The First Surprise Puppies (2005)

THE RESCUE BY THE ISPCA

Four dogs were rescued after a raid on a puppy farm by the ISPCA of which three Golden Retrievers were given into the care of Irish Retriever Rescue.

These three lovely ladies came to us:

and then Alice produced her London surprise puppies, Teddy-Jumble, Rory and Rupert.

They grew up to become, three very handsome boys

Read on to find out the whole story…

We are Grandparents

The story began with a phone call from Sandie. I have 6 dogs to come over can you cope? The dogs were Alice, Lisa and Carrie, who had been rescued by the ISPCA from horrendous conditions in a dreadful puppy farm and they had been placed into Sandie’s care for rehabilitation and rehoming. The others were Duke, Simba and Poppy. Colin transported them over from Dublin to Holyhead on the ferry and drove them down to Oxfordshire where Duke and Poppy stayed with Julie and Simba went to Gill for foster. Pauline, Joy, Julie, Gill and Colin were all needed to gently coax the 3 terrified girls from Colin’s van into Pauline’s van as they clung tightly to one another and refused to budge. In the end it was Poppy who told them all was OK and they could come out, first Lisa, then Alice and then Carrie. Pauline then took them to London and they spent their first night on UK soil huddled together under Sandra’s table.

The next morning Pauline took Carrie back with her and delivered her into the safe hands of her fosterer, Carol, in Somerset but, meanwhile, there was high jinx going on in London and Pauline was greeted with the news from Sandra… Pauline, WE ARE GRANDMOTHERS!

Sandra’s story

It was Friday morning, Pauline had left with Carrie. I was getting ready for work upstairs when I heard squealing noises and one of the dogs barking in a distressed way. It sounded like dolphin type noises on the television upsetting Alice and Lisa. I ran down the stairs to switch the television off, to be greeted by a puppy on the floor. I thought I was seeing things and I went into initial shock….. (This puppy was to be called Teddy, now Jumble). I immediately called the vet to ask if they could come to my home, as I have no car but, unfortunately, Rory (the chief vet) had a day off and they were short of staff. They asked me to get over to them and to leave mum to it as she knows best. But Alice by now was distressed and very rough with the puppy and after watching from around the corner, I decided to put the pup in a towel and in the bath for its own safety.

I then tried to get a taxi… imagine asking for a taxi and telling them that there is not only a dog, but a dog giving birth! I begged and pleaded and eventually the cab firm sent round a small van. When the driver saw the situation, he was not too keen….but a bit more pleading and he agreed. We put sheets and Alice in the back and then off we went, only 2 minutes down the road. Alice was going berserk, wanting to come to the front to get her first pup, who was with me, meanwhile she was giving birth to the second pup! The driver was now quite upset to say the least. I told him, whatever his damages, I would pay. We got to the vet and created mayhem there of course, jumping the queue! They advised me that Rory, on his day off, was on his way to my house with a nurse. So, they called him on his mobile to come back to the clinic. We tried to get Alice out of the van without her running off.

We found the second puppy had been hidden by mum in the sliding door space of the back van, we could hear the squealing fortunately so we gently slid the door open. I thought, thank God, now the professionals can take over. I sat down, and realised I was shaking like a leaf, thinking, I need a brandy (this is 9.30 in the morning).

We called the second pup Rory, after the vet who helped to save him. One more, the smallest pup was born, this was Rupert. Then another arrived, but sadly he was still-born and they could not revive him. We called him Angel. Sometime later the vet informed me that they needed to do a caesarian on Alice as there was one more puppy to be born, but this one was also still-born, sadly. We called him Hope.

Alice and puppies went back home the same night but the vet advised me that we could not leave the puppies with mum as she was too distressed and handled them roughly and possibly might even try to harm them. They had tried to get her bonded but to no avail. The vet’s advice was to keep the puppies separate from her, to feed the puppies off her if we could, and to make certain to keep Lisa well away from her and the puppies as she might become more aggressive.

Melissa, my neighbour, drove us all home, and as she has had cats with kittens, and was used to the feeding procedure, she stayed and helped with setting up our system. I had put Lisa in the sitting room, but Alice, who had depended totally on her up until the morning, was looking for her and getting very upset. We decided to take a calculated risk (remembering the vet’s advice) and let Lisa out of the sitting room and a joyous reunion took place. With Lisa, her companion (or she could be her mother we believe) nearby, Alice was now much calmer and Melissa and I placed the puppies with her, ensuring that we had control of Alice’s head in case she suddenly attacked the pups. She did have a go a few times, but then all settled down and the puppies began feeding well. All of this was happening underneath the kitchen table, which had become a sanctuary to Alice.

