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00:00I'm Pete Wicks, and I've been helping out here for nearly six months now.
00:10Help!
00:12I want you to be happier.
00:14We've had ups.
00:18I'm the pub daddy.
00:20We're so happy.
00:22What are you doing?
00:23And downs.
00:24Not only could we have lost Kira, those puppies wouldn't, they wouldn't be here either.
00:28I'm gonna give you a little minute to say goodbye.
00:30Yeah, thank you.
00:32But it's been a real privilege to be part of these dogs' journeys.
00:35You know, the dog's been in her life for such a long time.
00:38And this week...
00:39You ready, buddy?
00:40...the work doesn't stop, as the team and I do all we can...
00:43Help!
00:44...to give every dog the chance of a new beginning.
00:48I want you to be happier. I want you to be happier.
00:52There's a little bit of time there.
00:58Thousands of dogs coming across the 22 centres every year.
01:09Although they're all individuals...
01:11He looks like a cow.
01:13...with different likes...
01:15I know, baby.
01:17Oh, this is what he's doing.
01:19...needs...
01:20We're only two days old.
01:22...and quirks...
01:23Look, we're getting...
01:24I'll take one.
01:25...they've all got one thing in common.
01:27Good girl.
01:28Once you're a Dog's Trust dog...
01:29Here we go, part of the team now.
01:31...you'll always be one of the pack.
01:33It was you, it was you, it was you.
01:43Hello, it's Lisa from Dog's Trust.
01:45Are you okay?
01:46Oh, brilliant.
01:47I'm just checking if it's still alright for us to come and collect Sam.
01:50At the Basildon Rehoming Centre...
01:52...Lisa is finalising plans to pick up an ex-resident...
01:56...they haven't seen for a very long time.
01:58Thank you, bye.
01:59So, we had a call yesterday to collect a dog called Sam...
02:02...who actually was adopted in 2018 from us.
02:04So, he's been in a home for a while.
02:06The gentleman who adopted him, he's now gone into hospital...
02:09...and looks like he's going to be going into a care home...
02:11...and he's been unwell for a little while...
02:12...so we don't think Sam's going to be in the best condition.
02:14So, we'll go and get it.
02:16Is that alright, yeah?
02:17We've got a lead.
02:18Yeah.
02:19I've got forms.
02:20Car keys.
02:21He's got car keys.
02:23Family members have been taking it in turns to care for Sam...
02:26...after his owner was hospitalised.
02:28...with dementia.
02:30Hiya.
02:31I'm Lisa.
02:32Today, the owner's son, Stephen, is handing him over.
02:35Oh, bless you.
02:38Hello, Sam.
02:40How is it?
02:41Oh, what a sweetie.
02:42We'll roll over for you in a minute.
02:44As Lisa suspected, Sam is not in the best of health.
02:48He was riddled with fleas.
02:49With fleas, yeah, that's fine.
02:50And then he's nibbling like...
02:51Yeah, that's alright.
02:52We could take care of him.
02:54Yeah.
02:55I know it must be really hard, but yeah.
02:56Yeah, yeah.
02:57Yeah, no.
02:58Honestly, he'll be absolutely fine with us.
03:01We'll take him back and we'll get him sorted out.
03:03Thank you very much.
03:04One, two, three.
03:06There we go.
03:07Well done, Sam.
03:11Back at the Rahomin Centre, Sam is taken to see Vet Vanessa.
03:15Hello.
03:16Hello.
03:18This is Sam.
03:19Oh, a lovely big boy.
03:22His skin looks really bad, doesn't it?
03:24It's so red there.
03:25Yeah, he's probably got a few fleas for the looks of things.
03:27Oh, it's very sore looking there.
03:30And he needs his nails cutting as well.
03:33Oh, goodness.
03:35Sam is given flea and worm treatment
03:37and put on a course of antibiotics and steroids
03:40to help treat his sore skin.
03:43See you later.
03:46A few days later, he's in for a check-up with Vet Nurse Charlotte
03:49to see if the treatment he's been receiving is working.
03:52Hello.
03:53Hi, Pete.
03:54Who's this?
03:55This is Sam.
03:56Hello, puppy.
03:57Before you say hello to him,
03:58if you can just pop some gloves and an apron on.
04:00Yeah, absolutely.
04:01How old is he?
04:02He's nine.
04:03Well, just coming up to nine and a half.
04:04What's the reasons for him coming in, Charlotte?
04:06So, unfortunately, his owner had dementia
04:10and, unfortunately, due to that illness,
04:12wasn't really looking after him properly.
04:14Obviously not through any fault of his own
04:16just because, obviously, he was not well.
04:18I mean, he does look like he's in a bit of a sorry state.
04:20Yeah.
04:21All of his skin.
04:22You can see...
04:23There's lots of flaking and patches and stuff, isn't there?
04:24Yeah.
04:25So, there's, like, hair loss and there's, like, some really dry skin.
04:28That's why he's got the collar on and his tail's pretty bad.
04:31So, what is that caused by?
04:33So, the vets put it down to moist dermatitis and pyoderma,
04:36which is basically a skin infection.
04:38If they have, like, a really bad flea infestation
04:41or if they've got mites, you know,
04:43some mites burrow under the skin,
04:45so that's really sore and that can cause infections.
04:47And just left for a really long time,
04:49it can really cause some damage.
04:51So, that's what we suspect has happened in this situation.
04:54His owner wasn't well, so it's nobody's fault.
04:56It's a sad situation.
04:58Yeah.
04:59What else can be done to kind of clear up that skin?
05:01He probably could do with a bath,
05:03just like a sensitive shampoo,
05:05just to really get all the dead hair out
05:06and get all the scabs off
05:08and, you know, any dry patches of skin.
05:10He's a lovely boy, though, isn't he?
05:12He is. He's really nice.
05:13All right, Sam.
05:14So, we've got a little journey to go on, buddy.
05:16We have.
05:17You're such a lovely boy, though.
