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00:05I'm Pete Wicks, and I've been helping out here for nearly six months now.
00:10Help!
00:11I want you to be happier.
00:14We've had ups.
00:17I'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 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...
00:38You ready, buddy?
00:39..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.
00:52There's a little bit of tongue there.
01:00Thousands of dogs coming across the 22 centres every year.
01:08Although they're all individuals...
01:10He looks like a cow.
01:13...with different likes...
01:15I know, baby.
01:17Oh, yes.
01:19...needs...
01:20We're only two days old.
01:22...and quirks...
01:23Look, we're getting...
01:24I'll take...
01:25I'll take...
01:25They'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,
01:52Lisa is finalising plans to pick up an ex-resident
01:55they haven't seen for a very long time.
01:58Bye.
01:59So we had a call yesterday to collect a dog called Sam
02:02who actually was adopted in 2018 from us.
02:05So he's been in a home for a while.
02:06The gentleman who adopted him, he's now gone into hospital
02:09and looks like he's going to be going into a care home
02:11and he's been unwell for a little while
02:12so we don't think Sam's going to be in the best condition.
02:14So we'll go and get him.
02:16Is that alright, yeah?
02:17We've got a lead.
02:18I've got forms.
02:19I've got car keys.
02:20He's got car keys.
02:23Family members have been taking it in turns to care for Sam
02:26after his owner was hospitalised with dementia.
02:30Hiya, I'm Lisa.
02:32Today, the owner's son Stephen is handing him over.
02:36Oh, bless you.
02:37Hello.
02:39Hello, Sam.
02:41Oh, what a little 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 his nibbling, like, and his...
02:52Yeah, that's alright.
02:53We could take care of him.
02:54Yeah.
02:54I know it must be really hard, but, yeah.
02:56Yeah, yeah.
02:57No, honestly, 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 Rahoming Centre, Sam is taken to see vet Vanessa.
03:15Hello.
03:17This 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.
03:30He'll need his nails cutting as well.
03:33Oh, goodness.
03:35Sam is giving 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
03:48to see if the treatment he's been receiving is working.
03:52Hello.
03:53Hi, Pete.
03:53Who's this?
03:54This is Sam.
03:55Hello, puppy.
03:56Before you say hello to him,
03:57if you can just pop some gloves and an apron on.
03:59Yeah, 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
04:09and, 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.
04:20All of his skin, you can see...
04:22There's lots of flaking and patches and stuff, isn't there?
04:24Yeah, so there's, like, hair loss
04:26and there's, like, some really dry skin.
04:28That's why he's got the collar on
04:29and his tail's pretty bad.
04:31So, what is that caused by?
04:32So, the vets put it down to moist dermatitis and pyoderma,
04:37which is basically a skin infection.
04:38If 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.
04:47And 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.
04:58What 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
05:06and 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.
05:13Absolutely.
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.
05:22I like your face.
05:24As 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, Cardiff,
05:41where a proposed change in Welsh law is 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.
05:56What are we doing?
05:57We'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.
06:03Absolutely, yeah.
06:03So, what we want to do for the greyhounds
06:04is make it super comfy because, unfortunately,
06:07the 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,
06:17we can't put anything too overwhelming for them.
06:19So, this is why we're going to just make it really cosy
06:22with duvets because they love a sleep as well.
06:25They're really snuggly.
06:26They're kind of catch potatoes, really, aren't they?
06:28Yeah, lush.
06:28All 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.
06:33We all love greyhounds here.
06:34I like a greyhound.
06:35Where are they coming from?
06:36So, they're coming from the racetrack
06:38because of the proposed ban coming in.
06:40Yeah.
06:40We're slowly trickling them into rescues.
06:43I think in Cardiff we've already transferred 73.
06:46Wow.
06:46The 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.
07:14If you want to join Kim around the back
07:16and I'll grab this one here.
07:17OK.
07:18Hello.
07:18Hello darling.
07:20How are you?
07:21Hello buddy.
07:23Hello buddy.
07:24You're beautiful.
07:25I know, good boy.
