Okay once again I eat my hat! Phone call this evening gentleman dies leaves 19 senior dogs behind what do you do?
Sooooo it looks like Gap can look forward to welcoming 3 x 11 year old lurchers, 1 x 12 year old lurchers and 1 x 13 year old lurchers.
36 dogs! Not sure where they will be going yet but we will find somewhere hey ho.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Now What?
Sitting here writing this blog entry right now im feeling desperate, low, worried. Yet again with 6 weeks to go till the Christmas turn out we have once again been forced to close the doors.
The phones are ringing off and sadly its not with great home offers for our current hounds but with people wanting rid of their dogs again, pounds ringing with pts problems, trainers, you name it they are coming from everywhere.
Were full! Sad fact and I have always prided myself and Gap on finding a solution there is always a space somewhere right? Wrong! All other rescues seem to be in exactly the same boat, no one seems able to squeeze that last little lurcher, or that one final greyhound in anymore. Rescues who have helped us in the past are now having to turn to us for help. Some are openly admiting they have never known it this bad and could never understand why we were always so pressured. Most are rescues down South who are now experiencing just how bad it gets the further North you head for the first time in a longtime. Non of us anymore can see the wood for the trees.
At the moment we have 21 dogs in foster, and another 10 piled up in kennels moving no where fast because the dogs in foster arnt moving on. Its a sad state of affairs but once again the country seems to be at gridlock.
We were full at the beginning of the week but since being full we have taken two lurchers due euthanasia as the council facility they were in were full, another rough coated lurcher, his pound should have only kept him the 7 days but held on for 21 to try and keep him safe, a little 6 year old greyhound girl coming to us who has already lost one eye to glaucoma, her family were moving and dont want to take her with them and so had placed her up for homing in the free ads, with a condition like hers hanging over her head, and then a call from another rescue yet again with a young lurcher male. How can you say no to these dogs? Sadly next week will come another list similar to this and next week we have to say no!
Kenneling costs are now over £1000 a month that is without routine vet treatment, we could raise more money, we could then offer more places of safety. However, the dogs then sit and wait longer and longer in kennels, without dogs moving out of foster homes we cant get on with the assessments, some of these dogs are way to young to be in kennels for a length of time and some are too old. Prioritise them then you get the middle of the roader stays being increased longer and longer and its happening. There is just no easy answers!
Fly one of this weeks intakes.
Prancer
Mortimer
For more information on this weeks intakes and if you feel you could offer any a foster place please visit the current kennel hounds page on our main website
http://www.greyhoundgap.com
We also need to say a massive thanks.... to all who donated and participated in our big online auction held on Greyhound Gaps forum. The auction ran for a week and managed to raise a staggering £2,599. That will go along way and will cover this months bills in its entirity. Thank you all without this continued support we couldnt do what we do! Thank you.
The phones are ringing off and sadly its not with great home offers for our current hounds but with people wanting rid of their dogs again, pounds ringing with pts problems, trainers, you name it they are coming from everywhere.
Were full! Sad fact and I have always prided myself and Gap on finding a solution there is always a space somewhere right? Wrong! All other rescues seem to be in exactly the same boat, no one seems able to squeeze that last little lurcher, or that one final greyhound in anymore. Rescues who have helped us in the past are now having to turn to us for help. Some are openly admiting they have never known it this bad and could never understand why we were always so pressured. Most are rescues down South who are now experiencing just how bad it gets the further North you head for the first time in a longtime. Non of us anymore can see the wood for the trees.
At the moment we have 21 dogs in foster, and another 10 piled up in kennels moving no where fast because the dogs in foster arnt moving on. Its a sad state of affairs but once again the country seems to be at gridlock.
We were full at the beginning of the week but since being full we have taken two lurchers due euthanasia as the council facility they were in were full, another rough coated lurcher, his pound should have only kept him the 7 days but held on for 21 to try and keep him safe, a little 6 year old greyhound girl coming to us who has already lost one eye to glaucoma, her family were moving and dont want to take her with them and so had placed her up for homing in the free ads, with a condition like hers hanging over her head, and then a call from another rescue yet again with a young lurcher male. How can you say no to these dogs? Sadly next week will come another list similar to this and next week we have to say no!
Kenneling costs are now over £1000 a month that is without routine vet treatment, we could raise more money, we could then offer more places of safety. However, the dogs then sit and wait longer and longer in kennels, without dogs moving out of foster homes we cant get on with the assessments, some of these dogs are way to young to be in kennels for a length of time and some are too old. Prioritise them then you get the middle of the roader stays being increased longer and longer and its happening. There is just no easy answers!
Fly one of this weeks intakes.
Prancer
Mortimer
For more information on this weeks intakes and if you feel you could offer any a foster place please visit the current kennel hounds page on our main website
http://www.greyhoundgap.com
We also need to say a massive thanks.... to all who donated and participated in our big online auction held on Greyhound Gaps forum. The auction ran for a week and managed to raise a staggering £2,599. That will go along way and will cover this months bills in its entirity. Thank you all without this continued support we couldnt do what we do! Thank you.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Lazy Blogger!
I am so sorry for those if there is anyone out there who does pop by to visit and read the Gap blog. The last few weeks have been an awful time with so many dogs in danger. So many have landed so many have gone home and so many I have forgot to thank and mention in the blog.
To give you an idea of the way the last month has gone here is a post I typed for our forum....
I felt the need to thank as many people personally as I could...
Hope this gives you an insight into the current weeks we are having.
Well normally I would just put a broad spectrum thank you to everyone on but this week has been so bloody awful but with so much achieved and so many lives saved im going to try and remeber to thank everyone.Monday morning saw me telephoned out of bed at 8 am by the pound. It says it all I knew that we and more importantly alot of dogs were in trouble and so begins the tale of a miracle week....
I need to say thank you firstly to the transporters....
Monday -Trish for taking me from Stoke to Wolverhampton to the pound for dogs and the list and back to Stoke and kennels with Ted, Mork, Cooper and Sally
Nicky (Cadbury) Wolverhampton to Milton Keynes to Stoke then back to Wolverhampton with Duchess
Vicky for collecting Ralphie the last pointie poundie and moving to hers
Tuesday -
Karen and Colin from Widnes to Stoke to collect Ted and back again
Carl for taking me from Stoke to kennels to Uttoxeter to meet Jackie (Fenjas Mum) who came from Leicester to Uttoxeter back to Nottingham then Leicester
Wednesday -
Dave from Stoke to Wolverhampton back to Knutsford then Stoke with the English Bull Terrier. Allie from Rochdale down to Knutsford then back to Wythenshawe to drop him off then home.
