It's been a really hot and sticky day today.
All the dogs have been pooped out in the heat.
Lots to do today again, with the dogs and the new feline arrivals.
The cats seem to have settled in well, although they are obviously still bewildered, so hopefully in a few days we will be able to take some nice photos and start to look for new homes for them.
We had another new arrival today, a very pretty young girl called Fly. She has lovely speckles on her nose and legs. Bernie bought her down from Rochdale.
Tess can't believe her luck! Another girl the same age to play with.
Lots of phone calls again today, and Paul has been working on a secret Wiccaweys project to be revealed very soon.
I managed to get some of the lawns mown today - that was hot work!
Little Horace the Peke had us in hysterics this evening. Normally when it cools down he likes to hide in the grass - looking out for passing cats! Unfortunately evil Mummy has ruined his game, and he was running round the garden trying to find a blade of grass to hide behind! In the end he gave up, played ball for a bit, ran around the garden and few times and then decided to 'hide' behind the rotary airer!
Right, time for bed. Pauline is coming over first thing to drop Lulu & Beko off as they are away for the weekend at an agility show.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Another busy one, and more thank you's.
Thank you to all that are sending in messages of support and love. It really is appreciated and it is wonderful to receive them. You are all lifting my spirits.
Today has been another busy and long one.
Up early to get everyone sorted out, and then Paul was left holding the fort while I dropped Corby and Skip off at the vets for neutering and proceeded over to Lincolnshire to collect the cats. If I'd carried on for a few miles, Gem and I could have gone on the beach at Skegness!
I bought home 9 stunning British Shorthairs. It was very sad, as Ann and her husband obviously love their cats very much, and they are all in nice condition and well looked after. Ann's hubby goes into hospital tomorrow for a major operation, and we wish him all the best and hope he feels better very soon.
Once the cats were safely loaded into Flossie, Gem and I set off on the journey back home, via Leicester to collect the 2 boys from the vets. Little Skip was still a little wobberly on his back legs and snoozed all the way home. Corby leapt in the van as if nothing had happened. :)
I got home about 6ish, and we got the cats settled. They all seem happy, and are not too distressed by their exciting day.
Paul is just finishing the phone calls for the day, and I am catching up on emails.
Then Paul is going to make us some tea. :)
Fingers crossed for an early night - we are both exhausted.
Today has been another busy and long one.
Up early to get everyone sorted out, and then Paul was left holding the fort while I dropped Corby and Skip off at the vets for neutering and proceeded over to Lincolnshire to collect the cats. If I'd carried on for a few miles, Gem and I could have gone on the beach at Skegness!
I bought home 9 stunning British Shorthairs. It was very sad, as Ann and her husband obviously love their cats very much, and they are all in nice condition and well looked after. Ann's hubby goes into hospital tomorrow for a major operation, and we wish him all the best and hope he feels better very soon.
Once the cats were safely loaded into Flossie, Gem and I set off on the journey back home, via Leicester to collect the 2 boys from the vets. Little Skip was still a little wobberly on his back legs and snoozed all the way home. Corby leapt in the van as if nothing had happened. :)
I got home about 6ish, and we got the cats settled. They all seem happy, and are not too distressed by their exciting day.
Paul is just finishing the phone calls for the day, and I am catching up on emails.
Then Paul is going to make us some tea. :)
Fingers crossed for an early night - we are both exhausted.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Thank you
Thank you to everyone who has sent lovely emails, pms and good wishes today. It has been very much appreciated. GB & I are really touched by everyones support. :)
Paul has been hugging me and telling me not to let the B**tards get me down.
I even had a lovely surprise in the form of a floral delivery!
We'd had several delivery drivers turn up today, getting lost and asking for directions. So when the van arrived, Paul went out to give the man directions to one of the neighbours! I was gobsmacked when he tapped on the window and called me out. It is a beautiful arrangement, and I was very touched by the gesture and the thought. Thank you Sam, Mark and Aisling. :) We will take a photo of the flowers later.
Tomorrow is going to be another long haul trip and a very busy day.
Corby is off to the vets to be shifted into neutral, and while that is happening, I am off to Lincolnshire. We have 10 new arrivals coming in! However, they are not canine - they are feline. I'm collecting 10 pedigree British Shorthairs from their breeder. It is very sad, the lady's husband is very poorly and has to go into hospital, and the lady herself is not well now either. Sooooo putty-cats will be appearing on the Wiccs site very soon! If you think you would like to offer one of these cats a home, give us a call on the usual number. :)
I don't know what was in that ice cream GB was eating at the Melton Show, but since wowing his public, he has been invigorated again. He is full of himself!
Our old man - he is such a hero!
Paul has been hugging me and telling me not to let the B**tards get me down.
I even had a lovely surprise in the form of a floral delivery!
We'd had several delivery drivers turn up today, getting lost and asking for directions. So when the van arrived, Paul went out to give the man directions to one of the neighbours! I was gobsmacked when he tapped on the window and called me out. It is a beautiful arrangement, and I was very touched by the gesture and the thought. Thank you Sam, Mark and Aisling. :) We will take a photo of the flowers later.
Tomorrow is going to be another long haul trip and a very busy day.
Corby is off to the vets to be shifted into neutral, and while that is happening, I am off to Lincolnshire. We have 10 new arrivals coming in! However, they are not canine - they are feline. I'm collecting 10 pedigree British Shorthairs from their breeder. It is very sad, the lady's husband is very poorly and has to go into hospital, and the lady herself is not well now either. Sooooo putty-cats will be appearing on the Wiccs site very soon! If you think you would like to offer one of these cats a home, give us a call on the usual number. :)
I don't know what was in that ice cream GB was eating at the Melton Show, but since wowing his public, he has been invigorated again. He is full of himself!
Our old man - he is such a hero!
Finally catching up..
I started updating the blog yesterday and then got completely waylaid and closed down the page by mistake! Losing all the stuff I had written. :(
I didn't have the heart to start again yesterday, so apologies to regular visitors. :)
Melton was a great success. We set off at 7am, and by 8am the stall was going up.
HUGE thanks to Pauline and Greg for all their help. I really couldn't have done it without them.
Pauline and Greg bought Lulu & Beko, along with Fern and Tangle.
I had Grandad Brynn, Rebecca, Gwen, Alice, Tess and Gem with me.
The jars were a huge success again, and the raffle went very well, thanks to everyone who came along and added to the prizes.
It was great to see so many Wiccaweys dogs and their families, and big thanks to everyone who came a supported us and helped out.
I hope I don't forget anyone (if I have, give me a kick and I'll add you):
Tigger & Daisy with Mr&MrsB
Tiffy Tart & Charlie Slug Eater with Joan & Dick
Jessica with Karen & Dale
Mike & Liz (alone, keeping hands spare for dog walking duties)
Arthur & Monty with Nicola and family
Midge & Paul
Barnum Poodle & family
Foxy-Roxy & family
Cassie (nee Tara) & family
Pink & Emma
Barney & Fergus (nee Gus) & family
Alice spent the day with young Aisling, and had a fabulous time! She went in lots of classes and was walking around wearing an extremely attractive pink bandana.
The sausage eating race was hilarious as usual. Some dogs, you would think they were out for a spot of fine dining!! Jessica excelled at sausage eating. :)
Gem had to be bought back to the stall as she decided it was much better at the Houndsavers stand - and she wanted to see what Alice was getting that she wasn't!
Gwen met a few folks, but when lots of dogs arrived, she got a bit grumpy, so chilled in the van.
Tess had a good time, and it was great socialisation for her.
Grandad Brynn enjoyed his meeting and greeting role - he loves doing this.
Although this was his last show, as he is now offically retired!
Rebecca was his glamourous assistant. Julia, one of our vets was visiting the show and she popped by to say hello. She was really pleased to see Becca and GB.
GB managed to persuade several people to part with ice creams! Old devil.
He successfully defended his Veteran title, although he had actually gone to sleep before we went into the ring, and had to be woke up. So he went to sleep in the ring instead! Unfortunately this upset some people and they complained about him being there at all. I will cover this later. By the end of the afternoon, as we were packing up, he was awake again and had to be retrieved when he started making off across the park!
The stall was a constant hive of activity and we had lots of people meeting the dogs, asking questions and supporting. Again HUGE thanks to Pauline & Greg for keeping this altogether.