07:25There we go.
07:25I know.
07:27So, just in case there's any small dogs around the car park,
07:29because they've been used for racing,
07:31we just want to make sure that we don't have any little accidents
07:33with any small furries.
07:34There we go.
07:35That's yours done.
07:36Yeah.
07:36You ready buddy?
07:38There you go.
07:39That's a good boy.
07:40You're stunning.
07:41I'm going to get mine.
07:43First 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.
08:02Are you ready?
08:02So, we don't know if they've experienced stairs.
08:04Come on then.
08:05Come on then.
08:05Oh, well done.
08:09Oh, it's all a bit much.
08:11No.
08:12It's all a bit much.
08:13It's all just very overwhelming.
08:15Oh, I know.
08:15See if you drew the stairs.
08:17Come on puppy.
08:20Come on buddy.
08:21It's just frozen.
08:23It's just petrified, I know.
08:24Yeah.
08:27Oh mate.
08:29It's okay.
08:30With both dogs unable to manage the stairs, the 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.
08:43Come on puppy.
09:12Come on puppy.
09:14I'm going to give it one last try.
09:17You ready?
09:20Come on buddy.
09:23Yeah buddy.
09:28But it's all just too overwhelming.
09:32It'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.
09:47Everything they've ever known and everything they've kind of been used to do previously.
09:53Has all changed today.
09:55Completely.
09:57Doesn't know what to do.
09:59I think that's the sad bit.
10:01He just doesn't.
10:01He's got no idea what to do.
10:04It's all okay.
10:06If you're not okay.
10:12In Cardiff.
10:14I'm still stuck downstairs with my greyhound.
10:17Who I've decided to call Neville.
10:24Hi Pete. How's he doing?
10:26Yeah, not too bad.
10:27He's your new friend.
10:27To take the pressure off.
10:29The decision has been made to bring Vet Aideen down to us to carry out the vet check.
10:33This 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 first inspection that...
10:41Nothing's jumping out to be honest.
10:42Like he seems a good weight.
10:44There's no obvious wounds.
10:45But 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.
10:51The track goes in one direction.
10:53So you might even see the front left or the back right might be more commonly affected by some injuries.
10:58So you're just checking through his limbs and...
11:00I'm just... yeah.
11:01So you're just looking for any bumps, cuts or horns.
11:06If he'll let me.
11:08Good boy.
11:08So you kind of have to pay good attention to the pads of their feet.
11:11So on first kind of inspection, do you think you're immediately worried about it?
11:14Honestly not.
11:14No, I think he looks in decent condition.
11:16He'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, isn't he?
11:32Yeah.
11:33It's a relief that Neville doesn't appear to have any major health concerns.
11:37Time to see how the other three, who we've named Martin, Richard and Gregory, are getting on.
11:47Martin's kind of quite nervous.
11:48I've just given him a fairly light touch exam.
11:52His heart is absolutely racing, but it sounds okay.
11:54And 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.
12:00If 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, highly lovely.
12:09I think the first thing I'd be considering.
12:12Would you say that's a fairly old injury?
12:13You can see it's a little bit chronic there.
12:15Yeah.
12:15It'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, they're
12:45obviously 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, definitely.
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
13:06coming.
13:06If they're not rehomed and they don't come to places like this, what is often the fate for
13:10X-Racing greyhounds?
13:11That's the thing.
13:11We 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
13:17one, we'll get another one in.
13:22I'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 he's literally been bred just a race for people's entertainment.
13:45And it's not really the way any dog should live.
14:06Back 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.
14:16He has been itching it.
14:18So he has got a cone on at the minute just to stop him doing that.
14:20And 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.
14:30Hi guys.
14:31Hey Pete, you alright?
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 than when he first came
14:40in.
14:41Because 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, scubby 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.
14:57Alright 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?
15:05Some 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?
15:17Well 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,
15:22or if he even likes having baths, we just obviously take it all nice and slow.
15:26Yeah.
15:26What 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 the sides then?
15:33I mean all of this is quite overwhelming for his skin to be in this position.
15:36It'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
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.
