My Training Begins - 11th March '12

Almost immediately my training began. Auntie Lee used sign language and

she showed Mum what she had been using, although when we got down to

it there was some signs I had never seen before!

Here's the sign for 'SIT'

And I can do 'SHAKE HANDS'

First my left, then my...

...right!

Mum has started this curious thing, she points two fingers at me

and then signals for me to lie down on my side and stay very still!

She gets excited when I do this cos she seems to think I'm really clever!   

It's really very hard work learning new things and it tires me out in no time.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!

First Visitors - 10th March 2012

My very first visitor was the young woman who came 

with my new mum to see me at Auntie Lee's house. 

Her name is Natalie and she talks very quietly.

This time, when I met her, she had two dogs and a little girl with her.

As soon as they arrived mum put my harness on and we all went
into the woods for a walk, and afterwards I understood why?!


The two dogs are called Dora and Tyson and they are as mad as a box of frogs!
I don't know which one is worse.

DORA  

Dora is a nutter, she wasn't satisfied with just running around and doing
the usual sniffing stuff, oh no, she kept bowling me over and running
into me as if she was the one that's blind?!
I mean, it's not as if there's not enough space to run

around in the woods?! There's loads!

TYSON

At first, Tyson wasn't interested in me at all, he just wanted to do what I thought  

we all would do, sniff every blade of grass and tree stump! 

He got bored quickly though cos soon he was looking at me

with a very expectant expression!  That's when he began lunging at me and because

of his weight, he pinned me to the floor. I wasn't too concerned to begin

with but he suddenly got very boisterous and began to take greater interest in

my bum! I didn't like that, especially when at the same time Dora would be

stopping me from getting away. When Mum waved her arms around they left me

alone but they soon came back.

All I wanted to do was play with the pretty little girl in the pink wellies but

every time I got close that dozy Dora would charge into me again!

I told her off in the end cos she was getting right on my nerves!

I had the last laugh though cos when we went home they stayed in the

garden and I had the little girl all to myself.

LYDIA

We got on really well but I soon discovered that her skin is not as tough as that of my other playmates. She grimaced a few times and at first, I didn't know why but I soon realised. 

I just get so giddy and want to jump and lick and grab at things

that I like the look of and want to play with. 

I'm getting the hang of it though. Although I'm still rough with Fudgie - and my mum - I

know I have to be more careful with other people, and Benji!

Lydia was great fun, she laughed a lot, but her mum didn't seem so keen on

our tug-of-war. I thought the jacket she was wearing was lovely

and soft on my gums and teeth and there was a lot of give in

it when I tugged really hard. That game soon stopped though

when Lydia took it off. She had on a great pair of shorts though

which were really tough and I had a lot of fun with those in-between mum

and Natalie chasing me around.  

Lydia beckoned for me to go upstairs with her and of course, any opportunity to have

another tug on those shorts was a great incentive. So off I went.

I hadn't been upstairs before and I was surprised to find that the floor in one of the 

rooms was lovely and slippy and Lydia pulled me around quite easily.

She tried to jump onto a long flat comfy looking thing, which I have since

discovered is my dad's bed, but she couldn't quite make it cos it is very high.

She was dangling her feet in front of my face and suddenly I got the urge to

grab the stripey woolly things she wore on her legs.

I pulled and pulled and Lydia bumped to the floor, I saw her mouth open but

I couldn't hear what she said. She was sort of pulling a funny face too!

She seemed to be enjoying our game so I pulled the tights more and more

and she picked up a fair bit of speed as she slid across the floor on her bum, but

then she came to a very abrupt stop. She seemed to be stuck.

There is a large dressing table in mum and dad's room and Lydia had her

legs wrapped around one of the legs. I tried to help her all I could, I tugged and

tugged but she would not budge. The leg of the woolly tights I had hold of got

longer and longer and longer and longer but still, I could not get her free.

Lydia's face was very red by now and very wet and crumpled.

She laughed about it afterwards!! 

