FBGS - Success Stories

Thought you would like an update on how Gandy is settling in with me. It has been 3 weeks now and he is an absolute joy. He made himself at home right from the start, sleeping in his bed all through the night. He is clean in the house and very good on the lead.

The only issue I did have was getting him to eat. I have never known a dog who could eat all the meat and leave each kibble licked clean! This was sorted after a little while, with some advice from Mick. I am pleased to say he is now eating two decent meals a day with just a small amount of tinned meat added. He loves Cod Liver Oil !! Yuk ! He really enjoys his chews and as a result his teeth are so good, I don't think he will need a dental.

His personality is starting to emerge and he is very playful and cheeky! If I am not quick enough to dish his dinner up, he steals my slipper, or remote, or blackberry!! When I am putting my boots on, he leans against me and pushes me, as if to say "hurry up mum".

It took nearly 3 weeks for him to brave the stairs, but once he discovered the sofa upstairs (my living room is on the 1st floor), he then decided that was where he wanted to sleep at night! A battle of wills ensued that first night and he went from being frightened of the stairs to being able to run up two flights to my bedroom in the dark!! Needless to say, I won and he accepted defeat gracefully.

He has made such a difference to my life, I didn't realise just how much I had missed having a dog over the last 2 1/2 years. A huge thank you to you all for letting me have this wonderful boy, my first Greyhound. (Click here for more on Gandy).

I am sorry this has taken so long but here are some photos for you of a much larger Milo!! I think you will agree he looks very happy and healthy. He really is such a joy and very affectionate too, he comes to a whistle on walks and sits and puts his paw up for treats, the clever fella.

Please can you forward these photos to all that you know would like to see them.

(Milo is the brother of Radley who is with us looking for a new home. They both came in as puppies in Spring 2011, click here to see how he looked last May).

When he arrived last Wednesday afternoon, he had a really good sniff around the house and garden and then crashed out on his new quilt in the front room. Initially he puffing a bit as it was all new to him, particularly the television and fire but within half an hour, he had dozed off!

Over the past five days, he's really got his feet under the table and met lots of new people with everyone taking a real shine to him! His speciality seems to be sleeping on his back with his feet in the air! On Friday, he spent the whole day with Nicci watching TV whilst I was out. At night, he's brilliant. Sleeps through like a baby.

He goes for a walk twice a day and is getting accustomed to the fact that other people have dogs, which are not always as big as him and might just bark at him but he's no problem.

Other than that, it's a case of "Me And My Shadow" as he tends to follow me all over the place when he's not asleep. At the moment, he's crashed out behind me on a couple of old cushions in my office while I get on with some work.

Hi to all at Fen Bank. Just to let you know Noddy and Queenie are both doing great. Queenie is a real gentle girl who loves to be close to you and needs lots of cuddles. Both dogs love their walks and are fantastic on the leads together. Enclosed are a couple of photos of them both out in the fields on full alert for rabbits!! The other photo shows them practising for the greyhound Olympics synchronised sleeping event!! We also found out through tracing back their racing names that they have the same dad - Dave's Mentor, so we are thrilled to have half brother and sister. Beautiful dogs so pleased to have them (I think they are pleased to have found you too - ed).

Andy came to the Sanctuary in September 2010 along with some other hounds with similar colouring. They got homed, he didn't. And for no reason, he's been a lovely dog to look after - handsome, affectionate and good-natured. Now it's his turn, on Friday 13th January he went to live with Judy, and it looks like he's fallen on his paws. He's now called Gandy, and here he is as captured by Mick on his home-check (apologies, we misheard his mum (twice) and inadvertently renamed him Dandy, then Ghandi. Next time Sue does the dogs' ears she will also do Mick's)!

An update on our two beautiful Girls. We have had Kylie now for ten months and she is a little treasure, very affectionate and playful to the point of trying to knock you over in her enthusiasm, not to mention thumping you with her paw if she thinks you’re not paying sufficient attention.

Two months ago we acquired a second special black and white girl called Hero; she was very quiet at first, just wanted to lie on her bed and didn’t want to eat much. So we just left her to her own devices and it wasn’t long before she started to come for a cuddle. She’s always the first up for a feed, although recently she stays in bed at breakfast time and waits for Kylie to make the first move. You see occasionally we have scrambled eggs or cheese on toast for breakfast (mmm think I'll move in too - ed) and there’s always a little left over for the girls. So we think Kylie has had a word with Hero and said if you hang on a bit there might be something tasty for us. It made us smile the first time it happened, breakfast was called and they both lay there looking at each other. The strategy worked and they had a little cheese sprinkled on their meal.