We spent the rest of the evening under the table, off and on, helping to feed the pups, having a few heart attacks every so often as we were still worried that Alice might hurt them.

On Sunday, very early morning, 2 days later, I put the pups with Alice for feeding as normal, staying close to her to ensure she did not harm them. Then I had a talk with Alice about her puppies. I told her that she had beautiful babies and that she was their mum and that we would not take them away from her (this probably happened every time at the puppy farm and would have made her more distressed each time). She looked at me as if she understood and gave a short sigh. I decided to leave her with her pups for a minute and when I checked on her, peering around the door, she was feeding and cleaning them and her anxiety was gone. I knew she would be a perfect mum now. It was an amazing experience. I was absolutely exhausted by now, I had had very little sleep, doing the assisted feeding throughout the nights and days… but it was all so rewarding.

There were a few occasions when Alice told Lisa it was now time for her to back off as mum was OK. Up until then, Lisa was next to Alice and this gave her the support she needed. You can see from the picture of the two with the 3 puppies how sweet they were together.

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Bleary Eyed on the London Surprise Puppies

All is going well, we have had another major feed, which went very smoothly, Alice is a perfect mum. You should see the puppies, they are all very gregarious. Teddy, the first born and biggest one, is the size of a big hamster and looks a bit like that, as do the others. The other 2 are medium and small but seem very strong and forward. Rory the vet said that Rupert was bossing Teddy around. I am writing this at 5.30 am, sitting at the kitchen table, the puppies in their box, fast asleep, Alice and Lisa, fast asleep as well at my feet under the kitchen table. This is such an amazing and special experience.

From Shocked and Bleary Eyed, but very Happy Sandra

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Puppies’ Weights and Perfect Mum

On 25 October, now day 11, the puppies’ weights are: Teddy 1060g (increased his weight by 685g) Rory 845g (increased his weight by 570g) and Rupert 680g (increased his weight by 455g) over 8 days! We are well pleased.

They are looked after well by mum Alice. She is often with Lisa but checks on her babes regularly and when they need feeding or cleaning she jumps in the box and tends to them. At first we had to keep the puppies separate from her, and watch her when we helped her feed the pups. But now, she is such a perfect mum. It brings tears to my eyes when I see how lovely she is with them.

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Rupert looks like mum, he has a black nose and dark around the mouth. Lisa and Alice started wagging their tails a few days ago, which was such a step forward. Now Lisa can’t stop wagging her tail. Alice is also still very traumatised from her past on the puppy farm, but she is getting better every day. We almost had play started today. I think it will not be long before play commences!! Carrie, the third companion, who is being fostered with Carol, is also still so very traumatised by all the abuse they had to all put up with. But now they are all safe and surrounded by love, warmth and good food!

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Alice loves her food. A few days ago I was just about to have a coffee and biscuits, I had left the biscuit jar (closed with lid) on the table, when I realised she was walking around with the lid in her mouth. How did she manage to do that? Lisa and Alice are still holding their wee for long periods and I really need to coax them on this, but we are getting there. They more than likely had to hide that in the puppy farm or else they would get into trouble with probably nowhere to go. Initially, they were very submissive and they would hang their heads and not look at you as if: if I don’t see you, you can’t see me and hurt me. They have been very good with visitors and everyone thinks they are beautiful and especially the puppies of course. They are so chilled out!

Thank you to Pauline and Christine, Pea and Nix and Kaz, who have or will be puppy sitting. For me, it has been a wonderful experience, I would not have missed for the world. Sandra

8 Weeks Old, Going on for 9

Lisa’s puppies will be 8 weeks old on Friday going on for 9 weeks. They are happy bunnies and a joy to be with. Teddy is becoming a mummy’s boy. He likes to play with mum and he is teaching her how to play (puppy way). It is funny to see when she tries it out on me, gently touching my head with her teeth as she does to the puppies. Teddy likes to sleep with mum and I have some pictures of him asleep with her, so sweet.

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Although Teddy is a rough and tumble boy, and still the biggest of the three, Rupert, the smallest and quietest of the 3, has sent him on his way a number of times, so funny to see the last of the litter doing his own thing. Rory is such a sweetheart too, he sometimes comes up to me and wants to be on my lap. They will all be playing like mad and then suddenly it is quiet……all fast asleep for a few hours.

