Van's Rescue Story

This beautiful poem was written by Paul of Telesto Cane Corso who initially fostered Van and now the very lucky Van lives a wonderful life with Ali and Paul at Telesto.
 

A Dog’s Life – Van’s story

My early life's a sorry tale
That’s known only to me
Cramped without the room to grow
And beaten needlessly

I must have disappointed them
Or didn't turn out right
Wrong colour, wrong teeth, wrong legs, wrong feet
Wrong temperament, wrong bite

So they took me to a quarry
But not to set me free
They put a chain around my neck
And tied me to a tree

I'm left where there’s no chance that there’d be people passing by
I am left to suffer cold and rain
I'm left to starve and die

For weeks alone, all day, all night
I barked and then I cried
I’m scared for I cannot escape
The chain that has me tied

My fight for life was really done
I’d grown so weak and thin
I’m pounded by the wind and rain
I’m nearly giving in

But someone must have heard me bark
Fate smiled on me that day
Two policeman came and cut me loose
And carried me away

They took me to a rescue home
Where there’s dogs with similar cases
They’re caged alone, just skin and bone
And sadness on their faces

It’s scary but at least I had some food and drink again
I’m warm but best of all for me
There isn’t any rain

We’d hope each day someone would come
And that we’d catch their eye
But generally if you’re not cute
The people pass on by

But I’m recognized as a Cane Corso
And a call is made to say
Would they come and take a look
Or could I have a place to stay

So Ali came and looked at me
My wretched sorry sight
She left, my spirit sank again
Perhaps I wasn’t right

Another week, I’m scared once more
They’ve put me in a van
I hope they will not take me to another cruel man

And then they stopped and got me out
This time on a lead not a rope
And Ali’s there, has she took me in?
I didn’t dare to hope.

At first they put me in a kennel
I’m terrified with fright
But Paul could see how scared I was
And sat with me all night

I snuggled up, he cuddled back
He knew I’d had it rough
“Your safe here now, you are staying with us,
I think you’ve had enough”

And so I stayed and made new friends of sheep and cow and horse
And all the other dogs that’s here
And people most of course

Sometimes I think what I’ve been through and all the hurt and pain
I never like to be alone
And I still don’t like the rain

I’m a successful tale of rescue
But there’s other just like me
With help and care from friends like you
Less rescues there will be

So there you go
My name is Van
I’ve told my life in verse
I’m fat and fit and when it comes to it
A dog’s life!
…………………....Could be worse

Digger's Rescue Story

Our Corso journey started early last year when we were researching different breeds after wanting a dog for ages, having both grown up with them at home. The more we read about Corsos the more we loved them. At the time we were living in a rented apartment so we were holding out till we bought a suitable house.

We began making enquires with breeders ( Jo, Ali and Marianna ) and were prepared to wait for a pup. One day there was a potential Rescue Corso mentioned in the dogs for sale section of the FOCC, We made enquires into the dog as we began to think that it would be better to help a dog in need and we drove two hours to go and see her. Unfortunately, things did not feel right and we felt we were being mislead by the vendors and as we probed more, things got more and more vague. We made several calls to Jo and Marc for advice. They were so helpful and did not try to sway us either way, they simply said, “Ask yourself, is this the right dog for you?” The answer in the end was no but we felt so bad for her.
Some time passed and I received a call from Jo one Sunday afternoon, she alerted me to a serious rescue case in Scotland that was the subject of court proceedings.
“ Would we be interested? “
“ Yes!“
Details were sketchy at that time due to the circumstances and I contacted Fraser who was co-ordinating things in Scotland.

He told me the story of Digger!

