BIN BLOG

Harrods Visit

2009-10-25T17:02:00.004Z

We were invited to hold a fundraising and awareness day in Pet Kingdom in Harrods, a member of staff who owns an American bulldog had seen the AB rescue site and saw the appeal we are having for 2 of the dogs so very kindly put us forward for this.
So yesterday five 2 legged and two 4 legged members of the team made their way to London to spend the day talking to the customers of Pet Kingdom. The dogs Stella and Annie had a thoroughly good day and did a lot to show the public that these breeds are misrepresented in the press. Annie even became the first dog to make a deposit on their new carpet!!
There was a lot of interest in the boards with pictures and stories of the dogs and many people went away with details of the web sites.
£161.82 was taken in donations plus one kind lady bought and donated a bull terrier picture which will be auctioned. All in all it was a fantastic day and a great opportunity to show what bull breeds are really like.
A big thank you to the volunteers for giving up their day to do this and to the staff of Pets Kingdom for making them so welcome.

BIN receives an award!

2009-08-30T22:40:00.003+01:00

At the fun day I was honoured to be presented with an award from the Lincolnshire Telegraph for the Animal Charity of the Year. I accepted this on behalf of the whole team, everyone has worked extremely hard the past year to reorganise and make it our most successful year on several fronts. A big thank you to everyone who has enabled us to win this award

BIN on the road!

2009-08-07T13:31:00.001+01:00

The Bullies In Need stall will be at the Ged Walker Memorial Fun Dog Show THIS SUNDAY at West Park, Long Eaton, NG10 4AA.
NEXT SUNDAY we shall be at Jerry Green Dog Rescue Fun day in Blidworth and on Saturday 22nd August at Babbington Kennels Fun Day in Awsworth.
The stall will be ably manned by Joanne and Mark assissted by Mason and Boston

Latest fun day news

2009-07-26T08:51:00.002+01:00

Everything is going to plan so far, the entrance to the field has been attended to so that it isn't such a drop which will make it far easier to get in and out of for smaller or lower cars, especially if it does get muddy!
The one problem we have is that the ride on mower is still at the repair shop, so the grass may be a bit longer this year, but the show ring will still be cut.
We also now have a face painter for the children (and no doubt some adults too!) it is always popular and events so we hope she gets a good amount of attention.
The Pooch Mobile is hoping to go for the record for the highest amount of dogs bathed in one day, Kevin has held this record until recently when it was taken off him, he is pretty keen to get it back. I am not sure it will happen though as 27 dogs is a lot!
There will be a few different raffles run, 1 is for a prize of a portrait of your dog done by Phil Hayes, which I am sure will be most popular as his work is greatly admired by all who see it. The 2nd is for an hours tattoo session at the fun day (so this will take place quite early on) by Madtattoos who are attending with their mobile tattoo studio. Then 3rdly we will be having the usual raffle with several prizes.

More fun day news

2009-07-16T09:43:00.002+01:00

The Pooch Mobile dog wash will be attending, so your dogs can have a bit of pampering!
There will also be an inflatable assault course, suitable for adults and children, this will test your stamina!
If the weather is wet, and we certainly hope it won't be there will be unbrellas for hire, if it is hot then they become sunshades to hire! Let us hope it is the 2nd one thay are used for.
If you came last year you will have seen Ted the man who made personalised raised wooden bowl stands. he is also attending again.

Fun day preparations

2009-07-12T12:41:00.002+01:00

Everything is coming together nicely for the fun day, keep your fingers crossed that the weather is dry this week to enable the farmer to get the field cut, otherwise you will all have to bring strimmers!
This year the catering is going to be different with more variety, including baked potatoes with a choice of fillings, filled baguettes as well as the usual bacon butties etc. Hopefully this better selection will go down well.
Lou Miller photography is attending so you will be able to have professional pictures taken of your dogs, children or even yourself!
Madtattoos of Newark are bringing their mobile tattoo studio and there will be a raffle with the prize of a tattoo for the winner, as well as usual tattoos they also do temporary tattoos so you don't have to go for anything permanent.
There will be the usual auction and raffle, if you have anything for them please bring them along on the day.
We also have a different PA system so Lynsey shouldn't lose her voice this year!

If anyone would like to volunteer to look after a stall or help in some other capacity please do contact me = ann@bull-terriers.co.uk or 07780541143, the more helpers we have the better it will be!

