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One Dog at a Time: Saving the Strays of Helmand

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I carried on following 1 Dog via Facebook and was so moved by the plight of the dogs and the wonderful things the charity was doing to help, I was very tempted by some of the dogs available for rehoming, but it wouldn’t have been fair on our old boy, who was enjoying a peaceful retirement. However, when we sadly lost him at the ripe old age of 14 1/2 , after some time to adjust, we decided it was time to welcome another dog into our lives. Rescue has always been my first love; right from the moment I could walk, I was rescuing. My first recollection was saving butterflies and fish from my brother’s nets, and like so many before me, I insisted my parents stop the car to rescue hedgehogs from the side of the road. As a child, I was always bringing home wounded animals and strays. I’ve grown up with dogs and have shared my happiest and saddest moments with a dog by my side. I have had dogs as long as I can remember. I grew up with dogs and then later when my work/ life balance meant I was able to spend more time at home, it was not long before a dog (or two) joined my family. He still barked, but it was less aggressive and more inquisitive. But he’s a big dog, and we had to appreciate some people passing will misunderstand him, so we protect him from them rather than the other way around. People will misunderstand their behaviour – their problem, not yours Lesson 4

I really wanted to be able to help this wonderful charity more, so I started doing some crafts to donate for the auction to help raise much needed fund. I was very honoured when I was asked to join the fundraising team. It’s not easy getting a dog from 1 Dog At A Time Rescue. There were interviews; telephone conversations; videos, and we were not finally approved until we could prove that we had increased the height of our garden fence, as requested. That thoroughness and determination to ensure we were the right match for these special dogs is typical of this meticulously professional organisation. From that moment, we felt supported by a network of people for whom the best outcome for the dogs is of paramount importance.The moment I looked at the pictures, I stopped on our Mikka and fell in love. She was being looked after by who I feel is now our friend Sorrin, a fosterer for 1 Dog. Sorrin sent me updates, videos, and despite the language barrier we communicated, (it was a caring thing). Nothing really prepared us for Raffles. From day 1 he was so loving, would really lean in like he wanted you to wrap him up and snuggle forever. It’s a good job, as after his initial settling in, he certainly found his feet, and I will not lie, he was a little bit of a challenge.

I did not imagine for one minute that all this was going to evolve when I started looking for an older dog (I love the oldies) In 2012 I had just joined Facebook and was mooching around when I saw an old boy who looked a little like my soul dog Dillie. He was from Romania and I had just missed out on adopting him. I had no idea about all the cruelty over there and the plight of the street dogs. I have seen many street dogs on my journeys around the world but none so obviously loathed and treated as vermin. I started to read and became completely determined to help one of these poor souls. We have a healthy, very happy little dog who’s previous life was a nightmare, 1 Dog changed his life and ours so much for the better. But honestly, we wouldn’t have had even a tenth of the support and guidance buying a new puppy in the UK, that we have had with these wonderful, caring supportive people. Fostering provides many advantages and helps to give our dogs the best possible start to their new life. In a foster home situation, the dog’s true personality will have a much better chance of shining through, which is sometimes harder to see in a shelter environment. This foster home gives potential adopters a much more accurate insight into the dog’s temperament and character (the good and the quirks!). Foster also allows the dog to socialise in a family situation with other people, dogs and other types of pets, so that any quirks that need work become apparent.

Elspeth Craig and Flora (Shelby)

If I ever needed support, it was there. If I needed advice, it was there. I absolutely understand she was not in the awful kennel (thank God) but however you find your love in the form of a dog, does it matter? No! After talking to several local and international rescue organisations, I decided that 1 Dog at a Time Rescue had an excellent and well organised system in place, and so I soon had a home visit. The dog that had originally caught my eye had been rehomed, but I soon settled on Kammi and Jaimie as they got on well together. Due to the war in the Ukraine, DEFRA temporarily suspended Romanian dogs entering the UK. This was put in place in April and has only just lifted. After losing my dog at 15 years old, I vowed never to get another, but the sense of loss was overwhelming, and I knew I had to fill the emptiness.

We also have a monthly auction on our Facebook Group where you can bid on a wide variety of items. All proceeds raise money for us. As we all know there are millions of dogs around the world that are starving and that go hungry each and every day. Our charity partners are working tirelessly to help and save these poor dogs. The cruelty, despair and starvation that some dogs have to endure are not acceptable and by working together we are determined to stamp it out, so to this end, the Bradshaw’s pledge is ‘ for every bowl you feed we donate to a dog in need’. I joined the wonderful 1 Dog at a Time Family in March 17. A simple share on Facebook and my application to adopt Annabel Amber and Jessie was successful. Neuter/spay provided the dog is old enough or well enough. This will be discussed with you if we are not able to get the operation done in Romania.

Sarah Childs and Fern

In the year 2020, the decision was made we were going to get another Romanian puppy, but this time from 1 Dog At A Time Rescue UK. And what a great decision that was. We filled in the adoption forms and chose Rupert from the available dogs. At Bradshaw’s, we decided that change was overdue in the dog food market and we needed to take what we were good at and make it into something very special indeed.. we want our food to reflect our values. Our model is to create a sustainable stream of giving that helps to feed street dogs around the world by simply feeding our own dogs. After a lot of consideration and planning with the 1 Dog Team we were then able to adopt Negrutu. Negrutu was a long stayer at Happy’s and missed Annabel, Amber and Jessie as he used to play out with them before they left. We built kennels for him as he was a very nervous dog and didn’t think that he would ever adapt to living leaving in a house. After just a week everything changed and Negrutu moved into the house. My journey with 1 Dog began when l saw a photo of a dog on Facebook, huddled at the bottom of a dirty cage with the saddest eyes l had ever seen. Sadly l knew l didn’t have the space for such a big dog, we already had 2 small dogs but curiosity made me look at the other dogs available & the second l saw her photo l knew the painfully skinny, dirty, petrified little girl living in squalor & filth in the Public Shelter, trying to make herself invisible, was always meant to be mine. I would have walked all the way to Romania to get her if l had to. Molly blessed our life’s and filled our hearts with so much joy, l wanted to pay if forward on her behalf and joined the amazing 1 Dog Team to help other dogs just like her. I have absolutely loved every second, I work alongside the most amazing people. It is probably the most rewarding thing l have ever done. His recall took a long time – don’t be lulled, get an extendable lead and take your time – lesson 2.

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