Well, a more serious note for the blog.
We're desperate for people to come forward with fundraising ideas to help Wiccaweys continue and develop. The summer has been a very quiet time for homings, and that is having an impact on what we can achieve.
But, more importantly than the fundraising, we need volunteers who will take the responsibility of running some fundraising things. Because although we get lots of ideas, we simply don't have the time to make them work - after all we're looking after the dogs.
There have been lots of people who really make a difference by making donations, running fundraising evets, etc. When you think that the majority of the dogs we rehome cost more in veterinary care than the donation we ask for, you can see that it's very important that we raise extra money outside the adoption donation system.
We've had a few dogs that have cost over £800 for veterinary treatment before they could go to new homes - they are worth every penny of that money. We believe that no dog is worth more or less than another, which is why we don't have a sliding scale of adoption fees. If adopters want to donate more, it is always gratefully recieved. It's worth remembering that by making that donation, you're not only adopting a wonderful dog into your family, but helping to fund the next dog that needs help.
If we don't find new ways of raising money for the rescue, with the current costs we are going to have to stop. We don't want to do that - we think we do a good job and try our best to help as many people as we can for free. The ironic thing is that the more we help people, it doesn't necessarily translate into more income for the rescue. We're heading toward a situation where we're asked to help more and more on resources that are staying the same. In fact, we're being asked to help more and more by the big rescues who have the resources, but not the know-how to help collies.
Here are a few stats. Last week, the Wiccaweys website got to the 100,000 visitors stage - with on average 275-300 visitors a day - 2000 visits already this week. That's a lot of visitors over the years. If you think about it, imagine if we could have raised the relatively small sum of £3 per visitor - Wiccaweys could buy it's own place for that!!
The forum currently has over 200 members. Imagine if each forum member could just raise £5 per month - that would make such a difference to Wiccaweys. A swear box can add up pretty quicky, so even if just 10 people out of those 2000 visitors started a swear box for 2 weeks that raised £20, that's an extra £200. To Wiccaweys, that's a lot of money.
This blog entry isn't here to make anyone feel guilty or awkward, but perhaps we can get some ideas / volunteers happening. It doesn't matter if you can't donate if you can help with organising something. Selling cakes at work, having a 'swear box' at home or work. Perhaps even having a box where every time you log on to Wiccaweys you stick 20p in it.
The littlest things when they add up can make a huge difference. We'd like to still be doing this in 10 years time, but we'd like Wiccaweys to have it's own premises, with state of the art doggy bedrooms, excercise fields, agility equipment, training facilites. That's our dream for the collies (and those other pesky monsters!) and we need your help to realise something that could make such a difference to so many collies.
Summer is a particularly difficult time as we have a 'lull' in adoptions. People go on holiday and usually wait until around August/September to think about homing again. Unfortunately, this is the time when lots of dogs come into rescue. We've got a huge waiting list of dogs waiting for us to help, lots of lovely doggies waiting for homes but a lull on potential adopters.
Very soon, we are probably going to be looking at building specialised new accomodation for some of the dogs (doggy bedrooms - not kennels no wire mesh in sight!), and we'll need funds for that. The problem is at the moment that special projects have to be funded from the central kitty - which drains the resources.
This is a rallying call - who's with us?
Friday, July 28, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Seems like Ages....
.....Since I've been blogging - I just realised it is almost a week! Where does the time go?
The foxes have still been prowling around, but the dogs seem to have got use to their noise now. The cats have all appeared present and correct.
The weather has been unbearable and all the animals have been feeling it. The dogs don't know what to do with themselves during the hottest parts of the day, and they have all been a bit grouchy. I know how they feel. The goats are just laying around during the day avoiding the sun. The cats have been crashed out in the front garden or down in the meadow.
There has been no let up in the evenings or at night either - it is still stiffling. Grandad Brynn has really felt it, and I have been up with him most nights as he can't settle. We manage to get him to catch a few zzzzzz by having on the landing directly opposite the bathroom's skylight, with a cold damp towel drapped over him. He will settle for a while like that, and actually has a proper snooze. During the day though, he is an absolute terror and I am constantly having to bring him in from the garden as he wants to be out there sunbathing, and it is far to hot. I have to bar his way to the garden and then he sits there shouting at me!
Saturday saw Fly going off to a new home. She has settled in well and is very happy. :) Saturday also saw 2 new arrivals from Ireland. Clifford and Ella. Both are rather lovely. :)
Lots more phone calls this week, and I have been starting to get to work on the Wiccaweys Autumn Show (details on the main website). There is huge amounts to be done. I also need to get my backside into gear and organise the Wiccaweys Haunted Weekend. We have kindly been offered a ghost watching event, so I shall have to get a date confirmed and tickets etc sorted. That should be great fun. Really looking forward to it.
The car failed it's MOT on Saturday, but it was only something really small - a tiny bit of brake pipe - which is incredibly annoying - even more so, as the garage can't fit us in until a week Friday to repair it and re-test the car! The week after that Flossie is due, and we already know she needs at least a couple of hundred spending on her! Why do MOT's always seem to come along together?
The extremely lovely Teresa went to her new home yesterday, and we are sooooo pleased for her. It really warms our hearts when the oldies find new homes. Oldies are such wonderful dogs to have around. I honestly couldn't imagine home being home without an oldie or 2 (or in our case - several!) creaking about the place.
