I'll admit that I went into owning an English Bulldog blindly...not really seeing past the cute puppy wrinkles and goofy personalities. I'm ashamed to say that I didn't even consider rescue. However, owning bulldogs made me realise how complex this breed can be, in more ways than one, and my husband and I vowed that we would never purchase a puppy again. The Edward Foundation (EF) really opened our eyes to how many bulldogs in need there are and being a volunteer you see how hard the team work. Trying to place dogs in foster constantly, sometimes in vain as there just aren't enough fosters. The sheer amount of requests for people wanting to re-home their bulldogs is astounding. There are so many amazing volunteers at EF and a few consistently stand out by going above and beyond for the rescue including a woman I have seen mentioned many times on EF's facebook page, Vicky Lister. I asked if she would mind sharing her rescue story with us and she very kindly gave a heartfelt account of her emotional but rewarding journey in rescue.
Vicky, firstly tell us a bit about yourself? Me? Old, Born in 1956, I was the only girl with 5 brothers and a mother of 2 at the age of 20. Never married and retired in 2022. I spent the last 40 years working in Refuges and Homeless Hostels and also spent 10 years working in Golf Clubs as Functions and Catering Manager (Own Franchise.)
How did you get into rescue? There was a 16week old bulldog left at a vets near me to be put to sleep as he was deaf, I had always loved bulldogs, my friend had 2. I arranged a meeting with the vets and fell in love the minute I met him. He had been living in a shed with 2 lurchers. My son and I donated to the vets and brought him home. This was back in 2000. I then found Bull Dog Rescue and Tania Holmes, and went on their site as a member to gain knowledge regarding Bulldogs and to also maybe gain a friend for Bill. At this time, I must add, there were very few bulldogs in Rescue so you were placed on a waiting list.
Bill spent the next 4years by my side 24/7 until he passed Christmas Eve 2004 at the vets aged just 4 years old.
This cancelled Christmas, but life after a Bulldog is empty with no snoring and their little quirks. So in January 2005 with no rescues available I bought 2 x Brindle and white 9 week old pups. I had only gone for 1 but asked if I could have them both. David and Herbert came home. However, Herbie got Kennel cough and passed at 16weeks old. No-one gets over the feeling of helplessness when you sit and have to watch and hope they are strong enough to fight. The vets did all they could.
At the end of February a 10 month old little girl became available at Bulldog Rescue (BDR) and I was invited to go to Midhurst and meet her. I drove the 180 miles each way in thick snow and bought home Lola. Dave and Lola were great together. By that time Dave had been through 2 operations for cystine stones, he was only 17months old. I vowed from that moment that I would never buy a pup from a breeder again and would only rescue or re-home.
Then there was an older lady not far from me that needed a home for BDR, Stripe, all was well and Dave loved the girls. Then I had a call from Tania saying “ If I tell you there is an 18 week old little girl that has been rescued out of a shed with horrible injuries not far away that really needs a safe home, what will you say?" ...So now I have 4 Bulldogs. Dave, Lola, Stripe and Bubbles (Binks).
When we lost Stripe, Lola and Binks decided they were not going to live nicely together, 3 nasty fights and 3 vet trips meant 1 lived upstairs and 1 downstairs. Both were happy to be around Dave but most certainly not each other. So for the next 6 years neither saw each other, both knew they were there but did not share a room or see each other. Lola slept with my son and Dave and Binks slept with me. Lola passed at the age of 8 in her sleep, above my head, in her usual position. Dave passed not long after.
My partner at the time brought me home a Fox red retriever pup, which I told him was his! Cute but my love was now with Bulldogs only.
BDR Spike then came to live here, he was such a beautiful boy. He was only 2 and had been left at the vets to be put to sleep as he had stones. The owners couldn't afford the operation. The vets did a urinoscopy (mangina) and I had to clean and catch wee samples which was a new hobby but he was such a lovely boy and worth it.
Lola lived until she was 10.5 and once again she was another who passed in her sleep.
Then, The Edward Foundation (EF) was formed from a Bulldog Owners group where we all donated to save dogs in need.
I applied to adopt a little girl called Ella and 8th Dec 2013 Ella came to live with me. I drove up to Sutton Bridge to meet another volunteer. A road train had been put in place as she was in foster near Newcastle. Ella was the start of my EF journey for fosters, adoptions, road trains, pick-ups, homechecks and raising money with events like walks and dog shows.
What is it about English Bulldogs that made you drawn to that breed? Before Bulldogs I owned and bred Standard Poodles. But Bulldogs are a breed that amaze you every day. Every one of them is unique, they are dependent on us, yet they are so stubborn and independent and have their own way of doing things. They are a breed of unbelievable intelligence when they want to be yet will only do what they want.
What’s it like being a foster? Fostering is one of those things you can or can't do. Some people will find it hard to let go. Whilst I have had many dogs, over 60 in fact, that have either been in foster or ones I've had for the rest of their lives, the only ones that stay forever are the ones EF have found hard to rehome or are old and need a quiet environment (we have no neighbours for about 2 miles.)
You take in a lot of medical/ hospice fosters, tell us a bit about that?
