Meet the Southern Lurcher Lifeline sponsor dogs
All of the dogs below, who were originally taken in by Southern Lurcher Rescue (aka 'SLR'), have special needs that no insurance company will cover. We have therefore pledged to sponsor them for the rest of their lives. Some are in their twilight years already, but others (most notably little Charlie) are barely out of 'puppyhood' and could potentially need a lot of support in years to come.
These dogs are our main priority, so we will continue to fundraise to ensure that we are always in a position to help them if needed.
These dogs are our main priority, so we will continue to fundraise to ensure that we are always in a position to help them if needed.
Charlie came in from a holding kennels, so nothing is known of his background. He was estimated to be around 6 months old and was lame. It was obvious that there was something wrong with his back legs and we suspected cruciate damage. However, on x-ray both legs showed clear signs of former breaks. The vet believes he had probably had both legs broken some months before and left to heal on their own!
He now has a lovely new home with Katy and family, complete with a new canine friend to play with. But, as he may well need some x-rays and possibly even surgery on those legs in the future, we are sponsoring him for this condition.
He now has a lovely new home with Katy and family, complete with a new canine friend to play with. But, as he may well need some x-rays and possibly even surgery on those legs in the future, we are sponsoring him for this condition.
Grace was found on the central reservation of a busy motorway in Ireland, terrified and in an appalling condition. She was nursed back to physical health by Gill at Celtic Animal Lifeline before before being sent to England, but sadly her mental scars were not so easy to erase. Incredibly nervous around anybody she doesn't know, and particularly terrified of men, the SLR team knew that finding this timid girl a new home was going to be a challenge.
Sadly, despite everybody's best efforts, Grace never did find her new family. But thankfully her foster mum, Claire, agreed to keep her and so we have committed to sponsoring her vet bills for life. We are delighted that Grace will now get to enjoy her golden years, surrounded by love in the beautiful Norfolk countryside.
Sadly, despite everybody's best efforts, Grace never did find her new family. But thankfully her foster mum, Claire, agreed to keep her and so we have committed to sponsoring her vet bills for life. We are delighted that Grace will now get to enjoy her golden years, surrounded by love in the beautiful Norfolk countryside.
Jemima came into rescue via the dog warden. She had clearly been neglected (terrible teeth and ears!), had an uncorrected tendon injury and was believed to have cataracts. She was taken in by one of SLR's most experienced fosterers in Hampshire, who soon nursed her back to full health - although her 'cataracts' turned out to be a congenital disease. It was therefore decided that she needed a very specific kind of home, as her blindness makes her very reactive to most dogs. Essentially, she needed somewhere she could run, eat, rest and play without the constant worry of any unknown, younger or livelier dogs seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
Unfortunately that particular home never materialised, but we are delighted to say that her foster family have now offered to keep her. Jemima has had 18 happy months in foster with Claire and Neil and their family, and we are sure that if she could have cast her vote she would have chosen to stay where she was. We will therefore be sponsoring her vet bills for life.
Unfortunately that particular home never materialised, but we are delighted to say that her foster family have now offered to keep her. Jemima has had 18 happy months in foster with Claire and Neil and their family, and we are sure that if she could have cast her vote she would have chosen to stay where she was. We will therefore be sponsoring her vet bills for life.
Meggie was brought in to Southern Lurcher Rescue when she was about 5 months old. She had a prolific scar on her back leg, above the hock, which was causing her pain. After x-rays, there were no signs of any breaks, so we can only think it was muscle and/or tendon damage.
This has been ongoing since 2014 and periodically she pulls up lame or shows signs of pain. The vets think that is it most likely tendon damage and that the tendons have never returned to how they should be. We have therefore agreed to help with her ongoing pain management as and when needed, for life.
This has been ongoing since 2014 and periodically she pulls up lame or shows signs of pain. The vets think that is it most likely tendon damage and that the tendons have never returned to how they should be. We have therefore agreed to help with her ongoing pain management as and when needed, for life.
Nettie was handed into rescue by one of the dog wardens in Hampshire due to having a mammary tumor that needed to be removed urgently.
Much to our delight, Nettie fell on her paws when she was adopted by a lovely lady called Joan, down in Devon. With both Joan and Nettie being in their senior years they are a match made in heaven and we are very happy to be their safety net, by providing veterinary sponsorship should Nettie ever develop any further bone conditions or tumors.
Much to our delight, Nettie fell on her paws when she was adopted by a lovely lady called Joan, down in Devon. With both Joan and Nettie being in their senior years they are a match made in heaven and we are very happy to be their safety net, by providing veterinary sponsorship should Nettie ever develop any further bone conditions or tumors.
Sadie was handed over to SLR when her owner had to go into hospital. She was fostered by Carol and almost immediately she presented with multiple medical issues. We have therefore committed to cover her treatments for life. So far she has had suspicous growths removed, allergy testing and investigations into ongoing problems with her nasal canals.
After not being able to find her the right home, Carol realised she was home. She is now happily living in Dorset.
After not being able to find her the right home, Carol realised she was home. She is now happily living in Dorset.
Winnie came to us with a leg injury needing surgery; initially, an amputation was thought to be the best solution but our vet was able to stabilise and repair the leg and after a few weeks of being kept quiet and resting, Winnie was doing well.
Winnie now lives with an experienced adopter and, because her mended leg may always need attention of some kind, we are sponsoring her for this condition.
Winnie now lives with an experienced adopter and, because her mended leg may always need attention of some kind, we are sponsoring her for this condition.