- 14 hours ago
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:01We're back! Hello!
00:04At Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
00:06Oh my gosh, my lovely puppies!
00:09Open up your eyes, then you realise
00:13Here I stand with my everlasting love
00:17This place has been caring for dogs and cats
00:20for over 160 years.
00:25Look at my ankle!
00:28Their work, alongside the UK's other animal rescue charities,
00:32is more important than ever.
00:34Offering a helping hand.
00:36Nice little walkies. Come on.
00:38I've got a treat for you.
00:40A shoulder to cry on.
00:41How are you doing, darling? Have you been through the mill?
00:44And a comfy lap.
00:45Is that a good little spot? High-fiving!
00:48To whoever needs it most.
00:50You are doing so well.
00:52Are you enjoying that little bit of love?
00:54I am.
00:55The times may have changed, but one thing remains the same.
00:59It's always been for the love of dogs.
01:02Ooh!
01:02You always will be mine if eternal love...
01:06This week, I meet a retriever cross terrified of starting again.
01:11She's literally hiding behind you.
01:13OK.
01:14A premature puppy makes a big impression.
01:16It's my best day of my life.
01:18And a little old lady causes a bit of a stink.
01:21Oh, yeah.
01:22That would be great breath.
01:23Yeah.
01:30At Battersea, dogs come in all shapes and sizes.
01:34Got some loving that I won't give you, baby.
01:38Got it by the power.
01:40Molly!
01:41I'm someone absolutely covered.
01:44He is a little slobber monster.
01:46And apparently there's a massive surprise for me in head behaviourist Ali's office.
01:52What's up, Ali?
01:54Yeah.
01:57Babe, that was like a scene out of a bun movie.
02:02Meet Milky.
02:04Oh, Milky.
02:06Angel baby, my angel baby.
02:13This little heartbreaker is Milky, a seven-week-old French bulldog puppy.
02:19Hello, little angel.
02:21How you doing?
02:22How cute is he?
02:23Oh, my gosh.
02:24Well, he's my handra.
02:25I've had this puppy from day one.
02:29He was premature.
02:30Really?
02:30When mum come in, mum was so, like, underweight.
02:34She was a stray.
02:36They then had to do a C-section on mum.
02:39Sadly, this is the only surviving pup.
02:42You're joking.
02:43How many were there?
02:44There was nine in total.
02:46Sadly, despite the best efforts of the clinic team, Milky was the only pup who made it.
02:52And that was down to Ali feeding him tiny amounts of milk every half an hour around the clock.
02:58It was hard work, I mean.
03:00You couldn't go to sleep.
03:02Oh, you've done so well.
03:04I love him.
03:04You're very, very friendly.
03:07So lovely.
03:08You can put him there.
03:08You can play with him if you want.
03:09I'm not putting him down ever again.
03:13Look at his little angel wings.
03:15I love that.
03:16That's what it is.
03:18His little angel wings.
03:20He's representing all his other brothers and sisters.
03:23Hmm, what are you doing?
03:24He's settling.
03:26And then they'll fall asleep again.
03:28I can't cope with him.
03:30Listen to the sound.
03:31Can you hear him?
03:32Suckling like this is a puppy's way of feeling secure because it mimics nursing behaviour with mum.
03:39Oh, no.
03:40Oh, God.
03:41It's my best day of my life.
03:44He's heaven sent.
03:45Mmm.
03:46But for premature puppies like Milky, crucial development stages like weaning and socialisation can take longer.
03:54Have you noticed that he's missed any milestones or anything?
03:57Like when he got to five weeks of age usually they're more exploring.
04:01They do like little growls and things like that.
04:04That didn't really happen.
04:05So when he got to six weeks he started making those noises and started to interact.
04:10He's got teeth now.
04:11Yeah.
04:12I can feel them.
04:14You know, I just always think he's like definitely a week behind.
04:19Yeah.
04:19The next important lessons for Milky are learning good manners in puppy boot camp and socialisation
04:26are Hammond's speciality.
04:28He's now seven weeks.
04:29You're going to start socialising here.
04:31That's going to be your job.
04:32Is this my new puppy?
04:35We're a team now.
04:36Milky, you and Lee.
04:38You're so beautiful.
04:40What a lovely baby.
04:45While Milky's ready to start exploring the big wide world.
04:50Over in the kennels there's a new arrival who's completely terrified by the prospect.
04:57Retrieve across Penny.
04:59Little blue finds me again.
05:01After eight years in a loving home.
05:05Creeps over my heart.
