sighthound but well...... erm..... yes I am a sucker for a sorry story as you all know!

Crossbreed anyone?

YES! Before anyone starts! I am WELL aware that Patch is NOT a sighthound! However what Patch is is a wonderful crossbreed boy who at just 18mnths old has had a hell of a few weeks and needs a good loving forever home

Patch and his companion (sadly who we cant get signed over) were recently taken from a free ad in Pets At Home by a woman who wasnt able to commit to them and should never of had them. She was lodging at a *friends* house for a short period of time not even having a home of her own. One of my foster carers was asked to take Patch for the weekend until she had the keys to her new property on Monday. This never materialised and Patchs companion is now living in a tent with this lady and her two late teen sons!

In two weeks Patch has been taken from his home by strangers, moved in with other strangers then handed to yet more strangers and enough is enough!!!! Patch is now signed over to Greyhound Gap.

Patch so far is proving to be a great little dog! He is currently co existing with 2 labrador bitches and 1 greyhound bitch and 1 grumpy greyhound male ALL have accepted him and he gets on well with them all. Patch is thoroughly housetrained, good on the leash and is a cracking off leader also, he is good with all other dogs and people he has met.
Patch ideally needs a home with a companion preferably a young female who will play with him as he loves to run play and also likes his toys.

Poor Patch has been through so much and we would really love to allow him a second chance and find him a wonderful new home.

Patch will be treated in exactly the same way as our sighthounds and will be vaccinated, de flead, wormed, microchipped and neutered before rehoming.

Although Patch is quite a comical looking hound with short legs and large looking head he really is a dog in a million and will make a fabulously loyal companion.

So if anyone who has a friend looking to home a wonderful little non sighthound man for more information or to offer Patch a home please have them call Lisa on 01782 544728 or Liz on 01473 623343.

Meet the Newbies & Vixen Update!

You may remember a few weeks ago we took in a 10 year old greyhound girl who was in a hell of a mess bless her! She was found wandering the streets thin and in season covered in scars with a mouth full of rotting teeth, a horrendously broken nose and mammory tumours. Since then Vixen as she was named because despite all this she was a cheeky little minx has been lounging around in one of our foster homes!

Today I spoke to the vets and now she has settled in and gained some weight its time to undergo the massive amounts of surgery needed to get this happy go lucky girl a happy go lucky body to hopefully enjoy and prance around in for the we hope remaining few years!

The vets Vixen is under arnt the cheapest but they are one of the best and serve the area of care she is in and the costing isnt going to be pretty!!!! We are hoping to hold one of our speciality online auctions to help with the costs which we estimate are going to be anything up to around £1000.

First stage of operations will start next week when she will go in for a very evasive dental surgery as her teeth are so bad they are affecting her whole body sending poison coursing through it from the infection. She will also receive a jab that will hopefully end any pregnancy should she be unfortunate enough to have been caught in whelp. She is too old and too unfit to be worrying about going through motherhood bless her, the second injection will be administered 24 hours later.

We then need to give her a couple of weeks to rest between surgeries before we progress onto the next stage which will be spaying and mammory tumour removal. The tumour is huge and she will feel much better without it we can just only hope its nothing sinister and is benign so good thoughts for that would be appreciated.

Once all that is out of the way a month after we may need to consider more dental work.

Vixen is a trooper with a huge zest to live and love and we know that if any dog will just take the surgery in her stride appreciate its merit and take the time to reap the benefits it will be here. She is such a special girl, deserves the best and we hope we can give it. We will keep you updated.

Now meet the newbies.... Today myself and Trish headed up to the kennels early doors to get photos as we knew you would all be waiting to see them.

So with no further ado here there are

Allow me to introduce

Billy, Foxy & Angel

and last but not least the beautiful but somewhat shy Jade

All of these dogs are looking for foster homes. If you think you can help please call!

Another bit of good news..... after yesterdays appeal the beautiful Robson will now be heading to foster at the weekend. Massive thanks to Sue & Andy who normally only take in our oldies but are willing to help this lad out as he is doing so badly in kennels.

Gap News the week of my holiday - update

First of all have to say a massive thanks to the Gap team for holding the fort whilst I took the break and especially Liz who took the strain of all the phone and email work on which we normally share between us so she handled two peoples calls!

The day before I left for holiday Tess who landed in our care the week before was taken very poorly. There was something not quite right with her that I couldnt put my finger on but she seemed too quiet for a young beddy x girlie. Thankfully she went in for full health check and spay and our vets took the decision to open her up and see what if anything else was going on! Thank god they did! Tess had a seriously enlarged spleen that had just ruptured, probably from a trauma before landing in our care poor girl! Her insides were hideous and the next 48 hours were critical, being a young girl Tess thankfully pulled it back quickly and has now made a full recovery. Dogs unlike humans dont need to take any medication and can live happily without her spleen so she is expected to have a normal happy life now we are over the moon!

