| Archive for Rescue Remedies.myfastforum.org Rescue Remedies Forum |
| EmmaSemple |
My Staffie Friend Snowflake Coulsdon SurreySometimes 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. 
Emma |
| EmmaSemple |
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.  ) But I don't mind. It is all part of the fun and she sure knows how to enjoy herself! 
Emma |
| Paulak |
Pleased to hear she is well Emma. Give her a snuggle from me x |
| ali12345 |
She may have lost her home but she always has a special place with you
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| Sharonr - Admin |
A special place, a special dog with a special person.
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| EmmaSemple |
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. |
| Jilly Allen |
Snowflake wrapped up in the arms of love ! Her home is out there. |
| Sharonr - Admin |
Special home wanted, but its out there and the rewards are great. |
| Sharonr - Admin |
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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| EmmaSemple |
Can you tell Emma wasn't about at the time of the photo session?
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 |
| Sharonr - Admin |
Yep, she is a "in my own time kind of girl" and I was amused to see her tail up and a positive glint in her eye on the return route  Perhaps we will get to know each other a little better next time ... I can wait
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| EmmaSemple |
When she gets to know you she loves to leap into your arms and have a proper Staffie hug. She very rarely gives an unsure look now and when settled brims with confidence.
It took a long time to get her to this point due to an abusive past. Next time we should go into the paddock. Then you can see her when she is relaxed and playing. A totally different picture.
Emma |
| Sharonr - Admin |
I'll look forward to that, give her a hug for me
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| EmmaSemple |
Snowflake is moving a to a foster home today.
We went for a walk last night with her potential foster carers and all went very well. I will leave Rebecca to update as she settles.
Emma |
| ali12345 |
That's great
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| Rklowe |
Yep, going to pick the gorgeous girl up very soon
She is totally lovely and put up with my own hounds on our walk last night! She accepted treats from both me and my husband (Richard) although was a little wary of his voice to start with but 5 mins later totally fine! What a wondeful girl she is, totally shattering previous life, most humans would be depressed forever if they had had her life but this little girl is so willing to trust and has never given up trying to be balanced - a lesson for all humans I reckon. So looking forward to her coming to stay with us and helping her to move forward and to let go of the past More updates to follow......
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| Rklowe |
So the lovely and gorgeous Snowflake.... I picked her up at 1:30 today and we have all had the most fantastic day!
Tail up all the time, has calmly met the cat, run round the garden with Badger and Bear (my other 2 hounds!), eaten the few biscuits I gave her at dinner (felt mean that she wasn't having anything when we fed ours!), been on her evening walk, drank lashings of water. Not a bad bone in this little girls body, I have called her my bundle of fun! Richard let himself into the house and she didn't make a peep, all 3 dogs were asleep in the same room within about 2hrs - it honestly couldn't have gone better! She has destroyed numerous sticks in the back garden, has responded to numerous commands - leave (stick), stay, sit, wait, this way, come. She is now asleep in her crate (door open) snoring! I left them all for about 40 mins earlier, Badger and Bear on one room and Snowflake in the other and I didn't hear a peep from her as I left or when I came back! Badger is the only one having to adjust, Snowflake has just made herself at home! You should see Snowflake running round the garden with a stick, it instantly makes Bear excitable and her way of playing is to charge and then bark very loudly in Snowflakes face, first time she looked a bit startled and the she took absolutley no notice! Has done them all the world of good! Such a superb start and as far as I can see at this point very little work to do, we are going to try the door tomorrow and see how we get on:-) I have worked with horrendous behavioural problems and true aggression and this little girl has neither... Her only true problem is her SNORING!! Man does she snore!!! More updates to follow soon! |
| Rklowe |
Another quick update...
All went for a 6:30am walk and all lovely! Snowflake had a great night, didn't hear a peep from her and when I went into her this morning she got up to greet me but with that look of 'are you as nice as you were yesterday' and with a happy good morning from me she was wiggling her bum all over the place, dancing on the spot! Saw something today that could have made me cry, she jumped up about 3 feet in the air and just hung onto a branch jiggling her body around, the sight made me feel sick as I am guessing she was taught to do this to make her jaw stronger. Poor poor little girl, she has sooo much love and trust despite such an awful life  She was quite happy though didn't know what all the fuss was about....