We were supposed to be taking in a 19 - yes, you read that right - 19 yr old collie this week. The Oldies Club asked us if we would give him a space. His owner was being evicted and couldn't take him with him. A transport was arrange to bring Basil to us, but sadly when the Oldies Club volunteer went to collect Basil at the arranged time, no-one was at home. We don't know what is happening with Basil at the moment. :(
Last night was another Irish run. I estimate that both Paul and I haven't really slept in 48hrs now, what with the heat, dogs keeping us up, watching Brynn like a hawk and other stuff. I was worried I was going to be too exhausted to drive, and unfortunately no volunteers were able to help out. Alexa normally would, but she is having problems with her eye again and can't drive at the moment. I did ask for help, but no-one was available to help. I guess it is a bit much to expect people to want to drive through the middle of the night to meet up and collect dogs at 4am.
Luckily last night the adrenalin seemed to be in overdrive, and I was ok. I left home at 2am and got back just after 6am. The new arrivals are lovely. We have Buster & Misty who are 2 Yorkshire Terriers aged 8 & 10. I know.... not collies! LOL! They were constantly getting overlooked in Ireland due to their age. We also have the very lovely Benny, a severe cruelty case who is an angel, and finally Hugo - a rather smart young collie chap. They all travelled very well, and tucked into breakfast happily when we got home.
Buster & Misty are right characters - they certainly do not act their ages - and I suspect, apart from their attempts at World Domination, they intend to age as disgracfully as possible! They have lovely temperaments and they are absolutely hilarious!
On the way home they rode shotgun in the front of the van with me. 10 mins after leaving Donal, Misty decides she is bored, so disappears down under the van seat. I did wonder if she was going to have a poo. Then I hear rustling and she jumps back up with a squeaky ball! She'd found a bag of toys! I kept getting a ball thrown at me, and barked at if I didn't throw it back quick enough. When she was bored of that, she went back under the seat and got another toy. When she came up with a tuggy ring, Buster decided to join in, so I then had them playing tuggy on the front seat for 30mins! LOL! The front seat looks like a Yorkie Adventure Playground!
Well, calls to return, etc.... etc....
bye for now Blog Fans. :)
The foxes have still been prowling around, but the dogs seem to have got use to their noise now. The cats have all appeared present and correct.
The weather has been unbearable and all the animals have been feeling it. The dogs don't know what to do with themselves during the hottest parts of the day, and they have all been a bit grouchy. I know how they feel. The goats are just laying around during the day avoiding the sun. The cats have been crashed out in the front garden or down in the meadow.
There has been no let up in the evenings or at night either - it is still stiffling. Grandad Brynn has really felt it, and I have been up with him most nights as he can't settle. We manage to get him to catch a few zzzzzz by having on the landing directly opposite the bathroom's skylight, with a cold damp towel drapped over him. He will settle for a while like that, and actually has a proper snooze. During the day though, he is an absolute terror and I am constantly having to bring him in from the garden as he wants to be out there sunbathing, and it is far to hot. I have to bar his way to the garden and then he sits there shouting at me!
Saturday saw Fly going off to a new home. She has settled in well and is very happy. :) Saturday also saw 2 new arrivals from Ireland. Clifford and Ella. Both are rather lovely. :)
Lots more phone calls this week, and I have been starting to get to work on the Wiccaweys Autumn Show (details on the main website). There is huge amounts to be done. I also need to get my backside into gear and organise the Wiccaweys Haunted Weekend. We have kindly been offered a ghost watching event, so I shall have to get a date confirmed and tickets etc sorted. That should be great fun. Really looking forward to it.
The car failed it's MOT on Saturday, but it was only something really small - a tiny bit of brake pipe - which is incredibly annoying - even more so, as the garage can't fit us in until a week Friday to repair it and re-test the car! The week after that Flossie is due, and we already know she needs at least a couple of hundred spending on her! Why do MOT's always seem to come along together?
The extremely lovely Teresa went to her new home yesterday, and we are sooooo pleased for her. It really warms our hearts when the oldies find new homes. Oldies are such wonderful dogs to have around. I honestly couldn't imagine home being home without an oldie or 2 (or in our case - several!) creaking about the place.
We were supposed to be taking in a 19 - yes, you read that right - 19 yr old collie this week. The Oldies Club asked us if we would give him a space. His owner was being evicted and couldn't take him with him. A transport was arrange to bring Basil to us, but sadly when the Oldies Club volunteer went to collect Basil at the arranged time, no-one was at home. We don't know what is happening with Basil at the moment. :(
Last night was another Irish run. I estimate that both Paul and I haven't really slept in 48hrs now, what with the heat, dogs keeping us up, watching Brynn like a hawk and other stuff. I was worried I was going to be too exhausted to drive, and unfortunately no volunteers were able to help out. Alexa normally would, but she is having problems with her eye again and can't drive at the moment. I did ask for help, but no-one was available to help. I guess it is a bit much to expect people to want to drive through the middle of the night to meet up and collect dogs at 4am.
Luckily last night the adrenalin seemed to be in overdrive, and I was ok. I left home at 2am and got back just after 6am. The new arrivals are lovely. We have Buster & Misty who are 2 Yorkshire Terriers aged 8 & 10. I know.... not collies! LOL! They were constantly getting overlooked in Ireland due to their age. We also have the very lovely Benny, a severe cruelty case who is an angel, and finally Hugo - a rather smart young collie chap. They all travelled very well, and tucked into breakfast happily when we got home.
