Jack Russell Rescue Service
Giving Jacks another chance
Jack Russell Rescue      Happy Adoption Stories

 
 
:: Successful Homes ::
 
 
HAPPY ADOPTION STORIES
at Jack Russell Rescue
 
 
 
Read below the stories that we have received from the owners
of successfully homed Jack Russell Rescue dogs.
If you have adopted one of our Jacks and wish to send in a story,
please do, with some pictures to jrtrescue@pnc.com.au
 

Dear Jill,
I do hope you are well. I have attached a photo of all of us- my rescue gang!!
 
 
 
  I thought it was a good opportunity to give you an update on all my boys & girls. What a difference they  ALL, in their own way, have made to my  life & that of my boys.

I came to you in June 2008 looking for a friend. I had lost 2 of my Russell’s’, one 11,one 16 the previous year & felt ready enough to entertain the idea of another dog. I took Sandy with me, (my remaining Russell) & we left the kennels with not 1 but 2 beautiful people. Wembly & Rowan. What amazing characters. They fitted in straight away to farm life. Even though no bird life was safe!!. This really amazed me as I had only had Russell’s from when they where pups, so their quick adjustment both to their new family & farm life was a constant source of amazement!  We sadly lost Rowan to a tick, after only having him for a few months. I was devastated. He had such a look about him. So hard to describe, he truly looked into your soul when he was close. So loving & so very much missed.

After a time I called you & came to look at May, & left with her & a few days later Sally (known as Lally). May, would have to be the crankiest, funniest little dog you will ever meet. She does not suffer fools & likes to attach herself to your toes, given half a chance. She instantly hit it off with Wembly & has not stopped playing since!! Sally, came to us suffering badly from kennel cough. She was so depressed & down for some time, that I really wondered what her personality was really like. I was soon to discover!! Sally is our ratter extraordinaire. A fearless hunter that no matter the weather will be working alongside you – 24hours if necessary. Then she would sleep,  her head dangling down & her tongue sticking out! She typifies what a working Russell is all about. When she is “on” she is 10 foot tall & bullet proof,  going everywhere at a million miles an hour but when it is time to stop…there is no waking her!!

I happened to be looking at the website & saw 2 older dogs that I felt may not be so attractive to people. I fell for the most beautiful photo of Willa. Those eyes!! So, so beautiful. The other older girl was called Jessie. This time I brought my boys with me. It did not take long before the car was full of dogs, a couple of new kennels, bowls etc. Jessie really reminded me of a Russell I had had many years ago. She thankfully is not the snake killer that this one was but what she is, is the most wonderful friend to my elder twin son Patrick. She is so special to him. It is quite a site to see the two of them saying good night to me & going off to bed. She does not move till morning,  but has been known to wake him up with some pretty heavy snoring!! I believe Willa has had a number of homes. Those beautiful eyes are hiding a deal of pain & neglect. She had to have a large amount of her teeth removed , as they were so rotten from lack of care. She copes marvellously well & is the love of Jeremy’s life.

I yet again visited your web site, only to find Misha, an old girl that had had a cancerous growth removed from her side. I knew I had to call you. The story distressed me greatly. I realise that vet fees are expensive,( I manage two Thoroughbred horse Studs & have kept my  vet in nice cars & overseas holidays for over 20 years!! -  I really can’t get by without him!!) but to abandon a girl you have had for 10 years…come on! My boys & I went to see Misha & thought we better take her home. She too,  has become a workaholic ratter. A job she relishes & is really quite good at!!

I was not counting on meeting Norris. Norris is about 6-7 years old, & been thru so much. He has had damage to his spine that had caused him to become  quite ataxic behind. As I write this letter to you, Norris is by my side looking up at me with that “I love you” face that I first saw those many months ago. There truly is something very , very special about this dog. He has strengthened behind enormously. He can now balance on his hind legs for a time, something he was unable to master before. He is still not totally in control of his hind quarters.  They generally go in a totally different direction to his front legs. Which has led to much movement of furniture, a  screen door that will never be the same& a huge amount of laughter.

We are a very happy, content family. My boys’ think it would be great idea to have 10 dogs. 8 will do just fine for the time being. I have been truly blessed to have such a happy, diverse family. They give me so much more that I could ever give them. I never thought I would have a dog that I did not raise from a puppy. Not anymore. I am your strongest advocate and ally. De-sexing & rescuing these  animals is the only way to go. I have told so many people about  the joy that giving an animal a second chance can give you. Let alone the benefits to them. I look around at my guys, sitting all around me as I type. We all, couldn’t be happier.

All the very best to you always.

Merry  Christmas & wishing you success & happiness for 2010.

Kindest regards, Alex Raphael

"MOLLY" (CINDY)
 
 

Hi Jill,

well it has been nearly six months since Molly came to us (as Cindy) from JRT Rescue in January '09. What we have here is a wonderful dog. I am so happy with her! She is absolutely beautiful!
 
