Cross-posted - if you're a dog lover, as I certainly hope we all are, perhaps a little gift can be added to your shopping list for one of our canine heroes;-

"Army dog handlers working in Afghanistan have a big drive on trying to get people to send dog treats out to them to give the dogs on Christmas Day.
One of the Soldiers is happy to have the parcels sent to him and he will distribute - it would be great if you could send a small parcel of treats (not dog food)
Keep parcels under 2 Kilos and they go F...REE from any Post Office. The last posting date to arrive before Christmas is 30th November. Parcels to:

25178756 PTE Downer
Camp Bastion
OP Herrick 15
102 TMWDSU
BFPO 792 "

What a lovely idea :-)

I shall definitely be sending one, thank you for posting Ells-Bells. :-)

How lovely do you think they want squeeks aswell?

Would any small edible treats be allowed or is it just toys?

Thats brilliant, would love to send some treats, do they mean edible treats? or is it toys and things?

A lovely idea and a great cause but the dogs are looked after very well but please think about all the dogs in rescues that are perhaps needing the treats more than the lovely dogs that are serving our country :-)

I think when you see 'treats' you think of the edible kind, but perhaps a toy would be nice too - if your pocket can stretch to it.

Thank you all for your interest, I'm intending to make several parcels to send as Christmas is a time for family and friends and these poor dogs deserve a little treat or two.

We have a regular collection in my place of work, all members of staff put cat/dog food, blankets and toys in and one of the girls takes the lot to our local rescue. Plus many of us buy Dogs Trust Xmas cards, so a few extra toys for the serving doggies is just another way for us to appreciate our four legged friends :)

off to the shops for me tommorow! have to buy for new puppy so a few wxtras wont hurt!

I agree Pinky but I would rather people who don't already donate to rescues don't get caught up in the hype (wrong word perhaps ) as the dogs are animals and don't know any different. They are loved and well looked after . Many rescue dogs live poles apart from how those lovely dogs are looked after .

They are heroes but we have many dogs that would love to be heroes given the chance.

LJS, yes, it is worth reminding us that there are plenty of rescue dogs needing those treats too, I do give to dog charities but would also like to send to a few rescues too, what would you say your dogs would appreciate the most?

Sorry not sure what relevance my dogs needs are in this ?

Sorry, not your personal dogs, don't you work with lab rescue? I just want to find out the best and most appreciated items to send. :-)

Ah ok I understand now !

It is standard sort of stuff really bedding, food toys and  treats are the main areas of donated type of things needed. A large part of the expense is often vets fees as some of the dogs do come into rescue with health issues that havent been addressed by their previous owners or some that have ongoing health issues that need repeat medication or treatment. This is where donations of money are always gratefully received.

There are also the overheads where some rescues have their own kennels so maintenance is also an ongoing task but there are dogs that have to be kennel elsewhere when foster care is unavailable or suitable so fees are also a heavy cost to the rescue although alot of kennels do kindly give very good discounts where they can .

Alot of the dogs are put into temp foster care and people who do this are often very generous but the rescues cannot rely on these people to foot the cost of looking after the dogs so help with food etc is sometimes given.

Thanks! :-) Some good ideas there, I know what I'll do now.

It's just a few years ago a friend of mine left her dog in kennels (I've never used kennels as we always spread our dogs amongst family members when away etc so they are alien to me) and she had taken knuckle bones and some home toys with her, when she returned to collect her dog the knuckle bones were still in the kennel office untouched and all but one toy was in the kennel (I guess many get soiled and thrown?)

It made me wonder whether kennels deemed some things unsuitable whilst leaving a dog unattended for hours, I guess the knuckle bones may make them thirstier? And some plastic toys may get chewed or swallowed? It would be awful to send things which may never be used, dogs in our home we don't often think about these things as they are not bored or perhaps stressed and left alone for so long. It just made me think would rescues prefer some things to others. :-)

There are some types of toys that suit certain types of dogs in kennels so the rope tuggers etc are preferred but it is more about giving them stimulation as unfortunately with all the will in the world they are often left in the kennels for longer that is acceptable but that is where the help of volunteers is so important to help out at kennels by taking the dogs out for walks or olaing with them in the excercise areas.

It is not just money and toys that the rescue are grateful for :-)

If there is more than one dog in a kennel I could see large bones having the potential to cause fights. They can be very desirable items

Hi all just to let you know that dog treats aren't needed in Afghan.  Here's the link to H4H.  Thank you. x

https://www.facebook.com/HelpforHeroes/posts/328994443784605