meet some of our rehomed pawpers

Mikey


-mikey'S STORY-

We are 13 months into our journey with Mikey (was Noel). Things happened swiftly after we'd fallen in love with 'the one' on the Pawpers Rescue page. The team has continued to support us right from the adoption, through to this day.

The first week after arrival was a gentle intro to our household, with the garden, kitchen and crate as a base, before meeting our resident husky boy, Sully. I stayed close to him for the first few days while he adjusted, just talking to him and hand feeding. He was fairly confident and craved affection, nudging and sleeping on me when he could. The very first night he snored in a deep sleep on my lap, it was so reassuring for us both. He quickly started to guard his 'safe' space in the kitchen though, along with food and toys so we worked on spatial changes, removing any obvious triggers and setting up the environment ready to work on the boys' relationship. 

We followed the adopter guidance notes to the letter - Mikey & Sully initially met on neutral ground and we then restricted their interaction to just minutes at a time for a few days as they were both stressed and confused being in the same space. Outside, we started to understand his fears; traffic and loud noise, bin bags, white vans, travelling in a car - all areas we've overcome now. 

Mikey proved very dominant over Sully, often barging him out of the way or growling when coming into a room. It took nearly 3 months of work on how to share and being a constant moderator before I could take my eye off them when together. By 6 months they had bonded, totally inseparable now and people often ask if they're brothers as they've grown so alike. 

I understand now how rescuing a dog is an unknown quantity - there's simply no guarantees on anything about their initial needs and personality, and they require an indefinite amount of time, resolve and repetition. At first it was tiring and stressful, there were accidents and incidents. But the weeks go by and you see change when routines and training start to work. You feel their new understanding and you both start to relax and trust each other, then the rewards come. 

Now we just love him in the most ridiculous way for everything he has become - a sofa hugger, helicopter-tailed tank of a dog, master of drool and all round cuddle monster. He's a social guy too, loves a crowd because it means tickles and attention. He also enjoys his daily therapy sessions on our bed, where we look at each other - I talk, he listens..

Someone, somewhere abandoned him. Pawpers in the Ruff team brought him home to us.

Jessie

-jessie's Story-

Two years ago purely by chance, we spotted a picture of a dog on Facebook. Part of the 'spay and neuter' campaign of PITR and in 24 hours, she was due to be returned to the notorious tip.
But it was love at first sight, and we quickly contacted Pawpers and completed the adoption documentation. 
We were in the process of converting a barn, so the home check comprised of a video of what was then, still a building site, and describing what this new home would look like.
We were successful in our application, and our Pawpers dog duly made the trip from Macedonia, to the Rex Pet Hotel, near Nottingham. 
We already had a (then) ten year old Cocker Spaniel, who we left with friends, whilst we moved into our now completed barn. A day later, we collected our Pawpers dog.
We decided to give our new rescue a couple of days in her new home, before introducing Dexter the Spaniel. Our new addition was nervous, underweight, and generally in poor condition, as you would expect of a dog that had been left on a tip to die.
Introductions went well, and Dexter Spaniel seemed to assume, this new dog came with the new home. Now they adore each other. The first few weeks we kept visitors away, giving our rescue lots of time and space to 'decompress'. She watched Dexter Spaniel and was guided by his actions. Slowly, day by day, week, by week, she began to unwind, like an over coiled spring. 
Yes, we had accidents, our beautiful new carpets were 'christened' on a number of occasions. But it didn't matter, as I'd bought a portable wet carpet cleaner that made those little mistakes vanish.
Slowly, watching what Dexter Spaniel was doing,  she started 'asking' to go outside for a wee or a poo. Slowly those disturbed nights got less and less. It took three months for her to properly settle and another three months for her to really come out of her shell.
Two years down the line, she's an absolute joy. She's travelled all over the UK and spent four months in southern Spain with us. Each day, is the best day of her life. We love her like a member of our family. Her appearance has transformed with a good diet, exercise and being buried in love.
She's the best thing we ever did. I give you the beautiful Miss Jessie ❤

GOOSE

-Goose's Story-

We followed Pawpers In The Ruff as a charity for a while and always admired the work they do.  We never thought we would rescue a dog as always imagined we would simply choose a suitable breed for the family and get a puppy.  That was until Mercy flashed up on Instagram and we just knew that she was our dog. We tried not to get ahead of ourselves and keep our nerve while we got in touch.  We went though the checks, asked any questions we had and then got really excited about welcoming our dog.  The worst bit about the entire process was the wait. 

She left Macedonia and we were kept in the loop the whole way. She arrived with us via an incredible transport service organised by Pawpers, we welcomed her and let her sleep.  She slept so much in the first few days but was always gentle and kind with small tail wags to let us know she was ok but unsure.  The help we were given from Pawpers about how to welcome, settle and give her a safe place was an enormous help and we believe one of the main reasons she settled and felt secure so quickly. 

We have now had her a week and can honestly say she is the best dog we have ever owned.  She’s relaxed, easy going and has the most wonderful personality.  She’s had one accident (under the Christmas Tree - why else would you have a tree inside?!), but that was our fault for missing her telling us she needed to go out.  She sleeps all night and is always excited to greet us in the morning.  She walks beautifully on the lead and is so friendly and calm with other dogs.  We get stopped and asked what breed she is and look forward to doing a DNA test to find out.

Pawpers have been amazing since the first contact and still continue to be.  We have small Children (5&7) so a dog that’s not phased by being fussed over was top of the list. Goose (as she is now known) is still very new to us but we know Pawpers will be on hand to help at anytime - they really do care… not just about Goose but about all their dogs. 

