A chance meeting in a vet's surgery led to our introduction to The Merones and 'Collies up North' - a Battersea foster family based in our home town of Southport, Lancashire. From our first meeting and home check, we have enjoyed more support than we could have hoped for. The Merones have passed on valuable advice on welfare, diet and training as well as operating a hotline for problem solving!

Meg came first.  A 'sleepover' was our first introduction, with Meg having to settle herself into a family of two adults and four very well established felines.  All went well as boundaries were established and relationships forged, and we went ahead with the adoption.  Meg was soon a part of the family in her own right and suddenly, walks on the beach became meaningful! After 12 months or so, with our continuing involvement with the Merones and their dog training club, Ruby came into the picture as a newly fostered Battersea dog.  Ruby has a certain kind of attraction and made an impact with many prospective adopters.  Not wanting to upset Meg who can be quite a dominant character, we gave careful consideration before taking the plunge with an introduction to Ruby. How surprised we were when they hit it off straight away. Meg has taken on a mentoring role to Ruby as an older sister and both are happy - life is complete for all of us now.

Lyn & Andy Lewis, Southport, Merseyside