15:48The shampoo that you're using, is that just kind of for sensitive skin
15:52or is it anything in particular?
15:53Yeah, so this is just a really nice kind of general sensitive shampoo
15:57so it shouldn't affect him or 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.
16:10That 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.
16:21See, it's not that scary.
16:23No, he did really good.
16:24You're going to smell a lot better.
16:26I don't see that, actually.
16:26You're going to feel a lot better.
16:28Boy, it's that.
16:29There you go.
16:29Well done, mate.
16:30Good boy.
16:32He's a good boy.
16:33There we go.
16:34I was waiting for that.
16:35Good shake.
16:35See, that's much better.
16:37That's it.
16:38Yeah.
16:39Give it a little shake.
16:40Oh, 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.
16:51Hold on to the ones you love.
16:56Keep them close to you.
17:01But as soon as one is on the mend, the next dog is coming through the door.
17:06Come on, in you come.
17:07There'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.
17:17And I'm keen to find out more.
17:21Hello.
17:22Hello, puppy.
17:23How are you?
17:24Phil, how are you, mate?
17:25I'm good, thank you.
17:26How are you?
17:27Yeah, I'm really good.
17:28Who's this?
17:29This is Pebbles.
17:31Hello, puppy.
17:32Oh, she's beautiful.
17:36What's Pebbles' story?
17:37I know, though.
17:39Pebbles is a three-year-old American bulldog cross.
17:42Yeah.
17:43She's coming from another local rescue.
17:44She's gorgeous.
17:45She'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.
17:54Do we know what that's about?
17:55So, it looks like it's like trauma to the foot.
17:59Oh, yeah.
17:59Maybe 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 the 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 position.
18:15That must have been really painful for her, when that first happened, and that not being treated,
18:19because evidently it looks like it's not being treated at all.
18:22It would have been really painful.
18:23I mean, you can see she limps a little bit as well.
18:26But you've just learnt to deal with that, darling, have you?
18:28It'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 so
18:36much,
18:36but still be so lovely.
18:38It's hard, because you kind of want the dog to be able to tell you what's happened,
18:41and 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 who are still so loving and trusted,
18:49despite 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.
18:58Yeah!
19:01Vet nurse Rachel has been looking at the x-rays, which 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, they'd become arthritic as well.
19:18The team need to consider whether Pebbles' toes are able to be repaired.
19:22But 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.
19:41As Pebbles waits to find out whether her toes can be fixed,
19:46over in Cardiff, kennel supervisor Charlie is beginning to work with Neville on his fear around stairs.
19:53What's that, Neville?
19:55Neville's very scared of the stairs at the moment.
19:57He probably hasn't seen them before.
20:00So 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.
20:12Good boy.
20:13This training is about more than just stairs for Neville.
20:16Having lived a very sheltered life on the racetrack,
20:19Neville?
20:19There will be lots of things he'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?
20:34He is still quite stressed, he'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 kennel he absolutely loves his food.
21:01Despite normally being quite foodie, the 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.
21:23Oh.
21:26Wow.
21:27That's brave.
21:29That's a brave boy.
21:31So I think his first instinct is to come to the person.
21:33Maybe his preference to like get used to new things and become confident and comfortable with new things is people.
21:43Good boy.
21:43Well done.
21:44So I know it seems like a very small bit of progression for Neville, but it is a huge thing
21:51just for him to do this.
21:54Proud of you Neville.
22:00At 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.
22:18We'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
22:26just because the bones are so small.
22:28That 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
22:44fracture, 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
22:56on.
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.
23:16We want to ensure there's lots of tissue that we can close it up with.
23:24It won't heal very well if there is just skin on bone directly.
23:29It's just very fiddly.
23:32After 30 minutes, Susanna has safely reached the joint.
23:37Well, that's one toe.
23:39I'm going to cut through the other one because you've got one toe hanging here, but it can't come off
23:43until this one's come off because it's all connected.
23:45So I don't think repair for this would have been possible.
23:50Once the toes have been removed, Susanna has to remodel Pebbles' paw.
