Speaking of their 12 month old little dog, this new family says: 'He is a lovely little chap, absolutely everything anyone could wish for in a Border Terrier'

From a new owner who recently took in a BT: 'He is wonderful.  My old dog died recently and he is helping me through the grieving process.  He's running around and has settled in so well'

A lady who took on a BT the week before Christmas has told us that he was very subdued after he was dropped off at his new home, taken a walk with her own BT and settling in.  He went straight to bed and stayed there.  He refused to move that evening and had to be dragged into the garden last thing at night.  The next day he was happier and has been getting more confident ever since.  He is very friendly with the lady's BT and he is now able to go off the lead on walks as he is very obedient and comes to recall very well.  He is also very good with the six-year old boy of the house and is getting used to the horses at the yard.  She said he is a grand little chap and the whole family are pleased with him.

The lady who took on the three-legged bitch we advertised on our 'looking for a new home' page had this to say about her new friend: 'She is a great little friend and is everything I wished for and more.  She settled in extremely quickly and is perfectly at home'.

The Christmas Dog 2008:

Every year we have a dog that becomes in need of a good home as Christmas approaches and everyone is at their busiest.  So far each year we have been lucky and once again this year has produced a happy story.  This 12-year old bitch had lost her owner earlier in the year.  His widow had tried to cope with her but decided in November that she could no longer manage.  A 12-year old is not easy to re-home but after about three weeks we took her in for assessment.  She was a little thin and a bit confused but otherwise friendly and accommodating.  During the first half of December a kind man offered her a home and tried to make this a success.  After a fortnight during which he seemed to lead a very nomadic life and she became more confused and as a result he felt that they were not going to bond with success.  Once again she came into the care of Welfare and was taken around with her foster carer and shown to people within the dog club of the area and even the agility club.  She behaved impeccably to all and never put a paw wrong.  As a result a member of the dogb club with two border terriers already offered to take her provided her own dogs accepted her.  She moved in on December 12th and now enjoys walks in the countryside where she is knowledgeable of fox so they have to be careful.  It is thought safer to exercise her on the beach as the wildlife is less frequent.  The new owners are seeking to improve her condition and ensure that she enjoys her old age which may be anything from six months to four or more years.  She behaves well with the border terriers already in residence though the younger bitches sometimes forget their manners.  I hope she realizes how lucky she is and also how grateful Border Terrier Welfare is that such kind persons are around to make her so happy.

Diana O'Grady

1. Fighting with other dogs in the home;
2. Work commitments;
3. Marriage break-up;
4. Owner dies;
5. New baby in the home;
6. Owner moving abroad

Taking on a Border Terrier is a big responsibility.  A small breed in size but large in what it requires (see our Secretary's word of caution on the 'contact' page)

As for the current reasons for re-homing BTs, a note from our Secretary:

"This year, as in the past two years, BTW has been extremely busy re-homing Borders in the run-up to Christmas.  Most people think that the busiest time for 'rescue' homes is after Christmas, which may be the case where puppies are concerned, but certainly it is noticeable that the end of November and all through December are fairly hectic for us.  The reasons for this are not related to Christmas as four dogs I have had dealings with in the past couple of weeks have needed rehoming due to (i) divorce, (ii) owner had terminal cancer, and (iii) owner had to go into Housing Association property and is not allowed to take pets.  The first dog is in his new home and is doing very well.  The other two have new homes lined up and will be moving to them soon after Christmas"