Rescue Remedies.myfastforum.org

xxlynne · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:08 am Post subject: Staffie Plight PLEASE READ

I personally am feeling so depressed literally with seeing so many staffie faces appealing from pound websites and know if I, like so many, don't say "yes" they will be PTS. AND they are the lucky ones they have a chance, most don't get a chance and how the vets do their job I don't know.

Can we have a staffie debate as to how we feel we can help as the overbreeding is definitely an urban culture problem

My suggestions are we set up a display on our home page with 3 appeals

1) Why Consider a Staffie when looking for a dog with an inviting write up on their charm appeal and so many positive points

2) Fun raising to set up a Staffie neutering fund so we can use this to encourage people to neuter

3) Set up a Staffie kennel fund so we can say have 3 in safety who would have lost their lives I know of about 12 currently (That's without going and looking) who will be put to sleep in the next week as people can't help. Then run a special our Staffies in kennel feature

Any suggestions..I want any money we effectively 'make' to go straight into making a difference. Here are 2 needing out..one of them is called Lucky..she came in with suspected early pregnancy so has been spayed +..even still they don't hold out much chance for her getting a rescue place. They didn't ask to be born staffies..Staffies are popular actually for very good reasons they are great dogs but once discarded so few ..even rescues ...stand there for them Crying or Very sad

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Mow · User Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 286 Location: Surrey

Lynne I am with you all the way with this, a big problem is the awful blind spot people have with staffs in particular rescues. I think we should get cuddly pictures of staffies with kids and cats etc to try and change people’s views on these delightful dogs.
This is Frank the rescue staff giving some love

I am always trying to raise awareness on un-necessary breeding so please count me in to do what ever I can to help these beautiful dogs.

gailshay · User Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 104 Location: Middlesex

Lynne I have a peice I wrote on why you should home a staffy for another rescue if you would like to see it????
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The more people I meet the more I love my animals !!!

xxlynne · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:06 am Post subject:

Gail I remembered you had done that but it wasn't a word.doc so couldn't open it Can you post it up thank you.

MOW yep lets tell them how it is..I always say there are 4 breeds excellent with children...German Shepherds; Staffies; Boxers and Labs.

They are all rounders but yes powerful dogs If a Staffie makes a mistake..they rarely get off scot-free..the dice are always loaded against them.
_________________
You can't train the terrier out of a terrier!

THEY ARE THEIR OWN PEOPLE

www.terrierrescue.co.uk

Sue · Core Member Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 337

Lynne you are an angel and you know Phil & I are behind you all the way. 100% I am constantly telling people I meet on walk ect about theplight of Staffie, it is a man thing about getting them neutered. As you know I am always on telling a walking friend about getting her wonderful little lad nuetered and at last I think it is sinking in. I am quiet happy to take that little tanned girl you have a picture of NOW
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Rescue Remedies - Core Member

Dee Peter · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject:

I have had my "doubts" with Staffies - only that I have felt intimated. Purely, because I have been unlucky to see that although some Staffies are very much loved, there are many that are on their owners arm as a "status" symbol. Look how tough I am with my fierce Staffie - you can tell they've not been trained to walk nicely on the lead, so are pulling like mad at you to say "hello", but not knowing, a "normal" person can feel intimated by this - I know I was and still am. I visited a rescue place over Christmas, and over heard another visitor expressing their concern over the "amount of Staffies" they have. The visitor wasn't surprised because where he lives there are so many Staffies, again in the wrong hands, "children" (aged 11 years) walking with 2 plus Staffies on each arm. Basically, using them as guard dogs, than pets, again status symbol. I see it unfortunately at the school every day. Some are loved you can tell, others are in the wrong hands. And I think too, because there not your cuddly, fluffy lookin dogs they are mis-interpreted.

How do you stop the "fashion, status symbol"? Knowledge? How do you stop these dogs getting into the wrong hands? Also, when they get into the "right" hands, people need to understand this breed. I'm learning and will have to learn more, what I mean is they constantly like chewing!! I never new this, new owners need to be aware of this and deal with it so its not returned to the Rescue for chewing their house up. Also, they have to leap! This again with proper training can be stopped - to certain a point!! Also if these dogs are in the wrong hands, they probably haven't been vacinated let alone bother to neuter them?

I feel, a lot of the time people don't understand, and like me have had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing these dogs without proper training and have felt intimated by them because of this. They are strong and powerful lookin dogs, but are called the "nanny dog" for a reason!! My brother had 2 Staffie X's. So loving, trained and so eager to please.

I did hear a very sad story, that again, a Staffie had attacked a small child - think I've told Dee this one, but it was sadly put to sleep, later however they found a crayon jammed in its ear? I wonder if people heard to "whole" story with this case?

