- 6 hours ago
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LifestyleTranscript
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.
00:16I'm the pub daddy.
00:20We're so happy.
00:22What are you doing?
00:24And downs.
00:25Not only could we have lost Kira, those puppies wouldn't be here either.
00:29I'm gonna give you a little minute to say goodbye.
00:31Yeah, 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.
00:53There's a little bit of time there.
00:59...thousands of dogs coming across the 22 centres every year.
01:09Although they're all individuals...
01:11He looks like a cow.
01:14...with different likes...
01:16I know, baby.
01:17Oh, yes, boys, boys.
01:19...needs...
01:20Only two days old.
01:22...and quirks...
01:23Look, we're getting...
01:24I'll take up.
01:25...they've all got one thing in common.
01:27Good girl.
01:28...once 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.
01:33You was you.
01:34It was you.
01:35It was you.
01:36It 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, Lisa is finalising plans to pick up an ex-resident
01:56they 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, who actually was adopted in 2018
02:04from us.
02:05So, he's been in a home for a while.
02:06The gentleman who adopted him, he's now gone into hospital and looks like he's going to be
02:10going into a care home and he's been unwell for a little while, so we don't think Sam's
02:13going to be in the best condition.
02:14So, we'll go and get him.
02:16Is that alright?
02:17Yeah.
02:18I've got a lead.
02:19I've got forms.
02:20Car keys.
02:21He's got car keys.
02:22Family members have been taking it in turns to care for Sam after his owner was hospitalised
02:29with dementia.
02:30Hiya, I'm Lisa.
02:32Today, the owner's son, Stephen, is handing him over.
02:35Oh, bless you.
02:37Hello, Sam.
02:39Hello, Sam.
02:40Oh, what a little sweetie.
02:41We'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.
02:50Yeah, that's fine.
02:51And he's nibbling, like, and he's...
02:52Yeah, that's alright.
02:53We could take care of him.
02:54Yeah.
02:55I know it must be really hard, but yeah.
02:56Yeah.
02:57Yeah.
02:58No, honestly, he'll be absolutely fine with us.
03:01We'll take him back and we'll get him sorted out.
03:04Thank you very much.
03:05One, two, three.
03:06There we go.
03:07Well done, Sam.
03:11Back at the home-in centre, Sam is taken to see vet Vanessa.
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.
03:28Oh, it's very sore looking there.
03:30And he needs his nails cutting as well.
03:32Oh, goodness.
03:34Sam 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.
03:45A 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, you can see...
04:22There'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,
04:37which is basically a skin infection.
04:39If they have, like, a really bad flu 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.
04:48And 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.
04:57It'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, like, a bath,
05:03just like a sensitive shampoo,
05:05just to really get all the dead hair out
05:07and get all the scabs off and, you know,
05:09any dry patches of skin.
05:11He's a lovely boy, though, isn't he?
05:12He is. He's really nice.
05:13Absolutely.
05:14All right, Sam.
05:15So, 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 love your face.
05:25As Sam heads off for some R&R.
05:28Not a single thing needs to change.
05:32It can be like that, but don't fade.
05:36I'm heading west to the newest rehoming centre
05:38to open its kennel doors, Cardiff,
05:41where a proposed change in Welsh law is having a big impact.
05:47And assistant manager Amy is preparing
05:49for 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.
06:00OK.
06:01So, if you wouldn't mind, we're just going to put some bed in.
06:02Absolutely, yeah.
06:03So, what we want 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,
06:12no 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
06:21with duvets, because they love asleep as well.
06:24They're really snuggly.
06:25They 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.
06:55The 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,
07:04kennels have already begun to rehome their greyhounds.
07:11So, what have we got, four, 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, how are you?
07:19Hello, darling.
07:20How are you?
07:21Hello, buddy.
07:22Hello, buddy.
07:23Hello, buddy.
07:24You're beautiful.
07:25I know, good boy.
07:26There we go.
07:27I know.
07:28I know.
07:29So, just in case there's any small dogs around the car park,
07:30because they've been used for racing,
07:31we just want to make sure
07:32that we don't have any little accidents
07:34with any small furries.
07:35There we go.
07:36That's yours done.
07:37You ready?
07:38Yeah.