   

      

    

My New Brothers

Benji and Fudge

What a strange pair these are?! One minute they like me then the next they don't!

I really wish they would make their minds up!

I don't think they understand what's it's like to be a girl in the midst of such

a highly fuelled testosterone-filled household. The males here are crazy!

They run a mile when they see me and no hurdle appears to be too high!?!

'The Boys' belong to Nik, he rescued them from a farm in Newcastle

when he was the landlord of a pub. They were only six weeks old and when Nik

went to see them he couldn't believe how they were living.

They were in a cage in the back of a beat-up old range rover with
no food or water. He was only there to buy one but his heart would not allow
him to leave the other pup behind so he took them both.
They are really very good boys, I know this because everyone looks at them kindly.

They are rather handsome too!

Benji likes to guard us, he lays on the windowsill and watches everything

and everybody that comes into the street, and if he thinks they 

deserve a good barking at then he lets them have it.

He loves Nik more than anything and would walk a million miles to be with him.

He likes to smile a lot too!

And so does Fudgie!

Fudgie is daft. He likes to think he's tough and tries to tell me off if I 

'invade his personal space'. What a clown!

I have him sussed though. Just because I cannot hear anything

doesn't mean I don't know he's barking or giving me a warning growl,

I can feel the rumble, but I act as if I'm oblivious and take his toy or side

swipe him with a quick nip before he's realised my cheek.

He just doesn't get it, he looks at me as if I'm some kind of monster, and then...

when I play bow to him and yap a couple of times he's like putty in my hands.

We run around and chase each other like crazy things, I think he's going to

be my best playmate cos as much as Beni looks eager he plays like an old man

and never lets himself go. He is a fatty though, so perhaps he knows he

needs to lose a few pounds before he can get the better of me!

Nik with Benji and Fudge 

   

   

How I Got My Name

That first day I was so tired I fell asleep mid-play. The house where I was now

seemed busy all the time and there was so much to take in, people

coming and people going, it was hard to keep up.

Before she left, Lee gave me a toy, a handmade mouse with a long tail.

I loved playing with it as it smelled of her and all my misfit family.

Without it I was a bit scared although I was given lots of cuddles by everyone.

Lee also left a blanket that I shared the night before with Jed and Joel

and when I climbed into my bed I wondered how they were. 

It was while my new mum, Christine, was taking photos of me that I got my name.

She took lots of photo's of me asleep on the sofa - although I didn't know -

and when she looked back at them she noticed that the patches on my nose

resembled two pigs fighting, one with its head turned away where the

other had punched its lights out!

If you look closely you will see those pigs doing battle! 

 

It was my dad, Robert, who first called me Jessie Two Pigs and the name has stuck.
Especially because they say I'm greedy and eat like two pigs, but
they've never had Jed and Joel to contend with, and besides
I just love my food. 


You cannot get to be as mischievous as me without some stamina!


  

Going for a visit - 8th March 2012

My Foster Mum, Lee, had been telling me all morning
that we were going on a trip and lo and behold the older woman
who came to see us at the weekend arrived in her car and whisked us away.
It seemed a very long journey and I saw things I've never seen
before - even with my one good eye!
Finally we arrived at our destination and Nik, who I
met before, came out to meet me, he lifted me
quite easily and carried me into the house.

There was quite a welcome party when we got inside.

It seemed very busy and I didn't know where to look at first.

There was lots of legs - some a lot hairier than others - and, before I saw

them, I could smell what I knew were going to be my friends.

Benji and Fudge

They looked a bit shocked to see me and didn't come over to make a fuss,

they just stood there staring as if they couldn't believe their eyes!

I was really happy to see them and wandered over to say 'Hello' but

they were very stand-offish which is not at all what I'm used to.

It seemed to me they were frightened to death! Tsk! Frightened of me?!?

They loosened up a little bit but they were very aloof and 'special', I don't

think I was mistaken, but I'm sure they were just playing hard to get!

I had a good sniff around that house and enjoyed all the fuss and attention

and then Lee got up to go. She cuddled me and squeezed me and

snuffled in my ear and I heard her say, 'Good luck little one.'  