Nicky for Wolverhampton with a poundie to Stoke and then onto kennels with me to Collect Morris and then the local to me pound to collect Daisy and Toby and then back to Wolverhampton.
Anna from Sheffield to Stoke to collect Morris and the poundie girl to head to Kaye at Lurcher Link and the girl to Dogs Trust Leeds. Kaye for coming out when she is so busy herself and collecting the girl and Morris.
Friday -
Liz from Ipswich to collect Lady and take her home from Colchester
Fran for collecting Sandy from Wombwell and taking her back to hers
Mandy (Spikesmum) for travelling to collect Bobby and take him back to hers
Saturday - Mandy (Spikesmum) travelling from Newcastle down to Leeds with Bobby to meet Jackie Fenjas Mum and bring him down to Donnington and Trish for going with me to collect him there and take him to kennels.
Dawn and Lisa for collecting a poundie from Wolverhampton and taking to meet Phebe in West Wales, Phebe (owl) for then getting said poundie onto Xaraworlds and Donna (Xaraworlds) for collecting poundie and taking safely back to Aberystwyth.
Sunday -
Nicky up to meet Jasamines new owners Liz for travelling from Ipswich to take Lady to foster and Wanda for collecting her to take as a foster
In advance I would also like to thank Amy and Missysmum for the mammoth run they are about to perform on Tuesday from Birmingham to Newton Abbot thank youTo every single transporter thank you you are bloody life savers literally
Fosterers -
Karen and Colin for Ted thank you
Vicky and Chris for Ralphie thank you
Trish and Mark for taking in another one Evie thank you
Fran for taking Sandy thank you
Kaye at LL for taking Morris thank you
Corrine for taking Inca thank you
Wanda for taking Lady thank you
Nicky and Rich for Daisy and for Dawn and Lisa for juggling her for a couple of days thank you
Kennels -
Trish and Mark, Nicky and Colin (Skires) and Carl for help making sure all dogs are walked safe and settled. Not to mention my ever patient, happy and obliging wonderful kennel staff who so many of our dogs owe their personal wellbeing, they do all they can with what they have to make sure our dogs are loved, bathed, fed, kept warm and watered and I cant thank them enough.
General
Liz for holding the fort so admirably with the phone calls and homechecks arranging and incoming reports. I know it got a bit hairy during the course of the week and I nearly drove you to both drink and a breakdown but fingers crossed we will get there Also Kevin for not barring me from phoning her
Angela for constantly holding our bank balance, thank you. I know I rib her but there has never been a time she says no, she says do it get the dog, sod the rest and money is money we will worry about it after. I am so lucky to have a treasurer who never second guesses me and is happy that every decission I make for the dogs not matter the financial implications never once questions my ethics or moral standards because well she knows me well enough to know its always for the right reasons.
To everyone else for every second they have put into either Gap, the dogs or the forum this week, keeping it going, a nice place to be where to be honest in weeks like this we all prove that miracles DO happen. Thank you all .....
We can all now welcome this weeks new safe arrivals ....
Ted
Ralphie
Mork
Daisy
Toby
Bobby
Lady
Inca
Duchess
and Sandy
10 new arrivals in a week is a hell of an achievement and im totally gobsmacked and amazed that we managed with more luck than judgement to find somewhere for them all to be.
Also other rescues for taking the poundies safely
Lurcher Link for sorting the little lab x collie girl
Bullies in Need for Oscar the English Bull
Babbington for Sally and Cooper
WAW for three two who are in our kennels in isolation
Hope for a little old staffi x boy
GRWE Newton Abbot for Tuesdays boy
and Boxer Welfare who are about to take another charge.
I know its long and it reads scary but this has been what I hope is no ordinary week So many people have bent over backwards to make such a difference to so many dogs that this long winded appreciation post was the only way I could think to say I know who every last one of you is and for pulling off what you pulled of this week you are insane but in a nice way
To give you an idea of the way the last month has gone here is a post I typed for our forum....
I felt the need to thank as many people personally as I could...
Hope this gives you an insight into the current weeks we are having.
Well normally I would just put a broad spectrum thank you to everyone on but this week has been so bloody awful but with so much achieved and so many lives saved im going to try and remeber to thank everyone.Monday morning saw me telephoned out of bed at 8 am by the pound. It says it all I knew that we and more importantly alot of dogs were in trouble and so begins the tale of a miracle week....
I need to say thank you firstly to the transporters....
Monday -Trish for taking me from Stoke to Wolverhampton to the pound for dogs and the list and back to Stoke and kennels with Ted, Mork, Cooper and Sally
Nicky (Cadbury) Wolverhampton to Milton Keynes to Stoke then back to Wolverhampton with Duchess
Vicky for collecting Ralphie the last pointie poundie and moving to hers
Tuesday -
Karen and Colin from Widnes to Stoke to collect Ted and back again
Carl for taking me from Stoke to kennels to Uttoxeter to meet Jackie (Fenjas Mum) who came from Leicester to Uttoxeter back to Nottingham then Leicester
Wednesday -
Dave from Stoke to Wolverhampton back to Knutsford then Stoke with the English Bull Terrier. Allie from Rochdale down to Knutsford then back to Wythenshawe to drop him off then home.
Nicky for Wolverhampton with a poundie to Stoke and then onto kennels with me to Collect Morris and then the local to me pound to collect Daisy and Toby and then back to Wolverhampton.
Anna from Sheffield to Stoke to collect Morris and the poundie girl to head to Kaye at Lurcher Link and the girl to Dogs Trust Leeds. Kaye for coming out when she is so busy herself and collecting the girl and Morris.
Friday -
Liz from Ipswich to collect Lady and take her home from Colchester
Fran for collecting Sandy from Wombwell and taking her back to hers
Mandy (Spikesmum) for travelling to collect Bobby and take him back to hers
Saturday - Mandy (Spikesmum) travelling from Newcastle down to Leeds with Bobby to meet Jackie Fenjas Mum and bring him down to Donnington and Trish for going with me to collect him there and take him to kennels.
Dawn and Lisa for collecting a poundie from Wolverhampton and taking to meet Phebe in West Wales, Phebe (owl) for then getting said poundie onto Xaraworlds and Donna (Xaraworlds) for collecting poundie and taking safely back to Aberystwyth.
