The endless rescue work of Angie McCready, on the Costa Blanca

Angie said ..both Missy and Dino are HAPPY. 

Missy just gets happier and happier, and gaining confidence all the time. 

Dino wouldn't entertain any of the dogs while he was miserable....he plays with them all again now his allergies are under control, which is wonderful to see.

Angie's 13 adopted fur babies... 

Below: Sara.. Angie rescued Sara on the Friday & she gave birth to SEVEN puppies on the Monday!

Below: Billy was found as a new born pup in a plastic bag along with his siblings. The bag had chlorine in it & they were dumped in a bin. He is the only survivor of of the 5 pups.

Below: Dolly was left at the dog shelter door in a taped up plastic bag. She was a matted black mess full of ticks, fleas & had very sore eyes.

Below: Charlie was chained to a metal drum out of sight from everyone. He had hardly any fur, was covered in sores, there were maggots feeding off his ears & he was on the brink of death from starvation.

.

Below: Lucy was found at a busy service station, just skin & bone & she still had her puppy teeth.

Below: Megan was born in the campo & rescued from gypsies.

Below: Lady was rescued with a broken leg. It was operated on & she copes really well. She has Leishmania.

Below: Dino was found chained up on a 3ft chain, barely 4 months old & destined to spend his life there.

Below: Mona was rescued from a shelter. She was 12 years old and in a terrible mess with sarcoptic mange. 

Below: Ickle Pickle was found at 3 weeks old abandoned in a pine forest. He was put up for adoption whilst being fostered by Angie but nobody wanted him so she kept him. He's a kleptomaniac..steals everything!!! 

Below: Luca was rescued from the streets in Murcia. 

Below: Poppet came to Angie to be fostered..it didnt happen lol x

Below: Missy... Angie rescued her and her pups, but she is traumatized from obvious severe abuse in her past so she will stay with Angie. 

 28th May

From Angie..... "Just back from St Vicente vets hospital in Alicante with Dino. They are very pleased with his skin as we all are. We have decided to stop the course of vaccines, but to continue for 2 months with the ATOPICA pills alongside another pill. Reason being..the dosage of ATOPICA for a dog his size should be 150mg. He has been on 100mg. The top up pills they have prescibed are cheaper than the ATOPICA, and in 2 months time we are going to try the generic drug Cyclosporine. It's less than half the price, but the vet has suggested we try it..maybe one day ATOPICA, the next with the generic drug.

It's a huge relief that after nearly 3 years of trying to find something that works for Dino, we finally got there in the end. He is so happy now, plays with the other dogs, is gaining weight (he had lost a kilo since December) and just generally back to his old self. Thank you to those people that have helped me with Dinos treatments. XXXXXXXXXXXXX"

26th May

From Angie.....

"What can I say? After just 11 days of taking the miracle drug Atopica, Dino's skin is almost clear!! It got much much worse than the pic on the left, in fact it covered his whole body and legs, leaving just his head clear of the sore itchy redness. We are taking him back on Wednesday to St Vicente in Alicante for a review. 

Dino is obviously feeling so much better in himself..wanting lots of fuss and now playing with the other dogs again.. instead of constantly scratching, biting, chewing, licking and having to wear the big collar and T shirts to protect him from self harming. He is now also taking Turmeric paste with olive oil and black pepper in his food, so I'm hoping this will help him as well. It's only taken us 3 years of pain, suffering anguish, and I dont even want to think what we have spent, but we got there in the end, and he is SO worth it. Love my Dino."

Winston is one of Missy's puppies now living in Holland. 

From Angie ...

"I cant do this anymore. We have had another episode of Missy literally shitting herself with fear. I suggested that Phil, my husband, took her dinner up to the pen where she eats. When she had finished he walked towards the pen to let her out. She started to bark at him as she does, so he stood at the door of the pen and was going to wait until she stopped before letting her out. She went into panic mode massive time and as she ran back and forth the poop was flying out of her bum.

