Success Stories

Rio

‘Well where can I start? What an amazing loving little dog with a massive heart. Do you know what, we couldn’t have asked for a better friend than Rio, I like to think we found each other. After we lost our last dog Archie we were so lost as a family after 14 years of being with him, always coming with us, he wasn’t just a pet he was a family’s best friend. We were lost, nothing seemed the same.

We went to Bristol Volksfest this year, we were walking around all day looking at other people’s dogs missing Archie. It wasn’t till the end of the day we were going on and said ‘do one more lap then head home’. We had walked past this stall about 10 times during the day not realising it was yourselves doing Charity work. We turned around and saw this little Staffy with a please adopt me jacket on. We thought how cute is he? and couldn’t resist going over. And Rio well he instantly won us all over, we weren’t looking for a replacement for Archie but we were all thinking we could give this little chap as much love as he can take for as long as he wants. Yes he will be 12 in February, but so what? We are an Animal family and think all deserve love from start to the end. Rio made us all feel whole again. We love him and looking at these pictures we think he feels the same way. Full of life, loves to play, we are still learning about each other but 100% we love each other. Where we go Rio comes, even came on our date night last week down the coast for fish and chips. He has the biggest smile I think I have ever seen on a Staffy – could not imagine not coming home to his smile.

Rio is super lovely he actually gives like a proper cuddle around your neck, we all think the world of him. He gets on well with my sister’s dog as well playing in the garden, he will get all the love from us all.

Thank you to all at Holly Hedge for making our family whole again after Archie and giving us the chance to love our Bestie friend Rio, we love him to bits. We really appreciate the chance to rehome him. Rio is like the dog from Heaven, honestly.

Rio’s new Dad told us that if he had the chance to build a dog, it would be exactly the same as Rio, as he wouldn’t change a thing! And we would love to be able to build many more families just like Rio’s!

Harley

Harley came to Holly Hedge on a cold day in February in a very sorry state. She was taken straight to the vet as it was obvious there was something very wrong with her. She couldn’t walk properly, and was shuffling around in circles and seemed to be in a lot of pain. We knew this poor dog had been kept outside in a kennel for at least 2 years because she was incontinent. Once a loved house pet, at the age of 11 years old and very arthritic she was an inconvenience, so banished to the garden! We were told that Harley hadn’t seen a vet since she was a puppy, and she had never been given any pain relief for her arthritis.

The vet kept her in overnight for observation with a view to doing X-rays the following day. It was apparent that Harley was suffering deep rooted pain and was also very sore and ulcerated with urine scald where she had been lying in her own urine. She couldn’t walk, only shuffle along on her 2 front legs. The X-rays showed there may have been some trauma to the spine and her hips were very stiff with arthritis, she also had muscle wastage in her back end. The prognosis wasn’t good.

There was no way this poor old girl could go into a kennel, so she came to me to be fostered and assessed for her quality of life. Harley looked so pitiful – a broken little dog in body and spirit, with nothing but a blank expression in her sad eyes and was very hand shy. She could hardly walk and it was heart breaking to see her struggling. It was so upsetting to see, and I knew if she didn’t improve it would be kinder to have her quietly put to sleep – but she deserved a chance. Poor Harley was also in season. She had only just been put on strong pain killers and other soothing medication for her skin that day, so it was hoped she would soon be feeling brighter. She was definitely totally incontinent both ends and could pee for England, bless her! Harley had to be washed down several times a day but this dear sweet dog never complained. She enjoyed her food and loved to be cuddled, as well as her daily massages. Slowly but surely, I could see her improving and thriving – not just in her body, but in her demeanour too. After a couple of weeks Harley began to walk a few steps at a time unaided, the medication and being in a warm home environment along with lots of TLC was working well. I was soon able to take her out for short walks which she so looked forward to, and even managed a game of football for a few minutes at a time. To my horror she made it upstairs all by herself as she was beginning to get inquisitive – except she couldn’t get back down again and had to be carried! She was still incontinent, but not nearly as bad. The day she gave me her first Staffie smile melted my heart – it wasn’t the biggest smile, but I knew then that Harley really was happy. She loved having visitors and always took centre stage enjoying treats brought especially for her. But she still had a way to go. Would the right home ever come along for this amazing little miracle who fought so hard to live a normal life?

Weeks later, when I thought she was here to stay, the most wonderful couple contacted Holly Hedge. They had recently had to have their own much loved Staffie put to sleep, who had also been incontinent, but they didn’t mind and even had suitable flooring put down just for her. Knowing Harley’s history, they still wanted to meet her and it really was love at first sight, for her as well as them.