Sunday -
Nicky up to meet Jasamines new owners Liz for travelling from Ipswich to take Lady to foster and Wanda for collecting her to take as a foster
In advance I would also like to thank Amy and Missysmum for the mammoth run they are about to perform on Tuesday from Birmingham to Newton Abbot thank youTo every single transporter thank you you are bloody life savers literally
Fosterers -
Karen and Colin for Ted thank you
Vicky and Chris for Ralphie thank you
Trish and Mark for taking in another one Evie thank you
Fran for taking Sandy thank you
Kaye at LL for taking Morris thank you
Corrine for taking Inca thank you
Wanda for taking Lady thank you
Nicky and Rich for Daisy and for Dawn and Lisa for juggling her for a couple of days thank you
Kennels -
Trish and Mark, Nicky and Colin (Skires) and Carl for help making sure all dogs are walked safe and settled. Not to mention my ever patient, happy and obliging wonderful kennel staff who so many of our dogs owe their personal wellbeing, they do all they can with what they have to make sure our dogs are loved, bathed, fed, kept warm and watered and I cant thank them enough.
General
Liz for holding the fort so admirably with the phone calls and homechecks arranging and incoming reports. I know it got a bit hairy during the course of the week and I nearly drove you to both drink and a breakdown but fingers crossed we will get there Also Kevin for not barring me from phoning her
Angela for constantly holding our bank balance, thank you. I know I rib her but there has never been a time she says no, she says do it get the dog, sod the rest and money is money we will worry about it after. I am so lucky to have a treasurer who never second guesses me and is happy that every decission I make for the dogs not matter the financial implications never once questions my ethics or moral standards because well she knows me well enough to know its always for the right reasons.
To everyone else for every second they have put into either Gap, the dogs or the forum this week, keeping it going, a nice place to be where to be honest in weeks like this we all prove that miracles DO happen. Thank you all .....
We can all now welcome this weeks new safe arrivals ....
Ted
Ralphie
Mork
Daisy
Toby
Bobby
Lady
Inca
Duchess
and Sandy
10 new arrivals in a week is a hell of an achievement and im totally gobsmacked and amazed that we managed with more luck than judgement to find somewhere for them all to be.
Also other rescues for taking the poundies safely
Lurcher Link for sorting the little lab x collie girl
Bullies in Need for Oscar the English Bull
Babbington for Sally and Cooper
WAW for three two who are in our kennels in isolation
Hope for a little old staffi x boy
GRWE Newton Abbot for Tuesdays boy
and Boxer Welfare who are about to take another charge.
I know its long and it reads scary but this has been what I hope is no ordinary week So many people have bent over backwards to make such a difference to so many dogs that this long winded appreciation post was the only way I could think to say I know who every last one of you is and for pulling off what you pulled of this week you are insane but in a nice way
Monday, September 18, 2006
Another week flies by..
Well it appears im turning into the Monday Blogger. Probably because Mondays are the days that I take the morning to go through all the previous weeks happenings and sort any loose ends that need tying up up!
Its been another manic week with yet two more new arrivals! I know I know dont ask! Both were desperate both were small (snigger) so both were squeezed in.
First up is poor little Della. She had been in the stray pound for a week and hadnt even received a vet check. She was so scared that she screamed if they tried to approach her and they just hadnt been able to get anywhere with her, the vet couldnt get within a foot.
She is a middle aged lady who currently is in a bit of a mess. She has kennel cough, what was thought to be mange but is indeed a very bad and mucky flea allergy. Ive never seen so many fleas on one poor dog. Her skin was blood red when she landed and such a mess, hot to touch and you could see the reason for the screaming in the pound was probably fear of pain at being poked and prodded. She has now been bathed and strongholded and ive also been using Bob Grass skin cure on her daily her skin is already 1000 per cent better just for a little tlc. We are also treating the KC with antibiotics and that doesnt seem to be getting any worse. She very quicky came around to myself and my son and is a real little cuddle monster. I just feel a little guilty at the moment as she is being nursed in the kitchen as she doesnt like my other dogs and is swearing at them repeatedly through the dog gate. Still she is better, safer, more cared for and loved with time in the kitchen than in a kennel scared and without any company.
Im sure once she gets further down the road to recovery her forever home will be literally seconds around the corner she is such a wonderful little girl.
Second in is Myrtle. Myrtle is the tiniest little whippet x lurcher at just 20 inches. She has been in the care of another rescue since July this year but has been overlooked probably because of her age we estimate to be around 9.
She is an absolute joy to have around is cat friendly, spotlessly clean in the house and fabulous with other dogs. The only problem we can see perhaps with Myrtle is that she loves her humans so much that she may be unhappy being left even with the company of other dogs at first, however we envisage once she has happily settled into her new surroundings she will be totally fine, she is just a little insecure now. She is currently in foster with Sue and Andy and their eight yes eight wonderful senior greyhound girls.
I dont think someone this little lady will be waiting long.
Thankfully we have had a good week with homing also...
Arnold left us to join his new family in Alsager where he will be living with his new family and sister Carlie. Updates so far are that he is settling in fine and all is well.
Dipsy left to join his new family in Leicestershire and again apart from peeing up the speakers (which in all fairness he did before we parted company with him lol) he is being a really good lad.
Alfie Pickles our big rough coated Hancock boy also went to start his new life with Nicky and Kim in Nottinghamshire and has settled down like he has always been there. The old cat was a little peturbed at the interlopper but Alfie did what Alfie usually does and just got on with it bless him.
This week should also hopefully see both Charlie, Hero and Bryn leave for their forever homes too but more about that once they are safely instilled and settled.
Oh and hahah we added two more failed fosters to the batch! Sue failed miserably for the second time and has decided that Amy who is wonderful was being overlooked for so long she cant bear to part with her and she is staying and Laura and her OH first time fosterers of the beautiful Twigg screamed that all the people circling could get away from their pup so I had a feeling that meant she was staying *giggle* which was later confirmed by telephone conversations. Congratulations to you all.
Other news...... Homechecks are going well and we have some lovely families looking to add a dog, sometimes it can be a little frustrating though when the homes are there and fabulous and you dont have that *just* right dog for them. We are looking with other rescues we work with so fingers crossed more hound bums on more vacant sofas should be achieved.
Also the kennel hounds.... I nipped up to visit them on Saturday to take them some new toys. They are staying a little longer than normal in kennels at the moment so we decided they needed to be occupied. We have also appealed for folks to send them more durable toys through the post... if you have any you can spare please email greyhoundgap@yahoo.co.uk for a posting address.
