All of my three ( two sadly departed) have been rescues.

Spotty (jack russell) belonged to the neighbours. They used to hit, kick and abuse her. The kids tried to drown her in the paddling pool. One day the husband hit her over the head with a roofing tile and split her head open to the skull. They wouldn't pay for the vet to treat her, so I did and I kept her. It was touch and go if she lived or died. She lived, and I was proud to be her companion for the next 16.5 years. She died at 18 years old.

George (GSD) followed me and Spotty home one night. We had been walking near the A13 when we saw him. Poor boy had been tossed out. Vet reckoned he was about 10 - he was beautiful but not well, he had cataracts and was blind, and was limping badly. He died one week after we took him in.

Missy came from Battersea.
I can't speak highly enough of their rehomers and the care they took.
We had an interview, we brought photos and a map to show the garden we had and the green spaces around us. We brought photos of Spotty and the places we'd taken her to, so they could see the life she had with us.
They told us we could have any one of their jacks. We had specified female but not age, and we were asked did we want 1-2 year old? We declined and said we wanted to take a jack that might be overlooked, and as Spotty lived to 18 we knew jacks can be long lived.

They came up with two 7 year olds. One had been surrendered by a pregnant lady and had been resident for one month. The other had been surrendered when her old lady owner died.She had been resident for 2 years.

We asked to meet her, and were told, that no, we didn't really want her as she had issues. We asked about the issues, were told them and said we'd still like to meet her. Again we were told the first was the easier of the two.

I actually felt that they were trying to put us off. Later, my friend who used to work for Battersea told me that they would have been testing our resolve, because they would have wanted to be sure her next home was her forever home - and no whims or pity were involved.

We met Missy with a lady from rehab, who took a couple of hours to go over all of her issues and explain her likes, dislikes, and watch us interact with her. The first visit we arrived at 3.30 to the home - they close at 4.30 - we left at 6.30pm!

We were given an information pack about Missy and asked to go away and think about her, and could we cope. Then we were told we would have to have a second visit - she couldn't come home that day. We booked the second visit for the following day.

The second visit we were taken onto their training ground, and we were shown how Missy behaved with other dogs (bossy).
Happy that we could cope, they let us take her to Battersea Park for a long walk - 2 hours.

We still couldn't take her home that day.. we were told to go away and think again and if we still wanted her to get in touch to make a day to pick her up. We said we'd go away as they asked, but nothing would change our minds - we still wanted Missy.

We arranged to pick her up the following Saturday - but told if we changed our minds before then, just to call, they wouldn't mind if we thought it was all too much for us.

We didn't change our minds, but sadly Missy caught a bug which meant she was passing stools and blood, so we had to wait for the vet to give her the all clear. That happened the following week.

Once she was well, we arranged to go fetch her.
The kennel hands who had worked with her came to say goodbye and they were in tears to see her go. Real tears.

She had been spayed and microchipped already. We were given 6 weeks free pet insurance, with a promise that pet plan would continue with hiking the fees because she was older. The microchip was made out to us, and we paid a £70 adoption fee. Oh, we also got three free leads (house, traffic, and normal) and a bag of food.

We took Missy training, we took her to agility. I socialised her with people, the classes and some local dog walkers socialised her with dogs.

We went to the reunion one year later and met one of Missy's old kennel hands. We showed her what Missy could do in the way of sit, right paw, wrong paw (left) lie down, play dead and tickle on the tum. Then we invited her to do the same and tickle Missy. When she stood up she was crying - she never thought Missy would find a home.

Our home visit came after we adopted Missy, and I Was a bag of nerves, thinking they might want to take her away - and we'd had her three months already. But the homechecker was delighted with her progress and our house.
She even told us that compared to where she was, Missy had landed in doggy heaven.

Battersea have stayed in touch - Missy was used as an example of their work in the Spring Reception. A whole speech was dedicated to her.
Missy has had her story printed in Paws Legacy Special as the dog who highlights the work of the Home - and why the Home needs legacies.

Yes, we had to work through some issues, but we were prepared for that. We could have taken an "easy" dog if we had wanted that. We didn't.

The whole experience with Battersea and rescue was a good one, and we now have the most delightful companion you could ever wish to meet.

Couple of photos of Missy..

How many of you have rescue dogs? Three out of my four dogs are rescued, Cody (Dobe), Ben(Lab) and Tally (Vizsla).
I have also had Russ(GSP), Abby (Dobe), Rory(Vizsla), Cindy (Crossbreed), some taken on as old timers and all lived into double figures. My daughter took on a 13 yr old GSP and had him till he was 15. There is something very satisfying about giving an old dog a comfortable home in his/her old age. The majority of people wanting to take on a rescue dog ask for puppies and pass the older dog over. I'd rather take on a dog who is housetrained and out of the chewing stage. As for taking on a dog who has his/her way of doing things - well quite often those ways are good ways.

It is sad that some people have had bad experiences with rescued dogs and have been put off 'rescues', if homechecks are done properly and dogs are assessed properly, and rescue reps give help and advice as needed, then many 'problems' can be overcome. Most dogs soon settle into their new home and begin to fit in with the new routine.

So come on - lets hear your stories about your rescued dogs, and pics as well. Lets hear about your experiences with rescue organisations, good or bad, and any suggestions how things could have been better for you and your dog. Was your dog neutered by the organisation or did you have to do it yourself? Did you pick your dog or did they choose the right dog for your family? Also, have you had to hand your dog over to a rescue organisation, were you happy with the way you and your dog were dealt with? Lets hear all about it!