Another busy couple of days.

Yesterday Carol came up for the day, along with Patchey Miller and little Amber.  Amber is a little 6mth old girl that we agreed to take on just before Christmas, and who is in 'foster' with Carol.  She has be very neglected and after being picked up by Carol was found to have a severely damaged leg.  X-rays showed an untreated broken leg, with bits of broken bone now stuck in areas they shouldn't be.  The vet is monitoring her condition and we will know more in the New Year.  Amber is being very spoilt and loved by Carol & family.  Bless her.   We also had a lovely visit from Lemmy, who has been in his home for about 7 years now.   It was fabulous to see him and his Mum again.   :)   Lemmy went home with some eggs from the Wiccaweys hens with his Mum Annie planning on baking a cake.

Today the lovely Jenny came up for a days cold and damp dog walking.  What a trooper.  Its been a horribly miserable day for walking - really cold and damp.  Thank you Jenny, and I do wish I'd got a photo of your mud splattered self earlier!   It was a vet run first thing and then Bernie was down from Rochdale again, whisking more dogs to safety.   She bought us the rather lovely Olly - watch out for him on the main site soon.  Berry had visitors and has gone to her new home.  I suspect her new Mums will be complete wrapped around her paws by...... oh, any time about now I should say!   It was lovely to discover that her new Mums are good friends with the couple that adopted Spud from us a few years ago, and it was great to see a new pic of him.  :)      Jenny held the fort this afternoon so Paul & I could pop out for coal supplies, and stock up on the necessities.

Looks like another busy day for tomorrow with 2 potential homes visiting.  Fingers crossed for the woofers.  :)  

2 years today....

...since we lost our darling Bran. You are still remembered Bam-Bams. Never forgotten.
Mummy & Daddy love you.

Boxing Day...

...Well there goes christmas. The phone has started ringing again. Thats 5 dogs we've been asked to take so far! However - On a 'Angel on Earth' note, Superwoman Bernie is giving up her Boxing Day and is on route, doing a 6 hour plus round trip, with 2 dogs bailed out from the Rochdale Pound, including a very elderly collie girl who has been in a RTA. What an amazingly special lady. :)

A very Merrry Christmas to you All!!

Its certainly the busiest Christmas we have had for a very long time. We are full, and there definitely no more room at the Inn at the present time.  The phones are busy with people wanting to get rid of their dogs, with reasons and excuses ranging from the totally honest and plausible to the downright ridiculous and insulting.  Paul was on the phone and still giving behavioural advice to someone who wanted to get rid of their dog at 6pm this evening, Christmas Eve. 

We are doing our best with advice on how to get folks through in the meantime until a space is available, but it breaks our hearts to know that some of those calls mean a dog will lose its life due to the pure stupidity and selfishness of their owner - and there is nothing we can do about it at the moment.

We know we can't save them all, but it always hits harder at Christmas.

When you look at and cuddle up with your special four legged friend this Christmas, please join us in remembering those that couldn't be saved. Paul & I always think the least we can do is to spare some thoughts for those who are unnamed and unsaved.

Please also spare some 'be strong' thoughts for those folks who will be missing friends who have passed over the Rainbow Bridge this year.  Christmas is a time that makes their passing hit home again, and we have all those that have had to say good bye to friends this year in our thoughts and hearts.

Then rejoice in the dog/s that are with you, the dogs that you have opened your hearts and your homes too.  They are our family and our lives. They give us love, they bring us joy, they make us laugh, they make us cry, they ask for nothing, they expect nothing, but they give themselves to us wholly and completely without a second thought. They open their souls to us and invite us in. 

They are our dogs and they are LOVE.

We wish you and your fourlegged family a very Merry Christmas & a Peaceful New Year.

In love and light,

Sarah & Paul

xxxxxxxxxxxx

And as its that time of year....here's Bran!

Snow Fun at Wiccs!!!

YAY!!!   We have lots of lovely snow.   The woofers are having a whale of a time and are extremely excited and very vocal about the exciting new white stuff for bouncing around in!     Darling Margie has just left the building and is slowly making her way to her new home in Somerset.   :)   One very excited proud new Daddy and very happy new Mummy.  Be brave Margie.   I am sooo pleased I got to see Margie in the snow before she left for a new home as she thought it was the BESTEST thing EVER!!    She was gambling around like a puppy, bouncing and racy-chasing with me this morning in it.  It was FANTASTIC!!!   What a cool start to the day!

Yesterday we had 4 new arrivals.  3 expected arrivals from Ireland, and the last was from people who just turned up to get rid of their collie IMMEDIATELY!!  Now, as we are not open to the public, are a breed specialist rescue, and do everything strictly by appointment only, our address is not publicly available on the website for this very reason - as people will turn up with all kinds of dogs and/or dump them at the gate.   As our gate is always locked unless we have pre-arranged visitors etc, is a good 1/4 mile away from the property and is not visible from the house, this means dogs wcould ould be left tied to a gate on a busy lane with no one knowing they were there for a considerable time.  Not good.


We have a huge waiting list for dogs to come in, currently standing at around 6 months for dogs from private homes.  We were rather surprised to say the least when they pulled in and got out with their dog.  It was only that we had visitors yesterday that the gate was unlocked, so goodness knows what they would have done with the dog if they couldn't have got in.   They had no intention of taking their dog home with them again.   Some of the walkers yesterday had first hand experience for the first time of what folks can be like when they want rid NOW!   The people had done the rounds of all the local rescues with no luck.  I found out that our address and details had been given out by another local rescue who knows very well that we are not open to the public to just turn up with dogs.   The soft touches that we are, of course we didn't turn him away, and he is now settling in well with the gang safe and sound.  YOHOHO!

The Doggies are very excited.....

as we have received a few 'Secret Santa' parcels.   I keep pointing out to them that it isn't the 25th yet, but I'm not sure they believe me, or really want to wait, the cheeky monkeys!   The dog barn has been filled with the sound of excited woofs and squeals as the current resident puppies try to get their grubby little paws on anything that is wrapped in christmas paper!  The excited woofs are them, the squeals are me as I catch them up to no good again!   I've told them, if they carry on, Santa Paws will have to put them on the naughty list and there will be no pressies at all!
Speaking of Santa Paws, don't forget you can read the doggies letters to Santa Paws on the Wiccs forum here.

Christmas Walk

It was a really lovely sunny, if somewhat blowy, day for the Wiccs Christmas Walk after a torrential downpour this morning. GB did his stuff when I asked him to sort the weather for us!   Everyone went off while Paul & I saw to visitors, lots of the residents joined in the fun, and then it was back to HQ for the walkers. Great company, lovely folks, brilliant dogs and lots of yummy stuff to eat. Fab day!  Thanks to everyone that came and supported us.

New books!! Christmas Pressie suggestions.

The lovely Tammy (Mitch's mum) has produced 2 more Wiccaweys books. The first one is called The Wonder of Wiccaweys, and contains a selection of short stories about London, Joe Bear, Indie, Robbie and Remmi, Kym and Jess, Harry Valentine, Ruby, Minnie, Queenie, Benny and Muffin sprog.

The second book is by Paul Watson, and is called Travels with Midge. It records the travels and adventures Paul and his Wiccs Border Collie Midge have as they travel the long distance footpaths in the UK.

Details for ordering the books can be found here, and for every book sold, Wiccaweys receive £5!

What could be better - fantastic christmas presents about dogs and helping dogs at the same time! YAY!!

Fear not Blog Fans....

We've not run away. Just been very busy with normal life and I've not had much time to sit and blog. I hope folks are keeping up with weekends comings and goings via the Wiccs Walkers Blog and enjoying the tales from the volunteers etc. The main news at the moment is that the Christmas Party has been cancelled. Mainly because of all the awful weather recently and the fact that the ground is so wet. If we have lots of folks and vehicles here the ground is going to get very churned up and it takes ages for it to get back to normal. So instead of the party we are having a Wiccs Christmas walk up the bridle path for adopters/volunteers/friends and forum members. Nothing fancy - a hour or so walk in good company and then back to HQ for a hot drink, nibbles and a natter. If you would like to come, please send an email for details. Christmas festive dress is optional! And who knows, Santa might make an appearance with a dog!