07:39You ready, buddy?
07:40There you go.
07:41To go.
07:42Good boy.
07:43You're stunning.
07:44The port of call for any new arrival is the vet suite.
07:47But in Cardiff, that involves navigating stairs or a lift,
07:51something these guys have probably never seen before.
07:56So, we're going to have to just take it easy with them now.
07:58Take it nice and slow.
07:59Should we give the stairs a go, then?
08:00Let's give the stairs a go.
08:01Let's see.
08:02Go, you ready?
08:03So, we don't have to have experienced stairs.
08:04No.
08:05Come on, then.
08:06Oh, well done.
08:09Oh, it's all a bit much.
08:11No, it's all a bit much.
08:13It's all just very overwhelming.
08:15Oh, I know.
08:16See if you drew the stairs?
08:17Yeah.
08:18Come on, puppy.
08:21Come on, buddy.
08:22It's just frozen.
08:23It's just petrified, isn't it?
08:28Oh, mate.
08:29It's okay.
08:31With both dogs unable to manage the stairs,
08:33the next option is the lift.
08:35Which can be a worrying space for any dog.
08:38If you see if we can go in together.
08:40Come on, then.
08:42Come on.
08:43Come on, puppy.
08:44Come on.
08:45Although Kim's dog seems happier,
08:47mine is still clearly anxious.
08:49I know, mate.
08:50So, 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.
09:05It's okay, buddy.
09:06You'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.
09:20Come on, buddy.
09:21Come on, buddy.
09:22Come on.
09:23Come on.
09:24Come on, buddy.
09:25Come on.
09:26But it's all just too overwhelming.
09:28And it'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.
10:04It's all okay.
10:06If you're not okay.
10:13In Cardiff,
10:14I'm still stuck downstairs with my greyhound,
10:17who I've decided to call Neville.
10:24Hi, Pete.
10:25How's he doing?
10:26Yeah, not too bad.
10:27He's your new friend.
10:28To take the pressure off,
10:29the 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,
10:53so 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 corns.
11:05Mm.
11:06If I could 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, like, 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.
11:33Yeah.
11:34It'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.
11:49I'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, is it bar biting or something?
12:04I suppose you can, you know, if he's in a kennel, that can be an injury you see at them.
12:08So that would be, I think, high lovely.
12:10I think the first thing I'd be considering.
12:12Would you say that's a fairly old injury?
12:14You 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.
12:24But, 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.
12:36He might be the skinniest of them.
12:37I'd say he wouldn't mind a little bit of feeding up.
12:40I mean, in terms of kind of the mental state of the four of these that come in,
12:45they'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.
12:53Is 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, you're going to see more greyhounds coming.
13:06If they're not rehomed and they don't come to places like this, what is often the fate for x-racing greyhounds.
13:11That's the thing, we don't know what's happening to them and that's a massive worry for us.
13:14So we want to try and get as many through outdoors as we can, because 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 fall in love with a little bit, nervous 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.
13:42We 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.
13:51It was over my head.
13:55I know nothing at all.
14:04Back in Basildon, Sam has been taking antibiotics and steroids to help clear up his skin infection.
14:14This is for Sam. His skin is quite sore.
14:17He has been itching it, so he has got a cone on at the minute just to stop him doing that.
14:21And this should help stop the irritation.
14:23Hello.
14:24Good boy.
14:26And today, we're hopefully going to help him feel a little bit more comfortable.
14:30Hi guys.
14:31Hey Pete, you alright?
14:32Wonderful. Sam, how are you buddy?
14:35How's he been getting on?
14:36Yeah, he's doing really well.
14:37As you can probably see, his coat and his skin is looking a lot better than when he first came in.
14:41Because the oral medication has done what we need it to do.
14:44But 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.
14:56Yeah, getting rid of the snowflakes.
14:58Alright 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, okay?
15:04Some dogs can find bath time a stressful experience.
15:08But it's really important we're able to wash Sam to remove any bacteria and help his skin heal.
15:14Oh, this is new isn't it?
15:17Well done mate.
15:18There you go.
15:19So 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.
15:24Yeah.
15:25We'll just obviously take it all nice and slow.
15:26Yeah.
15:27What do you want me to do?
