Category Archives: Success Stories

Success Stories

Harry

“Hey everyone, Harry here, I remember being collected a year ago by my now mum and dad and taken to my new home. I was very nervous and a bit confused about what was happening but was super excited to see my new home and had great fun racing around, scouring surfaces for food and jumping on furniture. I don’t think mum and dad thought it was much fun though as I was a bit hyperactive, but I’m much better behaved now and wait to be asked up for a cuddle on the sofa these days, which is a nightly treat and my favourite thing to do at the end of the day.

I used to be very frightened of everyone and would bark a lot and was very scared of other dogs. But mum and dad were very patient with me and I’ve come to realise that humans are my friends and I can’t wait to greet every visitor, zooming off to get a present for them, usually my favourite toy! I was also very timid around other dogs and still am a bit, but I’ve got some great doggy friends now and I’ve learnt to play. I also go on a 3hr playdate once a week, where I get to meet and play with lots of other dogs and its really helped my confidence.

I’m also seeing Anna, the trainer, to help me to learn not to pull on the lead as I’m very strong. It’s a slow process and I’m not there yet, but I love the tasty meat treats I get whilst training!!

I’m living my best life with mum and dad who love me very much and I now have lots of doggy and human friends and go on lots of walks, which usually involve chasing balls and a swim as I love the water!”.

Mum and Dad want me to pass on their thanks to NWESSR for giving them the opportunity to have the lovely me join them, they say I make them laugh every day.
Success Stories

Sam

Sam – One year on

“The word that first comes to mind when thinking of our Sam is “pride”. As a family, we are so proud of how far Sam has come over the past year, firmly cementing himself as an integral member of our family. We couldn’t imagine life without him now.

It is true that Springers offer you unconditional love, if you are fortunate enough to receive it; and we have had to earn that trust and affection from Sam. When he first arrived, it was clear that the change was stressful for our boy: he was sad, confused, and sometimes a little angry.

A phrase that we often remark, when Sam shows affection and character and the right amount of cheek, is “we wouldn’t have seen that a year ago”. The progress has been steady, respecting Sam’s boundaries – it would arrive in time, with his permission.

Now, Sam adores cuddles with all of us, very rarely leaving our side. He is generous with his kisses and hugs, moving from each member of his forever family for different shows of love.

He always wants to be with us, fondly becoming our shadow around the house. Whether it is taking up all of the room in his bed with Mummy and Daddy, or leaning back for belly rubs on the sofa, or sleeping soundly under the desk whilst Mummy works from home, Sam is our constant companion, always putting smiles on our faces.

His love for his family is matched by his love for water and mud! Like all Springers, he leaps with joy at the thought of a walk in his favourite nature reserves, along the canal and on the fields. It is a place where he can run free, enjoy all of the exotic smells, meet a few four-legged friends (he’s still not sure about some of the canines) and dive paws first into the streams, rivers and puddles.

We did not rescue Sam from NWESSR; he rescued us.

He has paid back his welcome into our family a thousand-fold with love and affection, quickly becoming a cheeky, funny, and adoring character. It has been a privilege to see Sam flourish in his forever home, and we cannot wait to add more memories with our boy.”
Letters, Success Stories

Brock turned 16 in January!

This is his story:

“We came to you 14 years ago today and our little boy was watching us from his kennel and we just knew he was coming home with us. He was such a nervous little dog and had never lived inside a home. After a lot of patience from all sides he is a little sweetheart and we just love him.”

That’s truly warmed our hearts 💕
Letters, Success Stories

Cassie

Just thought I’d say hi. Cassie turned 4 last week. As you know we adopted her at 18 months old. She is just the most amazing girl. 100% recall, super clever but most importantly the most loving kind dog. She loves her step brother Paddy, but does pinch his favourite toy now and again. Loves the beach and the river.
We can’t thank you enough for letting us have this most adorable girl.
She is very loved.
Letters, Success Stories

Ben

Just a quick update on Ben. I adopted him 12 months ago from NWESSR as a young 6 month year old. I know he was very much loved by his first owner.
He’s still a baby at 18 months old and loves his daily walks with his older Springer brother Rigby. They get along really well and enjoy playing together. Ben really likes to paddle in the river and always has a tennis ball in his mouth whilst on a walk. In the evening his favourite spot is lying next to me on the settee.
Letters, Success Stories

Minnie

It’s a year today since we adopted Minnie, our little ray of sunshine.
She is a lovely little girl, full of life and happiness. She was a little nervous when we first had her but is much more confident now and takes everything in her stride. Her passion is water and balls, so basically just a Springer and loves to run around sniffing and exploring.