Friday is the new Saturday....

.... we have 3 potential new homes visiting today! How cool is that. :) Busy day ahead.

Fantastic Night!

What another fantastic show Mary put on for us! Mary is a real star when it comes to supporting Wiccs and I was well chuffed to see Wiccaweys Libby as part of Mary's show. Libby belongs to Mary's sister Tricia. She was the noisy hairy terrier! Carol's white choccie colliepops were a huge success and the raffle went very well. We spoiled Eleanor rotten as part of her winning prize from a previous Wiccs auction, and by the time her last surprise came to work with Foxy, one of Mary's dogs, she'd had a couple of glasses of wine and forgot how to work her feet! Good job Foxy is a professional! You just can't get the dance partners these day! Huge thanks to Pauline for organising it all for us. Brilliant night!

Not long now....

To our Mary Ray Cabaret Night! Its this Saturday! Full details a little further down the blog. There are still a few tickets available so if you would like to come and join in the fun, please contact Pauline Barr on 01327 842900 / 07917 358245:

Tickets are £14.50 each.

Booking:
Please make cheques payable to the Organiser:
PAULINE BARR and include a stamped addressed envelope.

Please send payment to:
Pauline Barr, 18 Spencer Road, Long Buckby, NORTHAMPTON, NN6 7YP.

Alternatively as time is now getting on and with the postal strike looming, you can phone Pauline to reserve your tickets and pay on the door.

And don't forget, these nights aren't just about heelwork to music, Mary gives folks a great introduction and insight into clicker training and how to teach your own dogs some very fancy tricks. A great night out!!

RUBY - Lost In Cornwall - NOW FOUND - SAFELY HOME AGAIN

RUBY NOW FOUND - THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD THOUGHTS AND WELL WISHES




Whilst out walking with her mum Di in Cornwall, Ruby has gone missing. She's been gone around 30-45 minutes so far.

RUBY HAS NOW BEEN FOUND!

Still, we'll keep this blog entry up, because it's a great excuse to look at this lovely picture of Ruby anyway. :)

Thanks.

Paul.

RUBY NOW FOUND - THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD THOUGHTS AND WELL WISHES

New extra Wiccs blog for you to read....

We have created an extra blog for you all to enjoy.
The Wiccaweys Walkers blog.

Liz came up with the idea. As she said to me last weekend, we know that members of the Wiccaweys forum really enjoy reading the volunteer dog walkers reports and posts, hearing about the weekend events at Wiccs, especially when there has been good news & dogs have found new homes. Liz thought it might be a nice idea to open those reports up to a wider range of folks, and regular Wiccaweys blog readers by creating a special walkers blog, as we appreciate forums are not for everyone. We hope you enjoy it.

The Wiccaweys Walkers blog can be found here, and also via the menu bar on the main Wiccaweys website. Don't worry, my blog isn't going away, so I'll still be ranting away one day, and a happy bunny the next. LOL!

Now, back to my rather lovely bottle of wine - a surprise present from Raymond & Gillian, bought back from their holiday in France. Thank you very much guys. It is just what I needed.... perhaps I'll snooze through tonight. :) CheersMeDears. :)

Last night.....

......at a little before 1am, I am woken by the phone ringing. I leapt out of bed and dashed to the phone to hear the sound of an new answer machine message. My heart is pounding hard in my chest. Who would be ringing at this hour? What is the emergancy? Panicking thoughts of Nan or Dad being taken seriously ill are racing through my head, neither of them have been particularly well recently. With a shaking hand and a thumping heart I listen to the message..................

Its a fecking enquiry!! In the middle of the night!!! From someone who has been homechecked and knows what bloody time it is because they quote it on the message with the immortal words of 'I'm sorry its so late.....we are interested in.....' NO - YOU ARE NOT FECKING SORRY!!! If you were sorry to be ringing at that ridiculous time, you bloody well wouldn't be doing it!! WHAT THE?!?!

And the desperation for ringing in the early hours??? Were they hoping to visit the very next day and need to set off stupidly early to get here??? OH NO - silly me! "We would like to visit during half term....." WHICH IS OVER A WEEK AWAY YET!!!!

I was soooooooo bloody angry I felt like calling back immediately and just blowing a dog whistle down the phone!!! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! What exactly was sooooooo urgent and important that they have to ring at that stupid time, wake someone up, panic them and completely disrupt the only time they have to themselves - BECAUSE THEY ARE BLOODY ASLEEP!!! Nothing, absolutely nothing that couldn't have been done the very next day - WITHIN PHONE HOURS!!

So that was me for the night. I was awake. Once I'm awake, I'm awake - my body goes into get up mode. I'd had under 2 hours light sleep. My adrenlin was pumping because I'd got worked up thinking there was an emergancy. I stayed up for a couple of hours to try and get snoozy again. Went back to be about 4.30am to see if I could doze off for a bit. I tossed and turned until about 6.40, and then must have nodded off to then hear the alarm come on at 7am! Time to get up.

Today I am incredibly tired and throughly fed up. I am all behind with everything.
WHY DOES SOMEONE FEEL THAT IT IS APPROPRIATE AND ACCEPTABLE TO CALL AT A TIME LIKE THAT??? Honestly I don't care if this sounds harsh, or if the person gets upset if they read it. IT IS WRONG & OUTRAGEOUS to do that to us! The call times are CLEARLY visible on the website - and even then, if someone rings outside those timeS within a SENSIBLE time, then fair enough. RINGING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE - FULL STOP!!

Mary Ray Cabaret Night - 24th October

Mary Ray Cabaret Night
Benn Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire.

24th October, Saturday
7:30pm until 10:30pm.

The super wonderful Mary Ray is once again performing one of her amazing and awe-inspiring Cabaret Evenings to help raise funds for Wiccs - and this time is on a Saturday to make it easier for folks to attend. These evenings are just thrilling, and watching Mary and her dogs at work is just spell-binding. Its all very exciting! Both the Wiccaweys stall and Mary's stall will be there with lots of goodies available. Tiered seating so everyone gets a good view.

COST:
Tickets are £14.50 each.

BOOKING:
Please make cheques payable to the Organiser:
PAULINE BARR and include a stamped addressed envelope.

Please send payment to:
Pauline Barr, 18 Spencer Road, Long Buckby, NORTHAMPTON, NN6 7YP.

ENQUIRES:
For all enquiries concerning this event, please contact Pauline on: 01327 842900 / Mob 07917 358245

PLACES TO STAY:
There are very reasonable hotels available with a few miles of the venue for those travelling a distance.

It passed.....

....Like a bad case of very uncomfortable wind!!!!

Having a...............

Why do we bother moment and actually feeling quite insulted.
I'm sure it will pass.

In out, In out - you shake it all about!

