Bertie - in the West Midlands

Ted and Bertie
We can hardly believe that it is a year since Ted came to us. He’s having his official celebration tomorrow, complete with cake and cheese scones!

We have to thank ESRA for letting us have Ted and Bertie. Both boys are wonderful and bring us so much fun. Bertie is finding his feet now. He goes from strength to strength and now has the confidence to be a bit cheeky, which is great. Our laps have had to expand to accommodate two boys and Bertie is never afraid of unfamiliar sounds or movements now. Both boys have been very attentive this morning while I was baking and they are just looking at their watches to remind us that it is almost time for their afternoon walk. We have a babysitter coming this evening who loves them so they are likely to be completely spoiled.

Both dogs have made such a difference to our lives. I fall out of the car each evening tired and stressed. Within minutes they revive me. Ted has come on so much in the year. We wonder why it took us so long to have Setters in our lives again. We love Bertie every bit as much as Ted and feel very lucky to have been joined by two such handsome, well-mannered boys.

Julie, Roger, Roz, Ted and Bertie - in the West Midlands

Ruby (Amber)
Ruby (or Amber as we have re-named her) is all we could have hoped for… and more.    She is absolutely perfect in every way.  Even Jack, our collie cross, is smitten.  We’re introducing her bit by bit to her new family and everyone thinks she is gorgeous (which she indeed is).  She’s bonded well already with us and to see her inter-acting you would never guess how short a time she has been here.  She has adjusted remarkably well to life here and, apart from the odd little “accident” now and then, has been as good as gold.

She is very adept at intentionally NOT seeing us when it suits her – when she is out in the garden and not interested in coming back in she just will not make any eye contact at all.  Jack is getting very good at running out to her and running back in once we’ve made sure she’s chasing him – he’s a smart cookie, our Jack!

She has a total fascination for birds – she watches them intently and runs around the garden after them, totally oblivious to anything and anyone else.  It is fortunate that we have such a large, secure garden for her to exercise in
All in all, we are delighted with her and, by all accounts, she seems happy with us too!

Colin - South Wales

Dylan
A quick update about Dylan, an English Setter we “rescued” in April 2007 from Derbyshire.   When we decided to put our names down to rescue a dog we expected to have to wait a while, but it was only a few days later that we got the call to say there was a two-year-old dog looking for a new home. 

Dylan came to live with us on 1st April and, after a little initial shyness, has settled into his new life very quickly.  He brings us great pleasure, many laughs and fills the large hole which was left when our previous Setter “Sam” died in December 2006, aged almost 12.  We are very grateful for the opportunity to give Dylan a loving home.

Fran and Steve - Nottinghamshire

Saffron (Saffi)
Saffron (Saffi) came to live with us in June 2006.  We had a phone call on a Sunday evening telling us that a little orange belton lady needed a good home – we travelled to Cornwall the next morning to collect Saffi.   We have to confess it was “love at first sight.”  Saffi was quite slim, weighing just 25lbs, and she slept all the way home to North Bedfordshire without a murmur.

Saffi was very nervous about eating at first.  It took almost 3 months of encouragement and wrapping meat and biscuits into bread to get her to eat.  She has the hang of eating now and enjoys her food, but still insists on her slice of toast every morning!   She has also learned very quickly that you don’t mess with cats.   Our cat Cassie, who is shy and reserved, has accepted Saffi but stil  puts her in her place when necessary.

The first holiday we took Saffi on she became a little unsettled but she now loves the adventure of going to new places and different walks, particularly if it means getting in the car first.    We are truly grateful to ESRA for trusting Saffi into our care.  It is so rewarding so see a little dog blossom into the fun-loving, mad dog that we are so proud to call ours.  She is very precious.

Lesley and Mike - North Bedfordshire

William
William is, as you would expect, an absolute joy and a wonderful gift.  He does, of course, now rule the roost with a harem of 4 females – two 4-legged females and two 2-legged females!  We certainly know that we have a male in the house!

Sasha and William bonded immediately but Treacle, our Beardie, was very wary of the new arrival but thankfully William won her heart and now we all live in harmony.

Mum and I can hardly believe it will soon be a year since I first contacted ESRA and our route to William began.  We treasure William and cannot remember life before him!   We hope ESRA is thriving – you can always count on our support.

Caroline and Kathleen - West Yorkshire

Ella
An update on progress with Ella!   So far we have been keeping Ella on the lead when we are out.  She hasn’t seemed inclined to go in the sea yet she is longing to come off the lead and chase Rosie and other dogs.   So, we finally took the plunge and let Ella off her lead! 

We looked around and there were no other dogs to be seen on the fields or on the beach and we felt it was too good an opportunity to miss.  She ran and ran in wide circles around us and then, when Rosie went down the steps onto the beach, Ella followed.  The sea was out and Ella just kept running.  To be quite honest we were quite concerned at that time because she was so far away from us.  However, she came back and when we signalled her to come, she came straight away.  Now she is off the lead every day.  She does love to run and when she comes home she is ready for a good sleep.  She is such a loving little dog and she brings us great joy.

Mary and Ted - Lancashire

Lottie
Here is a short update on “Lovely Lottie Long Legs (LLLL)” who is pictured with her house-mates Kate, Wilb and Flora.

Work with Lottie is a continuing natural process, at the same time giving positive encouragement because she is such a deserving companion.  She is honest and desperate to please.  She appreciates every little thing you do for her.  Lottie’s achievements this week are:-

Walking across a ploughed field, in a straight line without having a path to follow;

Walking calmly through a field of sheep;

Leaving a pheasant when it was only a few feet away;

Walking and staying to heel, on a narrow track, without commands, in spite of woofing dogs, screaming children, some in buggies, a noisy tractor, a speeding car and several horses trotting by;

Going to sleep after a picnic, surrounded by ducks and swans;

Walking calmly past chickens and peacocks;

And… being more adorable than last week.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so proud of a dog’s achievements – she is very special.  Thank you ESRA for placing so much trust in us and for giving us this opportunity to have Lottie in our lives.

Jan and family - Wiltshire