Orchid Settles Well

We have had a nice update on recently homed Orchid (Orchids Kingdom). She has settled remarkably well having only gone home less than two weeks ago. Here is what her family are saying about her:-

“She has a nice big bed in the kitchen but she’s found a spot in the lounge which has become her favourite…right at the bottom of the stairs (she couldn’t have found a more awkward place 😂) but she’s happy there.

She’s loving exploring the different parks near by and next weekend we are taking her on a local sight hound walk so she can make some new friends.

She is also loving running around the garden and has been enjoying playing ball with the children”.

That is great to hear. Well done Orchid x

Annual Picnic

On Sunday we held our annual August walk and picnic at the Community Hall, Stutton. We were joined by 41 hounds, 2 lurchers and their humans. We had a long walk and a short walk which were ably led by Leigh and Pete and we were blessed with lovely weather. We also had a look at how low Alton Water was. We had with us the following kennel dogs, identified by their muzzle colours, as follows: Sam (turquoise), Walter (red), Jackpot (purple), Mickey (white), Ruby who has a very dark tail (yellow), Barney (yellow) and last, but not least, Neville who had on a ‘nervous’ collar and coat. Needless to say they were all very well behaved and met little dogs, cyclists and other humans along the way with no issues. Details and updates on each dog available for rehoming can be found on our website.

After the walks we returned to the hall and enjoyed talking to friends whilst indulging in fantastic cakes and food and teas provided by our lovely bakers and volunteers. We also had a tombola and a stand selling lots of greyhound related goodies.

We thank Barbara and Emma for the photographs, our walk leaders, all the volunteers who made the afternoon so enjoyable for hounds and humans alike and to Stutton Community Hall for allowing us to host our event.

We have monthly walks, the details of which are in the Homeless Hounds section

to which all dogs are welcome. Do come and join us. We especially love to see owners with hounds that we have re-homed.

Bealings Fete

Well another wonderful afternoon and many thanks to the Organisers of Little Bealings Village Fete for inviting us to their event and Dog Show.
The weather stayed fine and we were once again able to showcase our ever popular tombola, Greyhound Trust merchandise and a big hit today was the Children’s Lucky Dip, where everyone was a winner!

We were joined today from the kennels by the wonderful Carlos, who was spoilt rotten by volunteers Susan and Dana, who report he happily engaged with everyone, especially the little people that paid a visit to our stall and likewise enjoyed meeting all the other dogs that crossed his path. Carlos is an especially happy dog (his waggy tail is his trademark) and a wonderful companion in the car as he travelled to/from the event. The highlight for Carlos today was his very important role as lead greyhound, as all our ambassadors and friends took to the ring to proudly show the crowd just how wonderfully majestic these creatures are. I think you’ll agree from the footage, they did us proud!

As ever, a real team spirit today and the role of a volunteer is a fabulous role to have and never a dull moment, especially for John (or should I say Uncle Fester) who bravely stepped forward as the willing volunteer (no coercion here :O)) and took to the stocks… all in aid of a good cause of course!

Many thanks to the many ambassadors and our old friends who came along today, to support and chat with the public. We so love catching up with you all and seeing how happy our furry friends are, living their best lives and it’s down to the generosity of you, the public, either by rehoming one of these beautiful dogs, (please do look on the Suffolk Greyhound Trust website for more details about rehoming) or supporting us along the way at one of the many events we attend, that enables us to continue doing what we love and that is working together to find that comfy sofa, where lots of hugs and cuddles await. It truly is a dog’s life 🐶

Timmy Goes Home

After a short spell of being fostered with a view to adoption Timmy (Romeo Showtime) was formally adopted today at our annual picnic.

Timmy spent a few weeks with housemate Shirley just to make sure they would get along fine and they did.

Shirley and her family very sadly lost Harry recently and although you can never replace the dog you have lost there is always space in your heart for another who will in their own way bring something just as special and precious as those who have gone before them.

Timmy you were a pleasure to have in kennels and we know we will see you often with your family who are regulars on our walks. xx

Our Weekend Events

Just a little reminder we have two events this coming Sunday.