He was a big gorgeous boy who had been locked in a shipping container for months and starved. He was painfully thin and had kennel sores over his body and paws. He was in the custody of the dog warden while the court case was proceeding.
The man he was seized from had over 30 dogs living in squalor with a dead dog found and they were starving in filthy rat-infested conditions.
Our excitement grew as things progressed but there was no guarantee that we would get him but we knew that whatever happened we wanted to help Digger and look after him and give him the chance that he so deserved.
Trying not to get our hopes up was an absolute nightmare! I was at work one day weeks later when I got a call from Fraser to tell me the police had won the case! The man had 14 days to appeal though and those two weeks seemed a lifetime.
During this time we made initial preparations to go to Scotland and rescue him, Digger had put no weight on in the months he was at the rescue centre and the vet said he was unlikely to do so until he was in a loving home as he was suffering from kennel anxiety and would pace his tiny home night after night.

The 14 finally days ended and the evil scum had not appealed. It was all systems go!

We still had not moved into our new house but were due to do so a week or so later but we could not let Digger stay in the kennels any longer than he had to. Fraser made the arrangements and we went up to Scotland the following weekend. We drove for about 4 hours and stayed overnight and planned to meet Fraser the following morning and he would take us to meet Digger.

The next morning we could not eat our breakfast with the nerves and excitement!

We met Fraser who was a really nice guy who made us feel very welcome and he told us what would happen that morning.
We followed Fraser to the centre where we tried to prepare ourselves for meeting Digger.
He was brought out and it was heartbreaking to see how thin he was. Digger was slowly introduced to us and we took him on a short walk with Fraser. He sat and gave his paw and we just loved him to bits straight away.
We were not sure how he would be in the car but he was a star, especially as it was such a long journey. As we set off he plonked his head on our shoulders then snuggled his head in between us and he went off to sleep.
We couldn’t get over how gorgeous he was. It was just an amazing feeling knowing that he was with us now after all he had been through.
When we got him home he settled quickly on his new bed chewing his bone then went off to sleep and since then we haven’t looked back.
He gobbled his food in seconds the first week or so but as time went on he relaxed over his food and now eats it in a leisurely fashion.
He is now walking to heel on the lead but will go mad to get to other dogs. (Everyone has a vice!)
We have recently started training with a professional to sort this out and he has been a star and has taken to it well.
The number of comments we have had about him is amazing. People can’t get over how gorgeous he is ( Photo’s don’t do him justice ).
He is just a big friendly guy who wants to love and be loved and we are so glad we found him…

John and Lou

Little Mo’s Rescue Story

In April 2009 Mo was found wandering in the Hartlepool area, picked up by the local dog warden and taken to a nearby rescue centre.  Luckily, the kennel owner alerted Ali Bark of Telesto Cane Corso to his plight.  He was only young, extremely thin and malnourished, in a very poor condition and really, really scared.  On 28 April 2009 Ali started a "Little Mo" thread in the rescue part of the FOCC forum.  The story and photograph she posted brought a lump to my throat.

Mo was castrated and given his first vaccinations by the kennels.  He gradually started to put on weight and come out of his shell.  On 23 May 2009, having been signed over to the BCCS, he went into foster care with Ali to prepare him for his forever home.  Generous members of the FOCC site donated money towards Mo’s care.  With lots of TLC from Ali and Paul he came on tremendously well; putting on weight, looking much healthier and starting to feel a whole lot happier. 

By this time I'd been a member of the FOCC for a few months researching the breed.  I had followed Little Mo's story with interest and having owned a rescue dog previously (a rottie girl, Cassie) decided I'd like to offer him a home.  My husband Ian was in agreement so I contacted Ali and eagerly made arrangements to visit on 14 June 2009.

When Ali brought Mo out he was very wary and wouldn't come anywhere near us.  However, with a bit of patience, some tasty treats and the fact Ali's other dogs were all happy to come over for cuddles he gradually edged closer.  Before too long we were able to stroke him and play with him.  Once he settled we went for a lovely walk in the countryside with some of Ali's dogs and our staffie boy Jay. In a big open field the dogs were let off their leads to go charging about together.  Back at the house Mo and Jay enjoyed a fun-filled wrestling bout in the sun.  I'd fallen in love and had my fingers firmly crossed Ali would consider us suitable owners.  Thankfully, she was happy for him to come and live with us subject to the usual formalities (vet reference etc).

