I Don't Spend My Saturdays Like Most Teens

Hi, I'm Harri. I'm 16 years old and on Saturdays I volunteer dog-walking at the Animal Helpline Dog Rescue in Wansford, Cambridgeshire. I wanted a place to keep track of my days helping out and of the lovely dogs that live at the rescue. You'll be updated with weekly "diary" style entries of events relating to the rescue, fact files on the dogs, and much more :)

[brutalgeneration]

By bengore snapper

[hopeonfourpaws]

First walk in a looooong time!

A lot of newbies in, so we took two out. Two gorgeous Staffies, a beefy, broad-headed brindle boy called Mulberry and a stunning little girl called Thistles. Both were brilliant walkers but were covered in muck from their kennel so we couldn't cuddle them :( Thistles was so obedient and affectionate XD

We then took out the two dogs nextdoor to the Staffie kennel, what I think was a red + white collie cross boy, Subway, and his hyperactive black and white JRT x Staffie friend. Subway was really friendly, a little strong on the lead but friendly and responsive. The girl, I think, hadn't been in a home before as she was constantly circling and pulling on the lead and didn't respond to any commands. We had to stop a few times so that she could cool off and catch her breath, bless her :c

Finally with a bit of time left to spare, we took out the always-magnificent Alaska, the elderly Huskamute. He's always a pleasure to be around and just a big fluffy teddybear really. I really hope he gets home soon.

Our beloved first foster dog Beauty has been returned to the kennels due to dog aggression. It's really sad :( She recognised me and greeted me but when her kennelmate approached she lunged at him and he cowered at the back of the kennel :( I hope she gets over it soon, Dad's going to walk her next time we go :)

[brutalgeneration]

[observando]

[manicgay]

[righthrough-deactivated20160913]

Pitbulls aren’t evil, the bastards who put them against each other are.

[hunny--dip-deactivated20200312]

Thank you so much.

[hopeonfourpaws]

Ferry, my foster dog!

[hopeonfourpaws]

Shoulders are killing me!

Went to the kennels on Sunday for an eagerly-awaited walk. Took out two recently acquired dogs, a GSD/Border Collie cross I christened Jakey and Barney the beagle. They're currently not on the website. Jakey was nervous at first but soon calmed down and walked obediently at my side. He's a lovely youngster and I'm sure he'll get snapped up quickly :)

Barney was a typical beagle, responding mainly to his nose and determined to follow a scent at the cost of anything else XD This was endearing up to the point we socialised the two of them with some passing dogs and the sneaky hound slipped his collar! Luckily he responded to excitable calling so he came back at which point I grabbed his scruff and put his lead back on!

The next walk was quite the workout XD We took two Pointer x Staffie puppies and their kennelmate, a big brindle Staff mix. All 3 pulled like steam trains and I took to carrying the pups a few times on the walk as they were hurting their necks from pulling so much :(

The last walk was by far the most relaxed. After a long time of wanting to do so we took out the beautiful Alaska, an older red and white Huskamute with stunning ice-blue eyes. He was a gentle giant and walked calmly by my side throughout the walk. It's such a shame he hasn't been adopted yet as he's one of the most laid-back, easygoing dogs I've met at the kennels and really deserving of a good home.

Til next time!

[ohpuppies]

[hopeonfourpaws]

Sunday's walk.

Dad wasn't feeling great so he just dropped me at the kennels to walk. There were a lot of near dogs in so I asked what was good to take and was handed a handsome young Akita boy, Bear/Kai. I thought he'd be a puller but he was responsive, calm and good-natured. A pleasure to take out :)

Next I took out Magpie, a chunky brindle and white Lurcher. He was a puller at first but soon calmed down and walked to heel. He was responsive and extremely affectionate, headbutting my eye in an attempt to 'kiss' me XD 

For the last walk I was delighted to take out my two favourite troublemakers at the kennels, the Staffie brothers Marvin and Maximus. These two brindle bundles of mischief are full of cuddles and love and can't stay still for a second XD I really hope they get adopted soon, or I may have to steal one of them, they're truly too cute for sense XD

[hopeonfourpaws]

Went for a dog walk on Sunday with my Dad.

Took out a lovely Staffie boy Buddy and a brindle Staffie cross called Blossom. They got on well and both pulled like steam trains. I wouldn't have expected any less :P

Next we had the pleasure of walking one third of the new staffie litter that's in. We walked a brindle male pup that we nicknamed Snoopy and he was an absolute pleasure to walk, an adorable character who couldn't stop wagging his tail :) I wanted to take him home xD

Then me and some other volunteers took out 3 more dogs- Mary, a lovely Lab mix, Tess, an elderly Jack Russell bitch, and a lovely male Chihuahua. 

A great walk which made up for all the time we'd missed :)

[lemmepetyourdog-deactivated2016]

Last night, my university gave an honorary master’s degree to the service dog who sat through every one of his owner’s classes. He dressed appropriately for the ceremony.

[hopeonfourpaws]

Looking after my cousins' dog :3

[gozerthedestroyer]

[hopeonfourpaws]

COME ON AUSSIE!!

[hopeonfourpaws]

Watching the working group being judged.

I can never choose what I want to win with this group, I love them.

[hopeonfourpaws]

Missed the first two days of Crufts, watching the livestream now. In a dog mood.

[hopeonfourpaws]

Went walking on Sunday.

My feet are killing me as of Monday and today, due to not walking in wellies for a while and getting horrific gaping blisters of the backs on my heels. Ouch. Other than that it was great to be back at the kennels :)

There were a lot of new furry faces at the shelter this week. Me and Dad took out 3 new pairs of dogs. 

Firstly we walked the beautiful white husky Blizzard and his kennelmate, the Shar Pei x Labrador bitch Sooty. Blizzard is a big chunky boy, quite large for his breed, with a surprisingly calm temperament. He was very focussed on his walk but he was responsive and generally a friendly, chilled out lad that had obviously bonded well with Sooty.

Sooty is a very striking looking girl, painfully underweight but so responsive and intelligent with these beautiful big brown eyes that tell so many stories. She seems so sweet and eager to please, you can tell she'd make a great companion for the right owner.

We next walked a pair of very different looking Husky-GSD crosses, Bianca/Snowy and Monty/Rocket. Bianca is a stunning, alert bitch, snow white with beautiful feathering of the coat. Monty is a handsome black and tan boy with a fantastic temperament and a tail that never stops wagging.

Bianca is a bright, lively girl with an obvious zest for life and a love for her walks. Monty was a joy to walk, one of those dogs who you can't help but feel happy around. He's an elderly boy, probably between 6 and 9, slightly blind in both eyes and lacking in stamina. He made up for this in personality, however- narrating our walk with a few soft whimpers XD

Finally, with just enough time for a short walk, we took out two crazy-excited Staffies, Sinbad and Slate/Angel. Sinbad was quite poorly so was very slobbery, not nice all over my leggings and favourite hoodie! Nevertheless he was affectionate and enthusastic and ran with me and Slate with typical bully-breed vigour.

Slate was such a sweetie too, tiny for a Staff and with such a beautiful temperament, I got loads of cuddles and kisses especially when I picked her up in my arms XD 

Oh, and in other good news, my beloved foster dog Billy was recently rehomed. Hopefully it works out for the best!

Til next time,

Harri