My first introduction to the breed was in 2010. After finishing my working career earlier than expected, I decided that I needed a new best friend in my life. And preferably one that didn't answer back! After a lot of research, I came to the conclusion that the English springer spaniel was the pick of the bunch for my needs and my new lifestyle that I was planning. The search started through the normal channels i.e. Battersea Dogs Home, RSPCA and Dogs Trust. I then stumbled across ESSW and after some form filling, I received a visit from 'Sharon Freeman', and after only a couple of months, along came "Mr Right" - Buzz. Twelve months passed, and things were not going according to plan, I needed to find something to occupy some of my spare time. I had been considering for some while the possibility of fostering, but was concerned that I did not have enough experience of the breed to make this possible. However, do not fret, after attending the Petworth gathering and chatting to Sandy and Sharon, they convinced me, and so the process started. A short time afterwards, the phone rang and my first little waif arrived on the doorstep with all his belongings looking just a little sorry for himself, however this didn't last too long, as he soon made himself at home. This first encounter turned into a bit of a steep learning curve, as he was a bit of a spotty teenager with attitude. By the time he went to his new forever home, some six weeks later, we had become friends and he had started to grow up. What you could term as a baptism of fire, my poor old mum’s plastic garden ornaments will never be the same again. It is a real eye opener, how the foster dogs that I have had, adapt so easily to my own Buzz and for the last four months Milly.

Over the last few months I have had a constant supply of dogs from four months to fourteen years of both sexes and colours, very differing temperaments, fluffy coats, no coats, each with different backgrounds (If only they could talk). You will get a tear in your eye, both of joy, frustration and sadness, and you will be guaranteed some laughs and smiles, just when you thought you had seen it all, something new will come along. Go on, give it a try, you CAN do it, you will have Sandy and her terrific team on the other end of the phone, day or night, to help with encouragement and advice. Please, these dogs really need your help. After all, in most cases it's not their fault they are in this situation.

Dave Smith