We would absolutely recommend Pawpers and starting your own rescue journey - it’s been an unbelievable experience and one we are so thankful for. 

The Hunt Family x 

LUNA

-Luna's Story-

We welcomed Luna into our lives December 2021. We joke and call her our real life Marley & Me dog, she has certainly made our lives more colourful, that's for sure! 

It's been a journey and although I'd recommend adoption to anyone I would also say please be sure you're 1000% committed to everything adopting a dog entails. It isn't just giving a dog a home, it's about creating a safe space for them. It's hours of training, not just for yourselves but for the dogs wellbeing and happiness.. It's about patience! Luna was and sometimes still is more work than we had imagined BUT we knew from the start we were committed to her and we would do everything we could to help her. We've put so many hours into training, we've found a new level of patience (yes, even after 2 children) and we've learnt so much ourselves. 

Luna is so loving, she's silly, she adores the children and her small big brother Austin. One of the many reason for wanting to adopt was for Austin to have a companion. It hasn't quite worked out the way we'd pictured but we've come a long way in a year. Austin is a pug and 7 years her senior, Luna was 20kg when she joined our family and she really did not know how to play with a smaller dog, she still forgets sometimes that he's smaller and we have to remind her. She adores him, she just wants to love his grumpy little self. They do play, after lots of training and separating. It's taken months of patience and trust but it's worth it when we watch them playing and she dives on the floor pretending he's taken her down. I look back now and the difference already is amazing!

The team at Pawpers are incredible! They're so caring, putting the dogs needs at the very top of the list. As well as being fabulous human beings they're also efficient and thorough in the application process and home check while also making it easy and convenient. They keep in touch, you never feel alone in it all. The team are actual saints for everything they do for the dogs and the rescue! 

Someone once said to me an adopted dog just hits different, they love differently and until we adopted I didn't get it, I do now! These beautiful dogs have been through so much in Macedonia and they really do appreciate everything, they just want to be loved! 

Lian & Sean

Mila

-Mila's Story-

I rescued Mila in November 2022, and without a doubt, it is one of the best decisions I could have made. I've wanted to adopt a dog for many years. Having ADHD and this beautiful doggo means I get much needed routine and structure placed on me, and it helps me keep everything in check. She improves my life in so many ways.  

Mila is the sweetest, most adoring pup I think I've ever met. We live in a village, and she LOVES all the walks we do. She's adored by villagers, the bakery staff, baristas, the local butcher, and everyone she meets. After our local walks, she insists that we go to the coffee house where she gets all the fuss. The butcher and baker always step out when they see us walk by and give her treats! She's settled in very nicely within a matter of weeks. 

When we go further afield, we head out with my hiking group where she is adored and has many doggy friends and dog aunties! We went away for Christmas, and she got to go off lead on the beach for the first time. It was so heartwarming to see her running around and just being a dog. 

Pawpers are without doubt the best rescue I could recommend. The tireless work undertaken by all of the volunteers is just incredible. They help so many dogs in need and really care about where these pups are going, after you get your pup, the on-going support that is provided is such a weight off your shoulders, especially for me as a first time dog-mom. 

If you are considering a dog, please adopt, don't shop and please consider Pawpers! You won't regret it. If you're in a position to help the rescue in anyway it would mean so much to this organisation.

Rebecca

Minnie

- minnie's Story -


For anyone considering getting a dog, please consider getting a rescue and not buying. We got x 2 rescue dogs from Pawpers in the Ruff who care for and actively seek dogs like Minnie in the picture, days away from starvation. And give them the chance to be healthy happy dogs.
We have a 3, 6 and 8 year old and they made sure the dogs suited our situation as well as well as continued advice after (still do now). They immediately loved the kids, are gentle loving and happy. And there are dogs that will suit all manner of situations but the important thing is they are honest about any enquiry.
This was our first time getting rescues and its been a great experience so please consider adopting from them. If you are not in a position to adopt yet or for the foreseeable there are dogs daily being found in horrendous situations, and they need continued vet, kennel and food bills so possibly consider sponsoring and helping that way.

Dan xx


Doris

- doris’ Story -


I first saw this little pup on the Pawpers page, only weeks old with her siblings. I fell in love with her and paid to name her Doris. Doris was the only survivor from the litter and I knew she was a fighter. I sent monthly donations to keep her safe. At that time, November 2018, I wasn’t in a position to get a dog as I had a cat who wouldn’t have accepted her.   Unfortunately, I lost Alfie in January 2019 and after a lot of thought I decided that I could adopt Doris. Never having a dog before, I was unsure really what to do but I thought I would give it a go.

 

On March 22nd in the early hours of the morning she arrived, tired, smelly and bedraggled but instantly so loving. I had bought a dog crate but didn’t have the heart to put her in it so let her have the run of the kitchen. Yes, I did have some presents the next morning but I was expecting that. She wouldn’t walk on the lead at first and I did seek advice from a dog trainer. I had to be a bit more assertive with her and within a week or so she was trotting along beside me. She was house trained within a month and the only bad habit she had/has is eating toys and her beds. Luckily the beds I have now have been untouched for months so we are on a winner with them.

 

In October, on her 1st birthday I got a kitten called Stan (another little guy needing a home) and within a week they were bestest friends, although he is a little nuisance Doris is as good as gold with him.

 

I haven’t dared to let her off her lead yet as she has selective hearing, but she goes weekly for a run with her friends in a secure field. I’m just too scared of losing her.

 

I honestly couldn’t have wanted a better first dog.  She is gentle, loving and cheeky (play bites her dads toes) but I couldn’t of wished for better. She has been part of our family for one year on 22nd March, 2020 and wouldn’t be without her.


 

Meika xx