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Coming Events

News 2008

News 2010

November - Sad News

ESSW is very sad to record the deaths of members Carolyn Muirhead (Shipden) and Ron Billows (Robil) on Wednesday 18th November and Sunday 22nd November respectively. Carolyn will be remembered for being our East Anglian co-ordinator for a number of years and, only last year, judged Ann Ford's dog show which raised £1,000 for ESSW funds. She and husband Colin ran the successful Shipden kennel for over 50 years, producing many show champions and working all their dogs each week in the season. They were extremely successful in the gamekeepers classes at Crufts and were the first to win the overall team prize with black and white English Springers. Ron Billows was a championship show judge in the breed and very supportive of wife Yvonne who is secretary of the English Springer Spaniel Club. Together they made up several champions in the breed.

We send our sympathy to Colin Muirhead and Yvonne Billows and all members of their families."

Saturday 6th June

WANDLE VALLEY FESTIVAL COMMUNITY EVENT

We arrived at a damp and grey Wandle Park in Croydon feeling a little glum but upon the arrival of our band of cheerful helpers, Izzie, Caroline, Ross, Geraldine, Samantha, Celia and Barny everything started to brighten up.

As is the often case with ESSW, we took over the event and became the star attraction – who could resist such gorgeous dogs, and many cuddles and play sessions were had all round. All in all it was a great day that generated some fantastic interest in our cause and a host of potential new adopters and helpers.

Chairman’s thoughts: Wandle Park’s festival started with rain – not that that dampened the spirits of the ESSW helpers and dogs and our stand proved one of the most popular on the day. 5 months Clumber ‘Livia’ and 14 weeks old ESS ‘Betty’ and ‘Gordon’ were a magnet for all the children on the ground. Selina had suggested charging 50p for cuddles and we had a queue! The adult springers entertained us with Frisbee catching and ball fetching and were joined by several other delightful ESS as the weather improved and dog walkers realised there were some entertaining games on the ground for their canine companions.

It was a shame we did not see more attendees – all down to the weather which was also so chilly that our ESSW polo shirts and fleeces were hidden beneath warm coats but plenty of people expressed an interest in obtaining a dog through us - either as adopters or foster carers – so very good PR for the charity.

For a laugh I made some bone-shaped garlic and cheese biscuits which proved so popular that I will have to get a whole load more done for our next event. It also pays to have one’s grooming tools in the car as I was able to tidy a few paws and cut a few nails in the afternoon while Linda and helpers got busier with the games, Woofla, Lead Me Astray and Splash and Grab. Croydon’s mayor stopped to watch all the dogs and seemed impressed with our efforts.

With two of the children handling the puppies, I made my way to the agility ring being run by Barry Blinks who also has ESS and has given gundog training demos at our companion shows. He helped the kids take these little ones round and Betty proved a natural at negotiating obstacles, shooting through the tunnel to her new found friend at the other end and jumping happily over anything along her way round – she even found the weaves easy! Gordon, on the other hand, with typical show dog brain, was totally useless.

  Puppy Cuddles 50p    George having a well-earned rest

  All in aid of puppy socialisation of course from his ESSW publicity duties

March

ESSW and North West English Springer Spaniel Rescue joined forces to help a dog by the name of Alfie (now Alfred) who wrote an email to us explaining that when he was 6 months old he lived in a cupboard and didn't really know what it was like to live a normal Springer's life. He was scared of anything and everything. A kind woman came along and took him home with her. She taught him that life wasn't quite so scary and going outside into the fresh air meant nice things happened such as walks and chasing squirrels. No longer would he need to howl with fear as he slowly learned that he was safe. Sadly this wasn't the end of Alfred's sad story because soon after he started to gain his confidence, he started to cough and had difficulty breathing. He was diagnosed with myocardiopathy which the vet thought was caused by interbreeding. He was put on medication for the rest of his life which wasn't thought to be very long. His then owners continued to work with him and teach him all about normal life but then in March they contacted the two rescues and said that they had to move abroad so could we help find Alfred a wonderful new family to love him as much as they did and to continue his treatment.

We got in touch with his vet and found out as much as we could about Alfred's condition and longevity. Luckily for ESSW we had a wonderful couple already waiting for a new dog to come into their lives. They knew what it was like to care for a dog with special needs as they had recently lost their beloved dog Max who was retired as a drugs sniffer dog and who due to hip dysplasia and arthritis had lived his life with them on a set of wheels that had been specially made for him. As soon as they heard about Alfred they jumped at the chance of him being adopted by them (we like to think they were adopted by Alfred, not the other way around). We arranged for Alfred to be seen by a cardiologist down here in the West Country with his new Mum and Dad present where he could have a more specific diagnosis and was diagnosed with cardiomegaly. This meant that the chambers of his heart were loose and floppy like a paper bag instead of being tight and muscular. He also has a grade 4 heart murmur of the mytral valve which meant a change in his medications. They were advised that he should live a normal Springer's life, running and playing for as long as life lets him. No-one knows how long this will be but one thing's for sure - with Anne and Mike and two rescues to support him he won't want or need for anything. He is already doing agility and will soon be starting gundog training as well. Only the best for Alfred!

click here forAlfred's blog on the NWESSR website

 

  MAX ALFRED

February

Basildon Council Dog Warden Sarah Moran asked for our help in February with a dog called Monty, estimated to be about 1 year old. This poor dog was abandoned at a PDSA centre in a dreadful state. It was first thought that he was infected with Mange mite and where he had been scratching because of the severe irritation had become infected. A skin scraping proved otherwise and so began the long arduous task of allergy testing. Sarah was so appalled by the state of the dog that she asked if she could foster him on behalf of ESSW so that she could see the final outcome - who were we to argue?

Monty had lost an awful lot of hair and his skin had become raw, hot and infected. He needed steroids and antibiotics to treat the infection and his skin needed soothing and bathing regularly. As soon as his skin was showing signs improving we began his expensive allergy testing. We couldn't consider rehoming him until we found the cause of his skin problems. We changed his diet to a pork and potato recipe as we already knew that grain, wheat and chicken are common allergenics with Springers, and he seemed to pick up almost immediately. Three weeks later we got the results that Monty is severely allergic to chicken, soya bean, corn, wheat, rice and sugar beet. Many of these ingredients are found in most kibble dog foods so no wonder he was in such a bad state. If only his original owners had taken him to a rescue centre sooner.

Monty has now been rehomed with Sarah's help and she recently sent us this update

"Monty is doing so well, he has put on lots of weight, not too much but he is just right and has the muscles of a body builder. His coat looks fantastic. To look at him now you would never have thought there was a problem, not the same dog at all. I left it 4 weeks before I saw him again but he still brought a tear to my eyes. Out of all the fosters I have had he is by far the best and was the most damaged little dog I have had the pleasuring of allowing into my home. The confidence in him is astounding and the pleasure he gives his new family is a joy to see. I cannot thank you enough for everything ESSW has done for him."

  Monty when abandoned Monty in his new home

 

Caring for English Springers since 1990

PATRONS

Lord Astor of Hever DL Maj-Gen John Badcock CB MBE DL Archie Norman Jenny Seagrove