Peggy and Sweep with their siblings Roma, Bridie and Flora
MARCH 2022
In November we brought news of Peggy and how our charity helped her rescue with her veterinary costs following her leaving the breeding industry. Peggy spent several weeks in foster care (see below) and during that time she was joined by Sweep. Sweep’s previous owner had approached us for help to find her a new home. We spent time getting to know what Sweep’s needs were and liaised with her owner and Dog’s Friends and their fosterer Clare.
Like Peggy, Sweep had spent a few years in the breeding industry, but for 18 months or so had learnt that living in a home with humans is a good thing. In their foster home, the girls quickly bonded and as Sweep was quite a good way along the path towards being a happy dog it was great to see her help Peggy understand this. Even better news is that they were adopted together just before Christmas and are doing really well in their new home.
They live with 11 year old Roma, Bridie and Flora who are both 10. As they live on the edge of Exmoor all dogs have an active lifestyle which Peggy and Sweep have taken to with real enjoyment. Their adopters own a small caravan site and have a 2 acre field where the dogs can safely roam free which has been great for Peggy and Sweep - they both love zooming around the perimeter.
After a few weeks of being given the time and space to settle into their new surroundings and routine their confidence has grown. Sue tells us more,
“A couple of weeks ago we noticed a significant change in Peggy’s demeanour, she seemed so much more relaxed and confident. For the first time she allowed me to pick her up outside in the garden and her reward was to be put in the car to go for a walk. After a free run around the field we’ll typically go for a walk. Initially we started walking them around the caravan site to get them used to lead walking. Sweep walks nicely on the lead as she’d already been used to this, whereas for Peggy it was a whole new experience. But once she realised it meant going to new and exiting places she soon took to it and can walk well when not distracted. At times she can get a little over excited but usually by the time we have walked 4 miles they are nicely tired and content.”
November 2021
When Peggy arrived at her rescue, newly out of a puppy farm she was petrified of everything. People were especially terrifying to her. All she could do was huddle in a corner with one of the dogs who was saved at the same time.
Her rescue, Dogs Friends, gave them both time, space and peace to begin their adjustment to living outside of the breeding facility. For many dogs, the early times are mentally worse for them than the familiarity - awful as it is - of what they have left behind. They suddenly find themselves in an alien, frightening world that is full of unknowns. They have no reference point by which to understand that the people they encounter are helping, not harming them.
But in time that changes.
A few days ago Peggy went to her foster home with Clare and her resident canine family, which includes Ember.
Peggy has a lot to face, a lot to adjust to. Clare is taking her out with the other dogs to their secure field each day, getting Peggy used to exploring and using her senses. This can only be done at the moment as Clare is experienced with highly nervous, traumatised dogs and can handle the challenges of getting Peggy used to things. When Peggy is in the field, she takes her cues from the other dogs - not Clare who, being a human, Peggy cannot yet trust.
Seeing Peggy run in the field she looks happy, carefree and ‘normal’. She is not.
These two videos show the reality for Peggy, first playing with the dogs, followed by the end of the walk when Clare needs to handle her to get her into the car. It can easily be seen that Peggy’s fears are deep rooted and will take time to diminish. Also, how important it is that adopters understand this with puppy farm dogs, and are prepared, equipped and aware of the very real flight risk for dogs like Peggy in the early period of their new lives.
See Peggy looking like she hasn’t a care in the world - here.
…and at the end of the walk, Clare needing to get hold of her - note the use of the long line that Clare can step on in order to get close enough to Peggy to pick her up. This may have to be in place for a long time before it can be safely left off. See here.
Peggy is not ready for homing yet. Your support for Schnauzerfest means that her rescue has all her costs covered, and we will of course share her news in coming weeks.