Can you do some fundraising?

2009-06-28T14:12:00.002+01:00

If anyone could help with raising funds it would be brilliant. We are taking in more dogs than ever now and despite having more foster homes than ever before there are still some that have to go into kennels. At the moment we have 7 bullies in kennels at £5 each per day, this number is the minimum as soon as one is rehomed there is at least 1 more to replace it. These are usually dogs that don't get on with others and therefore can't go into foster homes where they would have to mix with resident dogs, or it could be that they have some issues that can be easier dealt with by the expertise of the kennel staff. When dogs go in the kennels from pounds they have to be vaccinated and many times have other veterinary needs. All dogs are neutered before they are rehomed and if possible bitches are spayed. The donations we receive as adoption fees nowhere near cover the amount that the dogs have cost us.

If you could help by doing some fundraising that would be so very much appreciated. Every pound helps. There are so many things that can be done to raise cash and if there were more hours in the day I wouldn't have to ask.
If you need anyhelp I would be willing to have a chat with you about it.

CALENDAR 2010

2009-06-02T10:32:00.002+01:00

I am now getting pictures together for next years calendar.
If any of you with BIN dogs would like to submit pictures to be included please send to ann@bull-terriers.co.uk You stand a better chance of your picture being accepted if it is of good quality. Please not that by submitting your pictures you are giving me permission to use them on any BIN merchandise, so if your bullie doesn't make the calendar he could end up on a notebook or card!

FUN DAY DOG SHOW

2009-06-02T10:24:00.002+01:00

We are now looking for sponsorship for this years dog show.
You can have a class named after yourself, your babes or in memory of a loved one now at Rainbow Bridge.
It costs £20 pr class. First come first served. Please e-mail ann@bull-terriers.co.uk if you would like to sponsor a class
These are the classes;
1.prettiest bitch - In memory of Ria
2.handsomest dog - In Memory of Samson
3.best veteran (8 and over) - In memory of Hannah
4.waggiest tail
5.most appealing eyes
6.best 6 legs
7.best rescue bitch - In Memory of Daisy
8.best rescue dog
9.best non bull terrier
10.dog judge would most like to take home
11.best condition
12.happiest dog
13.best family (2 or more dogs belonging to same person)
14.Lovely Lucy's fancy dress

BIN WALKS!

2009-05-20T21:44:00.023+01:00

A while back, a number of bullie owners from the Bullie Bar Forum decided to get together and meet up for walks up and down the country. During this time it was suggested that perhaps a small donation could be collected ( entirely voluntary I might add!) after the walk and that the proceeds would go to Bullies In Need. There is always a needy dog that comes into the care of Bullies In Need, and with the price of vetinary bills any extra monies are always warmly welcomed!
So, that is how the BIN Walks came about. Usually, every other month or so, a walk is held and as expected, always attracts a good turn out! Walks have been held in Plymouth, Tentsmuir, Leeds, Cheshire, Lancashire and East Midlands, so you are never too far away from one!

We have so far raised in excess of £500.00 with the generous donations that people have made on our walks, it is also a chance to meet up with fellow bull terrier owners and have a chat....only to find that it's not just your bullie that is a complete nut case!!

There are many bull terriers that come into welfare for one reason or another throughout the year, and it is your kindness in making donations that can give a bull terrier a second chance. Some are not so lucky, but every penny counts, it does not matter whether its one pound or ten...

Look forward to seeing you soon!

Saying their goodbyes until next time...

Now its time to go home....

Dont forget to keep checking the BIN website for the latest walks! The next walk may be closer than you think!

FUN DAY 2009

2009-05-09T15:39:00.002+01:00

This years fun day will be held on Sunday August 2nd near Mablethorpe, Lincs.
Keep your eyes on here for more details soon!

TOTAL AMOUNT NEEDED

2009-05-05T18:50:00.002+01:00

We now have the final bill for Millie's treatment. It comes to £1,138.09.
Thank you to everyone who has organised fund raising events to help to pay this and to everyone who has donated so far.
There is an auction on the Bullie Bar and also a raffle which gives you the chance to have a portrait done of your pet (or other family member) . If you aren't already a member go to http://www.bulliebar.co.uk and register and join in the fun.