I have given it a lot of thought and decided that I cant put her through this huge trauma anymore. I've stopped lead training and I'm just letting her be Missy. She is definitely improving, but I feel that putting her through all this stress isn't helping her at all.

Missy isnt just a scared dog. She is traumatized and scarred, (probably for life) with her past.
When she isnt being made to do things that scare her, she's a happy dog, she runs for the ball, she plays with the other dogs, she allows me to fuss and pet her...

Nobody knows her like I do, and I'm not saying that out of any malice please believe me. Maybe one day, and that one day is most probably a very long way off, she will be different, feel more secure, and be more trusting, but for now anyway, I'm just going to let her be herself until that time comes.

I realize that Missy might never be ready for re homing, and if thats the case..sobeit..she will stay with us.

I dont feel like I have failed her, just really sad that she has had such a bad past, that I dont feel i can make it better for her. They say time is a great healer, so I can only hope that in her case, eventually, she will come good.

If there are anymore steps forward, or happy times with Missy, I will definitely post them if people are still interested in following Missy's Journey. XX "

Today we heard that Skyler, Winston & Cain, who are some of Missy's pups, have arrived in Holland & were met by their new owners.

Here are the photos.

This is the link to "Missy's Journey" on Facebook.

Has anybody got any of these tablets left over from treating your own dog that you can send to Angie for Dino as they are costing her a fortune & she really doesn't need the worry of finding such an amount, along with everything else he needs!

A months supply is 135€!!!

Contact her on angie_mccready@hotmail.com

From Angie "Despite the fact that Dino's treatment is practically financially crippling us, I have to say that thanks to these little beauties his skin is the best it's been in nearly 3 years!! He has just 1 pill every morning and in 9 days of taking them, his skin is almost clear. We are so relieved as its been agonizingly heartbreaking watching him suffer for so long, and he is back to being my gorgeous Dino. He's playful again and just happy in himself. If anybody happens to have any of these pills that are unused and would like to help us out by donating them, we would be eternally grateful."

Angie has had massive problems with Dino's sensitivity over three years. He's been to vets & hospitals to try to help him. He has been having daily baths, that was why Angie shaved the areas needing attention.

if you can't help in this way are you willing to donate the price of a coffee to help Dino? As long as Dino receives his treatment any help is much appreciated. Paypal angie_mccready@hotmail.com

Here are a few photos. Dino was four months old when found. He had been tethered by a 3ft chain & destined to spend his whole life there...till Angie saw him.  She's had him four years.

Below: Until very recently..... poor Dino, he must have been in agony yet always gentle.

From Angie..

"I'm not sure i even remember what living a "normal" life is anymore. Come to think of it, i dont think my life has ever been "normal" for want of a better word. Bringing up 6 kids, 9 dogs a parrot and a lodger, with a husband that worked away and only came home at week ends in a 4 bedroom semi, and holding a job down could never be seen as "normal" could it?

Some days i look back and reflect on how things used to be, then i look around me, and realize it hasnt changed much. The dogs seem to have replaced the kids, but the work, stress, worry, and lack of dosh is all pretty much the same as it was back then.

Would i change it? Nah, it wouldn't be normal if it were any other way..well not for me.
Another night of broken sleep again last night. "Normal" in this house lol.

Pickle now has to be crated at night as the little shit has started "marking". Ive tried leaving him outside with the bigger dogs, but the crafty sod has worked out which is my bedroom window, and insists on standing outside it yapping until i give in and let the bugger in. So at 2,30, he's whining for a pee, and because he has started, the other 5 dogs get all excited cos they know i'm going to get up and let them out!

Reluctantly i get out my nice warm cozy bed. Off they trot. I put the kettle on cos its never a 2 minute job. Standing at the doorway drinking my tea, i see Pickle sniffing at what looked like a pile of shite. With a mouthful of tea i shout NO..he backs off, Ive just scalded my tits with the hot tea, and because ive shouted NO, all the other dogs come to investigate.

