THE DOG WHO WAS TAUGHT HOW TO TRUST IS CALENDAR COVER STAR. Kennel Club launches Breed Rescue calendar 2018

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1 THE DOG WHO WAS TAUGHT HOW TO TRUST IS CALENDAR COVER STAR Kennel Club launches Breed Rescue calendar 2018 A two year-old Golden Retriever rescue dog, who had to learn to trust people again after being deprived of a loving home, has won a Kennel Club competition to become the cover star of a new calendar. Lexi, a Golden Retriever, who came into the Rescue Trust of the North West Retriever Club in 2016, had been to two different homes in the first year of her life, after being bought by a family from an internet advert. They didn t have the time to care for her and soon sent her to another home, and because Lexi had never been socialised her new family struggled to correct the issues that had taken hold, which included fear aggression and guarding. She was then found a third home by the Rescue Trust of the North West Golden Retriever Club and was taught how to trust people again. She now loves nothing better than to cuddle up with her owners at night, and to try and befriend ducks on her dog walks. Proud owner Emma Yates, 40, from Chorley, Lancashire, said: We couldn t be happier, or more proud of her, for being on the cover, and pretty Miss May, of the Kennel Club Breed Rescue calendar. They say that every picture tells a story, and the happiness on her face in this picture really shows what a cheeky and happy character she is. She certainly lights up our home, and it is nice to think that her picture will light up the homes of other dog lovers too. Pat Blackburn, representative for the Rescue Trust of the North West Golden Retriever Club said: Lexi was a troubled soul when she came to us last year, and struggled to trust people, which translated into aggression and food guarding, as a self defence mechanism. With a lot of love and care she has now transformed into a wonderfully happy and loyal dog and we are glad that she is representing our rescue organisation by gracing the front cover of the Kennel Club Breed Rescue Calendar.

2 The calendar features images of rescue dogs that were submitted by Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations for a competition run by the Kennel Club to find worthy models to illustrate each month of the year. The 2018 calendar also features the following breeds: English Springer Spaniel, Bedlington Terrier, French Bulldog, West Highland White Terrier, Golden Retriever, Border Collie, Bavarian Mountain Hound, German Shorthaired Pointer, Japanese Shiba Inu, Greyhound, Akita, Irish Setter. Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: The dogs in the Kennel Club Breed Rescue calendar have had their lives transformed by loving and caring owners and the rescue organisations who find them their new homes, and we are thrilled to be able to showcase them. Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations do such fantastic work and we hope the calendar will help to encourage people to consider rescuing a purebred dog who needs a permanent home, whilst also raising money for the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which supports and funds rescue and rehoming organisations. All of the rescue organisations with dogs featured in the calendar will receive 50 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and the Rescue Trust of the North West Golden Retriever Club, as the overall winner of the competition, will receive 100. Lexi and her new owners will be joined by the Rescue Trust of the North West Golden Retriever Club, along with other dogs which feature in the calendar, at London s biggest dog event, Eukanuba Discover Dogs on October at ExCeL Exhibition Centre, London, to promote Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations and encourage people to buy the calendar to support rescue dogs. The Kennel Club Breed Rescue calendar will be on sale for 5 throughout Eukanuba Discover Dogs and through the Kennel Club online shop via for the rest of the year. All proceeds go to the Kennel Club Charitable Trust to make a difference for dogs. Notes to Editors

