It's been ages since I've had a few moments to sit and catch up on the blog - apologises to all blog fans.
Firstly I would like to say a HUGE THANKS to everyone who came to the Christmas Party. It was fantastic and everyone had a wonderful time. Thank you to all that helped out and mucked in. The party games were brilliant fun, and the fancy dress was a hoot - even if two pointy dog ringers (greyhounds) snuck in to steal the show with the most amazing outfits! It was wonderful to see our old charges again with their new families, even better when they all still recognise us and go all silly..... super wiggiliness awards go to Robbie, Jake and Ellie Bones. Extra tiddling with excitement awards when they see Sarah & Paul go to Robbie & Ellie Bones!
It's all go at HQ - the work has started on the new sewage system, so we are like a scene from World War 1 at the moment, with trenches everywhere! It's interesting to say the least. The new cooker has finally arrived after a month of mystery! It's a very long story, but the moral is - do not buy a cooker via Argos if it is going to be delivered by a bunch of cowboys known as Expert Logistics.
Today we have been without electricity as the workmen cut through the mains cable when they were digging one of the trenches. We got it back just before 5 this evening.
The dogs have actually been coping very well with all this work going on. We thought they would get quite rowdy with all the noise and strange men wandering about, but they've been pretty good, and only shouted at us when their normal walks have been delayed.
There is a HUGE hole in the field now, ready for the treatment centre to go in. It's massive! I'm half expecting to find a couple of lions trapped in it tomorrow! Well, maybe Glory Cat and Princess!
The soil is really clay here - and when you get down deep the clay is really good - any potters out there want a chunk? Authentic Wiccs Clay! LOL!
Nancy's pups are 8 weeks old tomorrow - and full of it! They are extremely bold - and very funny.
We are desperate to find Shep a new home or foster home. No-one is looking at him because of his age. It is such a shame, because anyone who meets him can't believe he is 16. He doesn't act like it and he doesn't look like it. He is a lot fitter and faster than most 7-8yr olds. Someone must give him a chance soon. Bless him. He had a lovely time at the Christmas Party.
We've had some upsetting news this week, and we are keeping everything crossed.
We are asking everyone else to do the same. Regular visitors to the Wiccs site will remember Hope. Hope was with us last year, and her story can be read on the Evil that Men do part of the section. Her Dad, Adam, phoned earlier this week to tell us that Hope was very seriously ill in the vets. 2006 has been a difficult year for Hope. At the beginning of the year she was very poorly and needed an overnight stay in the vet. This sudden illness seemed inexplicable and she responded well to anti-biotics and rehydration.
Early this month, Hope appeared to have swelling to her mouth area which was diagnosed as abscesses in her gums requiring 5 teeth to be removed. At the same time, a lump was discovered behind one of her nipples which the vet felt needed investigative surgery. On 19th December, Hope was operated on and a mass the size of an orange was discovered in her body cavity. The vet explained to Adam and Tracey that this mass was attached to various internal organs and the choices were to have Hope put down, leave the mass intact and let Hope continue untreated to see what developed, or to investigate the mass to see if it was something treatable. They decided to go with the surgery.
Adam & Tracey then received another call from the vet who told them that they had opened the mass to find it was a large puss filled abscess surrounding some surgical swabs which had been left in her from previous surgery. The mass was removed but they were warned that it was unknown if Hope would survive due to the potential damage this abscess has caused to her internal organs. Yesterday Hope received a blood transfusion. Hope has now been allowed home, however the vets have told her family that she is not out of the woods yet - and the next 2 weeks are critical for her. The previous vets and Laura the Dog Warden have been informed of the situation and what has happened.
Please, everyone keep everything crossed for Hope. She has been through so much in her life and this is so unfair. Adam, Tracey and family love her very much and are sparing no expense in the fight to save her life.
The best Christmas Present Wiccaweys & Hope's family could have this year would be to hear the news that Hope has recovered fully from her ordeal.