Apart from being smart and full of antics, she has a very sweet nature. She is also very interested in everything that humans do and has just about worked out how to drive a car! She loves her walks and loves to play games. On weekends she comes everywhere with us. She's been on two road trips and loves holidays. She's seen many animals since coming out into the big wide world, including cows, emus, camels, goats, ducks, horses and fish. She's also happy at home, with many cosy corners to choose from, and her own garden. Here are some photos.
 
Thanks JRT Rescue for sending us this little darling! Molly would also like to send a cheerio to Scooby, who arrived atPerth airport atthe same time.

Eveline

 
        
 
"ZAC"
 
Hi Jill
Just thought I would let you know how our Jack "Zac" is going who came to us from Penny of Mortdale.  He has settled in really well, we can even let him off the lead sometimes, he is a real gentle giant.
Out female Jack (Chloe) is the boss and gets it over him, they play, swim and run everywhere together, he is a real gem.  Although someone in his previous home has hit him with a broom, poor boy, but now he comes inside with us and is part of our family, he is so funny everything is new to him.  Loves watching TV, he's learnt to play soccer and tear up his fluffy toys.  He is such value.
 Anway he is doing fine and well adore him even Queen Chloe.
 Regards Liz Walsh and Zac
pics to come ....
 
 
"SCOOBY"
 
 
 
Hi Jill,
 
Time is passing and I thought you'd like to know how Scooby is getting on. To put it in a nutshell -- like a house on fire. He knows all the rules and regulations, which, of course, is not to say he keeps them but at least he knows what not to get caught doing! For example;  getting onto a table and stealing food.
 
Not that he's all bad, he works very hard at hunting and doesn't take any chances on us missing the fact, as he often brings his trophies in to get the praise he knows he deserves. In fact, he likes the fuss so much that he digs up the buried corpses and brings them in for a second round of praise -- we've learnt to dispose of them in such a way that we won't see them again. In the photo of him hunting you see him disappearing down a hole he dug under the tool shed where the rats seem to have a communal breeding ground. This is more to be expected from a Terrier, than finding him up a tree.
 
When he is not hunting he is helping Bosco guard the property. He sees himself as a great support in this task -- a male thing, us fellers have to look out for a house full of the weaker sex. The second photo shows the boys checking out the back gate. The girls (Mattie & Peggy) tend to treat him like a puppy -- alternately tolerant or putting him in his place. They can also get quite jealous of each other!
 
Finally another aspect of this versatile dog. When its time to catch up on some beauty sleep, he looks for the most comfortable spot available. Often at our community recreation time, this might be a welcoming lap but the other day there was an even better spot when a Sister was mending her blanket and most of it spilled on the floor. He wriggled in from behind and the third photo shows him very contentedly having a snooze. The laughter and running off for the camera didn't disturb him at all.
 
So you can see he very much at home and we are happy to have him. So thanks again for the work you do saving these little dogs and finding homes for them.
 
Regards, Sr Joanne.
 

 
"BENJI"

 
Hi, Colleen and Jill,
Just a little note to fill you in about Benji (now Sam).  He has fitted in amazingly well to our little household.  He is an absolute delight and such a loving, fun little dog.  I can't believe he is a Jack Russell sometimes as he is so placid.  He would much prefer to sit on my lap or lay under the blankets of the bed in the morning.
However, as you can see he has fitted into our active lifestyle. We had him up at our boat.  I was out kayaking and he jumped off the boat (a drop of a metre or more) and swam out to me on the kayak.  So he earned himself a life jacket and now we go kayaking together.  He is much happier with me.
 
Hope you enjoy these pictures and we want to thank you again for bringing such a beautiful dog into our lives that we can love, Merrilyn Diverall

 
"BRONSON" (lucky draw winner 1.)
 
 
I don't know if you remember me but my name is Bronson and I am a broken coat JRT who one of your kind sitters looked after until I met my new mum and dad and sister Tia, who is also a JRT, in about 2001. My name used to be Phantom but my new mum didn't like it (and neither did I), so she changed it and I was much happier when she did.

I first went to live with them in a place called Canberra but after a couple of years there we moved to Albury. It was great fun there because we used to go down to the river all the time for picnics and I got to have lots of swims. I was a real natural at it and didn't even have to be taught, I did have to stay on a long lead though because I would get carried away in the fast flowing water. Tia never liked to swim though, I think she was a bit scared because she's a girl.

