I am so sorry to read the news about Santa - I remember him so well - he stopped at our house initially as he was just so frightened of everything and he used to love going and laying on the top step of our stairs where he felt safe.

It was amazing when he was offered a home with the Jones' and to see his trust in them.

Thank you for giving him a wonderful retired life x
Run free fella xxxxxxx

So sorry for the family.
Love The New Icemaid Clan xxxxxxxxx

So very, very sad to read this news. It is a heart-breaking decision to have to make but, in the end you put your darling boy first. Run free sweetheart. x

Run free at the bridge darling boy xxx

I am so very sad to read this as I came and did your home visit for Santa, he had a wonderful home with you and was very much loved which shows in the last kindness you could do for him by letting him run free. RIP Santa and much love to all of you xxxx

Run free Santa. You were clearly much loved and my thoughts are with your family who no doubt will miss you a great deal xxx

I am so very sorry to hear about Santa, I have just read all through is Daybreak history, you gave him a lovley home and I can see he was much loved, what a beautiful boy ! run free Santa , you will be missed

So sorry to hear about Santa. It is such hard decision to make. He will now be pain free and running with his friends. Sending hugs. Xx

Run free handsome boy, pain free and young again. Xxxx

So sad. Thinking of you. Run free over rainbow bridge handsome. X

Thinking of you all...sending my cuddle to your sweet lad Santa. God Bless him. Xxx

We are so sorry to hear your sad news but we think you did the right thing for Santa he is now playing happerly with his friends at rainbow bridge now and out of pain our thoughts are with you and your family we know how you feel but you can comfort in knowing what a good kind life you gave god bless to you all tinkers nan xx

After three months on pain killers / anti-inflammatory meds Santa had to go to the happy race ground in the sky. With a debilitating spinal condition, wasting muscles in his rear end & going lame in his front leg we had to let him go. We have had him for nearly four years so it was very hard to make the decision to let him go. After such a miserable life before being rescued & coming to us it was lovely to see him come out of his shell & enjoy life with the rest of our greys. This year has been a struggle for him but as long as he enjoyed his walks, food & play we didn't mind him being slow but the pain was the last straw & so we took him for his last journey this afternoon. Always remembered.

Just to add an update on Santa who is an absolute sweetie. He is still quite nervous when out but nowhere near as bad as he was. He is getting used to the regular dog walkers that we meet and will even let some of them stroke him. He is also starting to show his personality and runs around the garden with the other dogs and around the house, usually with one of our shoes in his mouth, which he them leaves in anyones bed or in the middle of the lounge. We are so glad we decided to take on this "unhomable" dog to give him a chance to be a dog and not just a commodity.

happy birthday santa did you had lots pesents
from tanya julie kelly
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I saw Santa the first day he came to Daybreaks. He was so nervous and unhappy, but in the very best place he could be. It is lovely to hear he is doing well and looks loved very much.

We popped to see Santa on our way to Burton yesterday evening. He remembered us & came to us wagging his tail..... what a brave boy! I was in tears! He couldn't be in a more caring & understanding home..... thank you for giving this special boy a chance - he is thriving on his new found life xxxx

I spoke to Santa's new mummy on Monday night and she told me how good he was and how he was following her around everywhere so he obviously feels happy to be in his new home and with his new mum. he has gone to a great home with 2 greyhound and a yellow lab sibling and he will be loved to bits, bless him. xxxx

We took Santa to his new home today. I cannot stop thinking about him and miss him so much but know he will be absolutely loved. He had become so confident with us and know he will soon settle with his new family. Much love to you Santa, from Auntie Ruth xxxxxxx

Brilliant smile on the new pic, well done Santa and well done Ruth for such an amazing transformation from that scared boy I met a few weeks ago. xx

Thanks Dave for your comments. The work I do with dogs such as Santa makes all the difficult times easier to get through.

i saw santa when he came in,I cannot believe the transformation in such a short time absolutely amazing!He`s definitely got the right name, as I bet he now thinks every day is xmas day - well done Ruth x.

