| Choosing a rescue dog can be a difficult choice -all of | | | | Another consideration when deciding which rescue |
| our Spanish strays are so grateful and lovable, and | | | | dog to choose is whether you have time to spend |
| make such wonderful pets, I wonder why anybody | | | | grooming a long coat. If not stick to a dog with short |
| would ever want to buy from a breeder. | | | | hair as long coats need regular attention to keep |
| If you have made up your mind to take one of our | | | | them healthy. |
| strays, or indeed, any other rescued dog, do think | | | | Dog or Bitch? I personally really don't have a |
| very carefully about which kind of dog would suit | | | | preference. |
| your particular lifestyle. The last thing an unwanted | | | | All our dogs are neutered before arriving in England |
| dog needs is to find a loving home only to discover | | | | for rehoming, and they all have distinct personalities. |
| that after a short while he is unloved again and | | | | If you already have one dog it is usually best to |
| considered a nuisance. | | | | choose a second one of the opposite sex, to avoid |
| If you are at home a good deal of the time and are | | | | competion as to who is going to be "top dog". |
| active, there is no reason not to enjoy long walks | | | | If your reason for taking on a rescued dog is to |
| with a larger active dog providing you have the | | | | provide your existing dog with a friend, please be |
| space to accommodate him. | | | | sure that you have the patience and ability to |
| Many large dogs such as greyhounds or big heavy | | | | persevere in the event that the first dog does not |
| dogs do not need as much exercise as smaller highly | | | | like or accept his new friend. |
| strung dogs- and greyhounds in particular usually | | | | A couple of dogs have been returned to me for this |
| make docile pets. | | | | reason, not through any fault of their own, just |
| If you work part-time (you really should not consider | | | | because the owners had not thought it through first, |
| taking a dog if there is nobody at home all day) a | | | | and all it achieve was to make an insecure little dog |
| smaller less active dog would not require such lengthy | | | | even more insecure. |
| walks although many small dogs are highly active. You | | | | Young or Old? Lastly do consider an "oldie" if you can. |
| should ask advice to the dog's particular needs from | | | | They are usually wonderful pets and great |
| the refuge where the dog has been looked after. | | | | characters. It is so sad that they are forgotten |
| Don't expect miracles when your dog first arrives. He | | | | especially whenif like our Spanish strays they have |
| will be very confused especially if he is one of our | | | | been confined to a refuge for years. Some say they |
| Spanish dogs who may well have spent years in the | | | | are institutionalised and will not settle but this simply is |
| refuge or tied up somewhere. | | | | not true. I have rehomed several (whom were |
| With quiet love and understanding he will settle. Just | | | | thought to be quite ancient) but am pleased to say |
| give him his own time and space to adjust. So many | | | | they are still going strong after five or six years! |
| people want to make a big fuss of the dog when he | | | | Whichever dog you decide on make sure you have |
| arrives, inviting friends and family to meet him - but | | | | given the matter some careful thought. |
| there will be plenty of time in the future for this. | | | | Think carefully before taking him Do not expect too |
| Leave him be, just speaking in a friendly tone to him | | | | much from him at first Give him lots of love and you |
| as you go about the house. The less fuss you make- | | | | will receive lots in return! |
| so will he. | | | | |