Great news

2009-05-04T18:44:00.003+01:00

Millie has been allowed home this afternoon! She is coming on well, but she still has a long way to go. the vet thinks she will recover better at home with the individual care she can receive from her devoted foster family. I can't thank them enough for the way they have had dealt with this situation, Millie couldn't be in better hands.

She is obviously still feeling sorry for herself as you can see in these pictures, but isn't it wonderful that she has progressed to this stage?

More Millie

2009-05-03T22:01:00.002+01:00

Millie has sat and wagged her tail today, her temperature is still high so she is not yet out of trouble, please keep all positive thoughts her way. She has had a mouthful of food and it is now a waiting game to see where it goes.
Thanks for all of your support for Millie

Update on Millie

2009-05-03T11:48:00.003+01:00

Millie came through 3 1/2 hours of surgery, this little girl is certainly not giving up her life easily bless her. It was found that she had swallowed a piece of wire mesh at some stage, at least a couple of months ago and well before she came into our care. This was stuck in her intestine and was acting as a filter, and with all filters it had gradually become clogged up and nothing was getting past. Thank goodness for the good observation by her fosterers that they had noticed something was seriously wrong in time for something to be done about it.

Millie is by no means out of the woods yet and it is still touch and go, she will be staying at the vets until it is safe and wise to move her.

Please keep sending your prayers and positive thoughts her way and if you can spare a bit of cash towards her care it would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

Special Appeal

2009-05-02T12:41:00.001+01:00

Millie is a young deaf bull terrier who is in one of our foster homes, she is a beautiful girl with a lovely nature, last weekend she became ill and despite treatment has not got any better. She was kept overnight last night at the vets on a drip and is scheduled for surgery this afternoon, it appears that the intestine is thickened so that it is impossible for anything to pass into the bowel. She is really poorly but we have to give her a chance. Todays treatment is going to cost in the region of £700 and it is money we haven't got at the moment. I know times are difficult at the moment with not much money going spare but if you could just donate a couple of quid it really would help.I have given the go ahead for the surgery so have to find the money somehowI will add some pictures of this lovely girl soon.If you can't send any money please send positive thoughts to help get her through this time safely.You can Paypal to bullierun@bull-terriers.co.uk or send cheques made payable to Bullie Run to PO Box 31, mablethorpe, LN12 1WA.Thank you for any help you are able to give.

Problems

2009-03-24T18:46:00.002Z

You may have heard rumours about BIN closing so I thought I would let you know what is happening. A disgruntled person decided to launch a scathing attack on BIN on Facebook, making some terrible accusations against BIN as an organisation and some of our personnel. This in itself was stressful enough but we know it would have passed. However, when another group of people who should really know better decided to join in, people who profess to having the dogs interests at heart, we realised that whatever we did this group were going to continue to harrass us. Therefore sadly I decided that BIN couldn't possibly carry on with this continually happening. It is really sad that things have come to this but these people are relentless in their accusations.
I will update here when more is known but please be assured that we won't be finishing over night, it will take many weeks and we are sorting out provision for support for all dogs we have rehomed to date.

