The first rescue Sloughi reunion took place at Bath Cats and Dogs Home on Saturday 28 April 2007. To see our day in pictures click here.

Bath Cats and Dogs Home, where many Sloughis found their first taste of freedom back in 2005, welcomed back many of the original Sloughis for the first time since they left us some two years ago. We had decided to get as many of them together as possible during a time when they continue to find the love and affection they so deserve across many homes around the country; slowly coming out of their shells and starting to enjoy life, whatever their age.

Jan Clare who works at Bath (and who has taken many of the wonderful photos on this website) and who tracked down lots of these dogs, comments: "It was worth every effort tracking down the owners nationwide just to see the beautiful Sloughis skip around the paddock together in what was a most worthwhile event."

Many of the owners have already chatted online and a few have met up but to see 17 Sloughis together with their owners and canine companions was a sight worth seeing. I am not sure who was more excited -the staff at BCDH, the dogs’ owners or the Sloughis themselves!

Many of the animal carers from BCDH who used to look after the Sloughis and have since left also made the visit back to the Home just to see their old friends.

Some of the comments of the day by owners and animal carers alike:

Caroline, Oscar's owner said "I am actually still kind of floating on air after Saturday. Of course it all went much too quickly and I didn’t have nearly enough time to talk to everyone but the mood was wonderful and everyone - without exception - is so lovely! To see the dogs playing like they did was the best feeling, especially as last time I saw Twin and George they were both cowering away at the Home. These people are wonderful to take the time to get these dogs to overcome their fears and get them to the stage that they can mingle like they did. I know some of them were not overly keen to start with but given what they were initially like it's nothing short of a miracle they all coped like they did!"

Nicky, one of the animal carer who has since left but returned for the day said "What a fantastic day Saturday was! I really couldn’t believe my eyes when I arrived; Sloughi Heaven!"

Gracie’s owners said "It was something else to see all those dogs together and the way they appeared to cope so well with both canine and human company. I must confess to feeling quite overawed and emotional at the time and afterwards."

Tony, owner of 3 of the Sloughis said "I couldn't wait until the 28th of April come around. I was so excited and didn't get much sleep the night before because I just couldn't wait to see all these dogs and their owners who I'd been chatting to during the last few months. I felt like I had made a whole new circle of friends and it was great because we all shared the same love and passion for these beautiful dogs." He continued "We eagerly made our way to the home to be greeted first by the lovely Tosca and Daphne. As we chatted, all the other Sloughis filtered in and I don't think any of us knew who to speak to first.


I personally found it all quite overwhelming; it was fantastic to see these dogs looking so well and so happy. I think we were all secretly so proud of our kids and how far we had come with them. Two of my four climbed miles to find happiness and to see one of them sniffing around and mingling with other dogs was just fantastic." Tony finished by saying; "The day took a long time coming and went by so quickly. I felt so happy, but at the same time I felt sad because the day had disappeared before any of us knew it."

Twin’s owner said "We really enjoyed Saturday; it was great meeting everyone and their dogs. Twin really rose to the occasion, more sociable than he has ever been. We are so proud."

Rachel, owner of 3 Sloughis said "The reunion wasn't what I was expecting, it was even better!! It was such an amazing day for me, to see all those dogs so happy and content with such loving families was just brilliant! I still can't stop smiling when I think about it!"

Belle’s owner said "A great day, hope there will be more. It was a fantastic sight to see all the dogs running around, playing together and to greet and meet them all at last. I was curious to see what the dogs would make of one another especially the ones that were related but what struck me the most was how attached to their human families they all were. Understandably so, given all the love and care everyone has given to their own special dogs!"

Denise; owner of 2 Sloughis said "It was a great day and it was so nice to see all the Sloughis free to run round the paddock with complete trust in us humans. We all have some pretty lovely dogs you know and we should be happy knowing they are miles better off with us than where they came from. I was very proud of Ceaser - he was so relaxed and was such a good boy."

Kirsty one of BCDH’s animal care said "Today was absolutely fantastic for me. I know I didn't get to go on the walk as I was working, but just seeing them in the paddock was enough! The sight of all the Sloughi's together was, quite simply, breath taking. And I got huge cuddles with my special boy Ceasar, what more could I ask for?"

Although we now all keep in touch and intend on smaller meetings throughout the year, we do hope to make the big reunion an annual event.

Thank you to Jan Clare for the wonderful photography

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