It has now been 9 weeks since we picked up Bella from English Springer Spaniel Rescue in Stoke.  She is just about showing signs of settling to some degree and starting to trust us more as each day passes. Bella is a lovely little dog, very loving, very gentle and seems very happy.
As the weeks have gone on though we have realised why previous people would perhaps have wanted to "give up" on her. We were told that she had ended up at Rescue as a last resort and she was trouble - she just hasn't been given the right chance in life, the next step was to put her to sleep. Thank goodness she found us! They say that the dog is not the problem, it's the owner - just like children they need boundaries and discipline, in some ways we have to start as though we have a puppy again
I'd like to say at this point that giving up is something that we most certainly will not be doing!  This beautiful little girl deserves a proper chance - it will take time but hey so what!  We can't let her out even in the garden now without a lead as she has now discovered that she can "fly" straight over our fence on one side of the garden and although we are still building a good bond whilst out and about she has on more than one occasion decided that she cannot hear us and rabbits and pheasant are far more important in the grand scheme of things - but she is a Springer when all said and done!  An hour passed two weeks ago whilst she was foraging in the woods near home.  This didn't go down too well as it was also torrential on the rain front.  My husband came home dripping wet, soaked through to the bone, freezing cold and not in the best frame of mind but nonetheless still sane.
She also likes to annoy my neighbours by barking and howling when we leave as she has a touch of seperation anxiety but at least it's not destructive and it's something that we are working on. This is a little dog that shows so much potential but just needs some work and if that takes a while then so be it, she is worth working on.  We are her 3rd home on top of stays at the RSPCA and Rescue so at just 2 1/2 I reckon that this is the least we can do.  People should really think seriously before they take on a dog especially a breed such as a Springer.
For more information about how you can help with a rescue Springer Spaniel click here