In our 101 Reasons to Love the Cotswolds collection, Three rescue dogs from Gloucestershire become Kennel Club calendar stars stands out as a reminder that the area is about much more than pretty views.
On this page we look at what makes it special, with details including thekennelclub.org.uk/KCCT, Three and Kennel Club, and a little of the context that helps you see it as more than just another stop on the map.
20/11/2020
Kobe, Blink and Dude, three rescue dogs from Gloucestershire, have been chosen as the tail-wagging stars to feature in the 2021 Kennel Club Breed Rescue calendar.
The calendar is made up of stories and pictures of seven rescue dogs striking their best ‘pawse’ after overcoming the odds, highlighting the work of the organisations that gave them a second chance and found them loving new homes. The sales of the calendar raise funds for The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, one of the largest charities dedicated to dog health and welfare in the UK.
The calendar is made up of stories and pictures of seven rescue dogs striking their best ‘pawse’ after overcoming the odds, highlighting the work of the organisations that gave them a second chance and found them loving new homes. The sales of the calendar raise funds for The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, one of the largest charities dedicated to dog health and welfare in the UK.
Blink, a Small Munsterlander, was rescued from Hungary by the Large Munsterlander Rescue UK and now lives with Suzanne Hall, a vet from Brockworth. As a result of spending most of her life locked in a shed and giving birth to a litter at 18 months old, Blink was in a bad way; poorly socialised and severely malnourished, weighing approximately ten kilos.
Three years after being rehomed with Suzanne, thankfully Blink is healthier and happy. Suzanne even takes her to work at the veterinary practice, and Blink’s calm nature means she can help vet students to learn non-invasive procedures such as bandaging.
“During the day and at my workplace, Blink is very calm and relaxed,” said Suzanne. “However, when taken out for a walk, that’s where her active side gets to rule and she runs around like mad. She loves chasing balls as well as her sibling, a Bavarian Hound.”
Blink’s love for tennis balls was one of the reasons Suzanne decided to rediscover flyball, a canine sport in the style of a fast-paced relay in which two teams of our dogs compete against each other. Blink also excels in rally obedience and she’s even made it to Crufts, claiming a fourth place.
Suzanne added: “It is great to raise the profile of her breed in the UK through the calendar, because many people aren’t aware of Munsterlanders, or mistake them for Springer Spaniels and to highlight the benefits of adopting a breed rescue dog, who just need to be given a chance.”
Large Munsterlander Rescue UK, the charity which rescued Blink, has been providing support for dogs that need rehoming since 1980. Their focus is on finding fitting homes and families and they stay in touch with new owners to ensure dogs are happy, healthy and safe.
Dude, an English Springer Spaniel from Gloucestershire, found his way from a farm to a loving home in the Cotswolds with new owners, Byron and Kim, who remembers how difficult it was to approach Dude when he first came to live with them.
“When we got him, he was completely shut down and was scared of everything – mops, gateways, even his own shadow,” said Kim. “He reacted negatively when you raised your arm too.
“He wasn’t reacting to his old name, probably because it reminded him of his previous bad experiences, so we decided on a name change. Out of all the names we tried, he only reacted to Dude.”
Dude has been living with Kim and Byron and their other seven Springers, including two other rescues, for over three years now. Dude has found stability and love, having a secure place in his family pack.
Byron added: “Witnessing the journey Dude has been on, from the day he came into English Springer Spaniel Welfare to now, is marvellous. He was scared of everything, including us, at the beginning but now he knows he can trust us one hundred per cent, and I think that’s something he’s never had in his life before.”
Kim, the Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire area co-ordinator for the English Springer Spaniel Welfare, added: “It is hugely important to remember rescue dogs and to help them find a new home. Many people don’t realise how grateful and rewardingly loyal rescue dogs become when someone offers them their home.”