23:56I'm trying to just use this pad here to make basically like a separate pad for her to stand on
24:03to, I guess, aid a little bit in reducing the impact on just the two toes.
24:08It 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.
24:21And while she recovers, I'm on my way back to Cardiff.
24:31It's been a week since the four ex-racing greyhounds arrived, and I'm keen to see how Martin and Richard
24:38are adapting to life outside of the racetrack.
24:42Hello, mate. How are you? Hello, buddy. You okay? Come here. Come on.
24:49Martin! Martin!
24:51This is an interesting way to say hello. I thought Martin was quite nervous.
24:55Martin! What are we doing here, mate? There you go. Come on.
24:58Come on, buddy. There you go.
25:01How are you, ladies? I'm good, thank you.
25:04How are the puppies? Hello, Richard. Yeah, really good.
25:07Oh, yeah, she's very nice to see you again. Doing really well, they are.
25:10Yeah. Really well.
25:11I mean, last time I saw both of these guys, they went straight into the vet the day they came
25:15in.
25:15Yeah. And I know it was you, wasn't it?
25:17They had a little problem with his nose. Has that been kind of looked at?
25:20Yeah, the vets have said that they're looking all good now, isn't it?
25:23Yeah. Because you took him up for the vet, didn't you?
25:25Yeah. I don't think there's any more treatment needed for it.
25:27What about their personalities? Have their personalities started to come out?
25:30Yeah, Martin's definitely a bit more nervous than Richard, and Richard just loves people and wants to give all the
25:35cuddles in the world and all the kisses.
25:37You are very friendly.
25:38So what's happening with these guys today?
25:41They leave in Wales. No.
25:42They move into Canterbury.
25:44Yeah, so just because we have a lot of greyhounds coming to us in Wales, so what we try to
25:48do 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, so they're
25:54off on their journey today to find their forever home.
25:56We love Canterbury. They're lovely in Canterbury.
25:59What's happening with the other two?
26:00So we really want to work with Neville here, just because he's a little bit more nervous, so we want
26:04to keep him here.
26:04And then Gregory, he's just attracting a lot of interest already, so we're hoping we can find him at home
26:10quite quick.
26:10Oh, amazing.
26:11Yeah.
26:12You ready to go? Are we going right now then, yeah?
26:15Let's do it.
26:16There we go.
26:17As Richard and Martin begin their journey across the country...
26:21Well, guys, have a happy life. Enjoy Canterbury.
26:24..I'm keen to catch up with Neville to see if there's anything I can do to help him with his
26:29confidence.
26:31Charlie, how are you, mate?
26:32Hiya, Pete. You all right?
26:33Yeah, I'm good. What are you up to?
26:34I'm just setting up some stuff for Neville, if you want to give me a hand.
26:37Absolutely. So what does he tend to like then? What'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,
26:49he seems to lose his appetite and doesn't want to take treats off.
26:52So a fuss and a cuddle works better? Yeah.
26:54All right. Is there anything I can do?
26:56Yeah, 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!
27:14Hello.
27:15Hi, Neville.
27:16Hello, 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.
27:27So 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,
27:47and it obviously just massively increases the amount of people
27:51who would be interested in him and would think that their home environment
27:54suits Neville's needs.
27:56Come on, Neville.
27:57You've got this.
28:06He is taking much more of an interest than he did before.
28:09Hello, buddy.
28:11Oh, boy.
28:12Well done.
28:13So that's actually a lot better than he did before.
28:15Hello.
28:16How are you, man?
28:18He says, because Pete's here.
28:19You're doing a great job, you know.
28:22Yes, you are.
28:23Nobody.
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.
28:32And you said, you know,
28:33he wasn't necessarily eating when he was stressed,
28:35but today he seems to be enjoying it.
28:37Yeah, so I think that's another major sign that it's becoming
28:40a much less scary thing for him.
28:41He's got a neck like a giraffe,
28:42so he could probably reach the top step, just, you know what I mean?
28:45I'll have two paws, but I'll get everything.
28:47Goodbye.
28:47He's done a great job.