Its been a week of comings and not stayings. Firstly we had 3 ladies arrive at the weekend who had come in as very urgents. Their Mum has 6 collies, and had received a letter from her housing association to say she could only have 3 at the house and if she didn't rehome 3 by this week she would be evicted. We took in 3 of her girls and she was devastated. She went down the housing association office on Monday to say that she couldn't live with out all her family together and please would they reconsider. She was told that they hadn't sent her any letters about her dogs! It would appear that she has been the victim of a hoax! After getting in writing that she could have all her dogs with her, she then drove back down from Yorkshire yesterday to pick up her 3 girls. Next coming and not staying. Early this morning Bernie picked up Simon from the Rochdale Dog Pound to bring down to Wiccaweys. He'd served his time and was due out, or to be PTS. Just as Bernie was abotu to arrive, she got a phone call from Coryn from RDR. Kathy had been into a gym nearby and there was a poster of a missing BC called Seamus whose discription matched Simon, he belonging to someone who worked there and he was supposed to be chipped. when Bernie arrived she told me what Coryn had said and I immediately scanned Simon. A chip id was found immediately. So next the detective work began, the chip was checked, and yes, the details came back for a male tri-colour collie and it appeared that Simon/Seamus was chipped to a lady living in Cornwall - hmmmmmmm, very strange as he was found in Lancs and the poster for the missing dog was from someone living and working in Lancs. I rang the lady in Cornwall who's details were on the microchip database, and no Seamus didn't belong to her, she had a black/white Collie bitch who was lying at her feet also chipped. She'd never had a male collie, only her girl. This was very worrying information. I advised she had her girl scanned at the vets asap and the number and details checked on the database at the registration company. It looks like that someone there has made a big blunder and put the wrong owners details on the wrong dogs details! A frightening thought! The next step was to contact the lady in Lancs who had postered about him, luckily Coryn had her phone number so we rang her. She immediately described Simon/Seamus to a T, right down to his very recent neutering and kinky tail! and he did belong to the family. The family was very relieved to hear from us as they'd given up on seeing Seamus ever again. It was decided that Bernie should take Seamus back up North to reunite him with his family ASAP. Arrangements were made for Brian, his Dad to meet Bernie at her home. Bernie arrived home about 15 minutes before Brian arrived, so young Seamus explored her garden for a litttle while, then they had a little walk up the road just as his Dad's car turned into the avenue. Seamus recognised it immediately and tried to climb in through the window!! They were very happy and relieved to see one another again. We are all over the moon to be able to reunite Seamus with his loving family who thought they had lost him forever. This family had done everything they could to find Seamus, rung their Dog Warden, rung the council, rung a couple of 'pounds' but no one had pointed them in the direction of Glencoe. Even then due to wrong chip details they may not have been reunited!! It was just luck that this young lad was happily reunited today with his loving family - and luck hopefully also helped an unknown family and their collie bitch in Cornwall avert a potential situation. It pays to check your chip details are in fact correct.
Seamus & his Dad happily reunited!

Run free Meggie Moo

We had the very sad news that darling Meggie Moo passed across the Rainbow Bridge this morning. She slipped away while laying in the arms of her devoted Mum Eleanor. Meggie has been a source of joy to all at Wiccs, and many people followed her ASBO Granny Puppy antics on the website. There are many tears being shed today and many hearts feeling the loss of a true Wiccaweys Oldie. Meggie Moo, your uncompromising spirit, energy and love was a blessing to all those that knew and loved you.

Show Report 2009

I've created a special Show Report Blog!! It can be found here or via the main Wiccs website. I've decided to do a dedicated blog for the show this year as I know not everyone is a member of the Wiccs forum, so if folks would like to comment on the show blog about their day and experiences, then everyone gets to share and experience the feeling that goes with the show.

Honestly, I will get a show report up.....

.... as soon as I can. More sadness at Wiccs this morning though. Another very old friend has left us for the Rainbow Bridge. We found that our lovely Pippin pussy cat had passed over in her sleep. She was a very ancient lady, with a perchance for beating up dogs at every available opportunity. A stubborn and independant old dear, she joined us when her old mum passed away and no one would take on a doddery old cat on her last legs. Yeah right, Wiccs Oldie power struck again and in no way was she old and doddery. After a month in the house settling in, Pippin decided she was an 'outdoor cat' and joined the rest of the Wiccs pussy cats milling around the barns. Pip was an exceptional dog socialiser, as she had no fear and wouldn't run. Any dog who 'dared' to even look at her in a shifty way was swiftly dealt with by a firm paw to the nose and a staring down. Pip helped us make several known cat haters to be cat safe. She was a total star, and will become a legend in the Wiccs Cat Legacies. She gave both Paul and I lovely cuddles last night before we came in for the night, with super loud purring. I think that she was saying good bye, and she left us in her own way, in her own time, and in her own favourite place. Run free Pippin, we will miss you very, very much and so will your old pal Mildred.

The morning after... back down to earth with a very large bang....

I know folks will be waiting for a show report, but just for now I need folks to send peaceful thoughts to our darling old GSD Zeus who will be making his way across the Rainbow Bridge this morning. He finally told me today it is his time to go and join his old friends - "my old legs are very tired now Mummy, its my time". Another proud old man with a HUGE heart and a generous spirit. I thought I would have to say goodbye to him last week, before the show, but he kept amazing me by being his normal stubborn, independant and proud old self by marching around the house, demanding his dinners and generally being Zeus. He was sitting with me for hours while I was printing out the leaflets and entry forms for the show and just generally getting all the paperwork organised. "Give over woman - do I look like I'm ready?! Now stop worring about me and get on with organising that show. I'm here, my head is on your knee" Bless him. What a bloody dog. He knew, he knew. He stayed brave and strong for me to get me through the weekend. He is another amazing Wiccaweys Oldie. Please send him lots of love as he makes his way across the Bridge, and also give thanks for what he has done for me this weekend. I love you with all my heart Zeus. You are a very, very special old man.

And there we have have rescue in a nutshell. From the euphoria of yesterday to the heartbreak of this morning.

The Weekender is in full swing........

......and the weather has been fantastic! The agility show went well today, and Little Floss and her dad won the Wiccaweys Class, and now hold the Bran & Dru Memorial Trophy for the next year. Bidding on the Silent Auction is hotting up. :) Tomorrow is shaping up to be a brilliant day. Come and join us if you can. :) Full details and location map on the events section of the website.

Lovely goodies!

We have some lovely goodies for the Silent Auction, so I hope everyone coming to the show is getting excited. :) We have amongst other things, A luxury 3 day break for 2 adults and 2 dogs at The Kingston Estate in Devon - check out: www.kingston-estate.co.uk/ A very special collectors limited edition boxed THE WHO t'shirt donated by Wiccs friends and supporters Rachel Fuller and Pete Townshend and very kindly signed by Pete. :) We have a gorgeous John Silver print kindly donated by John. Lots of other goodies too.... I shall keep some surprises for folks! Not long now...............

Not long now....

Only a few days to go to the show! This week is just whizzing by!
Yesterday we were donated a set of flyball equipment by Jo & Ben (Wiccs boy) - how wonderful!!! We are over the moon and so grateful to them. Thank you guys. :) Dru Yesterday the truth that Dru is no longer here hit me between the eyes like a freight train. As I was walking round to the house, I was thinking - Dru is going to be over the moon, finally we have our own flyball box - he can be his own one dog team, with a victim to load the box for him continually.....and he'll be as happy as anything!!! And then it hit me. :( The vets phoned yesterday to say Dru's ashes are back with them. I just want to fetch him home now.

Keyrings, badges and jars!

Today I have mostly been glass painting treat jars ready for the show. :)
Have made up lots of keyrings and badges already - some more to do later in the week.
The dog walking gang have been busy with the woofers, and the lovely Dylan found a new home today. Looks like we will have some exciting goodies for the Silent Auction to be held at the show. Will post details at the end of the week.

Busy, busy

Its all busy, busy mayhem at Wiccs. The phones are red hot and we are really struggling to keep up with the calls at the moment. Today has been a hive of activity. Julia, Mick and Eleanor came over and have been beavering away stuffing show flyers into envelopes ready to send out to Wiccs adopters. We had 2 lots of visitors today too, and Mozart and Dingle have headed off with their new families. Good luck boys - be happy. :) I can't believe that the show is now only just over a week away!! WoooHoooo!!

Piccies of your Wiccs dogs wanted!

From Carol: It's Wiccaweys show board time again and this year I thought we'd do the theme on your lives with your beautiful wiccs friends. What we'd need is the most gorgeous picture of your doglets and a little blurb about your life with them - doesn't have to be more than a few sentences long. This year has been difficult and we've all been through some sad times so I thought it would be fantastic to hear lots of lovely stories and jokes, and what difference your Wiccs dog has made to your life. The email to send your piccs and blurb too is carolmillerdesigns@googlemail.com We can't wait to see them and we'll try and feature as many as possible during the show weekend. Thank you all, Carol.

Plodding on...