On the intakes front this week saw lots of new arrivals need in whilst I was away! Roxy a black greyhound female landed from her trainer owner, Molly another black bitch originally rehomed via Cheshire dogs home but once again needing out arrived, also a very nervous RSPCA case girl Jade the lurcher and three more greyhounds Billy a handsome Brindle male, Angel (snort more like fallenangel!) a cheeky quirky happy smiley blue girl and Foxy a beautiful deep red. At the moment I only have photos of Molly as you can see below she is a little darling but will update with pictures of the others as soon as!

Aswell as the ones expected to leave us we are also happy to report that both Mork, James and Murphy have also found their forever homes! Be happy boys xx

I would also like to use the block to issue a plea! On return from holiday ive found that Robson our gentle giant broken coated boy is not doing so well in kennels! He is dropping weight quickly and urgently need to find him a foster home. Robson is a very quiet boy and isnt vocal or destructive in the kennels just quietly pining away! He gets on great with all other dogs and seems fine with people he is however not cat friendly.

IF ANYONE CAN HELP WITH A FOSTER HOME FOR ROBSON PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP THANKS!

.....And a great time was had by all!

Well back from our holidays and what a holiday it was! We headed down to Swallows Dance in Pembrokeshire run by friends Carol and Trev who are very very dog friendly www.swallowsdance.co.uk they also have another cottage Little Dumpledale www.littledumpledale.co.uk . The cottage is very self contained and has a garden around 1/4 of an acre. We went with Anna & David and between us took 12 hounds! I have to say for two different groups of families the dogs all got on remarkably well. The weather was almost too good to be true and although we did visit some places locally like Broadhaven and Freshwater to be honest most of the time we spent in the cottage garden enjoying the company, the hounds playing good food and beer! We also partook in an evening with Carol and Trevor and the other guests staying in the caravan and cottage and reciprocated the next evening by inviting everyone over for a BBQ at Swallowsdance. Hello to Chris, Jen & Tom if you read this it was lovely to met you and your hound thank you for the donation and look forward to seeing you if you can make it to the show!

You can see on the piccies a mocked up fence hurridly put up by Trev! Although the garden is totally secure one of Anna's new additions Arthur was a little bit mind blown by the view across the surrounding fields and was liable to do himself an injury trying to find a way by hook or crook to get out! In true Trev style nothing to much there was a mocked up safety feature installed within an hour of us heading out for the afternoon. Thanks Trev your a hero.

Anyway some piccies of the hounds enjoying the sun!

Two of my own beauties Queenie Bea and Tzar enjoying the garden!

Myself and Tzar enjoying a cuddle in the afternoon sun!

Duchess (brindle) & Lottie (cream) two of our current homeless hounds enjoying playing with my Tzar and Maggies Ruby!

and a group of hounds enjoying the garden!

Getting away from it.

Well Saturday see's me heading off on holiday for a week so a quick Gap blog update before I go! I say getting away from it but im actually taking two of my current fosters Duchess and Lottie with me aswell as three of my own dogs Tzar, Bea & Rodney. Sam is heading into kennels as after 18mnths of being in our care he is still undergoing severe behaviour issues based around the outdoors and the frustration it envokes, it also gives us the chance to allow a behaviourist friend to come and put a couple of days work in with him. Henry my third foster is also heading back in kennels as he has only been out of them for a short time and again has alot to learn before he engages as one dog in twelve out and about. Anna is coming with us along with her husband David and the seven Revitt hounds!! Wonder how much of a break we will have with twelve dogs in total who cares I cant wait. I have no idea if Duchess and Lottie have ever seen a beach before and am really looking forward to their feet hitting the sand.

Today we have another new arrival landing within the folds a 3 1/2 year old black bitch called Roxy. She has been with her owner since retiring from racing but she is such a happy go lucky girl she needs a family and sofa to call her own retirement pad. Im sure it wont be long before she finds her perfect home.

I mentioned earlier Henry. Henry is a big male greyhound who has been in our kennels for a while now so on Saturday I brought him home to see how he did with the others. He is turning into a dream, im going to bring him back here after our holiday and hope he finds his perfect home quickly. He still needs some leash socialisation but has been spotlessly clean from day one. He is getting on so well with the others and has already started to play and is a little bit in love with Lottie as the pictures below show. Who could resist this boy? I also find it hard to believe that the lucious Lottie has now been with us since last October. We just dont seem to have found the right home for her. She needs somewhere without young children 10 + would be fine, no cats but other dogs and not left more than a couple of hours at a time. The right home just hasnt come along!

Henry & Lottie

Spring has Sprung

and that means another busy week in Gapland.

There has been intakes and outgoings galore this week. Its fabulous that we are homing so well and the dogs seem to be settling fabulously and am getting good reports back from all the adopters.

At the weekend we said goodbye to Daisy, Macey, Loafer & Jake. Roscoe is leaving us for his new home today, Tig is leaving Friday and Savannah's new Mum is collecting her early next week. So great news all round.

This week also saw the adorable Sadie move into foster down South with Corinne. Sadie is a cheeky little whippety cross girl who on first test seems cat friendly we will though be putting her more extensively through her paces. This girl is so happy and loveable and although a little giddy doesnt seem to have a nasty bone in her body.