Buster & Misty are right characters - they certainly do not act their ages - and I suspect, apart from their attempts at World Domination, they intend to age as disgracfully as possible! They have lovely temperaments and they are absolutely hilarious!
On the way home they rode shotgun in the front of the van with me. 10 mins after leaving Donal, Misty decides she is bored, so disappears down under the van seat. I did wonder if she was going to have a poo. Then I hear rustling and she jumps back up with a squeaky ball! She'd found a bag of toys! I kept getting a ball thrown at me, and barked at if I didn't throw it back quick enough. When she was bored of that, she went back under the seat and got another toy. When she came up with a tuggy ring, Buster decided to join in, so I then had them playing tuggy on the front seat for 30mins! LOL! The front seat looks like a Yorkie Adventure Playground!
Well, calls to return, etc.... etc....
bye for now Blog Fans. :)
Friday, July 21, 2006
Another Day
Paul thinks we have a fox prowling around. That is probably why a couple of the dogs haven't settled as easily at night. He had to get up to a couple of them last night, and the night before we were woken up by the sound of something probably meeting a sticky end. :( Paul went down the field last night, and he could hear something milling around in the darkness. We've not seen a couple of the cats for a few days, so I hope they are alright. :(
Dal phoned this morning to say that the neighbours had called him to complain about the dogs barking at night for a couple of nights. I explained that we think something is prowling around at night and Dal was going to let the neighbours know for us.
The fox can't get at the chickens as they are safely tucked up in the porch at night, and I can't really see him/her taking a swipe at the goats. Foxes don't like pygmy goats apparently.
Will have to see what tonight brings. We are going to move the dog that is on the highest state of fox alert - the others just sleep through it all!
Dal phoned this morning to say that the neighbours had called him to complain about the dogs barking at night for a couple of nights. I explained that we think something is prowling around at night and Dal was going to let the neighbours know for us.
The fox can't get at the chickens as they are safely tucked up in the porch at night, and I can't really see him/her taking a swipe at the goats. Foxes don't like pygmy goats apparently.
Will have to see what tonight brings. We are going to move the dog that is on the highest state of fox alert - the others just sleep through it all!
Yes, its 2.45am.....
....And I'm up blogging!
A few of the dogs are finding it difficult to settle because of the heat and the stillness of the night - so I'm downstairs with them so we can have the windows wide open. They've called me down. There is nothing like hot sticky dog kisses in the middle of the night! Thanks gang!
I thought I would use the opportunity to catch up again.
Another busy week so far, with a new arrival every day of the week at the moment.
On Monday we had Moss, Tuesday Harvey arrived, Wednesday Petra joined us, and yesterday Tina joined us from Rochdale. She was save from the pound on the day she was due to be PTS and bought down by the ever wonderful Bernie, and Coryn. We have 2 more dogs arriving from Ireland on Saturday.
Yesterday also saw lots of visitors, Helen came over the do some dog walking - and thankfully yesterday morniing started off a little cooler than the rest of the week - but it was soon horrible again by mid morning, so thank you to Helen for getting some of the dogs out and about before it got too unbearable again.
We also had visitors in the form of Sam & Mark Squirrel who came over to collect the ever lovely Alice for fostering. Princess Alice has made herself at home at Chez Squirrel and is being spoilt rotten from the photographic evidence I have seen so far.
Claire from White Lodge Long Dogs also popped over to see us, and kindly bought us a little patio table and chairs she no longer needed. Thanks Claire.
Best of all, both Claire & Sam came bearing gifts in the form of Cakes! Yum!
The week has not been without its sadness and Wednesday evening we heard the very sad news that Brodie, a beautiful Blue Merle boy belonging to a friend, Alison, had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Brodie was a wonderful old man, and I know he will be deeply missed by his family, and all those who knew and loved him. Run free Brodie.
Alexa is up tomorrow evening, and I think she mentioned cooking dinner again! WhooooHoooo!!!
The weekend looks like it is going to be a busy and hot one. Saturday, Fly has people coming to meet her, and I am taking the car to be MOT'd before going off to collect the new Irish arrivals. I haven't even looked at the board to see what is happening on Sunday yet.
Everyone keep your fingers crossed for the Astra & her MOT!
Right...... it looks like they are 'chilling' out a bit now, and have settled down again - I'm off to bed.......
A few of the dogs are finding it difficult to settle because of the heat and the stillness of the night - so I'm downstairs with them so we can have the windows wide open. They've called me down. There is nothing like hot sticky dog kisses in the middle of the night! Thanks gang!
I thought I would use the opportunity to catch up again.
Another busy week so far, with a new arrival every day of the week at the moment.
On Monday we had Moss, Tuesday Harvey arrived, Wednesday Petra joined us, and yesterday Tina joined us from Rochdale. She was save from the pound on the day she was due to be PTS and bought down by the ever wonderful Bernie, and Coryn. We have 2 more dogs arriving from Ireland on Saturday.
Yesterday also saw lots of visitors, Helen came over the do some dog walking - and thankfully yesterday morniing started off a little cooler than the rest of the week - but it was soon horrible again by mid morning, so thank you to Helen for getting some of the dogs out and about before it got too unbearable again.
We also had visitors in the form of Sam & Mark Squirrel who came over to collect the ever lovely Alice for fostering. Princess Alice has made herself at home at Chez Squirrel and is being spoilt rotten from the photographic evidence I have seen so far.
Claire from White Lodge Long Dogs also popped over to see us, and kindly bought us a little patio table and chairs she no longer needed. Thanks Claire.