Up super early as couldn't sleep properly, so sorted out and sent of the order for the show rosettes. Vet run today. Mozart and Schubert (Bertie) went in for their bits and bobs. Jimmy has a sore eye, so he went to get some cream and to make sure he hadn't got a grass seed in his eye after rampaging through the long grass at the weekend with the pups! No grass seed, so it looks like he's scratched it playing rough. Got home and Paul got on with calls. He's been on the phone all day, poor love. I decided to give Rex a haircut as he was getting very tatty round his bottom. He loves his new shaved look! LOL! Wait until I send Tom a picture of you Rex! As I was covered head to toe in Red & White Rex hair and itching like a thing possessed, I decided to jump in the shower. The next thing I know, Paul comes into the bathroom and thrusts the phone at me.... "its the vets, they need to speak to you, Bertie hasn't got any nuts!" "Ermmm, Paul, I'm in the shower, can you relay please" LOL! Anyway, after the vets had shaved the hair around Bertie's nether region, it was discovered that he was already neutered, bless him. More calls and emails and then back in the van to collect the boys. When I got there, Mozart came out, looking very lively and very happy. He gave me lots of cuddles and kisses and jumped up into the van. Then Bertie came out.... what a wimp! He limped out to the waiting room, scooting on his bottom and kept looking at his nether region! You would have though HE was the one who had been neutered! I pointed out to him he'd only had his willy area SHAVED!! Nothing else had happened!! What a wuss!!
He's gone to bed looking very sorry for himself, but consoled by a chewy bone!
Just sorting out the rest of the gang for bed time, then we can think about some tea. And I've just realised I forgot to order the clear round rosettes! ARGHHHH!!

The next day...

And I think we are still in shock. I know I am. I'm still completely numb and feel like I am living in a hazy, nasty dream and I will wake up and Dru will still be here, throwing his ball and causing mortal injury as he hurls himself at me. Stanley has been howling. :( When we open up the dogs in the morning it is normally a mad noise of excitement and anticipation. Yesterday wasn't like that. They were quiet. As we carried Dru out to the van, completely silent. No one made a peep and they all sat up in their beds not moving, just watching and I swear I saw Merlin lower his head as we walked past. Yesterday morning was busy and all I wanted to do was take darling Dru to the vets so he could go for cremation and come home again. But first we had a visitor to meet dogs, the farrier for the 3 field dwellers and then an insurance chap. Thankfully we'd already asked Eleanor and Sharon to pop over to help out with a couple of things, so Sharon helped Jim the Farrier and Eleanor helped with the other bits and bobs, and they both kindly offered to stay on all afternoon so we could take Dru to the vets and then just have a bit of time for ourselves. I want to thank everyone for their kind words on the blog, pms, texts, emails and calls, Paul & I really appreciate your thoughts. Today So, rescue life carries on I guess. Much as I would like to disappear into a black hole for a few days, we have someone coming to meet a dog later, we have all the calls from the weekend and yesterday to catch up on, homechecked folks to call, the equine chiropractor coming this afternoon to check out Big Mac's back, and everything else that goes along with being Wiccaweys. I really should knuckle down and get some show stuff done too. The lovely Eleanor and Sharon are coming over today to help out again, bless them.

The End of an Era - Run free darling Dru.

We came down this morning to find our darling Dru had passed over the Rainbow Bridge. He's gone to be with his brother Bran. We are both in shock, completely in shock. It was completely unexpected. I can hardly function at the moment and Paul isn't much better. Dru (Druid) was the one that started Wiccaweys - he was the inspiration and the dog that gave us our calling in life. Then his brother Bran joined us a couple of months after Dru came, and he was so screwed up he wouldn't have had a chance anywhere else. Those 2 reprobates taught us so much, and loved us so much we will forever be in their debt. I just can't believe he is gone. I don't think I can say anymore at the moment. Run Free Roooodles.

The Blog is back!

Yep, its back! So many folks have contacted me to say they are missing the blog, and sent lovely supportive emails and pms. Thank you all very much. So the blog is back.
We'll see how we go - all I'm going to say is that The Blog is a bit like the television - if you don't like what is on, switch over, or switch off. You don't have to watch - or read.
Right then, whats going on? Well, if you are Daily Mail readers, then you might be followers of Liz Jones' diary in the Sunday Mail, if so you will have read about her new addition - yes, Gracie is one of Mischa's mischief makers!! Liz is a very lovely lady, and Gracie is going to be one spoilt pup!! I'm looking forward to keeping up to date with her adventures!! If you want to check out Liz's diary today, have a look here. Busy, Busy. Normal rescue life is its normal busy self. Lots of dogs needing to come in, lots of calls and lots of emails. We have some really beautiful dogs with us at the moment, all waiting for their new families to come along and take them home. Show Time! Oh yes, it's getting close now! The Wiccs show is on Sunday 13th of September! I can't wait! Especially for my favourite part, the Parade of Wiccaweys Dogs - so don't forget to come along for the day. Full details are on the events section of the website. We have loads of stuff going on this year - its all very exciting. Still lots of things to do to get ready for the big weekend, and I've had words with the weather and it has promised to behave this year! Right then. I guess I should look willing! I've just sat and done an interview via email for a USA dog magazine, so that should be interesting. We have folks here meeting some woofers, we've had 3 Irish dogs arrive and Lisa should be here later with a couple more coming in from Ruff Luck. Busy, busy! The stalwarts of the dog walking team are hard at it with the gang, Mick & Julia, Raymond & Gillian, Eleanor, Sharon and Fi. Ohhh, Paul is heading into the office with some happy looking people and an even happier looking doggy! YAY!!! Looks like Rex has found himself a new Mummy & Daddy!!! YAY!! Perhaps I could stay in here in the big barn for a bit longer.... do you think they would notice? A bit of training with Little Brynn who is currently nicking biscuits when he thinks I am not looking..........Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm PUPPIES!!!!

Mischa's pups & some other stuff.

Gracie headed off to pastures new today, and fingers crossed Riley will be off to his new family on Monday. So that is all of Mischa's little babies in their new homes. :)
Mick & Julia were troopers again today, they have been fabulous over the past couple of days - thank you guys. Sharon & Liz enjoyed getting soaked bathing the babies.
This will be my last blog post for a while. My depression is acting up too much, so I can't see any good for the bad. I think I need to see a doctor again. By opening up on the blog, I have upset people as they don't think I appreciate them. That isn't true and I am sorry for that. So no more personal input from now. Strictly rescue business only on the website. Thanks to all for reading in the past.

Scarey times!!

The total vets bills for this week alone is over £1,000!! For 3 dogs! Izzy the RSPCA dog who came in in season, immediately after her season developed an open pymetra and had to have an emergency op on Wednesday. Judy Magic Ears managed to damamge the end of her tail and had to have an emergency partial amputation on Wednesday. A new arrival who appeared to be in some pain with his rear end and was grumpy when you touched him there went in for tests and x-rays. He has Hip Displasia. That plus a few packs of routine flea treatment and the bill comes to over £1,000! Add on top of that a foster dogs vet bill that came in for almost £400 last night and that takes this weeks vets total to just under £1,500! I admit I broke down and cried on the way home and again last night. I didn't sleep much. I really don't know how we will carry on soon. Homings are down because people are messing about and then despite all the info running off to puppy farms still - and guess who they will be phoning in ohhh, about 5 months time if not before...., people being too picky...want the impossible...I don't know, I just don't know. You know, the dogs are here - they need homes. Who cares if they don't all look like movie stars - they are beautiful on the inside and that is where is counts. They need homes of their own and people to love them like we do. Give them a chance - you might just be very surprised.

