I have been skimming through the locked post regarding the Crufts protest. Time & time again a poster has said the way to adress the current overflowing rescue situation would be for dog owners to get a dog from rescue & not a breeder.

I haven't read through the entire thread but really need to answer this (and can't on the other thread as obviously it's locked).

I have my first ever pure-bred dog. I did have a cross-breed (lab cross) from a local shelter. He was friendly with other dogs & 6 years old when I 'phoned the nearest large rescue shelter branch (don't want to mention name incase it's against TOS) to enquire about male Lab puppies. I was told they did have a litter of puppies looking for homes, but as I allready had a dog I would never be able to cope with one as male labs are hard work and are not suitable to be homed with other dogs
At the time my OH was working full time, I was home all the time, have my own garden with secure fencing, live along the Cotswold Way, so plenty of nice places to walk. I was disgusted for being treated like an idiot and decided I would go to a breeder. Several years later  (5 or 6 years of lots of research into breeds, breeders & training) I found my Mastiff pup. Sadly, by the time I finished my research and brought home a pup, my dog was too old to really enjoy it, he missed out on several years of fun living with another dog thanks to the shelter that refused me over the 'phone and  he sadly passed away when pup was a year old.

So for those trying ot lay blame of the brimming rescues in the laps of us with pure-bred dogs - please remeber that some of us have been turned down by rescue centres on completey ridiculous reasons.

Rescue centres need to make sure they vet potential dog owners on thier own merits and not have stupid blanket rules, just the same as a good breeder will vet potential puppy buyers on thier own merits.

Allthough, I must thank that rescue centre for refusing me, or I would never have found the joy of Mastiffs. Also I would never have learnt so much when researching breeds (ie, avoid the cheap pups in the local free-ads paper etc..), so I would likely still be part of the problem - not realising that there is a difference between GOOD breeders and bad breeders/BYB/puppy farmers.

I wonder how many other people here that would offer a suitable home to a rescue dog have been refused?

We have been refused, or indirectly anyway. My mother in law lives with us, in a granny flat. It's separate living quarters but same front door. Her dog died and she wanted a new one, not a puppy as it would be too much for her. She's never been without a dog in her life. However she is disabled, and since the death of her husband it has been up to the rest of us to walk any dog she has -which obviously is not a problem, as we live in the same house. "Us" is myself, my husband and my adult stepson. Well no rescue would rehome a dog to MIL due to her being disabled and due to us having several dogs of our own. Which is why we had to go to the council stray kennels that just sell dogs, they ask no questions at all, anyone who pays up can have a dog from them. Got a lovely black Labrador (the ONLY dog in those kennels at the time who was not either a Staffie cross nor an Akita cross), sadly she died after 2 years from cancer.

What stopped you from looking for another rescue who had less stupid rules?

I think most people will try their local rescue,a nd if they fail there they either won't go further as many have strict catchment areas for re-homing, or assume others will have similar rules.

Breed rescue is often the way to go as they go much more by each individual case.

Many are unaware of the other options of smaller or breed rescues.

Yes, you are right, people would assume that. It just riles me that many good homes are being passed up because of blanket rules. I always go by individual cases with one exception: I will not rehome pups to full time workers. Other than that I take each case as it comes but I do assess my dogs thoroughly before rehoming so I know where they'll fit into.

So many dogs spent 23hrs a day in kennels, surely it would be better if they had a home.

I was refused a dog from our local centre and I can sort of see why. We live in a quiet village pub without a garden. This was their only grounds for refusal, not taking into account that I could be with the dog all day & every day, have plenty of time for long walks and we live in an area on the outskirts of the city with beautiful places to walk, swim and meet other dogs.

I do understand that dogs that come from rescue can be extremely unsettled, nervous of busy enviroments and distrusting of new people but I felt that I could offer the perfect home for an older dog who wanted to live out their last years in ultimate luxury, roaring fire and all :) Not being fussing and loving all types of dog, big or little, ugly or cute I would have happily rehomed any of the dogs I saw in the kennels!

As it happened I stumbled across a man talking of drowning :-o his newborn litter of pups as his bitch has fell pregant by one of his many entire males again :( Unfortunatley all but 2 of the pups died. I took on one and the pub across town took on the other male. I paid a large sum for the poor pup (Mason) after agreeing with the man that he would have his bitch spayed with the money (he did)

I did feel very confused by the vetting system of our local rescue, they didnt even do a house visit, just refused me point blank for not having a garden. They are full to the brim with dogs, many staff crosses and rott crosses and I feel one did miss out on having its perfect forever home.