28:49There's more up there.
28:49Look at that.
28:50I think we'll go for some of you.
28:51Oh, we'll go for the low-hanging fruit.
28:53This is amazing progress for Neville,
28:55who just a week ago wouldn't even put a paw on a step.
28:59The only way is up from here.
29:10Back in Canterbury,
29:12it's been 24 hours since Pebbles had her fractured toes removed,
29:16and she's back in the vet suite for a check-up with vet Susanna.
29:22Hello.
29:23Hello.
29:24Pebbles, how are you?
29:25Oh, look at your little foot.
29:28Oh, she looks really cute.
29:30She 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?
29:37Yes, exactly.
29:38I 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?
29:49She's feeling a little bit sorry for herself today, obviously.
29:53That's allowed.
29:54Yeah.
29:54You're allowed to do that, darling.
29:55She's not putting any weight on her foot, but that's understandable.
29:59Yeah, but she's doing all right.
30:00She's enjoying the cuddles.
30:02You're a princess at the minute.
30:03Princess Pebbles.
30:05You look all sad.
30:06What have they done to you?
30:07It's a nasty lady.
30:08It is me.
30:09That's why she's far away from me.
30:11Yes, as far away as possible.
30:13So, is there anything that we need to do today
30:15or 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
30:21because 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.
30:33So, hopefully it's bribery.
30:34Bribery always works.
30:35Absolutely.
30:36I mean, it works really well with me, bribery 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?
30:46Do you want to come here?
30:48Look at this.
30:49We've got some goodies for you.
30:51Oh, yeah.
30:53And we've got one here.
30:54Are you going to get up for it?
30:55A little bit more?
30:56Can we do an army crawl?
30:58Yeah.
31:00Good girl.
31:00Hello, darling.
31:02Well done.
31:03Is 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.
31:15You're obviously very resilient, darling.
31:17Absolutely.
31:17Yes, you are.
31:18You've got such a pretty face.
31:19Do you want to lay down here?
31:20A bit easier for you?
31:21Do you want to lay down?
31:22Do you know how to do that?
31:23She's nice really, I promise you.
31:25Good girl.
31:27That's it.
31:27Are we going to let you touch the ball?
31:28Susanna's a nice lady.
31:30Good girl.
31:31That's lovely.
31:32Nice and dry.
31:33Yeah.
31:34Yeah.
31:34Well done.
31:36Good girl.
31:37That's it.
31:37See?
31:38Bribery.
31:39Flattery.
31:39You're so pretty.
31:41Gorgeous girl.
31:41I love your little leg.
31:43Oh.
31:44So, everything kind of looks pretty good at the minute then.
31:48To me that looks absolutely fine.
31:48Nice and dry.
31:49Exactly.
31:50I mean, you can see she's been walking on it.
31:51It's a little dirty there, but it's not wet, so that's the main bit.
31:55You look great, darling.
31:57Fingers crossed it's all going to be fine when that bandage comes off.
32:01Who needs toes anyway?
32:02Shall 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.
32:14Experienced foster carer Frank has come to meet her.
32:17Come on, Pebbles.
32:18This is a good girl.
32:20Here 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.
32:31But she's doing pretty well.
32:32So, I hear you're going to be fostering her.
32:34Yep.
32:34Have you fostered before?
32:36Yeah.
32:36I think she's going to be my 20th.
32:3920th?
32:39Oh, wow.
32:40Oh, so you're a dab hand at this then.
32:42What is it about fostering that you love?
32:43I prefer dogs to people generally.
32:46So do I, mate.
32:47I'm with you.
32:48In the little bits where I haven't got a dog, I don't like it.
32:51Yeah.
32:52It's tough, isn't it?
32:52I don't like it.
32:53Yeah.
32:54No-one's interested where I'm going.
32:56Especially not the wife, you know?
32:58At least a dog always follows me around.
33:00Yeah.
33:00Yeah.
33:01Basically, you're needy like me, Frank.
33:02That's it.
33:03I get it.
33:04I get it.
33:04But I'm exactly the same as you.