Thank you to the Wiccaweys FamilyI

I want to say a huge thank you to the wonderful Wiccaweys family and supporters for their kind emails and pms after my blog posting on Monday. You are all very special people and I love you all. One very special friend of Wiccaweys wanted to post something in response on the blog, but couldn't quite work out how, so I have promised that I would post what Derek wanted to say here. Over to Derek: Hi sarah, I want to write a supportive response to your blog about your being attacked by those bigots and their view of Wicca - but I'm not sure how to do it. What I want to say is that, as you know, I am a Catholic Priest. I have particularly studied and taught on spirituality and I do know a lot about Wicca. Although, of course, I don't follow Wicca myself, I respect your right to follow that religion and it did not in any way put me off supporting you and Paul and the fantastic Wiccaweys family. I have come across many animal/dog rescue places in the last three years, but Wiccaweys is unique. There's nowhere else like it. The others, sure, are efficient, kind and dedicated and they do a great job, but there is something extra in Wiccs. That something is simply the Wiccs magic - it is the incredible passion that you and Paul have for the dogs. Your love for each of the dogs is so deep and real that you are willing to allow yourself to be vulnerable and hurt and this inspires us volunteers/supporters to try to do the same. And, although I am not a follower of Wicca myself I can see that what you do with the dogs and how you love them is linked with your beliefs. What's more your love for the dogs has spread and influenced us -the supporters, especially the forum members - it's the Wiccs magic that has made us so sensitive and caring for each other. I have often said to my priest colleagues that I find more real love and caring in the Wiccaweys group than I have ever found in many Christian parishes. If you are what Wicca is about, then I think it's pretty good. Love, Derek

What gives them the right? Ignorance and Intolerance!

What was a lovely weekend was throughly ruined yesterday by one bigot. A lovely older lady came to adopt as she had lost her old friend recently and was offering a super home to another girl. She didn't drive so her nephew and his wife drove her over. They met the lovely Lollie and meetings went fabulously. The lady fell in love with Lollie and Lollie loved the lady. We went into the office to sort out the paperwork. The nephew and his wife were looking round as the lady was reading through and filling in the adoption forms. As happens quite a lot, the nephew asked where the name Wiccaweys came from. I explained, it was 'Wicca' and 'ways' except spelt with an 'e' instead of an 'a' - so 'Wiccaweys'. "Oh. So what does Wicca mean?" I gave my easiest response for people who might not know what Wicca is, and explained it is a pagan belief/religion, earth magic, witchcraft, herb lore, the old religion - that sort of thing. Both the Nephew and his wife pulled a face. I thought fair enough. You asked the question, I gave you an answer. I carried on helping the lovely auntie with her paperwork. Then I saw the Nephew lean towards the wife and whisper to her, and her nod in response. Unfortunately for him, I have very good hearing, and can also lip read a bit! "I beg your pardon, what did you just say?" "Nothing" "Yes you did, please repeat it" "I said it was a good job we were taking Lollie home as we can rescue and save her from the Witches clutches!" I am afraid I got very angry. "I do hope you are joking" giving him a chance to apologise and a way out. He shook his head, "No, we are Christians". Oh of course, that makes it alright then. How stupid of me!!! I got very angry indeed and told him exactly how offensive I found his comments, and "how DARE he come into MY home and offend me and my beliefs in that manner. What he had just done was no different from walking into the home of anyone from any walk of life or religious belief system and insulting them. Would he do the same to a Catholic or a Muslim?" I was so upset, angry and shocked that I had to walk away. I was physically shaking. I called Paul, explained what had happened and asked him to deal with them as I was so cross. I wanted them out immediately - disgusting people. Paul went and spoke to them and I knew he was cross too. Even with Paul, he used his 'We are Christians, we put up with persecution everyday' arguement for his actions! Paul said that had nothing to do with it and just because whether something may or may not have happen to him, it gave him no right to do the same to others. We wouldn't walk into their house and be rude about their personal beliefs. Eleanor (who incidently had come dog walking following her Sunday visit to church) was standing comforting the evil Witch (me) when the Nephew came out of the office. He walked over and made an attempt to apologise. I was not interested in him or his apology as I knew he didn't mean a word of it. He went and sat in his car. I just wanted them and their bigotted beliefs away from Wiccaweys. I did not want our work soured by their own ignorance. When I walked back into the office, the wife and the lovely Auntie were there talking to Paul. The poor Auntie was very upset as she was desperate for a friend, and her nephew had ruined it. I spoke to them again. I explained exactly how offensive her nephew had been. My beliefs had nothing to do with them adopting a dog. If they'd come over and discussed different ways of training, doing things with dogs etc, that is 'work' and to do with 'rescue'. What her nephew and wife had done was a personal attack against an individuals beliefs. I pointed out that one of the big things that Wiccaweys stands for is that everyone is treated as an individual, whether they are human or canine. No-one is judged and everyone is assessed as the individual they are. We are a big family and we have much loved and respected friends and supporters from all walks of life. We have Priests, Vicars, Reverends, Preachers and all the rest of the beautiful folks from all different beliefs, religions, work and ethnic backgrounds who make up the Wiccaweys family. All are welcome and no-one is turned away unless they are not for the dogs. They do not have a problem with who we are, or who I am - they care about what we do and the dogs we love. Because we are the people we are, and after a lot of soul searching, we allowed the Auntie to adopt Lollie. She is a very lovely lady and Lollie will have a wonderful home with her. Why should both her and Lollie miss out on many happy years together because of the ignorance of her nephew. Upset I admit this has really upset me. It has been on my mind constantly since yesterday. Do people really have that view of me? Does what we do, and what people see we do with the dogs fade to nothing because of someones zealous religious view point and them having no understanding of another persons? Isn't this the sort of rubbish in the bigger world that causes major conflicts? I never thought I would see it come into rescue. Our world is a very sad place for far too many reasons, and many people are too small or blinkered to see. I am thankful for OUR family, the Wiccaweys family.

They've done it!!

Midge & Paul have made it! Click here for the full story! It was an epic trip! So far they've raised about £150. There is still time if anyone would like to make a donation in honour of their achievements. Very well done boys, we are very proud of you.

Don't forget....

Midge & Paul are on their big adventure this week, running along Offa's Dyke. See full details futher down the blog. Keep them in your thoughts and wish them both luck.
Go for it boys!

Journey's End!

Here are Matty & Alexa arriving at Wiccs after a very long day on their road trip to raise funds.
And here they are with the very lovely and very amazing Miss Edna who was waiting to help welcome them home. 3 superstars together!! Well done guys, we are very proud of you.
Thank you to everyone who supported them and sponsored them. And well done to Carol for co-ordinating it all. Total amount raised to be announced soon. :)

Edna's Op

Darling Edna went to the vets for her much needed op's today. We didn't want to put them off any longer as I was getting really worried about the mammory tumours. She'd put on enough weight and condition for the vet to give the go ahead, so today she had a mammory strip on both sides, she was spayed at the same time, she had those horrible poorly ears completely flushed while she was asleep and she had her teeth descaled. Bless her. It was a huge op for her, and she was under for quite a while, but after seeing the tumours removed, the vet is very pleased it was done now. Edna is very, very sore, and obviously exhausted. She is on complete rest for the next few days at least, and she is back at the vets on Friday to have her drain removed. We know it needed doing sooner rather than later, but I still feel a completely meanie as she is still a relatively frail lady. She is quite distressed at the moment as she is so sore, despite pain relief, so I will stay up with her tonight so she isn't alone. The total amount for Edna's vet visit today is £500. Yikes! Matty & Alexa, start your engines - and Paul & Midge, run like the wind boys! If anyone would like to support either Matty & Alexa's bike ride, or Paul & Midge's Offa's Dyke challenge - or even both - we would REALLY appreciate it. :)

Paul & Midge's Jogathon 2009

The very wonderful Midge and his superfit dad and best mate Paul are once again doing a huge run to raise funds for Wiccs - this time they are doing Offa's Dyke - 180 miles in 6 days!!! They set off in about 3 weeks time..... The route will be as follows if anyone is in the area and wants to keep an eye out for them and give them a cheer as they go past: Chepstow to Llanthony 39 miles, To Gladestry 24 miles, Newcastle on, Clun 25 miles, Welshpool 20 miles, Llangollen (Trevor) 33 miles, Prestatyn 39 miles. I will confirm once they are on route. To put into perspective what they are actually both doing on this endeavour is running a marathon or more EVERY day!! Blinking amazing!! If you would like to support them, and sponsor them, you can contact Paul at: pjw25@le.ac.uk He would love to hear from you and know that he and Midge had your support on this amazing venture. You can check out Midge's very own website here: Travels With Midge. There are stories from their past adventures and lots of great photos. Paul and Midge are just brilliant - please support them if you can.

