About Rosy


This is our Rosy. She is a beautiful, 11 year old, Rescue Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who brings so much joy and love into our lives.

When we got her on March 17 2012, she was just 6 days off being put to sleep. 

We have had dogs in the past, but they have always been large, male, mixed heritage types. It was over 20  years ago since our last dog Max died and since we had kids we haven't had another.

When my old friend Bev Harrison put an urgent 'HELP' message on FaceBook and I read Rosy's (then called 'Senga') story and I knew I wanted her to come and live with us. Bev loves Staffies and has a lot of experience with the breed and has judged them at Crufts and other dog shows all over the world. She had been contacted by someone who worked at the kennels where Rosy was and who was desperate to find Rosy a new home before she was put to sleep.

I must admit I was slightly concerned that because we hadn't had a dog for such a long time there might be problems. Also, Rosy might have behavioural problems. I talked to Martin my husband about my concerns and we decided that it was worth giving her a 'chance', especially as we were her last hope.

Bev collected Rosy from the kennels where she had been abandoned six months earlier and took her to her friend Brian Owen (another big name in the SBT world). Bev rang me after she got back from the kennels with Rosy (an 8 hour round trip) and said she had barked all the way home! Rosy was checked over, she was very underweight, but apart from a few cuts on her face, from throwing herself at her cage she was okay. Brian kept her for a few days to check her out and to give us time to prepare. 

Rosy with Brian
I rang Bev every day. Apart from giving me updates about Rosy, she also reassured me that she and Brian would be 'on hand' for help and support. 
She also explained our adoption of Rosy would be done through Barbara Green at Staffordshire Bull Rescue, Bolton.

I went out and bought books on 'Staffies' and various other books on dog training, etc. We bought her a bed and matching blanket, toys, food & water bowls, food etc. Then I spent the next few days reading as much as I could about about dog care / training and Staffies in particular. 

We collected her a few nights later, it was a 2 hour trip from Nottingham where we live up to Lancashire where Rosy was. As we knocked on the door we heard Rosy for the first time, barking loudly and as the door opened we saw her furiously wagging tail, and we were treated to a warm welcome from her (and Brian), she was in a bit of a sorry state but was very friendly and welcoming. After a cup of tea and a chat about her with Brian, we set off back home with Rosy. 

I sat in the back of the car with Rosy on a lead. I had taken her new blanket, some toys and dog treats with us, within the first 10 minutes she  had chewed a big hole in her blanket, she ignored the toys and ate all her treats, by the time we got home at 11pm, the blanket was in tatters and she had chewed through her lead, and she barked most of the way home! As it was late when we got back we tried to settle her in as much as possible and Martin slept downstairs with her.

The first few days were slightly strange for all of us. It was a huge learning curve for all of us!

We realised she did not  know how to play, so we had to teach her. We bought her a chain lead as whenever she was stressed she chewed through anything she could get her paws (and teeth) on. For the first couple of weeks she became concerned if I wasn't there, I think it was because of her very 'unsettled' year and experiences, she thought I might just disappear!  

We registered her with our local vet and booked her in to be spayed. We had only had her a couple of weeks and when we went to collect her she was so wobbly on her feet, but as soon as she heard my voice she wagged her tail furiously. She looked so vulnerable... and it was during this time and her recovery, that I realised I had fallen madly in love with her! Nobody would ever hurt my beautiful Rosy again!

After her op.

I could never have anticipated how much joy and happiness this lovely girl could bring to our family. She is cute, funny and loving.

She loves  to sit on the arm of the sofa waiting for my son and then her 'dad' to come home from work and she knows exactly what time they are due to arrive. They are both treated to a very vocal, tail wagging, face licking greeting.

My husband is a bus driver and has to get up very early and consequently goes to bed about 10pm every night. While he is in the bathroom Rosy nips into the bedroom and by the time he gets there Rosy is settled and 'sleeping' on my side of the bed. They have a 'cuddle' then I collect her and she happily goes back to her place on the sofa downstairs.

She loves weekends,  when her family are all together. We have lots of excited vibrating jaw, chattering teeth and she walks about with her 'cocky swagger'.

I can't thank Bev enough for bringing Rosy into our lives, or Brian for caring for her while we prepared ourselves and Barbara Green who has given us enormous support and is a wonderful lady who has dedicated her life to rescuing this wonderful breed. Her 'Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue, Handbook' has been close at hand and invaluable, since the day we got Rosy. It's witty and informative and written with love....








I can't read this without getting a lump in my throat!



Barbara Green and people like her are truly remarkable. 

They work tirelessly to save animals from the most awful situations. They see things and hear things that no one should have to deal with... that most of us don't deal with or couldn't deal with. 

We would all like to believe that if we saw such hurt and pain, we would be straight in there, but the sad truth is ... we wouldn't.

But we can ALL help by supporting these amazing people:-
  • Raising / Gifting money
  • Making 'Stuff' - Dog Toys, Beds and Bedding
  • Volunteering yours Skills - Accountancy,  Computer, Artistic, Crafty, etc.
  • Spreading The Word
  • Helping in anyway possible - Ask the organizer what you can do to help.





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