Polly is a Rescue dog from the Scottish Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue.

The Dog Rescues have a thankless task. Usually run by volunteers, they spend many hours (and money) every week trying to solve the problem of someone else's unwanted dogs. They are always looking for temporary foster homes for the dogs, so if you are willing, please give them a ring.

Dogs are put into the rescue organisations for a number of reasons. Some are abused, abandoned, neglected or just unwanted. Some are also put into rescue because their owners are genuinely unable to look after them through no fault of their own.

Most Rescues are not just there as a 'dumping ground' for unwanted dogs, many offer advice and information to any dog owners who are having any sort of problem or need help with dog ownership or behavioural issues.

If you are looking for a dog or pup, please consider one of many thousands of dogs in Rescue that need your help. Maybe you can send them a monetary donation, bedding, food, or just give them a little of your time to walk or socialise some of the dogs in there.

If you are an older person and perhaps worry that your dog will outlive you, maybe think of taking on an older dog, whose previous owner may have taken ill or passed away.

Think carefully about the breed you are wanting, then consider taking on a rescue dog. There are Dog Rescue Assocations that are breed specific or that are just general breed rescues.

It might actually suit your lifestyle better to take on an older pup or dog that is probably housetrained than trying to do it yourself !

So .... from Polly and me .... thankyou to the Scottish Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue and all the other dog rescues out there.