05:19Yes, you are.
05:20Very nice.
05:21I like your face.
05:25As Sam heads off for some R&R...
05:28Not a single thing needs to change
05:31We can be like that, but don't fade
05:35I'm heading west to the newest rehoming centre
05:38to open its kennel doors.
05:39Cardiff.
05:40Where a proposed change in Welsh law
05:43is having a big impact.
05:46And assistant manager Amy
05:48is preparing for the arrival of four ex-racing greyhounds.
05:53Amy.
05:54Hi, Pete.
05:55How are you, darling?
05:56Yeah, not bad.
05:57What are we doing?
05:58We're just going to set up these kennels
05:59for the greyhounds that are going to come in.
06:00Okay.
06:01So, if you wouldn't mind,
06:02we're just going to put some bed in.
06:03Absolutely, yeah.
06:04What we're going to do for the greyhounds is make it super comfy
06:06because, unfortunately, the conditions they've come from
06:09has been pretty much in, like, straw, outdoors,
06:13no home comforts at all.
06:14So, for their bedding,
06:16we can't put anything too overwhelming for them.
06:19So, this is why we're going to just make it really cosy with duvets
06:23because they love asleep as well.
06:25They're really snuggly.
06:26They kind of catch potatoes, really, aren't they?
06:28Yeah, lush.
06:29All they want to do is just lie down, have a snooze.
06:31You like a greyhound, don't you?
06:32I love a greyhound.
06:33Yeah, I can tell.
06:34We all love greyhounds here.
06:35I like a greyhound.
06:36Where are they coming from?
06:37So, they're coming from the racetrack
06:38because of the proposed ban coming in.
06:40Yeah.
06:41We're slowly trickling them into rescues.
06:43I think in Cardiff we've already transferred 73.
06:46Wow.
06:47The Welsh Government have published draft legislation
06:49which, if passed, would ban greyhound racing.
06:52If you pop a duvet in the back.
06:54The law would gradually come in over three years
06:57to protect the welfare of around 200 dogs
06:59currently registered as racers.
07:02And in preparation,
07:03kennels have already begun to rehome their greyhounds.
07:11So, what have we got?
07:12Four, two in each.
07:13So, yeah, there's two in the back.
07:14OK.
07:15If you want to join Kim around the back
07:16and I'll grab this one here.
07:17OK.
07:18Hello, hi.
07:19Hello, darling.
07:20How are you?
07:21Hello, buddy.
07:22Hello, buddy.
07:23You're beautiful.
07:24I know, good boy.
07:25There we go.
07:26I know.
07:27So, just in case there's any small dogs
07:28around the car park,
07:29because they've been used for racing,
07:30we just want to make sure
07:31that we don't have any little accidents
07:33with any small furries.
07:34There we go.
07:35That's yours, darling.
07:36You ready?
07:37You ready, buddy?
07:38There you go.
07:39To go.
07:40Good boy.
07:41You're stunning.
07:43First port of call for any new arrival
07:45is the vet suite.
07:47But in Cardiff,
07:48that involves navigating stairs or a lift,
07:50something these guys have probably never seen before.
07:53So, we're going to have to just take it easy with them now.
07:55Take it nice and slow.
07:56Should we give the stairs a go, then?
07:57Let's give the stairs a go.
07:58Let's see.
07:59Go, you ready?
08:00So, we don't have to have experience stairs.
08:01No.
08:02Come on, then.
08:03Oh, well done.
08:04Oh, it's all a bit much.
08:05No, it's all a bit much.
08:07It's all just very overwhelming.
08:08I know.
08:09See if you drew the stairs.
08:10Come on, puppy.
08:11Come on, buddy.
08:12It's just frozen.
08:13It's just petrified, I know.
08:14Oh, mate.
08:15It's okay.
08:16With both dogs unable to manage the stairs,
08:19the next option is the lift,
08:21which can be a worrying space for any dog.
08:23If we can go in together.
08:24Come on, then.
08:25Come on, puppy.
08:26Come on.
08:27Although Kim's dog seems happier,
08:30mine is still clearly anxious.
08:32I know, mate.
08:33See, this is all going to be quite scary for a minute.
08:35It's just petrified.
08:36I know.
08:37It's just petrified, I know.
08:38Oh, mate.
08:39It's okay.
08:40It's okay.
08:41With both dogs unable to manage the stairs,
08:43the next option is the lift,
08:44which can be a worrying space for any dog.
08:46If we see if we can go in together.
08:48Come on, then.
08:49Come on.
08:50Come on, puppy.
08:51See, this is all going to be quite scary for a minute.
08:53Yeah.
08:54Hello.
08:55You seem to be all right.
08:56So this is a prime example of the fact
08:58that they've probably never experienced lift.
09:00They really haven't had much experience around outside life.
09:02Everything's quite scary for them.
09:04It's okay, buddy.
09:05You're all right.
09:07With the other three now safely upstairs,
09:10and everything on the ground floor a bit calmer and quieter,
09:14I'm going to give it one last try.
09:17You ready?
09:19Come on, buddy.
09:21Come on, buddy.
09:22Come on, buddy.
09:23Come on.
09:24Come on, buddy.
09:25Come on.
09:26Come on.
09:27Come on.
09:28Come on.
09:29But it's all just too overwhelming.
09:31It's genuinely horrible to say that these are all just brand-new experiences.
09:38You know, he's been bred to race and do one thing.
09:42He's kind of now just stuck to me like, look, for a bit of reassurance.
09:46It's just a lot, isn't it?
09:47Everything they've ever known and everything they've kind of been used to do previously
09:52has all changed today.
09:55Completely.
09:56Doesn't know what to do.
09:59I think that's the sad bit.
10:01He just doesn't...
10:02He's got no idea what to do.
10:03It's all okay if you're not okay.
10:12In Cardiff, I'm still stuck downstairs with my greyhound, who I've decided to call Neville.
10:20Hi, Pete.
10:21How's he doing?
