Parade of Rescue Dogs

DOGS RESCUED in 2005

D’Arcy Cannon
Darcy, a 13yr old golden retriever is owned and thoroughly spoilt by Lorraine Cannon, our UK co-ordinator and lives happily with his Labrador girlfriend, Martha. 

He was the very first rescue dog to be rehomed by Irish Retriever Rescue although Sandie had been single handedly rehoming dogs for 10yrs before that. Darcy was a stray taken by Sandie from the pound. He was, undoubtedly, like many other older dogs, dumped in favour of a younger model, as it was very near Christmas. He has been quite poorly this year but with his determination and Lorraine’s TLC and heaps of love, he seems to have made an excellent recovery.
 
Ricky Granger
Ricky, affectionately known as Ricky 3 legs, is a 5-6yr old retriever cross owned by Julie Granger. His original owners wanted him put to sleep after his accident but IRR paid for his operation and brought him to England. He was fostered with Sandra in London where he proved to be a bit of an escape artist  Ricky now lives happily with Megan, his golden retriever girlfriend. He is a very handsome boy and, despite only having 3 legs, he has won many prizes at exemption shows. He, recently, came 2nd in the South West heat of the RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year competition.
 
Ricky himself says: My name is Ricky and I was rescued by Irish Retriever Rescue  
They found me at the pound with a very badley broken hind leg, I had been knocked down and dumped by my owners. Luckily the Irish Retriever Rescue came and resuced me and all the lovely people there clubbed together to pay for my leg to be amputated.  I was then flown to England and went to stay with my lovely foster mum Sandra whilst I recovered.  I then came to my forever home in Goucestershire, where I now live with my Golden Retriever girlfriend.  Life is great now and I manage just fine with 3 legs, though it has taken me a long time to learn to trust and love others again.  But now I love my cuddles and its really great because I live in a newsagent and all these people come in to see me every day.  I even have special customers who I let bring me biscuits eveyday !!!!!  My favourite hobby is going for a walk, I just love walkies time it is the BEST !! but I also love Hogging (looking for Hedgehogs).  Oh and I love anysort of treats !!!!!!!

Ricky is one of the lovely dogs who have put themselves forward for sponsoring in order to raise much needed funds to help other dogs less fortunate than him.

Molly Carbin 
Molly, the chocolate Labrador, came over with Ricky and was also fostered with Sandra. We thought they would have to be rehomed together, as they became such great friends, but Molly went to live happily with Carol Carbin and her lovely GSD, Travis, on the same weekend as Ricky. Molly was an ex breeding bitch who was initially very nervous. She is much better now but, unfortunately, was a little too stressed to actually go in the Parade although she was able to attend the Reunion.
 
Kimba Morris
Kimba is a 5yr old golden retriever who came over at the same time as Ricky and Molly.  She was fostered by Pam Morris who fell in love with her and adopted her. She was a brood bitch handed over to Sandie with her son, Toby. Her male owner had accidentally run over one of his other bitches and said he wished it had been her instead. She used to be terrified of men but is absolutely fine now.
 
Silver Morris
Silver, an elderly (over 10yrs) golden retriever is also owned by Pam Morris. He was originally dumped because of his medical problems. Pam originally fostered him, gave him lots of TLC and healing and, unsurprisingly, fell in love with him. He lives very happily with Kimba and their other rehomed golden retriever Casey.
 
Honey O’Hanlon
Honey, a 10yr old golden retriever, was in a terrible mess when she came over from Ireland, with her coat badly hacked at. She was supposed not to have got on with another dog but she now lives with 4 rescue greyhounds. Again, her fosterer, Ali, totally fell in love with her and decided to adopt her. We found a large malignant mammary tumour on her which was immediately operated on and she was only given six months to live but, two years on, she is still doing really well with the help of a homeopathic vet and Ali’s devotion to her.
 