Kobe, an Akita who sadly passed away in September and is commemorated in the calendar, was saved by Julia Miler nine years ago, founding his forever home in Cheltenham after leaving his neglectful owner at only four months of age. Julia wanted to foster Kobe until a suitable home was found for him, but as soon as Kobe met Julia’s other Akita called Halo, it became clear the pair of them couldn’t be separated.
“It was obvious Kobe’s previous owner neglected him,” commented Julia. “He was starved and had to be handfed for a couple of weeks to address his food aggression. His legs were weak and he didn’t know how to walk on a lead which usually means the dog wasn’t walked properly, being left to run around.”
Unfortunately, a couple months after adopting Kobe, Julia noticed he wasn’t walking properly and the vet diagnosed him with osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia, at only nine months. The condition remained his biggest issue, managed with supplements, short walks, physiotherapy and regular swimming sessions.
Despite his difficult start in life, Kobe became a kind, well-trained dog through love and care from Julia and her other dogs.
“He was a big softy,” Julia added. “He loved other people and dogs and thought everyone loved him too. Akitas often get bad press because people don’t understand they are naturally protective and will follow their instincts even if they are not trained as guard dogs.
“Taking on a rescue can be very rewarding because dogs can truly show gratitude for a caring new home. Dogs become part of your family instantly and can truly change your life.”
The Japanese Akita Welfare Trust which rescued Kobe was established in 1998 to ensure that rescue dogs go to owners familiar with the breed, or with similar large breeds, and have done their research on Akitas and their behavioural traits. The Trust also offers long-term support for the new owners to help the dogs settle in their new forever homes.
Each organisation featured in the calendar receives extra funding from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust to help with their work. Funds from the calendar are used towards kennel, veterinary and rehoming costs by the organisations
Reverend Bill King, chairman of The Kennel Club Charitable Trust said: “The calendar is a great platform for showcasing all the dogs and their unique personalities while growing awareness about the important work of Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations.
“These vital organisations do excellent work in matching the dogs with new owners and forever homes, helping those dogs leave their often troubled past behind.
“It is so important that, when buying a dog, owners do their research thoroughly in order to ensure they are buying the right dog for their family, to help prevent high numbers of dogs ending up in rescue.”
The money raised through the sale of the calendars will enable The Kennel Club Charitable Trust to continue to make a difference for dogs in 2021, by funding a wide variety of work ranging from research into canine diseases, supporting rescue centres and dog welfare organisations and training support dogs – all of which give dogs and their owners a healthier, happier life.
The Kennel Club Breed Rescue is now available at The Kennel Club online shop for £5 at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/shop/publications/breed-rescue-calendar/
To find out more about how The Kennel Club Charitable Trust makes a difference for dogs, visit thekennelclub.org.uk/KCCT.
Three years after being rehomed with Suzanne, thankfully Blink is healthier and happy. Suzanne even takes her to work at the veterinary practice, and Blink’s calm nature means she can help vet students to learn non-invasive procedures such as bandaging.
“During the day and at my workplace, Blink is very calm and relaxed,” said Suzanne. “However, when taken out for a walk, that’s where her active side gets to rule and she runs around like mad. She loves chasing balls as well as her sibling, a Bavarian Hound.”
Blink’s love for tennis balls was one of the reasons Suzanne decided to rediscover flyball, a canine sport in the style of a fast-paced relay in which two teams of our dogs compete against each other. Blink also excels in rally obedience and she’s even made it to Crufts, claiming a fourth place.
Suzanne added: “It is great to raise the profile of her breed in the UK through the calendar, because many people aren’t aware of Munsterlanders, or mistake them for Springer Spaniels and to highlight the benefits of adopting a breed rescue dog, who just need to be given a chance.”
Large Munsterlander Rescue UK, the charity which rescued Blink, has been providing support for dogs that need rehoming since 1980. Their focus is on finding fitting homes and families and they stay in touch with new owners to ensure dogs are happy, healthy and safe.