10:22Yeah, not too bad.
10:23He's your new friend.
10:24To take the pressure off, the decision has been made to bring Vet Aideen down to us
10:32to carry out the vet check.
10:34This little guy's a little bit nervous.
10:35Yeah.
10:36Obviously, you're going to take a quick look at him.
10:37Yeah.
10:38Is there anything visually on the first inspection that...
10:41Nothing's jumping out, to be honest.
10:43Like, he seems a good weight.
10:44There's no obvious wounds, but I'll give him a good look over.
10:47I guess wounds is one of the things with greyhounds.
10:49They definitely have things like fractures or strains.
10:52The track goes in one direction, so you might even see the front left or the back right
10:56might be more commonly affected by some injuries.
10:58So, you're just checking through his limbs and...
11:00I'm just...yeah.
11:01He's looking for any bumps, cuts or horns.
11:06If he'll let me...
11:08So, you kind of have to pay good attention to the pads of their feet.
11:11So, on first kind of inspection, is anything you're immediately worried about?
11:14Honestly not.
11:15No, I think he looks in decent condition.
11:17He's got a really healthy coat.
11:18I can't see any wounds other than being a bit stressed.
11:21His heart sounds healthy.
11:23Have you got a rough idea of how old you think?
11:25I'd say four to six.
11:27He's a beautiful boy.
11:28He's stunning, isn't he?
11:29And lovely and friendly.
11:30He's delighted to have people around him, isn't he?
11:32Yeah.
11:33It's a relief that Neville doesn't appear to have any major health concerns.
11:38Time to see how the other three, who we've named Martin, Richard and Gregory, are getting on.
11:47Martin's kind of quite nervous. I've just given him a fairly light touch exam.
11:52His heart is absolutely racing, but it sounds okay.
11:54Yeah.
11:55And nothing kind of jumping out as a major concern.
11:57So let's look at Richard.
11:58There is a bit of an injury.
12:00Yeah.
12:01If I had to guess...
12:02Is it bar biting or something?
12:03I suppose you can...
12:04You know, if he's in a kennel, that can be an injury you see at them.
12:07So that would be, I think, high lovely.
12:09I think the first thing I'd be considering.
12:11Would you say that's a fairly old injury?
12:13You can see it's a little bit chronic there.
12:15Yeah.
12:16It's not something that happened today.
12:17At this point, I would just be saying to monitor it.
12:19If it was anywhere else and I was worried, I might say, put some ointment on it.
12:23But, you know, they lick it straight off.
12:25So three out of four, there's no immediate concerns on kind of first inspection?
12:29Yeah.
12:30Patiently waiting for his turn is Gregory.
12:33In terms of body condition for this fella?
12:35He might be the skinniest of them.
12:37I'd say he wouldn't mind a little bit of feeding up.
12:39I mean, in terms of kind of the mental state of the four of these that come in,
12:44they're obviously all very friendly, but they've only really lived one life so far.
12:49And that's, as an athlete, they don't really know how to be dogs.
12:52Is that the biggest struggle mentally teaching them how to be a dog?
12:56Yeah.
12:57Definitely.
12:58And I think making sure we can then adjust them here, ready for the home environment.
13:02Obviously, it's likely that over the next couple of years,
13:04you're going to see more greyhounds coming.
13:06If they're not rehomed and they don't come to places like this,
13:08what is often the fate for x-racing greyhounds?
13:11That's the thing. We don't know what's happening to them,
13:12and that's a massive worry for us.
13:13So we want to try and get as many through outdoors as we can,
13:16because as soon as we rehome one, we'll get another one in.
13:19I've just met the four x-racers that have come in.
13:25One of them I've fallen in love with a little bit.
13:27Nervous Neville.
13:28He's got such a beautiful nature.
13:30I think at the minute he's just struggling with being quite overwhelmed.
13:34Everything they've kind of known previously has all changed from today.
13:40You know, and it's kind of sad to see it.
13:42And we know they've literally been bred just a race for people's entertainment.
13:46And it's not really the way any dog should live.
13:50Back in Basildon, Sam has been taking antibiotics and steroids
14:11to help clear up his skin infection.
14:14This is for Sam. His skin is quite sore.
14:16He has been itching it, so he has got a cone on at the minute
14:19just to stop him doing that, and this should help stop the irritation.
14:22Hello.
14:23Good boy.
14:25And today, we're hopefully going to help him feel a little bit more comfortable.
14:29Hi, guys.
14:30Hey, Pete. You all right?
14:32Wonderful. Sam, how are you, buddy?
14:34How's he been getting on?
14:35Yeah, he's doing really well.
14:36As you can probably see, his coat and his skin is looking a lot better
14:39than when he first came in, because the oral medication has done what we need it to do.
14:43But we're going to give him a little bath, because there's still some areas of dry, scabby skin.
14:48So it just really helps getting the dead fur out and getting that dead skin off as well.
14:53Getting rid of some of these snowflakes.
14:55Yeah, getting rid of the snowflakes.
14:57All right, then. How are we doing this?
14:59So, if you don't mind helping me lift him in.
15:02Sammy, we're going to lift you up, OK?
15:04Some dogs can find bath time a stressful experience.
15:09But it's really important we're able to wash Sam to remove any bacteria and help his skin heal.
15:15Oh, this is new, isn't it? Well done, mate.
15:17There you go.
15:18So, because we don't know if he's had a bath before, or if he has had a bath, or if he even likes having baths,
15:24we'll just obviously take it all nice and slow.
15:26Yeah.
15:27What do you want me to do? Just keep him chilled?
15:29Just comfort him, yeah.
15:30Can I just come round that side?
15:31Yeah, do you want to stop sides, then?
15:33I mean, all of this is quite overwhelming for his skin to be in this position.
15:36Yeah.
15:37It's unlikely that he's been bathed regularly, if at all, we don't know.
15:40But, see, it's hard when it's like this, because you just want to tell him this is for the best
15:43and this is going to make you feel better, but obviously you can't do that,
15:45so he doesn't quite understand why we've got him all wet.
