"My Springer, Jasper, will bring me my Ventolin Inhaler or the box of tissues just by asking him. I had Jasper from the Springer Spaniel Rescue centre. Jasper is an ex gun dog who went gun shy and couldnt work anymore."
I was born down south but came to Staffordshire as a child. I've had Springer Spaniels for 40 odd years, but it's only in the last 3 years that I've been involved with the North West English Springer Spaniel Rescue.
My story is about my work with the North West Springer Spaniel Rescue. I chose to tell it because I wanted people to know about the work we do and because I love Springer Spaniels!
Inside lives was terrific! It's one of those once in a lifetime things!
Ive kept Springer Spaniels for years, once you have had a Springer you will never be without one. The typical Springer is an extrovert by nature. They mature around 2 years of age, but, mentally, they tend to think they're puppies for the rest of their lives. They are attracted to water, except when it comes to bath time. Muddy puddles are luxury to them and they will want to share that mud with you. They are the easiest dog to train. My Springer, Jasper, will bring me my Ventolin Inhaler or the box of tissues just by asking him. I had Jasper from the Springer Spaniel Rescue centre. Jasper is an ex gun dog who went gun shy and couldnt work anymore, but he's made a wonderful family pet. At the moment I've got about 340 Springer Spaniels ... although obviously they don't all live with me. I work for NWESSR, North West English Springer Spaniel Rescue. I help rescued Spaniels to find the right home for them. I ended up keeping the first dog I was supposed to rehouse. We rescued him 2 weeks before I went on a caravanning holiday in Wales with my family and we took him with us. Me, the kids and the dog were all playing in the sea together when someone came up and said 'I wish ours would be part of the family like that.' After that I fell in love with Spaniels, and wished I could've kept every single one I've come across in the last few years. Sometimes I wish the people who come for them won't like them so I can keep them a bit longer. Dogs come to us in all shapes and sizes from pregnant bitches to a full litter of 8 that hadn't been treated properly. And they come to us for all sorts of reasons: the family might have split, owners have died or are too busy to exercise their dogs, but there are some horror stories too. I work hard for the Rescue centre--driving all over the country and sometimes getting up in the night to take in new dogs. It's worth it.
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