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Racergirl

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Apologies if this has been done before - I have searched, promise !!!!

Im going to Battersea on sunday to meet a dog from the website - I filled in their online form at the beginning of the week, and yesterday they rang me to finish the form and they mentioned that they had a dog in who was the same breed as my very first dog, he wasnt doing very well in their kennels and would I be interested in him....

so anyway (back on topic!) Im going there Sunday to meet him, and do everything else - has anyone had a dog from them and can tell me what to expect? Im kind of presuming it will be a bit like an interview, then I will meet him (if they think he and us will be suitable) then they will meet my dog.... is that right??

thankyou in advance !! :D
 
Sorry never been to Battersea, but have had dogs from other rescue's. I found that there is usually the discussion about dog/needs of a dog who has been through difficult time/ what I can offer, then meet the dog and take for a walk round the grounds to help decide.

I am sure it will go well, if you had dogs before then you know what is involved in caring for a dog and this will be an advantage for you.

Do let us know how it goes, hope you enjoy your visit.
 
Thanks Adopter - Im hoping it will go like my home check and everything from Margaret Green (rescue centre down my way) where it was all really good and positive and went brilliantly...

Having had a few places turn me down because the dogs come to work with me though, Ive lost a bit of confidence in myself !! (even though I explained it all on the form and again on the phone today and they both said it sounds way more fun than staying at home!!!)

will let you know how it goes - hes gorgeous, and while I hadnt thought of going back to one of those (hes a Huntaway) Im actually really quite excited at the thought of having another one now I know more what Im doing !!! :)
 
Oh a huntaway, how lovely. I hope it goes well. From what I have heard Battersea are very sensible in their criteria and as long as you, your family and your other dogs all get on well you are up and racing.
 
Thankyou :)

His form with his picture could have been written to get me to answer the advert, Im sure it wasnt done on purpose, but it may as well say "Trudi, come and get him" !!!!!!

actually looking forward to getting back to some more energetic stuff as well, agility and obedience with the two (though the Retriever wont appreciate the agility I dont doubt at all !!)
 
Fingers crossed it goes well, some rescue's do seem very short sighted in their criteria, most responsible owners make arrangements for their animals and work.

It amazes me when you think how miserable some are in kennels, that they turn down what would be good homes because people work.

How nice to be able to take dogs with you to work, I was lucky my Mum used to come up and fetch ponies/horse in for me and let dogs out for years!

I did think Battersea came across well in the TV programme, so will wait to hear of your visit with interest.
 
Expect an in depth friendly interview. The place is huge and there are paw prints on the ground in different colour to follow, according to what you're there for! You'll be able to take the dog for a walk in the grounds, in to a secure area where you can interact with the dog off lead. You have to be honest, as I'm sure you would be, if you have any concerns or doubts. If you can take any references with you, say from your vet, I'm sure it would help. You're already halfway there, as you've seen a dog that interests you and you're making the effort to go there and meet him. I gather it can seem like a dating agency there, matching prospective owners to available animals! Good luck. It can be noisy there with trains going overhead...
 
Lol, I reckon any kind of animal hunting is like an episode of blind date.... They asked me about him when they rang to finalise my application - so the matchmaking had already started I think, they are keen to find him a home because he's not settling in the kennels at all - they have to have him in the office all day with them and just kennel him at night.
Fingers crossed it will all go well - as the girl on the phone yesterday said - if it doesn't work for him, there are plenty there to look at....
 
Do you have an actual time? Or that you need to go along and will be seen....I went before and did sit around for over 3 hours before I was seen so wish I had double checked about timings etc. would also ask what else you can bring to help the process and are you taking your dogs up first time as well?
 
Apologies - it was late when we got home last night and I was knackered !!