I think the ideas to help save the Staffie are a good one - like with any dog in my eyes, but its going to be a "tough one".

michellelove · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:30 pm Post subject:

Hi Lynne,
I think this is a great idea, I do get very angry when people are so prejudiced about Staffs. My family has a 9 yr old boy, and he is the most loving pet dog you could hope for. In our experience it is only fighting with other male dogs that has been a problem, and neutering can put a stop to that, another good reason to encourage owners of males to get this done.
As long as you are firm with them from day one then Staffs make the best companions. Don't judge a book by it's cover!
Michelle

johnderondon · User Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 183

Great ideas, Lynne.

Idea 1 - Relatively easy to achieve, no cost to me and someone else (Jane) doing all the leg work. Now that's the kind of 'rescue' I like!

Idea 2 - Excellent use of funds but how can we direct it to where it is most necessary? There seems limited value in publishing this on any rescue -orientated website as we would be preaching to the converted. Would a possible route be making Vets aware of the fund and ask them to encourage their customers to avail themselves of it?

Idea 3 - Sounds cool. I pledge £100 to kick it off.

It is possible to pool resources with other rescues to initiate a publicity campaign? Maybe posters? Or a newspaper ad?
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Outside of a dog, a book is a man`s best friend. Inside of a dog it`s too dark to read.

Marx (G).

gailshay · User Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 104 Location: Middlesex

Why should you consider rescuing a Staffie I hear you say to yourself as you browse through the many dogs in rescue homes today.

You walk down aisle after aisle and all you see is Stafford’s, you remember the breed being mentioned in the press “they’re dangerous dogs aren’t they “ you say to yourself. - Well please, takes a few minutes to read the next few paragraphs and maybe I can help change your mind.

We as a family have owned “Staffies” for 14 years now and every one of them has been different. Our last 3 have been rescue dogs and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Our latest addition is “Blue”. We took him as a 5 month old puppy abandoned because he was unfortunate enough to have a hare lip and cleft palette. Nobody had taken the time to look past his unfortunate features to see that behind them was a very kind natured, loyal and loving dog. He is officially our sons “bestest friend”, now what more can you wish for??

If you should take the time to “Google” Staffordshire Bull Terrier you will find somewhere in the description “The Nanny Dog” because of their loyalty and kind disposition. Our son is now nearly 5 years old and we wouldn’t put our trust in any other breed to be kind and have the right temperament around him. Yes Staffies have attacked but don’t other breeds to? You just don’t see them in the press getting a bad name. Staffies have the bad name not because of their looks, temperament , or loyalty but because of the “idiots” on the end of their leads. Teenagers have them as a fashion accessories, not knowing that the Staffies have a very strong will and need to be trained efficiently - hence the number that end up in rescue homes desperately looking for a home with routine, kindness and most importantly fun!!!

So please if you come across a staffy looking for a new home, don’t write him off. Take time to find out why he is there. Yes to the untrained eye he may well look like a fighting terrier, but he is nothing like this. He could be the most loyal friend you have in your life and you are passing up the opportunity because of a few bad owners and the bad press this wonderful breed gets.
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The more people I meet the more I love my animals !!!

xxlynne · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject:

Idea one..basically we need to be able to cover our vet bills. Food, travel etc all is given voluntarily anyway. So we need to ensure a reserve if we can to cover some of the oldies vet bills as we are presenting our dogs MOT'd ready for their new lives. A standard we will retain.

The rest can fund bull breed neutering fund.. I need to talk to our vets that they are happy to extend their very good will to members of the public who have the inclination but can't afford the neutering then case by case either they are asked only to pay 'rescue rate' or we fund. Its our vets who are sacrificing and basically offering us a cost only price.

Then perhaps 2 of us go up to Battersea London and ask them to ensure Staffies are neutered before homing..thats a big one but a very effective one!

Also link with Celia Hammond re her neutering clinics in Lewisham and Canning Town and ask how we can work with her and recommend and even pay so many neuterings per month!

I hope everyone is happy for us to adopt this bias..the Staffie problem is so obvious in the capital. I have also thought of setting up a new organisation with a staffie help bias called CAPITAL DOGS.. maybe people could agree to (wo)man a helpline for an evening or morning a week

The kennel fund appeal could commence now and go into our paypal account with a weekly report..sorry Jane..more work for you or a helper. We can research a kennel which is fairly close and if we are guaranteeing them 3 full kennels say at a price per week. I will be at a loss as to which staffies to chose!!!!!!!!!!!!! anyone want to play GOD!

_________________
You can't train the terrier out of a terrier!

THEY ARE THEIR OWN PEOPLE

www.terrierrescue.co.uk