Molly Update

2008-12-06T14:54:00.000Z

November update – BY MOLLY

It’s been nearly 3 months since I told you my story so I just thought I’d give you an update of how things are going.
Firstly let me start of by shouting “I FEEL LIKE A NEW WOMAN”. Now I’ll explain....
It’s been a busy 3 months which started with my mum getting into a bit of a panic which is very unlike her. The reason, me of course and the fact that I started behaving oddly. Mum knew straight away what was wrong though and was on the phone to the vet like a shot. I thought I was having puppies. I had begun nesting and even had milk. Mum took me to the vet and they scanned me but no puppies. It was all in my mind. I thought Mum would be angry but she was the opposite. She was overjoyed. I found this quite strange because where I came from before I had lots of puppies and everyone was always very happy when I was pregnant. I began to wonder just what kind of mad woman I was living with.
Everything at my new home is completely different than what I’m use to. Lenny and Lucy go mad running and playing all over the house and mum just ignores it. I’ve started to join in the play just like mum said I would. They are still a bit rough for me but I’m learning to join in anyway. Mum plays a game where I have to try and catch her hand with my mouth as she taps my legs and nose. I think I am very good at this game because I catch her hand a lot but try very hard not to hurt her.
I am now brave enough to spend most of my day out of my crate. Mum has been spending a lot of time playing with me and cuddling me so I feel much safer and more confident around people. She is trying to prove that you can “teach an old dog new tricks” I think. I can now sit, give paw and take food gently. I walk to heel on the lead and I have perfect recall. Mum says I’m a perfect dog and she tells me I’m a “good girl” all the time. Chick and I are best friends and she takes me up to her room every night. I love cuddling her and I know she loves me. She says I am her dog and although she is only 11 years old she looks after me very well.
I am now getting much fitter. I am walked every day and we all go together. Sometimes we go to different places like the beach (which I love because I love to swim) and up Falkland hill (which is really hard going on my little legs). Mum says it’s important for me to get fit as I’m older and haven’t had any exercise my whole life. I’m making up for it now though. When I’m off the lead I run around like mad trying to chase Lenny who is much taller and faster than me. I run full speed anyway even though I know I won’t catch him.
My eyes are now completely healed and I can see again. Well I can see as good as any bullie can. My cough is away too. I have been to the vet lots if times now but one time was very different from the rest. Mum took me in the morning and left me. While she was gone I had an operation. They spayed me, removed my dew claws and removed my top 2 front teeth. I was very sore afterwards. In fact I was sore for a few days.
The day after my operation I was feeling a bit unwell. That evening I was sick in my bed. I know before that I have got into trouble for being sick so I though I’d best hide it and bury it in my cushion but mum saw me. I thought she was going to be angry with me but she just spoke softly and called to me to come out my crate. I went to Lenny’s bed while mum took my cushion away to be washed but I was sick again. I then went to Lucy’s bed and was sick again. I thought mum was going to be so angry but she wasn’t. She just cleaned it all up and washed all the cushions. Then she went and got more cushions. She slept in the living room with me all night that night. I have never felt so safe in my whole life.
So now my teeth are fine and I can actually eat properly. Before the pain was so bad that I had to swallow everything whole but now I can chew again and eat anything that I’m given. I can’t describe how great it feels not to be in constant pain every minute of every day. I think that’s the biggest reason I feel like a new woman and I feel happy.
The food here is fantastic. We have mince Tuesday which is my favourite day closely followed by chicken Sunday. Every day breakfast is sardines, which I love and mum says is good for my coat. I think we are spoiled here actually but I’m not complaining.
I have never really known what a mum or a family was before I came here. I’m seven years old and feel like my life is just beginning. Mum says when we come to live with her we have to leave our old life on the door step as we walk in the house. It’s like we wipe the slate clean and start again. It feels so great to be cuddled, kissed and loved. I have no idea how I could have lived without it for all those years but I know I will have it for the rest of my life. Thanks to BIN I have a family and a second chance of life.

And finally.....
I had the strangest feeling one day. I was standing in the middle of the living room and I had the biggest urge to just run around in circles really fast. I suddenly stopped in shock and looked at mum who was laughing her head off. My 1st “Bullie Run”.
I know now that I am a Bull Terrier but better than that, I’m a happy Bullie!

Written by Molly with a litttle help from Kay Rooney.

My story... by Molly.

