Forget Me Not Reading Rescues

03/04/2025

🚨 URGENT: CHARLIE NEEDS A FOSTER HOME NOW! 🚨

Charlie has to leave his current home IMMEDIATELY due to his owner’s health. We are desperate to find him a safe place to stay!

🐶 Charlie is a big, lovable, and energetic young dog. He’s in his adolescent stage and needs a foster who can give him structure, training, and plenty of activity. The rescue will fully support you!

💙 Born into the rescue – we know his full history
💙 Fully vaccinated (not yet castrated – the rescue will handle this)
💙 NO CATS – Charlie isn’t suited for a home with them
💙 Older children only – he’s playful and strong
💙 Needs an active home willing to work with the rescue

Charlie is a sweet, loving boy with so much potential, but he urgently needs the right home to help him through this stage.

Please, if you can foster or know someone who can, reach out NOW!

📩 Message us ASAP or share to help find Charlie a safe place!

02/04/2025

Why is Recall training So Hard for Romanian Rescue Dogs?

If you’ve got a Romanian rescue, you’ve probably noticed that recall isn’t always their strong suit. But why?

Many of these dogs have:
🐾 Strong survival instincts – They’ve had to rely on themselves to find food and stay safe.
🐾 Little to no human interaction – Some have never been taught to trust people before rescue.
🐾 Independent minds – They’re used to making their own decisions, not looking to humans for direction.
🐾 Fear or past trauma – If they’ve had negative experiences, they may not feel safe coming back when called.
🐾 Genetics at play – Many Romanian rescues have working dog or guardian breeds in their lineage, which means they’ve been bred for independence and decision-making rather than human direction.

This doesn’t mean recall is impossible—it just takes time, patience, and the right training methods. Focus on:
✅ Building trust – Make sure your dog feels safe with you.
✅ High-value rewards – Use food, toys, or praise they truly love.
✅ Long leads & safe spaces – Never test recall off-lead until you’re confident.
✅ Making coming back rewarding – No punishments, only positives!

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone! Many Romanian rescues take longer to master recall, but with consistency and understanding, they can get there. 💙

REMEMBER DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF WELCOMING YOUR ROMANIAN RESCUE INTO YOUR FAMILY DO NOT RUSH THEM TO CONFORM TO YOUR LIFE. THEY NEED TIME TIME AND MORE TIME.

Here is my beautiful Leda who goes feral after 30 minutes off lead. She is four and has mastered the art of extending her walks. When I say extending her walks I have chased her around Sue’s field in my slippers for three hours before she decided to get in the car of her own accord !!

28/03/2025

A Special Reunion Today!

George and I were out and about today, and we had the most wonderful surprise—we met George’s brother, Freddie! Such a lovely boy, full of life and love.

Three years ago, Freddie and his littermates made the journey from Romania to the UK, leaving behind a tough start in search of a brighter future. Even more special, their mum was able to make the journey too, ensuring they all had a chance at a better life.

Seeing Freddie today was a beautiful reminder of how far these dogs have come and how rescue changes lives—not just theirs, but ours too.

It’s moments like this that make it all worthwhile! ❤️

Thank you for never giving up on Freddie Magda Mazur 💜

28/03/2025

28/03/2025

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/serena-swanston-732?utm_medium=CR&utm_source=CL

Iʼm raising money to to support our rescue dogs. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

27/03/2025

FORGET ME NOT Forget Me Not Reading Rescues first part of our news…

I’ve had to keep this one close to my chest until I knew for sure we could do it — not just logistically, but in a way that would truly benefit the dogs involved.

Forget Me Not Reading Rescues already has one very special boy in long-term foster: little Vinnie the French Bulldog. Vinnie, through no fault of his own cannot be rehomed and has now been with his incredible foster mum Denise Adams for 2.5 years. He came to us under threat of euthanasia, and at the eleventh hour, Denise stepped up. Since then, Vinnie has lived safely and happily, fully funded by our rescue as one of our sanctuary dogs.

Now, with everything happening lately, we’ve made the decision to open our doors — and our hearts — to two more dogs who need the same chance.

These dogs won’t be rehomed. They will go into long-term foster where they’ll be loved, cared for, and fully funded by the rescue for the rest of their lives.

Our first new sanctuary dog is, no surprise… Cheeko.
At 7 years old, Cheeko has been through far too much. Pushed from pillar to post, overlooked, and let down. He’s kind, loving, and gentle, and it’s time he had consistency, peace, and unconditional love. So the search begins for a special foster home where Cheeks can live out his days safe, cherished, and never moved again.