15:48Yeah.
15:49The shampoo that you're using, is that just kind of for sensitive skin,
15:52or is it anything in particular?
15:54Yeah, so this is just a really nice kind of general sensitive shampoo,
15:57so it shouldn't affect him, like, you know, cause any stinging or anything like that.
16:02I think he's done really well, yeah.
16:04Yeah, just goes to show what good temperament he's got, isn't it?
16:07Yeah, definitely.
16:09That was like a little massage buddy.
16:11Yeah.
16:12Yeah?
16:13I know, I tell these dogs, you know, people pay good money for this kind of stuff.
16:17Yeah?
16:18I'm just going to...
16:19OK, Charlotte.
16:20Well done, mate. See, it's not that scary.
16:23No, he did really good.
16:24You're going to smell a lot better.
16:26I'm not that much.
16:27You're going to feel a lot better.
16:29Oh, well done, mate.
16:30Oh, good boy.
16:31Good boy.
16:32He's a good boy.
16:33There we go.
16:34I was waiting for that.
16:35Good shake.
16:36See, that's much better.
16:37Oh, keep it good.
16:38That's it.
16:39Yeah.
16:40Give it a little shake.
16:41Oh, yeah.
16:42All right then, come on then, buddy.
16:44First bath time done.
16:45Good boy.
16:46Hopefully Sam is now well on his way to feeling like his old self.
16:50Hold on to the ones you love, keep them close to you.
17:01But as soon as one is on the mend, the next dog is coming through the door.
17:05Come on, in you come.
17:06There's a good girl.
17:08Over in Canterbury, a three-year-old stray has just arrived, with quite a limp.
17:14Come on then.
17:15Good girl.
17:17And I'm keen to find out more.
17:22Hello, hello puppy.
17:23How are you?
17:24Phil, how are you, mate?
17:25I'm good, thank you.
17:26Good.
17:27How are you?
17:28Yeah, I'm really good.
17:29Who's this?
17:30This is Pebbles.
17:31Hello puppy.
17:32Oh, she's beautiful.
17:36What's Pebbles' story?
17:37I know.
17:38So, Pebbles is a three-year-old American bulldog cross.
17:42Yeah.
17:43She's coming from another local rescue.
17:45She's gorgeous.
17:46She's absolutely lovely.
17:47I'm looking at her now and you can see, just on one of her paws there, her foot looks a
17:51bit, let's say, different.
17:54Do we know what that's about?
17:55So, it looks like it's like trauma to the foot, maybe much earlier in her life.
18:01Her foot was most likely crushed.
18:03There was a puppy that she might have been trodden on or got her foot trapped in a door,
18:07something like that.
18:08And as, over time, if it's not corrected straight away, the bones will fuse and set in that
18:15position.
18:16That must have been really painful for her when that first happened and that not being
18:19treated, because evidently it looks like it's not being treated at all.
18:22It would have been really painful.
18:24I mean, you can see she limps a little bit as well.
18:26But you've just learnt to deal with that, darling, have you?
18:29It's amazing how kind of resilient dogs are.
18:31Yeah, that's the thing that can surprise us the most in this job, that a dog can go through
18:36so much but still be so lovely.
18:38It's hard because you kind of want the dog to be able to tell you what's happened and
18:42tell you what hurts and kind of tell you how they feel.
18:45It almost makes it a lot sadder sometimes when you see dogs who are still so loving and
18:49trusted, despite the fact that they've probably not been treated particularly well.
18:52Oh, puppy!
18:54Pebbles needs to be assessed to see whether her toes can be saved.
18:58Good girl!
19:01Vet nurse Rachel has been looking at the x-rays, which have revealed the full extent of the
19:06damage.
19:07And it's not good news.
19:09So you can actually see these two toes here are actually fractured.
19:14If we left them as they are, she'd become more and more painful.
19:17They'd become arthritic as well.
19:19The team need to consider whether Pebbles' toes are able to be repaired.
19:23But the alternative isn't simple.
19:26We could look at amputating those toes, but because they are weight-bearing digits, the
19:30worry is that she wouldn't be able to walk with those two front toes gone.
19:34So we need to have a chat with an orthopaedic vet and see what they feel would be the right
19:39move for her.
19:41As Pebbles waits to find out whether her toes can be fixed, over in Cardiff, kennel supervisor
19:49Charlie is beginning to work with Neville on his fear around stairs.
19:53What's that, Nev?
19:55Neville's very scared of the stairs at the moment.
19:57He probably hasn't seen them before.
19:59So what we are trying to do is just make it a bit more enticing for him.
20:04We've got quite a few soft toys here.
20:06We're also going to use some food and then hopefully he'll feel a bit more inclined to
20:11sort of approach the area.
20:12Good boy.
20:13This training is about more than just stairs for Neville.
20:16Having lived a very sheltered life on the racetrack, there will be lots of things
20:20he's never encountered before which he might find worrying.
20:23Neville.
20:24Good boy.
20:25This is about giving him the confidence to overcome anything.
20:29Good boy.
20:30Straight away his first instinct is to sort of avoid the stairs.
20:34Neville.
20:35He is still quite stressed.
20:36He's panting.
20:37Good boy.
20:38The idea with this is getting him to make the choice to go up the stairs.
20:43Because if we were to force him up, then that would just create a negative relationship.
20:48So it's just giving him time, seeing if there's anything here he is interested in.
20:52We need to find what motivates Neville to help him build a positive association with stairs.
20:58So in his candle he absolutely loves his food.
21:01Despite normally being quite foodie, the stress of the situation means he's totally lost his appetite.
21:07If there's nothing that motivates him, this could be difficult.
21:12Good boy.
21:14Oh.
21:15Wow.
21:16That's brave.
21:17That's a brave boy.
21:18So I think his first instinct is to come to the person.
21:34Maybe his preference to like get used to new things and become more confident and comfortable with new things is people.