Jake & Elmo Kossakowski
Jake and Elmo are 6yr old golden retrievers who have lived together all their lives. They were surrendered to Sandie by their devastated owner when a change of family circumstances meant she was no longer able to keep them. They live happily in the countryside with Bridget and a very large selection of animals. Everybody seems to know and love them and they are huge favourites of the local baker who had to be persuaded that giving them loaves of bread and even doughnuts wasn’t a great idea.
 
Lady Felicity (Fliss)
Lady Felicity is a 5yr old golden retriever who lives happily with Lord Jasper, a cocker spaniel, and Denise and family in Warminster. This lovely golden retriever girl had simply  been dumped in the Wicklow mountains in Ireland. Jasper has taught her how to live life to the full. Fliss has a heart murmour but is otherwise healthy. She has now overcome her fear of the hoover and is getting calmer around foreworks. Fliss found the heat a little too much so Denise, wisely, took her home before the Parade
 
Kelly Ellis
Kelly is a golden retriever who was 2yrs in May and is owned by Rosa, who also fosters for us. She was one of 8 dogs from an ISPCA raid on a puppy farm. Kelly (originally Kerry) was renamed after her mother Kelly who came to England in a dreadful state. The other dogs were Aine, who needed tremendous amount of love and care from her fosterer , Jane, and her  puppies, Ciara and Shannon, who were in a very poor state too. There was also another bitch called Lily and the stud dog, Rooney. Happily, all 8 of the dogs are healthy, happy and in wonderful forever homes now
 
Bouncer Ward
Bouncer is Kelly’s brother. They were both fostered by Joy who is presently looking after our latest litter of surprise babies. Bouncer is famous for his Mohican haircut. He lives with 2 other dogs and with Regina, who, like Rosa, has also fostered several of our dogs. Bouncer is really quite a character and he is another of our Sponsor Dogs. Regina says he is as mad as a hatter but, for that, read she absolutely adores him.  

Ben Fowler
Ben is a lovely older dog. Nobody could understand how or why he ended up in rescue. He has a wonderful temperament and has totally restored Pauline’s confidence in the breed (she had been very badly savaged by a golden retriever from another Rescue organisation who, unlike us, don’t assess the dogs in foster homes before re-homing). Ben is extremely popular in the village where he lives. Unforunatelu, Pauline had to attend a meeting so was unable to stay for the actual Parade.
 
Danny Jefferey
Danny is an 8-9yr old golden retriever owned by Pauline who was yet another failed fosterer. Danny was a stray who ended up in the pound and, unbelievably, this lovely, gentle dog was never claimed. He was clearly once well loved and knew many commands. We suspect his owner may have died and the other family members did not want him, which is a very common story. He is brilliant with the foster dogs as he understands doggy body language very well and helps to settle the more nervous ones

He was  taken into the parade by Sandie.

Sandie has rescued golden retrievers from Ireland for well over 12 years now. She fosters many dogs in her home and has never been known to refuse help to a golden retriever in trouble. She regularly drives the length and breadth of Eire to save one.

In January 2005 a small group of us got together to try to help Sandie with what we thought would be a few dogs in distress and that is how Irish Retriever Rescue was born. Although predominantly intending to help distressed golden retrievers, we also often find ourselves helping  labradors and the first crosses of both breeds too.

Jumble Jones
Jumble, is almost 2yrs and a golden retriever X, owned by Anne & Alistair Jones. Originally called Teddy, Jumble was the first born of our first litter of surprise puppies. Anne says he is a very special dog with his one blue and one brown eye. Jumble, like Topsy, grew and grew and, sadly, at 5 mths was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia. Apparently, he also has very bad knees and elbows and should really not be able to walk but he, clearly, doesn’t realise that. He now has a special friend, Finn, who came from Many Tears and they spend many hours playing together.
 
Rupert Hoppitt
Rupert, is brother to Jumble and is owned and loved by Anne Marie Hoppitt. He was the tiniest of the puppies, born by Caesarian and wasn’t expected to make it at all but take a look at him now!!!!!!.   
 