Last year we built a new home in Ballarat and went to live there with my family. I love it because now my nan lives with us and she loves me. She lets me sit in her TV room with her so I can look out the window all day, she doesn't even get mad when I bark at the other dogs going for their walks. We have these big brown and white animals in the paddock behind out house, at first I thought they were giant dogs but my mum said they are called cows. I don't like it when they come close to my fence, but I am not allowed to bark a lot so I just sniff real loud so they will go away. I also like it because on cold night Tia and I are allowed to sleep on our beds in mum and dads room and I even get to sneak up and cuddle up to them in the night. I also have a cousin called Charlie who I get to visit and play with a lot now.
I just wanted you to know how I was going and how happy I am now. Thank you for finding me a family who love me heaps, they keep telling me that I won 'doggie lotto' and I think they are right. I think they did too though because I am a really good boy. If they leave the gate open by mistake I try real hard not to go out the front and wander up the street, I have only done it once in Ballarat but I came right back when they called me.
 
I have sent a couple of photo's, one of me and Tia waiting for our new grass to grow, and one of me about to eat my Easter treat, yum.
 
Lots of licks
Bronson.


 
"MINDY"
 
 
Dear Jill,

We were sitting on the couch last night watching TV with little Mindy our darling JRT thinking how gorgeous she is and I thought I should drop you an e-mail to let you know how she’s going. I believe it’s been about 2 years now since you put her on her plane to WA, so I thought I should definitely give you an update!
Mindy is 9 now but you can’t really tell.  She’s so full of beans,  she plays tug of war and play fights with us every night and loves to go for walks in the bush or around the orchard in which we live.  She will steal all sorts of funny things and chew them up, so you really have to be on your guard.  She takes a fancy to certain things and then they are gone.....

She knows the difference between walking shoes and ordinary shoes and goes absolutely crazy when you put on walking shoes and tries to wrestle your socks from your feet in excitement.  She gets along well with our 13 year old Kelpie X Staffie but Mindy is definitely the boss and puts poor Brandy in her spot quite frequently, they seem to have an understanding though.
Thanks so much for what you do with Jack Russell Rescue.  They are such fun little critters and certainly deserve a second chance.  Me and my partner couldn’t imagine not having Mindy around for our  morning cuddle or her company in front of the TV.  She really is a treasure.  Thanks again.
I have attached some photo’s for you, she is being very lazy in all the attached shots!  It’s hard to get a good action shot because she moves so fast!

Regards,
Leanne Erasmus


 
 
 
Jodi seems to be fitting in well and although there has been a couple of squabbles, none of the dogs is overly domineering and their fights sound like Tasmanian devils snarling at each other,  however there's no damage done, except for hurt feelings which a cuddle and pat soon rectify.
 
Best of luck with the rest of your Jacks, you appear to have placed quite a number recently.
 
Cath, Brian, Mishka and Jodi
 
JODIE 
 
Hi Jill,
Just a quick update to let you know how Jodi's going.  I'll send a better update when I get some decent pictures of her and that horrid bare spot on her tail grows out.  She seems to be settling in and enjoying herself.  Her tail doesn't seem to stop wagging and she tries to constantly slobber all over me.  I've tried to tell her that I love her just as much as she appears to like our family, but would appreciate her more with less licking.  She licks us all, Me then Brian and then Mishka.  I think she had a bit of Kennel cough as she coughed a bit on the way home and now Mishka has a bit of a cough at night, despite having had all her shots. 
 
Brian as usual is fine. I've got one decent picture of her as like Brian she just keeps moving and when you stand in front of her with a camera just has to help.  This picture was taken the day after I took her home.  As you can see already her and Mishka are getting on very well. I think they both like the fact that here is another dog who's their size.
 
Jodi enjoys participating in everything the dogs and I do and now that she's got used to the fact that her participation is encouraged constantly bustles around, helping.  I think she has been treated as dogs are not to be seen and not to be heard.
 
She seems to be blossoming with the encouragement she receives and has actually done a couple of cheeky things such as chewing the table leg and taking a bone on my bed.  She got a firm no and this caused her to cower back as if she was expecting something else to happen to her.  Every time she does this she then seems to gather herself, go oh it's you, and rush forward with lots of kisses, it's quite heart breaking. I learnt with Brian not to give smacks as the one time he got smacked he made his displeasure very clear, and was incredibly horrible and naughty. Time out seems to be a much more effective training tool.
 

Here are some photos of Marshall – we love him.
Georgie – 9 year old sister!
 
MARSHALL 
 
Finally an update on Marshall – our little boy. He’s been going well and has fitted in perfectly. He likes to sleep on the pink bean bag and loves to be near us. He has been being a bit of a green eyed monster with our other dog (Bailey) but we don’t mind. We found out he likes to chew things like shoes, his bed and balls.
 
Earlier, we sent him off down to Nanna’s to stay while we went away for the weekend but came back with a terrible itch. Some of his fur had come off (till that spot was bald). We took him to the vet and he said he didn’t know what it was so he said to take a special spray and tablets. The tablets made him vomit but the good thing was he got better.
 
He escapes through the mesh of our front door so we have to get a new one. He doesn’t go too far, just potters along. Everyone thinks he’s lovely and wants to mind him. The next day after we got him we took him to Rushcutters Bay park with some friends of ours and he just sat under the tree and watched us. After that we took him to Grandma’s house to have a Christmas lunch, he lay their on my cousins lap asleep. It was a cute sight!
 