05:07She was brought in when her owners had to move but couldn't take her with them.
05:13Handler Ellie has been trying to settle her in.
05:16In here is our lovely Penny.
05:19She's currently hiding from us because she's quite scared.
05:22She's literally hiding.
05:23It might be best actually if you settle in one of our quieter rooms and I'll bring her out to
05:27you.
05:29Retriever crosses are usually really sociable and high energy.
05:34Come on.
05:34But Penny is the complete opposite.
05:37Come on.
05:37Oh sweetie, it's okay.
05:39Oh she's really scared.
05:40What is this?
05:41Oh I know darling, I know, I know, I know.
05:44We're going to go meet a friend.
05:47Good girly, come on then.
05:48I'm just going to stay quite quiet.
05:50I'm going to be really quiet.
05:52Hi darling.
05:52Take this off for you.
05:53There you go.
05:54Having lived with the same owner all her life, the sights, sounds and meeting so many new
06:00people here must be really stressful.
06:03Oh sorry darling.
06:03Oh she gets a bit scared.
06:05She does.
06:05Is she really jumping like that all the time?
06:07She's quite noise sensitive, bless her, so flinching at sounds.
06:10The dogs are always very noisy around her.
06:12So if it gets really bad, she goes and hides in the back.
06:14She's literally hiding behind you.
06:16Okay.
06:17Although Penny's starting to bond with Ellie, she needs to become more comfortable with
06:21other people before she can go to her new home.
06:24I'll just throw a little bit.
06:26What's that?
06:27And I've got some over there for you.
06:28What's that darling?
06:29It breaks my heart to see this beautiful dog.
06:32Probably had a wonderful home, like in this state.
06:35She's got a bit of a road ahead of her to come out of her shell.
06:4425 miles away from the hustle and bustle of the main site.
06:49Oh now don't you join in.
06:51Battersea have another centre.
06:54Old Windsor.
06:55And word on the kennel grapevine is that someone there needs a bit of an MOT.
07:00Meet 10 year old Yorkie Pomeranian cross Elsie.
07:04Who glorifies that thing called love?
07:07Nobody else but Elsie.
07:10This old girl came in with scruffy fur and her breath, I'm told, is something else.
07:16She was brought in when her owner's working hours changed and they could no longer look
07:21after her.
07:22Hanley Coral has been on Elsie duty.
07:26Hello Coral.
07:27Hi Alison.
07:28Hello.
07:29Are you going to say hi to Alison?
07:30Oh my god you are beautiful.
07:32So gorgeous.
07:33Yeah she's recently had a little haircut.
07:35She was just like a little bit scruffy.
07:37So just make her a little bit more comfortable.
07:40Any issues at all?
07:41But you know the fact that she's older.
07:42Obviously she's got smelly breath which might mean she needs some things looked into there.
07:46Oh yeah that would be great breath.
07:49Have you been smoking?
07:50Is that what it is?
07:51I thought I don't mind it.
07:52Smoky breath.
07:53It's kind of comforting.
07:55Oh you're so gorgeous.
07:58I don't think she's smelly.
07:59I think she's lovely.
08:02Oh I'm in love.
08:04As adorable as she is we do need to check out that breath.
08:08Go and see Amy the lovely bear.
08:12We're here Amy.
08:14Hello.
08:14Hello Elsie.
08:15Elsie's come to say hi.
08:17Yes.
08:18She has got a little bit of bad breath but I don't mind it personally.
08:21She's booked in next week for a dental.
08:23Yeah.
08:23She actually needs quite a few teeth out.
08:25So she can have no teeth?
08:27She'll have some teeth but her tongue might stick out after we've taken those teeth out.
08:31Oh really?
08:31I think that'll just make her even cuter.
08:33She's the cutest, cutest dog.
08:36Look at that.
08:37Even when dogs have teeth taken out they usually adapt really well to eating without them.
08:43So yeah we'll do that and hopefully make her feel a lot better.
08:49Back at the main site someone who's coming on leaps and bounds is premature puppy Milky.
08:56Hi Ali. How's our Milky?
08:57Little boy, you stole my heart away.
09:02He's growing up fast and it's important to keep him socialised.
09:06But first it's puppy boot camp to learn the essentials.
09:11Like sitting.
09:12Sit.
09:13Good boy.
09:15Which teaches good manners and stops dogs from jumping up.
09:18Come on Milky.
09:19Yeah.
09:21Recall.
09:21So he comes back when he's called.
09:23Woo hoo.