Rory Hoppitt
Rory was the second baby born to Alice and he went to live in Somerset with Helen and children. Unfortunately, a change in family circumstances meant that they could no longer keep him but Rupert’s family were thinking of getting him a friend so the brothers were very happily reunited. They are now totally inseparable.
 
Alice Houghton
Alice gave birth, prematurely, to the 3 pups the day after she arrived in England. Alice, Lisa and Carrie were 3 golden retrievers, liberated by the ISPCA from a puppy farm. They were all absolutely terrified so much so that they all huddled under the table in Sandra’s kitchen and would back several feet away from their food bowls.
 
Poor Alice’s lovely face was covered in cigarette burns and she could barely walk. She is now a lovely, bouncy retriever with only just a few lasting bad memories.
 
Carrie was fostered, then adopted, by Carol Carbin, who also has Molly, the chocolate Labrador, and Travis, the GSD. Sandra, in London, fostered Alice and Lisa and was a wonderful grandmother to Teddy Jumble, Rupert and Rory. Alice now lives very happily with Brenda and Sammy, the Springer Spaniel, in Southampton whilst Lisa remained in London and was adopted by Carol Connolly.
 
Alice is another of the Sponsor Dogs who help us to raise funds to help others.

DOGS RESCUED in 2006

Gilly Dracup
Gilly is 3yrs and a labrador X whose forever home is with Nigel and Belinda Dracup and their two other lovely dogs. Gilly, originally,  had a few very strange behaviours, like toe nibbling .  Nigel says “ We adopted Gilly from IRR in September last year after 3 months fostering with Fran and Andy in Derbyshire. She is a wonderful companion to Molly and Cleo and has brought some real fun into our home, she is a very loving girl with lots of energy, and when she shows you the whites of her eyes it makes your heart melt. We all love her dearly and she is a major part of our family.

Flynn Hartley
Flynn is a 3yr old retriever cross. He was fostered by Pauline for several months as he was in an appalling state when he came over from Ireland. We believe, because of his injuries, that he was used by gypsies as the gentle bait to tease the aggressive fighting dogs. He was covered in bites when found and was very thin and had no hair on his tummy when he was adopted – he is now very large!! He is a very loving boy who is adored by Christine and family and is absolutely wonderful with the grandchildren.

Lola Jones
Lola is a 2yr old golden retriever owned by Lynne Jones. We are fairly sure she is undersized due to having puppies at her first litter. Apparently, problems with her puppies meant she was no longer required. Lynne first fosterered and then adopted Lola and, with love, natural remedies and determination, has now almost completely overcome Lola’s phobias. This was also achieved with the help of Jilly May (the Bernese Mountain Dog) and Sammy (the GSD X who was also rescued by Sandie). Lynne provides all the flower essences and lots of good training advice for our adopters and fosterers.  

Lola, who is very pretty, is one of the most popular of our Sponsor Dogs

Chance Ellis
Chance is a 2yr old Retriever/Collie. He was fostered by Gemma in Suffolk and then adopted by Sue Ellis who says “He is such a bright happy fellow and everyone loves him. He has certainly bought laughter back into our house with his antics. He can be such a comedian but also very strong willed. His training is coming on well and we love him to bits and can’t imagine life without him now”. Chance was certainly not an easy dog but Sue has done brilliantly with him so he was, unanimously, awarded the IRR OBEDIENCE DOG 2007. Well done Sue and Chance.

Matt & Buster Peacock
Matt and Buster have always lived together and were quite a handful when they arrived from Ireland. Diane bravely adopted them and absolutely loves them to bits. They looked to be very well behaved as they walked around the show.

Molly Burdett
Molly is a 4yr old golden retriever owned by Karen Burdett, yet another failed fosterer, and she  lives with Kerry, her golden retriever friend. She was chained up all day, every day, by a puppy farmer and she has had many behavioural problems. Although she is now heaps better, Kaz still has to work very hard with Molly and is putting her in for her Good Citizens awards.