They are all now sniffing the object. Its a dead baby rabbit. Obviously Percy the cat brought it home. It's now nearly 3am and im groping around in the dark looking for a dustpan and brush to scoop it up. Job done, now all the dogs wont come in because they are all busy sniffing where it had laid.

Eventually i get back to bed and i'm just drifting off, when the wind picks up. Doors banging, things outside clattering, dogs barking, Missy throwing a hissy fit round the bedroom, Sara (who is scared of anything that bangs) trying to climb over the stair gate at my bedroom door..eyes like saucers!!

Although Phil is as deaf as a post, the commotion wakes him up. He's now stropping down the hall, effing and blinding cos his sleep has been disturbed. I lay there thinking What the actual fuck?

At 7am i'm up..made the tea, had a fag, when Libby walks in with a load of white fluffy stuff in her mouth! OMG, I went outside to investigate. She has ripped open a stuffed toy. The garden looks like we have had a down pour of snow, and i as i start picking it up....the wind starts blowing a hoolie! 
Took me forever to collect it all up. Phils just got up..and asked me if i heard the wind last night!!!!.....whatever Trevor! lol" 

20th May
From Angie ..

"After taking me nearly half an hour to actually get a lead on her, this is the result. This is real fear ...if only she could talk...she pooped herself twice, but I think was a little bit better than the last two attempts. I'm really not too sure if I am doing the right thing by putting her through this. It's horrible to see her so very scared, but I'm really hoping she will succumb, and realize, nothing is going to hurt her."

14th May

Missy's 1st lesson 

From Angie .."Missy understands the command "come" but outside .. where she can flee .. she totally ignores me. I decided to confine her to the kitchen..something she is really not comfortable with. Chips were the order of the day, and as you can see, she did really well. Now I have to see if she obeys the command outside. Hmmmm!"

Later on same day, 14th May

I think we've cracked it! 

From Angie .. "She came first time! So, after nearly 4 months of letting her do pretty much what she likes, things now have to change slightly. She now has to learn to obey commands. It will.. I'm sure ..help her to calm down and allay her fears and insecurities. Food has always played a big part of Missy's learning to trust, and obviously its the way to go with her. Now the puppies have gone, I can spend more time with her."

18th May

From Angie ..  "Apart from the day she arrived when I had to put a lead on her to get her out of the car, this is the first time I've managed to get Missy on a lead. You can see what we are up against. I feel that, until I have some kind of control over her, I'm not gaining much ground. She obviously wasnt happy about the lead but I'm going to keep persevering with it .. maybe next time without the other dogs around as they were barking so much at her freaking out."

18th May... later today 
2nd attempt: From Angie .. "A bit better this time..still very reluctant, but I'm more determined than she is."

Missy's Journey Facebook link is here.

Angie's Facebook link is here.

To buy Angie's Kindle book from Amazon.es 1.23€ click here 
 

To buy Angie's Kindle book from Amazon UK £1.02 click here
 

 To buy Angie's Kindle book from Amazon.com (USA) $1.70 click here
 

 To buy Angie's Kindle book in Spanish from Amazon.com click here
 

All proceeds from the sale of Angie's book are for ACTIN-SPAIN, this is Actin's Facebook page. 

From Angie:
"I know you might think this isn't much but to us it's huge. Missy is terrified of the lead. As soon as I get a lead out she flies into a panic and runs off. So for the past few days I have been walking round with a lead attached to my waist. 

Yesterday I turned the lead into a play thing with Libby and Poppet. Missy watched from a distance, and didn't want to interact. This afternoon I sat next to her, very slowly unclipped the lead from my waist and laid it at the side of me. She saw it but didn't volunteer to run off. After a few minutes I moved it to where you see it on this picture. It didn't bother her and she lay for a good 20 minutes like this. 