A lot of tears were shed when Harley went to her new home, but I knew in my heart she was going to the best home ever for however long she had left, with 2 amazing and lovely people who were totally dedicated to making her happy.

JO and JONATHAN, you took this sweet little dog into your home and your hearts and you made her whole again, her life complete because she had all the love in the world and everything she could have wished for, albeit for a short time. Harley had your unconditional love and unwavering devotion. The photos you sent were so heart warming – and she had the widest, beaming Staffie smile ever and a twinkle in her eyes. The power of love does amazing things and you both worked wonders for Harley. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving her all the love in the world until it was time for her journey across the Rainbow Bridge. No one could have done more for her.

HARLEY, Holly Hedge give their solemn promise to always be there for animals in need of help, and to love and care for them until their forever home comes along. RIP knowing, we will keep this promise to you and to each and every precious rescue who passes through our gates.

From Jo and Jonathan:
We would like people to share and promise that if they see animals in need or in danger, they would report it. What we know is we took a lovely sweet dog that had been lovingly cared for by Pauline and you all gave Harley a chance.

Harley was given a chance to live and love by Holly Hedge which we will be eternally grateful for the honour and pleasure of having Harley for the time we had with her. We fell in love with a broken girl with an old spinal injury and due to her injuries was completely incontinent but she showed us spirit, strength and soul. Harley learned to walk, as it be like a crab, play, as it be, we throw we fetch and love, the blow kisses the little licks and I’m going to snatch your hand off for treats love.

Harley was loved and will not be forgotten; she was sadly diagnosed with a brain tumour after all the cruelty she had suffered to be taken away from a family finally that truly loved her.

Please do not let animals like Harley suffer & spend most of their lives neglected and suffering, report it and make a promise to Harley.

Even though Harley was recently put to sleep we thought we would still like to tell this brave girl’s story. Harley had 5 months of being loved and cherished and we are privileged to have given her this happy time and so grateful to Jo and Jonathan for giving her such a wonderful few months in their loving care.

Janja

Janja was born on the streets of Croatia, and at just a few weeks old this tiny puppy was found on a rubbish dump severely traumatised. Her rescuers took her straight to the vet where she was examined and given an MRI scan where she was diagnosed with a broken back. The vet advised that it was best for Janja to be put to sleep as she would never walk again and would always be incontinent. Her rescuers took her home to think about what the vet had said, but because this little pup showed tremendous spirit, rightly or wrongly they wanted to give her a chance of life as she had fought so hard to stay alive. This dear little pup wanted so much to live and as the months passed Janja never let her disability hold her back and was such a happy little soul despite having to shuffle around and wear nappies. Sadly, because her rescuers worked and led busy lives, they were finding it hard to cope with a growing puppy who was paraplegic and incontinent and needed so much attention lavished upon her to enable her to enjoy a good quality of life. They reached out to other animal lovers in the area, of which there were few, but some good people came forward to help. Janja’s life was shared with a network of foster homes which didn’t seem to faze her, and she continued to grow in strength and size. She was given laser acupuncture which helped and was bought a set of wheels so she could get out and about and run free. Janja was still a puppy and most of her foster carers didn’t have a garden, so she was only able to have 1 good walk a day which was not ideal for a growing puppy with so much energy. She did have the company of other dogs though which she really enjoyed. Her rescuers concluded that this life was not ideal for Janja although she coped well and continued to thrive – and was very much loved, but finding foster homes was becoming increasingly difficult. Her rescuers decided to reach out even further and sent emails to many English charities desperate for someone to help. Only 1 charity responded to the heartfelt plea, and that of course was Holly Hedge. After finding out all about her special needs and seeing amazing photos and videos of Janja out walking on her wheels and playing and having so much fun with her rescuers’ toddler, we decided we had to help as long as we were assured she could withstand the journey over here. We knew it wouldn’t be fair to put this brave girl into a kennel situation so put out a plea on Facebook for a foster home, but no one came forward. Then COVID-19 brought devastation to countries worldwide and Janja’s journey was put on hold. Meanwhile she was spayed and went through all the veterinary tests and vaccinations necessary to enable her to come into the country with a totally clean bill of health. Again, another huge ask was put out on social media for a foster home, and this time we struck gold.

A nurse who had been thinking of retiring, read Janja’s plea and rang for more information. After many questions, phone calls, emails photos and videos, and speaking to Janja’s rescuers, Julia and her husband Glen made the lifechanging decision to permanently foster her.