Having said that , when I start to look for my next dog, I will try the rescue again :) no harm in asking!

Just picking up on this point as it rattles my cage Mastifflover, made by the said poster.

Time & time again a poster has said the way to adress the current overflowing rescue situation would be for dog owners to get a dog from rescue & not a breeder

Trouble is that doesn't address the problem though does it, as we know.

It's a bit like these type of posters and protestors who shouted out at crufts walking into a Primary School looking at all the proud parents watching their children's school play and saying. It's your fault, that there are orphans and children in children's homes, it's your fault there are abandoned and abused children with no homes, if you didn't 'breed' and have these children the others could all have homes, you should not have your own children but have the ones in the orphanages first.

The men in white coats would be called if anyone said that about children and began preaching at parents, yet they think they can use the same tactics on dog owners and breedes.  IMO how dare they dictate! The cause of an abandoned, abused dog is not the fault of the good and decent dog owner/breeder.

A dog becomes a much loved family member whether a show dog, working dog or pet they are in our lives for 10-20 years and no-one should dictate which breed we have or where we get our dog from or whether we wish to have a pup to train ourselves or have a dog from a rescue, they are our family member. Where ever we chose to get our dog from it will not stop the build up of rescue dogs, it's a different issue and a different solution, it starts with the irresponsible breeder but more importantly with the dogs owner.

Back to your original question :-)

I guess that rescues try their best, they do have the dogs best interest at heart, I do wish that they would go to all homes for a vet check though even if on paper they may have concerns and have a look around at how families work first before phone refusals. My in-laws were once refused a 5 months kitten because they had no other cat even though they said the cat next door was always in their house and they looked after it during the daytime, they were still refused, so they went out and bought one, the cat next door is his best friend and basically moved in once the kitten arrived.

Looks like we are going to have a lot of refusal stories. :-)

It's a bit like these type of posters and protestors who shouted out at crufts walking into a Primary School looking at all the proud parents watching their children's school play and saying. It's your fault, that there are orphans and children in children's homes, it's your fault there are abandoned and abused children with no homes, if you didn't 'breed' and have these children the others could all have homes, you should not have your own children but have the ones in the orphanages first.

What an excellent point!

Rescues wouldn't consider me for a dog either because my OH and I both work full-time. They weren't interested in the fact that we work flexible hours, that OH can work from home much of the time, or that we were happy to employ a dog walker if necessary. We were happy to take an older dog and our only preference was for a large breed/crossbreed. But neither of the rescues we contacted would rehome to us.

Our first dog (rottie x) came to us via my mum's neighbour who were fed up of the six month old pup they had taken from a family member's accidental litter. When I offered to take him her response was 'great, I've been meaning to drop him at the pound for ages but couldn't be bothered'. 

Given the appaling quality of life he had previously, I don't thing my boy minds that we go out to work because the rest of our time revolves around the dogs. In his past life, he got fed when someone remembered and had never had a walk...he hadn't even been vaccinated. In that home, someone was home all day and would most probably been considered a suitable home to many rescue organisations.

My second dog comes from a breeder who had initial reservations as she didn't usually home to full-time workers but after a grilling, several phone calls and meetings (including meeting our other dog so she could assess if he was well adjusted!) she agreed we could have a pup.

I'm sure my experience is not unique. 

> What stopped you from looking for another rescue who had less stupid rules?

Very good point Otterhound :)

I'll admit it was simply due to my own pig-headedness! I was furious & humiliated that I was disregarded imediately - not even allowed to go to the centre to talk to the people in person so they could find out more about me face-to-face, or consider finding a more suitable type of dog for me :(

I couldn't bring myself to phone another center or visit one, for fear of feeling humiliated again - the tone of the woman who I originally 'phoned was very condescending and made me feel like a stupid little school girl :(

However that was many years ago, I am much thicker skinned now LOL and will most definatley consider a rescue dog for the next addition to the family :)

I would have been piddled off as well. Time and time again I hear these stories and whilst I agree with fellow rescues that the best possible place must be found for each dog there simply are too many blanket rules in place.

The breeder of my two OH's (dogs that is not other halves :-p) runs a rescue too and has gotten LOTS of flak over the fact that she bred two litters in 6 years. I have often asked people who post things like "for every dog you buy from a breeder another one dies in a pound" to verify that statistically and have yet to get an answer.

Slogans like that may be catchy but not true IMHO.