33:06I prefer dogs to people.
33:07I always have done.
33:08Mm.
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.
33:16Well, Frank, I'd better let you go so she can get her rest.
33:19Yeah, there's a sofa with a name on it.
33:21Goodbye, darling.
33:23Oh, that's lovely.
33:24Oh, yeah.
33:25A little bit of tongue there.
33:28Well, thank you so much.
33:30Thank you for everything you're doing for Pebbles.
33:31I can already tell that she's going to enjoy recovery,
33:33all the attention and cuddles.
33:35Yeah.
33:36She'll get everything she needs.
33:37Pebbles, I'll see you later, darling.
33:39Come on, Hoppy.
33:41Let's go.
33:43Come on.
33:44Come on.
33:45Yeah, come on.
34:06We'll have to go.
34:07We'll have to go.
34:08We'll have to go.
34:09Let's go.
34:09Good job.
34:10Now get your squeegee.
34:13It's hard work, isn't it?
34:15It's all part of the job.
34:16Yeah.
34:17I've heard that there's some good news for my ex-racing greyhounds.
34:23Martin has really come out of his shell,
34:25and it's safe to say he's enjoying his newfound freedom.
34:34Richard has found his forever home with the Sargent family in Medway.
34:39Where he's enjoying chilled walks and long, dreamy sleeps.
34:44Yay!
34:46Hi!
34:48And after being transferred to the Kenilworth Centre,
34:50where he got to hang out with my old mate Louis,
34:53Gregory put on enough weight to be signed off.
34:56Looks good. Seems comfortable.
34:58And promptly stole the hearts of Jan and Cliff.
35:01Good job.
35:03How are you?
35:07But I've not been able to stop thinking about my nervous boy, Neville.
35:11So 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.
35:24As an ex-racer, Neville has spent most of his life around other dogs.
35:28So today, we're introducing him to a potential new friend.
35:33Hi, Pete.
35:33Look, Neville.
35:35Who's this?
35:36Kim, how are you?
35:37I'm good. How's he doing?
35:38He's all right.
35:39Yeah?
35:39He's all right.
35:40Who is this?
35:41So this is Bonnie.
35:42Bonnie.
35:43And I thought we'd go for a little walk and see if it makes him feel a little bit more
35:46happier.
35:46Yeah?
35:47Shall we do it then?
35:48Come on, then.
35:48Let's go, buddy.
35:49Come on, Bond.
35:50It's kind of like a first date, isn't it?
35:52It is.
35:54Bonnie's the perfect role model because she's so well-adjusted.
35:57Yeah.
35:57She'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, definitely.
36:08And in terms of kind of meeting Bonnie, is this the kind of reaction you'd want from meeting kind of
36:12new dogs?
36:13He's not over the top.
36:14He's been quite polite, quite well-mannered.
36:16He's been perfect.
36:17He's had a low, he's interested, but now he's happy to do his own thing.
36:20And she's been great as well.
36:22Really good.
36:23I mean, it's so nice to see the improvement that he's made, considering kind of...
36:27Yeah, yeah.
36:28Mate, you've got a whole path here.
36:31Like, you don't have to be attached to me the entire time.
36:34You know what I mean?
36:35I mean, he's obviously a bit of a sensitive boy.
36:37I mean, he loves to be just attached.
36:42Don't you, mate?
36:43Yeah, you do.
36:43It's a subtle gentle reassurance, isn't it?
36:45Yeah.
36:45To know that it's OK.
36:47Little nervous Neville.
36:49Aw.
36:50But it's so nice to see, like, the improvement he's made, even from the first day that I saw him.
36:54Neville 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.
37:01It's quite nice, this kind of Welsh air, isn't it?
37:03Yeah.
37:04You need to teach me some Welsh, though.
37:06OK, good.
37:06So I know...
37:07Oh, thank you.
37:08Thank you very much.
37:10No, you'll have to do that again.
37:11And very own.
37:13Yeah.
37:13Thank you very much.
37:14Yeah.
37:15Thank you very much.
37:18Oh, lovely.