In March 2021, her Croatian rescuers waved a fond farewell to Janja and with many tears wished her well on her three day journey to England. Janja arrived very bewildered at 3am on the 26th of March. Julia had given up her job and went on to occasional bank nursing when Glen was at home to care for Janja so there was always someone there for her. She soon settled in with her new carers and was enjoying life to the full with all the love and attention lavished upon her. Julia did a fundraiser and raised enough money for a brand new and much sturdier set of wheels so that Janja could run to her hearts content and go on new adventures with them.

UPDATE: It is with heavy hearts that we must bring sad news of dearest Janja’s passing. Janja came to Julia and Glen in March 2021 after being found on a rubbish dump in Croatia with a broken back and was paraplegic. Her rescuers cared for her, paid for her veterinary treatment, and took it in turns to foster Janja but this sweet girl needed a permanent home. So they wrote to animal shelters everywhere and Holly Hedge answered their heartfelt plea. After an appeal was written with lovely photos of this sweet girl, Julia and Glen came forward and offered to take Janja into their home and hearts. They even moved house to accommodate her needs where she could have her very own shower room. Janja lived life to the full, going on great adventures all over the country bombing around in her truck and winning the hearts of all who met her. She won several Rosettes at fun dog shows and even had her own Instagram page. This adorable girl had such a zest for life and never let her disability hold her back. Her pictures and videos spoke a thousand words, contentment radiating all over her beautiful face. She even had her own Pet Passport.

All of us at Holly Hedge would like to pay tribute to Janja, and Julia and Glen who loved her unconditionally and gave her the most wonderful home where she blossomed in mind, body, and spirit, and was truly blessed. Thank you both so very much for giving your beloved girl all and more than she could ever have wished for. Janja took all your love with her across the Rainbow Bridge, where she is running free on four legs and playing happily chasing rainbows and floating on clouds. You will never be forgotten beautiful girl.

Esme

One very cold winter’s evening in November 2020, a terrified little dog was brought into us, having been found all alone in a park tied to a tree, in desperate need of food, warmth & shelter and trembling with fear. Our natural instincts were to want to wrap her up in our arms and give her some much needed comfort and reassurance. But after the trauma she had endured, this poor soul was understandably very wary of humans and all we could do was tell her we loved her and that everything was going to be ok. We called this precious little angel Esme.

Her kennel with her cosy beds was Esme’s safe place and we knew it would take time for her to allow us to touch her, but that was ok and we were sure that with time and patience, we would win her round. We were prepared to give her as long as she needed – it would be worth the wait! Esme had her own corridor at Holly Hedge, so we would open her kennel door and let her come out to explore, which she seemed curious to do. She got a little braver every day, emerging from her kennel and showing great interest in the sights and smells around her. From a safe distance, we also tried introducing ‘dog friendly’ dogs to her and it soon became apparent that she loved other dogs, even though many of her canine friends were about 5 times the size of her! Having them to play with and to take on the role of her guardians really helped Esme gain in confidence and we could tell that inside that frightened body there was a fun loving girl just waiting to blossom.

Esme may have looked a very delicate little soul, but it wasn’t long before she showed us what a strong spirit she had and with every new day we marvelled at the progress she made – little steps, and with each one taken came a huge sense of delight.

We could only imagine the sadness and despair Esme must have been through and promised her that from now on, she would only know love and kindness. She certainly enjoyed the tasty food we tempted her with and she adored her comfy bed. Our behaviourist worked very closely with Esme, helping her to realise that her world didn’t need to be a scary place and let her take everything at her own pace. It was amazing when she felt confident enough to venture into the gardens, woods and fields. And when she let us gently stroke her, there were some very emotional people at the Sanctuary!

Then in February, an amazing thing happened……Esme went off to live in her forever home, which she shares with her ‘fursibling’ Noodle and her wonderful family who adore her and give her such a special and enriched life. Fastforward a year and Esme is unrecognisable from the cowering little mite we first met. She’s now a fun loving, confident, content and much loved pet and we couldn’t be happier for her. Esme is a little miracle and we’re all so proud of her.

We are so grateful to Esme’s family for taking her to their hearts and home – they describe her as ‘just so amazing’ and we couldn’t agree more!

Esme is quite the holiday maker now and has been away several times already, including to Cornwall where she visited the Eden Project and enjoyed pub lunches, picnics and playing on the beach. Other ventures have included barge and train journeys and holidaying in Yorkshire where she stayed in a posh cottage and in the words of her family was a superstar!

Thankfully last Christmas Esme was safe and warm at Holly Hedge, though still understandably very fearful of the world and with a long way to go on her road to recovery and rehabilitation.

