Dogs, vets, and how to avoid having a 2nd vac...

Sooooooooooo, after Charlie's spectacular way of getting out of his 2nd vac, today Judy decided it was her turn! She's had a bit of a sore tip to her tail which had been treated and was getting better..... but, today, because it's 2nd vac day, oh, lets have a little munch on that! Sooooo, it was another antibiotic jab for her instead and a rather fetching bright red bandage on the end of a freshly clipped tail. 2nd vac held off until next week. She was very brave thou, and even gave the vet a little snuffle. Everyone one else was all routine thankfully. Oh yes, and Theakston decided to make the journey home very smelly.... I'm saying no more other than pass me a bucket!

So now we know....

.......why little Charlie was kicked out. We couldn't for the life of us work out why such a happy, cheeky chappy such as Charlie would end up in a pound and not be claimed. We found out last night. We were sitting in the vets surgery waiting for our appointment for Charlie to have his 2nd vaccination when he suddenly started having a fit. Poor boy. Luckily we know what to do, but it was a shock for the other folks there, and the vet nurse shouted for the vet. I told everyone to stop panicking, just leave us too it and Paul and I went into epileptic dog mode. Staying calm, hands just resting on Charlie as he convulsed, not stroking him - just keeping a gentle contact so he knew he wasn't alone, and talking to him in a sing-song voice the whole time. Moving any objects he could have hurt himself on out of the way. Our lovely new vet came dashing out, saw that everything was under control, grinned and left us too it as I said, 'Looks like he's coming back already'. Charlie came round quite quickly and promptly wanted a cuddle! Bless him. We went in for his appointment, but held off with the vaccination until next week. Pablo the vet examined him and said he was amazed at how quickly he had come round from the fit. Literally 2 mins after the fit had finished, you wouldn't have know Charlie had had one. So now we know why Charlie was in the pound!

Head like cotton wool....

...well, thats me. Sleep, or lack of it, all over the place, and taking out on myself what I want to do to all the idiots and utter b**tards out there. Enough said. Small mercies for the four legged clowns here who know a thing or two when it comes to depression. Did you know the sight of a bassett bum cheekily bouncing around can raise a smile as it disappears in the wrong direction, or the sound of HODGE shouting in your ear - "ARE YOU ALRIGHT MOTHER?" can shock you into hysterical laughter? Basically anything bassetty or bassetty shaped has gone into 'Make Her Laugh' mode! So thats HODGE, Daisy, Tulip and Rex all trying to outdo each other in the clown stakes! On the other hand, the Pekes seem to be on evil mission to tip me completely over the edge ..... they know the sound of them slurping their bottoms is like nails down a blackboard to me.... so they are all converging on me, surrounding me and going into super slurp mode!!! ARGHHHHHHH!!!! And how can they drown out the tv?!?! Slurp, slurp, slurp!!! ARGHHHHH!!!! New arrival Maddie is at the vets today having her bits and bobs done. She's a sweet girl. Off to pick her up soon, and take 4 more for check-ups. Its another damp and dull day, which doesn't help things I guess. At least the frogs like it! Seen a few of those about today..... Oh and I forgot. One bright spot in the dark of the past couple of days.... I saw Barney Barn Owl on Monday and Tuesday evening. Just lovely. That is a spirit lifter for sure - kinda feel like he knows its crap at the moment, and he is keeping a wise old watch over us all.

Not a good day, not in a good place...

and getting lower by the second. Just about had enough and wondering why the hell we bother.
I just don't know what else we can do, and what else we can do to protect the dogs from people?
It's just soul destroying.

Busy day....

.... on the phones today. I think I may have to surgically remove it from Paul's ear. One new arrival today from Rochdale, a girl called Maddie. Bernie bought her down, along with 3 other ex-inmates from the pound. They were on their way to another rescue, so the lady taking them onward came and picked them up from Wiccs. Lovely, lovely black lab lad.... he almost didn't leave! Oh well, more calls to catch up on..... ttfn x

Mud, Glorious Mud!

WOW, what a day! Only 1 visitor, but it felt like complete mayhem today! LOL! Our walking addicts were on the case today and everyone was happy and covered in mud! It was everywhere! Lots of happy dogs dashing round, putting racing tracks in the ground, covering anyone in their path with more mud! Balls flying in all directions. A man up a ladder trying to fix the barn door, which was just one big target for mischievous collies! The old ambulance breathed fire for the first time in 2 years! There was a Bassett Convention in the big barn, with Hodge trying to get people to chase him - and shouting when they wouldn't! It was a Bumble Bee reunion as Pauline bought her two little fosterers over to see their brother. So all in all, it was organised chaos with a liberal dashing (or should that be splashing) of MUD, balls and chocolate biscuits! Happy Days!

Has Spring Sprung??? Someone needs a word with Tara!

Has Spring sprung? Surely not..... Someone needs to tell Tara! After seeing one of the bumbles off to his new home, I decided the take the opportunity to check the fencing in the horse field and give Tara and Pops some special horsey time. Some of the gang are here dog walking, so I can have some quality time with my BIG babies. After hoof and leg checking and a quick brush over on both, T-Bags and I have a nice cuddle while Pops is snaffling his little extra treats (without T-Bags the Bad getting in on the action and nicking them!) Tara and Mummy cuddling consists of me standing in front of her, with my arms wrapped round her neck and face pressed against her, while she rests her head over my shoulder and snuffles down my back. Awwwwww. Pops doesn't really do cuddling - unless no-one, especially Tara, is watching. Cuddling is for girls! After a lovely long cuddle, I go round the field to check the fencing. When I get the old tree at the bottom that is near the cows field, Tara decides to join me. I hear the thundering approach of hooves as she gallops (yes Lindsey, Tara galloped!) across the field towards me. Thankfully she slams on the brakes in time (the field is very slippy after all the rain and she is going down hill) and slides to halt past me (nicely side-stepped by me) - with a snicker of "I meant to do that!". After snuffling and helping me check the fences, she charges off again, kicking her heels in the air, showing off!! At her age! In the slippy mud! All the exertion leads to rather a lot of horsey burping and unladylike farting! Pops has decided on the better part of valour and is standing by the house looking unimpression, rolling his one eye to the heavens! Tara trots over looking very pleased with herself!! She even went a gave Pops a nice snuffle instead of her usual fishwife approach to him. It's only January!