2008-09-24T18:13:00.002+01:00

I don’t remember much before I came to live with Kay but I’ll never forget the day that she and Stu came to collect me or what’s happened since.
It was a Saturday about lunchtime when the kennel lady came to get me. I was all excited. I had heard that I was leaving soon but thought it strange as no humans had even looked at me never mind been keen enough to take me home.
I went outside into the sunshine and saw 3 shadows standing in front of me. I was nearly all blind. My eyes were sore and itchy but the more I rubbed them on things the sorer they got. I recognised one of the voices as the kennel man but the other 2 were strange – really strange. I had never heard anyone talk like that before. The female said that we were going to Scotland and I realised that’s why they spoke so funny. I wagged my tail as hard as I could so they would think I was cute and not change their mind about taking me. We went outside and the man lifted in into a car.
I sat quiet in the car and we pulled away. I was desperately trying to understand what they were saying. They were talking about me. Oh no they had noticed that I wasn’t well. I was so frightened that they would take me back that I sat quiet as a mouse. We hadn’t gone far when the car stopped. I sat shaking thinking “that’s it, they have taken me back and I’m going to die” but when they opened the car I wasn’t back there at all. They lifted me out the car and examined me all over. The man held me – Stu was his name. I kissed him but he didn’t seem to like it much so I kissed him again. Somehow that much have told him my teeth hurt cos they both looked in my mouth. The lady spoke softly to me. She kept calling me “baby” and I liked it. That was Kay. She said that she’d take me to the vet tomorrow and make me all better. I just fell in love with her. She was so gentle with me and I felt so safe with them.
It was a long journey to Kay’s house and I was tired when we got there but the house was full of new smells. Kay showed me all round the house and then set up my bed. I dived straight in and settled down. Shortly after another dog appeared. Lucy was her name and she was like me – a Bull Terrier. She was younger, bigger and stronger than me though but very friendly. Then a wee while after meeting Lucy another dog came in. Lenny was his name but he wasn’t like me. Kay called him a boxer. He was friendly too but I knew straight away that he was a big softy.
The next day Kay took me to the vet after she bathed me. I was so frightened when we got in the car. I kept thinking that maybe she had changed her mind and was taking me back. I cried all the way to the vets and the whole time in the waiting room. Kay held me while the vet cut my claws. It was very sore and I yelped with the pain. I tried to get away but she had a tight hold of me although I think I might have hurt her in the struggle. The vet checked me all over and put stuff in my eyes.
After the vets I started to feel better. Kay took good care of me giving me medicine and soaking my sore paws. She put eye drops in my eyes and then gave me a treat for being so good. I barked at her to say “thanks”.
Life at Kay’s is never boring. Lenny and Lucy play fight all day. They are noisy and quite rough. I want to join in but I’m just a bit scarred still. Kay has a daughter who gets called Chick and Robi. You can tell if she’s in trouble by the name that she’s called. She is kind and watches TV with me. She lifts me onto the couch and cuddles me. Last week she was ill and off school for the day so she just spent the whole day on the couch with me rubbing my tummy. It was great. The best day off my life. I didn’t know that living with humans could be so good
Sometimes Rudi and Stu come to visit. Stu calls me his girl and I like it. He plays with me while Rudi joins in with Lenny and Lucy. Kay says that I start to play too when I feel better. Lucy does a mad thing every day that Kay calls a “Bullie Run”. She runs really fast all over the house. It’s very funny. Kay says I’ll do that too when I feel more secure and happy. She doesn’t know it but I’m already happy now I live here.
I can see much better now though. In fact most of me is feeling great. We all go for a walk every night together. I am tired after it though. I’m not use to having a walk. Sometimes I get off the lead to run about and chase Lenny.
Kay and Robi have been trying to get me out of my bed. It was scary at first but I’m getting there now. I have claimed Lenny’s bed as mine as he never used it much anyway and he’s too soft to say anything.
Lenny and Lucy call Kay their mum. I felt a bit jealous to begin with and then all of a sudden she said to me “where’s mummy’s girl?”. My heart about stopped. I just stood and looked at her waiting for her to say it again just in case I’d heard her wrong but no she repeated it “M-o-l-l-y, where’s mum’s girl?”. I just ran right over to her and cuddled her. My prayers have been answered. I have a forever home with a great family and they love me. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have been found by them. Mum says BIN brought us together. I have no idea who BIN are but I know they saved my life and I am forever grateful.