The sad, the bad and the glad....

Sad. In one day alone this week, we have heard from 3 different Wiccs adopters who have had old friends cross the Rainbow Bridge to the Summerlands. Run free old friends, and we thank their families for the love and homes they gave to them. We have said goodbye to 2 Wiccs dogs ourselves, and we thank their foster families for all they did for them. Even when you know there is nothing else that can be done, it doesn't make that final decision any easier. Bad. The phones of course. Absolutely horrendous the amount of calls. On Wednesday alone Paul answered and made over 60 calls. Most of them were people wanting to hand dogs in, or needing advice. He was mentally exhausted by the end of the day. For every call he made, he would have 5 missed calls on the phone. Its pure madness! I really don't know what we can do. Glad. Edna update - I know people have been waiting for it. Well, what can we say! Another old fraud! On the 20th April she weighed just over 11kg. When we took her to the vets for a check-up last week she weighed 16kg! YAY!!! Absolutely amazing. She is so much better in herself and is a cheeky ol bird! She has a devilish sense of humour. She is still very wobberly on her back legs, probably due to the starvation and muscle wastage. Hopefully as her muscle tone improves again, she will steady up and get stronger again. Her ears are an ongoing battle to sort out, bless her. I think she has 10 years of grim and grot in there, but we are getting there with them. She has mammory tumours which will be the next thing to sort out, but we needed to get her strength and weight up before risking putting her through an operation. We think she will be ready for it in another couple of weeks, so keep everything crossed for her. I'll try and get some new pics this weekend. Mischa & Co. The little horrors will be 8 weeks next week! Can you believe it already! Here they are having some R&R time with Auntie Liz on the trampoline!

My heart is breaking...

From the decisions and choices I am having to make.

Fundraiser - Alexa & Matty Go On The Road! Saturday 6th June

From Alexa: On the way home from Wiccs after dogwalking, Carol and I were trying to think of a fundraiser that hasn't been done before, is a little unusual and would get as many people as possible involved for as little effort as possible for most people. What we came up with is Alexa and Matty Go On The Road..... Matty has himself a little baby other than Patchey Miller.....it is in the form of his beloved motorbike. I'm not really all that keen on bikes, particularly those that go above 15miles an hour LOL. So what we are going to do is this......We thought we could do a challenge to visit as many Wiccs adopters/supporters in a day as we could physically manage...on his bike *gulp*. Obviously I think we would need to go above 15 mph otherwise I may as well just stay home. We have the route planned and we will be hitting the road on Saturday 6th June: It's going to be a gruelling 880.3 kilometres in 15 hours and 52 minutes excluding stops - all in one day.
Sooooo, what we need now is of course is some lovely sponsorship which we thought could work by people offering a certain amount per house visited, the amount being down to the individual to decide. We have estimated it will cost us £250 to complete the road trip, which we are funding ourselves, so all money raised will go directly to the dogs at Wiccaweys. We would love to raise at least £1000! Will you support us? You can download a sponsor form here. Thank you for supporting us and Wiccaweys. Alexa & Matty.
Alexa's foster dog Sammy checking out her riding gear - "You are very brave Auntie 'Lexa - Do it for the doggies!"

Message from MrsB - Posters required!

Dear Blog Folks, I am involved in a small fund raiser on Sunday, 10th May, some of the profits from which will be going to Wiccaweys: http://www.wiccaweys.com/forum/index.php?topic=9036.0 What I would like to do is put up a display on the day showing off as many Wiccaweys dogs as possible ……… and for that I need your help. If people could put together a colourful one page A4 spread about their Wiccaweys dog(s) – I don’t mind whether it’s all photographs, or photographs and text, just so long as I can put together a great show of what Wiccaweys has achieved for so many dogs. If you would like to join in, please send me an e-mail to: margaret_botterill@hotmail.com with your poster attached – go on, you know you want to brag about your Wiccaweys dog. Please can you make sure that somewhere, on your poster, your dog’s name(s) is stylishly and visibly displayed too. I will not have time (nor artistic ability) to put together anyone else’s posters myself, so please be aware that anything you send to me will be printed out and used as it is. I will need all posters to be with my by Friday evening, 8th May as I will be spending the whole of the Saturday hammering my cooker producing lunch for the event. Thanks for helping. MrsB

Why?

This dear old lady is Edna. She was in a northern pound and Super-Bernie bought her down to us with the recent RDR dogs. Edna is a more mature lady, with the sweetest nature. So why has she obviously been starved? I whisked her straight to the vets on arrival because I was seriously worried about her. She weighed just over 11kg, and was dehydrated. Her back end is wobberly due to lack of muscle and general weakness due to lack of food. Her skin was hanging on a bag of bones. I could put my hands around her waist and link my fingers. I cried when I saw her.
But Edna is a trooper - she has the Wiccs Oldie Spirit in her. She knows what she wants and she wants to live!! She has made herself very at home. Paul looked at me this morning and said, "do you think our oldie has found us again??" We look at her and we see in her face all those proud old collies that have gone before her, the ones that found us in their later years.... Flossie, Brynn, Brigg and all the others..... I wonder.....

Pete / Paddy is home!!

Paddy is home safe and sound!!!

URGENT - LOST WICCAWEYS DOG - PETE IS MISSING - PETERBOROUGH, PE4

Pete, now called Paddy (as in Pete & Bingo) went missing at about 5pm this evening from Cuckoo's Hollow, MULTIMAP LOCATION LINK , in Werrington, between Welbourne and Lakeside, off Fulbridge Road in Peterborough. Pete/Paddy is a short coated black and white collie. He is neutered and microchipped to Wiccaweys.
His family are still out searching, and his dad is going out now to lay scent trails around the area Paddy went missing from after talking to us. If Paddy isn't found tonight, we suspect he will hole himself up for the night. We have advised they are at the area he disappeared from at dawn with very smelly food and Bingo to see if Paddy shows himself. If Paddy is still missing in the morning, we would all appreciate any help with the search from local folks. Paddy's dad Pete Jordon can be contacted on: 01733 571134 / 07742 592490 at anytime if you can help. Our number is: 07905 203254. Come home Paddy.

Reporting in

Mischa & Pups are doing well, thanks to all that are asking about them. More pics to follow soon, when we have time to breath. Other than that, I'm sick of it. Sick of idiots, sick of selfish people, sick of timewasters, sick of impatience and sick of life. Sick, sick, SICK!!!!! Lots of folks with terrible worries at the moment, especially amongst our volunteers and adopters, with poorly dogs and the threat of redunancies hanging over families heads. A sad and scarey time for all.

Whats been keeping us busy?

All these!!! Mischa was keeping secrets from everyone! Nine of them to be exact!!

Whats the saying?

If you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all? It's a bit like that at the moment, but then folks email to see when I will be blogging again. So here it is; tired, fed up and pissed off. It's just gone 4am and I can't sleep yet again, and this time I am up worrying and crying over a pup who I am now terrifed that all the good work we put into building up his confidence is going to be undone. I don't know anymore. I don't know what people expect from the dogs. Why can't people except them for who and what they are? Work with them, not against them. If they did, then there wouldn't be so many problems. It really isn't rocket science. Once again the phone is stupidly busy with dogs needing to come in, people needing behavioural help and I am sick and tired of picking up after other places and people who aren't careful about what they do and wash their hands of their dogs once they are out of the door. Its not on, and it isn't right! We are both frustrated and exhausted. On a lighter note before I go and start picking up sh*t for the day, Nick, Karen, Moppet and Capt'n Jack Collie are coming for a visit, so looking forward to a nice chilled evening in front of the fire later. :) Naughty dogs allowing of course..........