21:43Good boy.
21:44Well done.
21:45So I know it seems like a very small bit of progression for Neville, but it is a huge thing just for him to do this.
21:54Proud of you Neville.
21:56At the Canterbury Rehoming Centre, it's a big day for Pebbles.
22:06After referring her x-rays to an orthopaedic vet, it has become clear that her toes are beyond saving.
22:13Today, vet Susanna will be carrying out an amputation.
22:17We're going to amputate the main weight-bearing toes.
22:20It's not an ideal thing to do, but if you get them fixed, the viability might not be very good just because the bones are so small that it's difficult to actually get anything that will hold them together.
22:32This is why we're just going straight for amputation rather than putting her through several procedures.
22:38Amputating Pebbles' toes is far from ideal, but due to the age of the injury and the severity of the fracture, there is no other option.
22:47You can see she's been putting pressure on the wrong part of her toe.
22:51These are her normal digital pads here and here, while here are the ones she's meant to be putting pressure on.
22:57There's a new one that has formed here basically from that constant pressure in the wrong place.
23:02So that has been red and sore, but yeah, we're going to take all of that off.
23:09Susanna starts by removing some of the underlying tissue before tying off the blood vessels and nerve bundles.
23:16I want to ensure there's lots of tissue that we can close it up with.
23:25It won't heal very well if there's just skin on bone directly.
23:29It's just very fiddly.
23:33After 30 minutes, Susanna has safely reached the join.
23:36That's one toe.
23:37I'm going to cut through the other one because you've got one toe hanging here, but it can't come off until this one's come off because it's all connected.
23:46So I don't think repair for this would have been possible.
23:51Once the toes have been removed, Susanna has to remodel Pebbles' port.
23:56I'm trying to just use this pad here to make basically like a separate pad for her to stand on.
24:04To, I guess, aid a little bit in reducing the impact on just the two toes.
24:09It will hopefully look a bit better too.
24:11After two hours, the operation is complete.
24:16I really hope Pebbles is able to manage without those toes.
24:21And while she recovers, I'm on my way back to Cardiff.
24:26It's been a week since the four ex-racing greyhounds arrived and I'm keen to see how Martin and Richard are adapting to life outside of the racetrack.
24:43Hello, mate. How are you?
24:45Hello, buddy. You okay?
24:48Come here. Come on.
24:50This is an interesting way to say hello.
24:53I thought Martin was quite nervous.
24:54What are we doing here, mate?
24:57There you go. Come on, buddy.
24:59There you go.
25:01How are you, ladies?
25:03I'm good, thank you.
25:04How are the puppies?
25:05Hello, Richard.
25:07Oh, yes, he's very nice to see you again.
25:09They went really well, they are.
25:11Really well.
25:12I mean, last time I saw both of these guys, they went straight into the vet the day they came in.
25:16And I know it was you, wasn't it?
25:18They had a little problem with his nose.
25:19Has that been kind of looked at?
25:21Yeah, the vet have said that he's looking all good now, isn't it?
25:23Yeah.
25:24You took him up for the vet, didn't you?
25:25Yeah.
25:26I don't think there's any more treatment needed for it.
25:27What about their personalities?
25:28Have their personalities started to come out?
25:30Yeah, Martin's definitely a bit more nervous than Richard.
25:33And Richard just loves people and wants to give all the cuddles in the world and all the kisses.
25:38You are very friendly.
25:39So what's happening with these guys today?
25:41They leave in Wales.
25:42No.
25:43They move into Canterbury.
25:44Yeah, so just because we've got, we have a lot of greyhounds coming to us in Wales.
25:48So what we try to do is spread them out to different dogs' trusts.
25:50And at the moment, our favourite Canterbury centre have said that they've got lots of homes for greyhounds.
25:54So they're off on their journey today to find their forever home.
25:57We love Canterbury.
25:58They're lovely in Canterbury.
25:59Yes.
26:00What's happening with the other two?
26:01So we really want to work with Neville here, just because he's a little bit more nervous.
26:04We want to keep him here.
26:05And then Gregory, he's just attracting a lot of interest already.
26:08So we're hoping we can find him a home quite quick.
26:11Oh, amazing.
26:12Yeah.
26:13You ready to go?
26:14Are we going right now then, yeah?
26:15Yeah.
26:16Let's do it.
26:17There we go.
26:18As Richard and Martin begin their journey across the country.
26:21Well, guys, have a happy life.
26:23Enjoy Canterbury.
26:25I'm keen to catch up with Neville to see if there's anything I can do to help him with his confidence.
26:31Charlie, how are you, mate?
26:32Hiya Pete, you alright?
26:33Yeah, I'm good.
26:34What are you up to?
26:35I'm just setting up some stuff from Neville if you want to give me a hand.
26:37Absolutely.
26:38So what does he tend to like then?
26:39What's kind of his main motivator?
26:41So I think his main motivator is actually people.
26:43People?
26:44Yeah, he does love his food, but in a stressful environment like this, he seems to lose his appetite and doesn't want to take treats off.
26:52So a fuss and a cuddle works better?
26:54Yeah.
26:55Alright.
26:56Is there anything I can do?
26:57Yeah, so if you want to sit sort of like to this side of the steps, so you can just act a bit excited to see him when he comes in.
27:03Yeah.
27:04We're not going to like coax him up the stairs, but just if he wants to come say hello, then that might help him a lot.
27:08Okay.
27:09Hopefully he remembers me and that's enough to help him feel a little bit braver.
27:14Neville.
27:15Hello.
27:16Hi Neville.
27:17Hello buddy.
27:18How are you man?
27:19I think you can see as soon as Neville comes in, his body language tells us he's a little bit worried.
27:23Okay.
27:24The tail's a bit lower than he would usually carry it.
27:26The ears are sort of pinned back.
27:28So for kind of ex-racing greyhounds who have not really felt that kind of home comfort and that kind of family environment, how important is it to desensitise them to things like stairs and new environment in terms of finding them a new home?