 
 
 
HARLEY 
(lucky draw winner 2.)
Hi Jill, I don't know if you remember a little dog called Harley that you sent up to Dorrigo with my Mum almost two and a half years ago?  He flew up to Coffs Harbour on a Virgin Blue flight, arriving safely and happy to be in his new home.
 
Harley is a wonderful companion and enjoys living in the country.  He loves to walk and is liked by all that meet him on these walks - everyone must stop  to pat him. 
 
At first he was a cheeky little fellow.  He used to carry belongings off and chewed up a couple of my niece's mermaid dolls.  He also could remove notes from my brother's wallet one by one.
 
The funniest thing he has done is bury an icecube to come back for later on!
 
A couple of photos are attached.  Harley has adopted one of my lounge chairs.  He has sad eyes, but a very happy heart.
 
I would recommend that everyone gets their dog from Jack Russell Rescue, a very worthy organisation.

Thank you for my little guy.
 
Kind regards, Sonya Buck
 
 
JESSIE
 
Hi, my name is Jessie and I am an 11 year old Jack Russell, I am in very good condition, have lovely white teeth and love to run; no one would know I am middle aged+, except for my Vet.
 
I was continually escaping from my previous home so I was surrendered to Jack Russell Rescue, where the lovely ladies tried to find me a new home.  It was not long before an elderly lady from Canberra wanted to meet me. As soon as I saw her, I decided she was going to be my new Mum. I sat on her lap and liked her, on the way home to Canberra I helped her eat her sandwich. She didn't mind at all.
 
I now live in Canberra and have two new beds, one in the lounge and one in the bedroom. My favourite TV show is watching 2 budgies in a cage in the lounge. When there is thunder I am allowed to sleep in my Mum's bed. I have been really good, and have not chewed up or wrecked anything or done my business on the carpet.
 
We get up early every day and go for long walks. I have lost a bit of weight and look extremely fit. I would love to run without a lead, but I get carried away and don't always hear when being called. I have had 2 swims in Lake Burley Griffin and love the water, I even love having a bath. I also have two nephews, both are much bigger than I am, one is a Retriever and the other one is a Rottweiler/Doberman cross, I love the Retriever, but don't know so much about the other one ( he is only 12 months old).
 
I also have 3 nieces, all are cats, I love them and am very curious about hem, but I am not too sure they like me. 
Love Jessie
 Jill
 

 

 I couldn't be more happy with the way it's worked out with the two of them, so I remain very grateful to you.
FRANKIE
 
Frankie is a very content little boy and continues to enjoy his life near the beach. He has made loads of friends on the beach - appears to be liked by owners and dogs alike which is great fun. Frank is obsessed with birds and it's not uncommon for him to throw himself into the waves in hot pursuit, much to everyone else's amusement as I wade out to retrieve him.
 
He and the cat Zeb have developed a good relationship - we've caught them sleeping together a few times, they chase each other around the house and generally get up to mischief. It's rather fun watching them go actually.
Jo Wills

 
 
We constantly tell people about your organization – people are always asking where Sammy came from.
 
A Year on with Sammy from Mortdale
 
Hi Jill
Just wanted to let you know how Sammy is going at Como. We brought him home from Penny’s at Mortdale on 25/2/07.
 
He has brought us heaps of joy and happiness, not to mention good luck!. We had been trying for a baby for 18 months and we had lost all hope of having another baby. Within a month of having Sammy, we fell pregnant and now have another boy who is now 3 months. Sammy is fantastic with Sal, our 5 year old and has welcomed our new little boy. He loves being around kids and is the star attraction at all family functions.

Here are a few photos of Sammy in his new home which he took up with great ease. He is a wonderful spirit and we constantly wonder how anyone would not want this wonderful dog. We adore him. He is well trained and loves to roll over for a belly rub on command.
Regards, Andrea and Mark Marigliano
 

 
 
 
 
Finn has tried swimming in our dams a couple of times, and yesterday we took all the dogs up to the Colo River, and despite being a bit frightened where the current was strong, Finn had a couple of big swims (at the end of the lead of course!!!).
 
An Update from Finn 
 
Finn enjoyed his first Christmas on the farm.  He has become good friends with our two year old Rotti cross, Sandy, and the two of them spend hours playing.  Finn is also a real smooch, being the first to cuddle up on the lounge at night.  Also, despite knowing that he is not meant to come into the bedrooms, he has started sneaking in at 5am for a morning cuddle.  He is always the first to greet you at the door and is always so excited to see you.

Now from watching the other dogs, he is consuming anything put in front of him and enjoys chomping on a bone and I am pleased to say his teeth are whitening up.  The first time I put some chopped up chicken necks in his dinner he turned up his nose at them, but this week he ate two whole chicken necks in with his dinner.  He is definitely filling out, being very thin when he came to us.
 