Betty has quickly become an integral part of our family and has settled in really well. Doing a bit of internet research, we have discovered that the father of our daughter's greyhound (racing name Roman Duke) is Betty's grandfather!

Minnie is becoming a great family pet and as the weather was nice today she spent more time with the children in the garden than following me around...

She has earned herself a space on our landing at night as she seems to enjoy that spot, close to us all, she has also tried her luck on our bed but understands it is a no no.

Here are some photos, actually with the children or on her own as I was the one with the camera.

She's settled in nicely and loves her walks up Gibraltar Point nature reserve. She also likes cuddles, and the sofa, and the floor, and your lap and the chair (which she has now claimed as her own). And her favourite toy is a piggy, which we have now had to take off her as she has took its eyes, arms, feet, and tail off! She also quite likes to help herself out of the fruit bowl.. particularly apples and plums. Jumping in a photo is also her specialty.

Ella is the most peaceful and relaxed (or is that lazy?) dog we could ever have imagined. She took a while to settle down as she didn’t like being left on her own. After a few sleepless nights (and a couple on the sofa) we borrowed a cage for her and she has never looked back. She sleeps on the sofa now, and spends the day ‘entertaining’ 16 month old Jessica and Treacle the cat. She’s a wonderful family pet and we are so glad we didn’t give up on her in the first few days. If you have difficulties borrow a cage – you won’t need it for long and it will be worth it! Thank you Fen Bank.

Just a quick update to let you know Freeda is doing really well. She is so funny and quite a character is appearing. She is a great addition to our family, thank you for allowing her to come and live with us.

Bones and Stan the whippets are fine and Stan being only 2 himself has found an ally!!! The mischief they get up to is so funny and they have a good time playing in the garden and walking together. Bones, the grumpy old man is quite sure he wishes he was younger to be able to join in, he just looks up from his quilt as if to say "those young 'uns eh!!"

Again thank you for the brilliant work you all do, your dedication and caring is obvious from the minute you walk through the door at Fen Bank.

Well as you know I just picked my home (I know you're thinking I was 'Kennel managers choice') well I have a small confession to make - I was just playing hard to get!

So now after all my training I have picked my 'human kids', Jane has renamed me 'Tessie two shoes' she meant I think to put goody two shoes, but not being bigheaded everyone knows how good I am so there was no need to over emphasize how amazing I am!

Max (my new 'other half') - total pushover, laid back and a very handsome black greyhound - total gentleman but boy does he get wind!

But anyway getting back to the kids - I've got them under control, I'm very happy and settled, sent you a couple of photo's (check out the collar Mum - 'diamonds' are a girl's best friend) of me on MY settee, waiting for 'Judge Judy' to come on, love her!

I’m delighted to report Billy has settled in very well at home and Lucky, Duke and Sarah have accepted him as if he’s always been here. He got the housetraining thing sussed in a couple of days, plus the times of his meal, and he’s ahead of the others when it comes to gentle reminders!

He’s finally given up trying to get the dog in the mirror to play with him as he kept getting a sore head, and he’s also now got bored with trying to find the people hiding behind the telly!

He is however, following in the time honoured tradition of greyhounds being accident prone, he ran into the trailer and knocked his shoulder, fell down the steps and scrapped his chest and slipped off the sofa when he was asleep. Luckily, as he was so relaxed when he landed on the floor no harm was done, except to Duke’s nerves as he very nearly provided him with a soft landing! They were both on their feet in double quick time, with rather quizzical looks wondering what had just happened!

And this is only his first week here…! I’ve attached a couple of photos which I hope show how at home he is already.

By the way, we’ve changed his name to Jimmy, in honour of the gentleman who invited us up for a tour of The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight base, and was therefore the reason we met Billy. At the moment he doesn’t answer to either name, but we’re working on it!

Milo is doing really well, he is such a good boy........so far!!!!! He has been doing all his business outside, he didn't cry last night and was so good considering Forest was being a wuss and kept growling at him (but shaking at the same time, he has always been scared of other dogs until he gets to know them!) He is such a baby still, as soft as anything, loves his cuddles and not the full ticket lol, hence the name (after Forest Gump).

Today though by 4.30 they were all playing chase in the garden, first Milo and Jaz then Forest and Milo, I was so so pleased to see it. And right now Jaz and Milo are asleep on a quilt together next to me while I'm writing this (together though, not separate like the photo below). So all in all, so far so good.

I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to adopt Milo and want to assure you (if I may say so myself) he is in a really good home and will be well looked after and we all have fallen head over heals in love with him already!

