Wendbert Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 My very lovely foster dog Wiggle has been voted Dog of The Year Each year at our Dogs Party, dogs that have come into the care of LRSE&C get nominated to win special prizes and this year Wiggle was nominated and won the title All the dogs are special but the award is for dogs who have overcome problems or needed extra special care. My dear Bumpy was Dog of the Year 3 years ago Special awards are also given to Most Improved Dog and Dog of Courage Here's Wiggle when he first arrived: And 80 days later, here's how this special boy is looking: Many of you will know Wiggle's story from reading his blog and my posts here, so its lovely that he has been nominated and won. Without the help of LRSE&C who know's what would have happened to the baldy, skinny dog left shut outside Wiggle's blog has now had over 6,000 page views and fundraising here has raised over £650 plus the very kind people on the Woof Beginnings forum have made a £100 donation to Wiggle's veterinary care Wiggle will be at our Dogs Party next weekend when he will collect his award from our Patron, Allan Parton and Endal No doubt I'll blub as much as I did when Bumpy won Here's some info about two of the other special dogs: STORM NOMINATION FOR MOST IMPROVED DOG We were initially asked to re home Storm by his original owner as she was relocating and could not take Storm with her. We were told that Storm got on well with other dogs and because he was clicker trained we had no reason to disbelieve this as we assumed that part of his training would have included socialisation. Storm was placed in a home where there was another dog and all went well when the two dogs met on mutual ground. When the dogs went into the family home things turned nasty and Storm attacked the resident dog and was not able to be left there as he was so ferocious towards the other dog. Storm was then placed in his second home with a landscape gardener who said he would be able to handle Storm. This however was not the case and within 24 hours he asked for Storm to be removed as he could not cope with him. We had no choice then but to kennel Storm and he went to Suntop in Liz’s care. It was then found that not only was Storm ferocious towards other dogs he also had no manners and was extremely difficult to handle and as you can imagine not the easiest dog to re home. Because we did not have a suitable home for storm and no takers for him his stay in kennels was prolonged and Storm’s behaviour got progressively worse. He became increasingly harder to handle and his hatred for other dogs grew. He would run up and down his run viciously trying to get to the other dogs through the wire fencing and work him self up into frenzy, to the point he got quite nasty with one of the kennel staff one day when she tried to restrain him. Because of Storm’s anti social behaviour it was impossible to find him a suitable home and his stay in kennels continued until this exceeded six months and it was decided something had to be done to help him or he would never be able to be placed in a family home. Arrangements were made for Storm to go to a training Kennel in Oxford for specialised training. He was there for two weeks and they completely turned him around to the point he could be put with any amount of dogs on or off lead with no problem what so ever. His general behaviour changed too and he was by now a well adjusted dog. After seeing Storm on our website a family came forward and offered Storm a home. Ironically they only lived six miles away from Gamegoer and were willing to take Storm back for further training and support should Storm have a relapse. So Storm went into his new home and we all held our breath as with his past track record it was so hard to believe that Storm was now behaving normally. However, Storm did not let us down and has not put a paw wrong in his new home, he is now settled happily with his new family who love him dearly and he continues to thrive. Special thanks to Liz and Fiona for the part they played in this along with Gamegoer for turning Storm around. Kevin Healey Deputy Area Coordinator PADDY DOG OF COURAGE A lot has been written about Paddy, and most of us know his story, a story that has brought a tear to the hardest of hearts, hearts of people who thought they had seen or heard it all. After 2007 saw him recover after collapsing from pancreatitis and a large tumour on his jaw resulting in having a number of teeth and part of his jaw removed, 2008 came and we hoped this poor old lad would get a break, but it was not to be. Firstly he was head-butted by one of his pals in the park, which ended with Paddy stunned on the ground, this resulted in a large haematoma on his ear, which had to be drained and stitched, the stunned fall to the ground also resulted in a limp for two weeks. However in May more devastating news was heard from his vet, Paddy had a tumour behind one eye. The tumour was removed but the eye could not be saved, so it was also removed. The histology came back with the wonderful news we had all been waiting and praying for, the tumour was benign. This latest operation and trauma took its toll on Paddy, it really unsettled him and he cried a lot with the pain and discomfort. Joan and Jim were beside themselves for him and feared it may be his last battle. But this dog has the heart and courage of a lion, twinned with dogged determination. He recovered and is back to his normal self, although Joan says he now resembles Bill Sykes’s dog! The good news is