Mitch

 Mitch is about 14 years old, and he was abandoned in his owners property when they moved out. 

He was abandoned with his mate, a GSD x, a cat and two hamsters. They were in the property for days before neighbours became concerned that no-one had been back to the property as the dogs were constantly barking.

The neighbours had keys to the property and entered, they found the dogs in the kitchen locked up with excretement everywhere and no food or water.  The neighbours called the local Dog Warden who attended straight away, assessed the situation and gave them food to feed the dogs. 


The Dog Warden immediately contacted the Animal Welfare Charity responsible for this kind of situation (as frequently advertised on TV) to request they attend.  They refused point blank to come out, despite being phoned several times, from various sources and official help being request by the Dog Warden of Local Government Authority.  As you can imagine, the Dog Warden involved was not best pleased, or impressed.

The dogs had to legally remain in the property for the next three weeks while the Dog Warden tried get the relevent authorities to attend and arrange for permission to remove the dogs.  The Dog Warden provided the neighbours with food for the animals and attended the house daily.

In the end the Dog Warden had to ask the housing association to intervene to be able to legally remove the dogs that way.  

After the dogs had been in the pound for a further 2 weeks their owner eventually phoned the housing association to say she wouldn't be coming back and to do what they wanted with the dogs!!!

Because of all the stress, the GSD had started to pick fights with poor Mitch and it was a relief all round when the Dog Warden was finally able to get them out and into kennels.

Mitch is such a lovely old chap, a true gentleman.  Despite his difficult past months he bares no grudges to anyone, whether they by human or dog.  He is an absolutely angel and has a real spirit of life about him.  He has settled into Wiccs fantastically and has charmed everyone he meets.  He has even found himself a new love, and flirts shamelessly with Bella, our older lady collie looking for a home.  They are about the same age, enjoy quiet walks together and spending time together.  Its so sweet - like two OAP's finding love at the age of 90 in an old folks home.  Bless!!

The years Show!

Don't forget to check out the events section on the website for details of this years show in September.  Lots to see and do!!

In memory of Michael, an Irish Collie

We think that this boy, who Eila called Michael, deserves to have his story told as a tribute to his memory.

He had been living in the woods for over five years, presumably he was dumped there as a young dog unwanted and most certainly unloved.
He existed by scavenging in the wild for food, occasionally thrown the odd scrap or two by people in the locality who knew of his existence.
Over that long five years, during the hottest days of summer and the coldest dark nights of winter Michaels life must have been a struggle to survive.

Recently Eila was alerted to his plight and so began the long and slow process of trying to rescue him.
Night after night she went to the woods, left him food and water and tried to coax him to come to her, but life had taught him to be wary of us humans.
Days became weeks and months and slowly Michael began to emerge and on rare occasions allowed his head to be rubbed, this was without doubt the only affection he had ever known.
Eila sent us regular reports of her progress and would ring full of joy when Michael had eaten from her hand.  We were all waiting for the day he would come in from the woods, and he would come over to Wiccs to start his new life.

At last perseverance paid off and on Tuesday last week Eila managed to rescue him.   Michael came to her and told her he was ready to come in. 
He was too scared to walk, so Eila carried him through the woods and to the car.
The hope was that with proper nourishment,veterinary care and lots of love finally this boy would get the chance he deserved. 

But sadly and cruelly fate intervened and on Friday Michael was rushed to the vets.
On examination it was discovered he had a very large tumour in his abdomen. His system was so weak from years of neglect that he would not have survived surgery.
So the heart breaking decision was made based on what was best for Michael, but definitely the saddest for Eila to end his suffering and put him to sleep.
Last night Michael returned to his woods to be buried in the soft earth sheltered by trees in that place he called home.

May you sleep softly sweet boy, free now from pain and hunger and never to fear us humans again. 
You would have made such a wonderful pet for someone if only you’d been saved earlier. 
Run free Michael, never know sorrow or pain again.

Michael, you are remembered and you are honoured.
We know that you touched Eila's heart and soul, and she loved you very much.
She gives thanks to St Michael that you trusted her enough to let her take you in so you weren't all alone when you crossed the bridge.

________________________________________________________________________

From Eila as posted on the Wiccaweys Forum:
Thank you all so much for the kind words for my beloved Michael.  I loved him so much I felt as though he was my own.  My friend Susan was so good, she came down night after night, lying with us in the dirt and mud to show Michael we weren't all bad. 

It's been 4 days since we said good bye to Michael but still my heart feels as if it's in a thousand pieces.  Yesterday, in the supermarket I saw turkey legs on sale and thought "Michael would love those" I started crying and had to go home. 

Why is life so unfair - in the last few years I've seen a lot of cruelty and hurt but I've never felt like this.  I feel numb inside and wonder did I do wrong by taking Michael out of the forest. Deep down I know it was the right thing to do, no dog or animal deserves to be alone like that.  Vivien, thank you for such a beautiful tribute to Michael, he would be very happy. (Wiccs supporter and adopter Vivien has started a little Fund in Michael's name) 

Every night I told Michael a story about Wiccs, I told him who'd gone over there and how they were doing and I told him all about Sarah & Paul and the Wiccs dog walking team.  I promised Michael that he would never know sorrow or pain again.  The day he finally let us take him to safety & warmth, I held him in my arms and held him really close and whispered, Michael, you have your whole life ahead of you, you will be so happy at Wiccs until you find your new home. I didn't know how short lived my happiness would be. 

Thank you to all for caring so much about Michael.  He did not die alone, we were with him at the very end, we owed him that.  Run free Michael and say hello to the lovely Elliott and so many others who have gone before you.

Eila