I'm Heather and I found SYESSR by accident in 1999 when looking for a dog, not necessarily a Springer but something energetic and friendly (at that time I was still under the misguided impression that all Spaniels were friendly, you live and learn!). I visited kennels and left with Woody, a gorgeous 5 year old boy with a huge character and desperately in need of a haircut. He was a relatively easy dog with only a few quirks and a joy to have, he fitted in our lives perfectly from day one.

I'm not really sure what happened then!!

​I attended a few events/walks and then in 2002 received a letter asking if I would consider becoming a trustee.  At the time I worked full time was so a little worried about how much time this might entail but was assured it wouldn’t be much so I agreed (It just goes to show how young and naive I was back then!  Fast forward a few years and if I'm not at work or out with my own dogs I seem to be doing something for rescue.  I do a little do a bit of everything whether that be dealing with dogs coming or going, walking the dogs, doing vet/groomer trips etc, working at the shop, fundraising, taking calls and updating the internet.  There aren't enough of us so it means that it can be very hard work at times but when you see a dog (especially a long term one) go off to a new home, it is all worth it.

Not long after I became a trustee Jack joined our family, he was 3yrs old, skin & bone, very hyper and had no recall, everyone who came to see him decided he was too much (they were right!) and so he remained in kennels. However he was very loving and had the most gorgeous face.  I fell in love, so home with me he came. He wasn’t the easiest dog, in the house he was a complete angel and no trouble at all, outside however, he was a nightmare as his recall never improved despite trying almost any method of training suggested.  I spent many an hour looking or waiting for him and twice had to go home without him to fetch reinforcements.  On top of that his party trick was to swim across lakes and get out the other side; unfortunately he didn’t swim back which could be interesting if it was a large lake!

Next came Bella.  We lost Woody to cancer on Boxing Day 2007 and the following month I went to collect a little bitch who's owners no longer had the time for her.  She was too young to go into kennels so I took her home. Bella was the complete opposite of Jack. In the house she didn’t settle much and was completely ball obsessed. Outside on a walk, however, she was fabulous. She never strayed far from your side whether you were walking or cycling, she was good with any person or dog she met and could be walked through livestock of any description without a care.

​And then there was Nellie, when we lost Jack in 2016 I basically looked at all the dogs in kennels and took the one home that had been with us the longest.  That was Nellie (affectionately known as Nippy Nellie Nutjob) she had been with rescue 6 months, rehomed and returned twice.  She was deaf (from birth), noisy, stole food, was very reactive to strange people and dogs, very excitable and when excited nipped us.  She was however very intelligent, loving and loyal which meant she has stole our hearts so we put up with it all.​ A dog with issues can be hard work at times but the rewards make it worth it.

When Bella was getting towards the end of her time and Covid hit a young chocolate Sprocker came into rescue, he was absolutely terrified in kennels and because of lockdown we weren’t able to rehome so guess what happened to him. Yes he came home with me, Rolo is very wild, very determined and very noisy. He most definitely keeps us on our toes but makes us laugh too, its either that or kill him lol.

Last but not least is Douglas, or as my sister calls him Perfect Peter. He is a big Springer which you don’t see that often anymore and other than his revolting habit of rolling in yukky stuff is as good as gold. I truly believe that Douglas is our reward for putting up with the rest of them as he is just a dream.

Reading all this back makes me wonder why I have them (well apart from Douglas), but their good points far outweigh the bad and I wouldn't be without them.  You can keep all your lotions, potions and pills.  Having a Spaniel (preferably more than one) keeps you young, fit (sadly not thin too) and more importantly happy.