After much deliberation and careful consideration, I’ve decided to extend my Corso family. As a single girl living in the middle of Lincolnshire countryside and working from home, this burning desire for more doggies will just not lapse!!

Since I have time, space and the energy, my mind is made up to search for my third and final Corso...yes…it will stop here...(!), this time a boy.

Some of you may already know my personal journey started almost three years ago when I made a phone call to Jo Lueck enquiring into the breed. Based on circumstances at the time, she and her husband, Marc, very kindly loaned me Viggo (their pride and joy) for protection; four months later I adopted Renai and a year later bought my very own Corso pup, Bona Dea. Since Viggo left, I’ve missed him terribly – any of you that have met him will completely understand why and whilst it may be the male temperament I miss, I believe it more likely his noble character.

Since having Renai and Bona Dea, I’ve been so comforted by their company but for some mysterious reason, a boy remains essential in my house full of girls. So, on speaking with Jo, (discussing Corsos with anyone else is out of the question), we’ve decided to allow Bona Dea one litter of her own due to her being from ‘excellent stock,’ her mother being the beautiful Rhumba and father Cocoon (Italian Champion).

Additionally and unfortunately, my sweet Renai was recently diagnosed with Pyometra (severe infection in the Uterus) and when I almost lost her, I was devastated. Thankfully my favourite vet, Richard Huddart, (I’d visited five different veterinary centres in the area and knew Avenue Vet Surgery was the best), operated immediately and quite literally saved her from certain death. It was following this episode that I knew Bona Dea was either going to be spayed or allowed one litter – I definitely don’t want her to go through what Renai went through.

I’m so looking forward to spending more time with Jo and Marc next year and offering my help if they need it when Bona Dea goes to the Boleyn Centre, but in the meantime will also be looking forward to my third Cane Corso (my little-soon to be big boy).

Lots of love,

Cane Corso girl, April and the doggies, Renai & Bona Dea xxx

Hello everyone! My name is Belinda, I live in West Hampstead, London with my no.3 son, Lars. We have almost always had rescue dogs but over the past few years the rescue's have been heartbreaking. So abused that they were permanently disabled and/or riddled with disease.

Nevertheless, they all got loved to bits until the very end and all went peacefully, in my arms.

So, early last year, we found ourselves looking for another dog. I had, besides the rescues, kept British Bulldogs for over 20 years and was searching for them on the internet when one of the strands led me to a rescue organisation called Many Tears, which had, among many others, a "Victorian Bulldog" looking for a good home. Well, for starters, there ain't no such breed as a Victorian Bulldog but one look at her picture and both Lars and I fell in love. Subsequent to applying for her we went to meet her at her fosterers and shortly after that, took her home.

She had been rejected by a South Wales puppy farmer because, at 10 months old, she didn't get pregnant. Now, not so long ago, that would have earned her a sharp blow to the head with a pickaxe handle and a swift kick into a shallow grave but Many Tears have persuaded these b*****ds to hand the dogs to them, instead.

Polly, as we called her, had obviously been starved as well as abused and was so terrified of everything that the first few months were a nightmare. Regardless, slowly but surely, she began to come out of her shell and by the time we got a 2nd rescue - a Pug, would you believe, she was at least 2/3rds of the way there.

But a week or so ago, I saw, on Animal Precinct, a dog that looked very familiar. I made enquiries about the "Cani Corso" and found the Cane Corso & Mollossus Rescue website, to whom I sent Polly's story and pictures. They came back to me and immediately confirmed that yes, she was a CC! Possibly, she has been crossed with an American Bulldog, but they don't think so.

We don't care - to us she's Polly and just a donkey-sized, loving lump we wouldn't change for the world. But, after watching a further episode of Animal Precinct which featured a female CC, a great deal of Polly's "odd" behaviour was explained. This was not just Polly - this timidity seems to be a breed behaviour, certainly for the females.

The more I look into this breed the more fascinated I become. They really are beautiful dogs and have such lovely natures. I am absolutely AMAZED to see so many looking for new homes, I can hardly believe it.

One thing that should be noted - these puppy farmers are obviously trying to breed CC into their mythical "Victorian Bulldog" and they must be getting them from somewhere. Are there sufficiant controls on the sale of this breed?If I knew how to do it, I'd upload a photo of our Pol so you could see for yourself.

By the way, I also board dogs (I'm a pensioner and need the income) so, if there are any other CC owners in North London and you are short of a holiday home for your dog - I'll be more then glad to help!

In which Pres makes a new friend, and Troy becomes a snowplough

Saddling up two nine year olds, a baby, two dogs who've never met before and James is no mean feat - but we did it!

Troy adores snow, as does Pres, and it was time to get them both out and about together.

After Presley's traditional bristling (which got no response whatsoever from King Troy) they decided it was far more important to dedicate their time to their shared hobby - snowploughing. Collapse front legs and attach to body, run full pelt with back legs, shove head on floor and Bingo! You're a one-dog snowplough!

They were both lovely with the kids, apart from some clumsiness on Troy's part, mittens are indeed delicious and need to be stolen; and ranged around happily before coming home for a game of eat the blanket and some treats.

My special kenny bear never stops surprising me with his intelligence and the amazing amount of love he has to give.
A little miracle occured thanks to the snow, as Ric had previously posted, kenny and oddspot have bonded so suddenly, thanks mostly to the snow. Kenny is obssessed with it, if i let him, he would bounce around the garden in the snow with oddy all day, they both have silly big grins on their faces, chasing each other, making yellow snow cones!!!!!!! it is such a joy to watch them, oddy has always been a bit of a lone wolf so to speak, but now he has a new best friend and mischief is their common goal.
Kenny has also become a big snuggle monster, he loves nothing more than sitting on you and cuddling and snuggling for all he is worth, even when he is eating he has to lean against me while he eats. He is just bursting with love and if we could harness his little stump we would never need to pay for power again, he would beat any dog paws down for the waggiest tail ever.
Kenny's settee is next to Rics armchair and kenny will lay with his chin on the arm gazing at his dad with pure unadulterated love, it is so sweet and innocent in its purity that it warms the heart, yet makes you wonder how anyone could have hurt this beautiful boy, he has brought so much love and joy to viking house at a time when he was needed the most. ( i'll remind myself of this post when kenny wants to play in the snow at 3am !!!!)

Just a short note, the last few days have seen a new and greater bond between Oddy and Kenny, they have been playing pounce and run in the snow most of the day. I have not seen a greater bond between Oddy and another dog, except maybe with the much loved and missed Keegan.