Finn is still a cheeky little boy and outside our yard we can still not trust him off the lead.  So he has to stay on a lead whilst we walk around the 10 acres.  He's made a few escape attempts, one the very first time we trusted to leave him in the yard whilst we did our shopping, only to come home and find him missing.  Luckily some nice lady up the street found him and when we collected him from the vets, she actually called up to check on Finn so we heard the tale.  She had heard a car horn and went outside to find him on the road so she brought him inside.  He tried to fight her much bigger dog so she locked him up separately.  He escaped from her once, but she caught him again and then took him to the vets. 
 
So he really is a little escape artist.  We had to buy him a harness and seatbelt for the car as his favourite trick was to escape after you opened the car door with arms full of groceries.  We had a few chases on our hands all over car parks and down streets here around Richmond.  We always caught him thanks to the help of friendly bystanders, but these days are at an end thanks to the harness.

 At first we thought we had bitten off more than we could chew, but then I found his vaccination certificate and my heart broke when I realized that the poor thing had been in the kennels for over 6 months, so we decided that we should not give up too easily. We have tried obedience, and he now heels, sits, stays and comes. However these lessons go out the window as soon as there is something more interesting.
 
Most importantly, he has now stolen our hearts and has become a part of the family here.  He is sitting at the window right now as I type this.  My only hope is that he does not find any snakes, as he is a real hunter, spending hours running around the acre we have fenced off. But that is the downside of living in the country. The upside is the room Finn now has to run around and burn all that energy that he has playing with the other dogs.  He most certainly has energy and enthusiasm in abundance and we can see that he is well suited to living on a large property with other dogs. Kind regards, Monique

Harvey Muppet
 
 
 
 
"Happy New year from Harvey" 
2008 
Dear Jill
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all at JRT Rescue. 
We have had Harvey for just on 6 months now and he has come so far and learnt so much in that time.

Harvey was totally unfamiliar with being inside and definitely not housetrained. It was a week before he learnt how to jump up on the lounge and was generally very uncoordinated but obviously intelligent and willing to please. It only took a few days to learn how to use the doggie door but a while longer to learn what he had to go out for.

Harvey soon learnt walks were fun, and then learnt to pull like a sled dog against the harness. He now wears a halter as well as the harness when walking and appears happy to take it easier.
  
In the early days we lost numerous shoes, slippers, thongs, an x-box controller and just about anything else Harvey could reach and chew. The recycling bin was raided at every opportunity. He is a voracious chewer but has learnt he has his toys and other things are not to be destroyed. The toys generally do not last very long. His favourite toys are balls and any thing that can be thrown and retrieved. Squeaky toys send him into a frenzy and quickly culminates in total destruction.
 
Harvey’s education has been a hard road and it is pleasing now that we almost never have a bad day as he grows more confident and secure. He is a beautiful, sweet natured boy who appears happy with his place in our family and we are so glad we made the decision to meet him and bring him home.
 
from Melanie Hopwood and family
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
ABBEY
 
We can’t believe it’s 8 months since Abbey came to us. She has definitely settled in well and knows how to make herself at home. She and Toby are great mates and mostly stick together.
 
Abbey appears now to be the dominant of the pair - surprise, surprise! They share Toby’s kennel at night, share mats inside and love playing tug-of-war with their soft toys, but to Toby’s disgust, Abbey still doesn’t get balls.

Abbey also loves investigating our back yard, but unfortunately we have lost 2 bluetongue lizards to her and are unsure how many skinks she has eaten. We have also had a large brushtail possum visiting at night recently, and had to bring the dogs inside for their own safety when they had the possum cornered up a downpipe.

Both dogs love their lap cuddles and often choose to be on the same lap – very crowded but sweet!

Abbey has brought us so much love and fun. She is so affectionate and sweet and great company for Toby. Everyone who meets her loves her.
 
We wanted to thank you for doing the work you do with JRT Rescue and wish you a very Happy Christmas.
Attached are Abbeys Birthday photo and the dogs Christmas Photos from Kate
 
With our Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year,
 
Louise, Brad, Stewart, Kate, Toby and Abbey.


 
 
 
 
 
We found out last week end that she enjoys a swim in pool. Thank you for your advice on how to teach her to get out safely.

She has brought much with her to our family. Responsibility and care for the kids and much needed exercise for the adults! Will keep you posted.

Thanks again, Dianne
“A Penny Update”(Terri)

Hi Jill,

Well its been several  months since we adopted Penny. As you are aware it hasn’t been all plain sailing for her. I am very glad to say now that she is well, happy and healthy. We often call her Princess Penny!  We live on the high side of the street and she loves sitting in the study looking out over her domain.

She is well behaved when we are not at home and loves to come inside when we are. Penny has her ‘spot’ where she lays.

