[lassie]

Thanks Marie for pointing out this thread to me......another excuse to rave about Kimmy!! :lol:

Firstly, before I forget, I want to say don't be put off by the scared look on the faces of the dogs at Many Tears and other rescue websites. I used to think you could tell a lot from a photo, but think about it, they have been taken from their home or 'existence' and put into a loud kennel environment, with total strangers, and are having their piccie taken usually on the first day. Please don't write them off by the sad, shy or terrified look on their faces. It's often not the real dog at all. Go and see them.

Kimmy looked scared on her photo and she was. But by the time we visited her in her foster home, she was a waggy soft and happy girl.

She had been a pet at sometime, which is really sad. She sits up and begs on two legs.She rolls over for her tummy to be tickled even form across the room! I don't know how she became a breeding bitch, but she has had quite a few litters according to the vet. One of the characteristics of an ex-breeding bitch is patience. Kimmy lets Rolo maul and goad her endlessly. I used to try to stop it, but now I let them get on with it as I'm sure Kimmy would tell Rolo if she didn't like it!

We visited Kimmy on the Saturday afternoon and stayed over in Chippenham that night. The following morning when we picked her up, the front door opened and out ran Kimmy, flying into the car boot as though she knew she was going home.

She is the sweetest adorable dog you could wish for. She follows Rolo's lead a lot, but is very quick to learn and extremely obedient. She is very greedy (not like a lab, eh? :lol: ) although sometimes lacks confidence, which we are working on. If Rolo finishes her food first, then she'll have a sniff at Kimmy's bowl, but Kimmy will give a warning growl, but wag her tail at the same time :lol:

As for problems.....it's hard to think of any. As Marie says, Maggie was one of the more extreme cases. We were told Kimmy was afraid of 'skinny men'. After a couple of weeks, she overcame this.

The only thing I am wary of is the children approaching her when she's asleep. Once she got a fright when my youngest son went to stroke her, and jumped up and snarled. With their pasts, you don't know what they're dreaming. That was the only incident, and we've had her 5 months now. She's as soft as clarts and like a big teddy bear.

Also, don't be put off by their saggy teats. Kimmy's were long and saggy but with all that charging around with Rolo, she is really fit and in great shape. She has a lovely waist and no more wobbly bits

Don't be afraid to say no if it's the wrong dog for you. It's best all round, especially for the dog as they need to be in a 'forever home'. The chances are when you get there, you'll fall in love. :wink:

Ex-breeding labs are fantastic. They are intelligent, trainable and you will be rewarded so much.

Well I just have to post some piccies here as I think she is really bonny...but I'm biased!!!

Waving her paw...

...sitting beautifully in the beer garden...

...and we took her to the Lake District for a holiday and had some lovely walks...

...all girls together...

...a dip in Rydal Water...

...yes, she did come back!

I'm so proud of Kimmy, I could take her anywhere too. Good luck with your new girl Tam

Lindsey, Rolo & Kimmy XXX

 

[Tammy_]

Holly is on day two.

She has already mastered the steps that she was too afraid of. She will think about it first, but then runs up them, so I give her such a fuss when she gets there, each time is getting easier for her.

Last night she was dry and all day today as well. I am very impressed seeing that she has never lived indoors before.

She met one of my cats full on today, nose to nose sniffing each other, and then walked away.

When we were out on our walk up the moor. She met another lab, and was so good with him. When she was not sniffing the ground, she walks by my side looking at me wanting a fuss, and if I dont, she nudges my hand so to be stoked.

This girl is really so very very happy, her tail has not stopped wagging since she came her.

 

[jazzsmum]

Most of you will know that I adopted Feather in July 2006, from MTR. Very soon after that, I noticed Que and Queen on their website, but didn't dream I would end up with them too. I watched the site, and no-one wanted Que and Queen at all. There was a picture of Que's bum all burned from sitting in her own wee. They were fostered with Rosemary in Somerset, and I rang Rosemary at the beginning of October about something else, and said I knew someone who would love Que and QUeen but that she worked. Rosemary didn't see that as necessarily stopping someone from having them. I told her it was me! She knew how life was working out for Feather as I gave regular updates. So I went down to pick them up, and came home with Snowie too. Snowie had jumped all over Feather, and reacted well to me, surprisingly. So I couldn't leave her behind. We later found out that Feather is Snowie's mum.

They are a wonderful family, learning every day how to be doggies in the lap of luxury. They have developed each day. I never push them, everything has come naturally, or from watching my beloved Jazz, who is very laidback. You have to let them take things at their own pace. Maybe because I have so many of them together, it has been a slow process. But I'm sure they are enjoying life, which is what it is all about.