Best of all, both Claire & Sam came bearing gifts in the form of Cakes! Yum!
The week has not been without its sadness and Wednesday evening we heard the very sad news that Brodie, a beautiful Blue Merle boy belonging to a friend, Alison, had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Brodie was a wonderful old man, and I know he will be deeply missed by his family, and all those who knew and loved him. Run free Brodie.
Alexa is up tomorrow evening, and I think she mentioned cooking dinner again! WhooooHoooo!!!
The weekend looks like it is going to be a busy and hot one. Saturday, Fly has people coming to meet her, and I am taking the car to be MOT'd before going off to collect the new Irish arrivals. I haven't even looked at the board to see what is happening on Sunday yet.
Everyone keep your fingers crossed for the Astra & her MOT!
Right...... it looks like they are 'chilling' out a bit now, and have settled down again - I'm off to bed.......
Monday, July 17, 2006
Another busy date in the land of Collies
The day started with the phone ringing early..... Must be Monday! :)
I left Paul manning the fort and drove up the M1 to meet up with Melp's Trevor. Mel & Trevor have kindly given us a small freezer, so we can have lots more iced towels ready for the dogs..... and ice lollies for us and the volunteers!
After meeting Trevor, it was on to the farm store to collect some more fencing materials.
Once that was all loaded, it was off to Leicester RSPCA to meet and do an assessment on a collie they had, and wanted us to take on. I met up with Helen, one of our adopters, and up until very recently the local dog warden for that area. Helen is a regular visit to the centre and has previous arranged for collies to come to us for help.
We met Moss, and to be honest, from the discription I had been given on the phone, I was expecting a neurotic, out of control lunatic. What we met was a very lovely, very handsome, normal, happy, friendly - but BUSY, collie chap! He loves to play with his ball and is a really nice lad. He really wants to please, and has good basic obedience all ready. He is going to make someone a smashing pal. I was supposed to just be assessing him today, and collecting when we had space - thinking he was a looney - but as he was so good, he came home with me there and then. His full details and pics will be on the site soon.... He is a bit of a collie Brad Pitt - it has to be said!
When we got home, Paul was with visitors who had come to meet the lovely Doc.
While we sorted out Doc's paperwork, Moss made the most of playing ball with Doc's new 2 legged sister! Hey, you've got a new home mate - I can borrow her for a bit.
Moss's dog socialising skills left a little to be desired, and after pretending to be Doc's best friend, he decided to bully him. Moss was taken to meet our gang - and Buffy in particular. Buffy Rough Justice - sorts the bullys out! Moss tried it on the once. He won't do it again, and has now spent a very pleasant afternoon learning that having collie friends is much better than being a bully. Racy-chasy games are great fun!
This evening I met up with Pauline to go and look at the field we are being allowed to borrow for our Autumn Show. It is lovely and we should have a really good time there. The show date is looking at being the Sunday 10th of September - please watch the main website for details. :) It is very exciting. We are looking to line up lots of demos of things people can do with their collies, collies in action - as well as a fun dog show. We may even be able to offer camping for the Saturday night for people who are travelling a distance, with a bbq in the evening. Watch this space!
We've just finished reinforcing the goat enclosure - Harvey had perfected his drop and roll escape technique..... My poor hanging baskets! LOL! So now we are going have our tea and sit and watch a film..... hopefully without Tess sitting on my head!
Ciao for now!
I left Paul manning the fort and drove up the M1 to meet up with Melp's Trevor. Mel & Trevor have kindly given us a small freezer, so we can have lots more iced towels ready for the dogs..... and ice lollies for us and the volunteers!
After meeting Trevor, it was on to the farm store to collect some more fencing materials.
Once that was all loaded, it was off to Leicester RSPCA to meet and do an assessment on a collie they had, and wanted us to take on. I met up with Helen, one of our adopters, and up until very recently the local dog warden for that area. Helen is a regular visit to the centre and has previous arranged for collies to come to us for help.
We met Moss, and to be honest, from the discription I had been given on the phone, I was expecting a neurotic, out of control lunatic. What we met was a very lovely, very handsome, normal, happy, friendly - but BUSY, collie chap! He loves to play with his ball and is a really nice lad. He really wants to please, and has good basic obedience all ready. He is going to make someone a smashing pal. I was supposed to just be assessing him today, and collecting when we had space - thinking he was a looney - but as he was so good, he came home with me there and then. His full details and pics will be on the site soon.... He is a bit of a collie Brad Pitt - it has to be said!
When we got home, Paul was with visitors who had come to meet the lovely Doc.
While we sorted out Doc's paperwork, Moss made the most of playing ball with Doc's new 2 legged sister! Hey, you've got a new home mate - I can borrow her for a bit.
Moss's dog socialising skills left a little to be desired, and after pretending to be Doc's best friend, he decided to bully him. Moss was taken to meet our gang - and Buffy in particular. Buffy Rough Justice - sorts the bullys out! Moss tried it on the once. He won't do it again, and has now spent a very pleasant afternoon learning that having collie friends is much better than being a bully. Racy-chasy games are great fun!
This evening I met up with Pauline to go and look at the field we are being allowed to borrow for our Autumn Show. It is lovely and we should have a really good time there. The show date is looking at being the Sunday 10th of September - please watch the main website for details. :) It is very exciting. We are looking to line up lots of demos of things people can do with their collies, collies in action - as well as a fun dog show. We may even be able to offer camping for the Saturday night for people who are travelling a distance, with a bbq in the evening. Watch this space!