Our second sanctuary dog is Bear.
Bear is a stunning White GSD who suffers from epilepsy and will require lifelong treatment. He’s being taken under the sanctuary wing with funding support from the amazing team at BIGGSD, who originally rescued him.

That brings us to three Forget Me Not Reading Rescue sanctuary dogs: Vinnie, Cheeko, and Bear.
This is our limit — we simply cannot stretch any further. But we believe these three lives are worth every effort, every penny, every bit of heart we pour in. They deserve to live without fear, without instability, and with all the care they need.

These aren’t easy decisions — but they’re the right ones. And we are so proud to be able to give them this chance.

Thank you to our supporters, fosters, and the wider rescue community. You make this possible.

THE SEARCH IS NOW ON TO FIND THOSE SPECIAL FOSTER HOMES - COULD THAT BE YOU ??

26/03/2025

Spring is here and very soon we hope to share some exciting news about things happening at
Forget Me Not Reading Rescues !
Stay tuned !!

26/03/2025

❤️ Lolly is looking for her forever home ❤️Due to a sad change in circumstances, this gorgeous girl is on the search for her forever home. She is currently based in Dorset. Lolly is a 7 year old medium sized mixed breed, she’s incredibly sweet, loving, smart and keen to please. She currently lives with two other dogs, and would happily live with another dog/s with the correct introductions. She’d love an active family, she loves her walks (particularly in open spaces, like the beach) and pottering around the garden. Therefore an outdoor space is essential. She walks nicely on lead, and loves walking with other dogs once introduced. She has little experience with children, therefore a child free home would be preferable. She is fully house trained, and can be left for up to 4 hours. But would like a family who are around most the time, as she loves to have company - she’s such a loyal girl once bonded to her humans and has so much love to give. Lolly is such a smart girl, she picks up training incredibly quickly and loves anything that keeps her mind busy including any type of enrichment. She really is the most amazing girl and will thrive in the right home with the right humans! 🐾Please share for LollyMessage if interested Reference, Police Check, Home Check and adoption fee apply

22/03/2025

Our Gentle Giant Needs a Home! 🐾

It’s been a tough week for the rescue, but one bright spot is this incredible boy, Cheeko the Mastiff, who is quickly becoming my co-pilot. He had a much-needed break from kennels today and came out in the field for a sniff and a walk. Cheeko loves a car ride.

We are so grateful to the wonderful team at Rags and Bert’s, boarding who stepped up when Cheeko had nowhere to go. The staff absolutely adore him! But now, we need your help.

Cheeko desperately needs a foster home with people committed to giving him love, care, and stability. He’s struggling in kennels—not because he’s difficult, but because he simply loves being with people.

💙 Cheeko’s Story:
Cheeko did have a home, but sadly, through no fault of his own, he was returned. His adopters didn’t fully consider what owning a giant breed entails, and now, he’s back with us, waiting for someone who truly understands his needs.

🐾 Why Cheeko is Amazing:
✔ 7 years old – A calm, easygoing boy
✔ Super friendly – Loves people and is great with other dogs
✔ Loves his home comforts – After a sad past of being kept outside, he’s discovered the joy of a cozy bed (RIP my £80 tartan duvet—Cheeko has claimed it now!)
✔ Low exercise needs – Just 30 minutes a day is plenty for him
✔ Walks nicely on the lead

🏡 What He Needs:
✔ A long-term foster or foster with a view to adopt
✔ A home with older children can be considered(used to big dogs)
✔ A place with another friendly dog or as an only pet

We will support you every step of the way with his adjustment. Cheeko is an absolute dream of a dog—he just needs someone to see him for the gentle, loving soul he is.

Can you be that person for Cheeko? If you can help, please get in touch ASAP! Let’s find this boy the forever love he truly deserves. 💙🐶

📍 Based in Caversham – Forget Me Not Reading Rescues
📩 Message us today to learn more!

Please help Cheeko catch a lucky break.

21/03/2025

Dog Fact Friday

There isn’t a single fixed percentage, but research suggests that a significant portion of behavior problems in dogs—anywhere from 30% to 80%—can have a medical component. Many studies indicate that pain, neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances, and sensory decline can manifest as aggression, anxiety, or unusual behaviors.

