Back to reality - BUMP!

The show is over for another year, and its back to reality with a bump. Sadly the credit crunch and the weather hit us hard in the end, attendance was down considerably, and the little bit of profit we made from the show has already been swallowed up by last weeks vet bills. It is a huge worry as the show always puts us some money in the pot to see us over the christmas period and helps fund a special wanted item. Last year it put money towards Brynn, the Wiccs van. This year I was hoping that we would at last have some money towards our own set of proper agility and flyball equipement for the dogs, and to make an outdoor secure enclosed meet & greet new families area, but obviously that was not to be. However, we got to see 'our dogs' again with their new mums and dads and that always makes the hard work organising the show worth it. The present financial climate is effecting everyone obviously, and we have lost some of our Friends of Wiccaweys recently. Everyone is feeling the pinch and we completely understand that people need to tighten belts. We are trying to do the same, but it is starting to hit us hard. The number of dogs we are being asked to take in is hitting an all time high, for all the normal reasons, plus not being able to afford them now. The waiting list is horrendous and there is nothing we can do about it. Late Friday night we received an email from someone to say that the dog they had on our waiting list, they had put her to sleep as they couldn't wait any longer. She was a 2 yr old nervy collie bitch. Why bother telling us? All I see is another dog that I have failed. I feel for everyone we lose. I didn't sleep at all Friday night because she played on my mind. Was there something I could have done to get her in quicker? We had 8 dogs in at the weekend. We were asked to take 20 plus dogs alone yesterday. We had to say no to a 3 legged bitch needing a quick space. Usually I would have not thought twice about her, as I know her chances of finding a space elsewhere would be highly limited, but with 3 legs she would be another long termer, and we just don't have any more long term spaces free. It makes me feel physically sick everytime we have to say no at the moment. I know people are pissed off with us because we can't take them in. You hear it in their voices on the phone, you read it in their words in emails. Everywhere on forums I see, ring Wiccs, ask Wiccs - they'll help, Wiccs will take them....... I'm sorry, Wiccs can't take them. Wiccs has no room. We now have several dogs who are long termers, who were given up on by others and need specific homes, or are just continually looked over because they aren't glamourous enough. If they were elsewhere, I have no doubt most of these dogs wouldn't be alive now. Here, with us, they are great dogs, happy dogs - we know them and their personalities - how could we say goodbye to make room for another more easily homed? That is what happens all over the country in some rescues. Should we start cherry picking too? Because that is what the financial climate is leading us towards.... I know some people think that is what we should do. BUT the likelyhood of that happening is about as much as me gnawing my own arm off. We wouldn't be Wiccaweys if we went down that route. We've always been there for the no-hopers and we've given them hope and found them a home, and thats how it will always be. So, we will plod on and keep doing what we do. We have to hope that the threatened recession isn't around the corner, because even now it's going to get a whole lot worse before it gets any better.

Show photos website.

Johnny Badger & Little Dot's daddy Jon was our offical photographer for the weekend of the show. He has set up a special website where he has posted all the photos he took. Have a look and see what a great time was had by all. And as an extra bonus, pics are available to be purchased for a small contribution which goes directly to the work of Wiccaweys. Thank you very much to Jon for all his hard work. www.welliesandpaws.co.uk

Some Show Piccies

Our Best In Show winner, Jessica Wabbit with her Mum Karen & Dad Dale. Jessica has diabetes and she is blind. Karen and Dale adopted Jessica on the very day she lost her sight due to the diabetes. They had fallen in love with her and it didn't put them off at all. Jessica has wanted for nothing with them. They are perfect Wiccaweys adopters and we are very proud of them and Jessica.
Fancy Dress winners, Dalek Isacc and Dalek Noah! In front the Wiccaweys Tardis!
Dee and Isacc receiving the Wiccaweys yearly special award, this year awarded to SuperSheppy - Sheppy crossed the bridge a couple of months ago - there was not a dry eye round the ring at this point.
Some old friends were VERY pleased to see Paul again!!
Mark Squirrel judging the Snoggiest Dog class!
Our obedience competitors

Our very special Judges, Rachel Fuller & Pete Townshend with their lovely collie Flash. Pre-judging and all the mud photo!
Pete judging the Dog Most Like Their Owner.
Rachel in action - look at those fabulous wellies! Being won over by the wonderful Jasper, who throughly enjoyed his day out, and meeting his fans and admirers.
He may have won a rosette!
The parade of Wiccaweys Dogs, which considering it was a miserable wet day at first really touched us both and meant so much. We really appreciated everyone coming to see us and support us. It is actually 3 rows deep of people and dogs! I think I need a bigger photo!
More pics to follow soon....

SHOW!!!!

Despite the weather, we plowed ahead with the show, and muddy field aside - it was fabulous!
Thank you to everyone that came and supported us on both days. We really appreciated that you all wrapped up in wet weather gear and came and made the show another great event. THANKYOU! The lovely Rachel Fuller came on Sunday and judged for us. She also bought along her other half, Pete Townshend and their lovely collie Flash - who I was very excited about finally meeting! Paul & I have been badgering Rachel for ages to bring Flash up to see us. See Rach!! I told you Flash would be fine, and he is a credit to you and Pete. :) Gorgeous boy. Rachel did sterling work for the fun dog show classes in the muddy conditions, and we even persuade Pete to judge a class too! Sadly our other usual judge, Nick Mays, had to pull out a couple of days before due to a family crisis - but he will be back next year, bless him. Sooooooo, we roped in some extra help in the form of the Squirrel family from The Dogstar Foundation, Mark and Sam, and also Di from The Refuge forum. Paul & I even judged a couple of classes. Lindsey, Patch and Gina judged the Obedience, Fun Agility and Strictly Doggy Dancing classes respectively - thank you ladies! Rugby Dog Club manned a Kennel Club Good Citizen tent and I think we now have some new good citizens among the attending dogs! The flyballers were having a whale of a time down one end of the field. On Saturday the lovely Deena did a fantastic job with the agility judging, and adjusted the courses to meet the conditions, so everyone could compete safely. Anna & Helen manned the practice ring. EVERYONE!! The catering crew worked like troopers all weekend - without them we just wouldn't be able to do the show. Amazing as always! Everyone pulled together and MADE IT WORK!! Folks behind the various stalls, Laughing Dog for sponsoring the show, the guys who directed traffic and dragged stuck vehicles out again! Roz needs a special mention for just getting stuck in on doing the jobs that we always struggle to find a volunteer for! We didn't even ask, she just did it! Roz, you are an absolute wonder!
Thank you to everyone from the bottom of our hearts.

Foul or Fair Weather.....

The Show will go on!!! Despite the weather forecasts, the show is definately on. Pack your waterproofs in case - we'll all be there, come and join the party!!!!

Not long now....

To the weekend and the Wiccaweys show. Don't forget to check out the events page the website for the show programme and directions to the venue. See you there!