She is definitely learning from the other dogs better than from me. We will persevere and hopefully soon you will be seeing her on a lead ready for a walk!! x"

Missy's Journey Facebook link is here.

Angie's Facebook link is here.

Angie's Amazon Wish List link is here.

To buy Angie's Kindle book from Amazon.es 1.23€ click here 

To buy Angie's Kindle book from Amazon UK £1.02 click here

To buy Angie's Kindle book from Amazon.com (USA) $1.70 click here

To buy Angie's Kindle book in Spanish from Amazon.com click here

All proceeds from the sale of Angie's book are for ACTIN-SPAIN, this is Actin's Facebook page. 

ACTIN do AMAZING work, please support them.

LIBBY, gentle, soft natured, lovable, and very obedient. Libby is just a dream. She has been with Angie since she was about 3 weeks old, she's now 9 months. Libby has been spayed. 

Although Libby has tested positive for Leish, it's barely borderline, but she will need 2 pills a day so she can live a healthy normal long life. Libby is very special, and will make somebody a wonderful companion. Libby is microchipped & has her passport.

Here are some of Libby's photos. As a tiny pup she was found under cardboard, left to die with her brother, Luke, who has a new home to go to.  Libby needs HERS! 

Contact Angie Mccready angie_mccready@hotmail.com

 or Linda Soler lindatooley@btinternet.com

Bye Bye Cain, Skyler & Winston

From Angie .."Missy's last 3 pups, Cain, Skyler & Winston, leave next Wednesday for Valencia, where they will stay until they can travel to Holland. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who followed their progress on "Missy's Journey"  and to all those who donated and made this happen. THANK YOU. 

Also a huge thank you to Silvia Bordetas Gil, who helped me with this transaction. I am forever grateful to all of you. The house will be somewhat quiet after Wednesday, but I still have Luke (Luka) until June 10th when he leaves for his furever home. 

Libby, (Luka's sister) is still waiting patiently for somebody to give her the home she so longs for, and I still have Missy, who I'm hoping will be homeable when I have finished working with her".

Bye bye Lola

"What a beauty she has turned out to be. Tomorrow Lola leaves for her furever home with Pat Waterhouse in Malaga. Against all the odds, Lola survived pneumonia at just 6 days old. It was heartbreaking hearing her scream in agony for 4 days but with her strong will to live and the right treatment from the vet she pulled through. There's been many tears, and sleepless nights, but boy look at her now. Have the most wonderful life Lola. I'm going to miss you lots. xxx"

Bye bye Ringo 

"More tears tomorrow as I say goodbye to Ringo. He has been a pure joy to have here as one of the foster dogs. Never any trouble, and loves to be kissed and cuddled. Douglas Casaretto, you will adore him. Please give him a kiss from me when he arrives. Enjoy your new life Ringo. I will miss you very much. xxxx"

PLEASE HELP!! 

Angie's plea to get funds for the puppies chips and passports was a success, thank you. The total needed was achieved & there was 20€ over. Facebook donators agreed that it should be used towards milk for Lola. 

NOW Missy's pups Cain, Winston and Skyler have the opportunity to go to Holland & Angie needs to raise more funds to firstly get them to Valencia.

They will travel to Holland in 3 weeks time, but the transport for Valencia is next Monday.

If we miss this transport they may have to wait another month!!! 

PLEASE PLEASE.. can anybody donate a few euros to get these pups to their first stop?

They are too big now to keep in the puppy pen for another month.

Angie's paypal is angie_mccready@hotmail.com

Wonderful news! Lola has been reserved .. home check pending .. to go to live in Malaga.

Here she is playing with other dogs at Angie's.

Below: Charlie & Lola on 1st May

Below: Lola playing with Poppet on 4th May

Below: Libby playing with Lola on 4th May

Charlie & Lola on 1st May

Below: Lola is a month old today.

To discuss adopting Lola please contact

 angie_mccready@hotmail.com