09:24And learning to be a cheeky chappy.
09:26No.
09:27No.
09:27Wrong sort of boot camp Milky.
09:29We need to put some discipline around here.
09:36Back in kennels eight year old retriever cross Penny still seems terrified by life on sight.
09:44Oh it's okay.
09:46Handler Ellie has managed to get her out on walks but Penny has become very attached to her only friend.
09:52All right darling.
09:53All right.
09:53All right.
09:54The team have tried seeing if doggy pals could be the answer.
09:58Penny.
09:58That's me.
09:59But it's proving too much for poor Penny.
10:02She is so scared today.
10:03She's really brightened isn't she?
10:05So I'm trying to see if I can build a bond with this gorgeous girl myself.
10:11It would be really nice to let her off please if she can approach you at her own pace.
10:14There you go.
10:15What do you want to do?
10:16A little bit of freedom.
10:17Oh good girly.
10:18I'm still giving Penny plenty of space so she can approach me in her own time.
10:23Oh good girl.
10:24That was so brave.
10:26You're very close.
10:27You can see her ears go back whenever she gets closer to you.
10:30Oh well done.
10:31And she's leaning as far as she can.
10:34Oh my gosh.
10:35Penny is clearly motivated by food.
10:38Aren't we all bub?
10:39Good girl.
10:40So we're trying free work where Penny can explore a safe space with new people and tasty treats.
10:47We've got a couple different things here.
10:49The act of sniffing for treats like cheese hidden in these snuffle mats releases the feel good hormone dopamine.
10:56And Penny licking her favourite food from these mats should release endorphins.
11:01And this is her absolute favourite.
11:03Hopefully something will put Penny at ease and in the mood to be pals.
11:07Are you following me?
11:09That's really good darling.
11:13That's really nice.
11:16Good girl.
11:17She loves my mat.
11:17She really likes that.
11:19She likes the cheese doesn't she?
11:20Yeah.
11:21That's nice.
11:23Oh that was nice.
11:25Yeah.
11:26This seems really good for her.
11:27Even with the sound of other dogs Penny seems a little more chilled.
11:32I love it.
11:33I do.
11:34Maybe there's a chance she's ready for a new pal.
11:37I'm quite surprised she's letting me even be this close.
11:40Yeah.
11:40It's really good progress.
11:41If you offer them the things they like they are going to become more comfortable with you.
11:44Are you lying down?
11:47She's literally lying down.
11:49That's really good sweetheart.
11:50She's comfortable.
11:51Yeah.
11:51It's lovely.
11:52I so want to stroke her but I'm not going to.
11:55I'll set her for some bribery though.
11:57A little piece of cheese.
11:59Oh that's so brave darling.
12:01Success.
12:04So what's the next steps for our Penny?
12:06We want to make her much more confident before she goes home.
12:09Maybe I could have some one on one with her.
12:11Yeah.
12:12I think if you sat with her and just gave her time.
12:14I can do that.
12:15It's not a problem.
12:16It might be baby steps for our Penny.
12:18But at least they're in the right direction.
12:21One on one.
12:22Not you.
12:22One on one time.
12:24I'm watching you.
12:24She's looking for you.
12:31It's a new day at Old Windsor.
12:34And for ten year old Elsie, it's time to fix those terrible teeth.
12:39Good girl.
12:40Good girl.
12:41Good girl.
12:41Good girl.
12:43Looking after her today is vet surgeon Helen.
12:46Elsie's quite an old girl.
12:48She needs to have quite a major dental today.
12:50Oh these teeth are quite spectacular aren't they?
12:52They're some of the worst teeth she's ever seen.
12:56Once we've got rid of these rotten teeth, there's going to be lots of bacteria and infection.
13:01And that's a lot of the cause of the smell.
13:05But there's a problem.
13:07Hmm.
13:08Before I even start, she's got some instability here in this jaw.
13:13This is not what the team were expecting.
13:15So the bottom jaw is made up of two bones and they're joined by a little fibrous joint and hers,
13:24you can see, is wobbling.
13:25Helen needs to do an x-ray to see what's causing the issue.
13:30There we go.
13:31So there's hardly any bone there at all at the end, is there?
13:34Elsie's jaw is almost in two parts, possibly because of a previous trauma or severe dental disease.
13:41It would have been an extra level of pain for her.
13:43Right.
13:45We do need to actually fix those two sides of the jaw together to give it a chance of healing.
13:50It is a worry in a little girl like her.
13:59Remember premature Frenchie pup Milky?
