Stray Spaniels of Atherstone

Hi... This story began only a week ago when two stray spaniels were found. No microchip, no owner, no back story. Malnourished, dehydrated and frail, I was in utter shock at the sight of them. What else could I do but take them in, just for the weekend? Well - that was the original plan, just for the weekend...

I quickly learnt that their next steps would be the pound. The pound? Banging, clanging and barking, frightened dogs. Strange faces and stranger smells. The weekend came and went and I could not do it to them. The more that I learnt about them, the more their story broke my heart.

The first thing I noticed was how reluctant they were to come in - had they been in a house before? I had to wash them immediately due to the smell and visible muck - but they had not been washed before and I only managed to wash some of the smell and mess out but did not want to upset them further. The next thing I noticed was the excessive thirst, they must have gone days without a proper drink - surviving by some miracle, on the streets.

The younger one cried when I took them out to toilet at night, was this related to living outside perhaps? I tried to switch off, but it was hard. Watching their frail bodies, their big loving eyes and piecing their young years so far, I do not think I have cried so much over dogs in such a short space of time.

Signs of being used for heavy breeding, signs of abuse and signs of isolation showed themselves in the coming week - alongside signs of joy, happiness and pure love from them as they realised life could be different. That humans can love too! They had never been in a street outside of being lost, cars approaching put them in a freeze state.

Locals and businesses all got involved to help with donations of clothing, harnesses and offers from pet shops and a beautiful soul who is a groomer (and also owns one of the pet shops)! After grooming one of the two (the one who is not so fearful of people ) we discovered sore paws 'potentially from living in her own urine.' I was told by the groomer that the dog she rescued who was being used for breeding, would toilet on concrete because she lived in conditions where she had to. It hit home - this baby tries to toilet on concrete or pebbles. She is better with training and goes on grass now, but still tries to go on concrete. The other baby (potentially her child) is so malnourished, I discovered that she has learnt to live on excrement. It is how she has survived.

After the trip to the groomers, to have the confirmation that they have been living in such conditions, possibly not fed, outdoors and in their own excrement - I knew I could not give up on them.

They will both need to be spayed, have medical checks and I plan to give them the best Christmas they have ever known. Unlike my own girls, these girls did not know what love was prior to last week and it is safe to say, they are receptive of it and give it back in abundance.

I want to thank you if you have already donated, or given the girls anything as a business. We are eternally grateful for your kindness and I will never, ever forget it. If anyone can and wants to, any help towards the immediate care that is to follow, would again be appreciated. The younger of the two will have to wait to be spayed, she's still too frail, but once she is healthier and braver - she will be spayed too.

Once again, thank you for all the support so far - you can follow their story so far on 'Topdog Training and Tutoring' mainly on Facebook. Thank you to all those who have been supporting the girls on their journey so far; we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from our household to yours.