that Paddy now has a girlfriend, a real breakthrough for the dog who detested all other dogs a while ago. Dotty as she is know, is a bearded collie and it seems she is quite smitten with her new, black, one eyed boyfriend! There seems to be a lot of life in the old chap yet, even though he is a bit slower and greyer. Paddy is indeed a very courageous Labrador, he seems to shrug off all that is thrown at him. He remains happy and content with his loving family. He hardly complains, just has a little whine when the pain has been too much. His amazing, patient and loving owners worship the very ground this dog walks on. Jim was totally beside himself again at the thought of losing Paddy, as he is Jim’s rock at the moment. Jim and Paddy are soul mates, they share the sofa together and support each other when the pain they both suffer gets too much. I know this dog is put forward every year, but he is unique, he doesn’t only have one ongoing problem to conquer, he get lots of different ones thrown at him, and every time he manages to summon the energy to overcome them. For that reason we can never overlook him. He is amazing, an inspiration to all, and a credit not only to his owners but to LRSEC for giving this dog the chance to survive and live his life. Paddy you are a dog in a million. Janet Butler LRSEC Thank you to Labrador Rescue South East & Central for supporting these 3 special dogs and all the other special Labrador's that have needed help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickentikka Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Many congratulations Wendy and Wiggle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merledogs Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Wiggle, you is just so beautiful Thoroughly deserving winner in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyMalc Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Congrats Wendy and Wiggle!! His coat in the 3rd and 4th pics is just amazing! I'm sure he just cannot believe his luck, well done Wendy! Have to say the other dogs were very worthy candidates too - amazing how Storm has improved and the story about Paddy actually did bring a tear to my eye. Long may the happiness that these dogs have found continue :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoebejo Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Yay for Wiggle and Wendybert Having seen Wiggle a few days after he arrived with Wendy and also this week too I've seen the difference in him for myself. He's such a lovely boy who never fails to crack me up with his comedy swimming and comedy bark. The change in him is wonderful to see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendbert Posted September 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Comedy swimming? Comedy bark? That's true actually. When I posted in Wiggle's blog yesterday it was about his 'thpeshulness' although I forgot to mention the daft swimming and barking I do have to say a huge thank you to the Trustee's at LRSE&C for agreeing to take on Wiggle knowing that he would need a lot of veterinary care. So far his bill is around £900 but as you can see, the change is amazing and he is just such a happy, loving, well behaved dog (obviously I'm ignoring his obsession with rolling in smelly things ) Every year LRSE&C rehome around 500 Labradors, many of them who need extra special care. I know I'll be blubbing at the Dogs Party on the 14th as I understand a special mention will be made to the lovely Labs who recently left us - Revel, Rufus and of course my own brave Bumpy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pendlewitch Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Wow, what a difference, he's beautiful! A well deserved award. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happylittlegreensquirrel Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Congratulations Wiggle and well done Storm and Paddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elricc Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Congratulations all these dogs and their devoted companions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasta Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 congratulations to all the dogs, especially Wiggle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracey.s Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 His sad eyes on that second photo always get me. Congratulations to you both, he looks like a completely different dog. It's amazing what a lot of love and a good vet can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nettie Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Congratulations to Wendy and Wiggle. Yesterday in our vets there was a lady looking for rehome a labrador so I pointed her in LRSE&C's direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReikiAnge Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Fantastic news all round Wiggle just really does look like a different dog now, he looks alive now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zico's mum Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Congratulations Wendy and Wiggle - a well deserved honour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billydog Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Well done Wiggle, Wendy and all the other dogs and carers! Wiggle's turnaround has been truly astonishing and it's fantastic to see the dog he is now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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