Common Medical Causes of Behavior Issues:
• Pain (arthritis, dental disease, injuries) → Leads to irritability, aggression, or reluctance to be handled.
• Neurological issues (seizures, brain tumors, cognitive dysfunction in older dogs) → Can cause confusion, anxiety, or sudden aggression.
• Endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, diabetes) → Often result in changes in mood, activity levels, or even increased aggression.
• Gastrointestinal problems → Can cause restlessness, obsessive licking, or avoidance behaviors.
• Sensory loss (hearing or vision loss) → Can make a dog more fearful or reactive.

When to Suspect a Medical Cause:
• Sudden onset of behavioral issues
• Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels
• Reactivity or aggression when touched in certain areas
• Increased vocalization or disorientation

If a dog develops behavior problems, ruling out medical causes with a vet check should always be the first step before assuming it’s purely training-related.

21/03/2025

Why You Should Follow Our Advice When Bringing Home Your Rescue Dog

We know—when you bring your rescue dog home, you’re excited. You want to cuddle them, take them on adventures, introduce them to friends and family. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from years of rescue work, it’s this: ignoring the settling-in process can set your dog up to fail.

Every instruction we give you is for a reason. It’s not just about making your life easier—it’s about making sure your dog has the best chance at a happy, stress-free future with you. Here’s why it matters.

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1. Your Dog Has Been Through More Than You Can Imagine

Many rescue dogs have experienced fear, neglect, abandonment, or even abuse. Some have lived on the streets, some have been in shelters, and others have been moved from home to home. Even if your dog seems confident, they are still adjusting to a completely new life.

🔹 Why It Matters: If you overwhelm them with too much too soon, they may shut down, become fearful, or even react negatively.

✅ What You Should Do: Keep their world small and predictable. Let them come to you when they’re ready.

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2. Rushing Socialisation Can Backfire

You might want to take your new dog to the park, introduce them to all your friends, or let them meet every dog in the neighbourhood. But for a rescue dog, this can be terrifying.

🔹 Why It Matters: Pushing interactions before they’re ready can lead to fear-based aggression, stress, or withdrawal.

✅ What You Should Do: Let them settle first. Introduce people and pets gradually in a controlled way.

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3. The “Decompression Period” is Crucial

Dogs need time to process their new environment. Think of it like landing in a completely new country where you don’t speak the language—you’d need time to adjust, too.

🔹 Why It Matters: If a dog doesn’t get time to decompress, they may develop behavioural issues later. Many failed adoptions happen because people don’t allow this crucial adjustment phase.

✅ What You Should Do: Follow the Three-Day, Three-Week, Three-Month Rule:
📅 3 Days – Your dog is overwhelmed, unsure, and may be shut down.
📅 3 Weeks – They start to understand routines and test boundaries.
📅 3 Months – They fully settle and show their true personality.

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4. Training Takes Time—Don’t Expect Perfection

Even if your rescue was in a foster home, moving to a new environment means they may “forget” their training.

🔹 Why It Matters: If you assume your dog is already trained and don’t reinforce good behaviours, you might end up frustrated when they make mistakes.

✅ What You Should Do: Treat them as if they are starting from scratch. Reward good behaviour and be patient.

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5. Setting Boundaries Early Prevents Problems Later

It’s easy to let a new dog sleep in your bed, jump on the sofa, or have full access to the house because you feel bad for them. But if you later try to change these rules, your dog may become confused or even reactive.

🔹 Why It Matters: Clear, consistent rules from day one help dogs feel secure and prevent future behaviour issues.

✅ What You Should Do: Decide on house rules before your dog arrives and stick to them.

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6. Your Dog Will Love You More for Taking Things Slowly

You might feel like you need to “make up” for their past by giving them constant affection and freedom. But what your dog really needs is a calm, safe, predictable environment.

🔹 Why It Matters: If you try to force love and trust too soon, your dog may feel pressured and withdraw.

✅ What You Should Do: Let your dog come to you at their own pace. The bond will be stronger for it.

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7. Rescue Dogs Need Time—But The Reward is Worth It

We see it time and time again: the adopters who follow our advice end up with dogs who settle beautifully, trust deeply, and become the most incredible companions. The ones who rush things? Often, they end up calling us with problems that could have been avoided.

So please, trust the process. Be patient, be kind, and follow the guidance we give you. Your dog’s future—and your happiness together—depends on it.

💙 We welcome everyone to the Forget Me Not family. We’re here for you every step of the way.