As you can see from the attached photos she has settled in very well and the kids adore her. Its taken a while for her to get used to her new surroundings. Our backyard seems just the right size and with ball playing and walks she gets lots of exercise. Penny is quite friendly to other dogs we meet on our walks. Birds and cats are another matter though. There is a particular cat on our route she has staring competitions with, though the cat mostly wins.


Note: When "Terri" came into us at Jack Russell Rescue, we were not aware that she was a terrible tail chaser.  She was only with us a couple of days before finding her new home.  Then it started, thanks to Dianne and family for their patience and care of her.  We eventually had to have her tail re-docked, thus the Elizabethan collar because some of the tail was dead and was probably what was causing her pain.

Dianne and family have worked with her as this can also become a habit which needs to be broken and now as you can see she is a happy dog with the BIG thanks of her new family.
        
  
 
 
 
 

 

"OSCAR" (TUBBSY)

Well it's been a few months now and Oscar (Tubbsy) has settled in  well. He is called Oscar Tubbsy now - as affectionately named by us  and various cafe owners near our house who love oscar coming by so  they don't have to sweep.

Pippi is the brains and oscar is the braun  and together they make a great pair. We have managed to keep about 1.5 kg off Oscar since he arrived and that is hard work. He is so cute  you just want to feed him when he looks at you - but were holding  fast, and his activity levels have improved ten fold. He begrudgingly eats his dry diet food, and waits for the weekend Saturday breakfast were he gets a treat.

He starts grunting as soon as you bring the lead out, and sets a cracking pace down to the park. He plays especially well with all dogs and doesn't seem to have one bit of aggressive behaviour. He only barks if everyone else is just to go  along with it. Since the weight loss he can jump on the bed - where he likes to sleep with mum for a while, and SNORES like you wouldn't believe.

He loves his doggy donut - and has one in the bedroom and in the loungeroom and spends ample time there.  Still have to keep an eye on him cocking his leg (the clothes horse is a favourite for this - but he's getting there! People are amazed that Oscar is a rescue dog, and as i wonder, they always ask? who could give such a cute little man up? you're really lucky! and we are! thanks for all the great work you do to give these dogs another chance they deserve.

Linda Brett Pippi and Oscar Tubbsy.
 
 
 

 
 
 
"Waggedy" (Maggie)
 
Waggedy is settling in really well. She and Jovey are best friends, and she's completed our happy family. Photos are from a recent trip to 10 acres in the Hunter Valley. She was very excited to go rabbit hunting, but stayed close to home.

She's taking a while to trust us - who knows what troubles she's been through - but is getting closer and more faithful every day. She's getting used to the lead and the city traffic, but that was certainly a big hurdle for her. She's learnt to sit, stay, and wait for her dinner till we give her the okay. She's had a bit of a gooey eye - probably allergy related - but it's responding well to cream. Apart from that, she's gaining weight, and dropping fur all over the house in true jack style.

All the best
Annette and Patsy
 
 
 
 
DELLA
 
Hi Jill,

I thought it was about time I sent you an update on Della, the little pup we got from you before christmas last year. She has settled in very well and she and Oscar have become very good friends. Her training is going well, and she is a great little dancer! She loves her food and loves to chew - I've lost plenty of shoes to Della's little teeth. She is very affectionate and loves chasing Oscar (who looks remarkably like one of your recent placements - Brian, I think they are long lost brothers) around the yard.

We had a little episode where she decided that nurofen would be tasty to eat so she spent a weekend in the emergency vet hospital, but she is doing fine now. She loves going to the dog park and racing around the backyard chasing the soccerball with oscar (http://www.dogster.com/video/450755/Backyard_soccer)
 
If I hear someone is looking for a jack I always send them to your site - Good luck with all the other jacks you are trying to rehome :)
 
Mel (and Oscar & Della)
 
 
  
I've now got him one of those trampoline type beds to lay on and am waiting to see how long it lasts with destructo doggie.
 
I've started to buy him some of the tough toy range and the rubber toys for serious chewers.  Brian also likes chewing and chasing nice sweet apples and enjoys the occasional prune or date.
 
 
I took him to the vet for a confirmatory heart worm test and he came up negative for this, although you need at least two people to hold him down when he doesn't want to be still.  He likes to climb up me and latches on with his dew claws which is quite painful. 
 
He just doesn't understand that the stiller he is the quicker it will be, but Brian has trouble being still at the best of times.  Apart from that Brian likes his vet as he gives him a hug and a pat when we visit.
 
That's about it for now Brian seems to be happy and is always ecstatic to see us when we get home from work. 
 
All the best with the rest of the dogs you're rescuing and once again thanks for saving Brian so he could come and live with us.
 