Kaz is in charge, with Jackie, of the Sponsor a Dog scheme and Molly is one of the Sponsor Dogs who send out cards and regular newsletters to their sponsors.

Harry Doddrell
Harry is a 4yr old labrador cross. He started off as a wee bit of a handful, especially where cats were concerned but he now lives happily with Paul and family in Bristol next door to cats, who he ignores. He is also very much adored by their little boy who walked around the ring with him. Paul says “ Harry is a very loving dog that used to have a problem with cats, but we have got him over the cat thing, so now he is just a very loving dog. He loves to be around people, gets on well with all dogs and children,  and is a perfect family member.”
 
Twinkle Astor
Twinkle is an 8yr old golden retriever, owned by Christine Astor. She was originally a successful brood bitch for one of the top breeders in Ireland but she was rehomed after spaying. She, immediately, had to have several lumps removed but, fortunately, she now enjoys good health again. Twinkle was fostered, amongst many others, by Denise and Phil in the Midlands.

Casey Flynn
Casey is a 6yr old golden retriever owned by Gwen Flynn. He was originally called Sam and came to us with his brother, Ben. They had lived in a small yard all their lives. When their owners moved house, they no longer wanted them. Sam was bullied by his brother Ben so we decided to separate them. He regained his confidence from his friend Cracker. Casey was one of the now 40+ dogs successfully fostered by Andy and his mum,Val in the West Midlands.

Ben Hack
Ben is a 4yr old golden retriever owned by Lee Hack. He was originally called Bonzo and he and a border collie called Max were no longer wanted when the children came along. They lived in a back yard and under the stairs. He is totally loved to bits now.
Fortunately, Max, like Ben, also has a wonderful forever home with Sarah Smith and family who were unable to make it to the Reunion. Lee says When we got him he was very fat, smelly and scabby. Now beautifull and the vet says he is chuffed with his weight. can still be smelly though, especially after finding ripe things to roll in.
 
Callan Grist
Callan is about a year old now and is a retriever probably crossed with a staffie. He came over as a tiny pup with his brother Connor. Steve says “Callan is just over 1.5 years old, and is just starting to show signs of calming down, he loves other dogs although still submits to them at first, is great with kids and can be off the lead in a pub garden and left to play with them (once over the initial excitement), we live in the country so he is rarely on the lead, although that means he pulls at first when he is.”
 
Ollie Perkin
Ollie is a 2yr old golden retriever was given up as, sadly, the father of the family had died and mum couldn’t manage a young family and a puppy. Ollie with his friend, Max are quite a hit at their local obedience club aswell as spending time running happily on the beach together.
 
Max Perkin
Max is also a 2yr old golden retriever. He was placed in the pound by someone to spite their spouse during a divorce. This is particularly awful as being a surrender can mean instant death. He now lives happily with Liz and family in Devon with his very good friend Ollie.
 
Nugget Hyde
Nugget is an 11yr old Labrador. Nugget had to have several serious operations. As far as we know Nuggets human mum died and the family did not want to take him on, which is a very common reason for dogs ending up in our care. The state of his health was also probably the reason for him being abandoned as he had several tumours and other health problems. He went to Amy for foster and last year, just 2 weeks before the IRR reunion, Nugget had an operation to remove 6 tumours. The operation was successful but during the night Nugget haemorraged and his stitches split, Nugget then had to have an emergency operation. 2 weeks later he was at the IRR reunion and even won 1st prize in both obedience competitions that he entered…which made Amy cry. Amy and Bryony totally fell in love with him and it was decided that Nugget should stay with Amy and her family as a forever foster.He lives happily with Chance and Willow and any foster dogs that Amy happens to have both for us and other rescue groups. Nugget is another of our very lovely Sponsor Dogs. 