The dogs together on Milo's first night My son getting kisses from Milo Milo cosy on our bed

It's Lucie here and I am writing to let you know that I have settled in well with Derek, Bev and Nannie. I had a lovely Christmas and I received some squeaky toys and a fluffy dog which we have called Little Lucie as I still do not always answer to my name.

New Year and I was frightened by the fireworks and I slept between the pillows and the headboard of Derek and Bev's bed.

I am still nervous when I go out for a walk - I don't like the noise of the traffic and I don't like it when men walk towards me.

I am also known to be a 'tea leaf'. The other day, when Bev was doing the lunch, she left her egg bun in the kitchen and I sneaked into the living room with half of it in my mouth. It didn't taste too bad.

Here are some pictures of me - I hope you like them. I will come and see you soon, give my love to everyone, especially Teddy (my Kennel Mate) if he is still there.

Lizzie has settled very well with us & Slick Dave our other Greyhound, we have renamed her Royal Lizzie. We had 16 for Christmas dinner but she enjoyed the attention, is excellent with children & my 89 year old mum loves her. Wish we could take in more. Hope you all have a Happy New Year.

It's now Easter, and Royal Lizzie and Slick Dave are enjoying the sun in the garden.

Hi this is Connor who adopted Nellie Nuggat - she is just perfect, she goes everywhere with me, we really love each other. Here are some pictures of her.

Spotsy and Caitlin on a very hot day waiting for the BBQ Phew it's a long way up these stairs to bed, better

to get started. Thanks to Jenny for these two brilliant dogs. have a little sleep here (Caitlin)

Harry came to live with us at the end of May and settled in within minutes of being here, as he lay on the sofa, all four legs in the air. He also has fitted in well with his new brother and sister, Sophie the British bulldog and Bandit the Springer spaniel. The kids all love him and he loves all the attention he gets.

I have been in my new home for nearly a week now and I am getting my feet under the table very nicely thank you. My new people are suckers for a wag and a slobber and I don't mind obliging.

One thing though I said to the girl I live with Jem that as I am big and a boy I think I should be the boss , but she said NO I was here first and you will just have to do as I say.

No respect some girls . I have never met Mr Muffin but I have read his blog and I quite agree with him about girls!!!!!

I get my own back though , when she isn't looking I collect up all the toys and put them on my bed , ok she takes them back when I'm not looking , but we won't mention that.

Well I have to go and have a nap now its very tiring all this typing. Will send some better photos soon.

Just a little update on me, Spud - please find attached a photo of me enjoying the sun and the sofa. Settled in brilliantly, love my family and they love me! Looking forward to lots of fun and outings this summer, can't wait.

Lily is doing absolutely wonderfully, her character has really come out, now that she has been with us for a while. She loves everybody (whether they like it or not), she fetches her coat from the utility when you say it's time for a walk, (getting it away from her to put it on is another matter). Zak's toys are great for a ''tug of war'' between her and Zak. She absolutely loves the car, just as well because we don't go anywhere without them, although she's usually asleep before we get to the end of the drive! Chasing round the garden in circles at 90 miles an hour, with Zak in the centre looking on, (he's given up trying to keep up with her) is another favourite. All in all, I think we can say that both Lily and ourselves are very, very happy with life, we could not imagine life without her, and I'm sure the feeling is mutual. Here is a photo of her favourite sport!

I have been doing a lot of work with Honch and Snowey with my son’s puppies (you may remember I told you we had a Staffie and a Labrador in the family now) and they are coming on really well. Even though the pups don’t live with us it is very nice that they can now come round without fear of being eaten!!!

Snowey is

a little bemused by the Staffie as Dotty is very in your face, but he just gives a little grumble and takes himself off to his bed. Honcho thinks that Dotty was sent for her to chase and scrap with and they both end up exhausted from running around the house and garden!

We haven’t had Bouncer (the Labby) here yet, but we meet up regularly in the woods where they have started to ignore him completely just as they do my mum’s miniature Schnauser.

Snowey is still quite needy in that he needs constant cuddles, but he is becoming more confident by the day - he is such a joy!! Honch has also started to change and is less aloof than she was, in fact she too is now very loving. They are totally inseparable now and follow each other everywhere, true partners in crime and if one of us walks too slow and they lose sight of each other they panic (bless!) They are like an old married couple.

I am so glad we took Snowey to keep Honcho company but I have decided there is no place in the house for a Christmas Tree this year as I am sure it would be trashed when the pups come to visit and everything goes mad! Besides my tree space is now taken up by Greyhound beds. To be honest we are really looking forward to our first Christmas with them… especially as it is the first Christmas since my sons moved out, and we will be on our own with new kids. The best is yet to come!