It was a wonderful day, although sadly marred by the opinions of 2 women who thought GB shouldn't have been there, and shouldn't have been in the ring. They told me in no uncertain terms and very viciously that I wasn't a dog lover, I didn't care about dog welfare and Brynn shouldn't be bought out in the state he is. Their opinion was he should be hidden at home, or PTS. They thought he was going to die in the ring, as it was very warm. I tried to reason with them, but they were not interested. What is the point? They did upset me greatly. I would NEVER ask Brynn to do anything I didn't think he could, or would want to. He has always loved going to the odd show, and he fairly sprinted out to the van on Sunday morning, when he realised what was happening. They have no idea how Brynn lives, and what he can and can't do. The warmness in the ring on Sunday wouldn't not have bothered him in the slightest - he is a total sunworshipper! We constantly have to fetch him in from the garden as he will lay outside in the heat for hours given half the chance.
The way he was laying on Sunday, was the way he does when he's soaking up a few rays!
Sadly, once again though, these people have made me doubt myself and the work we do.
We have no life other than what we do. We do not go out socially - the last time Paul and I got out together, for us to do something for us, was at Christmas when volunteers came and dog sat so we could go to the pictures. We do not have holidays. Most nights we do not get a full nights sleep. I have only had about an hour overnight due to having a couple of woofy dogs here at the moment.
We give EVERYTHING to the dogs we love, heart, body & soul.
For someone to then tell you that you are not a dog lover and care nothing for animal welfare is like a punch in the guts.
The organisers of the dog show and Wiccaweys volunteers and Paul were furious.
Once again yesterday, I was seriously considering throwing in the towel. There are only so many knocks and batterings you can take - and recently we seemed to have seen the very worst of people.
Thankfully you also see the very best of people too, and last night the words of a 12 year old boy gave me the crutch I needed. Alex is a wonderful lad, and a true Wiccaweys supporter. This is what he said to his mum Amanda, and she passed it on to me:
"Why are people so horrible Mum?. I think there are more horrible people in the world than there are nice ones. Why do people say nasty things?. You tell me off when I am rude, so how come people get away with saying horrible things just because they are grown up?. I think I'm more grown up than they are.
Don't they know that as you get older things start to wear out. Your legs get a bit wobbly, your hair falls out and sometimes you get a bit "wiffy", but that's because you are old. Inside your head, your brain is still the same, and you have a heart, so you still have feelings that can be hurt.
What those stupid people said yesterday was wrong. Its a bit like me telling my Nan and Grandad that they can't come out with us because they walk wobbly and perhaps don't look so good anymore. But because I love them I don't care....
I love Brynn, and if he enjoyed his day yesterday then that's all that counts. Mum said it was meant to be a family day out, so you can have all ages there. Puppies, middle aged dogs and grandparent dogs. That way people see the full picture. you shouldn't hide dogs or people away because they don't look good any more...
I would like to lock the people up that said these things, and tell them, as my Mum tells me "if you can't say anything nice, then don't say it at all"......
From the mouths of babes.....
I didn't have the heart to start again yesterday, so apologies to regular visitors. :)
Melton was a great success. We set off at 7am, and by 8am the stall was going up.
HUGE thanks to Pauline and Greg for all their help. I really couldn't have done it without them.
Pauline and Greg bought Lulu & Beko, along with Fern and Tangle.
I had Grandad Brynn, Rebecca, Gwen, Alice, Tess and Gem with me.
The jars were a huge success again, and the raffle went very well, thanks to everyone who came along and added to the prizes.
It was great to see so many Wiccaweys dogs and their families, and big thanks to everyone who came a supported us and helped out.
I hope I don't forget anyone (if I have, give me a kick and I'll add you):
Tigger & Daisy with Mr&MrsB
Tiffy Tart & Charlie Slug Eater with Joan & Dick
Jessica with Karen & Dale
Mike & Liz (alone, keeping hands spare for dog walking duties)
Arthur & Monty with Nicola and family
Midge & Paul
Barnum Poodle & family
Foxy-Roxy & family
Cassie (nee Tara) & family
Pink & Emma
Barney & Fergus (nee Gus) & family
Alice spent the day with young Aisling, and had a fabulous time! She went in lots of classes and was walking around wearing an extremely attractive pink bandana.
The sausage eating race was hilarious as usual. Some dogs, you would think they were out for a spot of fine dining!! Jessica excelled at sausage eating. :)
Gem had to be bought back to the stall as she decided it was much better at the Houndsavers stand - and she wanted to see what Alice was getting that she wasn't!
Gwen met a few folks, but when lots of dogs arrived, she got a bit grumpy, so chilled in the van.
Tess had a good time, and it was great socialisation for her.
Grandad Brynn enjoyed his meeting and greeting role - he loves doing this.
Although this was his last show, as he is now offically retired!
Rebecca was his glamourous assistant. Julia, one of our vets was visiting the show and she popped by to say hello. She was really pleased to see Becca and GB.
GB managed to persuade several people to part with ice creams! Old devil.
He successfully defended his Veteran title, although he had actually gone to sleep before we went into the ring, and had to be woke up. So he went to sleep in the ring instead! Unfortunately this upset some people and they complained about him being there at all. I will cover this later. By the end of the afternoon, as we were packing up, he was awake again and had to be retrieved when he started making off across the park!
The stall was a constant hive of activity and we had lots of people meeting the dogs, asking questions and supporting. Again HUGE thanks to Pauline & Greg for keeping this altogether.
It was a wonderful day, although sadly marred by the opinions of 2 women who thought GB shouldn't have been there, and shouldn't have been in the ring. They told me in no uncertain terms and very viciously that I wasn't a dog lover, I didn't care about dog welfare and Brynn shouldn't be bought out in the state he is. Their opinion was he should be hidden at home, or PTS. They thought he was going to die in the ring, as it was very warm. I tried to reason with them, but they were not interested. What is the point? They did upset me greatly. I would NEVER ask Brynn to do anything I didn't think he could, or would want to. He has always loved going to the odd show, and he fairly sprinted out to the van on Sunday morning, when he realised what was happening. They have no idea how Brynn lives, and what he can and can't do. The warmness in the ring on Sunday wouldn't not have bothered him in the slightest - he is a total sunworshipper! We constantly have to fetch him in from the garden as he will lay outside in the heat for hours given half the chance.
The way he was laying on Sunday, was the way he does when he's soaking up a few rays!
Sadly, once again though, these people have made me doubt myself and the work we do.
We have no life other than what we do. We do not go out socially - the last time Paul and I got out together, for us to do something for us, was at Christmas when volunteers came and dog sat so we could go to the pictures. We do not have holidays. Most nights we do not get a full nights sleep. I have only had about an hour overnight due to having a couple of woofy dogs here at the moment.
We give EVERYTHING to the dogs we love, heart, body & soul.
For someone to then tell you that you are not a dog lover and care nothing for animal welfare is like a punch in the guts.
The organisers of the dog show and Wiccaweys volunteers and Paul were furious.
Once again yesterday, I was seriously considering throwing in the towel. There are only so many knocks and batterings you can take - and recently we seemed to have seen the very worst of people.
Thankfully you also see the very best of people too, and last night the words of a 12 year old boy gave me the crutch I needed. Alex is a wonderful lad, and a true Wiccaweys supporter. This is what he said to his mum Amanda, and she passed it on to me:
"Why are people so horrible Mum?. I think there are more horrible people in the world than there are nice ones. Why do people say nasty things?. You tell me off when I am rude, so how come people get away with saying horrible things just because they are grown up?. I think I'm more grown up than they are.
Don't they know that as you get older things start to wear out. Your legs get a bit wobbly, your hair falls out and sometimes you get a bit "wiffy", but that's because you are old. Inside your head, your brain is still the same, and you have a heart, so you still have feelings that can be hurt.
What those stupid people said yesterday was wrong. Its a bit like me telling my Nan and Grandad that they can't come out with us because they walk wobbly and perhaps don't look so good anymore. But because I love them I don't care....
I love Brynn, and if he enjoyed his day yesterday then that's all that counts. Mum said it was meant to be a family day out, so you can have all ages there. Puppies, middle aged dogs and grandparent dogs. That way people see the full picture. you shouldn't hide dogs or people away because they don't look good any more...
I would like to lock the people up that said these things, and tell them, as my Mum tells me "if you can't say anything nice, then don't say it at all"......
From the mouths of babes.....
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Just about ready....
For tomorrow - I think!
Paul is still printing stuff I need.
The liver cake is all cooked and packed - not had chance to cut it and bag it yet, so will do that tomorrow at the show.