They have always slept through the night so far, not waking up until after 7 or 7.30 am, luckily. Teddy has a dark bark and Rory a higher pitched one, Rupert does not bark so much. I gave them some cherry tomatoes yesterday, this became a merry game, before they realised they could eat it as well as play with it. Carrots are also a nice game and great to chew on. They love bananas and tonight I tried an orange, which although at first was a bit strange for them, it soon was also well appreciated. Alice loved it, as well as gherkin strangely!

There was a mad scramble of 3 puppies and two adults when I dropped a plain biscuit on the floor I intended to have with a cup of tea. I wonder if one of the ingredients makes them go mad for it……. It was so funny, noses up in the air, where is it, where is it, more, more…… They just went about crazy for it.

They had their first (supervised) bone a few weeks ago. And they soon got the hang of it. Of course, they love meat, and sardines and everything else I give them.

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They like to go out in the garden, although I have to have eyes everywhere as they are fast and always into naughtinesses of course.

Alice and Lisa are continuing to make good progress. We went for our first walk to Clapham Common on Sunday. Before that I had enticed them to go through the front door and then the front gate to the corner. The next time Pauline had been able to walk them to the end of the street. Then on Sunday, we went as far as the grass!

Lisa was more scared then Alice, who seemed to take the lead a few times. They were not happy to go too far away from “home” which is understandable of course, but once they knew they were going back the same way we came, tails started to wag and then when we got near my house, they knew exactly which gate to go through. It was a great step forward. We have had small children visiting and both Lisa and Alice were fine. Lisa was smelling the little boy as if to say “I have never seen a small one like this”, so sweet. Although they were at first reluctant to go out into the garden, when Karen was puppy-sitting, it seemed a cat or squirrel was in the garden and since then, whenever the garden door is opened they are out like a shot……..checking it out. Of course, my garden is a no-killing zone! So I am watching them keenly. Sometimes foxes visit, so even though we live close to central London, there are plenty of interesting things to encounter and explore.

All I want now is good homes for the puppies. Who will be the lucky ones, I wonder? Because whoever it is, they will be lucky, as they are so very special and have such lovely individual characters.

Mission Accomplished!

Our puppies, Teddy, Rory and Rupert were 12 weeks old last Friday. How time has flown. I am so happy to report puppies and adults are now all in their forever homes. And what happy news this is! We made it, thanks to all who helped in thought and deed; from my vets (especially the first few hours), the “puppysitters, neighbours, friends and IRR as well as everyone on the email groups who sent their messages of support and gave advice after the surprise arrival of the 3 golden puppies.

The Longford 4 were impounded due to severe abuse on a puppy farm. Lisa and Alice came to me, the labrador went to labrador rescue, and Carrie went to Carol to foster, so loved by her foster family that they could not part with her and is now forever with Molly, another IRR rescue and Travis. Carrie is doing so well and is a happy girl.

How lucky I was to look after Lisa and Alice and the three adorable puppies. What happiness, new experiences and insight it has given me. All the kindnesses and thoughtfulness I encountered. The practical help I received. The time people gave up to help them and me. The many newspapers I needed for the puppies’ crates and toilet training, collected by neighbours and everyone who visited me. I found myself one day last week still collecting the papers left behind on my train to work, it had become such a habit…

The joy of looking after Teddy, Rory and Rupert, all with such very different characters and 3 different sizes when born, my small, medium and large babes. Lisa and Alice, such gentle souls, after suffering horrendous abuse, never a growl or a complaint, only gentleness.

Teddy, the cheeky one but another gentle soul who thinks he should be in charge. So much likes to be “a good boy”. Rory, the thinker and “Professor of Philosophy” who likes to be boisterous too, soft natured. And Rupert, the water baby and the quiet one with a determined streak, who I feared would not make it past the first day of his life, he fought to stay!

Lisa, so very gentle, the carer, helping Alice and her puppies. Alice, what a joy and privilege to see her become the perfect Mum, still showing the scars of abuse on her face, when she gave birth. How stressed she must have been, as well as needing a caesarian in the end, and how wonderful that she had her three perfect babies. They showed her how to play, something she had never done in her life. We keep in memory the two puppies who did not make it, now their guardian angels.

Rupert was the first to leave home. He is with Sheila, Nigel and their daughter Anne-Marie in Winchester. The perfect home for him, his own small stream as well as a pond in the garden for our water baby! How lucky he is and how happy.