MASSIVE THANKS!!!

The lovely folks at Dogs In Need Agility Society have very generously and kindly sent Wiccs a donation of £1000!! WOW!!! Totally fantastic! So huge thanks to all at DINAS, and very special thanks to all the wonderful people who sent in reference emails and letters of support for us to put in our information pack. Thank you all!!

If you are in need of a good laugh............

Check out The Dog of The Month page on the main site! Tena lady optional, but highly recommenced!

Totally.....

Madly BUSY weekend!!! But the weather was good!! YAY!!! It's been extremes the past few days. The very best of people and the very worst of people! The easiest way to discribe it is its been like a see-saw! Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down.....whooooo hooooo, hold on tight! Sooooooo what else. Well, Winnie St Bernard has decided she is half St Bernard, half Hippo!! She now knows where all the good muddy whallowing spots are in the fields and takes every available opportunity to make use of them!! I have never seen a St Bernard move that fast! She races to them and lands with a big SPLAT slap bang in the middle! You should see the grin on her face afterwards! CRUFTS Its Crufts this week, and for some reason I'm not that bothered. I'm usually like a cat on a hot tin roof by now. I love going, and usually do all 4 days. But this year, I just can't get any excitement going. I will go, as I shall do our normal wormer bulk buy. But..... oh I don't know. I wonder if its me, or a few folks are feeling that way these days. Its sad if so I guess. Right back to it. Stuff to do and then we have 3 lots of visitors! That's pretty mad for a Monday!

So whats going on....

Well, the training barn is now the nursery - the Irish pups are having a great time racing around in there. We had to cancel this months Understanding Your Collie as the barn was in use by the tiny terrors! LOL! We've just given them their supper and discovered that they'd nicked Paul's gloves and were using them to play tug of war. Sock had pulled down a duvet and made herself a nice bed on the floor so she could watch the proceedings! Paul decided to join Socks on the duvet and promptly disappeared under Socks, Buffey, Pawdie, Cody, Ralphie & Kirk as he was ambushed and kissed into submission!!! Today they also had Adele & Vicki as their own personal puppy slaves for a while. It's hard work, but someones gotta do it! More victims tomorrow to be subjected to extreme puppy naughtiness!!!

Someone, somewhere, hates us

You know, sometimes you start feeling that enough really is enough. You have something to really lift your spirits, like Raymond, Gillian & Mum, Mick & Julia, and Carol & other half all coming over today to muck in with the new influx. Pauline coming to take home 2 foster dogs. Thanks guys, it really was appreciated and helped us loads. I have no doubt you all heard how mad the phone is at the moment. So that was fab, and we were feeling really lifted. And then as they say, shit happens! We managed to get to the bank just before closing to do what we needed to do and then it was off to pick up Gus the Mini from the garage. We waited for a few things to be finished off, and then we headed home. A couple of miles into the journey I pulled over as I had that feeling you get when you have a puncture. Got out and checked all round in the dark, no nothing, tyres all fine. So off we set again. Just as we are coming into Little Harrowden, poor Gus starts really clunking and creaking, and the steering is going potty. The next thing Gus jolts down on one side and we are sliding down the road at 30 mph, on metal with a glorious shower of sparks flying out behind us! I managed to control Gus and bring him to a juddering halt to then watch one of the front wheels carry on down the road without us! The wing is a mess, and I am not a happy bunny to say the least. Thankfully no one was in the way of the rogue tyre, and it hit a wall and stopped. Some folks rushed over to see if I was ok, bless them. Paul leapt out of the van from behind me. We then walked back up the road collecting various bits of Gus that had been ripped off. Paul stayed with Gus while the mechanic came out. I carried on home to sort the dogs. Paul's just called to say they are heading back to the garage with Gus and then Martin the mechanic is giving Paul a lift home. I'm fine, no damage done, but I am seriously, seriously pissed off. Someone REALLY hates us. We always have to be kicked in the teeth, and life made harder. Just once, JUST ONCE, please, I'm begging - GIVE US A BLOODY BREAK!!!

YAWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are exhausted!!! YAWWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!! The phones are mental. We just can't keep up with the number of calls coming in at the moment, and people are getting irrate because we aren't getting back to them soon enough! WE ARE TWO PEOPLE!!! Yesterday we went out to feed the goats and the horses, when we came in there was 11 missed calls on the phone! Madness! I can't remember the last time I actually slept properly. Its months ago, and it's starting to take its toll now. Arrivals. We've had a few urgents come in over the past few days, and today our latest Irish influx has arrived. What a great bunch of dogs! They are all lovely. The gang in Eire have done a great job with them getting them ready for coming over. Little Mischa is a heartbreaker, she has been through the mill so much. Slowly, slowly does it with her for a few days. Right, back to it. Lots of walking to be done today, and thankfully, Raymond and Gillian and Mick and Julia have offered to come and help with the newbies, and lighten the load a bit for us. ttfn!! Oh yes, any suggestions for something to make me sleep, that doesn't involve medication or doctors would be greatfully received. Whisky in warm milk isn't working anymore.

WOW, What a day!!

What a day, busy, busy!! It started off early with Paul & I taking the Mini to the garage for some TLC. We got back and Ros had arrived for my 'talk time' session, and Jean also arrived with some bedding (and goodies from Tesco - thank you Jean!) While I was having my session with Ros, the chap arrived with our latest stock of Hay for the horses and goats. Paul unloaded that, and then Ken arrived with his daughter and Bonnie to see us. He also bought up a laptop for me to use when this old beast decided to throw one of its wobberlys! Thank you very much for that Ken, sorry I didn't get to see that much of you today with one thing and another. Eleanor and Julie also arrived to drop off some homecheck forms. The coffee was flowing in the training barn when Ros and I came back round. :) Eleanor took Oldie Meg home with her for fostering. After everyone headed off, Paul and I ran in to grab some soup for lunch. Just as we did Alison arrived to visit as she'd not been over since before christmas, and the very wonderful Roz, Chris and Dave arrived with Robbie & Remmi to help out with some electrical problems in the big barn. Chris sorted the electrics for us and Roz & Dave got stuck in with Paul to sort out the flatterned lean-to that the landlords hadn't managed to get round to clear up and make safe. Huge thanks to Roz, Chris and Dave, that has made things so much easier for us again. So it's been all go here today!

Another Gentle Giant comes to Wiccaweys...

Please all welcome Winnie to the Wiccaweys family.....

AVALANCHE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, not quite, but it felt like it! The latest disaster of the snow melting..... we came out this morning to find we'd had an avalanche off the roof near the 2nd dog area last night and it'd fell onto an old ramshackle barn as you drive in to the big yard and completely flattened it! It was blocking the entrance to the yard! We've phoned the landlords as goodness knows what is in there... there is lots of old farm stuff and awkward stuff to clear up - we need menfolk.... they are sending the lads out on Monday to clear it all away. Paul & I have managed to clear some of it off the drive, so at least it is now passable for vehicles, but we are asking this weekends visitors and volunteers to be very careful as they come round the bend and at the yard entrance. The yard is still icy, so be careful there too guys.

One of those weeks.......