And then she was gone!

I wondered what would happen next!

  

   

My chance of a happy life

On March 2nd two women came to see us, it was just after tea.

They made such a fuss of us and did not seem to mind that
seven dogs were hanging off them.

They smelled nice. They smelled kind. I liked them.

They stayed quite late and didn't seem to notice the time but that was OK.

Lee was happy for them to stay as long as they wanted
but eventually they got up to leave.

I didn't want them to go and as they walked out of the door
I followed, hot on their heels.

I'm glad I did cos Finn the cat's food bowl was in the hall
and it gave me an opportunity to have a good lick!

How I love to torment him.

This is me with Finn the cat, he is deaf too!

The following day the older woman came back
and she brought two other people with her.

She introduced them as her son, Nik,
and his girlfriend, Ashlea.
They didn't stay very long only about half an hour,
but we managed to cram in lots of loving and lots of licks.
And also a few photographs.

                                                            

I liked them and I think they liked me, I was on my very best behaviour 

although I did chase Finn a bit, they didn't seem to notice!

And of course, that older woman was there and I like her very much!

She looked into my eyes and smiled, not just on her face but inside too. 

I wondered whether she could be my special friend, the one Lee

had been telling me about, and then she asked me;

'Are you going to be my forever friend?'

And as much as I wanted to stay with my brothers

and my wonderful foster mum I also wanted to bark;

'YES, YES, YES.' as loud as I could!  

My First Report

Name of Dog; -  Jessie J

DOB; 9th December 2011

Description; Border Collie x Bearded Collie

PROFILE;

She is a beautiful, adorable, cuddle monster and a stubborn little madam

who often has her own agenda which is nothing like what you have in mind.

There is nothing wrong with the little collie brain and she will find

mischief and things to get into all the time.

FOOD;

 Anything and everything - including things you don't want her to eat!

             Things containing tripe upset her tummy almost instantly.

             She loves human type food especially smelly cheese (good as training aid)

             Food aggressive; she is a pup and needs to be taught  some manners especially with chews, bones, etc.

TRAITS;

 Typical puppy - chews everything.

                 Loves having her tummy rubbed.

                

She will protest really loudly if she does not want to do something.

We crate the pups at night and she would howl and complain
and then bark indignantly for about 5 mins and then would settle
and sleep quite happily for eight hours.

TRAINING;

 Very quick to pick things up and loves to learn.

                      No experience of walking on the lead yet - tip to try when teaching

her - have  something smelly in your hand (like cheese)

and hold your arm down by your side so she gets used to following the hand.

                      Harness - better for the dog as it stops any pressure on the throat

and through practice you can develop a system of commands

through which different movements used, through the

lead to the harness to indicate left, right, sit etc.

HAND SIGNS;

 Moving hand as if imitating talking at her and she will come to you.

                          Tap on the bum = sit (she is always made to sit for treats)From sit
hold hand with food over nose and raise a little and she will beg.  
From sit - tap on chest between her legs and she will
lie down (almost got this but still a work in progress) Hand in front
of her nose = stop this still needs a lot of work as she always knows 
best and is a determined little madam when she
sets her mind to something.

HOUSE TRAINING;

 Almost - if the door is open she will always go outside and she has

started to scratch at the back door to be let out.

GAMES;

 Everything is a game and if there is no-one on hand at all times
she will make her own amusement and get into mischief. Balls and
toys that treats can be put into are always good for dogs with limited vision.

                Hard chew toys in the freezer will help with teething (in the summer
try freezing dog biscuits in water - outside only though
as really messy - cooked frozen liver strips are
fun as well (these can also be frozen)

                Gardening; esp - Digging, mud is best and she is a right water baby.

                Toilet seat - yep she can get under it and then gets trapped in the bowl
(listen for muffled cries if you can't find her - lol) 
Cupboard doors are no problem to open.
She has a sock fetish (the smellier the better)

SLEEPING;

 We had them in a crate so our dogs got some time with us at night
without them. Like all pups once awake she instantly needs to go for a wee.