Dude, an English Springer Spaniel from Gloucestershire, found his way from a farm to a loving home in the Cotswolds with new owners, Byron and Kim, who remembers how difficult it was to approach Dude when he first came to live with them.
“When we got him, he was completely shut down and was scared of everything – mops, gateways, even his own shadow,” said Kim. “He reacted negatively when you raised your arm too.
“He wasn’t reacting to his old name, probably because it reminded him of his previous bad experiences, so we decided on a name change. Out of all the names we tried, he only reacted to Dude.”
Dude has been living with Kim and Byron and their other seven Springers, including two other rescues, for over three years now. Dude has found stability and love, having a secure place in his family pack.
Byron added: “Witnessing the journey Dude has been on, from the day he came into English Springer Spaniel Welfare to now, is marvellous. He was scared of everything, including us, at the beginning but now he knows he can trust us one hundred per cent, and I think that’s something he’s never had in his life before.”
Kim, the Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire area co-ordinator for the English Springer Spaniel Welfare, added: “It is hugely important to remember rescue dogs and to help them find a new home. Many people don’t realise how grateful and rewardingly loyal rescue dogs become when someone offers them their home.”
Kobe, an Akita who sadly passed away in September and is commemorated in the calendar, was saved by Julia Miler nine years ago, founding his forever home in Cheltenham after leaving his neglectful owner at only four months of age. Julia wanted to foster Kobe until a suitable home was found for him, but as soon as Kobe met Julia’s other Akita called Halo, it became clear the pair of them couldn’t be separated.
“It was obvious Kobe’s previous owner neglected him,” commented Julia. “He was starved and had to be handfed for a couple of weeks to address his food aggression. His legs were weak and he didn’t know how to walk on a lead which usually means the dog wasn’t walked properly, being left to run around.”
Unfortunately, a couple months after adopting Kobe, Julia noticed he wasn’t walking properly and the vet diagnosed him with osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia, at only nine months. The condition remained his biggest issue, managed with supplements, short walks, physiotherapy and regular swimming sessions.
Despite his difficult start in life, Kobe became a kind, well-trained dog through love and care from Julia and her other dogs.
“He was a big softy,” Julia added. “He loved other people and dogs and thought everyone loved him too. Akitas often get bad press because people don’t understand they are naturally protective and will follow their instincts even if they are not trained as guard dogs.
“Taking on a rescue can be very rewarding because dogs can truly show gratitude for a caring new home. Dogs become part of your family instantly and can truly change your life.”
The Japanese Akita Welfare Trust which rescued Kobe was established in 1998 to ensure that rescue dogs go to owners familiar with the breed, or with similar large breeds, and have done their research on Akitas and their behavioural traits. The Trust also offers long-term support for the new owners to help the dogs settle in their new forever homes.
Each organisation featured in the calendar receives extra funding from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust to help with their work. Funds from the calendar are used towards kennel, veterinary and rehoming costs by the organisations
Reverend Bill King, chairman of The Kennel Club Charitable Trust said: “The calendar is a great platform for showcasing all the dogs and their unique personalities while growing awareness about the important work of Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations.
“These vital organisations do excellent work in matching the dogs with new owners and forever homes, helping those dogs leave their often troubled past behind.
“It is so important that, when buying a dog, owners do their research thoroughly in order to ensure they are buying the right dog for their family, to help prevent high numbers of dogs ending up in rescue.”
The money raised through the sale of the calendars will enable The Kennel Club Charitable Trust to continue to make a difference for dogs in 2021, by funding a wide variety of work ranging from research into canine diseases, supporting rescue centres and dog welfare organisations and training support dogs – all of which give dogs and their owners a healthier, happier life.
The Kennel Club Breed Rescue is now available at The Kennel Club online shop for £5 at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/shop/publications/breed-rescue-calendar/
To find out more about how The Kennel Club Charitable Trust makes a difference for dogs, visit thekennelclub.org.uk/KCCT.