Taking in the ones that are old, terminal, or have other issues is challenging but it's also so rewarding. To be able to give them love and the attention they need in their final days. Many of them are elderly and most have lived between 10 and 15 years of age . The heartbreaking times are when they are young and after having tough previous lives they pass early. The ones who
lose their lives under 6 years hurt more in my opinion. This gang I've spoke of went for a long time being the same dogs. But in 2020 I lost my retriever Jasper, Lottie, Gary Barlow and Oscar within 4 weeks of each other, Which really was so hard. And each year since I have lost 4 a year. Some times, no matter how hard you try to heal them, its in vain but at least I have given and shown them love.
Tell us about your current rescue clan and what are their personality traits?
Currently I have living here with me:
King Archie. EF no 275. There have been over 2000 dogs that have come into TEF Rescue since this man first came in. Gary Pillans first picked him up from Ireland with many issues (autoimmune), he was rehomed but brought back to rescue and was being treated in Scotland. I was asked if he could come live his life here with a list of can/cant haves. King Archie is half French half English and will be 16 years old in December. We don’t have an actual date so the whole month of December is his Birthday.
Elsa EF 1152. Tibetan Mastiff. Elsa came from China in September 2019. De Randall and Lisa Hawkes went over to China with French Bulldog Saviours Lindsey Scanlon to save some Frenchies and Bulldogs from the Meat trade. Elsa was brought to the rescue after being found abandoned by the roadside, paralised and just a baby. The ladies all fell in love with her and asked the members of TEF if we would raise the funds needed for her to come over to the UK. Most agreed. In September of '19 I drove to Paris Airport to collect Elsa from Chris Barden (Little Adoption Shop) China who was transporting her. I took her prospective owner with me who promised Elsa the world, whilst also knowing her disability. We drove back to her new home and I headed back to my home. Not even 24 hours later Elsa was returned to my home as apparently she had attacked the other dog in the home. Elsa from day 1 with me has never been nasty to ANY dog that has been here whether foster or forever. She has mixed with them all.
Jackie Chan EF 1732 Was found in the early hours at 7am in a forest by a lady, who rarely went out at that time. Alone with his face cut on both sides he was very stressed. He was taken to the vets where he stayed on oxygen. He had no chip so I have no idea how old he is. He was rehomed but was returned due to his toilet behaviour. He still is a dirty boy when it suits him but is better than he was.
Queeni EF1684 Came to live here at the tender age of 1 years old, due to the fact she has hemivertebra and does leak urine although she is not incontinent yet which she could become. Most people don’t really want a leaky dog especially on their furniture and her life could have been very different. She’s a bugger as far as bossy and trying to be top dog. I'm sure this is down to colour as Queenie is a Lilac Tri and a mix in the gene pool does not help with attitudes I'm afraid. But I do love her dearly, you just have to watch her.
Eric FBS7/5/22 Eric came over from Hungary in May 22 with another boy called Ernie. He is also is a Lilac Tri. He was bought over on a rescue mission by French Bulldog Saviours. I was asked if the 2 boys could come and live their lives out here as they were older boys that needed saving. They were in a very sad state when arriving weighing in at 17kilos, cherry eye and completely bald on the back. I lost Ernie early on this year at 6yrs old.
Bruce Dog De Bordeaux Bruce came to live here from the village I live in being advertised free at 7 years old and entire… What could I do? Luckily he is a great big softy and gets on with everyone. I have never had a Douge De Bordeaux before, I did search the rescues to try to get him a home that knew the breed but all rescues were full to the brim so this is where he has stayed. He is a great big lap dog and does not know his power.
EF Bernard 2181 Bernard is the newest member of the gang. He is an 11 year old that came into rescue due to family breakdown. Considering he has lived in the same home since he was a pup he's doing really well with the change and enjoying the company of Elsa and Jackie Chan at present. The others will eventually be introduced. They can all see each other through fencing but when you’ve had unsociable dogs you take it all very slowly..
If people are reading this and are interested in fostering what advice can you give? To get to see dogs come back from being bewildered, maybe unloved, not treated nicely, scared, dominated by other dogs, neglected or not looked after properly due to lack of knowledge of the breed is extrememly rewarding. I would recommend reading up on the breed. Know their quirks, personalities and stubborness. If you're still interested The Edward Foundations team of De, Sam and Marion are always there to help.
If they're unable to foster how else can they help? Help is always needed for transport, whether pick up or taking the dogs home. Fundraising by arranging dog walks, sponsorship or events. Donations are always needed. Even if it's just a small donation each month, it all adds up. Vet bills are always coming in!
What is good advice for those looking to adopt an English Bulldog, we know they can have very different personalties to the average dog!!
Read everything you can about the breed!. They are not for the faint hearted. Learn about issues, hot spots, allergies, the more knowledge the better life for you and the dog.
EF Dogs That have Lived at The Farm since 2013
Ella, Betty, Tess, Oscar, Lil Archie, King Archie, Mist, Gary Barlow, Lottie, Aggie, Hooch,
Elsa, Ida, Horseradish, Bentley, Benson, Jackie Chan, Queeni, Agatha, Bernard
EF Fosters
Beau, Elvis, Beef, Chutney, Cabbage, Billybob, Raisin, Charlotte, Mary, Holly, Kojak, Tilly,
Thor, Norman, Paddy, Nellie,
Thanks so much to Vicky for opening up about her life in rescue. If you want to find out more about The Edward Foundation and the wonderful work they do please follow the link. www.theedwardfoundation.co.uk
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