They were all more than made up as you can see. Baron was treated to a huge football but it was already fizzing before we left lol so that didnt last long.
As you can see they all thought it was Christmas!
Onto Sunday and the end of the week.. I met up with Trish and Nicky and we decided to take eight of the dogs including Lilly, Fallon and Sam who are looking for homes over tot he RSPCA Dog Show in Buxton.
We had a fabulous day with lots of awareness raised for the hounds and they did really well in the rosette stakes to. I think we brought about 9 home between them. Sam who can be a real monkey out and about actually had a relatively good day for him. There was a couple of episodes but other than that he was a credit to the rescue. Ive been using a dogmatic head collar with him out and about and it helps to get his attention quickly back onto me as opposed to other dogs or happenings and he seems comfortable with it and its definatly doing its job..
A couple of pictures of the day
Sam having a cuddle with me
Lilly and Bea playing
And Ice Cream time
Once again I need to thank our wonderful volunteers and supporters! The last few weeks have been a great worry to me, having so many dogs in our care and more than we have ever had in the past you start to wonder if all the current Gap hounds are receiving all they need whilst on their quest for their forever sofa. Im happy to announce THEY DO and more. So many people put so much time into making sure they are so well socialised, loved as part of a family and cared for aswell as the kennel hounds having Christmas in September its wonderful.
Being a Gap hound whilst waiting for your family in fact aint that bad at all!
Its been another manic week with yet two more new arrivals! I know I know dont ask! Both were desperate both were small (snigger) so both were squeezed in.
First up is poor little Della. She had been in the stray pound for a week and hadnt even received a vet check. She was so scared that she screamed if they tried to approach her and they just hadnt been able to get anywhere with her, the vet couldnt get within a foot.
She is a middle aged lady who currently is in a bit of a mess. She has kennel cough, what was thought to be mange but is indeed a very bad and mucky flea allergy. Ive never seen so many fleas on one poor dog. Her skin was blood red when she landed and such a mess, hot to touch and you could see the reason for the screaming in the pound was probably fear of pain at being poked and prodded. She has now been bathed and strongholded and ive also been using Bob Grass skin cure on her daily her skin is already 1000 per cent better just for a little tlc. We are also treating the KC with antibiotics and that doesnt seem to be getting any worse. She very quicky came around to myself and my son and is a real little cuddle monster. I just feel a little guilty at the moment as she is being nursed in the kitchen as she doesnt like my other dogs and is swearing at them repeatedly through the dog gate. Still she is better, safer, more cared for and loved with time in the kitchen than in a kennel scared and without any company.
Im sure once she gets further down the road to recovery her forever home will be literally seconds around the corner she is such a wonderful little girl.
Second in is Myrtle. Myrtle is the tiniest little whippet x lurcher at just 20 inches. She has been in the care of another rescue since July this year but has been overlooked probably because of her age we estimate to be around 9.
She is an absolute joy to have around is cat friendly, spotlessly clean in the house and fabulous with other dogs. The only problem we can see perhaps with Myrtle is that she loves her humans so much that she may be unhappy being left even with the company of other dogs at first, however we envisage once she has happily settled into her new surroundings she will be totally fine, she is just a little insecure now. She is currently in foster with Sue and Andy and their eight yes eight wonderful senior greyhound girls.
I dont think someone this little lady will be waiting long.
Thankfully we have had a good week with homing also...
Arnold left us to join his new family in Alsager where he will be living with his new family and sister Carlie. Updates so far are that he is settling in fine and all is well.
Dipsy left to join his new family in Leicestershire and again apart from peeing up the speakers (which in all fairness he did before we parted company with him lol) he is being a really good lad.
Alfie Pickles our big rough coated Hancock boy also went to start his new life with Nicky and Kim in Nottinghamshire and has settled down like he has always been there. The old cat was a little peturbed at the interlopper but Alfie did what Alfie usually does and just got on with it bless him.
This week should also hopefully see both Charlie, Hero and Bryn leave for their forever homes too but more about that once they are safely instilled and settled.
Oh and hahah we added two more failed fosters to the batch! Sue failed miserably for the second time and has decided that Amy who is wonderful was being overlooked for so long she cant bear to part with her and she is staying and Laura and her OH first time fosterers of the beautiful Twigg screamed that all the people circling could get away from their pup so I had a feeling that meant she was staying *giggle* which was later confirmed by telephone conversations. Congratulations to you all.
Other news...... Homechecks are going well and we have some lovely families looking to add a dog, sometimes it can be a little frustrating though when the homes are there and fabulous and you dont have that *just* right dog for them. We are looking with other rescues we work with so fingers crossed more hound bums on more vacant sofas should be achieved.
Also the kennel hounds.... I nipped up to visit them on Saturday to take them some new toys. They are staying a little longer than normal in kennels at the moment so we decided they needed to be occupied. We have also appealed for folks to send them more durable toys through the post... if you have any you can spare please email greyhoundgap@yahoo.co.uk for a posting address.
They were all more than made up as you can see. Baron was treated to a huge football but it was already fizzing before we left lol so that didnt last long.
As you can see they all thought it was Christmas!
Onto Sunday and the end of the week.. I met up with Trish and Nicky and we decided to take eight of the dogs including Lilly, Fallon and Sam who are looking for homes over tot he RSPCA Dog Show in Buxton.
We had a fabulous day with lots of awareness raised for the hounds and they did really well in the rosette stakes to. I think we brought about 9 home between them. Sam who can be a real monkey out and about actually had a relatively good day for him. There was a couple of episodes but other than that he was a credit to the rescue. Ive been using a dogmatic head collar with him out and about and it helps to get his attention quickly back onto me as opposed to other dogs or happenings and he seems comfortable with it and its definatly doing its job..
A couple of pictures of the day
Sam having a cuddle with me
Lilly and Bea playing
And Ice Cream time
Once again I need to thank our wonderful volunteers and supporters! The last few weeks have been a great worry to me, having so many dogs in our care and more than we have ever had in the past you start to wonder if all the current Gap hounds are receiving all they need whilst on their quest for their forever sofa. Im happy to announce THEY DO and more. So many people put so much time into making sure they are so well socialised, loved as part of a family and cared for aswell as the kennel hounds having Christmas in September its wonderful.
Being a Gap hound whilst waiting for your family in fact aint that bad at all!
Monday, September 11, 2006
What a weekend!
Shattered as im sure are some of the volunteers who helped out over the weekend and put in the legwork.
