get me out of here
Age: 3+ years
‘I admit that when I arrived at Battersea I was a bit of a Wag (that’s woofer and growler). I was nervous being around so many new people and other dogs, but I was also suffering from a really painful ear problem, which made me incredibly sensitive. Now I’m much better, snuffling around without my doggy clothes on how liberating! and happily scampering about on my own
four legs. Who knew exercise could be such fun? In my new home, I’ll need experienced dog owners who have their own garden. No children, please they’d distract attention from me. I might have realised that I’m a dog, but I’m still a princess.’
When Princess Tamara turned up at Battersea Dogs Cats Home she was not so much an abandoned street urchin as a doggy diva. The three year old yorkshire terrier arrived a few months ago in a tote bag with a white fur evening jacket, a baby pink knitted sweater, a selection of sparkly chokers and a T shirt with the slogan ‘Spoiled but not forgotten’. But she had an attitude to match: she was highly strung, snappy, possessive, [عزيزي الزائر يتوجب عليك التسجيل لمشاهدة الرابط للتسجيل اضغط هنا] and wouldn’t let staff handle her. Whenever she saw a bag, she would try to jump into it.
Yet Tamara was a sweetheart compared to Bobby, a two year old chihuahua who had spent his life being carried around in a handbag by his indulgent owner, a glamour model. [عزيزي الزائر يتوجب عليك التسجيل لمشاهدة الرابط للتسجيل اضغط هنا] He reacted by becoming domineering and aggressive, biting anyone who came near. Eventually, his owner could [عزيزي الزائر يتوجب عليك التسجيل لمشاهدة الرابط للتسجيل اضغط هنا] no longer live with him.
Tamara and Bobby are just two of a growing number of wayward ‘handbag dogs’ who are being taken in by Battersea and other rescue charities, such as Dogs Trust and Blue Cross. Although the numbers are in the hundreds, all are reporting annual increases of around 40 per cent. ‘In many cases it’s not that they are suffering from neglect, but rather the opposite,’ says Ali Taylor, head of canine welfare training at Battersea. ‘The owners absolutely love them, but it’s the wrong kind of love. The dogs are mollycoddled and spoiled rotten, but it confuses them to be treated like a baby. They aren’t properly trained or socialised, they aren’t taken for walks they simply don’t know how to behave like dogs. They are allowed to get away with things so take advantage.’
Cute lapdogs have been fashionable since the days of Marie Antoinette, who supposedly went to the guillotine with her papillon tucked under her arm. The recent rise in their popularity can be attributed to today’s celebrity aristocrats such as Paris Hilton, whose pocket sized chihuahua Tinkerbell has been endlessly photographed by the ‘puparazzi’ nuzzling up to her mistress in a variety of designer doggywear.
Sarah Whiffen of Battersea with Loki
Bobby with Fionna Ashman of Lizzie’s Barn Animal Sanctuary in South Wales, where he discovered his inner dog
‘They’re more like a fashion accessory than a pet,’ says Ali, who has owned chihuahuas for 25 years. ‘People see celebrities carrying these dogs around, or on programmes like Made in Chelsea, and decide they would like one too. But they don’t always realise what’s involved in looking after them properly.’
The result can be the kind of behavioural problems suffered by Tamara and Bobby, compelling owners to give up on them. Others become overwhelmed when they discover that small dogs can be every bit as expensive and demanding as big ones; or they simply tire of them, like last year’s fashions. And breeders are producing even smaller puppies, known as ‘teacup’ dogs, which can suffer from a variety of health problems another reason for them having to be rescued. As long as small dogs remain fashionable Ali has no doubt that the numbers turning up on Battersea’s doorstep will continue to increase.
Happily, Bobby and Tamara are well on their way to becoming well balanced members of the [عزيزي الزائر يتوجب عليك التسجيل لمشاهدة الرابط للتسجيل اضغط هنا] canine community, although in Bobby’s case it was touch and go. After several failed attempts at fostering, he finally connected to his inner dog at a placement with a specialist animal sanctuary in South Wales and is now ready for rehoming.
Bobby’s story will appear next month in the ITV1 series about Battersea Dogs Cats Home, For the Love of Dogs, presented by Paul O’Grady, Mondays, 8pm
***: male
Age: 6 12 months
‘Think of handbag dogs and you think of chihuahuas, right? We’re definitely the go to pooches when it comes to a little something to pop into your Gucci tote, perhaps togged out in a dinky designer jacket and a pair of Doggles (they’re doggy sunglasses). Not that we enjoyed such a glitzy lifestyle. In fact our owner gave us up because she could no longer afford to look after us. But we weren’t properly trained, and had never heard the phrase "Let’s go walkies". Being pampered and carried around all the time might sound like bliss, but what we really want is a true dog’s life.’
***: male
Age: 6 12 months
‘My owners gave me up when they went travelling. Obviously I couldn’t join them as I’m a so called handbag dog, not a rucksack dog. Because of my upbringing I feel more comfortable around humans, so I’ve had to work hard on what they call my [عزيزي الزائر يتوجب عليك التسجيل لمشاهدة الرابط للتسجيل اضغط هنا] "social skills" to make friends with other dogs. I’m playful and affectionate and don’t suffer from "little dog" syndrome, unlike some of the precious madams in here. And at least I’ve got some hair to groom (have you seen those chihuahuas?). A home in the country would suit me just fine, with owners who know what they’re doing and can spend some quality time with me.’
***: male
Age: 1 2 years
‘I know, very droll to name me after that great hairy thing from Star Wars when I could fit into the palm of his hand. But the security of regular cuddles and regular food will make me a friend for life to the right owner, perhaps a single person living in rural tranquillity.’
Fifi, right
Breed: jack russell terrier cross
Age: 2 3 years
‘I’m known as a "teacup" dog because I’m so tiny and I’ve got a level of confidence to match. I was brought in when my owner moved abroad and I found Battersea quite overwhelming my owner hadn’t trained me in the doggy arts, such as chasing balls and sniffing other dogs (don’t ask!). I’m growing in confidence, but need an experienced owner to make me more sociable.’
[عزيزي الزائر يتوجب عليك التسجيل لمشاهدة الرابط للتسجيل اضغط هنا] [عزيزي الزائر يتوجب عليك التسجيل لمشاهدة الرابط للتسجيل اضغط هنا] [عزيزي الزائر يتوجب عليك التسجيل لمشاهدة الرابط للتسجيل اضغط هنا]