27:41It is super important because he's not experienced much for the world.
27:45There's probably a million things out there that he's terrified of and it obviously just massively increases the amount of people who would be interested in him and would think that their home environment suits Neville's needs.
27:55Come on Neville, you've got this.
28:06He is taking much more of an interest than he did before.
28:09Hello buddy.
28:11Good boy.
28:12Good done.
28:13So that's actually a lot better than he did before.
28:15Hello buddy.
28:16How are you man?
28:17It's good.
28:18You're doing a great job you know.
28:21Yes you are.
28:23Why nobody?
28:24That's so much better.
28:25The best we got was one foot on this bottom step.
28:28So this is the first time he's even got kind of two paws on the bottom step?
28:31Yeah, yeah and he's up further.
28:32And you said you know he wasn't necessarily eating when he was stressed but today he seems to be enjoying it.
28:37Yeah so I think that's another major sign that it's becoming a much less scary thing for him.
28:41He's got a neck like a giraffe so he can probably reach the top step just which is, you know what I mean?
28:45I'll have two paws but I'll get everything.
28:47Good boy.
28:48You're doing a great job.
28:49There's more up there, look at that.
28:50Take away some of you.
28:51Oh we'll go for the low hanging fruit.
28:53This is amazing progress for Neville who just a week ago wouldn't even put a paw on a step.
28:59The only way is up from here.
29:02Back in Canterbury, it's been 24 hours since Pebbles had her fractured toes removed and she's back in the vet suite for a checkup with vet Susannah.
29:20Hello.
29:21Hello.
29:22Pebbles.
29:23How are you?
29:24Oh look at your little foot.
29:26Oh, she looks really cute.
29:27She is so cute.
29:28She doesn't know how to use that paw yet though.
29:30So it was two of her toes were removed.
29:31Yes, exactly.
29:32I wouldn't say it's a routine surgery but it went as well as it could have.
29:33How's she been getting on kind of in herself obviously, you know, having the surgery yesterday, it's quite a lot. It's quite overwhelming. Has she been coping alright?
29:48She's been coping alright.
29:49She's been coping alright.
29:50She's feeling a little bit sorry for herself today obviously.
29:53That's allowed.
29:54Yeah.
29:55You're allowed to do that darling.
29:56She's not putting any weight on her foot but that's understandable.
29:59That's understandable.
30:00Yeah, but she's doing alright.
30:01She's enjoying the cuddles.
30:02You're a princess at the minute.
30:04Princess Pebbles.
30:05You look all sad.
30:06What have they done to you?
30:07It's a nasty lady.
30:08It is me.
30:09I swear she's far away from me.
30:11Yes, as far away as possible.
30:13So is there anything that we need to do today or anything you're going to kind of have a look at today?
30:17So I just want to have a look at that the bandage is dry and clean.
30:20That she's not been sort of pulling at it because it can often be a little bit itchy, a bit painful initially.
30:25So they sometimes try and get the whole thing in their mouth and pull it off.
30:28And also try and see if she's forgiven you.
30:30Yeah, absolutely.
30:31I've got a pocket full of treats for that so hopefully bribery.
30:34Bribery always works.
30:35Yes, absolutely.
30:36Honestly, I mean it works really well with me.
30:38Bribery and flattery.
30:39So if you bribe her, I'll flatter her.
30:41Okay, good.
30:42And then we'll see how we get on.
30:43Perfect.
30:44Pebbles.
30:45Let's go and have a little look, shall we?
30:47Do you want to come here?
30:48Look at this.
30:49We've got some goodies for you.
30:51Oh, yeah.
30:52And we've got one here.
30:54You're going to get up for it.
30:56A little bit more.
30:57We'll do an army crawl.
30:58Yeah.
30:59Good girl.
31:00Hello darling.
31:01Well done.
31:02Is that nice?
31:04Oh, you've got a sore part, haven't you?
31:07So the fact she had this fracture for potentially such a long time means she copes quite well
31:12with kind of pain and adapting.
31:14Yeah.
31:15You're obviously very resilient darling.
31:16Yeah.
31:17Absolutely.
31:18Yes you are, you've got such a pretty face.
31:19Do you want to lay down here?
31:20Any easier for you?
31:21Do you want to lay down?
31:22Yeah.
31:23Do you know how to do that?
31:24She's nice really, I promise you.
31:25Good girl.
31:26That's it.
31:27We're going to let you touch the ball.
31:28Susannah's a nice lady.
31:29Good, good girl.
31:30That's lovely, nice and dry.
31:33Yeah.
31:34Yeah.
31:35Well done.
31:36Good girl.
31:37That's it.
31:38See, bribery, flattery, you're so pretty.
31:40Yeah.
31:41Gorgeous girl.
31:42I love your little leg.
31:43Oh.
31:44So everything kind of looks pretty good at the minute then.
31:47To me that looks absolutely fine.
31:48Nice and dry.
31:49Exactly.
31:50I mean you can see she's been walking on it, it's a little dirty there but it's not wet
31:53so that's the main bit.
31:54You look great darling.
31:57Fingers crossed it's all going to be fine when that bandage comes off.
32:01Who needs toes anyway?
32:03Shall we go then puppy?
32:05Pebbles is going to be recovering in a foster home.
32:08Come on babe.
32:10Oh look at you hopping.
32:12Experienced foster carer Frank has come to meet her.
32:17Come on Pebbles, this good girl.
32:20Here you go babe.
32:22How are you mate?
32:25She's just been to see the vet.
32:26She's obviously not putting weight on it just yet.
32:28Yeah.
32:29As the surgery was only yesterday.
32:31But she's doing pretty well.
32:32So I hear you're going to be fostering her.
32:34Yep.
32:35Have you fostered before?
32:36Yeah.
32:37I think she's going to be my 20th.
32:3920th?
32:40Oh wow.
32:41So you're a dab and at this then.
32:42What is it about fostering that you love?