We've just finished reinforcing the goat enclosure - Harvey had perfected his drop and roll escape technique..... My poor hanging baskets! LOL! So now we are going have our tea and sit and watch a film..... hopefully without Tess sitting on my head!
Ciao for now!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
What a week!
It's been one of thos weeks at Wiccaweys.
Sorry the blog is so far behind to all Blog Fans.
We've been off line for a few days this week thanks to a BT mess up. Many phone calls later speaking to several different people at BT, none of whom were singing from the same hymn sheet - and then several calls to AOL who BT started to blame for the lack of broadband connection. A rather interesting game of 3 way telephone tennis....to BT....to AOL....to BT.....to AOL..... you get the picture! We finally have broadband access back on this morning. We managed to get online yesterday and late Friday via dial-up.
Last Sunday we had some new family members arrive, in the form of 4 pygmy goats. They are Harvey, Rosie, George & Mildred. They are absolutely gorgeous and very funny. They are supposed to be heading down the meadow, but so far they keep sneaking up to the house to try and eat my hanging baskets - and to see what everyone is up to! They are very nosey!
Earlier in the week I went over the the Army's dog training dept in Leicestershire.
We have been approached by them to see if we would have any dogs who could enlist, so I went over to check out the facilities and training techniques for myself. They are looking for dogs to do sniffer work. The training is all based around 'ball work - tennis balls' and it is all very postive. No choke or check chains used at all. The training is similar to what the Fire Service Search & Rescue guys do. I was impressed with what I saw, and will stay in touch with them in the future.
On Wednesday, the lovely Gwen headed off to a new home - she has little girls to spoil her rotten!
Paul started to try and replace the shock absorbers on the Astra. MOT due in the next week or so. We have been supplied with the wrong ones! We have now been told the ones we need are 'electronically controlled' shock absorbers and are much more expensive! Oh joy!
The phones have been as busy as ever, and when we finally got back online on Friday afternoon we had over 300 emails to go through! We do seem to be getting a lot of phonecalls from people just about to go on holiday, and people asking for homechecks and then once they are completed telling us they are about to go on holiday. We would much rather people wait until they are actually ready to adopt a dog for us to go through all the procedures. Homecheckers rush around and give up their time to get homechecks done as quickly as possible, so a dog can get into its new home. It is very disheartening for them when we have to tell them after all their hard work etc that the home they have just checked isn't actually looking to adopt for another month or so. We won't reserve dogs for people while they go away, and we are being asked that more and more. People change their minds about things, and in the meantime a 'reserved dog' could have lost out on another home. That is entirely unfair to the dog. This has happened in the past, and that is why we will not do it. That might sound hard and unmoving, however our duty first and foremost is to the dogs in our care.
Friday evening, Alexa & Dougie came over for the weekend. Alexa kindly made dinner for us all. :)
Saturday was another busy day, luckily Alexa & Dougie were with us, and Liz also came up to help put. Saturday saw Lulu & Harry go off to new homes..... and also one of our longest staying residents....Tall Ben!!! Good luck to all - but of course, especially Ben!
Better shoot off - another busy one today and people have just arrived.....
Sorry the blog is so far behind to all Blog Fans.
We've been off line for a few days this week thanks to a BT mess up. Many phone calls later speaking to several different people at BT, none of whom were singing from the same hymn sheet - and then several calls to AOL who BT started to blame for the lack of broadband connection. A rather interesting game of 3 way telephone tennis....to BT....to AOL....to BT.....to AOL..... you get the picture! We finally have broadband access back on this morning. We managed to get online yesterday and late Friday via dial-up.
Last Sunday we had some new family members arrive, in the form of 4 pygmy goats. They are Harvey, Rosie, George & Mildred. They are absolutely gorgeous and very funny. They are supposed to be heading down the meadow, but so far they keep sneaking up to the house to try and eat my hanging baskets - and to see what everyone is up to! They are very nosey!
Earlier in the week I went over the the Army's dog training dept in Leicestershire.
We have been approached by them to see if we would have any dogs who could enlist, so I went over to check out the facilities and training techniques for myself. They are looking for dogs to do sniffer work. The training is all based around 'ball work - tennis balls' and it is all very postive. No choke or check chains used at all. The training is similar to what the Fire Service Search & Rescue guys do. I was impressed with what I saw, and will stay in touch with them in the future.
On Wednesday, the lovely Gwen headed off to a new home - she has little girls to spoil her rotten!
Paul started to try and replace the shock absorbers on the Astra. MOT due in the next week or so. We have been supplied with the wrong ones! We have now been told the ones we need are 'electronically controlled' shock absorbers and are much more expensive! Oh joy!
The phones have been as busy as ever, and when we finally got back online on Friday afternoon we had over 300 emails to go through! We do seem to be getting a lot of phonecalls from people just about to go on holiday, and people asking for homechecks and then once they are completed telling us they are about to go on holiday. We would much rather people wait until they are actually ready to adopt a dog for us to go through all the procedures. Homecheckers rush around and give up their time to get homechecks done as quickly as possible, so a dog can get into its new home. It is very disheartening for them when we have to tell them after all their hard work etc that the home they have just checked isn't actually looking to adopt for another month or so. We won't reserve dogs for people while they go away, and we are being asked that more and more. People change their minds about things, and in the meantime a 'reserved dog' could have lost out on another home. That is entirely unfair to the dog. This has happened in the past, and that is why we will not do it. That might sound hard and unmoving, however our duty first and foremost is to the dogs in our care.