All the jars are done - Phewwww.
Just finished the prize jars for the doggy games.
Van has been washed out, and is all packed ready to leave in the morning.
I do hope I haven't forgotten anything.
I couldn't find the carpet mats, so I will have to improvise somehow for the musical mats.
3 dogs have left today, Shep, Katy and Bea the Poodle have all set off for pastures new. Good luck kids!
And we have had one new arrival, Orson - an older chap from Ireland. We were expecting a really old man, but he's actually only about 8. He's just had a hard life, bless him. He has a lovely nature, and is a bit of a cuddle monster. :)
GB is having a little light supper in preparation for tomorrow. I hope it isn't too hot for him. He really enjoyed himself last year.
Pauline is coming over to meet me at 7am and we are heading over to Melton together.
I'm really grateful for that - I was dreading setting up on my own.
Tricia has emailed today to say she is coming dog walking, so that means Paul is not fending for himself all day. It will give him a bit of a break. We managed to get everyone to come todays, so at least he hasn't got to worry about visitors tomorrow too.
We are both exhausted, so I think it is time for night-nights. :)
Paul is still printing stuff I need.
The liver cake is all cooked and packed - not had chance to cut it and bag it yet, so will do that tomorrow at the show.
All the jars are done - Phewwww.
Just finished the prize jars for the doggy games.
Van has been washed out, and is all packed ready to leave in the morning.
I do hope I haven't forgotten anything.
I couldn't find the carpet mats, so I will have to improvise somehow for the musical mats.
3 dogs have left today, Shep, Katy and Bea the Poodle have all set off for pastures new. Good luck kids!
And we have had one new arrival, Orson - an older chap from Ireland. We were expecting a really old man, but he's actually only about 8. He's just had a hard life, bless him. He has a lovely nature, and is a bit of a cuddle monster. :)
GB is having a little light supper in preparation for tomorrow. I hope it isn't too hot for him. He really enjoyed himself last year.
Pauline is coming over to meet me at 7am and we are heading over to Melton together.
I'm really grateful for that - I was dreading setting up on my own.
Tricia has emailed today to say she is coming dog walking, so that means Paul is not fending for himself all day. It will give him a bit of a break. We managed to get everyone to come todays, so at least he hasn't got to worry about visitors tomorrow too.
We are both exhausted, so I think it is time for night-nights. :)
Bit mad so far....
All go here to day.
Luckily the early morning playgroup waited until 6.30 this morning before starting racing around!
By 8am I was in Tesco, getting supplies for making Liver Cake.
The first visitors of the day turned up just before 10am. I had to leave Paul manning the fort as I had a vet run over to Leicester. Van needs washing out now, as Shep decided he felt travel sick!
Got back about Midday, and had a chat with the folks. Just about finished making the Liver Cake, one more lot to go in the oven.
We have 3 more sets of visitors and then I can get the van washed out, start packing ready for tomorrow and finish painting the jars.
It looks like 2 sets of visitors are going to clash now, as we are still waiting for the folks for 1 o'clock to arrive.
Haven't even though about bathing the dogs coming tomorrow yet! Not enough hours!
Luckily the early morning playgroup waited until 6.30 this morning before starting racing around!
By 8am I was in Tesco, getting supplies for making Liver Cake.
The first visitors of the day turned up just before 10am. I had to leave Paul manning the fort as I had a vet run over to Leicester. Van needs washing out now, as Shep decided he felt travel sick!
Got back about Midday, and had a chat with the folks. Just about finished making the Liver Cake, one more lot to go in the oven.
We have 3 more sets of visitors and then I can get the van washed out, start packing ready for tomorrow and finish painting the jars.
It looks like 2 sets of visitors are going to clash now, as we are still waiting for the folks for 1 o'clock to arrive.
Haven't even though about bathing the dogs coming tomorrow yet! Not enough hours!
Friday, June 23, 2006
Keeping up with the Jar'sies
Painting overdrive this morning - hopefully the jars will be ready in time for the show. Need to pop out to Tesco to see if they have replenished stocks yet.
Broken nights sleep again last night, a couple of the new arrivals didn't want to settle at first, and then got up REALLY EARLY to have racy-chasy woofing games at 4am! Oh joy - at least Collie Cam meant with could identify the offenders! Little monsters!
Otherwise they have all settled in wonderful and are a great bunch. We've been having lots of fun with them.
Another new arrival has joined us today, Bernie has bought a lad down from Rochdale. He is lovvvverly! Shep, 10 month oldish, classically marked, gorgeous friendly boy. He is currently in the kitchen with Tess learning naughty habits!
Later on I'm meeting up with Dougie to fetch back Tall Ben, Bea and Lulu while Alexa and Dougie have a well earned holiday up in Scotland. Merlin was trying to get himself a holiday, but he'd much rather it was just him and Alexa!
Going to pop out in a bit to get all the supplies for making the famous Wiccaweys Liver Cake tomorrow! Have you tried to bake with several nose all insisting on taste-testing?
Thankfully the new gazebo has arrived in time for Sunday. The old one was so bent and twisted it was in danger of taking someones eye out!
Back to it.
Broken nights sleep again last night, a couple of the new arrivals didn't want to settle at first, and then got up REALLY EARLY to have racy-chasy woofing games at 4am! Oh joy - at least Collie Cam meant with could identify the offenders! Little monsters!
Otherwise they have all settled in wonderful and are a great bunch. We've been having lots of fun with them.
Another new arrival has joined us today, Bernie has bought a lad down from Rochdale. He is lovvvverly! Shep, 10 month oldish, classically marked, gorgeous friendly boy. He is currently in the kitchen with Tess learning naughty habits!
Later on I'm meeting up with Dougie to fetch back Tall Ben, Bea and Lulu while Alexa and Dougie have a well earned holiday up in Scotland. Merlin was trying to get himself a holiday, but he'd much rather it was just him and Alexa!
Going to pop out in a bit to get all the supplies for making the famous Wiccaweys Liver Cake tomorrow! Have you tried to bake with several nose all insisting on taste-testing?
Thankfully the new gazebo has arrived in time for Sunday. The old one was so bent and twisted it was in danger of taking someones eye out!
Back to it.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Busy, Busy!
The early night in preperation for the overnight run didn't go according to plan.
I just dropped off and the phone went just before 10pm. It was Pauline, a neighbour had turned up on her doorstep with a boxer she'd found straying and didn't know what to do. I gave some advice, and luckily the owner of the dog came forward this morning to collect him.
I'd just nodded off again, when the phone rang at 10.30pm - someone asking if we could take in a collie x dog for homing. I waited for the 'urgent' part of the call - dog needs help now, owners are going to hit it over the head with a shovel etc...... Nope, it was just a routine call asking us to take in a dog, that could have waited until the next day and normal hours.
By that time I was beyond going to sleep. So I watched a bit of tv. Think I nodded off about midnight, but kept waking up every 30mins or so. I got up again at 3am to head off to meet Alexa.
Met up with Alexa at the normal meeting point, all the dogs are lovely. Little Doc had got a little stressed from his trip, but he's settled down now.
Alexa, the sneaky little madam hadn't told me it was her birthday, and I've only just found that out now - So happy birthday Alexa! You can pick up the lurcher kisses next time you visit! hehehehehehehehe!
Got back home about 6.30, settled the dogs, and as everyone was still snoozy, I crept back to bed for an hour or so.
We got up and did the normal routine, and then Paul & I took some pics of the newbies, before I had to dash off to take Flossie Van to the garage for her new handbrake.
The chap in the garage said it would only be an hour, so I waited.
3 hrs later, I'm still sat there. They had Mr Slow on the job. Luckily Harry the extremely nice mechanic came back from another job and he soon had Flossie finished.
Flossie has been really sluggish since she's had her engine rebuild, so I booked her in for a service on the 4th July, and told Harry about all the smoke, misfiring, juddering and missing speed! He took her for a blast (!) around the estate and bought her back.
It looks like her timing is out, and that is why she isn't picking up speed, misfiring and bellowing out smoke etc. For them to sort out the timing means almost another engine strip, and she will be in hospital for 2-3 days. :(
We are going to have to find another considerable sum to get her completely right.
Please don't let anything else go wrong - the MOT is in August!
Meanwhile Paul was dealing with all the calls and keeping an eye on the new arrivals.
I've just got back now, so I can return a few of the calls before I need to shoot out again to do some more bits and bobs.
