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My Own Rescue Family.......
I have had rescue dogs all my life and been privileged enough, whilst travelling, to care for and be bitten by, several wild animals..none of whom meant it, I'm sure.
My first memory of Pucheen is that her nose was badly scuffed.and I thought she was deaf!
We paid the kennel bill of £300 and took our first Shar Pei home with us, much to the irritation of our deerhound/greyhound cross called Bruno. At that time we also had a rescue Chihuahua called Ethel and a Chihuahua cross Lancashire Heeler called Pippa.
Within a very short time we were hooked! When Bruno, my very special boy died, I was completely devastated and my partner, out of love for me, bought me Charlie, a beautiful little Shar Pei puppy and I guess that sealed my complete infatuation with the breed.
Her name is Chi and she came to us with a skin condition at the age of seven months. After fostering her we re-homed her to a family with another young dog, however for various reasons she was returned to us within the week! She was so loving and cuddly and persistent that for the first time ever, Dillon learned to play. It was very much against his nature but she sat patiently bopping him on the nose until she got a reaction and gradually she taught him the game. We did find her another loving home, but the night before she was due to leave, both Neill and I ended up in tears at the thought of parting with her. Thankfully, the lady she was due to go to, was really understanding..so she stayed! She's been with us now nearly a year and we couldn't be without her. She's funny, feisty and eats faster than any dog I've ever known. When she's not licking you or bouncing about, she loves cuddles and has definitely found her place in the bed with the others. She also l,oves watching the television, especially programmes about dogs.She's just great and we love her to bits! ..............................
I guess Pucheen and her wonderfully gentle, though stubborn, nature was really the inspiration of Shar Pei Rescue & Welfare UK We approached breed clubs, Shar Pei breeders and the Kennel Club and offered our help to rescue. Sadly we were informed that if we didn't breed or show, we really didn't know what we were talking about and had nothing to offer. Then those who had encouraged us at the beginning, decided to shun us because we felt that a couple who had accidentally had a litter from an unregistered female of only twelve months old, were not to be pilloried. They loved their dogs, had had no desire to breed and sold the puppies at a reasonable price. In refusing to ostracise this couple we were ostracised ourselves. Feeling bruised but still committed, we decided that if we re-homed two dogs per year, we were at least doing something that we believed in. Since deciding to go it alone we have achieved more than we could ever have imagined and we have good reason to be proud of what we have achieved. Despite continued harassment, from those who we initially thought had the same aims, the same commitment and were our friends, we have managed to gain a reputation Nationwide as an organisation that really cares. Even today, we are constantly denigrated by those that feel, because we will take dogs without papers, dogs that should be 'gunned', (though no representative of any other organisation has ever assessed them), and take animals into our own home to re-train them..BUT, do not breed or show...we do not have the knowledge or importance to love and re-home these dogs...? WE are still here. Thank you to all those who have supported us.
For such a tiny little thing, she has left a huge hole in my life. I miss her.
'We came a long, long way together darling. You now travel alone, but when I catch up with you, I know you'll be waiting. Roma
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The first rescue Pei we adopted came about because my partner had always wanted a Shar Pei. He had read every book available and was prepared to buy a puppy when finances allowed, however I found Pucheen in a local magazine, supposedly abandoned in kennels by her previous owners.
It wasn't at all easy and I was very grateful that years before I had worked as an aggression trainer, but Dillon is now a testament to how this fabulous breed, can be turned around; and how much love and reward you can achieve with a Shar Pei. 
I have recently realised that the latest addition to our family has not been added to this page..perhaps that's because she settled in rather quickly so it's as if she's been here forever! 