On 5 July 2009 we excitedly made the trip South to collect Mo.  This time when we met he calmed down much quicker and after a nice walk and some playtime in the garden we set off back up the road to Dundee. 

Mo settled in extremely well and has been with us for over a year now.  He is happy, healthy and loves playing with his best friend Jay.  I would describe him as sweet, loving, quiet, biddable and comical.  Although still wary of strangers and nervous in new situations he does come round given time.  All in all he is an absolute pleasure to own!

Donna and Ian

Cherri’s Rescue Story

Cherri is a Cane Corso / Neapolitan Mastiff cross around 3 years old. 

In early June 2010 she was seized as part of an animal cruelty case in a badly emaciated state and with untreated double cherry eye (hence her name).  She was taken to Battersea Dogs Home then moved to emergency foster care with JJ Martinez via the British Cane Corso Society. 

Like anyone else who saw the initial photos of Cherri I was horrified and closely followed her plight.  Having adopted a rescue Corso the previous year, a very rewarding experience, I persuaded my hubby we had room for one more.

With lots of TLC from JJ Cherri thrived. In early July she was moved to longer term foster care with Claire and Alan Harrington.  She settled in perfectly and they both fell head over heels in love with her!

On 20 July 2010, having put on enough weight to make surgery less risky, she was spayed and had an eye operation (the worst case of cherry eye her vet had ever seen).  A further eye op followed on 9 August 2010.  Under the watchful eye of Claire and Alan her condition continued to improve in leaps and bounds.

Ian and I travelled down to Basingstoke and collected Cherri on Monday 30 August 2010.  We spent the afternoon with the lovely Claire, Alan and family before making tracks back up to Dundee.

Cherri has settled in great and is an absolute gem.  She is very loving, laid back (nothing fazes her!), endearingly clumsy and enjoys playing with her new best friends Mo and Jay.  Despite being treated appallingly by her previous owner she is remarkably trusting – Cherri loves everything and everyone!

Donna and Ian

Miss Edie's Rescue Story

Several months after the sad death of our previous dog Bella, (a darling old Spinone), our family decided to have a little look on the web to see if there was any particular type of dog we were drawn to.  By chance I stumbeld upon 'Dogs Blog' and that was it!  We hadn't even heard of Cane Corsos, but when I saw Miss Edie it was love at first sight!

The great thing about getting a dog from the BCCS was the care taken to ensure that we were all compatible.  Having completed the questionnaire we had a home visit from a member of the BCCS/FOCC...and her dog!  That confirmed that we were suitable!  The process is not quick, and that is a really good thing.  We had the opportunity to work through any doubts (and I confess there were a few), which arose before any final commitment was made on either side.  When the decision to offer us the opportunity to adopt Edie came (against a lot of competition as she is one special dog), we were absolutely certain she was what we wanted.

Having to drive all the way down to Newquay was in no way a barrier (although the wait was longer than planned due to the Icelandic volcano ash!).  Eventually we met her at her foster home with Nicola and we were blown away by how sweet she is.  The fostering process is so fantastic!  Having a dog, who has been in the hands of someone experienced in caring for one of these huge beasties means that you are not taking on an unknown quantity.  We knew Miss Edie was gentle with children and cats, was fully house-trained, she would leave a chicken alone, not run away and the only thing she really didn't like was pigs!

Miss Edie settled in as one of the family within hours!  Being a lively household with people coming and going all the time is no problem for her - everyone we welcome in is welcomed like an old friend.  Her manners when out walking are mostly impeccable and her reputation now precedes her, with people knowing who she is before she's even met them!

We have had a few health issues (even the vet who performed procedures on her congratulated us on having such a sweet natured dog), and she has taken to a very restricted diet with her typical good grace.  From the start of her problems, the friendship and support of FOCC members has been invaluable.

I hope people will continue to support the amazing work of the BCCS; rescuing these precious dogs; fostering and re-habilitating them; and ultimately finding them loving 'forever' homes.

Karen