32:44I prefer dogs to people generally.
32:47So do I mate.
32:48I'm with you.
32:49In the little bits where I haven't got a dog I don't like it.
32:51Yeah.
32:52It's tough isn't it?
32:53I don't like it.
32:54Yeah.
32:55No one's interested where I'm going.
32:56Especially not the wife you know.
32:58It's a dog always follows me around.
33:00Yeah.
33:01Basically you're needy like me Frank.
33:03That's it.
33:04I get it.
33:05But I'm exactly the same as you.
33:06I prefer dogs to people.
33:08I always have done.
33:09They're just so um...
33:11So unconditional.
33:12Everything they do is unconditional.
33:14They live for the moment and that's a really beautiful thing.
33:16Yeah.
33:17Well Frank.
33:18I better let you go so she can get her rest.
33:20Yeah.
33:21There's a sofa with a name on it.
33:22Goodbye darling.
33:23Oh that's lovely.
33:24Oh yeah.
33:25A little bit of tongue there.
33:29Well thank you so much.
33:30Thank you for everything you're doing for Pebbles.
33:32I can already tell that she's going to enjoy recovery.
33:34The attention and cuddles.
33:35Yeah.
33:36She'll get everything she needs.
33:37Pebbles I'll see you later darling.
33:39Come on Hoppy.
33:40Let's go.
33:41Come on.
33:42Come on.
33:43Come on.
33:44Come on.
33:45Yeah.
33:46Come on.
33:56Over in Canterbury.
33:57Oh it's because of your hoses then.
33:59That'll explain it.
34:00Whilst I'm being kept busy.
34:01Oh there we go.
34:02Here we go.
34:03Here we go.
34:04Amazing.
34:05Good job.
34:06Now get your squeegee.
34:07It's hard work isn't it?
34:08It's all part of the job.
34:09Yeah.
34:10I've heard that there's some good news for my ex racing greyhounds.
34:24But Martin has really come out of his shell and it's safe to say he's enjoying his newfound
34:29freedom.
34:34Richard has found his forever home with the Sargent family in Medway.
34:39Where he's enjoying chilled walks and long dreamy sleeps.
34:44Yay.
34:46Good boy.
34:47And after being transferred to the Kenilworth Centre.
34:50Where he got to hang out with my old mate Louie.
34:53Gregory put on enough weight to be signed off.
34:56Looks good.
34:57Seems comfortable.
34:58And promptly stole the hearts of Jan and Cliff.
35:02But I've not been able to stop thinking about my nervous boy Neville.
35:12So I'm back in Cardiff to see what else I can do to help improve his confidence.
35:19How are you feeling?
35:20I'm in love with him.
35:25As an ex racer Neville has spent most of his life around other dogs.
35:29So today we're introducing him to a potential new friend.
35:33Hi.
35:34Look Neville.
35:35Who's this?
35:36Kim how are you?
35:37I'm good.
35:38How's he doing?
35:39He's all right.
35:40He's all right.
35:41Who is this?
35:42So this is Bonnie.
35:43Bonnie.
35:44And I thought we'd go for a little walk and see if it makes him feel a little bit more happier.
35:47Yeah.
35:48Shall we do it then?
35:49Come on then.
35:50Let's go buddy.
35:51Come on Bond.
35:52It's kind of like a first date this isn't it?
35:53It is.
35:54Bonnie's the perfect role model because she's so well adjusted.
35:57Yeah.
35:58She's not worried by anything.
35:59Life is great in Bonnie's world so hopefully Neville will learn from her.
36:03So it's a case of using another dog to remind Neville how to kind of be a dog.
36:06Yeah.
36:07Definitely.
36:08And in terms of kind of meeting Bonnie is this the kind of reaction you'd want from meeting
36:12kind of new dogs?
36:13He's not over the top.
36:14He's been quite polite.
36:15Quite well mannered.
36:16He's been perfect.
36:17He's had a low.
36:18He's interested but now he's happy to do his own thing.
36:20And she's been great as well.
36:21She's fab.
36:22Really good.
36:23I mean it's so nice to see the improvement that he's made considering kind of.
36:27Yeah.
36:28Yeah.
36:29Mate you've got a whole path here.
36:31Like you don't have to be attached to me the entire time.
36:35You know what I mean?
36:36I mean he's obviously a bit of a sensitive boy.
36:38I mean he loves to be just attached.
36:41Don't you mate?
36:42Yeah you do.
36:43It's our gentle reassurance isn't it?
36:45Yeah.
36:46To know that it's okay.
36:47Yeah.
36:48A little nervous Neville.
36:49Aww.
36:50But it's so nice to see like the improvement he's made even from the first day that I saw him.
36:54Oh definitely.
36:55Neville might always just be the kind of dog that needs a lot of love from his person.
36:59And that is just fine by me.
37:02It's quite nice this kind of Welsh air isn't it?
37:04Yeah.
37:05You need to teach me some Welsh though.
37:06Okay.
37:07So I know Dioc.
37:09Yeah Dioc and Varyown.
37:10Thank you very much.
37:11No you'll have to do that again.
37:12Dioc and Varyown.
37:13Yeah.
37:14Thank you very much.
37:15Dioc and Varyown.
37:16Si Toi Ti.
37:17Si Toi Ti.
37:18How are you?
37:19Oh lovely.
37:20I'm going to be fluid.
37:30Over in Canterbury it's been two weeks since Pebbles had her broken toes amputated.
37:35And the bandage is off.
37:37So it's healed up really nicely.
37:41She's adapted to her new paw really well.
37:44Clever girl.
37:45It's definitely a far cry from when she came in.
37:48Good girl.
37:51You want your ball?
37:53And she's even bagged herself a new home with the Cranfield family in Medway.
37:58Where she's clearly living her best life.
38:00I don't know why.
38:02But I still believe in you and I.
38:04You and I.
38:05You and I.
38:06Things are also looking up for Sam in Basildon.