Kay & Molly's story

2008-09-24T18:12:00.001+01:00

Molly first appeared on a thread on the “Bullie Bar” as an unnamed desperate appeal for a fosterer. She was in a dog pound/kennel in Doncaster and was due to be put to sleep on the Monday but could be saved if BIN stepped in. I read the thread and offered my home to her. All I knew was she was a 7 year old female bullie.
BIN then started a thread for transport for this girl to get her from Doncaster to my home in Fife. This went very slowly so to speed things up I offered to go down to collect her. Bullystu decided he would come with me to keep me company. This would be the journey from hell but not due to Molly. We managed to arrange another 2 dogs to be transported down to Doncaster to be collect by fellow volunteers and new owners and one of these dogs was a nightmare!!!
We arrived at the dog kennel and advised who we were and why we were there.
“Oh great you’re here for Molly” the lady who worked there said.
“Molly?” I asked “we didn’t realise she had a name”
“Oh yes” replied the lady “she is chipped so we scanned her when she came in. She was registered to a breeder so we contacted him but he didn’t want her. Said that he’d sold her a while a go.
When Molly was brought out I couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing. I couldn’t get her out of there and in the car quickly enough. We drove off and straight away I phoned my vets to make an appointment for the next day. The stench was unbelievable. In fact I was almost sick when she first got in the car. I pulled the “magic tree” right out of it’s plastic cover to try and disguise the smell. Then we drove along to the nearest services and stopped there to have a good look at her.
This was a poor neglected lady. Her left eye was so filled with green gunk that you couldn’t see her eye at all and the right eye had traces of the gunk. Her coat was nicotine white. Her claws were so over grown that they were actually curled round in growing back into her pads. Her breathe about knocked Stu out when she kissed him and prompted us to venture a look in her mouth. There was a large infection site at the top front of her mouth and in general her teeth were covered in plaque. Her tummy was so baggy that it hung down like a cows udder and we could see that she had definitely been used for breeding and probable been over breed judging by how bad her tummy was.
I had to fight back the tears as we checked her over. I kept thinking that an old lady like this deserved a better life than she obviously had had up til now.
It was a long journey home but Molly sat in the boot of my car and not a sound came from her. You could sense the fear from her. We spoke calm and reassuringly to her all the way home.
Once home I brought the cage that I borrowed from Stu in and set it up. I hadn’t even managed to get the new big padded cushion in , that I’d bought for her, when she dived into the cage and lay down. She was definitely crate trained.
That night I let her settle in before I brought Lenny and Lucy in to see her. I wasn’t sure if she was friendly with other dogs or not. They all had a sniff in turns at each other through crates and tails wagged. We then put leads in and went for a wee walk in the garden. Molly wasn’t use to walking and the over grown claws made it very painful for her so the walk was short.
The first night went well and she had her dinner and went to bed with not a peep out of her. The next day I was suppose to be going to the Falkirk BIN walk but had the appointment at the vets so didn’t make it. I gave Molly a shower as the smell was really getting to be too much. I didn’t want to do it the night before with it being her first night and frightening enough. She stood well for the wash though and I was struggling to find any fault with this lady at all.
The trip to the vet was long and tiring. Molly was in a bad way. She had an ulcer on each eye but her left eye (the one with all the gunk) was badly inflamed and needed steroid treatment. Her claws had to be cut out of her paws and this was very painful and bloody although the relief seemed instantaneous to her. These paws needed bathed in salt water for 7 days to stop infection. She had started coughing that day and had kennel cough which required antibiotics. Her teeth would require to be removed but at a later date as there was just so many other things to fix first.
So began my nurse career. There was 2 types of eye drops – one for each eye. Antibiotics for the kennel cough. Salt water bathing for the paws. I felt it was never ending. She liked to bark at me after getting her eye drops though. I think it was her way of letting me know she didn’t like it.
The hardest part of all this treatment was getting Molly out of her crate. Molly hasn’t got much muscle in her wee body and we believe this is due to the fact that she has spent most of her life sitting in a crate. She is stiff to walk up even one step and struggles to actually stand up sometimes. This also resulted in psychological issues where she was frightened to come out of the crate and would spend all day in her crate coming out only for a walk.
We resorted to bribery with mini scotch eggs. Molly hadn’t had much human contact. She was shy and withdrawn but I did notice that she would come out the crate to spend time with my daughter Robi. Robi and I worked as a team, building Molly’s confidence up and spending time getting her out the crate. Soon we had her up on the couch for “Bullie Lovin” for short periods of time. It’s funny how kids and dogs have a way of bonding with each other. She loves going for a walk. Although only short walks to begin with due to her sore paws and kennel cough but these lengthened as she got better and have even developed into off the lead exercise. I have worked with her and trained her to walk to heel but have to admit she has typical Bullie recall – i.e. I will when I want to!!!
Molly has been with me for about 6 weeks now. She has been given a clean bill of health for her paws, kennel cough and eyes. This week she will get spayed and her 2 top front teeth removed and the infection clean out. She is now so confident that she never goes in her crate at all. She has claimed Lenny’s bed for her own. She still barks at me though and I think that is her way of saying “I’m here”.
She still has a lot of work to be done with her. She is still nervous of going anywhere new. Still a bit timid even wandering around the house. She is now starting to show some Bullie traits which is nice to see.
My daughter Robi has decided that Molly is staying right here with us. To be honest I felt the same. It’s hard to look at her and not fall hopelessly in love with her. She is such a great dog. Good with kids, good with other dogs and house trained.
I keep asking myself “how could such a wonderful lady end up on death row?” and then thanking my lucky stars that BIN stepped in and saved MY MOLLY.

