 Choosing
the little rascal………
Having not originally been a fan of Staffies (what you mean those
snuffly things that are like little pigs, or the fighting dogs?
was not an uncommon reaction?), I had never considered them for
me, as the top of my dog breed wish list. However after being introduced
to our cousin’s dog, how could anyone not love these little
beasts?
We dog sat for Leon, he is a red staffie, - I was in love, the little
pig-like grunts as he tried to squeeze his way on to the sofa, the
sloppy kisses first thing in the morning and the constant need for
cuddles, smitten!!
So after scanning the yellow papers/ adverts for puppies, we finally
decided that we would rather adopt a dog in need of a home rather
than take on a puppy. My main concern was to get a good character,
I wanted to know the history of the dog, and be aware of what he
liked/disliked, which is why I contacted Tracie at the Edinburgh
rescue, having been given her name by my local vet. We arranged
the home visit, and 2 weeks later was the proud new owner of a 2
yr old rascal called Bruno.
Bruno basically does not like anything with fur or feathers that
move!! His previous owner could not cope with him outside, as he
has no self-control when it comes to other animals. Tracie advised
that she did not think it was something that could not be overcome,
so we decided to take him on and see how we got on. The first walk
was a trial by fire – we met 4 dogs within the first 10 minutes
walking and you would think that I had the devil on the other end
of the lead. Bruno seems to be under the impression that anything
with fur or feathers is going to have a go at him so thinks he will
pre-empt them by going first. The worst thing is that the other
dog owners are looking at you as if you are a bad owner and that
you have bred your dog to go for other dogs. It also doesn’t
help that I am five foot nothing and he can nearly pull me off my
feet!!
However he has settled down and after a visit with the behaviourist,
we have a program of things to do with him to enable us to have
better control of him. And the good news is after only 2 weeks we
can now get him walking at a distance of about 10 feet of another
dog without going mental!!! Only another 10 feet to go!
Inside the house, Bruno is a different dog; he likes nothing more
than a good chew toy and the sofa (to lie on not chew!!) So far
he has chewed apart a rope tug toy, which he has shredded so much
that he carries it around my house leaving bits of slobbery thread
all over the place, I find it everywhere!
I work from home so Bruno can be found lying on the floor of my
office with his feet in the air, on a daily basis. When he isn’t
doing that he is battering me on the knees under the desk with his
tug-toy wanting to play. He loves cheese, choc drops and toast and
will beg mercilessly until you give him your crusts (ruined him
I know!!). He is also a scavenger who believes in eating things
off the pavement as we walk along. It tends to go down so fast most
of the time I don’t even see what it was!
All in all a rescue dog is hard work, it takes time to adjust to
new surroundings, and you have to make allowances for them peeing
on your floor, slobbering over everything in an attempt to mark
his territory and the general trying to jump all over you and yet
paying no attention whatsoever to your commands, but after you have
had all that – what can be more rewarding than knowing that
if you hadn’t made that call – you wouldn’t have
this wee squeaking, slobbering, chewing, peeing, monster that you
have totally fallen in love with ?
So I have nothing but good things to say about rescuing a staffie
– they are the best dog you will ever have!!!
Tracie and the gang keep up the good work!!
Dani & Phil Dinwoodie, and the new baby
- Bruno the dog
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