14:06At ten weeks old, we're still keen for him to meet as many new people as possible.
14:12Hello.
14:13Hello.
14:13Hello.
14:14Hello, darling.
14:16So I've got an idea and I'm bringing reinforcements.
14:20Let's do this.
14:23Just across the river from Battersea is the Royal Hospital.
14:27Home to retired war heroes called the Chelsea Pensioners for over 330 years.
14:34Beautiful place, isn't it?
14:35Yeah, it's amazing.
14:36Battersea has a long-standing connection with the Chelsea Pensioners.
14:40Oh, look, there's two.
14:41Oh, there's two.
14:43And have often visited army veterans like Trevor and Roger to give doses of dog therapy.
14:49Hello there.
14:52This is Margaret and Lachlan.
14:54Lachlan.
14:55And this is Little Milky.
14:56I bet you didn't...
14:57Oh, no, I didn't notice.
14:58You'll notice this little one next to you.
15:00I saw him.
15:01Do you want a little cuddle?
15:02Yes, go on.
15:03OK.
15:04Say hello to Trevor.
15:07Positive interactions with different voices, appearances and smells helps puppies to become more trusting.
15:13The only surviving puppy out of nine.
15:16Can you believe you?
15:17That's amazing, isn't it?
15:18And it gets them used to being handled by strangers, which is essential for trips to the vet.
15:24Take care.
15:24Come on, gang.
15:27Lovely to see you.
15:29And for us humans, contact with dogs is great for reducing stress and blood pressure.
15:35Hello.
15:35There you go.
15:37Oh, he's loving this love, Brian.
15:39Yeah.
15:39Look, he's getting a little doggy massage as well.
15:41He's like, I never got this with Alison.
15:44Maybe there's a job there for me.
15:46Any time.
15:47You're always welcome.
15:48Any time.
15:50There's just enough time to squeeze in one more visit.
15:54Hello.
15:54Oh, look at these lovely men in their uniforms.
15:58Hello.
15:58Hello.
15:59Did you have a dog in your life?
16:01When my wife died, I had four.
16:03Yeah.
16:04Two labs and two goldens.
16:05And they kept me going for 20 years.
16:08Are you enjoying that little bit of love?
16:10I am.
16:12We all need it, don't we?
16:13We all need that bit of love.
16:15Do you want to have a little hold?
16:17You're doing it.
16:17I'm doing it all okay.
16:21Oh, you love him, don't you?
16:23Yeah.
16:24Hopefully, socialising Milky even more over the next few weeks will help him grow into a calm and confident dog.
16:31But in the meantime, over at Old Windsor, I have a date with an old friend.
16:39Hi, Elsie.
16:40How are you doing?
16:42She smells really good.
16:44Yeah, that'll be because we've taken all those disgusting teeth out and given the ones that are left a really
16:49good clean as well.
16:50She ended up having 11 teeth out in the end.
16:52So now she's only got six left.
16:54No, you're joking.
16:56Yeah.
16:56Six teeth?
16:57Can she still eat?
16:58What's she eating now then?
16:59So, she will.
17:00She's on soft food at the moment.
17:01Oh, my darling.
17:02While she recovers.
17:03But eventually, she'll be sort of fine and healed and ready to eat whatever she wants really.
17:08But Elsie's teeth weren't the only problem.
17:10Her jaw was unstable where the two bits of the jaw meet.
17:14Yeah.
17:14So, probably because her teeth were so bad, it had started to affect the quality of the jaw bone.
17:19Oh, my goodness.
17:20So, we ended up having to stabilise that jaw a little.
17:23Oh, gosh, you've been through a lot, hasn't she?
17:24She has, yeah.
17:25She'll feel much better, I think.
17:27She'll feel happier without those teeth.
17:28Yeah?
17:30Well done.
17:31You've had your teeth out, your jaw done.
17:34It will take six weeks for Elsie's jaw to fully heal.
17:38But she can do that in the comfort of a foster home.
17:41Let's have one last cuddle.
17:43When Elsie's all better, she's going to make one lucky owner very happy.
17:48You're a special one, you are.
17:54I've never known a lady like yourself.
18:02Whilst Elsie recovers in her foster home in Windsor, back at Battersea, Penny is starting to gain in confidence.
18:10You're doing so well, you know that.
18:12But is she finally ready to make new friends?
18:17I'm desperate to spend some time with Penny alone, no-one else there,
18:21so that she can bond with other people, do you know what I mean?