Friday evening, Alexa & Dougie came over for the weekend. Alexa kindly made dinner for us all. :)
Saturday was another busy day, luckily Alexa & Dougie were with us, and Liz also came up to help put. Saturday saw Lulu & Harry go off to new homes..... and also one of our longest staying residents....Tall Ben!!! Good luck to all - but of course, especially Ben!
Better shoot off - another busy one today and people have just arrived.....
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Catching up again
Well, the end of another busy week and no doubt the start of another.
We've had 3 new arrivals today from Ireland, Teresa a wonderful older lady, and Harry and Timmy - 2 lovely mischievous boys.
Lynda & family came over earlier to collect a new foster dog, after the lovely Bobby found himself a new home earlier in the week, so big thanks to them.
Plenty of phone calls to keep us occupied, although a lot of them seem to be behaviourial and dogs needing to come into rescue. Enquiries offering homes seem to be quiet at the moment, but that will be the time of year.
The samples of our new exclusive designs for polo shirts arrived yesterday and they look fabulous. Paul has been busy working away on the other designs we would like to see on shirts.
Merlin The Lurcher is not a happy bunny at the moment, he knows it is the weekend, and his one true love, Alexa, isn't here. He has been looking out for her since Friday. He will turn into a giggly love struck loony tomorrow when Alexa comes up!
I'm not sure what Grandad Brynn has been on recently, but he is an old man on a mission! I guess the hot weather has recharged his batteries again! This week he has been patrolling the garden at a rate of knots and he seems more positive on his back end again. He is a wonder! Thursday evening he helped himself to pizza from our plates!
Batty old Meg has discovered a great new game - it involves stealing old plastic pop bottles and using them at battering weapons against the young whipper-snappers when they get out of line!
They are a funny bunch!
We've had 3 new arrivals today from Ireland, Teresa a wonderful older lady, and Harry and Timmy - 2 lovely mischievous boys.
Lynda & family came over earlier to collect a new foster dog, after the lovely Bobby found himself a new home earlier in the week, so big thanks to them.
Plenty of phone calls to keep us occupied, although a lot of them seem to be behaviourial and dogs needing to come into rescue. Enquiries offering homes seem to be quiet at the moment, but that will be the time of year.
The samples of our new exclusive designs for polo shirts arrived yesterday and they look fabulous. Paul has been busy working away on the other designs we would like to see on shirts.
Merlin The Lurcher is not a happy bunny at the moment, he knows it is the weekend, and his one true love, Alexa, isn't here. He has been looking out for her since Friday. He will turn into a giggly love struck loony tomorrow when Alexa comes up!
I'm not sure what Grandad Brynn has been on recently, but he is an old man on a mission! I guess the hot weather has recharged his batteries again! This week he has been patrolling the garden at a rate of knots and he seems more positive on his back end again. He is a wonder! Thursday evening he helped himself to pizza from our plates!
Batty old Meg has discovered a great new game - it involves stealing old plastic pop bottles and using them at battering weapons against the young whipper-snappers when they get out of line!
They are a funny bunch!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Becca has a Huff!
Well, how do you upset an old collie in one easy move? You take her sofa away from her!
Yesterday evening Alison came over in her van and we went to collect the 2 leather sofas we'd been given - they are lovely! While we were out, Paul moved the old sofa and chair out of the living room, and mopped beind them to clear out resident doggy hairy tumbleweeds!
Becca threw a right paddy! She huffed and puffed, and stomped round the room! Then she went and stood exactly where she would lay on the sofa and GLARED at Paul...."and just what am I supposed to lay on?? Uhmmmm??" She stomped out to look at the sofa outside, and back to the blank space - huffing and puffing and making a big fuss of laying down - ON THE FLOOR - where her sofa should be!
The look of relief on her face when the new one was bought in was a picture!
Has anyone tried to bring a sofa in, while you have 15 odd dogs all trying to try it for size before anyone else?
The Big Fat Red Dog, Remmy is over the moon with the old sofa that is now on the patio at the moment - Ohhhhh Yes!! She can lay outside in comfort now!
Huge thanks to Alison for picking them up for us.
Pauline and Mitchell came over last night too, to pick up Beko to take back on foster. They both got to see 'The Lurcher', Merlin, having one of his mad - super-speedy moments. It was really funny, especially when he runs at full pelt into one of their little play tents and stops dead - he goes in at such a speed you expect him to come flying out the other side. Then his little pointy nose peers out, checks for chasers and launches himself across the garden again, with his pursuers hot on his heels!
Alison met the feline residents last night, and a few were very happy to come and say hello and have a fuss. Brilliant. We should be able to think about foster, or even permanent homes, for them soon.
Flossie had her service yesterday, and her pre-MOT inspection...... YIKES!
We are waiting for price details on the stuff that needs doing for the MOT now.
Today started off with a lovely HUGE thunder storm, with lashings of lighting!
It was right over head, so the thunder was very loud. Bran isn't keen on thunder, so he was doing his woofing and 'call of the wild' impressions! Paul & I got absolutely soaked to the skin as we got caught in it while we were down the yard! Tess thought it was brilliant and wasn't fussed at all. Gem, who normally isn't bothered by storms, got a bit scared, and hid under one of the vans. I had to crawl under to get her out!