37:19I'm going to be fluid.
37:25I'm going to be fluid.
37:29HE LAUGHS
37:29Over in Canterbury, it's been two weeks since Pebbles had her broken toes amputated, and
37:35the bandage is off.
37:38Oh, it helps that let's heal up really nicely.
37:41She's adapted to her new paw really well.
37:44HE LAUGHS
37:44Clever girl.
37:45It's definitely 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, where she's
37:58clearly living her best life.
38:01I don't know why, but I still believe in you and I, you and I.
38:15Things are also looking up for Sam in Basildon.
38:19After three weeks of antibiotics, steroids and moisturising baths, he's finally starting
38:24to feel like his old self.
38:27Hello, mate.
38:27How are you?
38:28How's he been?
38:29He has been doing so well, yeah, from when he came in.
38:33Good boy.
38:34You look so much better.
38:35Yeah.
38:35I 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.
38:43I mean, he was in a bit of a state when he'd come in, and obviously, you know, aesthetically
38:46he looks better.
38:46We start to see a bit more of his personality.
38:48Yeah.
38:48Every day, he's kind of been a little bit more confident.
38:50He's such a little cuddle bugger.
38:52Oh, he is.
38:52He loves people.
38:53When 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.
39:04Oh, yeah.
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, likes 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, and he's going to chase it.
39:28All right.
39:29That's what you think, yeah?
39:30That's what I think.
39:31Sammy!
39:31All right, give it a go.
39:32Right, ready?
39:33What's this, Sam?
39:34Do you want to see the ball?
39:35Ready?
39:35See the ball.
39:36Steady.
39:37See the dinosaur.
39:38See the ball.
39:39Go.
39:44Yeah.
39:45I don't think he likes the ball.
39:46You don't think he likes the ball?
39:48I knew he wouldn't like the ball.
39:49Sam, should we try the dinosaur?
39:50I think you should try the dinosaur.
39:52Puppy!
39:53Yay!
39:55Hello, buddy.
39:56Look, he's a dinosaur.
39:57What do you think about a dinosaur?
39:59Do we like the dinosaur?
40:07Yes.
40:07Yes, I know.
40:08He's really nice.
40:09He's 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.
40:18He'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?
40:25Because 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.
40:31I mean, really, this is kind of like the last bit of his assessment.
40:33And I think we'll be looking for a home.
40:35And hopefully this will be it for him.
40:37Now 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.
40:50He's got a twinkle in his eye.
40:51Yeah.
40:52He has, yeah.
40:52He'd be really cheeky.
40:54Yeah.
40:54Like 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.
41:04Help.
41:05Help.
41:08Help.
41:09Help.
41:12Help.
41:14Help.
41:14Help.
41:21In Cardiff, Neville is also making good progress.
41:26He's getting braver by the day.
41:29Neville, how are you, mate?
41:31I'm okay.
41:32And he's starting to explore household objects.
41:36Neville, look at this buddy.
41:40I mean, he doesn't seem that fussed by the broom right now,
41:42because he's just more enjoying the little neck rub.
41:46Neville, look.
41:47Look, buddy.
41:49What can we do for today, sir?
41:52Does that help him, do you think?
41:55Well done, buddy.
41:57You did a great job. You just smelt the kettle.
41:59Nothing bad happens.
42:01But has the confidence he's built given him enough strength
42:04to overcome the one thing he's struggled with most?
42:25And he even finally makes it into the vet suite.
42:30I couldn't be prer of you, mate.
42:35Hello, puppy.
42:37She's been in Dog's Trust for about three years,
42:39but she's never, ever had a meet.
42:40It baffles me, upsets me, but 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.
42:48Let's go to the toilet.
42:49Shh!
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,
42:59I want to take a chance on that dog.
43:00I'm obsessed, I'm obsessed, I'm obsessed.
43:02And that is heartbreaking.
43:04I swear to you,
43:08what I made for me
43:13But I could be wrong, wrong, wrong
43:17What do I know?
43:19What do I know?
43:22But I could be wrong, wrong, wrong
43:26What do I know?
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