Cath and Brian




  
 
"Brian"(Banjo) recent update

Dear Jill and Julie
As you know we've now had Brain in the family for six months.  He's slowly starting to grow up and be a bit more cooperative.  He occasionally seems to think about things before he gives new items the chew test or running around as fast as he can in the house when he gets annoyed or can't get his own way.  He has also finally decided that we are his family and now when he manages to sneak out the front door, he no longer just bolts straight into one of my neighbours houses but waits, sniffing around the door.  I think he's looking for the neighbours cats.  He's completely convinced that cats are to be chased on sight.  He still hasn't managed to catch one so is keenly waiting for the first opportunity to show a cat who's boss.  He continues with his goal to break out, now assisted by the neighbours dog who is also trying to dig holes under the fence.  Bundy is a Rottweiler so a little hole for her will allow Brian to escape.  We've spent most of the afternoon fixing the fence to prevent any escapes.  Brian was quite annoyed and ran along it sticking his nose under and in the fence and then started barking at it.  Which told me he didn't think he could now get out.
 
Brian's now met a snake by almost stepping on it.  I saw it as he got close and dragged him away, yelling at him to come to me.  The stress in my voice started him barking so I'm hoping he'll now recognise the smell and be a bit more careful in future.  Luckily the snake was as keen to leave us alone as I was to leave it to its own devices.  Unfortunately Brians not a very good hunter, relying on his sight over smell.  Every time  he goes to track something he infallibly tracks it back the way it came rather than where it's running to.  It's quite funny to see rabbits running down a track one way, Brian appearing at the edge of the track, turning and running the wrong way, realising it and turning around and bolting after the rabbit way to late.  At one stage we were invaded by a mouse who stole Brians dry dog nuts while he was sleeping in his bed not far away.  He didn't seem to notice or maybe he thought it was supposed to take his food.  Anyway he did nothing to stop it.
 
We take him to the beach every so often as he loves to chase seagulls and meet other dogs.  Anyway this weekend he got a bit carried away and chased them up into a car park and didn't come back or respond when called.  He had been doing so well up until then actually coming when called and not jumping on everyone in sight.  He's much improved at obedience class, that's when I have a chance to take him as work as been frantic, and is no longer the worst behaved dog there.  If I can get him to stay in the drop position longer than .5 second I've been told he'll be about ready to progress to the next stage.  My long term goal is to do agility with him as I know he would love it.  Being able to show off in front of lots of people and other dogs is one of his favourite occupations.  We've progressed to using one of the halti type head collars on him and it does work wonders.  He is forced to listen and can't pull although Brian can still be incredibly stubborn.
 
On a day to day basis Brian continues in his ongoing war with my partner over where he can eat his bone.  Brian is firmly convinced that the couch is the best place and my partner just as convinced that bones belong outside.  Currently my partner is winning but Brian's not giving up.  Brian is becoming a bit more food orientated and getting a lot of use out of his kongs, which is great as it gives him less time to destroy everything he can get hold of.  Unfortunately every so often he buries one of his kongs and has not yet dug up any missing ones for me.  He continues to destroy his outside bed 2 or 3 times a week.  I've just about gone though every type of liner on the market but he always seems to be able to find the weak point and rip it to pieces.  cont....see under pics.
 
  
He has certainly been a welcome addition.  He's been with us for three months now and seems quite pleased with the manner in which we've fitted into his routine!  I've attached some photos to show you how comfortable he is in his new home. 
 
 
He has certainly been a welcome addition.  He's been with us for three months now and seems quite pleased with the manner in which we've fitted into his routine!  I've attached some photos to show you how comfortable he is in his new home.
 
  
"NICK"
 
Well, we've finally worked out how to download the photos of Nick so I thought I'd drop you a line and let you know how he's going.

Our first pleasant surprise was that he is totally house trained - just as well as we did pick him up during the bad storms in June and were too soft-hearted to leave him outside in his kennel.  He distinguished himself on his first day by deciding to get even with a mean-spirited, much larger and unleashed dog that attacked him during his first walk.  Nick and I were walking away when Nicky obviously thought "Damn that" and turned around, pulled the leash out of my hand, ran back to the other dog and crash tackled him.  As a result, he has now been named Nicholas Leigh after former Hawthorn great [and current Brisbane coach], Leigh Matthews who didn't start fights [in AFL games] but didn't walk away from them either!

He has been having one-on-one dog obedience training and is responding very well - until, that is, his trainer decided that we should go to the off-leash park near our house.  He certainly suffers from the small dog syndrome - he wants to take on all the larger dogs and show them that although he may be small, he certainly isn't frightened.  We're working on his sociability [read:  lack thereof], but don't expect to make great inroads too quickly.

He's pretty stubborn, too.  He sleeps in the laundry and still bangs on the door each night as soon as he's put to bed.  It's almost as if he has to have the obligatory two bangs on the door just to let me know that I haven't completely won!

He's also a Swannies' dog - proudly sporting a red and white collar and sitting on my lap when the interstate Swans' games are televised.  To further ensure his loyalty, he has been nicknamed "Nick-Nick" after two Swans players [Nick Malceski and Nick Davis].