It is quite windy here today, I am laughing at the dogs, they obviously feel they are all in need of a 'blow-dry' as they are all laying face into the wind, so they get a really good breeze over them! Daft bunch. Apart from Buster-Bum, who is laying backend toward the breeze, so he is getting cold air up his bottom! Kinky!
Right, back to it!
I just dropped off and the phone went just before 10pm. It was Pauline, a neighbour had turned up on her doorstep with a boxer she'd found straying and didn't know what to do. I gave some advice, and luckily the owner of the dog came forward this morning to collect him.
I'd just nodded off again, when the phone rang at 10.30pm - someone asking if we could take in a collie x dog for homing. I waited for the 'urgent' part of the call - dog needs help now, owners are going to hit it over the head with a shovel etc...... Nope, it was just a routine call asking us to take in a dog, that could have waited until the next day and normal hours.
By that time I was beyond going to sleep. So I watched a bit of tv. Think I nodded off about midnight, but kept waking up every 30mins or so. I got up again at 3am to head off to meet Alexa.
Met up with Alexa at the normal meeting point, all the dogs are lovely. Little Doc had got a little stressed from his trip, but he's settled down now.
Alexa, the sneaky little madam hadn't told me it was her birthday, and I've only just found that out now - So happy birthday Alexa! You can pick up the lurcher kisses next time you visit! hehehehehehehehe!
Got back home about 6.30, settled the dogs, and as everyone was still snoozy, I crept back to bed for an hour or so.
We got up and did the normal routine, and then Paul & I took some pics of the newbies, before I had to dash off to take Flossie Van to the garage for her new handbrake.
The chap in the garage said it would only be an hour, so I waited.
3 hrs later, I'm still sat there. They had Mr Slow on the job. Luckily Harry the extremely nice mechanic came back from another job and he soon had Flossie finished.
Flossie has been really sluggish since she's had her engine rebuild, so I booked her in for a service on the 4th July, and told Harry about all the smoke, misfiring, juddering and missing speed! He took her for a blast (!) around the estate and bought her back.
It looks like her timing is out, and that is why she isn't picking up speed, misfiring and bellowing out smoke etc. For them to sort out the timing means almost another engine strip, and she will be in hospital for 2-3 days. :(
We are going to have to find another considerable sum to get her completely right.
Please don't let anything else go wrong - the MOT is in August!
Meanwhile Paul was dealing with all the calls and keeping an eye on the new arrivals.
I've just got back now, so I can return a few of the calls before I need to shoot out again to do some more bits and bobs.
It is quite windy here today, I am laughing at the dogs, they obviously feel they are all in need of a 'blow-dry' as they are all laying face into the wind, so they get a really good breeze over them! Daft bunch. Apart from Buster-Bum, who is laying backend toward the breeze, so he is getting cold air up his bottom! Kinky!
Right, back to it!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
At last!
I've managed to get some jars painted ready for the Melton Show.
Also have a couple of outstanding orders to do too.
It's been a bit of an on-going project during the day to get them done, ideally I could have done with a few hours spare to just sit and paint (laughs insanely!)
Hoping to get an earlish night, so I can get a good few hours before setting off to meert Alexa and the new Irish arrivals. Only 4 coming with Donal now, as poor little Burger has developed a bit of a cough, and Timmy in the same kennels as him. They are going to come on the next run with Socks.
Paul & I were clearing out earlier and moving stuff around. Poor Bran nearly lost his favourite ball as he would insist on putting it in with all the rubbish! Then he'd stand there 'bammley dancing' waiting for us to save it again. Silly boy!
Tally seems a little stiff at the moment, I guess old age is catching up with 'The Tots'. We'll keep an eye on her back legs, and start supplementing her with glucosime. She's still a daft old bag though!
Grandad Brynn has a new love - all butter shortbread! Tesco bakery mini variety!
He remembered from last night where I'd put them and headed straight to them this morning! He is just amazing!
The phones have been sooooo busy.
Poor Paul has been on it most of the day.
He's getting off one call and there are 4 or 5 messages that have been left while he's been talking to the first person.
Some people have been getting quite upset that we are not getting back to them quickly enough. Obviously we don't mind taking the calls, after all - that is what we are here for - but I do wish folks would show us some patience. We want to help them and their dogs, and we will help them and their dogs - but sometimes it just isn't in our power to jump immediately.
I don't think people actually realise that it is only Paul and me here during the week, and we do everything that needs to be done as quickly as possible. It is frustrating and disheartening sometimes. You do your best and it doesn't seem to be good enough. :(
People are also calling 'out of hours' again, sometimes up to 10.30 at night. We have the 7pm stop for taking calls, because we are usually still returning calls up to 9pm, and then we have the dogs to put to bed for the night, and then we finally get to eat - sometimes for the first time that day. We are usually in bed by 10.30.
Ahhhhhh, tea has arrived... yum-yum.
Then beddy-byes.
Also have a couple of outstanding orders to do too.
It's been a bit of an on-going project during the day to get them done, ideally I could have done with a few hours spare to just sit and paint (laughs insanely!)
Hoping to get an earlish night, so I can get a good few hours before setting off to meert Alexa and the new Irish arrivals. Only 4 coming with Donal now, as poor little Burger has developed a bit of a cough, and Timmy in the same kennels as him. They are going to come on the next run with Socks.
Paul & I were clearing out earlier and moving stuff around. Poor Bran nearly lost his favourite ball as he would insist on putting it in with all the rubbish! Then he'd stand there 'bammley dancing' waiting for us to save it again. Silly boy!
Tally seems a little stiff at the moment, I guess old age is catching up with 'The Tots'. We'll keep an eye on her back legs, and start supplementing her with glucosime. She's still a daft old bag though!
Grandad Brynn has a new love - all butter shortbread! Tesco bakery mini variety!
He remembered from last night where I'd put them and headed straight to them this morning! He is just amazing!
The phones have been sooooo busy.
Poor Paul has been on it most of the day.
He's getting off one call and there are 4 or 5 messages that have been left while he's been talking to the first person.
Some people have been getting quite upset that we are not getting back to them quickly enough. Obviously we don't mind taking the calls, after all - that is what we are here for - but I do wish folks would show us some patience. We want to help them and their dogs, and we will help them and their dogs - but sometimes it just isn't in our power to jump immediately.
I don't think people actually realise that it is only Paul and me here during the week, and we do everything that needs to be done as quickly as possible. It is frustrating and disheartening sometimes. You do your best and it doesn't seem to be good enough. :(
People are also calling 'out of hours' again, sometimes up to 10.30 at night. We have the 7pm stop for taking calls, because we are usually still returning calls up to 9pm, and then we have the dogs to put to bed for the night, and then we finally get to eat - sometimes for the first time that day. We are usually in bed by 10.30.
Ahhhhhh, tea has arrived... yum-yum.
Then beddy-byes.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Catching up
Busy day today.
Paul is watching the footie, so I thought I would catch up with some 'blogging' before we put the dogs to bed for the night and have something to eat.
2 new arrivals joined us today from Rochdale Dog Rescue - they were due to be pts today. Bernie arrived with them around noon. Nice lads - finding their feet at the moment.
Bernie got lots of cuddle from little Alice today - she is such a sweet girl, really coming on nicely. She likes to sleep up on the dinning table and look out the window into the garden. She has a nice big fluffy blanket and she snuggle right in. Very cute!!
6 dogs confirmed to arrive on Thursday from Ireland. Alexa has offered to do part of the pick up for me again - which means I can stay in bed until 3am, instead of having to get up at 1.30 to head off to meet Donal.
Another dog is coming from Rochdale on Friday, and another Irish chap arrives on Saturday.
Took Flossie to a garage to have the handbrake looked at. She is having the entire handbrake replaced on Thursday morning...... I guess I will be a knackered bunny on Thursday! Will see about booking her in for a service as well.
Popped over to Pauline's to collect little Billy Puppy. He has a new home, and has gone to live with Panda!
Managed to get to Tescos finally! After trying for about 5 days!
Lovely and quiet it was.... I wonder why?!
Not a man in sight! Dead quiet when I came out, just past 8pm!
Grandad Brynn has been limbering up for the weekend with his striding circuits of the garden - and he has snaffled most of my dinner - and voiced his approval and demanded most of the all butter shortbread that was in the reduced aisle! He is such an old hero!
Just sending out details of homechecks to volunteers and then I think it will be straight to bed as I am pooooooped!
Paul is watching the footie, so I thought I would catch up with some 'blogging' before we put the dogs to bed for the night and have something to eat.