I have re-homed two greyhounds from Fen Bank. We spent some time letting my existing two elderly greyhounds get accustomed to them so when they came home they settled in happily. This strategy worked really well and Bernice and Seamus were good friends with Tigger and Missy from day one. However Joey was a very different story.....

I had just lost Seamus to bone cancer after only a few months with me, when Jenny rang to say that they had a dog who had returned twice to the kennels and was very unhappy and could I help. I couldn't say no! Well Joey came over and stayed. The first time he was left while I was out for a couple of hours he managed to open a sliding door and had a fight with my old dog Tigger. Tigger came off worse but fortunately only had minor injuries. Joey was very confused and unsure of his position in the group, but he craved love and attention. He did not know about indoors and outdoors which as you can imagine caused problems - he puddled everywhere and sprayed almost every piece of furniture. He was then found to have a problem with his back and one back leg which which must have caused a lot of distress. In conjunction with Sandra I tried everything to stop the weeing, we then thought of a cage for him whenever he was left alone. This was an amazing success; whenever he was let out when I got home he went straight into the garden and the cage became his space and he felt secure. In fact he sleeps in it most days and no accidents since !!!!

As I said before, the first time I left Joey he opened my patio doors; he now knows the shoes I wear when I go out and if he wants me to hurry up he will bring them to me. If he can't find those he will bring me his lead. He has a wonderful personality and loves being with me, he tells me when he wants to go into the garden, needs more water and also brings his bowl for his dinner. Doors are generally no problem and he can let himself out of almost anywhere. He is very intelligent and loves playing. There are always going to be situations where we will have to be careful as he really does not like children or small furry animals. These things have unfortunately been learnt from his past conditioning.

Joey is now a part of my family and is great friends with Bernice. Tigger can't really compete as he is nearly 12 and just watches him as if to say 'stupid boy', but Joey is now settled and so happy. I did wonder if I could cope with him but all I can say is persevere - your efforts will be rewarded a hundred times over.

Here are some photos of Girlie, she came to us in April and has settled really well with our blind yorkie Sophie. She likes nothing better than running in the fields or on the beach.

Our thanks to all at Fen Bank especially Jenny who guided us to this wonderful dog, she has completed our lives.

A lady rang the Sanctuary in great distress because her husband had left her and she was now working full time, and as a result her beloved dogs were being left for long periods of time. We promised to help and subsequently received a very long letter with every possible detail about the dogs which were clearly very loved indeed. Subsequently we took the dogs in and promised to try and home them together. After several weeks a home offer was made by a long term supporter of Fen Bank who had just lost her elderly boy and wanted a staid older dog - it was love at first sight and Larkey went home and became Malarky and shortly afterwards Girlie too, was fallen in love with and fell in love with her new family too. The previous owner has kept in touch with both sets of owners - so now five people and two dogs are ecstatically happy - just as it should be, for all the lovely greyhounds who pass through Fen Bank!

Darcie is absolutely fantastic! She came in and had a good sniff around the house and garden. We introduced her to her new beds and has quickly decided that her favourite place to lay is in the children's play room - with and without children inside.

We took her for a walk after a couple of hours because she seemed to be wanting to have some fun, she had a good look about, saw some rabbits in the field but seemed vaguely interested, no interest in chasing them, any yappy dogs she saw she just turned the other way. She came back and we gave her a bath, which she tolerated very well.

She was relaxed when the children came home from school, she had all her tea of complete food and sardines and was content to laze about all evening. She slept all night without a whimper and seemed to enjoy her 6am walk. Since then she has had breakfast and is now lazing on her bed in the play room. We are amazed and delighted that she seems so content at such an early stage.

A few days later, and Darcie continues to settle in well, and we are starting to see a lot more playfulness! She is such a beautiful, kind dog who has captured our hearts completely. She is equally at home with our parents, who were with us last week. For Rebecca and I there is a feeling of great contentment, and for the boys she is like a sister. They love nothing more than sitting in front of the TV watching cartoons, each with one hand stroking her.

She has started to shed some hair, probably because of the central heating effect, but is eating splendidly. We have discovered that while she likes some grated cheese on her food, she LOVES Brie! Such expensive tastes!! She walks really well on the lead but we haven't taken her off the lead and won't do for quite a while yet.

Saturday 13th June 2009

Rusty's first full day at Fen Bank

Sunday 13th September 2009

Rusty wins Waggiest Tail and Best Fun Dog at Fen Bank Dog Show

Rusty had been found dying on waste ground in Grimsby. Read more about his amazing recovery. WARNING! Graphic images.