Lucy Staffie x DOB 2011 - 2018

In loving memory of dogs that have passed
Kate and Madeline
Posts: 232
Joined: Tue 10 Jun 2014 21:57

Re: Lucy Staffie x DOB 2011 Godstone Kenns

Post by Kate and Madeline »

Abbey and Lucy are amazing. We have had them in foster since Saturday and as the days have gone on they have really relaxed. They are 100% house trained. They walk well on a lead and are increasingly responsive to voice. They have been good with all other dogs from grumpy small older ones to huge dominant males. They love food - of any kind and as much as possible! Best of all they love each other as these pictures show:

Tails on.JPG

In garden.JPG

Cuddley  staffies.JPG

Back to back 2.JPG

Back to back.JPG
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Sarahk
Posts: 8654
Joined: Sun 01 Jun 2014 13:12

Re: Lucy Staffie x DOB 2011 Godstone Kenns

Post by Sarahk »

Adorable :D
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Kate and Madeline
Posts: 232
Joined: Tue 10 Jun 2014 21:57

Re: Lucy Staffie x DOB 2011 South London Foster

Post by Kate and Madeline »

Abby and Lucy have enjoyed the last week - particularly playing in the sun. This weekend we went to Lancashire and both dogs travelled very well in the car, mainly sleeping on top of each other (in the back of a fiat 500). The dogs were respectful while we had a family dinner and stayed just outside the dining room as we asked. They enjoyed a lot of playtime off lead in a quiet field behind the house. Both dogs were relaxed around a one year old child despite him trying to catch their tails! The dog walker came for the first time today independently of Madeline or I and Abby was a bit nervous of this new situation however she took the lead from the more confident Lucy and was won over by treats.
Sleepy Lucy.JPG
photo (85).JPG
Lucy looking.JPG
In the car.JPG
Kate and Madeline
Posts: 232
Joined: Tue 10 Jun 2014 21:57

Re: Lucy Staffie x DOB 2011 South London Foster

Post by Kate and Madeline »

We had a great weekend with Abby and Lucy. They really are such a good-natured pair it's very easy to enjoy spending time with them. On Saturday we did a 10 mile walk around the Faversham area, through lots of strawberry fields and along the coast. They were able to be off-lead most of the day. Their recall is quite good. Wherever one of them is, the other wants to be so they are not difficult to manage at all on walks. Also, they love a cocktail sausage so are easy to distract with a little temptation. It ended up being a really hot day and they cooled their paws off in the mud on the beach - adding a few more patches to their coats! They also didn't mind being lifted over a few stiles, in fact, they seemed to quite enjoy it. Both Abby and Lucy meet other dogs really well. They met lots at the weekend and, as always, there was lots of tail wagging. They are very sociable girls.

On Sunday they had a walk in the park in the morning. They had a play with Lola (3 years old) and, as with our nephew last week, were very relaxed and gentle around her. They seem to be very good around children. We had a few friends over for Sunday lunch in the garden and Abby and Lucy just pottered around the garden, occasionally ducking under the table for shade. They have good boundaries - they don't beg or demand too much attention - and didn't mind clearing off the left-over meat-balls.

At the moment we are generally walking them for around 45 mins 3 times a day. They have always been good on the lead but at first tended to go off in different directions, tangling you up if you were holding both of them. Now, when they are with just one walker, they are so much better at sticking together and walking nicely beside you.

We haven't experienced any issues at all with Abby or Lucy in the 3 weeks they have been with us. They are lovely to people, other dogs and especially to each other which is very cute to watch!

Pictures to follow....
Kate and Madeline
Posts: 232
Joined: Tue 10 Jun 2014 21:57

Re: Lucy Staffie x DOB 2011 South London Foster

Post by Kate and Madeline »

Pictures as promised:

Walking in field.JPG

Sun bathing.JPG

Sea wall.JPG

Pretty Lucy.JPG

Mud bootees.JPG
Kate and Madeline
Posts: 232
Joined: Tue 10 Jun 2014 21:57

Re: Lucy Staffie x DOB 2011 South London Foster

Post by Kate and Madeline »

Abby and Lucy are continuing to delight. We are absolutely loving having them around. In the 5 weeks they have been with us in foster they have really settled. They are very popular in the park. People often come and chat to us about them - they get a lot of attention!! They are so well socialised with other dogs. They approach them really respectfully and even if they get shunned, they just stand there or trot away tails wagging. We can now comfortably have both off-lead knowing they won't run off. They like to have a 'mad moment' of chasing each other through the long grass but will always come back for a treat. Abby is the athlete of the pair. Her running and dodging about is impressive - though she always eventually lets Lucy catch her.