Emma Green
Emma is a 2yr old golden retriever owned and is very much loved by Ali Green and family.  Ali says: “As far as we know Emma was handed into a pound in Ireland having possibly been mistreated, she came to us via super-fosterer Andy and his mum. We can’t figure why she was handed in? perhaps she just grew too big from someone’s fluffy ball? We expected to encounter the problems that would have caused her to be thrown out but we have found very few other than the usual retriever selective deafness.   Whatever else, she now is very confident and a bit of a stunner (and doesn’t she know it!) She lives in her forever home with Faith the (also thrown out) rescue Lurcher, who beats her up mercilessly, and has trained her to dig and chew beautifully! Ali raised money for us by organising and playing at the Rock 4 Retrievers concert last year and this year she has cut an absolutely brilliant and very funny Wurzle style CD for us . Thankyou Ali.
 
Millie Woodall
Millie is a 2yr old chocolate Labrador who lives with Sonia Woodall and her family. She gets on really well with the children and the other dogs, one of whom is Gracie, sister to Eddie Regula. She isn’t always the easiest of dogs but Sonia has worked really hard to make her into a great ambassador for her breed.
 
Guy Hardy-King
Guy,  a 6-7yr old lab X, is owned by Maggie Hardy King. He was surrendered to the pound by a priest after his owner died. Sandie happened to be there at the time and simply could not bear to leave him to his fate. He has had several operations for entropion and, through no fault of anybody’s, he has had several different foster homes including Lucy, Kay and Margaret.  Guy has maintained his wonderful nature throughout and, luckily for him, his last fosterer, Maggie could not bear to let him go so he now lives in the luxury he deserves with his little Yorkshire terrier friend, Chico, and several cats.
 
Bailey Fucher
Bailey was called Paddy and he is a 2yr old golden retriever. At the time of the last Reunion he was  in foster with Pat and Dave and then went to Jan . He was originally surrendered to Sandie, because he was no longer wanted due to the arrival of a child.
 
Gizmo Jefferey
Gizmo is nearly 2yrs and supposedly a retriever X hound owned by Steve Jefferey.   He was found scavenging on a rubbish heap when aged about 3mths. He is a lovely dog but he has a few strange behaviours that would make him difficult to rehome successfully to “normal” people. So, Pauline and Steve failed again as fosterers and Steve adopted him. Gizmo proved to be his soul mate when a ruptured Achille’s tendon put Steve out of action for months. Gizmo lives happily with 3 golden retrievers and loves to play with all the young foster dogs who come to stay. He is another dog in the Sponsor a Dog scheme.
 
Bonnie Power
Unfortunately, Bonnie didn’t make it into the Parade but it was lovely to see her there with her adopters, Eileen and Steve.
 
Jake Regula
Jake is a 2yr old retriever cross who went to Denise & Phil with lots of issues but his main hate was other DOGS.  He still isn’t perfect but is very much better than he was. He was their  first failed foster to be followed closely by another two.
 
Eddie Regula
Eddie is 1yr old and was supposed to be a Labrador cross. He came over from Ireland with his sister Gracie as a tiny puppy.  We all expected them to be Labrador sized but they have stayed small. However, what he lacks in stature, Eddie more than makes up for in personality.

DOGS RESCUED in 2007
                         
Pudsey Regula
Pudsey is a 1yr old Labrador who was no longer wanted because of his Hip Dysplasia He needed a complete hip replacement and has had two major operations now. Despite this, he is a very happy boy and he is in forever foster with Denise and Phil.
Apart from regularly writing his diary, Pudsey is also one of our Sponsor Dogs.

Dazzle & Penny James
Penny is a Golden Retriever, less than 1 yr old whilst Dazzle is possibly a 2yr old Samoyed/Lab cross. They were both, separately, found as strays in Ireland and were fostered by Pauline in Bath.  There Penny met her new best friend, and partner in crime, Dazzle, and they both went to live with Diane and family in Gloucestershire on 14 July 2007. Despite always being up to mischief, they are loved to bits.

