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EmmaSemple

Sometimes hard decisions have to be made. What is the best course of action? What is best for the dog?

The dog that just four months ago was leaping into my arms having Staffie cuddles, traipsing for miles through fields and woods and looking at me with such trust and devotion.
The dog that spent the first five years of her life in unknown circumstances, but on arrival physically cowered when an arm was lifted in the air quickly and over time gained confidence.
The dog who had done over her time in the dog pound and was pulled to safety just in time. Callously dumped like so many others when she finally had the courage to fight back at her abusers. They could beat her as much as they wanted, but when she stuck up for herself she 'had to go'.

This dog was very special to me, as is every single animal that I have the honour to meet and care for.

Yes, she snaps at people when the doorbell rings. She is known to guard her handler unless handled correctly. Normally because she is having a cuddle and she doesn't want to lose that contact. Has she felt the need to guard her owner in the past? Domestic violence home perhaps?
Yes, she can get jealous of other canines around her in the home. Her toys! Why should she lose them?!!? What else has she had in her life?

So...

To the little sweetie who looked up to me for support when she was scared, hid behind me when she was worried, blossomed over many months never felt the need to snap at me in all the weeks and months of spending every day with me and who snuggled under the duvet cover, snoring for England...

I cannot give permission for this dog to die...

You can come home now Snowflake. Smile

Emma

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EmmaSemple · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:24 pm Post subject:

Well, Snowflake has returned.

I was expecting a very sad girl to come back to me considering that she has been in a home and was doted on.
But, I was surprised when she turned up and was really pleased to see me.
Her owners obviously cared for her alot, that was very obvious. But Snowflake just knows that she is one of the 'special' dogs that I have had the pleasure to meet and care for. Maybe it is because she is tuned into me and me into her. I can see what mood she is in just by looking at the way her face is at the time and if I am stressed out or annoyed about something then I can see by her body language that she is worried about this and she stands there with a 'straggly' look (that is the only way I can describe it!) This always lifts my mood ebcause I hate to see her upset and she brings things into perspective for me. Although I am annoyed about something, she has had to go through alot more and for her to be worried about me who has never hurt her in any way, then that makes me feel bad. As soon as I smile at her and speak silly to her then she becomes instantly happy and comes scuttling up so excited that she bum and tail curl up - as if her back legs just want to move that little bit faster to get to me. She still does the wonderful Staffie hug that I taught her which is where she jumps into my arms and cuddles right up into me.
Basically nothing has changed. Her recall is great and she does not go far. She still finds random sticks and destroys them whilst I catch up with her on walks and still forgets herself with trees now and again which means I have to go and remove her jaws from them (normally having to climb through brambles and nettles to get to her. Laughing

) But I don't mind. It is all part of the fun and she sure knows how to enjoy herself! Very Happy

Emma
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Paulak · User Joined: 22 Dec 2008 Posts: 59

Pleased to hear she is well Emma. Give her a snuggle from me x
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A Staffie kiss a day keeps the doctor away

ali12345 · Core Member Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 919

She may have lost her home but she always has a special place with you Smile

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www.furryfriendsrescue.co.uk

Sharonr - Admin · Site Admin Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 2609

A special place, a special dog with a special person. Very Happy

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SHARONR - ADMIN

"My sunshine doesn't come from the skies,
It comes from the love in my dog's eyes".

EmmaSemple · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 6:10 pm Post subject:

Snowflake's write up...

Once again Snowflake has found herself back in rescue.
We are looking for a loving, understanding and quiet home for Snowflake who is now approx 6 years old.
She first came into our care about ten months ago. She was a stray who was picked up and never claimed.
Snowflake bonded very closely with me and from the first day I met her I was besotted!
Sadly Snowflake's past was obviously violent. She has a deep rooted mistrust for certain people and is protective of people that she does bond with. She will cringe in certain situations and is obviously distressed if she gets shouted at.
She was homed from here and was there for four months and she was very happy with her two main handlers and would do anything for them. However, this home was a busy place to live in due to other young family members and Snowflake was the wrong character for that environment.
She does have an issue when the doorbell goes and always has. She gets far too excited by the idea that there is someone new standing behind the door! I have dealt with this by calling her away from the door and placing her in another room using treat and reward tactics. Food is far more interesting to Snowflake and she quickly learns that if she comes away from the door, that she will get a tit-bit. Another way of dealing with this is to tell her to go into her crate (she is fully crate trained and I tend to put her in a crate when visitors are around because of her mistrust and behaviour due to her past).

Snowflake loves her walks and has always got one eye on her owner in case they get lost. She exercises well with other dogs, but would prefer a home with no other pets - she likes all the attention and likes her toys to be hers and nobody else's. Snowflake does not get on well with cats.

Snowflake must go to a home with adult handlers - no children - or even as a one person's pet. She would make a wonderful companion to someone on their own, but she is an active dog so would need an owner who is up for long walks and exercise. The home that she goes to must be a quiet home with little 'traffic' coming through the house. She will need a Staffie experienced home.

Snowflake is vaccinated, spayed and microchipped.

Please contact me if you feel you cam offer the home that Snowflake needs.
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Jilly Allen · User Joined: 17 Jan 2009 Posts: 179

Snowflake wrapped up in the arms of love ! Her home is out there.

Sharonr - Admin · Site Admin Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 2609

Special home wanted, but its out there and the rewards are great.
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SHARONR - ADMIN

"My sunshine doesn't come from the skies,
It comes from the love in my dog's eyes".

Sharonr - Admin · Site Admin Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 2609

We met Snowflake today and she accompanied mum and I on a walk. She wasn't too happy to leave Emma, but off we set, stopping to get some promises photos along the way. Gave her a fuss on the way back and then she was keen to return to Emma's arms. Here they are ...

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SHARONR - ADMIN

"My sunshine doesn't come from the skies,
It comes from the love in my dog's eyes".

EmmaSemple · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 7:19 am Post subject:

Can you tell Emma wasn't about at the time of the photo session? Laughing

She is such a mummy's girl and always has the look like she has been chewing sour grapes on her face when someone else is handling her.

This is only initial though and she does bond very strongly with someone who will give her the time and patience.

Emma

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Save a Life...Adopt a Staffie!