Thank you for letting us adopt our beautiful girl.

Letters, News, Success Stories

Milo and Nutmeg

A message from one of our lovely families ……

“10 years ago on 1st August we drove to Wendy’s farm to meet, adopt and bring home our 14 month old boy Milo. We know his previous home really loved him but felt unable to meet his needs due to the demands of family life. Like for many considering surrendering a dog, this must have been a heart-wrenching decision made through love and respect for Milo and his breed and needs. We hope that his story will offer comfort and reassurance to them and anyone who has, or is thinking of, surrendering a springer spaniel to NWESSR.

We have had the most amazing journey with Milo so far and he’s been the centre of our lives throughout his time with us. He is the softest, kindest most loyal boy but also knows what he wants and we respect that, he communicates with us through looks, body language and little (very entertaining) vocalisations. I often refer to him as “the one who knows me best” and I would say that I am also “the one who knows him best”. We connect and have a mutual understanding in a way that cannot be put into words.

Milo, we love you unconditionally and you are as much a part of our family and hearts as we consider each other”

Photo of Milo (right) with his sister Nutmeg

 

Letters, Success Stories

Blaze

Dear Springer Rescue

Thank you for finding me my new forever home, I like it very much and have settled in.

I have a new brother Sam, he tells me that he was part of the Springer Rescue family 13 years ago when he came to this forever home and has loved it here.  We go for lead walks together, but he can’t manage the long walks as he is now 14 years old, so I have to do those on my own.

I have discovered two lovely walks on my own.  One is a large field with a railway line to one side and strange things fly by on it, but they are far too fast for me to chase after so I have learnt to ignore them for now!  The other walk is a 5 acre park with lots of trees, a pond and mud puddles so I can have mud baths and keep my skin soft and smooth.  I’m sure my new family don’t mind because they have a plaque near my bed that says I’m a mud magnet, among other things.

I’m training my new family.  They now know that they don’t need to pull on my lead when we are out for a lead walk.  When I’m let off the lead at the Park I love the fact that they have a whistle, which is great because they blow it when they get lost and it helps me to find them.  When I first arrived, I couldn’t get them to understand me, it must be the difference between the Lancashire and Yorkshire accents.  Now that we do understand each other I don’t have to bark as much and the house is much quieter.  Outside though, when I’m on my lead, I feel that I still have to tell other dogs that my new family are nervous about meeting other dogs, so I bark a lot with a high pitched bark.  Hopefully one day we will get things sorted.

I went to church with my new family, on the first Sunday, as they don’t feel confident at leaving me on my own – they must have some sort of separation anxiety.  It was fine until I decided I was bored and somebody else was as they came to talk to me in the aisle.  We had a conversation which had to be cut short when my new dad must have decided he was bored too, so we went for a walk in the park – when we got back to the church, it was treat time so I didn’t miss out on a drink and some dog biscuits.

I’ve struggled with the size of the keys on my new family’s lap-top so I have had to dictate this letter to you so that they could type it up.  Hopefully they will either buy me a computer with larger keys or will type up another letter when I can find time to dictate another one.

Lots of licks and barks
Blaze

Letters, Success Stories

Basil

Basil has just had his first Gotcha Day, what a delight he is . From a somewhat anxious dog in the beginning, he is flourishing & enjoying every life opportunity we have given him, even travelling is less traumatic for him. We took him to Mull in late August & Skinningrove on the N.E Yorkshire coast in September. He just loved the beach, the sea, the freedom. Thank you NWSSR for our new boy.