Long Term Foster (Supported) Hounds
JESS (Shady Suzie) Born: 01/04/2015 JESS was homed on the 12th January 2018, but was sadly returned due to her owner’s change of circumstances, and is staying with Joy who is one of our volunteers during her twilight years. She was born on the 1st April 2015, weighs 26kg., and had a dental upon her arrival here when 19 teeth were removed. The reason she’s become one of our supported hounds is because of an unusual issue with her saliva gland and surrounding area, which swells to various sizes before going back to almost nothing. Due to the nature of the operation, her age, and the fact it doesn’t bother or affect her it’s been decided to leave it alone. Jess is a lovely girl.
IRIS (Colarhouse Poppy) Born: 24/09/2013 Died: 26/09/2025 RIS was homed on the 12th January 2022, but was sadly returned when her owner became ill, and because of her age, and special needs she’s stayed with Jenny and Stuart as a supported hound during her twilight years. She sadly passed away at 3.05pm on Friday 26th September 2025 from dementia. Iris, shortly after she arrived started showing signs of the beginnings of dementia, which gradually got worse over the months we had her - when walking from A to B instead of doing a straight line she often turned anticlockwise circles along the way. If she found herself in a corner or on the wrong side of an open door she would often stand still and stare until we called her name and guided her away. Iris wasn’t very strong on her back legs, but went for tiny walks, found it difficult to stand still for very long before her back legs started to give way. When she ate her meals she often ate most of it sitting down. Not willing to lay down and eat it she had her food in a raised stand. If the door to the garden was left open she would go outside to do her toilet, but if any door was closed she did,nt know how to tell us and would urinate in front of it. Hence, when the doors were closed towels were strategically placed for accidents. If we saw her walking towards a closed door we immediately opened it for her. She was a very sweet girl though, loved a cuddle and having the back of her neck scratched. She knew her name, and when was feeding time would come to the kitchen and waited patiently. Latterly though she slept most of the day and paced constantly during the evening and night. The last week she started having accidents in her bed, would walk over the top of any dog laying in her way, would look very lost, and would startle if we took her collar to guide her anywhere. We are heartbroken now you are gone, but rest in peace darling Iris, rest in peace and be whole again.
BOYCIE (Efceerebel) Born: 02/09/2017 Died: 22/04/2025 BOYCIE was only 2 years old when he had his front right leg amputated due to osteosarcoma at the end of August 2020. Despite only being given 4 to 6 months to live Boycie, against all the odds happily lived with his long-term foster family until he passed away 4 1/2 years later. This is why they should all be given a chance and not just ‘written off’. Boycie had Kiki as a companion and was loved and cared for by Fiona and her family with our help. This is a message posted on the Retired Greyhounds South Lakes Facebook group from Fiona, Mark and family who had cared for Boycie , but I wanted you all to see it. "The saddest of days for our family and everyone at Retired Greyhounds South Lakes as today we said goodbye to our wonderful Boycie. Boycie lost his leg to Osteosarcoma in August 2020 when he was only two years old and we had barely got to know him (the diagnosis came six days after we adopted him). Thankfully for us, Boycie didn’t listen to what was expected and beat the odds to live happily for almost another five years until his mobility recently deteriorated. An x-ray today showed a small but significant tumour on his spine which confirmed it was time to let him go. He really was the most wonderful dog and a true warrior. We’re extremely grateful to RGSL (Jenny and Stuart) and everyone who has supported and donated to Boycie for his care. He was the best. Run free Boycie, you will always be loved and missed very much. 02/09/2017-22/04/2025". A note from Jenny- At a time when we started to become an independent charity (RGSL) Boycie was an inspiration to us all. No matter how tough things are to never write them off if they are diagnosed with osteosarcoma, and to give them a chance. After loosing his leg in August 2020 he proved everyone wrong, he was a charmer, a warrior right to the end. Thank you Fiona, Mark and family for loving him and taking care of him till the end. It's been a hard few days especially as he rallied on Saturday, and put on a show for Stuart and I when we went with his family to Archway Vets for a check up. Everything looked good with his bloods and his meds reviewed. Sadly it wasn't to be, its been a tough weekend, and I thank his family for letting me be there today for his x-ray, and to say goodbye. He passed away very relaxed and with dignity. God bless you Boycie, we all loved you so much, proud to have known you and thank you for allowing us to share your life with you. You were such an inspiration and we'll all miss you xx A note from Stuart - Boycie was very much the foundation of RGSL as an independent charity back in August 2020. His situation was always in our minds as we struggled through the mountains of admin work and fund raising that we needed to do to set things up. His "get on with it" attitude after his operation was a real inspiration to us at the time and he will always be remembered