38:10After three weeks of antibiotics, steroids and moisturising baths he's finally starting to feel like his old self.
38:26Hello mate.
38:27How are ya?
38:28How's he been?
38:29He's been doing so well.
38:31Yeah.
38:32From when he came in.
38:33You look so much better.
38:35Yeah.
38:36I mean his coat looks a lot better.
38:37He's not as crusty.
38:38We're nearly there yeah.
38:39Look at his happy smiley face though.
38:41He does look a lot happier.
38:42I mean he was in a bit of a state when he come in and obviously you know aesthetically he looks better.
38:46We start to see a bit more of his personality.
38:48Yeah.
38:49Every day he's kind of been a little bit more confident.
38:50He's such a little cuddle bug though.
38:52Oh he is.
38:53He loves people.
38:54When Sam was first at the centre seven years ago, he loved playing with toys.
38:58Now he's feeling better, Lisa is keen to see if that's still the case.
39:03And she has a theory.
39:05Here's Lurcher Cross.
39:07So we think maybe Lurcher Collie.
39:09So Lurcher, very high prey drive, likes to see things and sight hound.
39:13And Collie again like to sort of herd and follow movement.
39:16So my money's on the ball.
39:18Yeah your money's on the ball.
39:19Over the dinosaur.
39:20Over the dinosaur.
39:21I'm going to take the dinosaur.
39:22Okay.
39:23So I'm going to throw the ball.
39:25Yeah.
39:26And he's going to see it.
39:27And he's going to chase it.
39:28Alright that's what you think.
39:30That's what I think.
39:31Seven.
39:32Alright give it a go.
39:33Ready?
39:34What's this Sam?
39:35Do you want to see the ball?
39:36Ready?
39:37See the ball.
39:38Steady.
39:39See the dinosaur.
39:40See the ball.
39:41Yeah.
39:42I don't think he likes the ball.
39:46You don't think he likes the ball?
39:47I knew he wouldn't like the ball.
39:49Sam, should we try the dinosaur?
39:50I think you should try the dinosaur.
39:52Puppy.
39:53Yes.
39:54Hello buddy.
39:56Look he's a dinosaur.
39:57What do you think about a dinosaur?
39:59Do we like the dinosaur?
40:00Do do do do do do do do do do do do do.
40:03Do do do do do do do.
40:04Do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do.
40:06Yes.
40:07Yes you're really nice.
40:08You just like people.
40:09I agree.
40:10I think maybe when he was a younger dog he liked toys.
40:13I'm thinking now he would just prefer sniffs, belly rubs.
40:17Cuddles.
40:18Cuddles.
40:19He's such a lovely dog.
40:20I mean when you actually spend time with him you can't help but fall in love with him.
40:22And he's testament really to the resilience of dogs as well isn't it?
40:26Because he's had a lot of upheaval.
40:27He had that second chance.
40:29Now he's back and you're looking for a third chance.
40:31Yeah.
40:32I mean really this is kind of like the last bit of his assessment and I think we'll be looking for a home and hopefully this will be it for him.
40:37Now he knows he needs cuddles not dinosaurs.
40:40Or balls.
40:41Or balls.
40:42Just the cuddles.
40:48He's got a special little something about him.
40:50He's got a twinkle in his eye.
40:51Yeah.
40:52He has yeah.
40:53He'd be really cheeky.
40:54Yeah.
40:55Like if he was an old man he'd be a cheeky old man.
40:56But there's still life in the old dog yet isn't there Sam?
40:58You're not that old are you?
40:59Or maybe you are because you can't get back up again.
41:01Yes.
41:02I'm like that when I fall down.
41:03Help.
41:08Now all we have to do is wait for his forever person to find him.
41:13In Cardiff Neville is also making good progress.
41:27He's getting braver by the day.
41:29Neville.
41:30How are you mate?
41:31You okay?
41:32And he's starting to explore household objects.
41:35Neville.
41:36Look at this buddy.
41:39I mean he doesn't seem that fussed by the broom right now.
41:42No.
41:43Because he's just more just enjoying the little neck rub.
41:46Neville look.
41:47Look buddy.
41:48What can we do for today Sam?
41:51Is that helping do you think?
41:54Well done buddy.
41:57You did a great job.
41:58You just smell the kettle.
41:59Nothing bad happens.
42:01But has the confidence he's built given him enough strength to overcome the one thing he's struggled with most?
42:24And he even finally makes it into the vet suite.
42:31I couldn't be prer of you mate.
42:35Hello puppy.
42:37She's been in Dogs Trust for about three years.
42:39But she's never ever had a mate.
42:41It baffles me.
42:42It upsets me that she's still here.
42:43Yeah.
42:44She's drinking a lot of water.
42:45There are things like diabetes.
42:47We do need to start getting the urine samples.
42:49Let's go to the toilet.
42:50Shhh.
42:51What we're looking for is abscesses or tumours.
42:54Oh he's so nice looking.
42:57Not one person has come and said I want to take a chance on that dog.
43:00I'm obsessed.
43:01I'm obsessed.
43:02I'm obsessed.
43:03And that is heartbreaking.
43:05I just want to hear what made for me.
43:14That I could be wrong, wrong, wrong.
43:18What do I know?
43:20What do I know?
43:22That I could be wrong, wrong, wrong.
43:27What do I know?
43:35What do I know?
43:36That I could be wrong.
43:37What do I know?
43:38That I could have just me.
43:39Well, I know.
43:40Here's what I know.
43:41I know.
43:42The Bible says pain.
43:43It's the same thing as a friend.
43:44Oh, I can't eat.
43:45That's right.
43:46You can't eat, don't be right.
43:47I delicious.
43:48You can't eat.
43:49You can eat.
43:50I can eat.
43:51You can eat.
43:52You can eat.
43:53I can eat.
43:54You can eat.
43:55I can eat.
43:56You can eat.
43:57You can eat.
43:58You can eat.
43:59You can eat.
44:00You can eat.
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