Carly Harris
Carly is a beautiful Golden Retriever who is still less than 1 yr old. She was found, in a dreadful condition, as a stray with her mum, Crystal, in Ireland. She was quite naughty with cats to begin with but now lives very happily with 2. She also has an older golden retriever friend to play with at Sue and family’s home in Somerset.

Toby Leggett
Toby is a 2yr old Golden Retriever. He was very poorly treated in Ireland, being chained up, and the chain left a deep indentation in his neck. He has now landed on his feet with the Leggett family, and his new girlfriend, Chelsea. Poor Chelsea has not been well but Toby has very much helped her to recooperate

Stevie Phipps
Stevie is a Golden retriever, less than 2yrs old. Stevie is blind and spent most of his life in a shed until he was rescued by Fiona of the ISPCA.  His muscles and ligaments have not developed properly and he was quite lame when he walked but regular hydrotherapy is really helping him.  Alison and Tom have had him since March and his training is coming along brilliantly.  He is the happiest, friendliest and most loving dog you could wish to meet. Stevie is another of the dogs who have offered them as Sponsor Dogs to help others.
Stevie was chosen as BEST IN SHOW 2007 By Pat Arnold after winning Best IRR DOG under Liz d’Arcy and Denise Cribb.

Digby Reader-Hoer
Digby is a 2yr old Golden Retriever. Tracey, his forever mum says “ Digby is our beautiful IRR dog, who we’ve had since March 2007.  He only has 3 legs (front leg amputee) but that doesn’t stop him enjoying lift to the full! He lives in the beautiful Devon countryside with his golden retriever girlfriend, Cleo, 2 cats and horses. Apart from looking gorgeous, he is a great ambassadour for his breed.

He, too, is one of our very popular Sponsor Dogs

Ivan Warwick
Ivan is a 2yr old Retriever/Collie Cross. He was found as a stray with a chocolate Labrador called Isaac. Ivan was fostered with Pauline and went to live with Bob after the very sad passing of dear little Jake who, tragically, Bob only had for a few short but very happy months.

Maybe this would be a good time to take a moment to  remember all the lovely dogs, like little Jake, who have sadly ended up on our Rainbow Bridge pages. For sure, they may be gone but none of them will ever be forgotten.

Dawn Morgan
Dawn is a 6yr old Golden Retriever who came from a puppy farm in Wales, having been a breeding bitch. In June 2007, she went to live with Kate in Dorset who says that Dawn has settled in well very well and adores her new brother Roger, a Black Lab. They are lucky dogs as they have the most wonderful countryside around them.

Freya Sauer
Freya is a retriever x who is less than 1 yr and already she has had 3 homes and is on her 4th name. However she is settling in and doing well now with Lori in Wiltshire. She is a very happy dog but, at the moment, she still finds it hard to stay focussed. This is quite understandable with all the moves the poor little soul has had. Controversy has always followed her. She was SUPPOSED to be a boy!!!!!! Then she came into season at a very young age and caused panic until her fosterer discovered her rescue GSD was, in fact, already neutered even though she had been told otherwise……..phew!!!!!

Even Freya’s forever home didn’t work out when her owner became ill but, this time, she has really fallen on her feet and her home with Lori is definitely forever.

Alphie Furlonger
Alphie is a 1 yr old  Retriever X Setter. He was a stray in Ireland and was rescued at the approximate age of 6 months. He was very ill whilst in foster with Sandie and we were all desperately worries about him but he not only survived but has turned into a wonderful dog. He lives happily with Claire and family in Cornwall and has a friend called Sophie to play with, who was specially adopted to keep him company.

Eddie Turner
Eddie is a 2yr old Labrador. He went to live with Emma and family in Hampshire in April 2007 after being fostered by Nicola in Somerset. He is well and truly part of the family!  He was surrendered by his previous family after being caught chasing sheep.  He still loves to chase, but now it is normally the children around the garden!