2 new arrivals joined us today from Rochdale Dog Rescue - they were due to be pts today. Bernie arrived with them around noon. Nice lads - finding their feet at the moment.
Bernie got lots of cuddle from little Alice today - she is such a sweet girl, really coming on nicely. She likes to sleep up on the dinning table and look out the window into the garden. She has a nice big fluffy blanket and she snuggle right in. Very cute!!
6 dogs confirmed to arrive on Thursday from Ireland. Alexa has offered to do part of the pick up for me again - which means I can stay in bed until 3am, instead of having to get up at 1.30 to head off to meet Donal.
Another dog is coming from Rochdale on Friday, and another Irish chap arrives on Saturday.
Took Flossie to a garage to have the handbrake looked at. She is having the entire handbrake replaced on Thursday morning...... I guess I will be a knackered bunny on Thursday! Will see about booking her in for a service as well.
Popped over to Pauline's to collect little Billy Puppy. He has a new home, and has gone to live with Panda!
Managed to get to Tescos finally! After trying for about 5 days!
Lovely and quiet it was.... I wonder why?!
Not a man in sight! Dead quiet when I came out, just past 8pm!
Grandad Brynn has been limbering up for the weekend with his striding circuits of the garden - and he has snaffled most of my dinner - and voiced his approval and demanded most of the all butter shortbread that was in the reduced aisle! He is such an old hero!
Just sending out details of homechecks to volunteers and then I think it will be straight to bed as I am pooooooped!
Monday, June 19, 2006
Busy but quiet...
If there can be such a day - a busy day, but a quiet one.
Quiet because we had no visitors today, but still plenty to do.
Lots of phone calls as usual.
Added another section to the website, for dogs arriving soon.
Basically that section will highlight dogs that are coming to us from other rescues, especially the Irish ones before they arrive.
Some of them will have been in rescue for a very long time - like little Socks, who has been with Limerick Animal Welfare for 3 years looking for a home. He is only 4, so more than half his life has been spent waiting for that family of his very own to love him. Hopefully we will be able to make Sock's dream come true in the UK.
Socks
Organised for the dogs arriving this week and other dogs waiting to come in.
We have 2 chaps arriving tomorrow - it's their PTS day at the pound, so the very wonderful Bernie will be bringing them down to us from Rochdale. A 5-6hr round trip!
You could never meet a more dedicated transporter and rescue supporter than Bernie.
Bernie is on the road almost 7 days a week transporting dogs to safety. She is an inspiration! She is the dogs very own AA roadside rescue - Animal Angel!
We have some poor loves coming to us from the wondeful folks over a Limerick, including little Socks above. Poor little Burger's story broke my heart. I don't think I will ever cease to be amazed at how cruel the human race is. :( I hope we can help him start to mend his own broken heart, and find him a family who will loved him and deserve him.
I've been working on what to take with me to the Melton Show. I do hope lots of Wiccs dogs come to see us. :) Saturday will be spent rustling up my own very special fresh liver cake! So homemade treats galore on Sunday. :)
I'm looking forward to the sausage eating race - that is always hysterical!
Paul has been sorting out some of his football shirt collection. We are hoping with all the football fever going on at the moment, we will be able to raise some much needed funds by selling some shirts on Ebay. Fingers crossed.
Quiet because we had no visitors today, but still plenty to do.
Lots of phone calls as usual.
Added another section to the website, for dogs arriving soon.
Basically that section will highlight dogs that are coming to us from other rescues, especially the Irish ones before they arrive.
Some of them will have been in rescue for a very long time - like little Socks, who has been with Limerick Animal Welfare for 3 years looking for a home. He is only 4, so more than half his life has been spent waiting for that family of his very own to love him. Hopefully we will be able to make Sock's dream come true in the UK.
Socks
Organised for the dogs arriving this week and other dogs waiting to come in.
We have 2 chaps arriving tomorrow - it's their PTS day at the pound, so the very wonderful Bernie will be bringing them down to us from Rochdale. A 5-6hr round trip!
You could never meet a more dedicated transporter and rescue supporter than Bernie.
Bernie is on the road almost 7 days a week transporting dogs to safety. She is an inspiration! She is the dogs very own AA roadside rescue - Animal Angel!
We have some poor loves coming to us from the wondeful folks over a Limerick, including little Socks above. Poor little Burger's story broke my heart. I don't think I will ever cease to be amazed at how cruel the human race is. :( I hope we can help him start to mend his own broken heart, and find him a family who will loved him and deserve him.
I've been working on what to take with me to the Melton Show. I do hope lots of Wiccs dogs come to see us. :) Saturday will be spent rustling up my own very special fresh liver cake! So homemade treats galore on Sunday. :)
I'm looking forward to the sausage eating race - that is always hysterical!
Paul has been sorting out some of his football shirt collection. We are hoping with all the football fever going on at the moment, we will be able to raise some much needed funds by selling some shirts on Ebay. Fingers crossed.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Lulu The Faker...
After all those crocodile tears and loud screaming earlier today,
Alexa has just given me a report on Lulu after getting back home...
She is obviously terribly traumatised after it all....
in the 30mins Alexa has been back home, Lulu has:
*Nearly got herself stuck under the cabinet after trying to squeeze under for something
*Has chewed up the watering can and dustpan and brush
*Peed and poohed on the bathroom floor
And finally, Alexa's has just rescued a pair of her pants from Lulu's head!
Oh to be a puppy!
Alexa has just given me a report on Lulu after getting back home...
She is obviously terribly traumatised after it all....
in the 30mins Alexa has been back home, Lulu has:
*Nearly got herself stuck under the cabinet after trying to squeeze under for something
*Has chewed up the watering can and dustpan and brush
*Peed and poohed on the bathroom floor
And finally, Alexa's has just rescued a pair of her pants from Lulu's head!
Oh to be a puppy!
Carry On Chipping!
Well, we are back and we are all certified! Or should that be certifiable?
Microchipping course was very interesting - and not without some excitement.
We took a motley assortment over with us. Attendees could take up to 3 animals for chipping, so Alexa and I loaded the van with victims..... I mean participants.
We took 3 smallies, Leo & Sally Peke, and Kes the Japanese Chin.
3 puppies, Lulu, Billy & Beko.
3 adults, Bea the poodle, Kayley (Alexa's baby) and Alice.
2 oldies, Rebecca & Meg
And one very brave cat in the form of Glory-Glorificus!
We took over the required number in case anyone didn't want to be chipped.
The first port of call was to Pauline's to pick up Billy & Beko (on foster).
And the first excitement of the day! Pull the handbrake on, and it comes straight up in my hand! Whooooops! No handbrake - Flossieeeeee!!!
At least I can park up in gear, so it's not a disaster! Just means yet another trip to the garage!
Off we set and get to the venue just as certain fourlegged people decide to vomit and pooh! Meg did the stinkest, most unpickupable pooh she possibly could!
After doning our HAZMAT suits and sorting out the mess, we go in.
I got worried at one point when a fly kept buzzing around me - I kept sniffing in case I stunk of puppy pooh - not that it is that usual here!
The instructor talked us through all the proceedure and equipment, and we all had goes microchipping a stuffed toy dog. As we'd bought 'spares' the vet borrowed Kayley to demonstrate to everyone how to do it before we were let loose on our real subjects. Kayley was very well behaved as a demo dog.
Liz went first, and microchipped the lovely Rebecca, who was probably one of the easiest subjects of the day. I went next with Leo Peke, who whimpered a little bit - although we had been told to expect that and not to panic.
Poor Alexa went next, with little Lulu - who is quite possibly the worlds whimpest puppy! Lulu started screaming blue murder and poor Alexa got flustered. As Alexa withdrew the needle, it came out of the gun and was left in Lulu..... not Alexa's fault. Alexa got upset and the vet stepped in. Lulu realised that she was the centre of attention and treats and fusses were pouring in.... so carried on screaming! Little Madam!
Another lady microchipped Billy who was a very brave boy.
I did Alice, and Liz did Beko. After calming down and some deep breathing, Alexa did Bea with no problems, and then she did Meg.
Finally I did Glory Cat, who was extremely well behaved - despite doing a very smelly pooh in her carrier! Luckily the vets cleaned that out for her, while I was chipping her.
We all got a sign certificate to say we'd passed. The company, Pet-Detect are very good in that they have a superb discount rate for rescues, so it cost us £88 for the 3 of us today. It was a bargain considering we got 10 animals chipped included in that price!