We didnt have a time as such - in my telephone interview, they said to just go (between 10.30 and 4) to reception and say that I had Loki on hold and they would be with me as soon as someone was free. I didnt have to wait long at all - only about 10 mins, but there were only a few people about (I got there at about 12) We met Loki, took him and my dog down to the pens where they ran about (well, he ran about and bounced my dog and she pretended he didnt exist) and just had a general chat about him and her and what sort of relationship we thought there was going to be - he sadly was far too much for Maisie,I dont think he would have been suitable at all (especially when he started to try and hump her - theres a certain amount of ignoring she can do, but that really frightened her)
We went back in and the girl (I wish I could remember her name - tall blonde girl, she was lovely !!) went off to see if there was anything on the system that might be suitable - and came back with two - the first one, Olive, is currently attempting to persuade my dog that she loves being a cushion....
We were allowed to bring her straight home, she said they usually only do home checks if the people are first time dog owners or are concerned about something, but having spent the afternoon (we were there till half four) with us, she was more than happy to add her yes to how happy the telephone interview lady was with us (hurrah!)
Shes really sweet - shes a stray that they had brought in a little while ago.they think shes between 1-2 though shes quite mouthy, so Id have thought she was the younger end of that - and shes terrified of a lot of things,so they were keen for her to go to a home with another older,more steady dog. Maisie so far has been sat on, kissed lots, had her legs chewed and has put up with it all with a roll of her eyes and the occasional run to us for saving - what Id like her to do is put Olive in her place, I think it will only need to be done once, but Maisie is almost TOO tolerant !!)

So in short - I cant say anything but good about my Battersea experience - everyone we spoke to were lovely, the dogs all looked as good as you could hope for, and so far, its all going swimmingly.... :D
 
Thanks for posting, I have been wondering how you got on, sound a great experience and a lovely new dog as well.

Does sound as if the dog is younger than you have been told, and your Masie sound so good.

Can we see a picture:)
 
Thanks so much Racer girl for taking the time and trouble to keep us informed. It sounds a very positive experience all round. Sad for Loki, but I'm sure there will be someone out there for him soon.
Maisie will soon love having a younger companion I'm sure. Good luck and when you get a chance, it would be lovely to see a photo of Olive and Maisie please!!
 
No pics of them together yet - Olive is a bit too wiggly and doesnt keep still for long !!

this is Maisie though
maisystick_zpsbc7bca39.jpg


and this is Olive
olive004_zps5c8dc5f2.jpg
 
Ah lovely! I was at Battersea on Friday getting my new dog (Zack) and saw Olive - she is beautiful and had lots of people cooing around her! So pleased she has found a home!
 
Yes superhot - she was made totally the wrong colour !! I do have her clipped though and other than people getting her confused with a labrador, it works well - she loves getting filthy and it mostly dries and drops off really fast, so we are both happy !!

Olive is a collie x lab they think. :)
 
A lovely story and a happy ending. I want to go to Battersea for my next dog but do worry I would find it too distressing. I can still remember the dogs I saw at the pound in Australia when I got my first rescue and it still makes me cry...and that was 20 odd years ago.
 
Clodagh said:
A lovely story and a happy ending. I want to go to Battersea for my next dog but do worry I would find it too distressing. I can still remember the dogs I saw at the pound in Australia when I got my first rescue and it still makes me cry...and that was 20 odd years ago.
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Just remember that when you take a dog out of rescue, you have freed up a place for another dog who could have been PTS. There is a lovely quote I saw recently which said "I can't save all the dogs in the world but to the rescue dog I do save, I am their world"
 
Luci07 said:
Just remember that when you take a dog out of rescue, you have freed up a place for another dog who could have been PTS. There is a lovely quote I saw recently which said "I can't save all the dogs in the world but to the rescue dog I do save, I am their world"
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What a thought provoking saying, and very true. Another time for the 'Like' button:)
 
Luci07 said:
Just remember that when you take a dog out of rescue, you have freed up a place for another dog who could have been PTS. There is a lovely quote I saw recently which said "I can't save all the dogs in the world but to the rescue dog I do save, I am their world"
Click to expand...

What a fab quote - and completely right, to my little rescue JRT I am her safe harbour
 
Olive looks just like my grooms dog and she's a lab/ border collie I hope you have a long and happy time together .
I am glad battersea sound so sensible unlike the rescue who turned down my SIL experianced has another dog ,secure garden because she works one hour every lunch time !
 
Jees...some of these rescue centre policys need updating if their animals are ever going to get to live in the real world! Glad to hear battersea have a sensible approach.
 
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