15:28Just 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 it's hard when it's like this because you just want to tell him this is for the best and this is going to make you feel better.
15:45But obviously you can't do that so 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 or is it anything in particular?
15:54Yeah, so this is just a really nice kind of general sensitive shampoo so it shouldn't affect him or cause any stinging or anything like that.
16:03I think he's done really well.
16:04Yeah.
16:05Just goes to show what good temperament he's got his mouth.
16:07Yeah.
16:08Definitely.
16:10That was like a little massage buddy.
16:12Yeah.
16:13Yeah?
16:14I know, I tell these dogs, you know, people pay good money for this kind of stuff.
16:17Yeah.
16:19I'm just going to...
16:20Okay, Charlotte.
16:21Well done, mate.
16:22See, it's not that scary.
16:23No, he did really good.
16:24You're going to smell a lot better.
16:26I'm going to smell.
16:27You're going to feel a lot better.
16:28Boy, Sam.
16:29There you go.
16:30Well done, mate.
16:31Oh, good 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.
16:43Come 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.
16:55Keep 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.
17:13With quite a limp.
17:14Come on then.
17:15Good girl.
17:16And I'm keen to find out more.
17:20Hello.
17:21Hello, puppy.
17:22How are you?
17:23Phil, how are you, mate?
17:24I'm good, thank you.
17:25Good.
17:26How are you?
17:27Yeah, I'm really good.
17:28Who's this?
17:29This is Pebbles.
17:30Hello, puppy.
17:31Oh, she's beautiful.
17:36What's Pebbles' story?
17:37I love her.
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,
17:50her foot looks a bit, let's say, different.
17:53Disfigured.
17:54Do we know what that's about?
17:55So, it looks like it's like trauma to the foot.
17:59Oh, yeah.
18:00Maybe much earlier in her life.
18:01Her foot was most likely crushed.
18:03There was a puppy that she might have been trodden on
18:05or got her foot trapped in the door, something like that.
18:08And as, over time, if it's not corrected straight away,
18:13the bones will fuse and set in that position.
18:16That must have been really painful for her when that first happened
18:18and that not being treated because evidently it looks like
18:21it'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,
18:34that a dog can go through so much but still be so lovely.
18:38It's hard because you kind of want the dog to be able to tell you
18:41what's happened and tell you what hurts and kind of tell you how they feel.
18:45It almost makes it a lot sadder sometimes when you see dogs
18:47who are still so loving and trusted despite the fact
18:49that 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.
18:58Yeah!
19:00Vet nurse Rachel has been looking at the x-rays,
19:04which have revealed the full extent of the damage.
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.
19:25We could look at amputating those toes, but because they are weight-bearing digits,
19:30the worry 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
19:36and see what they feel would be the right move for her.
19:39As Pebbles waits to find out whether her toes can be fixed,
19:44Over in Cardiff, kennel supervisor Charlie is beginning to work with Neville
19:50on his fear around stairs.
19:52What's that, Nev?
19:54Neville's very scared of the stairs at the moment.
19:57He probably hasn't seen them before.
19:59So what we're 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,
20:08and then hopefully he'll feel a bit more inclined to sort of approach the area.
20:12Oh, boy!
20:13This training is about more than just stairs for Neville.
20:16Having lived a very sheltered life on the racetrack,
20:18Neville!
20:19There will be lots of things he's never encountered before,
20:22which 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, he's panting.
20:37Good boy!
20:38The idea with this is getting him to make the choice
20:41to go up the stairs.
20:43Because if we were to force him up,
20:45then that will just create a negative relationship.
20:48So it's just giving him time,
20:50seeing if there's anything here he is interested in.
20:52We need to find what motivates Neville
20:55to help him build a positive association with stairs.
20:58So in his candle he absolutely loves his food.
21:02Despite normally being quite foodie,
21:04the stress of the situation means he's totally lost his appetite.
21:08If there's nothing that motivates him, this could be difficult.
21:12Good boy!
21:13Good boy!
21:24Oh!
21:26Wow!
21:27That's brave!
21:28That's a brave boy!
21:30So I think his first instinct is to come to the person.
21:33Maybe his preference to like get used to new things
21:38and become more confident and comfortable with new things is people.
21:42Good boy!