Teddy went next to Anne, Alan and their son Alistair, together with rabbits, hamsters, a cat and giant African snails. This is the perfect home for him being the only dog in the house, so that he can enjoy being himself and not having to compete with another dog as yet. His home is in Abingdon, Oxon with a large garden he can run around in. He is such a lucky boy.

Rory was the next to leave. He went to Helen and Steven, their twin daughters Alana and Kiera and older daughter Amelia of 4 years. He shared his home in Radstock, Somerset with two cats, Derek and Kevin, and a giant Schnauzer, called Betty. He fitted in so well and was another lucky boy. Sadly, due to family circumstances, he needed to leave this home after a year but he is now sharing his life with Rupert, a very happy ending.

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Lisa went off to be spayed with Pauline and then returned to London on Sunday 8 January to go to Carol in Clapham (near me). Carol has lots of love to give to Lisa, as well as lovely meals specially made for her. Her home is the perfect one for Lisa. She is a happy girl finally come home.

Alice went to her perfect home in Portsmouth to stay with Brenda and her son Kevin. She shares her life now with a springer spaniel called Sammy, who was lonely and needing a companion. How well they get on with each other and how good they are for each other. Sam can teach Alice to learn to play now, something she never did before. Brenda, who has fostered many times, is the perfect mum for Alice who needs gentle guidance and love to heal further.

How lucky all five are with their loving forever homes. The angels had a hand in this for sure.

I say to Alice, Lisa, Teddy, Rory and Rupert: be happy, give happiness and my love and thoughts are with you all. Spread your wings and soar.

Thank you for the privilege of looking after you.

Thank you so much to everyone.

Love, Sandra

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Puppies’ First Birthday

On Saturday 14 October 2006 it was the surprise puppies first birthday, would you believe! How time flies…

We had a great afternoon with Brenda, forever mum to Alice, when all were reunited. It was such a joyful occasion. Alice and Lisa were going around the garden head to head, tails wagging furiously. They were so happy, They remembered each other of course (Lisa was sulking for a day when she got back to her London home. Alice kept on going to the gate after everyone had left). It was great to see the 3 puppies in such good health and so handsome and happy. We, at IRR, could not wish for anything more.

Dogs and humans had a great time as you can see from these pictures:

and a Then and Now:

Thank you to Christine, who put the pictures up.

Thank you to Brenda for a lovely party.

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Alice and Lisa meet up again with Rupert, Rory and Jumble also Hugo (Sandra’s current foster), tails all wagging! How did we get them in a straight line?

Reunion at IRR Annual Get-Together

On Saturday 14 October 2007 it was the surprise puppies’ second birthday!

Our three “puppies” had their second birthdays on the 14th October 2007. How time flies! As the IRR annual get-together was held a month earlier, it meant that mum Alice had a joyful reunion with her grown-up puppies at the IRR event in advance! As well as seeing lots of other IRR rescue dogs, it was such a happy and busy day for all the dogs and their guardians. For sure, many nice dreams were dreamed that night…

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Puppies’ Second Birthday

We had also arranged a special day to celebrate their second birthday and this was held at Alice’s home in Waterlooville on Saturday 13 October where Alice and her puppies, and their guardians, all met up again.

Everyone arrived in the early afternoon, it was a joy to see the wagging tails, and Alice and her puppies running around the garden, joined by Finn who lives with Jumble as well as Sammy who is with Alice. Lots of barking and chasing after each other, they just did not tire out!

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Brenda, Alice’s mum, had made us all very welcome and had prepared sandwiches and cakes for the humans. And of course, there were biscuits for the dogs as well as presents. Anne, Jumble’s mum, had made a special dog cake (with mince, carrot and cabbage), which disappeared very quickly in front of our eyes and into happy tummies.

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Alice, we are told, has been helping to sell the IRR calendar as well as being one of the pin-ups! She has become a great sales lady and has sold calendars to people who were at the local Age Concern coffee morning.

Lisa, Alice’s companion, was unfortunately not able to come to the birthday celebrations this time. But she sends her love to everyone and says she is very happy in her forever home and is looking forward to seeing them all next time.

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Alice in her Forever Home

Alice, what a joy and privilege to see her become the perfect Mum, still showing the scars of abuse on her face, when she gave birth.