Well this Christmas couldn’t have been more different, as Esme got into the festive spirit and celebrated the season with her family. Here she is in her Christmas Pudding coat – looking fabulous!

And in the words of her ‘forever mumma’……’Certainly a very different Christmas for little Esme this year! Turkey & playing with her doggy cousins Christmas Day, lots of long walks, watching the Morris men and generally getting thoroughly spoilt by everyone as she is so adorable. She has grown so much in confidence it’s incredible – we are all so proud of her.’

Rosa

In September 2014 we moved to a converted farm building. Tucked away, at the end of a lane backing on to neighbouring barns and sheds.

We had three dogs (all rescues) and had recently lost our family cat.

There were a lot of cats in the neighbourhood with all of our neighbours having at least one. They strolled about without a care in the world.

A few weeks in a small, very pretty, tabby and white cat appeared. Very nervous, disappearing from view every time we left the house, she was different to the rest. It became apparent she wasn’t owned by anyone and so our relationship began. Over the next 4 years ‘Minnie’ got used to us, became grateful for the regular source of ‘easy’ food and became confident enough to cross the threshold to the house at meal times. Eventually, and with a lot of gentle encouragement and patience, she spent more time in the house with the dogs just accepting her.

The last three years of Minnie’s life were spent mainly inside in total luxury!! She loved to be outside in the warm weather but during the winter she had a bed in a window (plus several others dotted about), and loved looking out over her domain from a centrally heated house. She wasn’t prepared to be picked up or cuddled and when she was outside she wouldn’t let us go near her! But her favourite spot in the evening was stretched out on my Husband’s chest in front of the TV and she spent her nights on top of the SKY box because it was warm…….. We hadn’t realised that she was a mature cat when we met her and, last year, having become thin and ‘not right’ she tolerated a visit to the vet. It was discovered that she was probably 12 to 14 and had a mass in her chest that was inoperable. We didn’t mess about. She had lived a good life, allowed us to lift her into the cat carrier, and accepted, for the very first time, the gentle hands of those of us lucky enough to know and love her to cuddle her. Her time had come and she let us share her quiet and gentle passing.

Minnie changed our entire outlook about cats. We know that for most people a domestic cat is the ideal but, for those of us who have the space, taking on a feral or semi-feral cat is incredibly rewarding. Like all cats, each is an individual who dances to their own tune, they live life and interact with us on their terms.

In October last year we heard of a semi-feral cat at Holly Hedge called Rosa, she had been there for a year having come from a farm. As it happened she was tabby and white! We knew we could offer her a home, on her terms, with no hope or expectation of anything more than minimal interaction. The deal…….. Safe and comfortable shelter, food and a watchful eye for injury or illness. It would have been wrong to expect anything more. We simply wanted her to be ‘free range’ and have a permanent home base.

Turns out Rosa is very much ‘feral lite……’ After keeping her safe and secure in the space we had set up for her for a couple of months we set her ‘free’. Turns out that freedom to Rosa involves never straying far from her home turf, spending lots of time in any one of her three beds and ‘apartments’ and knowing, pretty much to the minute, when breakfast and supper is due!

She now routinely comes into the utility to eat and often pops into the office to check things out. She remains wary of hands and anything that suggest she might be ‘caught’ and that will probably never change. But, as with Minnie before her, she is gaining in confidence, is rooted to her environment and increasingly curious about us. We have already come to love her, entirely on her terms of course!

Who knows, one day she may even end up inside looking out……..

