Hello my name is Harvey, I came to HAWT in February 2008 I was eighteen months old. My previous owners said I was too boisterous, I was in a few weeks and then re homed for just one day and these people said I was too boisterous, I was just a little puppy in a big skin and I needed exercise!!!
I really was bewildered and wanted to please. One of the volunteers at HAWT had recently lost her dog after nineteen years and she really did not want another.....JUST YET, but I saw her and I made sure our eyes met and we fell in love, Ben her previous dog is a hard act to follow but I will do it. Ben was also from HAWT with his mum and brother and sisters.
I now am completely relaxed and very grateful for the long walks I have every day in the country-side and all my toys and a large garden. I reward my new mum with lots of kisses and paw-shakes but best of all I can do jobs around the house.... I sort the laundry, unpack the shopping, rearrange the rugs, answer the door, tidy the drawers and cupboards (the drawers are a bit harder to open) I also check all the stuff for recycling and I can empty the kitchen-bin. I can dust with my long tail and also wash the windows with my nose. I think my mum is pleased because she just says,"Oh, Harvey"
My mum says I am a lovely sociable dog and well behaved and thanks to HAWT I am.
Love Harvey.xxx

When they first arrived at the centre Adi and Tracey didn't have a clue what they were looking for, they walked up and down a few times before they saw Jack as he was so shy, he just stared up from his bed at them, they couldn't believe the sign on the door that said 'Unwanted'. Tracey says we couldn't believe he was eight years old - he looked like a puppy! Tracey and Adi took Jack home on the 1st December 2007 and he settled in great and loves nothing better than having the whole double bed in the spare room to himself. He has also made lots of friends and is such a happy friendly boy adoring his walks and meeting new dogs. He loves going to the yard with them to see their horses and is a great favourite at the residential home where Tracey works - he brings a smile to everyone's face. But of all the things Jack likes doing he loves lazy Sunday family trips to the beach especially when Rodger and Duchess, his best greyhound friends, go with him. Tracey says sometimes Jack thinks he's a greyhound too!

Jo Jo came to the kennels as an unclaimed stray. She was in poor condition and looked as though she had never been looked after very well. Nevertheless this did not deter Margaret who promptly adopted her.

Margaret tells us:
'Jo Jo was a black cross bred bitch, now called Jessie or Jessie Jo. She had bald patches on her tail and lower back due to, I understand, a flea or lice allergy. This has now healed. Everyone admires her and says how much she has improved. Coat shines, eyes are alive. She is hardly ever still - when not on her walks she is always bringing me a ball or toy to throw. If I am otherwise busy she puts the ball on my knee or down the side of my chair. If this does not work she throws it in the air for herself and catches it. I have never seen such a good ball-catcher! She adores the grandchildren and always wants to look at passing children and toddlers. She loves to go with me to pick up the grand-children from school and watches eagerly for them coming out! She is also honorary member of the Leven 'Walking for Health' group - we have hour long walks each Thursday morning - they miss her when I am unable to attend as she is obedient and never far from me when off the lead across country.
I could not of picked a better companion.

Peggy is an old girl of H A W T from the class of ’97

Josie arrived at our centre as a stray and quickly settled into the kennel routine. Each day she was given a substantial meal, a nice walk along the kennel access lane and a comfortable bed to sleep in.

Josie was taken to the vets for an MOT and given all the jabs necessary to keep her healthy and when old enough she was neutered

As soon as Gordon saw Josie he knew it was the dog for him and consequently Josie moved to her new home near Hull and lives with Gordon and his brother. His previous dog that had died many years before was named Peggy and he decided to repeat the name and Josie became Peggy two

Unfortunately Peggy has been unluckier than most with health problems

Over the years she has had further surgery for removal of lumps and a toe but Gordon is always there for her and makes sure she has the best of treatment and after care.

She is currently in very good health. Peggy and Gordon go on regular walks each day and she has her own large garden to wander in.

There is a slight problem next door in the form of Mollie, as Peggy and Mollie do not get on. They have the occasional bust up but no serious damage is done as the pair are separated by a substantial fence. Occasionally Gordon has to tick Peggy off and she gives him a look that says ‘it was that rotten Mollie that started it’ to which he replies ‘no she didn’t and in any case it takes two to tango’.

Peggy is now thirteen and a bit and hopefully will be around for a few more years says Gordon.

We have received this wonderful e-mail from Scott, aged 12, he tells us of how he came to adopt three gerbils that were in much need of a loving new home.

A few months ago I was in a pet shop and as normal I was watching the small animals and I saw for the first time baby gerbils and I was messing about saying I wanted one. When we got home I got to thinking and I decided I really did want a pair of gerbils. I talked to my Mum and Dad and I said I would buy them with my birthday money. So my Mum phoned the rescue centre and was told that the lady who takes care of the animals had two girls or three boys and the boys where more active than the girls. So I got the three boys and I fell in love as soon as I saw them.
At first they where very wary of people and hands but after sitting with my hands in their cage often I got my three boys Rodney, Del and Albert to finally come to me and I started to pick them up and cuddle them. Now months on, they are very hand tame and come to me, my Mum, Dad and Sister all the time and I love them sooo much. I'm always buying them things and giving them things to chew.

Scott
Aged 12
Hull (what great names he chose for them!!!)

Molly arrived at the centre with her friend Lister after their owners' marriage broke up.

Molly was the first to be chosen and contacts us to let us know how she's getting on :

Although my first owners loved me to bits and spent a lot of time training me, they couldn't keep looking after me, and so I had a little holiday at the Hull Animal Welfare Trust. It was great there - nice people and lots of doggy pals - but when my new folks turned up I thought 'Hmmmm - these two might do!" I went and sat near the kennel door so they could really get a feel of how silky my ears are, and see my pretty little velvety snout (my best features, I feel....). After a bit of form-signing and a few phone calls, I found myself on way to my new home with my new people called Chris and John.

That was end of September 2008 and I have to say my folks are shaping up nicely! I've got them trained to take me for walks three times a day, good grub appears at regular intervals in my dish and I have a selection of comfy spots to snooze in (that is, when I'm not hanging over the fence asking for Auntie Liz Next Door to tickle my tummy).

OK, so there was a little discussion over who owns the duvet and which objects constitute 'Molly's Chewie Toy' but overall things are settling nicely!

I've heard mention of my predecessor, Gingie-Dog, (a sedate old gent when compared with me, according to my folks). A much loved pooch, apparently, but I've overheard comments ('Who's a gorgeous girl!' etc etc) that suggest I'm definitely carving out my own niche and will be here for keeps!

Love Molly xx

P S I've heard my friend Lister has got a new home too, I'm so pleased for him