OUTDOORS;

 Sunburn - as she is white she will need to have sun-cream

put on her ears and nose etc. I use children's ones as they

are coloured and you can see where you have done esp. if

                        they wriggle a lot and it is less toxic (remember to wash it off)

Note; Coconut oil (stuff used for cooking) is a natural antiseptic and
will not upset tums, (place jar in hot water to melt)

The day I went 'live' on The West Yorkshire Dog Rescue Facebook Page

On 29th Feb. 2012 I was posted on the West Yorkshire Dog Rescue Facebook page.

Pictures and descriptions were posted of my brothers Joel and Jed too! 

JOEL (means 'God will be willing')

White with tri-colour Merle patches and markings around the left eye.
Deaf and Blind. Very friendly loves cuddles and kisses and likes to know where you are all the time. 

A little shy but once settled is confident although he gets spooked easily

He loves having his tummy rubbed.

JED (means 'friend of God')

White with Merle patches and a white face.

Deaf and Blind (possibly some very limited sight in one eye)

Very shy but once he knows someone is very loving he adores them.

He likes lots of cuddles but lacks confidence and needs a lot of
reassuring contact and sleeping in your arms so he feels safe.

ME - JESSIE J (means little minx who likes to shake her booty!)

Forty-nine people 'liked' us on Facebook and seventy-five people
shared our plight. I know many of those people would have loved to help us
but it isn't always possible. We had a few people call at our home
but none seemed right for us and we puppies didn't
choose a special someone to call our own, which Lee swears by. 

     

My Foster Family

My foster mum, Lee, is a supporter and committee member of The West Yorkshire

Dog Rescue and  began taking in disabled dogs about six years ago.

She shares her home with a number of dogs with

disabilities, a deaf cat and her husband Colin. 

These are her websites with lots of information and photo's.

http://lethalwhitesuk.webs.com/news.htm

http://houseofmisfits.weebly.com/index.html

MY FOSTER BROTHERS AND SISTERS

MIZ-MOUSE

Miz Mouse (above) - actually has no disabilities but needed rehoming
after the little boy, she lived with, was found to be allergic to her.
She is rather gorgeous

KASHI

Kashi is totally deaf and blind but handsome all the same.

He plays with all us pups and puts up with a lot.

His name means 'Shining Light' and he is just that!

KALI

Kali is very nervous due to the fact she is very short sighted

and was mistreated but once she settles to you she is a joy,

and so loving. She is a Welsh farm Collie

with the most appealing eyes.

BEREZI

And then there's Berezi.

Born deaf with no sight in one eye and tunnel vision in the other.

Berezi has a Kennel Club Bronze Good Citizen Award

and understands sign language.

She is an inspiration to us all and I hope I grow up to be as clever as she is.

  

My name is Jessie Two Pigs and I am a 'Lethal White'.

 Hello. My name is Jessie Two Pigs and I am what is known as a 

Lethal White, which means that I was born with disabilities.
(The 'Lethal' tag comes from the fact that it would usually be the end of me,
and those like me, shortly after birth.)

Although I am very beautiful I am also deaf with very limited vision.

I was born on 9th Dec. 2011, in Scotland and my parents are Border/Bearded Collie X. 

I am one of eight pups and out of all of us myself and my two

brothers, Jed and Joel, were born with problems.

I am easy to spot because of the mark on my side. (First white on the left.)  

And I'm there on the right.

Although the vet advised that we be put to sleep our owner could not bear the idea

and contacted a lady called Lee Hughes (now Montgomery - Hughes) in Huddersfield, 

West Yorkshire who has lots of experience fostering, and finding homes, for puppies like us. We travelled all the way to her home where she, and her husband Colin, 

have cared for us, and loved us, like their own.

She calls her home a home for misfits and I suppose we do look like a right rabble

when you first meet us but really we are just a house full of love.

We hope to put visitors at their ease and overwhelm them with our keenest

attention to their hands and faces and hearts!