BIN Reorganisation

2008-09-20T16:42:00.002+01:00

The way BIN works has now changed so I am going to try to explain to you what is now happening. Each area will have its own coordinator, this person will be responsible for everything that goes on in that area, homechecks, assessments, supporting fosterers, rehoming dogs etc. They will have their own team of volunteers who will help them with all of these tasks.
Eventually these team leaders will have their contact details on the web page so that you will be able to get in touch with them direct, but until then please use the present contacts and you will be put in touch with the correct person.

The way we are rehoming dogs is also changing, no more will the available dogs be presented on the web page, as they become available they will be matched up to people on the waiting list. So if you are wanting to adopt a dog you must fill in an application and get on the list, then when a dog becomes available that we feel would be suitable for you we will get in touch. This way we can make sure that dogs are placed with the most suitable families and less problems are likely to occur. There may be occasions when we are looking for special homes for special dogs and these dogs will go on the web page.

If you have filled in a questionairre in the past and haven't received a reply please do send in another one, all will be acknowledged within a few days.

We will be continuing to do what we have always done, rehome and rescue bull terriers, but we hope to be offering a better quality of service for the important part of rescue - the dogs.

The Special One

2008-07-11T16:24:00.004+01:00

No not him, this is a real special one!

You may have noticed a young lad on the crosses page of the Rescue Centre who has been there a few months now, his name is Sonny. He had a poor start to life, living in a cellar before being rescued by a very kind lady who was having problems finding a rescue who would take him, probably due to his parentage - Staffie x rottweiller. As soon as I heard about him and saw his face I knew I had to help him so offered to take him into my kennel (I have 3 kennels, 1 is BIN's 2 are my own). Little did I know the journey we were starting off on!

He arrived on the back seat of a car sitting on the knees of Lisa and Mandy, they had met the kind lady rescuer at the services and shared their seat with him for a good few miles. After being in a cellar for so long his odour wasn't pleasant, no doubt they were both pleased when they got back home to bath and change!!

Weeks went by and no one showed any interest in this little lad, he settled in well but worried me to start with because he wouldn't sleep in the bed area of his kennel, he preferred to take his bedding into the run, it is covered but obviously not as warm and cosy. I am sure it was because he was just so happy to be outside and not in his cellar. I put a thick rubber mat over the concrete to insulate it and made sure he had plenty of bedding and he was fine.

Weeks turned into months and Sonny became friends with my rescued American Bulldog Rhubi, they became virtually inseperable, so I thought it would be wise to get the 'snip' done as I am waiting for the right time to have Rhubi spayed.

2 weeks ago Sonny went to the vets to be castrated, he had only 1 testicle in the sac but the vet didn't foresee any major problems locating the other one, although did warn us that it may be a bigger operation than normal.

Later that afternoon we rang to see how he was getting on and the vet said that despite all their efforts they hadn't managed to find the missing testicle and the op had been longer than they would have liked because of this and he had more incisions than usual, due to this he had to stay overnight. The next day we collected him and were told that in 2 months time they would check his testosterone level and if it indicated that there was still another testicle they would have to take him in to look for it again, if it wasn't removed it could cause further problems later.

Sonny wasn't himself for several days and he remained in the house where I could keep a closer eye on him, he didn't touch the wounds at all he was really good in that aspect, but the swelling didn't go down. We took him back after a week and the vet thought the internal stitches must have split and caused a hernia, so we booked him in for the following day to have him opened up again and restitched.

The next day off we went again and as usual were told to ring at 2pm to see how he was doing. At 12.30pm the phone rang and a voice said 'don't panic, it's nothing to worry about but its the vet here', she then went on to say that while she had him on the table she thought she may as well just have another look for the missing testicle, but that she didn't find it but found something else instead! My first thought was they had left something in there from the previous op, but she said that what she saw really shocked her and she thought she was seeing things! There was an ovary, a cervix and a uterus, so Sonny is an hermaphrodite!! Something that is not seen often in dogs.