Saturday was such a busy day! It started at 10.30am up at the kennels. Firstly we walked Binky and Baron and I dont know whether its a full moon but boy did they both have a Mickey on them, they were fine once out and about but talk about headlong battle to get them ready. After walking those too it was the turn of Marley to come out. Poor lad is only around 10mnths and is going stir crazy in the kennels out of them he is such a lovely laid back dog for his age but kennel life just isnt for him so starts the search for a foster home.
Whilst walking Marley, Amy arrived from Birmingham Dogs Home with our two new arrivals both of whom have kennel cough so need quaranteen. One isnt a lurcher but a lovely skinny laid back crossbreed lad but ney mind he is safe now. Hope Rescue have agreed to take and home him and we have offered to keep him safe isolate and kennel him until the KC is cured. The other lad the Hancock lurcher Smokey is a really handsome lad but again feel he will struggle and go downhill rapidly in kennels so another who needs a foster home as soon as it can be arranged.
After we had settled them in we still had little Chas who landed the day before to walk out. I also spent a little time with a beautiful 5 year old blue bitch who had landed in kennels before in the care of GRWE such a lovely but scared girl. Im sure she will be a lovely gentle little soul once she is finally into a caring forever home, bless her she really stole my heart and I was so tempted to say I will have her but there is definatly no more space left on my sofa.
The little cross breed lad yet with no name!
Smokey the Hancock Lurcher boy.
We left the kennels about 1.30pm and headed up to Knutsford services to drop little Twigg off to her foster Mum, she has gone to stay in Colwyn Bay, North Wales with Laura and family and Oz the 9mnth old Deerhound x GSD. She is settling in well and I think they may be rapidly falling in love with her, its not hard she is adorable.
After that and on to take Arnold for his second visit to his prospective new family with Carlie the Beardie. All went well and this time Carlie didnt even have a grumble at him in fact she was pleased and excited to see him.
Arnold and Carlie
We arrived back at Trishs (who with her daughter Tia had been with me all day) at around 6pm, so then it was time to take our own poor long suffering hounds out for a run bless them. We headed to Hanchurch woods and onto the bottom path where you very rarely see walkers which is great because it means all the dogs including the greyhounds can get off leash for a romp. They had a wail of a time especially my Greyhound Girl Bea and current foster girl Fallon who both rolled in copious amounts of fox poo!!! Delightful!
Lilly who is looking for a home plays frisbee with my son Jack and Lurcher Tzar
Queenie Bea my very own little Minx treats herself to some eau de fox poo!
How pleased does she look with herself?
Fallon who is currently looking for a home and fostering with myself decided she wasnt to be outdone on that expensive perfume and indulged herself!
More playing frisbee with Jack.
And .... yet more of the dogs using my son for entertainment value.
I finally got back into the house at 8.30pm before collapsing shattered and catching up on the evenings calls etc.
Sunday I took a much needed half day out! After dealing with everything we needed to deal with in the morning I headed up to Biddulph Grange country park with Caroline and Trish to take the dogs again for another long hike. Sadly it was ruined by some people who were strolling half an hour behind their off leash dogs that had no manners but other than that the dogs enjoyed it. We ended the day popping to a local pub for Sunday lunch before coming home and dealing with the evenings calls and catch up!
Saturday was such a busy day! It started at 10.30am up at the kennels. Firstly we walked Binky and Baron and I dont know whether its a full moon but boy did they both have a Mickey on them, they were fine once out and about but talk about headlong battle to get them ready. After walking those too it was the turn of Marley to come out. Poor lad is only around 10mnths and is going stir crazy in the kennels out of them he is such a lovely laid back dog for his age but kennel life just isnt for him so starts the search for a foster home.
Whilst walking Marley, Amy arrived from Birmingham Dogs Home with our two new arrivals both of whom have kennel cough so need quaranteen. One isnt a lurcher but a lovely skinny laid back crossbreed lad but ney mind he is safe now. Hope Rescue have agreed to take and home him and we have offered to keep him safe isolate and kennel him until the KC is cured. The other lad the Hancock lurcher Smokey is a really handsome lad but again feel he will struggle and go downhill rapidly in kennels so another who needs a foster home as soon as it can be arranged.
After we had settled them in we still had little Chas who landed the day before to walk out. I also spent a little time with a beautiful 5 year old blue bitch who had landed in kennels before in the care of GRWE such a lovely but scared girl. Im sure she will be a lovely gentle little soul once she is finally into a caring forever home, bless her she really stole my heart and I was so tempted to say I will have her but there is definatly no more space left on my sofa.
The little cross breed lad yet with no name!
Smokey the Hancock Lurcher boy.
We left the kennels about 1.30pm and headed up to Knutsford services to drop little Twigg off to her foster Mum, she has gone to stay in Colwyn Bay, North Wales with Laura and family and Oz the 9mnth old Deerhound x GSD. She is settling in well and I think they may be rapidly falling in love with her, its not hard she is adorable.
After that and on to take Arnold for his second visit to his prospective new family with Carlie the Beardie. All went well and this time Carlie didnt even have a grumble at him in fact she was pleased and excited to see him.
Arnold and Carlie
We arrived back at Trishs (who with her daughter Tia had been with me all day) at around 6pm, so then it was time to take our own poor long suffering hounds out for a run bless them. We headed to Hanchurch woods and onto the bottom path where you very rarely see walkers which is great because it means all the dogs including the greyhounds can get off leash for a romp. They had a wail of a time especially my Greyhound Girl Bea and current foster girl Fallon who both rolled in copious amounts of fox poo!!! Delightful!
Lilly who is looking for a home plays frisbee with my son Jack and Lurcher Tzar
Queenie Bea my very own little Minx treats herself to some eau de fox poo!
How pleased does she look with herself?
Fallon who is currently looking for a home and fostering with myself decided she wasnt to be outdone on that expensive perfume and indulged herself!
More playing frisbee with Jack.
And .... yet more of the dogs using my son for entertainment value.
I finally got back into the house at 8.30pm before collapsing shattered and catching up on the evenings calls etc.
Sunday I took a much needed half day out! After dealing with everything we needed to deal with in the morning I headed up to Biddulph Grange country park with Caroline and Trish to take the dogs again for another long hike. Sadly it was ruined by some people who were strolling half an hour behind their off leash dogs that had no manners but other than that the dogs enjoyed it. We ended the day popping to a local pub for Sunday lunch before coming home and dealing with the evenings calls and catch up!
Friday, September 08, 2006
Famous Last Words
Well today has been odd even by our usual odd standards!! So much for no more intakes.