I feel so strongly that these girls are worth every minute of care I put into them. I would have more if I could. The others above have said so much of what there is to say about these special doggies, I can't just keep repeating it. But they are SO WORTH IT.

 

[_Jayne]

I first saw Suzie on the MTR website in October 2006, she looked so sad and appealing my heart went out to her. At the time I was really not looking for another dog as as had very recently lost my beloved Beauty very suddenly and was still heartbroken. BUT, I could not keep from going back to look at Suzies picture (or Choosy as she was then called).
I only waited a couple of days before I contacted MTR and made an appointment to see her.
She was in a kennel with another ex-breeding lab and would not leave her side, she was a nervous wreck. I went to collect her a week later. Shirley had to carry her to the car and lift her in she just did not want to come with me, it was heartbreaking. She just lay in the back of my car all the way home and I kept talking to her, trying to reassure her. She had a large lump on her chest where she had probably been kicked (how brave is that of a human).
At home she immediatley started to follow Katie around and would not leave her side, even now she hates to be separated from her. She was not house trained but she soon learned from Katie.
I never once tried to make her accept us or push her into doing anything she did not want to, just let her adjust in her own time.
She was under weight and her coat and skin were in a dreadful condition. She had very dry, sore and cracked skin and her coat was very thin and patchy.
I had to bath her in Malaseb 3-4 times a week for about 3 months, she never once complained or grumbled about it.
The look in her eyes as she gradually began to trust me was worth all the time I spent nursing her.
She had a great mistrust of my OH and would not go near strange men. Gradually she has learned to trust and is now a very happy girl.
She is so grateful for every little thign that I do for her and is totally devoted to me.
I had never had a resuce before, always has pups. I can honestly say that getting Suzie was one tof the best things I have ever done. The love I have shown her has been returned ten fold. I would definitely recommend an ex-breeding bitch as an adoptive dog.
Suzie is one of the most loving girls I have had. She has learned how to play with Katie and I am sure one day she might even try a swim, she only paddles at the moment.

 

[mrsm]

Thanks so much ladies for taking the time to tell your goooorgeous girls stories
WTG ladies for doing such an amazing job helping them to be normal happy labbies

 

[jazzsmum]

I have really been thinking about special things I have seen in the time I have had my girls. That is due partly to this thread, and also because of my darling Queen's current health problem.

They are all small things, but make you realise what you are doing for, or giving to, these doggies.

Queen's surgeon says she now weighs 40kg, but was only 37 when I got her, and she is slimmer now. This means she has converted fat to muscle, which is heavier, through exercise. Queen had been kept in a box. She was stiff, and had no stamina. Our kitchen floor is ceramic tiles. A nightmare for Queen who did Bambi impersonations all the time. Now she snoops round the kitchen and remains upright when the others push into her in the stampede for a crumb! A year ago she had learnt to keep out of the way, but now she's joining in without any risk. In recent weeks she has trotted in the fields albeit in short bursts. She could do no more than plod a year ago.

You might remember that Que couldn't stand up properly when she was rescued. She then had to lose half a paw when I first got her. After about 7 weeks she could finally start going out for walks. We started by going out of the gate into the field, then going 50 yards out, then 100 yards out and so on. She now trots round for most of the walk, about 3/4 mile in total. We do it twice a day in the summer, and sometimes twice in the winter. It won't seem much to some people, but it's a whole lot further than when you are a labrador kept in a box, probably in the dark too.

The rescue and fosterer thought Queen might be deaf at first because she didn't respond to being spoken to. That soon changed with gentle soothing talk. She quickly learnt the w-word, and "dinner" here.

Snowie goes to training now, more for socialisation than anything. We were moved up to the second class this week. She's learnt to sit. She is a slow learner bacause she remains so anxious, but it's easier than it was. She knows some of the dogs in the second class who moved up before us. It is much more civilised so I think she'll learn more quickly here.

Their learning to play has been a long time coming, but they are now taking toys off each other, with the occasional game of tuggy. They love soft toys, and Snowie de-squeaks anything that makes a noise. All soft toys end up de-stuffed. As is well documented elsewhere, Que has a penchant for Sky remotes.

Feather would rob shoes given half the chance. She's had several of my daughter's. I had to fling them in the bin, and when Sarah next wants them, she's no idea where she's left them, so Feather gets away with it. I learnt my lesson with Feather and shoes very early on, but Sarah rolls home at all hours, in all states, so has no recollection whether she even had her shoes when she got in. Only Snowie and Feather have an interest in balls, but don't like them being thrown. They like chewing them to little bits.

There are so many small things, which I forget now, but I have been reminded recently of how things were for them when they first arrived, and thought I would like to share them, particularly for this thread.