Buddy

For those who can remember this dear little kitten’s story, here is an update on how he recovered from his sad beginnings and is now a thriving young adult who rules the roost along with 3 other resident cats! It was certainly a lucky day as kitten days go back in June, picked up by a resident in Long Ashton all alone and injured, the odds were low that he would have been found at all that day. With no mother in sight, this seemingly lost and neglected little one was kindly taken to the local vets and once treated for an ulcer to the side of his face & wounds to his mouth, he was brought to Holly Hedge where he found a warm bed and lots of love and attention from all the staff. It also happened to be the same day that I volunteer at Holly Hedge, and after receiving multiple adorable photos and an SOS, I arrived with a cat basket in tow ready to foster this baby and heal his heart and wounds. I must confess it was love at first sight! I didn’t tell my husband that though as I’d promised him that this was just a temporary measure until he had healed! We already had 3 rescues who kept us on our toes and we were having the windows and outside of the house being painted at the time, so I knew it was going to be a struggle with escape routes everywhere. It was estimated that he was around 5 weeks old and the first few weeks were filled with bathing wounds, Zoopharmacognosy sessions, feeding, hydrating, Reiki healing, cuddles, cleaning out litter trays, more cuddles, more litter trays and basically tending to this little one’s needs, almost like one would do for a baby. I had forgotten how much preparation, time and attention a helpless one could take up! At this point I should say a heartfelt thanks to my husband Richard and also Louise Avery at the Sanctuary who was my lifeline on FB messenger. Louise has over 20 years’ experience dealing with the many abandoned cats and kittens that come to the doors of Holly Hedge and has expert knowledge on hand rearing kittens. It wasn’t easy, Buddy as we now called him, had multiple ticks and fleas, and parasites so bad that he was pooping up to 11 times a day. In fact, the first time he used the litter tray he produced a chewed feather and a piece of plastic! The poor soul must have been starving… but we got through it, the wounds healed, the litter tray was being emptied less and less and we were watching the magic of healing happen. Meanwhile, despite the efforts of the team at Holly Hedge and a public appeal searching for an owner, mother, or any other siblings, the search drew a blank and no conclusions have ever been made as to why he was found alone that day. What we do know is the rest of his story, and how he wriggled his way into the hearts of the public and through everyone’s generosity raised over £900 of much needed funds for Holly Hedge. Buddy’s story is just one of many abandoned kittens that come into their care every year and the work of the staff and many volunteers is just incredible, always going above and beyond despite such trying times. I am so grateful to be able to have nurtured and healed this little one, he was a lucky one and has not only survived, but has thrived. Of course, we went on to adopt him, and he has blended into our little feline family as if he was always part of the crew. He continues to challenge us and at 8 months old it’s like having a badly behaved teenager in the house, his antics know no bounds! I’m sure he thinks he is the alpha male, despite being the youngest, but we absolutely adore him and he is very loved. Buddy’s story has a happy ending, but there are many more just like him waiting for their forever homes. As a holistic volunteer for Holly Hedge, I see the sadness and abandonment in all their eyes and as we bring in the New Year my hope is that they all get a second chance like Buddy.

Helen Baker

Holistic Volunteer at Holly Hedge & Owner/Practitioner at Reiki & Herb, Animal Zoopharmacognosy

Thank you so much for coming to the rescue of this dear little soul and giving him a lifetime of joy to look forward to.

Dolores

After our beloved cat passed away in September 2021, we were a few months without a cat in our household which was very strange. I had been thinking about adopting an older cat and had been looking on re homing charity websites for our next feline friend. I am a veterinary surgeon and I thought it would be a good idea to re home a cat that needed a little extra care. Through a combination of circumstances, we were made aware that an older cat, ‘Dolores’ was looking for her forever home. I’ll hand over to Dolores to tell the rest of the story…

‘I was found as a stray in winter 2021. Not much is known about where I came from or my previous home but someone must’ve loved me at one time as I really enjoy cuddles and fuss. When I was taken to the vet they realised I was very thin and ran some blood tests to see if there was anything wrong. I had diabetes which meant I was losing weight and needed some medication to help get me back on track. It’s lucky I was taken into the vet as if I had been left to fend for myself I wouldn’t have made it, diabetes can be life-threatening and needs daily injections to manage. I went to Holly Hedge where they took good care of me while I waited for a special owner to take me home, I got plenty of fuss and cuddles which is my favourite thing in the world. I wasn’t sure if I would find my forever home as it can be a lot to manage my injections every day. Then one day I had a visit from a lovely family, I jumped straight on the lady’s lap as soon as she crouched down to pet me! I went home with them where I have a nice fire to cosy up in front of every night and plenty of cuddles throughout the day. As I am an older feline now, my favourite thing is to sit on a lap and have a snooze. My diabetes is well controlled now so I’m not thin anymore, and I’m also on some medication for arthritis as I’m a bit stiff in my old age. As you can see from my photos I look ’10 years younger’ and I’m sure it’s because I feel safe and happy in a loving home. If you ever wonder if an older cat is for you, please give us a chance. We give so much love and all we ask for is the same in return.

Dolores really does look 10 years younger and we just can’t believe this incredible transformation from the cat who first arrived at Holly Hedge, clinging desperately onto us and not wanting to let go, as we cradled her delicate little body in our arms and promised we’d do everything possible to help her. Little did we imagine that she would make quite such a miraculous recovery and find her ‘dream home’ for which we are so happy and grateful.

Rio

Harley

Janja

Esme

Rosa

Buddy

Dolores

Tilly

Rio

Harley

Janja

Esme

Rosa

Buddy

Dolores

Tilly

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