Firstly today Nicky landed with the first of the three pound boys we are expecting today and the following two tomorrow. He is a beautiful dark brindle, small saluki cross boy. I would say around 4 - 5 years old very sweet and gentle natured. We took him over to the kennels and settled him into the isolation block, he has though been on treatment for KC for a week now and it wasnt showing, no coughing on leash or when I palputated his throat so fingers crossed its dying a death.
We have called him Chas, you can see below what a handsome boy he is......
After that, we headed to the vets with Rodney one of my own hounds, he isnt well at the moment and as suspected goes in for tests for Cushings later in the week. To be honest although Cushings is a knaff diagnosis I kind of hope it is because then at least we WILL have a diagnosis and can treat accordingly as at the moment he isnt good.
This is when the bizarre chain of events started to unfold....
Around four weeks ago when visiting the vets with Tzar for his annual jabs we saw the most beautiful little saluki greyhound girl. She was just four months old and had been purchased as a worker but had had an off lead run in with a horse and suffered damage to her eye. It was obvious that the eye couldnt be saved. I tried everything to give the owner my number but it wasnt to be. That dog has haunted me on and off the last few weeks. At the vets today I mentioned to Nicky I wondered how she had gone on.
When we left the vets we decided to call at Pets At Home, they kindly allow us to empty the charity bucket off dog food and treats, whilst there I happened to glance at the notice board which is directly above the food bucket and there she was......
young saluki greyhound with only one eye
I almost screeched to Nicky across the store that that had to be Twigg, it had to be our girl.
I took the leap of faith and telephoned the number not knowing what response I was to be met with. After explaining who I was and where I met him thankfully he agreed that the little lady could come to us to be given the chance to find a wonderful pet home, he only wanted what was best for her for her future.
We got the address and shot down to fetch her, so far she is a total joy, very sweet and very obedient and currently asleep in my livingroom crate. After a night here she is off to North Wales to join her foster home and have fun romping on the beach. Her eye is now totally healed and except giving her only vision on one side shouldnt effect her.
So remind me again! Next time I say we are full I mean fullish, erm slightly full as in just about room to squeeze in another. Tut, who am I trying to kid, im just a sucker for a pretty face and a hard luck story. I cant help but think though that Twig finding her way into our care was fate playing more than a little hand...
Could you resist this face?
and so to bed before the start of yet another busy day!
Tommorow starts with walking the four kennel hounds then awaiting Amys arrival with the next two poundies lad and a bit of assessment time spent with them.
We are heading then to meet Laura up at Knutsford who is going to be fostering Twig and after that off to meet Arnolds prospective new family once again to continue introductions with their Beardie girl Carly.
Firstly today Nicky landed with the first of the three pound boys we are expecting today and the following two tomorrow. He is a beautiful dark brindle, small saluki cross boy. I would say around 4 - 5 years old very sweet and gentle natured. We took him over to the kennels and settled him into the isolation block, he has though been on treatment for KC for a week now and it wasnt showing, no coughing on leash or when I palputated his throat so fingers crossed its dying a death.
We have called him Chas, you can see below what a handsome boy he is......
After that, we headed to the vets with Rodney one of my own hounds, he isnt well at the moment and as suspected goes in for tests for Cushings later in the week. To be honest although Cushings is a knaff diagnosis I kind of hope it is because then at least we WILL have a diagnosis and can treat accordingly as at the moment he isnt good.
This is when the bizarre chain of events started to unfold....
Around four weeks ago when visiting the vets with Tzar for his annual jabs we saw the most beautiful little saluki greyhound girl. She was just four months old and had been purchased as a worker but had had an off lead run in with a horse and suffered damage to her eye. It was obvious that the eye couldnt be saved. I tried everything to give the owner my number but it wasnt to be. That dog has haunted me on and off the last few weeks. At the vets today I mentioned to Nicky I wondered how she had gone on.
When we left the vets we decided to call at Pets At Home, they kindly allow us to empty the charity bucket off dog food and treats, whilst there I happened to glance at the notice board which is directly above the food bucket and there she was......
young saluki greyhound with only one eye
I almost screeched to Nicky across the store that that had to be Twigg, it had to be our girl.
I took the leap of faith and telephoned the number not knowing what response I was to be met with. After explaining who I was and where I met him thankfully he agreed that the little lady could come to us to be given the chance to find a wonderful pet home, he only wanted what was best for her for her future.
We got the address and shot down to fetch her, so far she is a total joy, very sweet and very obedient and currently asleep in my livingroom crate. After a night here she is off to North Wales to join her foster home and have fun romping on the beach. Her eye is now totally healed and except giving her only vision on one side shouldnt effect her.
So remind me again! Next time I say we are full I mean fullish, erm slightly full as in just about room to squeeze in another. Tut, who am I trying to kid, im just a sucker for a pretty face and a hard luck story. I cant help but think though that Twig finding her way into our care was fate playing more than a little hand...
Could you resist this face?
and so to bed before the start of yet another busy day!Tommorow starts with walking the four kennel hounds then awaiting Amys arrival with the next two poundies lad and a bit of assessment time spent with them.
We are heading then to meet Laura up at Knutsford who is going to be fostering Twig and after that off to meet Arnolds prospective new family once again to continue introductions with their Beardie girl Carly.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Charlie Me Darling
Well yet again another busy and emotional day that didnt get off to a great start! The alarm went off this morning at 7.45am and I fell back asleep till 8.45. I made a concienious effort to awake and before I knew it it was 11am. This is so rare for me and all day I feel like ive not been able to wake up properly. By 4pm I headed back to bed for 2 hours (me sleeping in the afternoon is totally unheard off) and was woken at 6.10pm by a fosterers call. Ive just had a bath and am updating the blog and turning in for the night yet again! Lets hope its just an off day and im not coming down with something as we are so busy at the moment I cant afford to be laid up in anyway.
Around 12noon we received a call from Birmingham Dogs Home to ask if we could help with two lurchers who are getting no interest. One is a Hancock Male the second dog by so called lurcher breeder David Hancock to come into our care within a week, the dogs are bred, sold as pups and then he doesnt take back when the owners no longer want them, they use to be rare in rescue but more and more are turning up ive lost count of how many we have had to home this year.
Both of the dogs have kennel cough so another emergency call had to be put up into the kennels, thankfully they have already had to set us up the isolation block for the pound lad arriving tomorrow and it has four kennels so all three can be safely held in isolation together and receive the needed vet treatment administered via the kennel staff. I will be going up to the kennels tomorrow to admit the first of the new lads and get them settled down.