 

[_Jayne]

I agree with Shirley about the small, seemingly insignificant things that our rescue girls gradually achieve, from going for a walk to learning to play. They are all everyday thing for a 'normal' lab, but great leaps forward for a rescue.
I believe Suzie has was found living in a shed by Shilrey from MTR, and had been badly abused both mentally and physically.
Suzie would not go for a drink until my OH was safely upstairs whenif I was not around, she would then dash into the kitchen take a few gulps of water then scoot back into the lounge. Now she is more than happy to get as drink when she wants one.
She was very unsure about having cuddles, now she literally throws herself at me and half lies across my lap. She is totally devoted to be and the look of love is completley unconditional.

It just goes to show that all these girls want is the chance of a normal life and to be loved and cherished. So, if you have the time and enough love to share, please consider an ex-breeding bitch, they are well worth the time and effort you put into them and will repay you 100 fold, with devotion

 

[mrsm]

It just goes to show that all these girls want is the chance of a normal life and to be loved and cherished. So, if you have the time and enough love to share, please consider an ex-breeding bitch, they are well worth the time and effort you put into them and will repay you 100 fold, with devotion

I'll second what Jayne says please give them achance you won't regret it


Shirley do you know the love and adoration you have for your girls shines through in what you've written ...........had me smiling all the way through

 

[Littlelab]

This is a lovely thread, I wish we could see an end to Puppymills/farms across the world, these dogs are kept in appalling conditions throught their breeding years.

If anyone wants further information on how to help put an end to Puppy Farming, take a look at the informative website

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/hopeuk/

[/url]

 

[_Den_]

I feel Annie ( Andora) is our very first real experience of an ex reeding bitch. She is an adorable Weimarana.

I will admit when many tears asked me to foster her i was a little anxouis as never really dealt with an ex breeding bitch, well that was last week.

When we collected her she was terrified of her own shadow. She wouldn't go in or out of any doors, she would run away from the other dogs and us as well.
She would go out in the garden or left in the lounge and she would just pace in a circle...going round and round and round. She had no idea what love and affection was. Annie was even scared of eating food, she would bow really low and look terrfied, as if she was going to be hit at any time She would wee and poo every where.
Well as i say that was last week,
A week on
She comes for cuddles when called, she is fully house trained, she is happy to go in and out of all doors. Annie is more than happy to eat her food.
Over the last day or so she has even plucked up courage to climb on the sofa with the other dogs.
If she is in the garden or unsettled (if the sofa is full!) she will still pace, but that gets better every day. She is now more than happy to greet visitors with a waggy tail and happy face. She will even greet people on her walk now .
She has started to learn what toys are for, and her favourite game is ripping up paper, and she loves to take the newspaper from out the door.
If Annie can achieve this in a week, i can see her being just a wonderful happy loving dog in a few weeks time.

( Now all i need to do is rehome her :wink: )

I will be more than happy to foster another ex breeder and would reccomend anyone thinking of rehoming a dog that they could not go far wrong with an ex breeding bitch.

Here is Annie or Andora

 

[mrsm]

Didn't realise you had one of the special girls Denise

They are very different aren't they? So great to watch them change almost before your eyes............well done you :wink: :wink: :wink:

 

[lassie]

Thanks Nat, a very interesting link. Very distressing information, it's astounding that these poor dogs ever learn to trust humans again. :evil:

I have often wondered why there were so many ex-breeding bitches coming from Wales. It is shocking that these MAFF grants were made available to farmers without an approved business plan, and follow-up checks.

I do feel that these pointers given on the website should be given more publicity, to make peope more aware of the environment their pup should come from. That way the alarm bells would start ringing and the puppy farms exposed.

What I can't understand is, presuming the government know about these puppy farms, which they must...why aren't they closed down? Surely they are already operating 'underground' as animal cruelty is illegal.

Is there no legislation covering this? :?

Sorry if I'm digressing a bit!

Lindsey, Rolo & Kimmy XXX

 

[Littlelab]

Hi Lindsey

Some interesting questions raised, I think I will start a new thread and we can discuss on there so as not to tkae over this one

 

[mrsm]

Bumping this for peeps to have a read as the topic of ex breeding girls/boys seems to be cropping up alot these days

Edited to add that due to me having my darling Maggie now have the honour of fostering other ex breeding girls who need guidance on how to cope with the big scary world before going off to wonderful forever homes. I never will tire of watching them blossom and learn how wonderful life outside really is ....................it's priceless.