Nick-Nick is certainly doing his bit to improve my fitness.  He has a walk at 6am each day and, when I arrive home from work some 12 hours later, he makes sure he has me out walking again.  It's probably just as well that he likes his walks because, until Nick-Nick came into our lives, we always thought that Jack Russells were reasonably ambivalent about their food.  Not so!  However, he has learned to sit and wait by his full food bowl until specifically invited to "go ahead".  He even sat and waited to be given permission to begin his marrow bone on the weekend - much to my amazement. 
 

 
She has become a part of our family now and very popular with our extended family and visitors. She does need a little more training, which will start after uni exams finish, but with her love of treats we're sure it won't take too long.

Kind Regards
Louise
'ABBEY" (Pebbles)
 
Hi Heather,

At last we have some photos ready for you, as attached.
It is probably timely to email you now so we can reassure you that Abbey has survived our horrific storm. Both dogs were safely inside throughout, sleeping comfortably in our laundry at night complete with mattresses, PJ's, and wheatpacks. In fact, they have slept inside for the last 4 nights, and have barely spent any daytime outside due to weather.

We took Abbey to our Vet for a checkup last week after her registration papers arrived from council. She had a blood test for heartworm, which was clear, followed by an annual heartworm immunisation. She survived the ordeal and passed with flying colours.

She and Toby have become closer, as some of the photos show. They now tear around the house together, play tug-o-war with toys and share a bed near the fire each evening. Toby appears at times to be trying to teach Abbey the routine of the household but has so far failed in teaching his favourite passtime - playing ball. He regularly noses or tosses the ball to her, but she still has no idea and no interest in balls.

She has just arrived to sit on my lap for a cuddle and is as quiet, sweetand gorgeous as you told us.
We hope you are not missing her too much but we are so glad to have her.
 

 

 
 
 
 Thanks for the great service you provide. I only regret that we aren't in a position to take another one.
 
Regards
 Kerry 
 
'MANDY'
 
We wanted to let you know how life is going with Mandy. We have now had her for 8 weeks. We reckon she only took about 24 hours to settle in, and hasn't looked back. She was our youngest son's choice of pet, and while he loves her to death, he's disappointed that she has no interest whatsoever in chasing a ball or playing with toys - perhaps she never had the opportunity as a pup.
 
Most of our friends thought we were mad to get a JR given their reputation as very energetic dogs, but Mandy is true to her advertised temperament - happy to spend the day in the yard by herself, without fretting, digging or barking. Mind you, she is more than happy to be inside with us when we are at home, and learnt quite quickly that she isn't allowed upstairs - a good move on our behalf given how much she sheds! Her favourite position is in her bed at my feet while I work at the computer.
 
She will happily accompany us on our 4.5km walk most days, but is also OK to go a few days without a walk. She was a horror on the lead, but we bought a gentle leader head harness and now she is no trouble - unless we see another dog - will have to work on that. It also turns out that she is closer to 6yrs than 2 as previously thought. The vet confirmed this when he checked her teeth and found one was rotten and had an abscess, and another was in bad shape. We had the worst one removed, and the others cleaned and not only is her breath a lot more pleasant, but she can go a lot longer between baths. The smell must have been coming out of her pores as well.
 
Her loving and patient nature means she is a much loved addition to our family. I was a bit hesitant to get a dog after having had a cat for 15 years, but now couldn't imagine being without her.
 
 
 
 
 
"JASON"
 
Hi Jill
Jason is fitting in well now. It took a week for him and Jess to sort things out, but now they play together, eat at the same time etc.  He is ok with Dennis too. 
 
To me he seems really proud of himself that he belongs here.  We are still working on sit but he is starting to understand what we want when we say stay, get your ball, walk etc.
 
Thanks
Ros
 
update
Jason is sitting ok now.  I've got some better photos now of Jason in his new home.
I think he is pretty happy here...he plays with Jess and he has his own ball now.  The photo of him on the grass is when they had a bone each on Saturday, we've been going for walks and they are getting better at walking together without getting tangled up.
Ros
 
 
 
 
 
JASMIN 
 
Hi Heather,

Just a note to let you know how Jasmin is fitting into our lives. Jasmin has adopted to our life style very well, finally we have been able to stop her escaping from our back yard (5 foot high brick fence) by increasing the height by another foot.
 
She is extremely friendly and has become very favourable with most of our friends.

She still loves her walk every night now increased to 3 klms. Have taken her camping several times and must say when she sees the car being packed she is first in,(she loves the bush and camp fire) we keep her harnessed in the back seat while travelling which she does not mind.

Once again thanks for rescuing her from the pound she has fitted in so well and brings us much joy. All our friends comment how happy she appears as the tail is always wagging and she is ready for a play. She is eating well and maintaining her weight, fitness and good health. Must go and will keep you informed on any further developments. Keep up the good work and keep saving those Jacks.

Regards
Ian & Rhonda McKinley.
  
 

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