After the inital outlay for buying the equipment, it is going to save us quite a bit being able to chip the dogs ourselves. We've got a leaflet with the starter pack prices - once again Pet-Detect give a great discount to rescues. It is still quite expensive to get yourselves kitted up initially though.
A starter pack contains: # microchips, implant gun, scanner, hand-wipes, 4 litre sharps box and promo leaflets.
So for example, a starter pack with 10 microchips would cost £180.32
And a starter pack with 50 microchips would cost £358.92
Plenty to think about there!
The trip home was equally as smelly, as Meg decided to let another little parcel out to waft around the van!
Everyone back at HQ behaved themselves for Paul - and little Chloe went off to her new home.... thus missing out on our microchipping exploits!
Microchipping course was very interesting - and not without some excitement.
We took a motley assortment over with us. Attendees could take up to 3 animals for chipping, so Alexa and I loaded the van with victims..... I mean participants.
We took 3 smallies, Leo & Sally Peke, and Kes the Japanese Chin.
3 puppies, Lulu, Billy & Beko.
3 adults, Bea the poodle, Kayley (Alexa's baby) and Alice.
2 oldies, Rebecca & Meg
And one very brave cat in the form of Glory-Glorificus!
We took over the required number in case anyone didn't want to be chipped.
The first port of call was to Pauline's to pick up Billy & Beko (on foster).
And the first excitement of the day! Pull the handbrake on, and it comes straight up in my hand! Whooooops! No handbrake - Flossieeeeee!!!
At least I can park up in gear, so it's not a disaster! Just means yet another trip to the garage!
Off we set and get to the venue just as certain fourlegged people decide to vomit and pooh! Meg did the stinkest, most unpickupable pooh she possibly could!
After doning our HAZMAT suits and sorting out the mess, we go in.
I got worried at one point when a fly kept buzzing around me - I kept sniffing in case I stunk of puppy pooh - not that it is that usual here!
The instructor talked us through all the proceedure and equipment, and we all had goes microchipping a stuffed toy dog. As we'd bought 'spares' the vet borrowed Kayley to demonstrate to everyone how to do it before we were let loose on our real subjects. Kayley was very well behaved as a demo dog.
Liz went first, and microchipped the lovely Rebecca, who was probably one of the easiest subjects of the day. I went next with Leo Peke, who whimpered a little bit - although we had been told to expect that and not to panic.
Poor Alexa went next, with little Lulu - who is quite possibly the worlds whimpest puppy! Lulu started screaming blue murder and poor Alexa got flustered. As Alexa withdrew the needle, it came out of the gun and was left in Lulu..... not Alexa's fault. Alexa got upset and the vet stepped in. Lulu realised that she was the centre of attention and treats and fusses were pouring in.... so carried on screaming! Little Madam!
Another lady microchipped Billy who was a very brave boy.
I did Alice, and Liz did Beko. After calming down and some deep breathing, Alexa did Bea with no problems, and then she did Meg.
Finally I did Glory Cat, who was extremely well behaved - despite doing a very smelly pooh in her carrier! Luckily the vets cleaned that out for her, while I was chipping her.
We all got a sign certificate to say we'd passed. The company, Pet-Detect are very good in that they have a superb discount rate for rescues, so it cost us £88 for the 3 of us today. It was a bargain considering we got 10 animals chipped included in that price!
After the inital outlay for buying the equipment, it is going to save us quite a bit being able to chip the dogs ourselves. We've got a leaflet with the starter pack prices - once again Pet-Detect give a great discount to rescues. It is still quite expensive to get yourselves kitted up initially though.
A starter pack contains: # microchips, implant gun, scanner, hand-wipes, 4 litre sharps box and promo leaflets.
So for example, a starter pack with 10 microchips would cost £180.32
And a starter pack with 50 microchips would cost £358.92
Plenty to think about there!
The trip home was equally as smelly, as Meg decided to let another little parcel out to waft around the van!
Everyone back at HQ behaved themselves for Paul - and little Chloe went off to her new home.... thus missing out on our microchipping exploits!
YESSSS!!!
A complete night with undisturbed sleep! Thank you dogs!
Alexa took Lulu to bed with her and Merlin. Merlin was not impressed!
Just getting everything sorted and tidied up before heading off on our microchipping course at 11.30.
We have some folks coming to meet Little Miss Lulu at about 10.45, so I will get some time to spend with them before Alexa and I have to set off.
I think I may have to pop out in a minute as I've realised I do not possess a cat basket! Ours have always travelled in the dog crates, but don't think I can drag a huge dog crate into the venue. I think there is a car boot sale on locally, so I will rush out on a recon - if not PAH should have a cheap one - I hope!
Glory knows we are up to something and keeps giving Alexa a wide berth! She's not daft that cat!
Alexa took Lulu to bed with her and Merlin. Merlin was not impressed!
Just getting everything sorted and tidied up before heading off on our microchipping course at 11.30.
We have some folks coming to meet Little Miss Lulu at about 10.45, so I will get some time to spend with them before Alexa and I have to set off.
I think I may have to pop out in a minute as I've realised I do not possess a cat basket! Ours have always travelled in the dog crates, but don't think I can drag a huge dog crate into the venue. I think there is a car boot sale on locally, so I will rush out on a recon - if not PAH should have a cheap one - I hope!
Glory knows we are up to something and keeps giving Alexa a wide berth! She's not daft that cat!
Saturday, June 17, 2006
A hot afternoon
As the tabloids would say... "Phew, what a scorcher!"
We've just crawled back up to the house for a cool drink. Even the sun brolly and gazebo (which will be RIP any day soon) couldn't provide enough shade.
Very busy day so far!
Alexa headed off to the vets this morning to do the vaccination run.
I thought I would get some lawns mowed before the first visitors arrived.
Got half of the front garden done before I ran out of petrol! Oh no!
Will have to pop out later to get some more to finish the job.
Chickens were very irate at not being allowed out immediately this morning because I was cutting the lawn. Agne threw a right wobberly as she flapped past in a huff!
Had 2 lots of people visiting today, first folks arriving at 11am and the second folks about Midday. They've all just left now - and 2 lucky dogs have new homes.
Pretty Pheobe & Little Jed have headed off to pastures new.
We needed to cat test Jed, as his new family have 9 cats! Glory Cat decided to make that awkward by going off hunting bunnies this morning. She ignored all calls to her to appear! She only came back a short while ago and Jed passed his test with flying colours.
Grandad Brynn did a fly past to meet some admirers! The Legend!
Dogs are all flaked out in the heat, bless em' Will have to wait for it to cool down before they can have a good run down the field.
As they are flaking out, it means I can catch up on some washing and housework - maybe go and do a bit of food shopping for Paul & I. I think we are down to sharing kibble with the dogs at the moment! It just feels too hot to move at the moment!
I suppose I could start on the jars and cards for next weeks fundraising stall at the Melton Mowbray show, but then again, I would probably be better painting those when it's cooler too.
Speaking of fundraising etc, Alexa and I had a interesting conversation with Pheobe's new Mum & Dad about ideas. Pheobe's mum is in PR and has offered to help us out with things. Excellent! Anyone who knows me, knows I am very shy when it comes to PR and coming forward in the fundraising stakes.
We could do with doing some intense fundraising really, as the Wiccs coffers are looking a little thread bare due to big vets bills etc recently. Hopefully we will have a good day at Melton and raise a few pounds. :)
We've just crawled back up to the house for a cool drink. Even the sun brolly and gazebo (which will be RIP any day soon) couldn't provide enough shade.
Very busy day so far!
Alexa headed off to the vets this morning to do the vaccination run.
I thought I would get some lawns mowed before the first visitors arrived.
Got half of the front garden done before I ran out of petrol! Oh no!
Will have to pop out later to get some more to finish the job.
Chickens were very irate at not being allowed out immediately this morning because I was cutting the lawn. Agne threw a right wobberly as she flapped past in a huff!
Had 2 lots of people visiting today, first folks arriving at 11am and the second folks about Midday. They've all just left now - and 2 lucky dogs have new homes.
Pretty Pheobe & Little Jed have headed off to pastures new.
We needed to cat test Jed, as his new family have 9 cats! Glory Cat decided to make that awkward by going off hunting bunnies this morning. She ignored all calls to her to appear! She only came back a short while ago and Jed passed his test with flying colours.
Grandad Brynn did a fly past to meet some admirers! The Legend!