Daisy Long
Daisy is a Golden Retriever who is little more than 1yr old. She was rescued by the IRR after being found begging for food in a car park in Ireland, having just had puppies. Daisy was only a puppy herself and, sadly, her puppies were never found. She now lives happily with Maggie & Ray and is learning the joys of caravanning amongst other things.

Bertie & Zach Worsley
Jan says….I met my 2 angels Zach (aged 4) and Bertie (then aged 3) from Irish transport  23rd March 2007 at 6 A.M., both dogs weighed 102 KGs jointly.  My role was to provide transport and a foster home for the night as people were visiting the next day to consider them both for adoption. Both dogs were grossly obese and had severe movement difficulties – I had enormous trouble hauling them into my 3 door hatchback, due to their size and inability to move. I thought we had become IRISH ELEPHANT RESCUE.  These dogs were being surrendered by their loving Irish owners who could no longer care for them, with the stipulation that both dogs must be homed together.

After both dogs were bathed and de-matted (we’ve all been there Fosterers, haven’t we – we just could not stand the stink!), the prospective visiting adopters decided they were unable to adopt both dogs, in due course eventually offering a home only to Zach.  As there was difficulty finding a foster home for both male dogs together, I offered to care for them for a few more days until arrangements could be made by IRR for fostering.

After these 2 adorable retrievers were on the IRR website for a few weeks without any success, BIG MISTAKE! I asked IRR permission for them to be removed from the IRR website for a couple of months so that I could continue to apply a very strict regime in my endeavours to achieve much improved health & quality of life for both of them with weight loss and extensive exercise for their new home.  PLEASE NOTE: I WAS 100% DETERMINED NEVER EVER TO BECOME A FAILED FOSTERER IN ANY EVENT WHATSOEVER.      The rest is history!

In less than 6 months these dogs have jointly lost 34 KGs, the weight of one large male golden retriever, Zach is now 36 KGs (originally 56 KGs), Bertie is now 34 KGs (from 46 KGs).  Both dogs are exercised twice daily on Salisbury Plain for 3-5 hours off-lead in all weathers.  Everyone who meets my 2 IRR angels falls completely in love with them, which I can truly understand – I’ve had numerous homes offered to both of them over the months.

These 2 IRR angels are truly all that anyone could ever hope for and everything a traditional golden retriever should be, perfect in every way: they really are true ambassadors for their breed.

Cassie Marshall
Originally known as Maeve, Cassie is a  Labrador, aged about 4yrs. Cassie was found with terrible skin problems and had definitely had babies. She was absolutely terrified of men but is improving all the time. She now lives with Anne in Somerset and has a greyhound friend, Mick,  for company. Her skin is already heaps better.
 
Neilan Reaston
Neilan is a 3yr old Golden Retriever. He was handed into another rescue by his owner saying that he couldn’t stand the smell that Neilan gave off. He has been fostered by Jackie but went  to his forever home in Banbury, with Alison, at the end of today.
 
Millie Butler-Spice
 Millie, previously known as Jordan, is a 1yr old Golden Retriever. She was found tied up with rope indented in neck, which meant it had to be shaved and stitched under anaesthetic. She was also under weight & had a very bad limp. This is improving and her neck is almost completely healed just a few short weeks on. She now lives happily in Hampshire and also has acquired a new friend, Holly.
 
Holly Butler-Spice
Holly is a 3yr old Golden Retriever.  She was surrendered to IRR due to several escapes and worrying sheep which meant she needed to be rehomed in an urban environment. She has now settled in well with her friend Millie.
 
McKenzie Ryan
McKenzie is a Labrador who is less than 1 yr old. He was, reluctantly, given up when his single mum owner could no longer cope. He has been recently rehomed from foster mum Denise to Hedy and Bernard in Wiltshire.
  