..... and it's snowing again!!!! Oh joy! Thankfully the dog food delivery came today! Yesterday was interesting. The Wiccs yard is a skating rink now, and the drive isn't much better. It was the vet run yesterday, and getting the van out was like a scene from Cool Runnings! I did it, and off we went. Everyone went in safely and we headed home to meet Bernie who was coming down with 3 poundies from Rochdale. Bernie safely negotiated the skating rink, the newbies were sorted out and after a quick cuppa and being bounced on (and peed on) by Percy several times Bernie headed back up the M6. We took the Newbies to the vets to have a check over as we were picking up the other dogs. Our first appointment was at 5.40pm. As we were on route Danni the vet nurse phoned. They'd had an emergency come in, so was it ok to push us back to just after 6? No worries, ok with us. We arrived about 5.20 and I popped in the vets to see if they were ok, in case they needed someone to hold the fort at reception while they were dealing with the emergency. Luckily the emergency had come in just as Sarah the Head vet nurse was due to go home, so she stayed on and they were covered, but they really appreciated the thought. Paul took the opportunity to try and catch up with the days calls - there were loads! I nipped up the road and grabbed some chips for tea and we sat in the van and ate them. Saved cooking when we got back - and it was just as well I did. I left Paul to the calls in the van and headed into the vets about 6.15. The emergency was still being operated on, and other folks were waiting. I told Sarah to just fit us in at the end. Paul had lots of calls to catch up on and I took the time to do some training in the waiting room with little Rosie - who is a star by the way! I ended up chatting to another couple in there who'd just got a pup and giving an impromtu training session! Still it made the time pass nicely. LOL! We finally finished at the vets just after 8pm and we headed home. Thank goodness we'd had the chips! We were both knackered by the time we got in and sat down. And the emergency case was ok in case anyone is wondering! Soooooooooooo, to the ongoing water debarcle. Welll, we thought it was sorted, and yes, we did have water, of sorts. Like normal flow for a bit, and then down to a trickle..... which we thought was down to air in the pipework after Mondays shenigans. No water getting to the shower at all, and the loos taking forever to fill after a flush. But, we were getting buckets etc filled up (VERY SLOWLY) when needed, so plodded on, and keep trying to get the air out by having the all the taps on, to pull the water through. Today, enough is enough. Paul checks again for leaks. Nothing. The thing in the goat pen is still securely attached, all the taps being on isn't getting the water flowing again - just what is happening?!?! Welllllllllllllllll, Paul went up to the water meter to find that the man from the water board did still send someone round on Tuesday (even though we phoned to cancel them) and that nice person from the water board had kindly turned our water off at the meter! But not told us! So the water that had been coming through had been what was stored in the pipes between the meter and the house, and was coming along every now and then when we turned the tap on, along with air pockets which was when the water stopped! Good job Paul checked the meter! Sooooo finally we have PROPER water again, and I am having my bloody shower tonight!!!

Blitz Update.... and something else....!

Right, yesterday was the day from hell, and today we are both physically and mentally exhausted! We were just setting off for a water and vet run at 4pm when the Water Board arrived. Paul phoned the vets and put the appointment back to 5.30. After much breath blowing, and pursing of lips, Water Man informed us he would send out someone in the morning to dig up the 3ft from the water metre to the front of the gate that they would be responsible for. He then suggested that we dig down a metre or so, every 50 metres to locate the leak if it wasn't in that 3ft. Riggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhtttttttttt! Here's a JCB I just happen to have handy! Off goes Water Man, and we head off to Morrisons. We clear the shelves of 5 litre bottles of water, while people are looking on at us as if we are mad. We are just about to head for the vets, when the landlords phone to say they have arrived to have a look. Paul phones the vets again, and puts the appointment back to just after 6! While Paul and Paul (I know) are stamping around the grounds, I position as many buckets and plastic bins that I can find to collect the rain that is starting to fall. As we are just setting off for the vets for the 3rd time...... I ask Paul to feed the goats on the way out. There in the goat den, we find the source of the problem when Paul hears water! An old water trough, that has NEVER worked the 2 years we have been here, that has never shown any signs of water getting to it had suddenly burst into life and a metal cap on the end of a pipe had come off!!! Paul turned it off at the mains last night, and this morning he has fixed it. Thank goodness we didn't have to dig for it!!! So we have water again, thank goodness - and we did get to the vets in the end!!! I am looking forward to a VERY hot and deep bath later on! Right, so that panic is over - what other News? I need to ask folks for some help here. An agility society is kindly considering us for a monetary gift, and they have asked us to send them information about the work we do. They have also asked us to send in some references. So if anyone out there who has adopted from us, or who we have helped in anyway, would like to give us a reference, we would be very, very grateful. You can email them over to me, wiccaweys@aol.com, just as an email or as an attachment and I can print them out to include in the information pack I am putting together. If you would like to personalise the reference, please address it to Rosemary Sleaford. I need to get the information pack in the post by the end of the week to allow for postal delays due to the weather. (Until yesterday we hadn't had post since last Tuesday!) TTFN x

Blitz Spirit.....

.... at Wiccs! We have no water! Nothing as of when we came in yesterday evening, but no sign of a burst pipe or leak, so thought pipes must be frozen. Still nothing this morning. Paul is on a hunt around the house and grounds for any likely suspects. Water Board contacted - they might be able to get out tomorrow..... Just about to warm up Brynn and see if I can get to Sainsburys to clean them out of bottled water. More snow overnight, so the drive is quite slippy and Brynn doesn't like it. I told Paul'y we should have got a cheap 4x4! LOL! And just what I need, Lady Tara Horse getting used to the good stuff and demanding Evian from now on! Onwards and Upwards Troops!

Friends of Wiccs Newsletter time again

The Friends of Wiccaweys Newsletter editor, the lovely Bridget, has asked if anyone has any stories, news items or doggy updates that they would like to feature in the next edition, could they please email them to her by next weekend. Bridget's email address is: bridgetsgjamieson@btinternet.com
If you are a FOW and have not received any recent newsletters, can you please email us direct to make sure we have your correct current email address and details: wiccaweys@aol.com

Announcing the latest Refuge Forum auction which will be in aid of DogStar Foundation and Wiccaweys

Announcing the latest Refuge Forum auction which will be in aid of DogStar Foundation and Wiccaweys.

The lovely folks over at the Refuge have chosen us and the wonderful Dogstar folks to benefit from their latest auction. A lot of blog regulars will know Sam Squirrel and her lovely family who run Dogstar Foundation, they are regulars at Wiccs events - think slightly insane fancy dress competitors! Details from the Refuge auction thread below: The auction will commence 8pm Sunday 1st March and end Sunday 8th March at 8pm. Now is the time to start hunting for all your strange & tacky tat & fantastically unique or quality items to donate to the auction! Pictures and descriptions of items being offered should be sent to: refugeauction@gmail.com A Refuge staff member will then list it in the auction forum.
Can you please state whether or not you will be paying the postage. It would also help if you could state your Refuge user name if you are a member (or your Wiccaweys username / Wiccaweys connection / other contact details if not), just so they know who to contact to arrange postage etc. Please feel free to blackmail or persuade friends, relatives, employers, colleagues, local shops etc for items which can be auctioned to raise money for these two worthy causes.
Get your tat out for the doggies! Link to The Refuge Forum

The Snow is lovely............

..........And brave Bernie is battling her way down from Rochdale to Leicester and then onto us in Northants to get 3 poundies to safety. The woman is a Saint, and one of my heroines.

Truely, Madly, Deeply....

Truely, sometimes this life stinks, and sometimes this life is great. This weekend was the latter.
Madly busy weekend, Saturday especially with lots of visitors and walkers. Happy people, happy kids pinned down in the barn with puppies and dogs climbing all over them - even very big kids, hey Mark? LOL! Most importantly, Happy Dogs!!! Yep, it was true Wiccaweys organised chaos - with cake and candles! It was Carol's birthday, so Alexa bought up a cake, Amanda bought over donuts, and Pauline arrived in the afternoon with surprise cake, candles and balloons. There was nearly a severe cake calamity as Big Fat Stanley decided to take a flying leap at the table with the cake on, as the candles were being added. The cake went into slow motion sliding off the table, thankfully saved by Pauline! Think stunning save in a penalty shoot-out! Stanley was uncerimoniously turfed out of the barn, and not allowed to have any cake for his disgraceful behaviour! As it was Carol's birthday, we made sure she got the squashed bit of cake with added dog hair! TeeHee! Deeply, yep, it's Snowing! It was a wise choice to finish up early today. Came in - not a sign of snow. Pop some of our dogs out for a bit, get changed, come back down to them 10 mins later, to see several Snow Dogs standing by the back door glaring at me! Wimps! You have fur coats!!! It's settling nicely too. Good call to put extra hay out for the horses too, and to put on their lovely new rugs. Two little horsey eskimos in the field!