We have our annual picnic. Meet for a 2pm start at the Community Hall, Manningtree Road Stutton IP9 2TA
We have a short walk for our less able dogs around the local footpaths (Approx 30-40 minutes) and a longer one to Alton Water Reservoir (Approx.1 hour 15 minutes). There will be refreshments served for both our human and canine friends after the walk.

Bealings Village Fete and Dog Show. Sunday 30th August. Bealings Village Hall, The Street, Little Bealings, Woodbridge IP13 6LH 12 – 4 pm
Join some of our team at this village fete and dog show with prizes for 1st to 3rd place. The dog show starts at 2.30pm and the entry fee is £2 per dog but there are other attractions including children’s races and an array of stalls.

We would love to see you at either event.

Echo Visits Us

We had a lovely surprise when Echo (once known as Freston) came to visit this morning.

He was so happy to see Emma and his other friends.

We love to have news of our homed hounds and are always happy to see them and their families either at kennels or on our walks and at our shows.

Good Luck Makira

Well it didn’t take long for the lovely Makira (Savana Bagheera) to win his way in to everyone’s heart.

He only arrived on the 30th July and found his forever family on 14th August! We are not at all surprised he really is a dream of a dog.

Good luck Makira you weren’t with us for long, just long enough for us all to be smitten. Be happy sweetheart, enjoy all of the adventures yet to come and do stay in touch from time to time, we would love to have news of you as we do all of our homed hounds xx

Sleep Tight Charlie

A Tribute to Charlie (Charlie Bear) from Nigel and Angie his heartbroken family.

“It is with heavy hearts that we have to let you all know our beautiful boy Charlie had to go over the Rainbow Bridge on Monday. He was put to sleep in his favourite place – our garden by our Vet Jess and her assistant who were wonderful to Charlie and us.

He was surrounded with love, music and his favourite toy Kevin the Carrot.

We gave Charlie a home five years ago during the awful Covid years. He was eight years old and little was known about him.

It became clear that although he was eight he thought he was eight months, he was like an oversized puppy!

He clearly wasn’t used to living in a home. He chewed his way through most items in the house including the sofa, remote control and slippers.

He also used any available chair or table leg and once the linen basket as a pee post.

He pulled me over three times thinking he could catch a Squirrel or any other fast moving creature – he even caught a pigeon in mid flight!

You might wonder why I kept him because he certainly wasn’t your typical Greyhound. I kept him because I loved him. My partner Nigel who I had only recently got together with wondered what he was getting himself into, he thought I was mad! We both knew there would be a challenge ahead.

After a while Charlie got to know how we ticked and we him. Nigel taught him how to respond to him with his paw (Charlies’s not Nigels).

Charlie Bear soon came to realise if he whined and paced about we would respond. He wanted among other things his bed moved, cheese, to go out of course and other things he knew we could oblige him with.

He turned into the most wonderful companion and loved us both so much and we adored him. That’s all he needed love, help, guidance, understanding and lots of praise,. A bit like us really.

We were devastated when Charlie became unwell, he started to limp badly and the rest followed quickly to the point when we realised we had to let him go.

We cannot praise our Vet Jess highly enough for help and compassion and indeed that of her staff.

Charlie’s cremation has taken place and as I write Nigel has gone to collect his ashes which will be scattered in his garden.

All of you who know Greyhounds or are thinking of owning one or two probably know how special they are. Charlie was probably not the perfect example to start with but with not knowing his history we don’t know what start he had in life which would be the same for any breed of dog. All they need is love patience and perhaps a sense of humour!

Please believe me you will have the most loyal and loving companion you could wish for.

Goodbye Charlie Bear it has been an honour and a privilege to have had you in our lives. Run free baby. Love from Mummy and Daddy.”xx

What more could we add to such a heartfelt tribute to dear Charlie? We got to know Charlie well over the years and he was such a character and a real little charmer. We are so sorry for Nigel and Angie’s loss.

Fly high and free Charlie on you Angel wings. You will never be forgotten by all who knew and loved you xx

Charlie Bear August 2013 to August 2026.