31/10/2026
LONG TERM FOSTER FEATURE - KISSY (aka Dinks)
We have had so much sad news recently within our long term foster family so we thought it was time to tell you about a lovely LTF who is living her best life.
We currently have 50 dogs in LTF who will stay with their fosterer for life for various reasons; medical, behavioural or a combination of both. In most cases the fosterer covers vaccinations, flea and worm treatment, we cover all other vet bills.
Kissy is in LTF with the fabulous Kelly and she would like to tell you her story:
My name is Kissy (affectionately known as Dinks in my family). I have been with my foster family now for 2yrs and wow I have put my foster family and spaniel aid through the wringer! I came in originally to spaniel aid after being involved in a RTA, luckily no broken bones, but became clear that I couldn’t see very well.
I had bad ulcers in both eyes as a result of having a condition called dry eye for so long and it wasn’t treated. Shortly after arriving one of my eyes had to be removed. I got to keep the other one, but my vision in it isn’t great. Mainly light and shadow, so I do walk into things a lot! But the one thing I can see are white butterflies which is my favourite thing to chase. I become a real spaniel stalking them, but they always get away….one day I’ll get one. As a result I have special eye drops 3 times a day and lubricating tears every 2hrs through out the day. I have facial paralysis which doesn’t help as I can’t blink/close my eye very much (although it is better than it was…yay me!) but being the clever girl I am, I have learnt to use my third eye lid to blink.
In the past year I have also been diagnosed with syringomyelia and chiari malformation which sadly is a condition prevalent in my breed due to bad breeding. It is where the brain is too big for my skull and pokes out the bottom which causes pain (yes mum I do have a brain…the scans prove it) but I’m on the good drugs now, so I am much more comfortable.
I also had glue ear, which meant I needed a myringotomy this year to get rid of the yucky stuff (I can hear better now, just don’t tell my family, I blame that when i don’t want to listen) and loads of teeth removed as it turns out that car had broken my teeth below my gums. But don’t worry, I know it all sounds bad, but now I am starting to feel better than I ever have and my true personality is coming out. Turns out, I am stubborn, very cheeky, not the brightest tool but what I lack in brain cells, my foster mum says I more than make up for with enthusiasm. Unfortunately I do spend more time grounded on my lead when out on walks now because I love to go off exploring and apparently I have something called spaniel deafness? I’m going back to training classes, not sure who needs more luck, mum or me.
Since arriving at spaniel aid, my life has turn up side down, in the best possible way. I was terrified of the outside world and it took mum months to get me out the house, now I use my voice to show my displeasure at her stopping and talking while out on said walks. I have years of exploring to make up for and she wants me to stand patiently and quietly…I don’t think so. I also use my voice to yell at mum when she disappears out of sight too, can’t have her forgetting me.
I get to go on holidays and have discovered my love for benches. I see a seat or bench, I have to sit on it! Mum jokes about doing a page on ‘the best seating around Britain by Dinks’. I think it would be hugely popular!
So if you see a deranged woman yelling at a bush (yes I’m in there somewhere exploring) or a man looking awkward with a gorgeous, one eye cavalier shouting as her mum dared leave me to go to the loo, say hi. I love attention and fuss. If you have dried cranberry in your pocket too for me…even better!
We can only take care of dogs like little Dinks due to the kind generosity of our supporters so a huge thank you to you all. If you would like to see how your donations help our dogs, here is a link
https://spanielaid.co.uk/donate