Last weekend we took Abby and Lucy to meet our friends 2 rescue greyhounds - who are the greyhound version of Abby and Lucy - very similar markings! It was so lovely to see all 4 of these dogs who have had such bad experiences having such good fun together. They were chasing each other around and through a big pond soaking everything and everyone in sight! We also discovered that Abby is also very fond of swimming and diving! Unfortunately we didn't take a camera but it was a great day.

We tend to talk about Abby and Lucy as a pair - but they do have quite individual personalities. Abby is the boss of the two but is a little more anxious. However, she is so affectionate once she is comfortable (and that happens quickly). She's really playful. Lucy is a really stable dog. She's a little more independent and is so gentle in every way.

We've only ever had one dog before. When Kate suggested having 2 foster dogs I was reluctant. Kate tried to tell me that 2 would actually be less work than one. I didn't believe it for a second, but Abby and Lucy are actually just a joy to look after.

We've been a bit poor at taking pics recently so will post more after the weekend.

Pretty Lucy.JPG
Kate and Madeline
Posts: 232
Joined: Tue 10 Jun 2014 21:57

Re: Lucy Staffie x DOB 2011 South London Foster

Post by Kate and Madeline »

Had a couple of lovely walks with Lucy and Abby this weekend - and remembered to take the camera! As you can see, walking them is really good fun and relaxed - as long as they don't get too close to a cat!

L getting belly rub.JPG

Lucy in the sky
Lucy in the sky

Lucy exhausted after chasing Abby around Blackheath
Lucy exhausted after chasing Abby around Blackheath

Having a coffee in Greenwich park and being photographed by Japanese tourists
Having a coffee in Greenwich park and being photographed by Japanese tourists

Katie with Abby and Lucy on Blackheath
Katie with Abby and Lucy on Blackheath

A and L close up.JPG
Kate and Madeline
Posts: 232
Joined: Tue 10 Jun 2014 21:57

Re: Lucy Staffie x DOB 2011 South London Foster

Post by Kate and Madeline »

We have had a fun couple of weeks in the sun. Abby has really enjoyed swimming in the river Ouse. Lucy has enjoyed a paddle (she is not a natural swimmer!). They are in a routine with the dog walker and are more familiar with her which means less barking on arrival and she is really enjoying walking them. Lucy continues to be the "dog dog-whisperer" and is so polite and intuitive meeting all dogs which puts them at ease. Abby is slightly less polite but is not aggressive in anyway. They are currently on the sofa back to back, flat out snoring - absolutely lovely dogs :)

on sofa with K.JPG

Ab and Luc in Bedford.JPG

L on stairs.JPG
Kate and Madeline
Posts: 232
Joined: Tue 10 Jun 2014 21:57

Re: Lucy Staffie x DOB 2011 South London Foster

Post by Kate and Madeline »

It feels like Abby and Lucy are really settled now. They are in a routine and love going out with our dog walker and they have a new boyfriend Stanley the Pug who Emily walks with them. We had a BBQ last Sunday and they were very sociable and much more confident and trusting (the food helped.....they still love food). Here are some pics from the last week (including Lucy looking like Yoda!)
Bedroom.JPG
Cute Lucy.JPG
Kate and Madeline
Posts: 232
Joined: Tue 10 Jun 2014 21:57

Re: Lucy Staffie x DOB 2011 South London Foster

Post by Kate and Madeline »

Abby and Lucy's peace was rudely disrupted this weekend with the arrival of my sister, my mum and my 18 month old nephew Louie. The weekend reiterated how amazing the girls are with children. They were very patient and responded gently when he gave them the bits of his dinner he didn't fancy. Abby and Lucy are so easy to look after. Walks are so relaxing with them. They pootle off and do their own thing but come running for a treat. Emily (the dog walker) reports that they have a growing gang of friends on their lunchtime walks and play well with other dogs. Abby tends to reflect the energy of the other dog which can be excitable, a bit barky, playful or just uninterested. Lucy responds brilliantly with every dog she meets. Abby's recall and general obedience is really good and improving all the time. She's a bright girl and a quick learner. Lucy is more selective with her obedience but she's such a good dog you never have to worry about what she's up to (although you sometimes have to worry about what food she has found around the park). They are so lovely together. They play really well together and it's so cute to see them waiting for each other and copying each other. Early on when we left them they did a bit of chewing (the broadband cable x3, several items from the recycling bin, a couple of shoes) but this has almost completely stopped - they do occasionally still like to get stuff out of the recycling box. We have found leaving them with a challenge (eg: treats in a kong) keeps them occupied. They get so many compliments - they would make anyone proud.

spotty heads 2.JPG

spotty heads.JPG

lucy walking.JPG

lou and lou lou.JPG

chewing bones.JPG

ab and luc walking.JPG
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