On the welcoming side this week we say hello to Robson. Robson was found straying and taken to the local pound, we have no idea how this boy has found himself homeless. Robson is a big deerhound x broken coated boy. Other than not being cat friendly he is such a loving sensitive boy who looks at you with such adoration in his eyes. After spending just a couple of hours with him at the kennels it was easy to see the bond he had already formed with myself and how he looked to me for guidance. I cant wait to find this boy a foster home because it will be lovely to see him settle and then go on to find the wonderfully lucky family who dont yet know he is their heartdog.....

Robson

Then Saturday also saw the arrival of the beautiful Tess. Tess is an 18mnth old Deerhound, whippet, beddlington, greyhound. She was a worker but unfortunatly went to visit one of the local sheep and the farmer knows who she is. Tess isnt cat friendly but is a really steady girl, walks well, gets on with other dogs. We dont envisage she will hang around long!

Tess

On a very sad note Monday saw me taking a call from heartbroken adopters. At the end of November last year one of our beautiful hounds Pye was rehomed with a fabulous family in Gloucestershire. Dave & Jacqui fell instantly in love with the boy at first sight. Pye at just coming up to 3 years of age went to join their elderly lurcher girl after she lost Jasper her greyhound companion. Pye settled well and soon became a much loved part of the family.

On Sunday evening an old stress fracture possibly from his racing days we knew nothing about gave way. Sadly the fracture was in his neck and left him paralysed there was nothing that could be done. Pye made his way peacefully to the bridge leaving his family heartbroken and shocked.

Pye was a big Gap favourite who was adored by his foster carers Dave & Kirsty and much adored by myself and especially my son Jack who spent hours on the beach playing chase.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Dave, Jacqui and the family, thank you for taking him making him a Rudge and giving him four wonderfully happy months. Taken too soon but knowing all too well what love was all about.

You think you have seen it all....

When you realise you havent and you probably never will.

This weekend saw the intake of probably one of the most messed up yet still beautiful in looks and soul little girl you could ever imagine.

Vixen is a 9 year old greyhound girl who is in the most terrible state. Two volunteers brought her to the kennels on Saturday and I couldnt have been prepared for what I saw. Once I had her safely home the tears just came for this beautiful girl. When her wonderful new foster family Sandra and Will came over to collect her the tears came yet again.

Vixen had been found wandering the streets of Bury, whatever has happend to this girl over the last 9 years just doesnt bear thinking about. There isnt an inch of her body that doesnt have scars old and new, lumps, bumps, tumours you name it. Her beautiful elegant nose has at some point been severly broken leaving it leaning to one side of her face, her teeth are green, puss riddled and oozing and so so sore. Her poor feet are so badly blistered that to walk on hard surfaces leaves them bleeding she is also in season. Despite all that she is still a canny little girl and we think probably an ex coursing hound considering the way she ran on her little bleeding feet across my garden to smack the resident stone squirrel knocking him flying!

After a vets visit they are confident that once she has a bit of weight on her if we can deal with the teeth, mammory tumours and get her spayed there will hopefully be life in the old dog yet! We really hope so and cant wait to see the turn around tlc can achieve.

Vixen.

On a happier note this week saw yet more hounds head off to fabulous homes.....

Orla, Kyka, Harriet & Honey & Hobo all left with their new families. We cant wait for updates on how they are all doing and wish them and their new found forever people lots of love and luck.

Savannah, Loafer and Macey are all also now reserved.

Two more of our current homeless also headed off for foster and are so far settling well...

Roscoe our big deerhound x cat friendly gentle giant boy has joined Caroline in Warrington till a new family can be found.

and

Selwyn a beautiful 4 year old greyhound boy has currently landed at Lynne and Colins in Leicestershire to build up a bit of weight and condition before we find him a new family.

Arnt they both just gorgeous?

3 months into a new year!

And.... who would believe it the first chance there has been to add a new blog entry!

The year has started worse than ever. The amount of dogs in danger the length and bredth of the country is heartbreaking.

At Gap we are doing all that we can to help as many but that has meant all work and no play and keeping on keeping on.

We have already rehomed around 40 dogs this year which is double this time last year. The numbers piling through the doors are astronomical and at the moment we have 43 dogs in our care. 36 are in foster homes and that alone is hard work to juggle keep on top of everyone and make sure dogs and humans alike are happy. We cannot keep running at this rate though as funding isnt particularly increasing more than other years and indeed last year Dogs Trust were good enough to give us 50 spaying vouchers an offer sadly this year they cant repeat. Its even more crucial now that we try and bring in more money to allow us to continue to neuter all the dogs in our care. We wont rehouse animals un altered so our only other option is to cut down on numbers rehomed. Being totally self funded is such hard work.

We hope though to level it out and although we need to get numbers down we are hoping we can handle around 30 dogs at anyone time which is an increase from 20 at this time last year.

Everyone is the same, every rescue we speak to is so highly in demand with no sign whatsoever of it easing off.

Also on a very sad note..

The beginning of the year saw us saying goodbye to Noggin the Nog our old sponsor boy as he made his way peacefully to the bridge. Our thoughts are with Dawn his foster Mum who loved him and cared for him so well in his last remaining 10mnths.

Sleep tight Nog the Dog.