I've rescued over a thousand dogs and my own dogs, save the two OH's, are rescues as well. Still I nearly got masacred when I proudly announced Bordeaux arriving last year. When Bella arrived this year I didn't even bother telling peeps as I was so upset about what happened last year. Again, slogans like that were emplyed by other rescues to make me feel guilty (couldn't care less TBH). I am doing more than my "duty" under very difficult circumstances and I do not need to justify my actions to anyone.

I do not believe that militant rescue is the way to go. It puts people off and gives us all a bad name, I think.

I have stayed out of this discussion because I too feel very strongly, but I cannot hold my tongue anymore.
Time & time again a poster has said the way to adress the current overflowing rescue situation would be for dog owners to get a dog from rescue & not a breeder

Having spent well over 40 years (now retired) picking up the poor rescue dogs, so called pedigrees, that started life in puppy farms I believe that to always get a dog from a shelter is working WITH the puppy farms. If a person has to spend £600 plus for a dog from a good breeder then they will think " do I really want this dog" and having spent that money they will usually treat the dog with love and kindness and offer training and care. If however they can just pick up a dog for very little cost, just on a whim because they want one like they have seen in a film, or it makes them feel good to have a GSD etc, these are the dogs that at the first sign of a problem or a vets bill are sent to the rescue homes. Do the puppy farms care that their dogs are in the shelter, of course not, they have their money. So in other words it is the puppy farms that are keeping the shelters busy.
If all people bought at a higher cost from a good breeder I believe there would be less dogs mistreated and less dogs thrown out like the garbage.
I accept that there are always exceptions to the rule and there will be occasions when a good owner will have to rehome a loved dog, this is inevitable, but I am referring to the majority of the poor dogs that started out as an advert in the paper, were badly treated, sent to a rescue home or dumped in the road and that eventually I have had the pleasure and honour to love and help.

ps, I am not and never have been a breeder

i used to go and groom a dog in local rescue, became very fond of him so i offered him a home. all was going very well we have a large garden, we live in a rural area so lots of country walks. although the dog was going to be neutered by rescue ( as i expected) i was refused him because 2 of my 4 dogs are not neutered. i was p....d off but i couldnt do anything about it.

I disagree, some of the purebred dogs I had here were very expensive.

Breed rescue just didn't show any interest, would not even come and meet us, which I asked them todo. Rang four times they were very off and never responded.
Since owning two, have been offered 3 locally in as many years, which we had to say no to unfortunately. When I heard that a Basset was in our local rescue, I rang to enquire as knew of someone who might be interested. When I told them that we already had two, the response was 'would, could you not take this one!'

Getting easier here in the UK to work out which are the puppy-farmed ones - bet your bottom dollar that anything non-working in rescue under 2 yrs old and is docked, has come from a puppy farm in Eire, and been sold via a pet shop or dealer. I would welcome traceability, i.e. chipping at birth/breeders premises, if only for the reason it would identify the real culprits and make it easier for some action to be taken, in the right places, and on the right people. Not a big ask really is it.... our meat is now traceable-sourced. Then at least the activists will know for sure where they need to put the pressure on.

Have to agree with regard to permanent ID being required on every puppy, including flossies accidents, but there should be a choice of Tattoo or chip.

> I am referring to the majority of the poor dogs that started out as an advert in the paper, were badly treated, sent to a rescue home or dumped in the road and that eventually I have had the pleasure and honour to love and help.>

Choked,,,,

The difference between people who have dogs, and people who love dogs.  :-)

I agree in that I believe that permanent ID is required on every puppy. I read with interest those who talk of 'Education' and I don't dismiss it, I'm just very cynical. We live in a society that is self absorbed, selfish, has little consideration for others, lacks any responsibility and believes can dispose of anything and that includes dogs

Sorry I am probably talking rubbish, so please forgive my ignorance, but instead of asking owners to microchip would it be possible to create a law for breeders to be registered and to have their own ID number marked on each puppy by chip or tattoo so that even years later it would be possible to see where and with which breeder that puppy had originated and in turn that breeder would know the name of the person that had bought the puppy, and that dogs life could be tracked with the use of this ID number. This way puppy farms ( hopefully ) would not be registered and therefore their puppies would not have ID and would be unsaleable, as long as there was a law stating that only pups with ID could be sold, all others being illegal.
Or am I living in cloud cuckoo land.

Just plopping on to the end here,

Our rescue refuses very few. We do home visits and sometimes when reading through a questionnaire we SOMETIMES make judgments..however on asking further or engaging folks in conversation we do change our minds and allow them to book a dog and get a home visit...