Maggie now helps me with the girls who come to how blooming great is that

 

[WestWalesDogRescue]

Cassie is an ex breeding Cavalier King Charles. She has heart and eye problems - which is why I took her on - yet she still spent around 6 years churning out pups to continue these genetic defects. She had been in foster for a few months so her lovely foster mum had got her through the difficult traumas of getting used to the big outdoors, housetraining etc.

When I went to meet Cassie she happily charged around on the beach with my dogs, and ran up to strangers - but when they bent down to say hello she would freeze. Indoors was a completely different matter - a bit like Jekyl and Hyde - as it is only now (over a year later) that she is happy to wander into the room and even settle down in it when we have visitors.

Her back legs originally were like little matchsticks - and bear in mind she had been out of the prison for a few months, so had already built up some muscle. Now they are "normal" and she charges around with the others.

When we went to visit my brother I automatically dried off the others before we went into his house (mud magnets!) and had completely forgotten how scared she was of towels... she hid at the back of the car shaking. Goodness knows what a towel had been used for. Now she still shies away but more for drama, if she has to have a bath (ie to find the dog under the sand brought back from the beach) I am allowed to wrap her in a towel.

She had a problem with infected anal glands just after she first came, the vet nurse and I were almost in tears because (sorry, graphic info here) when they were squeezed the gunk actually shot across the room and hit the wall - but Cassie just stood there with a look of resignation on her face as if to say "oh no, more messing around with my rear end". One day she was filthy so I ran the shower head over her legs and chest and I was absolutely thrilled when she wriggled! Yes it would have been better if she had kept still and not got water everywhere, but it meant she was confident enough to show she did not like something instead of just putting up with it.

She is now a happy, confident little dog - and I think 99% of it is due to the fact my others are so way-over-the-top confident that some of it has rubbed off onto her. All I did was to be there, talk to her but not try to handle her, and let her take her time.

A couple of weeks ago I took in a lifetime foster dog who had been incredibly abused and was petrified of people and being handled. It has been interesting to see how Cassie has become the one he cuddles up to for reassurance, and I am sure she is bringing some of her "outdoor" devilment indoors at last.

Another note - the breeding bitches are the ones who have the worst part of it but also remember the stud dogs in some of these places have a far from perfect life as well.

 

[True_Blue_Rosemary]

Care (sorry I don't know your name)

I've just read this on your site - it made me cry but sums up beautifully how they must feel, poor little popppets

Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed,
all nicely tucked up in my warm new bed,
I'd like to open my baggage, least I forget,
There is so much to carry and so much to forget.
Hmm….. there it is, right on the top,
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss
and there by my lead hides Fear and Shame,
As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave,
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
but I wasn't good enough for they didn't want me,
Will you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things and send me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage to never repack?
I pray that you do, I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage,
Will you still want me? 

 

[Decca]

That's such a beautiful poem, I'm welling up here thinking of my Jonty. Found by the warden a bag of bones starving and abandoned, kept in the pound for months, re-homed then brought back to the pound after a day and back into his kennel for another month before we found each other.

What did they do to you my perfect boy, why do you assume all food is poison, why are you afraid of the dark, why have you never been on a lead, why do you look so scared when you have let out a bark, why after all that you have been though, are you still such a flawless placid loving angel?

 

[jazzsmum]

I've just re-read this thread, and it makes me cry to think that the abuse of these wonderful animals is still going on, 3 years later. Of course, I've also lost my beautiful girls Queen and Que in 2009. I can laugh at their antics now, and our remote controls are safe again, but I'm sad that they didn't have three years with me. I know it is about quality, not just quantity, and I think that so strongly with Snowie and her current illness.

Feather has been with me 4.5 years now, and Snowie just three months less. Both remain very shy, but equally, both live a happy life with me, Jazz and the irrepressible Peppa.

Thank you for digging this thread out again.

 

[jackie05]

I rescued an Irish retriever last year. She was approximately 6 years, had bean beaten, starved and bred from lots. We have seen a lovely dog emerge over the past months. Housetraining was so easy, and whispa is my constant companion and very eager to please. I would recommend taking on a rescue as it is very rewarding to see the real dog within emerge.

jackie

 

[Bursnell]

I have been speaking to Marie about the adopting of ex-breeding bitches and dogs, and she has informed me that some people are put off them because they are hard work.

So to give them a fair chance within the world of rescue, we thought that it would be a good idea to give you an insight on them from the fosterers and adopters point of view, who have actually had one to one contact with these lovely girls.

IF YOU HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF FOSTERING OR ADOPTING AN EX-BREEDING DOGS, PLEASE ADD YOUR COMMENTS.

This is the best chance to make anyone who is interested to consider adopting one.

We had a wonderful wonderful girl frpm jim joy labradors amy was an Angel in every wzy