Letter from Alfie pup & family

Dear Sarah and Paul;

 

We got home with Alfie in good shape yesterday evening. He had a drink, something to eat, and then went into the garden which he explored before doing what dogs do best in gardens! Having done all that at fairly breakneck speed, he came back in and claimed his bed, which is his space, chewed some toys and settled down. He joined us in our sitting room while we had tea and we had some play-time. Alfie was a bit suspicious of the log fire, which we kept guarded, but liked the sheep-skin rug in front of it.

 

He was restricted to the kitchen overnight, and seemed to have a quiet night, and greeted us in the morning with wags. He was clean overnight and went out into the garden to do his business before eating a bit of breakfast.

 

He was a bit suspicious of the washing-up machine but bravely stood back and had a good look at it, however he definitely does not like the hoover and left the room smartly! He did come back a couple of times, but never quite plucked up the courage to face this noisy machine. He'll get used to it in time.

 

We took him with us to muck out the pony this morning. Alfie was reluctant to get into the car, so Kate got in first and Bruce carried him in. Once in he was quite comfortable. He stayed in the car at the stables most of the time and watched proceedings with interest. We took him out to meet Penny (Kate's Fell Pony), who was a bit big and scary, but he got on OK with Elizabeth (a short-legged Shetland). Reluctant again to get into the car for the return journey (the engine was not running), so Kate carried him in and he settled down OK on the back seat. We'll repeat this morning routine and suspect that he will get used to it in time and overcome his worries.

 

We had a great game with a ball in the garden. Alfie has a good pounce and likes the chase. He gave up the ball gently and has discovered that hiding under the picnic table is a good game! He is learning to "come" and we played the "running between us" game and Bruce even managed to entice him away from his ball and come to him. He always sits when getting a treat and takes it gently.

 

Alfie went for his first local walk to the Post Office this morning (about 1/2 mile there and back). He was surprisingly good on the lead, though the walk took a bit longer than normal as there were all sorts of strange smells to explore! We met a couple of local dogs, and they introduced themselves in the traditional manner! Alfie was very good with them. He was good too with the people we met, though he did bark at one couple who were striding out a bit and may have looked a bit threatening. He did not pull to try and get to them - just barked (thinking about it that is the first time we have heard him bark) - so it was probably a "protection" thing. We'll have to work on introducing him to strangers. He is learning to "sit" at the road kerb and wait to cross on an "over" command. He seems to pick things up quite quickly.

 

Some pictures attached.

 

Thank you for all the information that you gave us and for spending so much time with us.

 

Yours

 

Bruce and Kate

 

Letter from Spot (Magnificent Seven Pup) & family

Hi Sarah and Paul,

Just to let you know Spot slept all the way home which was great, he walked into the house and was greeted with a rather bewildered grumpy cat! Not that that worried him being mr confident he carried on exploring and settled down, when it came time for bed we put him in his crate and he snuggled up in his bed, he wasn't overly happy being left on his own overnight but nothing worse than we expected and he finally settled, not that Jen or I really slept properly waiting for him to stir!!! But at 6am I think we had all had enough and we decided to take a wonder around the garden!! 

He seems to have settled really well and is playing with his new toys and already worked out that the garden is the place to go to the loo! Although there has been a couple of mishaps! The cats are coming around and he has already become a huge character in the family! What was life like before him.... 

Thank you so much to everyone we met at wiccaweys for making us feel so welcome and giving us the time and support to find the right dog, Spot is super and we are overjoyed with having him!!! And all the funny things he does! We will keep in touch with regard his progress!!!

Regards,

Andy Morris

Letter com Toby & family

Hi Sarah & Paul,

Just a quick note to let you know that Toby is settling in well, he likes the chaise we have by the window, its a good place to watch the world outside and he has decide he likes his bed beside the sofa which he is now curled up in and sleeping soundly!

Thank you so much for allowing us to adopt Toby , he is such a wonderful, affectionate boy. We'll keep you posted on his new family adventure.

Thanks again,

Steve & Sue.

Letter from Charlie & family

Hello Sarah and Paul

 

Charlie is the laddie on the right  hand side of Jeff in the photo of our pack and he has now been with us for 18 months. From being a loose wire in the circuit when he arrived Charlie (Registered on the Kennel Clubs working dog register as Prince Charlie of Wiccaweys) has settled into our pack which also now includes 2 Papillons who Charlie fusses like an adoptive father.

 

Like the rest of our dogs Charlie has been introduced to agility for which he shows great aptitude and we hope that he will be competing next year. He also attends the Cambridge Ichthus Dog Training centre on a weekly basis. We are now coming to the end of our bronze certificate course and hope to go on to silver, gold and possibly a heelwork to music course. Charlie positively thrives on the 1 to 1.

 

We live under (15 feet under literally) the banks of the River Lark near Ely, twice each day our pack get to chase along the bank with a ball, three chase the ball, Charlie and our black collie chase the other three dogs, all have a great time and are as fit as fiddles. Two swim regularly, two swim occasionally, Charlie never swims and seems to have an aversion for water.

 

The epileptic fits that Charlie suffered when we adopted him gradually petered out as he settled into his new home and it is now over 12 months since his last attack. Watching him have attacks during the first few months was really heartrending and for them to have ceased is more than we dared hope for.

 

All in all Charlie is a typical B/C, he is extremely clever, he loves life, is a simply wonderful pet and we love him to bits.

 

Jo and Jo Brett and all the pack.

 

 

 

Letter from Ben & family

Hi Sarah and Paul,

I have been in my new home for 8 weeks now and I am making myself useful around the garden already. My speciality is digging.

Mum takes me for some very very very long walks in the week to keep me busy but there is always time for digging. My fav place to walk is Ampthill Park in the morning where the gang meet for a vigorous game of flyball. Not sure what the ball is for but it is great fun chasing the other Collies. 

You will be pleased to know that Will has had his plaster removed and is back swimming, playing football and waterpolo. My little Bro. Lewis has been the best fun because he chases runs and rolls around on the floor just like me! 

Have to go now the boys are back from school and it’s play time!!! 

Love you both, 

Ben

Letter from Lola (now Jess) & family

Hello Paul and Sarah

 

Here are some photos of Jess as promised.

 

She makes a nest in a bed of irises to keep her cool during the summer and it is also where she escapes to when she is running away from the wind banging doors inside the house!

 

She loves the sea.  Not managed to get her swimming yet but she loves charging in and out after stones.  She also loves puddles - in every one she visits she has a drink then a wee - must be some strange doggy logic to that! 

 

She has a new friend - a male rottweiler!  He's so friendly, and is protective of Jess if another chap looks her way!  It's amazing such a big scary looking dog can be so friendly and caring, whereas she always gets viciously barked at by a shih tzu, pug and westie who live locally!

 

As I said on the phone, am trying to persuade my friend to adopt a Wiccaweys collie - she grew up with a collie so is, like me, a collieholic!  We both look at your website regularly - those Minstrel pups are gorgeous!

 

Jemma & Colin

 

 

Letter from Murphy & family

Hi Paul and Sarah,

Well Murphy has now been on his first holiday with us to North Yorkshire and he loved the walks over the moors and showing off his newly developing skills of fetching the stick and charging of with his sister Tess along the beaches. Well we also had to endure Nov. 5 again which he wasn't that keen on (neither are we or Billy and Tess) thank goodness that's all over. Murphy continues to settle in well with us and is becoming quite a character! He really is a great boy. Have attached photos of murphy's Yorkshire tour - he can't wait to go back in January.

Best wishes,

David and Judy. Bill,Tess, Fly and Murphy