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Alice went to her perfect home in Portsmouth to stay with Brenda and her son Kevin. She shares her life now with a springer spaniel called Sammy, who was lonely and needing a companion. How well they get on with each other and how good they are for each other. Sam can teach Alice to learn to play now, something she never did before. Brenda, who has fostered many times, is the perfect mum for Alice who needs gentle guidance and love to heal further.

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21st January 2006

We are delighted with Alice – she seems to get better every day. We keep tackling new things for her to do. She adores Sam – if you see one of them the other one is not far behind. She also loves my daughter’s lurcher George, he is also very gentle and is a rescue dog.

7th February 2006

Alice is really at home here now and keeps trying to mother Sam by trying to lick his ears. He does not really appreciate it!!!! She is doing very well and her coat has started to grow again and is getting curly down her back.

6th April 2006

I felt I must write and tell you that my lovely Alice went over a main road into the park for the first time today and loved it. Tail was right up. She is still scared of the noise of cars etc. but we really have made a breakthrough.I was getting to feel she would spend the rest of her days in the garden. She was even afraid of going up our quiet crescent.

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13th April 2007

Alice is of course lovely as ever, I love her to bits. Her latest trick is, because I haven’t got her new swimming pool yet, she tries to get into her water bowl, with absolutely disastrous results! Especially to the kitchen floor. It has never been so clean!

3rd January 2008

Alice enjoyed her Christmas with great gusto. It doesn’t seem possible I have only had her for 2 years. I can’t remember being without her. She follows me everywhere when I am at home, except for upstairs where she never goes. Her idea, not ours!

Lisa in her Forever Home

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Lisa went off to stay with Pauline to be spayed and then returned to London on Sunday 8 January to go to Carol in Clapham. Carol has lots of love to give to Lisa, as well as lovely meals specially made for her. Her home is the perfect one for Lisa. She is a happy girl finally come home.

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Carrie in her Forever Home

Carrie, who had been rescued by the ISPCA from horrendous conditions in a dreadful puppy farm and handed over to IRR.

Carrie (at the back) just arrived in the UK, before going to Carol to be fostered. Carol with Carrie and Travis. Now where has Molly gone? She is such a cheeky madam!

Jumble in his Forever Home

Puppy Teddy, now Jumble, the cheeky one but a gentle soul who thinks he should be in charge. So much likes to be a good boy.

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Teddy – now Jumble, went next to Anne, Alan and their son Alistair, together with rabbits, hamsters, a cat and giant African snails. His home is in Abingdon, Oxon with a large garden he can run around in. He is such a lucky boy.

Then and Now

Anne says “This is Jumble taken exactly two years apart, he has changed a bit and we cannot believe we have had him two years today (31.12.07). One day he may calm down”.

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Rupert and Rory in their Forever Homes

Puppy Rupert, the water baby and the quiet one with a determined streak, who I feared would not make it past the first day of his life, he fought to stay! Rory and Rupert at their foster home, before going to their forever homes.

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Rupert is the first of the puppies to flee the nest…

Rupert was the first to leave home. He is with Sheila, Nigel and their daughter Anne-Marie in Winchester. The perfect home for him, his own small stream as well as a pond in the garden for our water baby! How lucky he is and how happy.

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Then Rory is the next one to go…

Puppy Rory, the thinker and Professor of Philosophy who likes to be boisterous too, soft natured.

Rory was the next to leave. He went to Helen and Steven, their twin daughters Alana and Kiera and older daughter Amelia of 4 years. He shared his home in Radstock, Somerset with two cats, Derek and Kevin, and a giant Schnauzer, called Betty. He fitted in so well and was another lucky boy. Sadly, due to family circumstances, he needed to leave this home after a year but he is now sharing his life with Rupert, a very happy ending.

But, one year later, a sad change in his family’s circumstances has meant that Rory had to seek a new home but, much to IRR’s delight, he has gone to live with his brother Rupert, with Nigel, Sheila and Anne-Marie.

Nigel says “How good can our lives get with these two around us, they have so much fun together and play beautifully out with other dogs, and tonight, La piece de resistance, synchronised pooing whilst on lead. How sad can I get? Loving every minute, except when I am away from them”.

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June 2008 Update

The boys are doing well and thoroughly enjoying themselves as always. They have taken well to our new chickens, eyeing them up for dinner at a later date, I think, and looking forward to fresh eggs!

Puppies’ 4th Birthday

The puppies celebrated their 4th birthday on 14 October 2009. Here they are with their Mum Alice and Alice’s best friend Lisa.

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Rory and Rupert Christmas 2009