3 The other dogs featured in the 2018 Kennel Club Breed Rescue calendar include: Fleck English Springer Spaniel Welfare (ESSW) Fleck was a working spaniel who came to the rescue when his front legs became unsound and he could no longer work in the field. ESSW gave him the chance of a new life by paying for the necessary surgery. Despite the pain he was in before the operation and during the recovery process, he never grumbled and was always very well behaved. Having been successfully rehomed, he is such a happy dog who loves to play with tennis balls and run madly around in circles. Having spent his working life sleeping on straw in a shed, soft bedding in a warm house is a particular luxury for him now. Ralph Bedlington Terrier Rescue (BTR) Affectionately known amongst the Bedlington Terrier Rescue team as Ralphy Ralph Dog, he came to the rescue as a very young, exuberant 'bull in a china shop'. He had received no real socialisation or training and he had very few life skills. It was clear that Ralph was going to be a difficult dog to rehome despite being so young, so BTR put him into foster care where his training began with a behaviourist. Just a few months later, on first meeting his prospective new family, he immediately endeared himself. by stealing treats and pushing his way onto the sofa. Ralph now has his own blog and has taught his new family about the power of social media, by using his fan base to win his campaign to be allowed on the sofa! Watch this space, rumour has it that his blog might be turned into a book. Tipple French Bulldog Welfare Trust Tipple was rehomed when his previous owners could not give him the attention he needed. His new owner adores him and takes him everywhere with her, including work. He has a fantastic social life and is very well known locally. He loves being made a fuss of and greeted by everyone he meets, and readily poses when he sees a camera. Alba UK Westie Rehoming Alba found herself in rescue having been abandoned at a veterinary surgery when she was diagnosed with a heart murmur. Luckily, she was adopted by one of the rescue s volunteers, who

4 reports that Alba s heart problem does not hinder her at all quite the opposite as she always lives life to the full. She will run to meet every dog and every human she sees, no one is safe from her enthusiasm and affection. She loves to paddle and swim at every opportunity. Zorro Valgrays Border Collie Rescue When Zorro arrived at Valgrays he was incredibly underweight, dehydrated, riddled with worms and his paws were very badly damaged. Zorro was sent to the vets and put on a drip. At first, the rescue staff did not think he would make it, but with care, food and veterinary assistance, he turned into a beautiful dog with a fantastic character and zest for life. He has gone to a lovely new home where he has bonded with both human and canine members of the family. He loves to run around the fields and has a huge following on social media. Moli North West Golden Retriever Rescue Moli was six years old when she arrived at the rescue, having already had four homes. She had never been socialised and was so unresponsive that it was feared she could be deaf. However, her new owners have put in a lot of hard work and are giving her a wonderful life. Her favourite activity is swimming and she will go in the water at every opportunity. When she can t do that, she loves having her tummy tickled and, if you stop, she taps you with her paw for more. Oreo German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue UK Oreo suffered damage to his cerebellum during birth, which caused him to have some issues with coordination. Luckily Oreo has been found an ideal home for a German Shorthaired Pointer and a lifestyle that caters for his particular needs. Oreo lives a life that typifies the breed s purpose spending plenty of time outside, enjoying the moors and highlands of Scotland with his new family. As soon as he gets out of the car he always does a joyful, four-legged bounce like Tigger. He has an incredibly long tongue and will stealthily and effectively empty a cup of tea. Rocky Japanese Shiba Inu Rescue UK Rocky arrived at the rescue in September Having been identified and his owner informed, he has never been claimed, which is hard to believe of such a sweet natured and beautiful dog. Although Rocky is a little lacking in confidence, he is hoping to find a home soon.

5 Finn Fen Bank Greyhound Sanctuary Finn came into rescue as a nervous ten month-old puppy, having previously been kept in a yard in poor conditions. One of the kennel assistants fell in love with him the same day, so lucky Finn only stayed at the kennels for 24 hours before he went to his new home. He is now a playful youngster who loves his toys. He is growing in confidence and overcoming his fear of meeting new people. Leia Akita Rescue & Welfare Trust (UK) Leia came into rescue at the age of only 10 weeks with a condition called carpal flexural deformity, in which the front legs knuckle over due to a poor diet. At first she went into a foster home where the condition did not slow her down at all, as she whizzed around playing with the resident dogs. With the right diet and supplements, Leia was quickly like any normal puppy and she soon found a wonderful family. Now grown up, she loves to stand next to the children s beds and bark to wake them up for school. She is also very helpful in opening the fridge to get breakfast ready. Ron Irish Setter Rescue & Rehome Ron came into Irish Setter Rescue & Rehome as an eight week-old puppy, along with his four siblings. Fortunately, all the puppies were soon found wonderful, caring homes. Like all Irish Setters, Ron has an all-embracing love of life. He is sociable, inquisitive and a real livewire! At the end of a busy day, he loves to climb into his owner s lap.