One thing we are usually quite firm on is an enclosed area for the dog. This is mainly because many of the dogs we get are from the dog warden and were strays. If we get a litter of pups in we often are not as strict however stray dogs are stray for a reason and we tell folks that and they are usually happy enough to fill a gap or put some sort of a gate up etc.

We had a lady who was absolutely LIVID.....we refused her a dog even after reading her questionnaire.....HOWEVER....she had been asking about a totally unsuitable type....she wanted an older small dog for in the house....by the time she walked the kennels she came back wanting a lab cross pup to keep outside. We  pointed to her re-homing application and she brushed it off saying she was really flexible....she was refused and told if she wanted to go back up and see if there was something more her size and age up there (even suggested a few very nice ones) but no, because we wouldn't let her have that pup she was raging and walked out...then phoned our head office to complain.

Sometimes (not saying anyone here) people are refused a particular dog ...but not A dog full stop.  The people who are actually taking the time to care for rescue dogs usually KNOW them very well...The dog you like may well be on his best behavior in the kennels or out on a walk, but might be a nightmare under certain circumstances....or may have little quirks or habits we think might be suited to someone else. I know for one where I work we are often very busy and sometimes don't have the patience to explain and argue with people.

We had a springer in who was very nervous. This lady HAD to have him..we told her she would have to come up several times to take him out meet him gain his trust....she was too busy to do this and tried to talk us in to giving him to her anyway...eventually she wanted to talk to the trainer and still wouldn't take her answer (the same as mine)..wanted to see the dog out. We got him out and he was petrified...showing the teeth and she insisted on petting him....eventually she saw it wasn't going to work....but this wasted almost 2 hours of my time because Her husband KNEW dogs and could get him to come round.  Three days later a man and woman came up and the dog was all over them like a bad rash.....as though they were his long lost best friends....after three visits they got to take him home.

So the jist of my point is really sometime a refusal is for a particular dog...not for one at all. And for those who were refused over the phone.....if you don't give a name you can still visit and if you KNOW you would be a great home....fudge your answers as you already know what they are going to ask...:-)   if your garden isn't secure...but you know the dog wont get away....use a friends house who is fully enclosed:-)  Once the dog is yours they wouldn't normally take the dog off you if your "Circumstances Change" :-)  

Anyway cheers for getting this far...LOL

I looked around rescues before i got my current dog and got similar.... I admit some people may think i am slightly nuts here, I work full time but i work for myself, i go out to work in a warehouse every day and my dog comes with me, has done since he was 11 weeks old (he is now 6) i only have to say "work" in the morning and he is at the front door waiting to go

But its not a "normal" life so i am not considered by rescues, my dog has everything (one of my businesses is to do with pet products as well as my main one) he isnt very well at the moment and i feel like i have practically moved into the vets, he gets and always will get whatever he needs and as much fuss and attention as he wants

It feels a bit like you must be at home constantly in your huge house with a field for a garden which most of us don't do - Having said that i do of course realise they must have rules for obvious reasons

> has come from a puppy farm in Eire, and been sold via a pet shop or dealer.

I'm showing my ignorance but how do the puppies travel here in the first place?

> I'm showing my ignorance but how do the puppies travel here in the first place?

Very easily. There are no restrictions on animal travel either to or from Southern Ireland. This is how some people take newborn litters to be "legally" docked over there and bring them back the same day to get over the UK docking laws. Nothing to stop dealers, pet shops bringing in pups from Ireland. 99% of racing greyhounds come from Eire.

On the other hand if you wanted to take a holiday in Southern Ireland with your own dogs, or go to a show there, nothinng to stop that either.

I don't know what the answer is. Restricting the freeflow of dogs from there to here would probably be in contravention of some EU trade laws as it stands. But if every dog that went from here to there, or there to here, had to be chipped and ID'd and traceable... that would be a big stride forward in my humble opinion.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1050747/How-tiny-handbag-dogs-bred-conditions-horrific-cruelty.html

I know you and I Otterhound, are singing from the same hymnsheet.
It's not so much a loophole, as a gaping wound. I have no idea how it can be resolved but traceability would be a start.

Traceability although not a total safeguard would be a start, IMHO.

Is there anything that we can do, an online basic letter that we can all send to MPs or a petition we can all sign. I just feel so helpless but surely en masse we could make a load noise. We have data bases for car tax, tv licence, council tax why can there not be a data base for puppies from registered breeders.