21:43Well done!
21:44So I know it seems like a very small bit of progression for Neville,
21:49but it is a huge thing just for him to do this.
21:52Proud of you Neville.
21:55At the Canterbury Rehoming Centre, it's a big day for Pebbles.
22:06After referring her x-rays to an orthopaedic vet,
22:09it 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,
22:22but if you get them fixed,
22:24the viability might not be very good
22:27just because the bones are so small
22:29that it's difficult to actually get anything that will hold them together.
22:32This is why we're just going straight for amputation
22:34rather than putting her through several procedures.
22:38Amputating Pebbles' toes is far from ideal,
22:41but due to the age of the injury
22:43and the severity of the fracture,
22:45there is no other option.
22:48You can see she's been putting pressure on the wrong part of her toe.
22:51These are her normal digital pads here and here.
22:53While here are the ones she's meant to be putting pressure on.
22:56There's a new one that has formed here
22:58basically from that constant pressure in the wrong place.
23:01So that has been red and sore,
23:03but, yeah, we're going to take all of that off.
23:09Susanna starts by removing some of the underlying tissue
23:12before tying off the blood vessels and nerve bundles.
23:16Ensure 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.
23:31After 30 minutes, Susanna has safely reached the joint.
23:36OK, now that's one toe.
23:39I'm going to cut through the other one
23:40because you've got one toe hanging here,
23:42but it can't come off until this one's come off
23:44because it's all connected.
23:46So I don't think repair for this would have been possible.
23:51Once the toes have been removed,
23:52Susanna has to remodel Pebbles' port.
23:56I'm trying to just use this pad here
23:59to make basically like a separate pad for her to stand on
24:04to, I guess, aid a little bit in reducing the impact
24:07on just the two toes.
24:09It will hopefully look a bit better too.
24:13After two hours, the operation is complete.
24:17I really hope Pebbles is able to manage without those toes.
24:20And while she recovers,
24:24I'm on my way back to Cardiff.
24:31It's been a week since the four ex-racing greyhounds arrived
24:36and I'm keen to see how Martin and Richard
24:38are adapting to life outside of the racetrack.
24:42Hello, mate. How are you?
24:45Hello, buddy. You OK?
24:48Come here. Come on.
24:49Martin!
24:51Martin!
24:52This is an interesting way to say hello.
24:54I thought Martin was quite nervous.
24:55Martin!
24:56What are we doing here, mate?
24:57There you go.
24:59Come on, buddy.
25:01There you go.
25:02How are you, ladies?
25:03I'm good, thank you.
25:04How are the puppies?
25:06Hello, Richard.
25:07Oh, yeah, she's very nice to see you again.
25:10They went really well, they are.
25:11Really well.
25:12The last time I saw both of these guys, they went straight into the vet the day they came in.
25:15Yeah.
25:16And I know it was you, wasn't it?
25:17Yeah.
25:18They had a little problem with his nose.
25:19Yeah.
25:20Has that been kind of looked at?
25:21Yeah.
25:22The vets have said that they're looking all good now, isn't it?
25:23Yeah.
25:24You took him up for the vets, didn't you?
25:25Yeah.
25:26There'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, and Richard just loves people
25:35and 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, and at the moment,
25:51our 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,
26:04so we 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.
26:24I'm keen to catch up with Neville to see if there's anything I can do
26:28to help him with his confidence.
26:30Charlie, how are you, mate?
26:32Hiya, Pete, you all right?
26:33Yeah, I'm good.
26:34What are you up to?
26:35I'm just setting up some stuff for 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,
26:48he seems to lose his appetite and doesn't want to take treats off.
26:52So a fuss and a cuddle works better?
26:54Yeah.
26:55All right.
26:56Is there anything I can do?
26:57Yeah, so if you want to sit sort of, like, to this side of the steps,
27:00so you can just act a bit excited to see him when he comes in,
27:03we're not going to, like, coax him up the stairs,
27:05but just if he wants to come say hello, then that might help him a lot.
27:08OK.
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,
27:21his body language tells us he's a little bit worried.
27:23OK.
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
27:33that kind of home comfort and that kind of family environment,
27:36how important is it to desensitise them to things like stairs
27:39and 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,
27:48and it obviously just massively increases the amount of people
27:51who would be interested in him and would think
27:53that their home environment suits Neville's needs.