She is happily snoring away in her bed at the moment and my other 2 dogs are in their beds too! I didn't send them there, all the beds are in the same room as I work from and they all just choose to go to bed and sleep - bliss! Gave her a carrot today (mine both love them!), she wasn't quite sure what to do with it but soon sort of caught on! Am trying to post some photos but can't work out how to yet but will get them on as soon as I have worked it out! I never knew that when a Staffie looks at you they are literally staring into your eyes and I swear she is looking into my soul.... I have worked with dogs, different breeds, temperaments etc and I have never experienced the connection I have with this little girl. She is incredibly responsive and intelligent - a truly amazing girl. She met my cat again today twice - once I saw him so calmly yet firmly said 'leave' and she did but the second time I didn't see him and she was just setting of to chase and I called her off and she stopped dead in her tracks - amazing. I have given all the dogs a combination of some Bach flower remedies (in their water, food and on their paws) which seems to working really well - very calming. 1 incident this morning with Badger and Snowflake... but all over very quickly and just a lot of noise. Got them both together when they had split apart and got them both to calm down together so they remember relaxation and not anger as the last thing... worked beautifully and they both trotted off after each other, tails up and happy
So all in all a great 24 hrs (well not quite even that long yet!) More updates soon.... |
| ali12345 |
Lovely updates Rebecca - keep them coming
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| Rklowe |
A few pics at last - sorry about the quality. You will see she is having lots of fun with sticks! And sleeping like a baby in the room where I work with the other dogs too! All within 24 hrs - marvellous!
   
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| Rklowe |
Snowflake update......
She continues to do so well! We have of course had a few incidents but a lot of noise and lots of waggy tails afterwards no problems at all. My other 2 dogs are big dogs and can get very excitable and hey some strange little thing has come into our world so all to be expected. We are working on the front door she is out of her bed like a shot but she is so responsive to voice commands that again this is just a lot of noise. If I am going to let someone in, I will actually pop her on her lead and we'll greet them together, this is working wonderfully and I am hoping that the more we do it the more she will just relax. All good work though and she has not even been with us a week yet. She is now off lead with us and to be honest just runs round with the biggest branch (yes branch not stick!) that she can find, as happy as anything! I am now leaving the dogs together if I pop upstairs etc and will expand this as time moves on. They have all become respectful of each others space which is FAB! She continues to do well with Jack (our cat) and whilst I probably still wouldn't leave them alone together for long periods I do now pop out of the room and leave them together again, I will extend this as time moves on. My sister and her kids are coming over in Thurs so this will be a great opportunity for everyone. The kids have been told to not get her too excited and not to just shove hands in her face etc trying to stroke her (they LOVE dogs!). It will all be managed calmly so that she can relax etc. I have no doubt at all that she will be fine; just want to make sure she isn't overwhelmed. The only problem I don't seem to be able to get on top of is her SNORING!!! Only joking... I just find it hilarious that with all her lack of trust, abused background etc that this is the only thing I can complain about!!! All in all a gorgeous little girlie and not a peep out of her when it's bedtime or when she is left alone if I have had to nip out. More to follow soon....... |
| Rklowe |
More photos!More photos of Snowflake! This time with my 8 year old Moggy Jack. Of course Snowflakes first instinct upon their first meeting was to chase but she was in a strange garden 3 weeks ago and with strange people.These pictures will show you just how little interest she pays to him. Cat test passed with flying colours! Any dog will chase a small unkown furry if not corrected and this little girl needed correcting only a few times and now look! She is the most responsive dog I have ever known, she resonds to any command even those she has never heard before - how clever is she!! If anyone reading this is 'thinking' about Snowflake as a possibility please please come and have a cup of tea with us, she will melt your heart I PROMISE you
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| Rklowe |
yet more photos....!Our 3 girls Bear, Badger and Snowflake, relaxing in the garden
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| Sharonr - Admin |
So pleased that fostering Snowflake is going so well. Don't forget to mention the photos starring her best friend ... "Log"! |
| Rklowe |
LOL!!! It's like her dummy She is happily snoring away in her bed as we speak - bless!
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| Rklowe |
OMG!!! The most amazing thing has just happened in our house! Snowflake as we all know was sent to the vets to be put down due to her problems with the front door and the postman has just come, popped the letters thru the letterbox and snowflake was stood right by the front door and NOT A PEEP!!!!! I am totally amazed!!! She has been getting better and better as time has been progressing, eventually getting to just a few 'huffs' everytime she heard the front door (with me standing over her) and today I wasn't even at the door with her!!! I am sorry if this is rambling but I AM SO PROUD OF HER GO SNOWFLAKE!
Still lots of work to do with her confidence in various situations but if anyone is reading this and considering Snowflake as an option this just shows with time and patience what a wonderful, trusting, clever and responsive girlie she is - oooh I adore this little girl, please come and see her as you will too!!!
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| ali12345 |
Excellent news
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| EmmaSemple |
Snowflake's progress is amazing.
She is soon to come back to me for a while whilst Rebecca goes on holiday, but with all this extra work I know that we will have a good time. I am walking one of her sisters every day for the holiday so I will make sure these two are walked together and get some videos of them over the woods together.