Those of you who have been refused by a rescue - did you try any others or did you stop trying then?  I am genuinely interested, I'm not trying to have a pop at you :-)

I ask because there are rescues who will rehmoe to multi-dog households, older people, etc, etc, it's just a case of finding them.

The rescue I foster for was more than happy for me to start fostering - and they were well aware that I already had 4 large dogs and that not all my fences were 100% secure (I have a secure small dog yard though).  They were equally happy to let me continue fosternig - in fact they are ecstatic that I will continue fostering - since I adopted two of my fosters last week so now have 6 large dogs.

They are happy with this because they have asked a lot of questions, gotten to know about me and my experience and abilities, and I have been clear about what I can and cannot take on.  As a result I am the main fosterer for large and difficult dogs and much appreciated for that!  So much so that they are now putting in place plans to fully fence my entire garden so that I can continue to take the troublemakers; and they have offered to pay the bill for Cassie (one of the adoptees who had to have a corn cob removed last night).

Likewise when I had a nosy round my local rescue centre recently, I spotted an Anatolian Shepherd - my dream dog - and after a quick chat, again, they would have been happy for me to adopt him once they understood that I was capable of looking after/retraining him.  Luckily he already had a home (not an easy dog to rehome - size aside he was very difficult) though.

My point is that the good rescues are out there - it's a case of finding them.

Roxylady - that is exactly how I feel.  If the DVLA could be put in place, then a database for dogs can too.  Yes, there will be people who don't bother with it - but they will be easier to find if the vast majority are registered.

Rescues wouldn't consider me for a dog either because my OH and I both work full-time. They weren't interested in the fact that we work flexible hours, that OH can work from home much of the time, or that we were happy to employ a dog walker if necessary. We were happy to take an older dog and our only preference was for a large breed/crossbreed. But neither of the rescues we contacted would rehome to us.
I don't understand why working full time or not having a garden would be a reason to be refused adoption. :0 There are cities in Europe (quite a few) where most people live in apartments. Rome being one of them ( there are practically no individual houses in the city) and most people have dogs. They have a very good quality of life (much better than a dog stuck in his backyard most of his life).
Also who doesn't work full time these days??!! If you don't work you don't have the money to support yourself or the dog. That's why there are dog walkers, neighbours and relatives to come and take the dog out, if you can't make it ;).

To Freewayz:
Am I reading this correctly: that you are suggesting LYING about where you live to get what you want. Please give the rescue organisations some credit. Years of experience qualifies us to know who is suitable and who isn't. Okay, so occasionally we MAY get it wrong ( but we err on the side of caution for the dog's well-being) The decisions we make are always made in the best interests of the dogs. Everyone should give an address when registering their interest, then when the home-check is organised, you would know if the address was genuine. No dog should be homed without a homecheck being done and preferably a reference from the vet being taken up. People do lie to get what they want (like the person who told me that her fencing was secure but the homecheck revealed that she did not have ANY fencing, just a hedge.) Log on to doglost.co.uk to see how many newly rehomed dogs escape from homes or gardens. These poor dogs are then alone and terrified, many then killed in an accident whilst on the run. Please do not encourage this dishonesty. We all have our dogs and are fortunate but not everyone's circumstances are suitable and better to wait until the circumstances are right for dog and owners. Some can manage work and a dog, or baby and a dog but not everyone can juggle like this. I would not deny anyone on the grounds of age, disability, work or children BUT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE RIGHT DOG.

When we adopted our dogs from DogsTrust we had to produce a utility bill in our name for the address we gave on the form. We had a home check but there was no mention of a reference from a vet.

People who live in rented accomodation also have to let them have sight of their rental agreement to check if pets are allowed and if there is a limit on the number or type of pet that landlord will allow.

Apologies...it was mainly tongue in cheek however I wouldn't do it myself....but some rescues are so strict they will use similar tactics to put people off ( I know of at least two near me who will tell great lies etc if the people looking at the dogs are not the "right kind").

I should have been more clear. We have a rescue not far from us...and where I work we really wonder who they re-home to...because several people have then come to us and said...they wouldn't let us even look at the dog because I work for 2 hours a day....Some want people who stay at home all the time...sometimes there is one person in the family and sometimes there are two....how on earth do they suppose the dog will be cared for if no one works AT ALL....These same rescues BOAST about the high number of dogs going into and leaving their premises...however they don't bother to include 80% of the dogs in those figures were taken on and transferred to England for re-homing.