27:56Come on, Neville, you've got this.
28:06He has taken much more of an interest than he did before.
28:09Hello, buddy.
28:11Oh, boy.
28:12Good done.
28:13So that's actually a lot better than he did before.
28:15Hello.
28:16How are you, man?
28:18He says, cos Pete's in.
28:19You're good.
28:20You're doing a great job, you know.
28:22Yes, you are.
28:23I know, buddy.
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...
28:31Yeah, yeah, and he's up further.
28:33And you said, you know, he wasn't necessarily eating when he was stressed,
28:36but today he seems to be enjoying it.
28:38Yeah, so I think that's another major sign that it's becoming
28:40a much less scary thing for him.
28:42He's got a neck like a giraffe, so he could probably reach the top step,
28:44just 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.
28:50Look at that.
28:51I'll take away some of you.
28:52Oh, we'll go for the low hanging fruit.
28:54This is amazing progress for Neville,
28:56who just a week ago wouldn't even put a paw on a step.
28:59The only way is up from here.
29:03Back in Canterbury, it's been 24 hours since Pebbles had her fractured toes removed,
29:17and she's back in the vet suite for a check-up with vet Susanna.
29:21Hello.
29:23Hello.
29:24Pebbles, how are you?
29:25Oh, look at your little foot.
29:29Oh, she looks really cute.
29:31She is so cute.
29:32She doesn't know how to use that paw yet, though.
29:34So, it was two of her toes were removed?
29:38Yes, exactly.
29:39I wouldn't say it's a routine surgery, but it went as well as it could have.
29:42How's she been getting on kind of in herself?
29:44Obviously, you know, having the surgery yesterday, it's quite a lot.
29:47It's quite overwhelming.
29:48Has she been coping all right?
29:50She's been coping all right.
29:51She's feeling a little bit sorry for herself today, obviously.
29:54That's allowed.
29:55You're allowed to do that, darling.
29:56She's not putting any weight on her foot, but that's understandable.
29:59Understandable.
30:00Yeah, but she's doing all right.
30:01She's enjoying the cuddles.
30:02Yes.
30:03You're a princess at the minute.
30:04Princess Pebbles.
30:05You look all sad.
30:06What have they done to you?
30:07So, it's nasty lady.
30:08It is.
30:09Nasty lady.
30:10That's why she's far away from me.
30:11Yes.
30:12As far away as possible.
30:13So, is there anything that we need to do today or anything you're going to kind of have
30:17a look at today?
30:18So, I just want to have a look at that the bandage is drying clean, that she's not been
30:21sort 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.
30:31Absolutely.
30:32I've got a pocket full of treats for that, so hopefully it's bribery.
30:34Bribery always works.
30:35Yes, absolutely.
30:36Honestly.
30:37I mean, it works really well with me, bribery and flattery.
30:39So, if you bribe her, I'll flatter her.
30:42Okay, good.
30:43And then we'll see how we get on.
30:44Perfect.
30:45Pebbles.
30:46Hi Pebbles.
30:47Let's go and have a little look, shall we?
30:48Do you want to come here?
30:49Look at this.
30:50We've got some goodies for you.
30:51Oh, yeah.
30:53And we've got one here.
30:55You're going to get up for it.
30:56A little bit more.
30:57We're doing 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.
31:19You've got such a pretty face.
31:20Do you want to lay down here?
31:21Any easier for you?
31:22Do you want to lay down?
31:23Yeah.
31:24Do you know how to do that?
31:25She's nice really, I promise you.
31:26Good girl.
31:27That's it.
31:28We're going to let you touch the ball.
31:29Susannah's a nice lady.
31:30Good girl.
31:31That's lovely, nice and dry.
31:33Yeah.
31:34Yeah.
31:35Well done.
31:36Good girl.
31:37That's it.
31:38See, bribery and flattery.
31:39Flattery.
31:40You're so pretty.
31:41Gorgeous girl.
31:42I love your little leg.
31:44Oh.
31:45So, everything kind of looks pretty good at the minute then.
31:48To me, that looks absolutely fine.
31:49Nice and dry.
31:50Exactly.