18:24The crew have set up cameras in her kennel so as to not distract Penny,
18:29and handler Ellie is watching next door.
18:31I really hope this works.
18:34Hello, Penny. How you doing?
18:37Let's close that nice and quietly.
18:40I'm just going to sit over here, Penny, hope you don't mind.
18:43Oh, bless her.
18:45You want to come say hello?
18:48No?
18:50Let's try one of her favourite treats.
18:52Let's see what I've got in my pocket.
18:54Cheese.
18:55I won't go too close, but I'll put it there for you.
18:59Oh, good, yeah.
19:00She came straight out.
19:01Yeah?
19:02Oh, that's so nice.
19:04You like the food like me?
19:06Give me a paw.
19:07Come on.
19:09Shake hands.
19:10That's really nice.
19:11That's really nice.
19:12I want to be your friend.
19:13Oh, she looks really settled.
19:15Nice little stroke.
19:18Oh, hello.
19:19You're going to sit by me.
19:21She's just cuddled up next to her.
19:23Oh, my goodness.
19:24This is incredible.
19:26Penny wouldn't even go near me before, but look at us now.
19:30Let me come a bit closer to you.
19:33So, my name's Alison from Birmingham.
19:36I love Birmingham.
19:37Oh, she's really calmed down.
19:38Oh.
19:39She's not taking her ears back anymore.
19:41She's actually enjoying herself.
19:42I'm also a TV presenter, so I present quite a few shows.
19:46You might know this one.
19:47It's called For the Love of Dogs.
19:49That's nice, isn't it?
19:53Can you hear me out there?
19:55Yeah, you look really good.
19:56Oh, my God.
19:57I think we're bonding.
19:58I know.
19:58She's cuddled up to you.
19:59It's really nice.
20:01Look at you.
20:02Oh, my goodness.
20:03Look at you.
20:04Being with her, just that little bit of time with her,
20:07I feel like she wants to make friends.
20:09Oh, yeah, she does.
20:10It was really nice to see her whole body language change
20:12and taking food from you so nicely and having a fuss.
20:15It was really lovely to see.
20:16But the big question is, has she made enough progress
20:19to be rehomed?
20:21I think she's now actually ready to go home.
20:25Stop it.
20:25Oh, that's wonderful.
20:27I'm so proud of her.
20:28Honestly, I feel honoured that she made me a friend.
20:31Yeah, your best friend number two.
20:33Definitely.
20:35This is a huge step for our penny.
20:39But someone who's made a bigger leap is Milky,
20:44who now lives in Surrey with Sarah, Dan,
20:47and his new brother, Winston.
20:49I think Milky's been certainly well.
20:51He's definitely got a home for life here.
20:53Absolutely.
20:53Oh, look at that bee.
20:55One in a million.
20:58Oh, you're tough.
21:00Milky's really so sharp.
21:01He gets to meet lots of new people.
21:03New people, new dogs.
21:04Look how handsome you are.
21:06It was sad that his sibling didn't survive,
21:09but I think it's really nice that he's coming to our family now
21:12and Winston could be his sort of bigger, older brother.
21:15Good boy!
21:16He's completed the little family unit we've got now.
21:18Two dogs, two cats, two humans.
21:20It's definitely a full bed on a Saturday morning.
21:24And now we're some sidekicks to Frenchies.
21:26Yeah.
21:27Just remember to behave yourself, bubs.
21:34So that just leaves Penny.
21:36Wow.
21:37I'm delighted to say she's found some forever friends
21:41in Sue and daughter Georgie in Kent.
21:44I am completely and utterly obsessed with Penny.
21:49There is no other word for it.
21:50You're the best.
21:51Penny's getting on really well.
21:53There's still a bit of progress to make, but we're getting there.
21:56It's all right.
21:57It's just a car.
21:58The biggest thing we've got, patience and understanding.
22:00Check it out, check it out.
22:02Check it out, check it out.
22:05With her character, it's really started to come out
22:08and it's been really lovely to see.
22:10She's very easy to love.
22:12Love's a cuddle.
22:13She's adorable.
22:14She's a good girl.
22:15She's the best.
22:17Couldn't have put it better myself.
22:19Good on you, Penny.
22:26Oh, I want a puppy.
22:28The neighbours need to pair up.
22:30Will it mean new alliances or spell disaster?
22:33The neighbourhood continues tomorrow at nine.
22:36And you'll know the names, but you won't believe the questions.
22:41Five brand new celebs step into the assembly for an interview like no other.
22:45Watch them all on STB Flair.
Comments