I have now arrived in England! The first thing I needed was a good long drink. Aunty Tracy helped me with that.
Then I met all the other people at Mutts. First was Aunty Jackie with Aunty Karen holding me :
	Then I met Aunty Nikki for a cuddle .
I'm so glad to be here now. I have a new family waiting for me too ! I will update more soon once I have settled in. Love Spartacus xx

Spartacus has settled in well to his new environment but is having trouble getting used to the weather !
He has a new home and family to go to and will leave for his new life today. Apr 16th.
Good luck you brave boy. You deserve only the very best.

Update from his new family :

Just to let you have a quick update on Spartacus (now known as "Kai"). He travelled home well in the car.
His brothers are not too impressed with him at the moment, they have told him off a couple of times and bless him he backs down every time. I don't expect much trouble on this front, both my boys are brilliant and he has a great temperament, so as soon as they have ironed their differences out, I'm sure they will be fine.

He had chicken (proper chicken), rice and biscuit last night and also this morning and he loved it. We all went on a shortish walk yesterday evening and had a nice walk this morning on the Heath which he enjoyed. He met some of the regular walkers and they all liked him. I'm going to start work on his lead training (possibly with a halti or gentle leader) as he is very strong and needs to learn some manners on the lead.

I can't get my head round what a great temperament he has with people considering what he has been through, it really is quite remarkable. He is very loving and affectionate and all he wants to do is please everybody.

The main concern I have at the moment is with barking, he tends to bark quite a bit (he's got a big bark that doesn't go unnoticed) I hope he settles and copies from the other boys, as they are very calm and quiet. I'll keep you posted.

Bye for now
Virginia x

Further update:

I'm really pleased with how he is doing, he's only been with us for 24 hours and he tends to take everything in his stride. He's accepted, a bit begrudgingly, the Gentle Leader so I now have power steering on our walks and what I'm dead chuffed about is that my boys have allowed him to travel with them in the back of the car which is a huge step for them.

With regard to the barking, he gets ignored when he barks and is only praised when he settles and is calm. He's pretty clued up and quick to take things in so hopefully he will copy the other two and realise that barking is not really "the done thing". However, as I said before we will persevere with him and try to sort it out.

All those who have met him on our walks are really impressed with him, one of them said you could tell he was a "happy go lucky kind of dog", I think she is right, he's quite happy to go along with the flow.

I'll drop you a line later this week to let you know how he's doing.

bye for now
Virginia x

Update, sadly the other dogs are not too keen on sharing their family and Spartacus is having to look for another permanent home.

May '08

Spartacus now has a new home lined up and will be able to relax and enjoy his life.
Good luck brave boy.

June '08

Here he is leaving with his new Mummy. Be happy lovely boy.

Oct '08

Update :
Sadly, due to unexpected serious illness, Sue and Paul can no longer look after Spartacus, so yet again he is looking for a loving new family.

November '08 update :

Spartacus now has a new family and is happily settled in. Have a good life lovely boy.

Latest news from Spartacus and his new family :
Hi Guys, It's Spartacus here.... Just to let all who loved and cared for me know that I am having a fabulous time in my new home in Stevenage! I have settled in very well, have a mummy & daddy who adore me and two uncles aged 13 & 11, who love me and spoil me rotten!
Thankyou all for all you did for me xx
Update from Spartacus's Mum and Dad... What can we say? An adorable boy!!! So sweet, cute, cheeky at times, loving, full of energy and the more love you give him, the more love he gives you in return! Spartacus has made our lives complete!!
He is a wonderful friend and companion. Spartacus travelled well on our 45 minute drive home on the 8th Nov and when we got home, he loved our two sons (and all their friends) who were there to greet him! He loves everybody, he adores people! Since then, we've had some wonderful times, walks in the park, lazy strolls around Fairlands Valley Lakes, and we even trusted him enough today (23/11) to let him off the lead (with a few treats to hand) - he loved it - he was as good as gold and we even met a few doggy companions along the way!
We usually give him Chicken & rice or pasta and tuna, as he turned his nose up at the complete/wet food we offered him - he sulked and refused to eat it, so when we have lamb or beef roast or shepherds pie, he does too! We adore him, he adores us, everyone who meets him loves him and we're so happy to say that after such a bad start to his life, he is here to stay.... photographs will follow.
Lots of love Spartacus and his new family xxxxx

Dec' 09

It has just been announced that Spartacus has won the Rescus Dog of the Year award. His story touched so many people and his bravery and determination to live despite what man did to him was exceptional.
Well done Spartacus.

Jan '09

Very sadly we've just heard that Spartacus was fatally hurt in a hit by a car and died from his injuries in his owners arms at the vets. What a tragic end to his life when he had overcome so much and was finally happy.
Our thoughts go to his new family who are devastated. Run free special boy.