31:51I mean, you can see she's been walking on it.
31:52It's a little dirty there, but it's not wet, so that's the main bit.
31:56You look great, darling.
31:58Fingers crossed it's all going to be fine when that bandage comes off.
32:01Even these toes anyway.
32:03Shall we go then, puppy?
32:05Pebbles is going to be recovering in a foster home.
32:08Come on, babe.
32:09Oh, look at you hopping.
32:12Experienced foster carer Frank has come to meet her.
32:17Come on, Pebbles.
32:18This good girl.
32:19Here you go, babe.
32:21Oh, hello, man.
32:23How 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, but 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.
32:41Oh, so 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?
32:58So...
32:59At least the dog always follows me around.
33:00Yeah.
33:01Yeah, basically, you're needy like me, Frank.
33:03That's it.
33:04I get it.
33:05I get it.
33:06But I'm exactly the same as you.
33:07I prefer dogs to people.
33:08I always have done.
33:09Mm.
33:10They're just so, um, so unconditional.
33:13Everything they do is unconditional.
33:14They live for the moment and that's a really beautiful thing.
33:16Yeah.
33:17Well, Frank, I'd better let you go so she can get her rest.
33:20Yeah, there'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.
33:27Well, 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,
33:34all the attention and cuddles.
33:35Yeah.
33:36She'll get everything she needs.
33:38Pebbles, I'll see you later, darling.
33:40Come on, Hoppy.
33:42Let's go.
33:43Come on.
33:44Come on.
33:45Yeah, come on.
33:46Come on.
33:56Over in Canterbury.
33:57Oh, it's because your hose is bent.
34:03That'll explain it.
34:04Whilst I'm being kept busy.
34:06Oh, there we go.
34:07There we go.
34:08There we go.
34:09Amazing.
34:10Good job.
34:11Now get your squeegee.
34:14Hard work, isn't it?
34:15Absolutely.
34:16It's all part of the job.
34:17Yeah.
34:18I've heard that there's some good news for my ex-racing greyhounds.
34:24Martin has really come out of his shell,
34:26and it's safe to say he's enjoying his newfound freedom.
34:34Richard has found his forever home with the Sargent family in Medway,
34:40where he's enjoying chilled walks and long, dreamy sleeps.
34:45And after being transferred to the Kenilworth Centre, where he got to hang out with my old mate Louis,
34:54Gregory put on enough weight to be signed off.
34:57Looks good.
34:58Seems comfortable.
34:59And promptly stole the hearts of Jan and Cliff.
35:08But 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.
35:18How 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.
35:32Hi.
35:33Look, Neville.
35:34Who's this?
35:35Kim, how are you?
35:36I'm good.
35:37How's he doing?
35:38He's all right.
35:39Yeah?
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?
35:48Should 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, 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?
36:07Yeah, definitely.
36:08And in terms of kind of meeting Bonnie, is this the kind of reaction you'd want from meeting kind of new dogs?
36:13He's not over the top.
36:14He's been quite polite, quite well-mannered.
36:17He's been perfect.
36:18He's headed low, he'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.
36:32Like, 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.
36:42Don't you, mate?
36:43Yeah.
36:44Yeah, you do.
36:45That's our gentle reassurance, isn't it?
36:46Yeah.
36:47To know that it's okay.
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 take to me some Welsh, though.
37:06Okay, please.
37:07So I know Dioch, thank you.
37:08Yeah, Dioch and Varyown.
37:09Thank you very much.
37:10No, you'll have to do that again.
37:11Dioch and Varyown.
37:12Dioch and Varyown.
37:13Yeah, thank you very much.
37:14Dioch and Varyown.
37:15Dioch and Varyown.
37:16Dioch and Varyown.
37:17Dioch and Varyown.
37:18How are you?
37:19Oh, lovely.
37:20I'm going to be fluent.
37:30Over in Canterbury, it's been two weeks since Pebbles had her broken toes amputated.
37:35And the bandage is off.
37:39Let's heal up really nicely.
37:41She's adapted to her new paw really well.
37:44Clever girl.
37:46Definitely a far cry from when she came in.
37:48Good girl.
37:51You want your ball?
37:52And she's even bagged herself a new home with the Cranfield family in Medway.