So 2 weeks after being castrated Sonny was spayed!

From the outside he looks like any normal male dog and it came as quite a shock to find out how special he is. He is now a celebrity at our vets, but he hasn't let the fame go to his head, he is still the same lovable little lad!

He will be available to sign pictures at the Fun Day!!

3rd Southern BIN Walk at Porchester Castle

2008-06-08T18:09:00.009+01:00

Huge thanks to Kim (Kim and Shelby on the BIN forum) who organised the 3rd Bullies in Need Southern Walk today at Portchester Castle near Fareham in Hampshire.

We all met up today at midday and went for a walk around the old castle and along the watermeadows.

The weather was lovely and warm so the location was great as we had a gentle breeze coming in from the sea.

All the bullies (and honoury bullies) were so well behaved, I don't think I saw or heard one angry word between the dogs. They all were a credit to the breed.

Today was my BIN boy Dweeb's first 'public doggie event' and he was such a good boy. He mixed well with the other bullies and took everything in his stride. I was really proud of him.

The dogs all enjoyed their walk and many of us (bullies included) stopped for an ice-cream when we got back to the carpark.

From the walk entry fee's (£2 per dog) and from the sale of BIN merchandise we raised £65 for Bullies in Need.

So a huge thank you to everyone (and all the dogs!) who attended.

BIN Fundraising Walks are being held accross the country at various locations - Please see the main webpage or our forum for more details.

Comrades Marathon

2008-05-11T14:56:00.002+01:00

3 very fit and brave men are putting themselves through a very gruelling marathon in South Africa and are trying to raise some money for our spaying and neutering bills. This is a very special race and only the fittest and most determined can take part. You can even follow the stages they are at through the Comrades web site ; http://www.comrades.com . If you feel able to add your support by sponsoring them both BIN and the lads will be most grateful.

Thank you James, Reuben and Isaac for publicising BIN in this way and good luck.

Pudsey represents BIN at Crufts 2008

2008-03-21T12:17:00.003Z

Hello everyone

Pudsey here and it’s been another day in my dog’s life but for some reason mum was dead excited??!!! She got me up early...too early to be honest I was quite happy snoozing. I watched her loading stuff into the car and packing her handbag up...I thought we were going to the beach but mummy kept saying we were going to wufts again.....Wufts??? I don’t remember going to a Wufts and getting dirty! With kisses to Jarvis and Baby of we set in the car...didn’t take that long and there we were...at a giant car park...this didn’t look very exciting at all mother.

After a bit of a walk I could smell the smell of a thousand dogs and the hustle and bustle of lots of people. We met a lovely lady called Margaret who took us through a giant hall of goodies...I’m pretty sure we passed a beautiful pink studded harness in my size and array of kongs that I was most upset mummy didn’t stop and buy me...but anyway we carried on and ended up at a stand. This was the Dogs Theft Action stand and I listened closely as mummy talked to a very nice lady who has lost her bully and got him back 4 years later.....4 years.....omg what would I do without my mummy for 4 years!!! After my introductions to everyone we went for a wander up to the Discover Dogs stand and I met some more mini bullys and Dolly their mummy and had my photo taken by lots of people passing by...I couldn’t see all the fuss...I’m beautiful..Of course they wanted to take my picture. Mum kept telling me what a good girl I was...tell me something I don’t already know.

After wondering around for a bit more and a bit of a stop to play with my toy and some bacon crisps we went back over to see Margaret and the other girls at Dogs Theft. There was a bit of a crowd gathering and MORE people wanted to take my photo. Mum explained that we were taking home a scanner so that other bullys with microchips like me would be able to be returned back to their mummies and daddies sooner with this piece of equipment...so of course...I had to do my bit..After all if it wasn’t for BIN I wouldn’t have my mummy now. I met a lovely man called Roy Barraclough and a lady called Debbie Mathews and had my photo taken with them and I posed like a good bully should. I showed Roy where you need to check for the chip so he knew...well...I felt it my duty.
After all these people had gone mummy took my back down the stalls and bought me the kong I had my eye on earlier...then we set off back in the car home.
Now I’ve had a wonderful day out...but a diva needs her beauty sleep.
Look forward to speaking to you all again soon.
Woofs and kisses

Pudsey (and her eternally loving mum Lynsey)

xxxx