Emma |
| Rklowe |
Snowflake is off on her hols today, back to Mummy Emma! She has promised me that she will a good calm girl for Emma and will do her best to remember everything she has learned. She knows she will make a few mistakes but will do her absolute best as she loves Emma very much and doesn't want to add problems to her already very busy life
Have lovely time Flakeys and we'll see you in a 11 days time for lots of kisses and cuddles x x x x P.s. Badger will be coming on your walks too little girlie so that will be nice and just remember that it's polite to take turns with the stick, not everything is for Lady Flakes! Poor Emma's arm with be hanging off throwing 2 sticks everytime for you 2 for 10 days! |
| Rklowe |
More photos of Snowflake, relaxing as usual! She continues to do really well Such a gorgeous girlie, coming on leaps and bounds! Still lots to work with but not surprising given her past the main thing is that she does learn and she loves to learn. She just simply wants to be a great dog and she has never been given the chance, no-one has ever shown right from wrong. Go Flakeys, you are doing fantastically
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| xxlynne |
Whow Whow Whow! Thanks from us all so lovely to see her happy. |
| Rklowe |
Aaaahhhh, thanks Lynne!! I only wish we could keep her but with 2 very dominant females already, life is challenging to say the least! I will miss her so much when she goes, she is such a wondeful companion and would do absolutely anything for you, her eyes never leave you.....
To see her in her forever home would make me the happiest person alive which is why we never exclude her from anything and test her every single day so we can make her as rounded and balanced as we possibly can to help with finding her the perfect forever home. She is an integral part of our home and will be until the day she leaves us for her next adventure. I so hope her forever home will be local as I have mentioned to Emma that I will offer lifetime one on one back up for continued training, support etc but if it isn't local then I will always be on the end of the telephone... |
| xristine |
Wonderful photos and such a heart warming 'story' - this is one little girl who has been allowed to blossom.
PS I adore the last photo, by the fire. A real autumn shot that one!
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| Rklowe |
It's great isn't it! We fell about laughing when one day we put the fire on and it was like a magnet to her!! She edged closer and closer to point we thought she was actually going to climb in!!! Bless her, she really does love the simple things in life
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| Dee |
Aw wow! Beautiful pictures. Doesn't she look stunning.
Really lifts your heart to see
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| ali12345 |
That fireside pic would look brilliant on the calendar, if rescue friends are allowed..... |
| xristine |
...agreed. It's a wonderful photo. She looks like she's about to roast chestnuts for the family. And this is such a wonderful success story... a girlie who has worked very very hard indeed to overcome her 'challenges' and who has paid back with interest the opportunity Rebecca gave her.
I hope that she really is roasting chestnuts for her new family this Christmas!! |
| Sharonr - Admin |
Wonderful photos, great to hear that she is doing so well - amazing progress and a credit to you.
I think we should have her fireside photo included in our calendar as a winter month as we should have our rescue friends represented
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| Rklowe |
Aaahhh, thanks everyone
Snowflake says she would be delighted to appear in the calendar... if I didn't know better I thought she blushed when I mentioned it to her
Have some other fireside pics if you need them. Will continue to take random pics so everyone can see her in different situations. It's hard to take photos of her with anyone else as as soon as I go to get the camera she is already hot on my heels. I am trying to teach her to 'share the love' and that the woman of any household doesn't need her undivided attention!!! Once we can get her to understand that I think we'll see a HUGE behaviour shift as it will spill out into so many other areas as she learns to trust everyone not just her main handler..... Go Snowflake! |
| xristine |
I’m sure everyone has been following her story just as I have. When you posted the pictures of her with half a tree and a cat nearby I did wonder if having been rebuked for chasing cats she had decided to bop them one with a branch! But no, she’s learned that cats aren’t the enemy.
Somebody out there is going to have a wonderful companion. If it’s someone who lives alone then the devotion will be nice! A dog that ignored you would be a bit disappointing – uncritical adoration is actually what we’d like; having not got it from humans
She realises that humans like to shape her behaviour and words mean something which makes her a really interesting dog to live with and the great thing is that Snowflake will love doing all those things! Teaching a dog who actually wants to please you is a dream! And she comes with lifelong support!!! Form an orderly queue!!
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| Jilly Allen |
Well done Rebecca when I met you I knew you would put your heart and soul into the training of Snowflake and the evidence is right before us.
Thank goodness for people and homes like yours. How lucky are the dogs who have been dealt such bad blows by some humans finding the lovely ones who put on a fire, Pull out a couch and then pull back the covers of their bed for them. Glad to see I am not the only mad dog woman, welcome to the club Rebecca. Keep up the good work you are doing a great job. |
| MBNAD woman |
Smashing photosI love the one of her peeping out of the bed. What a gorgeous girl ...And on the subject of being mad, my user name stands for "Mad But Not Actually Dangerous". Yup we're all mad, but you couldn't help yourself, could you with a girl like this. |
| Sharonr - Admin |
Snowflake is our November calendar girl featured in the 2010 RR Calendar which is up for raffle: http://rescueremedies.myfastforum.org/sutra23193.php#23193
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