37:58Where she's clearly living her best life.
38:01I don't know why, but I still believe in you and I.
38:07You and I.
38:09Things are also looking up for Sam in Basildon.
38:19After three weeks of antibiotics, steroids and moisturising baths, he's finally starting to feel like his old self.
38:26Hello, mate.
38:27How are you?
38:28How's he been?
38:29He's been doing so well.
38:30Yeah.
38:31From when he came in.
38:32You look so much better.
38:33Yeah.
38:34I mean, his coat looks a lot better.
38:35He's not as crusty.
38:36We're nearly there.
38:37Yeah.
38:38Look at his happy smiley face though.
38:39He does look a lot happier.
38:40I mean, he was in a bit of a state when he came in and obviously, you know, aesthetically he looks better.
38:44We started to see a bit more of his personality.
38:45Yeah.
38:46Every day he's kind of been a little bit more confident.
38:47He's such a little cuddle bug though.
38:48Oh, he is.
38:49He loves people.
38:50When Sam was first at the centre seven years ago, he loved playing with toys.
38:57Now he's feeling better, Lisa is keen to see if that's still the case.
39:03And she has a theory.
39:05He's Lurcher Cross.
39:06So we think maybe Lurcher Collie.
39:08So Lurcher, very high prey drives, 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.
39:18Your money's on the ball.
39:19Yeah, your money's on the ball.
39:20Over the dinosaur.
39:21Over the dinosaur.
39:22I'm going to take the dinosaur.
39:23Okay.
39:24So I'm going to throw the ball.
39:26Yeah.
39:27And he's going to see it and he's going to chase it.
39:29All right.
39:30That's what you think, yeah?
39:31That's what I think.
39:32Sammy.
39:33All right, give it a go.
39:34Right, ready?
39:35What's this, Sam?
39:36Do you want to see the ball?
39:37Ready?
39:38See the ball.
39:39Steady.
39:40See the dinosaur.
39:41See the ball.
39:42Go.
39:44Yeah.
39:45I don't think he likes the ball.
39:47I don't think he likes the ball.
39:48I knew he wouldn't like the ball.
39:49Sam, should we try the dinosaur?
39:51I 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, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do.
40:07Yes.
40:08Yes.
40:09You just like people.
40:10I agree.
40:11I 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.
40:23And 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.
40:34And I think we'll be looking for a home and hopefully this will be it for him.
40:38Now he knows he needs cuddles, not dinosaurs.
40:40Or balls.
40:41Or balls.
40:43Just the cuddles.
40:48He's got a special little something about him.
40:50Got 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.
41:01I'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.
41:22In 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.
41:37Neville.
41:38Look 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.
41:48Look, buddy.
41:49What can we do for today, Sam?
41:50Is that helping, do you think?
41:51Well done, buddy.
41:52You did a great job.
41:53You just smell the kettle.
41:54Nothing bad happens.
41:55But has the confidence he's built given him enough strength to overcome the one thing he's struggled with most?
42:07And he even finally makes it into the vet suite.
42:22I couldn't be proud of you, mate.
42:23Hello, puppy.
42:24Hello, puppy.
42:25She's been in Dog's Trust for about three years, but she's never ever had a meet.
42:28It baffles me.
42:29It upsets me that she's still here.
42:30Yeah.
42:31Yeah.
42:32She's drinking a lot of water.
42:33And we have things like diabetes.
42:34We do need to start getting the urine samples.
42:36Let's go to the toilet.
42:37Shhhh!
42:38What we're looking for is abscesses or tumours.
42:42Oh, so nice.
42:43Not one person has come and said, I want to take a chance on that dog.
42:47I'm a bad dog.
42:48I'm not a bad dog.
42:49No, I'm a bad dog.
42:50No, I'm a bad dog.
42:51I'm a bad dog.
42:52I've got a bad dog.
42:53You're a bad dog.
42:54No, it's not bad.
42:55No, I don't need to be a bad dog.
42:56No, I don't need to be a bad dog.
42:57No, I don't need to be a bad dog.
42:59That's not bad.
43:00No.
43:01I'm obsessed, I'm obsessed, I'm obsessed.
43:03And that is heartbreaking.
43:31And that is heartbreaking.
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