Foster home needed

Hopefully the family will keep in touch with your mum and let her [and us!]know how Jet is getting on? Do they realise they're taking on a famous dog? And, good on your mum for putting Jet's happiness first .

Much relief! Mum has told the Cinnamon Trust she's happy (well, as happy as she can be) for Jet to go and live with the nice family in Derbyshire.

Thank you all for your support. I feel so much better and I think she does too now the decision has been made.

Cheers

Thanks Gma. I think everyone around knows about her now. I've even got her on the Norfolk Police notice board. The trouble is there's so many homeless dogs out there.

Good morning NfkDumpling. I passed on the info about Jet to a friend of mine, whose son has always had Staffies, to see if he has any friends who could help with rehousing Jet.

If your mum is that fond of her dog she is going to find it hard at first being without it.

Mum is thinking about it. She doesn't really have much alternative, hopefully it's just her trying to have a little bit of control of her life. Jet has been the centre of her life - and her other dogs before that. I long ago realised that dad and I came lower in the pecking order! I'll be so much happier when Jet is away and settled.

Great news that you've got a home for Jet, at least it's one less worry! Good luck with your mother, I hope she settles in well.

It's going to be so very hard on your Mum, I hope that it all works out well for everyone and that you find a suitable home for Jet

The Cinnamon Trust are wonderful; my cousin has had several elderly dogs from them that she has given a good home to in their latter years. They are an organisation well worth supporting, unlike some other animal charities.

I hope your mum is on a 'good' day and doesn't throw a 'tan-trum' and is able to understand how hard it is to get a good home for Jet. Good luck and well done.

Thanks. We're not there yet. Mum will probably throw a tantrum, want to go home and demand her dog back!

I am so glad for you and wish her, your mother and you well!

Just had a message from the Cinnamon Trust. They've found a home for Jet which sounds perfect - in Derbyshire! Rather a long way from Norfolk. I just have to tell my mother. Wish me luck!

A lovely couple came to see Jet today with a view to homing her. We knew they had children but not that the youngest was only three. The child was very good but Jet indicated she was not happy being in proximity to such a small human by hiding behind the television!

We now know for sure she needs a child free home!

I wouldn't leave my grandchildren alone with my dog even though whippets are the gentlest dogs you could find. But nearly every photo of my children when they were growing up has at least one of the family dogs or cats in the photo. I've been wondering recently if I would have a change in attitiude now if I was a young mother again. One of my dogs went blind at an early age and could potentially have been likely to snap at people [although she never did]. Perhaps I just knew my dogs well enough, and they were spaniels and therefore had 'soft' mouths.

I used to know a very frail old lady who had a very old staffie. One day she had a new postman who was scared of dogs so she introduced him to her old girl and they made friends. A few days later he was delivering to one of her neighbours and the neighbour's dog attacked him. The old staffie went dashing out and drove the dog off and the young postman couldn't believe it, he thought she was wonderful!
That said I would be wary of putting a strange dog of any breed with children and certainly wouldn't leave small children alone with any dog.

Well, she's fine out but I wasn't sure how she'd be with another dog on home ground. My friend who's been looking after her also looks after other dogs and when I went over to see them today, two dogs came bounding out falling over each other. Another dog has come to stay for the weekend. A beautiful, big 18 month labradoodle. After initial grumbles to establish seniorority they're very comfortable together. I hope she can find a home in Norfolk where mum can see her occasionally.

How is she with other dogs?

I think the Staffie has had most of it's bull baiting characteristics bred out now, but the big jaw muscles remain. If Jet were to turn it would be through nervousness rather than viciousness but that is less predictable. Put together with unpredictable toddlers would be a worrying mix. However, this would apply equally to many breeds. Jack Russells, I believe, have the worst reputation for biting - but with little jaws the damage tends to be less.

Jet has been a faithful friend to my mother and had a rather dull time of it. She deserves a bit of life in her old age.

Bad owners equals bad dogs unfortunatly,so sad when they get such a bad reputation but i am sure one of the charities will find a long term home for her,very best of luck.

You are absolutely right, Nelliemoser so no flak from me!

When I was a child, my best friend and her brother had a Staffie. He was adorable and great fun and I begged my parents to let me have one. Very sensibly they bought me a labrador instead. I know some of the bad press is unjustified but you can't take risks where children are involved.

My friends staffie killed a sheep.

Unfortunately "Staffies" are really Staffordshire Bull Terriers Bred originally to terrorise bulls! The second part of the breed name should give some clues about their possible behaviour.
They are now quite popular with certain agressive looking hoodie types as a status symbol and as part of their "Hard Man" image.

I quite frankly I would not trust one anywhere near a young child. If they do "go bad" or get overexcited then their aggressive instincts kick in and they can do a lot of damage and do not easily stop.

I am quite sure there are some silly softie staffies out there who would not hurt a fly but I would never want to risk it.

I am waiting for the flak now! hard hat in place!

Try Googling "staffie rescue", there is one main site and several local area ones too

www.staffierescue.co.uk/?page_id=10

Don't feel guilty. Staffies are lovely dogs in the right home with the right people but they are very powerful dogs and you do have children around, and their safety is your number one priority. It's unfortunate that so many of the wrong people now own them and they've got a bad reputation. I used to know a staffie called Doreen who was the sweetest dog ever [also the happiest; she just exuded happiness but when she ran at you to give you a lick she'd send you flying].