When we got back to the house we just chucked everything straight in the washing machine - thank goodness no one arrived early! Welcome to Wiccaweys, the rescue home run by streakers!
Today has been another busy day, lots of calls to catch up on. We still have some emails to wade through. Been trying to catch up on snail mail today too, and get stuff I need to post out to people. I had hoped to get some more jar painting done, but time has got away from me again for that today.
Paul has been working on another project that will hopefully help with fundraising. We are getting so busy now, funds are really tight all the time. He is working on an online Wiccaweys One-Stop-Collie-Shop, where we will be able to sell things like our polo shirts and t-shirts, and the treat jars etc. It is very exciting.
Took a call from a local RSPCA centre who have a collie they would like us to assess and take on. I'm going over to see him next week. He has a few issues and problems, so I hope we can help him through those.
Been sorting out for the new Irish arrivals. We have 3 coming on Saturday, and probably about 10 waiting to travel now, including 3 older ladies who's owner have passed away. We need to get them over asap as they are currently living 'home alone' with friends and rescue workers going in to see to them. Neighbours are threatening to send them to the pound - where they would be PTS immediately.
This one will be a sad one, as homing 3 old dogs together is going to be preety nigh on impossible. We will see how they go, and whether they can be split up, firstly into foster homes. If they can't, then to try and split them up would only cause them to pine - and that would be so distressing for them after loosing their owner. They would all have to become permanent residents so they could stay together.
We had a big hairy arrival today in the form of 'Boots' the Old English Sheepdog. His family have a new baby arriving very soon, and as Boots is a very young and bouncy young man, they didn't think they would be able to give him what he needs.
He's a cheeky chap, and good fun.
Back to it......
Yesterday evening Alison came over in her van and we went to collect the 2 leather sofas we'd been given - they are lovely! While we were out, Paul moved the old sofa and chair out of the living room, and mopped beind them to clear out resident doggy hairy tumbleweeds!
Becca threw a right paddy! She huffed and puffed, and stomped round the room! Then she went and stood exactly where she would lay on the sofa and GLARED at Paul...."and just what am I supposed to lay on?? Uhmmmm??" She stomped out to look at the sofa outside, and back to the blank space - huffing and puffing and making a big fuss of laying down - ON THE FLOOR - where her sofa should be!
The look of relief on her face when the new one was bought in was a picture!
Has anyone tried to bring a sofa in, while you have 15 odd dogs all trying to try it for size before anyone else?
The Big Fat Red Dog, Remmy is over the moon with the old sofa that is now on the patio at the moment - Ohhhhh Yes!! She can lay outside in comfort now!
Huge thanks to Alison for picking them up for us.
Pauline and Mitchell came over last night too, to pick up Beko to take back on foster. They both got to see 'The Lurcher', Merlin, having one of his mad - super-speedy moments. It was really funny, especially when he runs at full pelt into one of their little play tents and stops dead - he goes in at such a speed you expect him to come flying out the other side. Then his little pointy nose peers out, checks for chasers and launches himself across the garden again, with his pursuers hot on his heels!
Alison met the feline residents last night, and a few were very happy to come and say hello and have a fuss. Brilliant. We should be able to think about foster, or even permanent homes, for them soon.
Flossie had her service yesterday, and her pre-MOT inspection...... YIKES!
We are waiting for price details on the stuff that needs doing for the MOT now.
Today started off with a lovely HUGE thunder storm, with lashings of lighting!
It was right over head, so the thunder was very loud. Bran isn't keen on thunder, so he was doing his woofing and 'call of the wild' impressions! Paul & I got absolutely soaked to the skin as we got caught in it while we were down the yard! Tess thought it was brilliant and wasn't fussed at all. Gem, who normally isn't bothered by storms, got a bit scared, and hid under one of the vans. I had to crawl under to get her out!
When we got back to the house we just chucked everything straight in the washing machine - thank goodness no one arrived early! Welcome to Wiccaweys, the rescue home run by streakers!
Today has been another busy day, lots of calls to catch up on. We still have some emails to wade through. Been trying to catch up on snail mail today too, and get stuff I need to post out to people. I had hoped to get some more jar painting done, but time has got away from me again for that today.
Paul has been working on another project that will hopefully help with fundraising. We are getting so busy now, funds are really tight all the time. He is working on an online Wiccaweys One-Stop-Collie-Shop, where we will be able to sell things like our polo shirts and t-shirts, and the treat jars etc. It is very exciting.
Took a call from a local RSPCA centre who have a collie they would like us to assess and take on. I'm going over to see him next week. He has a few issues and problems, so I hope we can help him through those.
Been sorting out for the new Irish arrivals. We have 3 coming on Saturday, and probably about 10 waiting to travel now, including 3 older ladies who's owner have passed away. We need to get them over asap as they are currently living 'home alone' with friends and rescue workers going in to see to them. Neighbours are threatening to send them to the pound - where they would be PTS immediately.
This one will be a sad one, as homing 3 old dogs together is going to be preety nigh on impossible. We will see how they go, and whether they can be split up, firstly into foster homes. If they can't, then to try and split them up would only cause them to pine - and that would be so distressing for them after loosing their owner. They would all have to become permanent residents so they could stay together.
We had a big hairy arrival today in the form of 'Boots' the Old English Sheepdog. His family have a new baby arriving very soon, and as Boots is a very young and bouncy young man, they didn't think they would be able to give him what he needs.
He's a cheeky chap, and good fun.
Back to it......