Ha ha ha what a great new photo of him - he looks much happier and almost smiling. Good luck at the vets beautiful boy. Ruth you are doing such a good job - as usual xxx

He looks so gorgeous! Hope he gets on ok at the vets. xx

Santa is doing so well. He is eating well and really happy. We did have 3 separate visitors to our house yesterday which I think frightened him so he took to laying at the top of the stairs (pictured) for the rest of the evening and then did a big poo which I managed to tread in!! He is going back to the vets this week..... will keep you posted.

Hope he is feeling much better today Ruth? He is so sweet. Lots of love and hugs for him.

So pleased to hear he is feeling better. xx

Ahh thats the spirit Santa. Glad to see hes on the mend. Lots of love from us all xxxxxxxxx

This little fella is doing fantastic..... eating well now, temperature back to almost normal and sooooo happy! Wagging his tail and following us around, although happy to take himself off and have a snooze when he wants xxxx

Hiya Donna, yes, his temperature is down, he ate a small amount of egg this morning but the best thing is - he has stopped bleeding finally! He is adorable..... going be so hard to let him go next month but he is going to a wonderful home :-)

How is he today Ruth? Feeling lots better I hope xxx

Im so pleased you are reserved and getting better auntie Ruth will look after you then you can go to your new home

oh poor little man and poor Ruth and Rob. here is hoping that he will be better soon so that you can all get some well needed sleep. much love to you both and a gentle hug to the lovely poorly boy. xxxx

Poor little mite, he so needed those teeth out but it seems to now be causing more trouble! Ruth, you have the patience of a saint. Well done, i'm sure he appreciates your love and care. Big hugs Santa! Xx

Poor Santa bled a lot throughout the night - looked like a murder scene in our lounge at 3am :-(
I took him back to the vets who managed to stop the bleeding and gave him vit K and other injections as his temperature is really high. He has spent the afternoon snuggled up in Max's old woolly coat and has slept soundly..... something I could have done with doing!

Oh Poor boy, sending him a big cuddle, those teeth were awfull.... so pleased he has a home to go to where he can blossom into a lovely pet ! well done Ruth xx

Oh bless what a shame for the poor little thing.Hope he will soon be feeling better tho..abcesses and rotten teeth must have been making him feel so poorly. And good on you Ruth for taking the time and trouble to look after this boy so well. Here's wishing you all a more peaceful night tonight. xxxx

Poor Santa, What an ordeal! His mouth must be so sore. Don't tell him he has to go back for more extractions!! How nice of the vet to carry out the work for free. Good luck with the washing Ruth! xx

I finally got home at 7.30pm with Santa. He had had multiple extractions and looked a poor boy. A massive abscess was found in addition. Due to the length of the procedure and loss of blood, he will have to go back for the rest of the rotton teeth to be removed in a week or so. He was really poorly in the night but is walking around this morning and not panting. I am very grateful to Andre the vet and Debbie his nurse who looked after him yesterday. Just about to start on the mountain of blood covered washing now!

He has the cutest face ever - and after 150 races he certainly deserves a happy retirement. All the best for your visit to the dentist tomorrow, beautiful boy.xx

and i have just come in from doing this gorgeous lads home check and he will be going to live with 2 sisters 1 gray and 1 labrador and 1 brother also a grey. he will have a wonderful life with his new mum and dad and will want for nothing, so pleased for him :-) xxx

It is amazing...... he is following us everywhere and wagging his tail so much! I took him to the vets today and he said he would do his dental for free! I am over the moon and bowled over by the vet's generosity to help.

oh look at his little face. So happy he has been reserved so fast - our 'Jumpy Jake' has come on so far since being settled in a home environment. God Bless Santa, i hope you feel lots better after your dentistry tomorrow. Hugs xxxxx

I am so pleased for him Ruth. I was so worried about him when I saw him last Saturday but I knew he was in good hands. Good luck Santa! LOL

What a beautiful face, I hope he gets on ok at the vets. I am sure he will enjoy his stay at the Boswells' 5 star hotel! xx

Santa is at my house and is due to have his teeth removed tomorrow. I am sure he will feel so much better after this. His trainer thought he would be unhomeable as he was so nervous but already this very gentle boy is following us around, wagging his tail and enjoying home life. He is off to his forever home on the 17th October.