Dogs are all flaked out in the heat, bless em' Will have to wait for it to cool down before they can have a good run down the field.
As they are flaking out, it means I can catch up on some washing and housework - maybe go and do a bit of food shopping for Paul & I. I think we are down to sharing kibble with the dogs at the moment! It just feels too hot to move at the moment!
I suppose I could start on the jars and cards for next weeks fundraising stall at the Melton Mowbray show, but then again, I would probably be better painting those when it's cooler too.
Speaking of fundraising etc, Alexa and I had a interesting conversation with Pheobe's new Mum & Dad about ideas. Pheobe's mum is in PR and has offered to help us out with things. Excellent! Anyone who knows me, knows I am very shy when it comes to PR and coming forward in the fundraising stakes.
We could do with doing some intense fundraising really, as the Wiccs coffers are looking a little thread bare due to big vets bills etc recently. Hopefully we will have a good day at Melton and raise a few pounds. :)
One of those nights
Do you ever get the feeling its going to be one of those nights?
It's just gone 3.10am and I've had about 30mins sleep tonight. Paul's not had much more, but I've got up now and he's managing to catch some much needed Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Alexa is up for the weekend, and we all hit our sacks about 11. Little Lulu decided at Midnight that she wasn't happy about being left in the kitchen with Tess - although she'd been fine all evening! Must be missing Bea-Poodle - they usually sleep together at Alexa's. After coming down to her, she settles again. Just about the drop off, and Lulu voices her disapproval about the situation again. This time she sets of a couple of dogs in the doggy bedrooms, so Paul gets up to go and see to them.
Everyone settles down again. Just about the drop off again.... yep - Lulu! Get halfway down the stairs..... she stops. Back to bed. 10mins later.... off she goes again. Halfway down the stairs..... she stops. Hear Tess telling Lulu her views on the matter - our Tess loves her beauty-sleep! Hopefully that will sort Lu out.
Back to bed. Buster Peke starts yipping! Sometimes he yips in his sleep - senile old age thing. Hope that he settles. Yeap, he does.
As Buster settles, Lulu starts up with some very lovely and loud singing!! Up again! She and I have a frank exchange of views - as she proceeds to duff up my feet when I go in the kitchen! Tess gives me 'a look' from her bed - seriously unimpressed!
Light off again - the dogs in the backroom must think they are in nightclub with the lights going on and off tonight! Meet a bleary eyed Alexa on the landing, who says if she starts again she'll fetch her upstairs with her - that will please Merlin Lurcher, who'd dragged Alexa off to bed thinking he'd got her al to himself this weekend!
Alexa shuts her door, I climb into my bed.... and the ever songful Lulu voices her displeasure once again. We really don't know what is up with her tonight - she is usually such a good girl for going to bed.
I hear Alexa's door open, her going down stairs, the sound of puppy retrieval from the kitchen - and the squeeks of naughty puppy coming upstairs to bed.
Yay!!! Although I am wide awake now! Paul is somewhere between consciousness and oblivion. Eyes start to get heavy...... woooooohoooooo, sleep!
And Buster starts again! Obviously he is having a rough night with his ears then. He suffers from time to time with them.
I give up! Get up. Back through the back room - sorry guys! Into the kitchen - one seriously fed up Tess now! "What now Mother??..... what does a dog have to do to get some sleep around here???" Get Buster's ear drops from the medicine cabinet and head for the lounge.
Get dirty looks of everyone when I put the light on. Dose up Buster's ears.
Far to awake to get back to sleep now, without disturbing Paul.
Decide to check my emails and the forum.
Some good news from yesterday, Spy Poodle finally found himself a home! As did little Charlie Collie x. Spy had gone to live with another poodle lady friend.
Charlie has got himself a Mummy & Daddy all for his very ownsome. :)
Today is going to be a busy one. Alexa is going to do a vaccination vet run, and we have 3 families coming to meet dogs. Not sure yet if anyone else is coming over to muck in on Saturday.
On Sunday, Alexa, Liz and I are off on a microchipping course. Tricia is coming over to dog walk for us and help Paul if needed. :) I just have to decide later on today which dogs to take on the course for us to chip. We can have 3 animals each to chip. I'm also thinking of taking Glory cat too for chipping - that means I will be able to chip cats as well as dogs. Just hope I can find her on Sunday morning - and she isn't out desimating the local rabbit population!
Right - all quiet on the Wiccaweys western front - dare I head upstairs?
Night-night - I hope! :)
It's just gone 3.10am and I've had about 30mins sleep tonight. Paul's not had much more, but I've got up now and he's managing to catch some much needed Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Alexa is up for the weekend, and we all hit our sacks about 11. Little Lulu decided at Midnight that she wasn't happy about being left in the kitchen with Tess - although she'd been fine all evening! Must be missing Bea-Poodle - they usually sleep together at Alexa's. After coming down to her, she settles again. Just about the drop off, and Lulu voices her disapproval about the situation again. This time she sets of a couple of dogs in the doggy bedrooms, so Paul gets up to go and see to them.
Everyone settles down again. Just about the drop off again.... yep - Lulu! Get halfway down the stairs..... she stops. Back to bed. 10mins later.... off she goes again. Halfway down the stairs..... she stops. Hear Tess telling Lulu her views on the matter - our Tess loves her beauty-sleep! Hopefully that will sort Lu out.
Back to bed. Buster Peke starts yipping! Sometimes he yips in his sleep - senile old age thing. Hope that he settles. Yeap, he does.
As Buster settles, Lulu starts up with some very lovely and loud singing!! Up again! She and I have a frank exchange of views - as she proceeds to duff up my feet when I go in the kitchen! Tess gives me 'a look' from her bed - seriously unimpressed!
Light off again - the dogs in the backroom must think they are in nightclub with the lights going on and off tonight! Meet a bleary eyed Alexa on the landing, who says if she starts again she'll fetch her upstairs with her - that will please Merlin Lurcher, who'd dragged Alexa off to bed thinking he'd got her al to himself this weekend!
Alexa shuts her door, I climb into my bed.... and the ever songful Lulu voices her displeasure once again. We really don't know what is up with her tonight - she is usually such a good girl for going to bed.
I hear Alexa's door open, her going down stairs, the sound of puppy retrieval from the kitchen - and the squeeks of naughty puppy coming upstairs to bed.
Yay!!! Although I am wide awake now! Paul is somewhere between consciousness and oblivion. Eyes start to get heavy...... woooooohoooooo, sleep!
And Buster starts again! Obviously he is having a rough night with his ears then. He suffers from time to time with them.
I give up! Get up. Back through the back room - sorry guys! Into the kitchen - one seriously fed up Tess now! "What now Mother??..... what does a dog have to do to get some sleep around here???" Get Buster's ear drops from the medicine cabinet and head for the lounge.
Get dirty looks of everyone when I put the light on. Dose up Buster's ears.
Far to awake to get back to sleep now, without disturbing Paul.
Decide to check my emails and the forum.
Some good news from yesterday, Spy Poodle finally found himself a home! As did little Charlie Collie x. Spy had gone to live with another poodle lady friend.
Charlie has got himself a Mummy & Daddy all for his very ownsome. :)
Today is going to be a busy one. Alexa is going to do a vaccination vet run, and we have 3 families coming to meet dogs. Not sure yet if anyone else is coming over to muck in on Saturday.
On Sunday, Alexa, Liz and I are off on a microchipping course. Tricia is coming over to dog walk for us and help Paul if needed. :) I just have to decide later on today which dogs to take on the course for us to chip. We can have 3 animals each to chip. I'm also thinking of taking Glory cat too for chipping - that means I will be able to chip cats as well as dogs. Just hope I can find her on Sunday morning - and she isn't out desimating the local rabbit population!
Right - all quiet on the Wiccaweys western front - dare I head upstairs?
Night-night - I hope! :)
Friday, June 16, 2006
The Cost of Rescue
You know, I was thinking about the costs in Rescue, and accidentally came across something VERY interesting.
If you ever thought you were being taken for a ride by your vet because of the prices they charge, please remember that according to a report in the "Veterinary Business Journal" (yes you read that right - Business Journal) Vets are very hard done by.
Despite the fact that most people consider the cost of Neutering and Speying of their dogs prohibitive, the article claims that vets "Undercharge for perceived price-sensitive services such as neutering and spaying".
They aren't finished there. They also claim that vets "charge disproportionately less for smaller pets, resulting in less margin - again, with a declining dog population and a boom in cats and small mammals, there are important implications here".