Shortly after that another call, a male greyhound Charlie, five years old and originally homed by Lodge Hounds, sadly though they have closed and emigrated to Spain so the dog now has no rescue back up or provissions made. The ladies husband is no longer around and she cannot stay in her home so Charlie needs somewhere to be. He is said to be great to be left, good with kids and fine with cats, he was collected quickly and tonight is in a foster home so we can double check his cat status. So far he is proving a real Charlie me Darling and other than being panty is settling well.
That puts us up to 6 new intakes this week and sadly there is no more room at the Inn. We are comfortably set up to handle around 12 - 15 dogs. 20 in times of severe strife but are now sitting at 24. The culmination of kenneling costs and veterinary treatment means we have had to make the difficult and heartbreaking decission to close the doors for immediate intake. We need to try to rehome around half of the hounds we currently have waiting before we can consider taking anything other than dire emergencies. We are pushing towards Bonfire night and also the dreaded *C* Christmas word, so we need to be straight and ably available with emergency places and kenneling plus with a healthy enough bank account to see the hounds through the winter months as due to commitments the general public has over the festive period its the hardest time of year to make ends meet with funding dropping alot lower than during the Summer Show months.
Fingers crossed that good homes for the current hounds are just around the corner.
Just a quick photo of todays newest arrival Charlie...
Around 12noon we received a call from Birmingham Dogs Home to ask if we could help with two lurchers who are getting no interest. One is a Hancock Male the second dog by so called lurcher breeder David Hancock to come into our care within a week, the dogs are bred, sold as pups and then he doesnt take back when the owners no longer want them, they use to be rare in rescue but more and more are turning up ive lost count of how many we have had to home this year.
Both of the dogs have kennel cough so another emergency call had to be put up into the kennels, thankfully they have already had to set us up the isolation block for the pound lad arriving tomorrow and it has four kennels so all three can be safely held in isolation together and receive the needed vet treatment administered via the kennel staff. I will be going up to the kennels tomorrow to admit the first of the new lads and get them settled down.
Shortly after that another call, a male greyhound Charlie, five years old and originally homed by Lodge Hounds, sadly though they have closed and emigrated to Spain so the dog now has no rescue back up or provissions made. The ladies husband is no longer around and she cannot stay in her home so Charlie needs somewhere to be. He is said to be great to be left, good with kids and fine with cats, he was collected quickly and tonight is in a foster home so we can double check his cat status. So far he is proving a real Charlie me Darling and other than being panty is settling well.
That puts us up to 6 new intakes this week and sadly there is no more room at the Inn. We are comfortably set up to handle around 12 - 15 dogs. 20 in times of severe strife but are now sitting at 24. The culmination of kenneling costs and veterinary treatment means we have had to make the difficult and heartbreaking decission to close the doors for immediate intake. We need to try to rehome around half of the hounds we currently have waiting before we can consider taking anything other than dire emergencies. We are pushing towards Bonfire night and also the dreaded *C* Christmas word, so we need to be straight and ably available with emergency places and kenneling plus with a healthy enough bank account to see the hounds through the winter months as due to commitments the general public has over the festive period its the hardest time of year to make ends meet with funding dropping alot lower than during the Summer Show months.
Fingers crossed that good homes for the current hounds are just around the corner.
Just a quick photo of todays newest arrival Charlie...
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Leggy Cleggy Lands at Gap
Today saw another new arrival. A beautiful lanky oldie saluki cross boy who arrived from a stray pound situation. Leggy Cleggy or Clegg as he is to be known is around 9-10 years of age (vet estimate) and has the most sweet nature.
The poor boy is in a bit of a state at the moment, very underweight at only 25kg, with a mouthful of filthy teeth and seems to have a very sore bum and the runs and also possible worry of a water infection and what appear to be arthriticy stiff back hips.
I will be interested to see if after a couple of weeks of tlc and gentle excercise if the age estimation stays the same. Its amazing how many times we see them almost rejuvinate when into a warm loving foster environment. As he is guesstimated to be an older boy we made sure he bypassed the holding kennels and has headed straight to Sheffield into foster care.
Massive thanks to Nicky for collecting him and to Anna and David for fostering him on Gap's before. I hope its not long before we have him medically sorted and he is on his way to his forever home.
Here he is arriving at mine waiting to be collected ignore the weeds!!
and just hours later settling into his foster home looking much more comfortable and settled
Other news today this evening I did a fabulous homevisit for a lovely couple and there beautiful Beardie Collie girl. She recently lost her companion and has been mourning. However, she does have some problems with bringing new dogs into her home so we took Arnold over (who incidentally they fell in love with) and took them for a short walk together before walking them into the garden without stopping. She was fine and accepted it. We then risked moving into the house and apart from a couple of growls she actually enjoyed having him around. They will be meeting again this weekend and after a couple more introductions if she seems happy then Arnold may be heading home so fingers crossed.
The poor boy is in a bit of a state at the moment, very underweight at only 25kg, with a mouthful of filthy teeth and seems to have a very sore bum and the runs and also possible worry of a water infection and what appear to be arthriticy stiff back hips.
I will be interested to see if after a couple of weeks of tlc and gentle excercise if the age estimation stays the same. Its amazing how many times we see them almost rejuvinate when into a warm loving foster environment. As he is guesstimated to be an older boy we made sure he bypassed the holding kennels and has headed straight to Sheffield into foster care.
Massive thanks to Nicky for collecting him and to Anna and David for fostering him on Gap's before. I hope its not long before we have him medically sorted and he is on his way to his forever home.
Here he is arriving at mine waiting to be collected ignore the weeds!!
and just hours later settling into his foster home looking much more comfortable and settled
Other news today this evening I did a fabulous homevisit for a lovely couple and there beautiful Beardie Collie girl. She recently lost her companion and has been mourning. However, she does have some problems with bringing new dogs into her home so we took Arnold over (who incidentally they fell in love with) and took them for a short walk together before walking them into the garden without stopping. She was fine and accepted it. We then risked moving into the house and apart from a couple of growls she actually enjoyed having him around. They will be meeting again this weekend and after a couple more introductions if she seems happy then Arnold may be heading home so fingers crossed.
Monday, September 04, 2006
The rough with the Smooth
Well what can I say? Ive been a lazy blogger!
Things in Gap land have been terribly hectic the last couple of months and until the launch of the new website which finally happened this week ive ended up completly forgetting about our blog.
Hopefully now that its up and running I will remember to update you all regularly.