But...my bad and I do apologize....but sometimes when a particular rescue is the only game in town and people are trying to do the right thing by going there.....the rescues are leaving themselves open to this kind of deception by being too restrictive. I realize many of the rules are in place for a reason (like being fully enclosed) but not re-homing to specific groups because they have children or work or even just because they don't like the look of them is not in the best interest of the dogs (or cats) and surely if the carers know their charges they can help any family find a dog who is suitable for the circumstances....even if it takes a few weeks or months.....

We have people coming to our rescue and waiting for months because they know we know our dogs and are confident we can find them a dog who will fit the lifestyle they live.

Last time I did not mean to condone such deception....but....neither do I condone a blanket ban on people sight unseen....

Cheers

> they wouldn't let us even look at the dog because I work for 2 hours a day

Was that for a specific dog?  Because in some cases a dog can be so distressed by being left that even that short amount of time is too much.

> ....neither do I condone a blanket ban on people sight unseen....

I ran into this a couple of years ago when helping a friend look for a rescue dog, who lived in a flat with sole use of a garden which by local standards was pretty big (long & narrow but plenty of space to play ball), and fenced to 7ft all round. One rescue I contacted by email sent a questionnaire which we duly filled in and sent back, only to get a one line response: "We do not rehome to flats." Never mind the fact that the neighbour didn't work, was at home all day, had dog experience, was willing to go to training classes, had other people to walk the dog if necessary.... I could go on. How unfair can some rescues be! That snotty reply felt like a kick in the teeth, and really did discourage my friend whose first reaction was: "Well maybe I'll just go out and buy a dog, then." Thankfully I was able to reassure that not all rescues were that strict (or as rude!) and we eventually found a lovely rescue dog through a private rehoming.

5 or so years ago we adopted a dog from Manchester Dogs Home.

Once we'd decided we wished to be considered for a particular dog we were invited to the 'checkout' !!  We weren't vetted but they did ask us a few questions.  In all honesty they looked so relieved to see a conventional looking family, from a rural address, with dog savvy kids that they didn't ask us much at all.

30 minutes later we were sitting in the car with a new dog, no bed, no food, no bowls and no name.  We had so expected to be vetted that we thought we'd have time to plan...

Never mind: he was perfect, still is :)

Van loads of them come over via ..... (sorry not going to say port in case I get into trouble), but believe me there are many coming across, very, very easily!

Edit: Sorry, didn't copy quote ... this was in response to the query how pups were coming from Eire puppy farms to be sold into pet shops!

Very surreal in light of this thread. Yesterday I went to a guy to buy chicken. He keeps chicken, ducks and geese on his huge estate free range and is a lovely older gentleman. He knew who I was and what I was doing and while I admired his plethora of rare chicken and ducks, he ask sheepishly if I could explain something to him. He has bad problems with foxes and pinemartens nicking his birds during the day.

And the old Labrador who was adoringly sitting at his feet was useless to chase them away due to his arthritis. So he went to a well known rescue, being well aware of the stray situation in Ireland, and asked if they had any Terrier pups or the like which he could rear with his birds. His idea was to train the dog not to kill his birds but guard them during the day. The dog would then sleep indoors at night as his birds are locked up at night. The lady at the rescue centre gave him hell. He couldn't understand why he was being attacked and was quite shocked about it. If only half of what he told me she said was true, I would have given her the back of the shovel.

Obviously, he loves his birds and he wants to help them. And obviously a good dog could be the answer to his problem. I had a long chat with him and promised him to help find the right dog for his purpose. No "working" dog could ask for a better life, out and about during the day, doing a job and lazing in front of an open fire at night (the guy lives in an old estate house).

Sometimes I feel quite embarassed running a rescue!

it cant be easy working in rescue. i was working in the hospital with a woman one day who was very excited. 'i have my rescue dog coming home at 11.00'   mmmmmm thinks me- why didnt you get the dog when you are actually home? her hub was collecting it and she was working till 1pm. at 11.30 her hub phoned her. the dog had been in the house 30 mins and snapped at the house rabbit in its cage so he had taken it straight back to the rescue!
crazy

OH and I were rejected by two very large rescues ... We only wanted a nice little under 6 yo dog/bitch to love ... We both work, but I only do part time. We have a large garden, we live in a national park with miles of south downs at our feet ... they rejected us because we wouldn't have the time for a dog!

We passed the GSD breed rescue homecheck with flying colours and our GSD x Rottie bitch is happily snoozing at my feet as I write this. We can afford her. We have time for her. We have love for her ...

Sometimes it makes no sense!