Monday, July 03, 2006
The Never-ending Story
The past couple of days of been filled with phone calls from people wanting to hand their dogs in. There are various reasons and situations. It is all very sad.
At the moment, our waiting list for dogs to come in from peoples homes is 2 months.
Paul is doing his best to provide people with advice in the meantime, however in some cases I can see he is just hitting his head up against a brick wall. People have been downright rude to him because we aren't able to 'jump to it' and take their dog in immediately.
I suppose it could be the hot weather. I wish people would realise we really want to help their dogs, and when we say we can't help immediately, it isn't because we don't want too - its because we physically can't.
We've
Flossie is in for her service tomorrow, fingers crossed nothing horrible is found structually. We are having to wait until we can sort the timing out.
Alison is coming over tomorrow to give us a hand to go and pick up a couple of leather sofas we are being given. They are a bit too big to go in Flossie because of the cages, so Alison is bring her hubby's van over to collect them.
The cats are a little bit more friendlier again today, it is really nice to see them coming round so well. They are lovely cats.
At the moment, our waiting list for dogs to come in from peoples homes is 2 months.
Paul is doing his best to provide people with advice in the meantime, however in some cases I can see he is just hitting his head up against a brick wall. People have been downright rude to him because we aren't able to 'jump to it' and take their dog in immediately.
I suppose it could be the hot weather. I wish people would realise we really want to help their dogs, and when we say we can't help immediately, it isn't because we don't want too - its because we physically can't.
We've
Flossie is in for her service tomorrow, fingers crossed nothing horrible is found structually. We are having to wait until we can sort the timing out.
Alison is coming over tomorrow to give us a hand to go and pick up a couple of leather sofas we are being given. They are a bit too big to go in Flossie because of the cages, so Alison is bring her hubby's van over to collect them.
The cats are a little bit more friendlier again today, it is really nice to see them coming round so well. They are lovely cats.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Catching up
It's been a busy couple of days here.
Yesterday we launched the new Wiccaweys Forum. Sadly we'd outgrown the old forum at ProBoards, so we now have our own, self hosted forum - with lots of new features and extra. Paul has put a lot of work into this.
It was really good to see so many people transferring straight over, and it seemed everytime I walked past the computer, more folks needed their memberships approving.
The old forum will remain open until the end of July, when we will lock it and just have it as an archive.
Today has been another hot one at Wiccaweys, with some excitement.
I was told the vent fans on Flossie worked off a seperate battery, and as it is so hot, and I had a run today, I've had the fans going to try and keep the van cool. Not so, the seperate battery - when I came to set off, Flossie was completely flat.
We rushed about, got a jumpstart off the car and I was able to set off about 30mins late.
All this happened while we had a lady visiting Orson. Orson now has himself a lovely new home in Yorkshire.
We also had someone booked to come and see Lulu, however they didn't turn up. :(
I was a little peeved as things were only confirmed yesterday and we didn't even get the courtesy of a phone call.
I met Remi with a new Irish arrival, a very timid little collie girl called Tess. She was taken to a vets in Ireland to be PTS as she wasn't interested in working sheep.
Then I noticed Flossie was running extremely hot, and the water light was on. So we had to wait in the heat for her to cool down so I could check the radiator and refill her. Luckily I had plenty of water with me. She hadn't actually lost any water, it was just at boiling point.
Settled in the new girl - she is very sweet, very timid at the moment, but she will come round.
Tomorrow is going to be another busy day. A couple of the dogs have visitors and Alexa & Dougie are back from their holiday and will be picking up their foster dogs, as will Pauline & family.
The gang are all looking to Auntie Tricia visiting and taking them out for lovely long walks in the field. Hopefully it won't be as hot as today.
Yesterday we launched the new Wiccaweys Forum. Sadly we'd outgrown the old forum at ProBoards, so we now have our own, self hosted forum - with lots of new features and extra. Paul has put a lot of work into this.
It was really good to see so many people transferring straight over, and it seemed everytime I walked past the computer, more folks needed their memberships approving.
The old forum will remain open until the end of July, when we will lock it and just have it as an archive.
Today has been another hot one at Wiccaweys, with some excitement.
I was told the vent fans on Flossie worked off a seperate battery, and as it is so hot, and I had a run today, I've had the fans going to try and keep the van cool. Not so, the seperate battery - when I came to set off, Flossie was completely flat.
We rushed about, got a jumpstart off the car and I was able to set off about 30mins late.
All this happened while we had a lady visiting Orson. Orson now has himself a lovely new home in Yorkshire.
We also had someone booked to come and see Lulu, however they didn't turn up. :(
I was a little peeved as things were only confirmed yesterday and we didn't even get the courtesy of a phone call.
I met Remi with a new Irish arrival, a very timid little collie girl called Tess. She was taken to a vets in Ireland to be PTS as she wasn't interested in working sheep.
Then I noticed Flossie was running extremely hot, and the water light was on. So we had to wait in the heat for her to cool down so I could check the radiator and refill her. Luckily I had plenty of water with me. She hadn't actually lost any water, it was just at boiling point.
Settled in the new girl - she is very sweet, very timid at the moment, but she will come round.
Tomorrow is going to be another busy day. A couple of the dogs have visitors and Alexa & Dougie are back from their holiday and will be picking up their foster dogs, as will Pauline & family.
The gang are all looking to Auntie Tricia visiting and taking them out for lovely long walks in the field. Hopefully it won't be as hot as today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)