If you've ever wondered whether your dog has been overprescribed, or really needs those drugs, the article hightlights that vets "rely heavily on drug income to subsidise the basic consultation, which in itself was consistently unprofitable - with an increasing tendency towards preventive veterinary care and routine health checks, it is difficult to see how long this can persist".
And if you thought the basic consultation fee was expensive, they disagree: "No matter what size a practice is, out-patient consultations are currently loss-making. The main element of cost involved is the vet's time and until the profession addresses the issues of its basic consultation fee, the situation is unlikely to change."
Interestingly, these figures were based upon "A salary of £60,000...for all partners with any return above this being termed profit." And according to the report, "veterinary surgeons do not fare well when compared with other professionals such as doctors or lawyers".
So, this publication has a conniption fit when Vets are struggling to make a £60,000 salary (and anything above that is deemed profit!!)
I wonder what they would consider of financial state of a rescue. As standard, we have a policy that all dogs should be vet checked, vaccinated, speyed or neutered (depending on age), wormed, flea treated and microchipped before going to their new home. So, what would this cost?
Speying : £160.00
Neutering : £135.00
Vaccinations (Full Course): £ 40.00
Microchip : £ 20.00
Flea & Worming : £ 20.00
For a bitch you could be paying £240.00, and for a dog £215.00
So, to reach the minimum standard we set ourselves, we're looking at between £215.00 - £240.00 at 'retail' prices.
This of course doesn't take into account the other 'costs' of rescuing a dog, such as food, lighting, heating, upkeep, etc. This also assumes that the dogs are 100% healthy when they arrive. Should they need other treatment, then the bill can be even higher. Some dogs that have gone into new homes have had over £800 spent on them - and the donation fee is the same.
Our suggested donation? £100 - and some people think that's expensive. An average dog can have over £300 in medical bills alone, but paying £100 for that care AND the dog is seen as expensive.
We have a suggested fee because there is no way we can say one dog is more expensive than another. How can you put a value on the life of a dog? Just because a dog needed more care doesn't mean it should cost more as a donation.
We just have to work harder and harder to bring the funds in so that we can keep rescuing collies.
So when I read that some vets are feeling hard done by on £60,000 a year, it makes me wonder.
source: http://www.m-a-p.co.uk/Vetspub.html
If you ever thought you were being taken for a ride by your vet because of the prices they charge, please remember that according to a report in the "Veterinary Business Journal" (yes you read that right - Business Journal) Vets are very hard done by.
Despite the fact that most people consider the cost of Neutering and Speying of their dogs prohibitive, the article claims that vets "Undercharge for perceived price-sensitive services such as neutering and spaying".
They aren't finished there. They also claim that vets "charge disproportionately less for smaller pets, resulting in less margin - again, with a declining dog population and a boom in cats and small mammals, there are important implications here".
If you've ever wondered whether your dog has been overprescribed, or really needs those drugs, the article hightlights that vets "rely heavily on drug income to subsidise the basic consultation, which in itself was consistently unprofitable - with an increasing tendency towards preventive veterinary care and routine health checks, it is difficult to see how long this can persist".
And if you thought the basic consultation fee was expensive, they disagree: "No matter what size a practice is, out-patient consultations are currently loss-making. The main element of cost involved is the vet's time and until the profession addresses the issues of its basic consultation fee, the situation is unlikely to change."
Interestingly, these figures were based upon "A salary of £60,000...for all partners with any return above this being termed profit." And according to the report, "veterinary surgeons do not fare well when compared with other professionals such as doctors or lawyers".
So, this publication has a conniption fit when Vets are struggling to make a £60,000 salary (and anything above that is deemed profit!!)
I wonder what they would consider of financial state of a rescue. As standard, we have a policy that all dogs should be vet checked, vaccinated, speyed or neutered (depending on age), wormed, flea treated and microchipped before going to their new home. So, what would this cost?
Speying : £160.00
Neutering : £135.00
Vaccinations (Full Course): £ 40.00
Microchip : £ 20.00
Flea & Worming : £ 20.00
For a bitch you could be paying £240.00, and for a dog £215.00
So, to reach the minimum standard we set ourselves, we're looking at between £215.00 - £240.00 at 'retail' prices.
This of course doesn't take into account the other 'costs' of rescuing a dog, such as food, lighting, heating, upkeep, etc. This also assumes that the dogs are 100% healthy when they arrive. Should they need other treatment, then the bill can be even higher. Some dogs that have gone into new homes have had over £800 spent on them - and the donation fee is the same.
Our suggested donation? £100 - and some people think that's expensive. An average dog can have over £300 in medical bills alone, but paying £100 for that care AND the dog is seen as expensive.
We have a suggested fee because there is no way we can say one dog is more expensive than another. How can you put a value on the life of a dog? Just because a dog needed more care doesn't mean it should cost more as a donation.
We just have to work harder and harder to bring the funds in so that we can keep rescuing collies.
So when I read that some vets are feeling hard done by on £60,000 a year, it makes me wonder.
source: http://www.m-a-p.co.uk/Vetspub.html
Friday 16th June am
It's a lovely morning at Wiccs. The sun is shining and the dogs are enjoying it.
Checking through the emails that have come in over night and the ones I didn't get chance to read yesterday. We've had requests to take 8 collies from various rescues and 4 appeals from help from private homes. Some home offers have come in too. I've sent out the emails asking people to phone us for a chat.
Becca is a little restless this morning, she keeps checking the garden. She is looking for Lyndsay. Thankfully she doesn't seem distressed that Lyndsay isn't here. She was ok last night, as we bought her favourite treat home for tea - pizza!
Trying to snaffle our dinner from the boxes as we were eating kept her occupied.
Grandad Brynn is doing circuits of the garden - he is in training for his title defending at next weeks Melton Mowbray Country Fair! Part of his top secret fancy dress costume arrived this morning. :)
The collie gang haven't even surfaced yet! Checked the collie cams, and they are all still snoozing in their dens. Lazy bunch! They had a woof when the bin men arrived, but now they'e all gone back to bed!
Horace, Libby & Spy are teaching little Chloe puppy racy-chasey games in the garden.
Very sweet to watch.
Professor Sluggsworth (Buster the Peke) has just left a lovely trail of pooh across the floor because he left it to the last minute to go out! Once more into the breach dear friends!
Checking through the emails that have come in over night and the ones I didn't get chance to read yesterday. We've had requests to take 8 collies from various rescues and 4 appeals from help from private homes. Some home offers have come in too. I've sent out the emails asking people to phone us for a chat.
Becca is a little restless this morning, she keeps checking the garden. She is looking for Lyndsay. Thankfully she doesn't seem distressed that Lyndsay isn't here. She was ok last night, as we bought her favourite treat home for tea - pizza!
Trying to snaffle our dinner from the boxes as we were eating kept her occupied.
Grandad Brynn is doing circuits of the garden - he is in training for his title defending at next weeks Melton Mowbray Country Fair! Part of his top secret fancy dress costume arrived this morning. :)
The collie gang haven't even surfaced yet! Checked the collie cams, and they are all still snoozing in their dens. Lazy bunch! They had a woof when the bin men arrived, but now they'e all gone back to bed!
Horace, Libby & Spy are teaching little Chloe puppy racy-chasey games in the garden.
Very sweet to watch.
Professor Sluggsworth (Buster the Peke) has just left a lovely trail of pooh across the floor because he left it to the last minute to go out! Once more into the breach dear friends!
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Sad News
Lyndsay crossed over the bridge this afternoon, bless her.
Her kidneys and liver had started to shut down and we could do nothing for her.
She went peacefully and with dignity, with her head in my heads.
Run free Lyndsay.
A sad evening at Wiccaweys.
Her kidneys and liver had started to shut down and we could do nothing for her.
She went peacefully and with dignity, with her head in my heads.
Run free Lyndsay.
A sad evening at Wiccaweys.
Thursday 15th June
Lyndsay isn't looking too good at the moment, so we are taking her to the vets to see Auntie Jackie this afternoon. We think old age is catching up on her. Bless her, she is 15. Poor love.
Rebecca is coming along for the ride to have her stitches removed from her eye. She has adapted to the loss of her eye really well - little Pizza thief!
Lots of calls again this morning. Very busy at the moment.
Rebecca is coming along for the ride to have her stitches removed from her eye. She has adapted to the loss of her eye really well - little Pizza thief!
Lots of calls again this morning. Very busy at the moment.
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