Bryn's service update....

Bryn has had his service. I asked them to investigate why he was seriously losing power (we got overtaken by a family of snails yesterday - and one of them was walking backwards) - apparently the Catalytic Converter is now deceased... The technical report is: 'catalytic convertor broken-up - intermittantly blocking exhaust and losing power'. We've been quoted nearly £500 for a replacement with fitting!! Now, having a look around, Paul has found we can get a replacement CAT for around £100, but garages are refusing to do the work unless we use the parts they source (presumably they buy the £100 one, and mark it up to the hilt!) So, are there any experienced mechanics who read the blog who could change a CAT for us, and save the rescue a lot of money?

10am and pulling our hair out....

.... anyone got wigs we can borrow? Frustration, frustration!! Reading things written by people who should know better, hearing things from so called professionals that are complete codswallop! I get the feeling it is going to be one of those days and it's only just gone 10am! The calls aren't supposed to start until 10! On another note, Bryn the van is in for a service - the garage is literally a few minutes away on the industrial estate. I was going to walk back, but as it is pelting with rain Paul (who doesn't drive much) offers to follow round behind me and bring me back. I say I'll be fine, but he insists (bless him!) - not wanting me to get cold or wet. I drop Bryn off, explain about loss of power etc, and other little jobs that need doing and come outside. No sign of Paul. Wait for 5 mins in the pelting rain - by which time I could have walked home! No sign of Paul. Now cold and wet, with angry steam coming off me, I see Paul in Gus (little red mini) go past the road the garage is on. Ok, he's missed the entrance. Wait another few minutes (obviously turning round at the roundabout) to then watch Gus go flying past the turning again, heading in the other direction. I am now starting to look like a sauna there is so much steam coming off me.... I could be home, warm and dry! Walk down to the end of the road and wave madly as Gus passes me again! Paul must have seen me this time! Gus turns round - the expectation could be cut with a knife..... heads towards me - and promptly turns down another road! ARGHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Where did I put that knife?!?! Gus comes back out of the road and heads towards me. I am the only person in a purple Wiccaweys fleece standing on the corner - and he still goes past me! Thankfully, the jumping up and down, arms waving frantically and rather choice language finally got Paul's attention!! Have I already said it's going to be one of those days??

School for Scoundrels!

Today Miss Tulip Bassett and I went to school! We have joined Rugby Dog Training Club (who are very good friends and supporters to Wiccs) and lunchtime today was our first day, with Mary Ray running the class. It's years since I've been a member of a dog club, and it was lovely to get out and about doing something with one of my 'own' babies for a change. Tulip was a little star (apart from one wee-wee incident) and I was so proud of her as I hadn't actually got round to using a lead and collar with her before. So today was her first time with a lead and collar and she was fab! Not fazed in the slightest. She showed off her heelwork and sits - and would have done a lovely recall if she hadn't been ambushed by a stray piece of cheese which led her bassetty nose off in a different direction! She was nobbled by Sylvie Barr (fat collie puppy) if you ask me! Still, she recovered (after eating said piece of cheese) and came waddling over to do a nice sit for me. Bless her.

I love it when a plan comes together...

Last week we took in a 6 mth old collie girl from a sweet couple in their 70's. They had wanted a little pet dog and they had fallen foul of an unscrupulous puppy farm outlet. Meg was behaving how bossy, worky collie girls behave - with added fear aggression and behavioural issues which were the result of being taken away from her mother too young. The person who sold her told the couple she was 8 weeks old, but when they discribed what she was like when they collected her, she can't have been much above 5 weeks old, so she missed out on key learning time with her mum. When Meg arrived last week she was a snarling little beast, who would have bit you as soon as look at you. After a couple of days she started to relax and chill out a bit. A few days later she was coming for cuddles and fuss. At the weekend she was able to meet the dog walkers without feeling the need to fly at them, and quite happily go off for walks with them. Bless her, I'm so pleased for her, as she is a dear little thing. A nice worky home with a friend for little Meg I think....

Busy, busy!!

I'm really sorry for not keeping up to date with the blog. Life here has been mad chaos. Lots of doggies in, phones are mental and just trying to keep up with normal life. Blogging isn't help by the fact that my computer is on it's last legs and crashes at every available opportunity! Not particularly helpful for keeping up with the emails either. Very frustrating when you are in the middle of a reply and everything dies on you. So this will be short and sweet too, otherwise you might hear me scream! The one thing I really wanted to get on the blog was a HUGE thank you to everyone who sent lovely cards and donations for the dogs at Christmas (that feels like several months ago now!) It really boosts moral to see the happy photos, and receive the cards letting us know how everyone is getting on. We love it. Right, I'm signing off before I lose all this! Paul is going to do something to the computer for me (probably hit it with a hammer) but hopefully it will stop playing silly beggers and I will be able to update more regularly again before long. TTFN!

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!!