Honey Perry
Honey is a 2yr old Labrador. She came from a loving family who, unfortunately, couldn’t keep her due to an illness in their family. Honey has lived with Samantha and family since January 2007 and she has settled in really well
 
Duke Shanks
Duke is a golden retriever who is not much more than a year old. He was fostered by Nicola who “failed” as she couldn’t resist him. He was a very large puppy and we did wondered if he was actually going to turn into a Pyrenean Mountain Dog.
 
Millie McAvoy
Millie is possibly a Retriever x border collie aged about 4yrs.  She was surrendered to a pound in Ireland and was rescued by Sandie and now lives in Somerset with Belinda & Terry. They soon after also adopted Connie
 
Connie McAvoy
Connie is a Golden Retriever who is no more than  2yrs old. She was surrendered to the pound in Ireland with her two black, male crossbreed puppies, Merlin and Minstrel, who have both also been successfully rehomed.
Merlin is going to be an Agility dog and Minstrel (now Drake) is going to be taking up Heelwork to Music. Their mum is simply going to be spoilt by Belinda and Terry.
 
Samson Long
We had been referring to this lovely golden retriever as “frightened boy” as, initially, whilst in foster in Ireland, he was terrified of everything except children. Samson is probably not much more than a year old and has only very recently come to the UK but it looks like he has already found his forever home which is not surprising as he is so adorable. We, definitely, believe that he has gained his confidence so quickly because he has been on a combination of appropriate flower essences.
 
Foxy Smith
Foxy is a 7yr old Collie x Retriever. Her fosterer, Julia, says “ Foxy was found on the streets, and we initally took her in to be fostered – but she is such an adorable little girl, we have fallen in love with her” After the Reunion, it was made official and Foxy has now been adopted by Julia and Dave.

Nina Clayton
Nina is no more than a 1yr old. She is a typical young, full of life, Labrador. She has a very loving side to her nature but she does need to be kept busy and needs some training and gentle discipline. Whilst in Ireland, we had to make the difficult decision to have her spayed immediately after her season. As she was so emaciated, we could not take the risk of her having puppies. She is still painfully thin but getting there.
 
Nina  went  to her new home in London, with Diana, immediately after the Reunion
 
Nikki  Knapp
Nikki is a lovely Labrador girl, who is wonderful with children and grown-ups alike. She is also great with cats and rabbits but can be wary of some dogs.  She was adopted the day after the Reunion by Nick and family.
 
Bonnie the Labrador
 
BONNIE IS A 1yr OLD LABRADOR. SHE WAS BROUGHT OVER FROM IRELAND AFTER BEING HANDED INTO THE POUND AFTER HER OWNER HAD KEPT HER IN A YARD FOR A YEAR, DUE TO AN ACCIDENT, WITH NO TRAINING OR SOCIALISING. SHE WENT INTO FOSTER CARE, THEN WAS REHOMED FOR 3 MONTHS, BUT GIVEN BACK TO RESCUE AS SHE WAS TOO MUCH FOR THE OWNER’S DOG AND THEM. SHE IS CURRENTLY BACK IN FOSTER CARE AND IS PROGRESSING WITH HER TRAINING AND BEHAVIOUR VERY WELL BUT IS STILL LOOKING FOR HER FOREVER HOME.
 
Louis the Labrador
 
LOUIS IS ABOUT 18MTHS OLD AND IS QUITE A HANDFUL BUT HE ALSO HAS A VERY LOVING SIDE TO HIS CHARACTER. HE IS ALSO STILL LOOKING FOR HIS FOREVER HOME, PREFERABLY WITH SOMEONE EXPERIENCED, WHO WILL DO AGILITY OR WORKING TRIALS ETC WITH HIM OR, ALTERNATIVELY, WHO LEADS A VERY ACTIVE LIFE IN WHICH HE WILL TOTALLY BE INVOLVED.