This last week so far has been awful. We are probably going through one of our busiest periods ever and have had four returns, four returns its heartbreaking and more than we usually have in over a six month period.
The sad thing is that non of them have been because the hounds arnt right for the home just purely circumstantial and they havent come back through fault of their own. With 14 dogs already in our care and 6 more waiting to come in this will put us up to a ridiculously high 24 dogs. Most will be in foster but others will have to be placed into the kennels.
Home offers are starting to pick up again though and hopefully some dogs will be heading off to their fabulous new forever homes soon.
On a plus side once again the volunteers have suppased themselves and its been amazing to watch everyone muck in and all hands on deck, every scrap of help is appreciated no matter how big or small.
Now we are all up and running on the fabulous new site, I really hope you enjoy it I promise to keep all this up to date with the daily comings and goings of the hounds entering and leaving Gap's care.
Things in Gap land have been terribly hectic the last couple of months and until the launch of the new website which finally happened this week ive ended up completly forgetting about our blog.
Hopefully now that its up and running I will remember to update you all regularly.
This last week so far has been awful. We are probably going through one of our busiest periods ever and have had four returns, four returns its heartbreaking and more than we usually have in over a six month period.
The sad thing is that non of them have been because the hounds arnt right for the home just purely circumstantial and they havent come back through fault of their own. With 14 dogs already in our care and 6 more waiting to come in this will put us up to a ridiculously high 24 dogs. Most will be in foster but others will have to be placed into the kennels.
Home offers are starting to pick up again though and hopefully some dogs will be heading off to their fabulous new forever homes soon.
On a plus side once again the volunteers have suppased themselves and its been amazing to watch everyone muck in and all hands on deck, every scrap of help is appreciated no matter how big or small.
Now we are all up and running on the fabulous new site, I really hope you enjoy it I promise to keep all this up to date with the daily comings and goings of the hounds entering and leaving Gap's care.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
So much to see and do!
Wow!! I cant believe another busy week here in Gap Land has passed without me adding a blog update. Sort of makes it hit home just how busy things really are around here!!
I will attemt to sum up the news in a nutshell. I feel so bad for not blogging but it has been manic.
Saturday saw two of our hounds head off to new homes. Gypsy who has headed off to Hertfordshire and Minnie who has left for a new life in Oxford. Both are so far doing well and settling in a treat. Great to see them finally finding their forever sofas. Gypsy has waited a while as we knew it was the perfect home but her new Mum and Dad were away on holiday and little Minnie came to us really poorly with kennel cough and we have had to wait for her to recover. Thanks to Mel and Brian for fostering Gypsy and Lisa and boys for looking after Minnie.
Gypsy
Minnie
Meanwhile Saturday was also the start of a busy fundraising weekend for us. I went along with other Gap volunteers Trish and Jackie to Westfest2006. West Fest was held at a local high school in Leek and was an open day with lots of live music provided by the pupils of Westwood High School. It was a fabulous day and was wonderful to see so much young musical talent in one place.
The hounds behaved impecably apart from the odd squirrel sighting, lots of awareness was raised and also a wonderful £50 to help continue the care of the dogs.
Westfest2006
We would like to thank the sixth form pupils and the school for inviting us along to attend on the day.
Sunday and back out on the road fundraising with three events being held simaltaniously. First was the PDSA Fun Dog Show and Opening Day in Worthington Park Sale. Another fabulous Gap turn out and we cant thank everyone enough for taking the time to attend. The day was a great success and we managed to raise an astounding £250. Unbelievable.
Also Dogs Trust in both Roden and Bridgend held there annual open days and again volunteers all around the country rallyed round to be in attendance. We managed to raise another amazing £200 combined taking the total for one weekends fundraising alone to £500 thank you so much one and all.
Sundays Fundraising Events..
also on Sunday beautiful Cassie left us for her new forever home in Nottingham with Lynda and husband. She is such a beautiful gentle girl and has settled in straight away. Be happy sweetheart.
Whilst out attending the fundraiser we also received a call from our kennels to ask if we would be willing to take on yet another black male hound who needed help. How could we say no? So another new arrival landed.
Monday and Tuesday were both busy days with the usual flurry of activity behind the scenes, there was lots of transports to be arranged for death rowers and thankfully through so many wonderful volunteers and fabulous rescues we managed to secure places for all that needed a safe place to be. Thank you to everyone who helped too many to name you all know who you are.
Wednesday saw yet another new arrival. One of the overdue poundies was a two year old black (no suprise there then) greyhound male. We made arrangements for him to come safely into Gaps care and to be kept safe in our holding kennels along with Hero and the Sunday dog.
Nicky grabbed him and brought him up from Birmingham collecting me on the way so we could head over to the kennels and walk them all.
On arrival at the kennels we were greeted by Hero and the new boy who im not sure is a greyhound male and I suspect has a little bit of bull in him somewhere, never the less he is a beautiful boy with a cheeky, bouncy personality who has been named Dipsy. We called the new lad Midge and headed out to walk all three. They were angels and are all lovely boys a pleasure to spend time with. Dipsy amused us by doing headstands in the local public field trying to get off his muzzle.
At the sametime Simon the kennel owner asked me to go and have a look at a little middle aged gentleman, I would say he is lurcher x he was dumped two weeks ago in the quarry close to the kennels very near to death he was so under weight and neglected. Simon naturally took him in and has done a wonderful job getting him back on his feet. However, now he needs the routine castration etc and a rescue to safeguard his future? Could you of said no? I know I couldnt. Albert as he has now been named has been happily welcomed into the Gap fold and we will be seeking a foster home for him shortly.
Dipsy, Hero & Midge
Albert
A beautiful bunch im sure you will all agree!
Friday saw Slim leave for his new home in Coventry! Slim is a beautiful boy who has been with us for around four months now. He has left to live with his new parents Andrea and Neil and their beautiful 12 year old lurcher bitch Jess. He is already settling in well and has been a good lad since landing. Good luck Slim we are so glad you finally have your forever sofa. Lots of love to Trish and Mark for doing such a fabulous job with their first foster and looking after him so well.
Saturday and the busiest day of the week quickly comes back around!
This morning we were up the kennels for 10 am we being myself and Trish. We took the four lads out for a lovely walk before it become to hot. They were all pleased to see us and lots of happy tails and smiley faces met us.
Enjoying their walk
As we were putting the hounds back into the kennels Trish caved in and decided that Midge wasnt going to make it back in there. He has now headed home with her to join her family as their second foster. Well done Trish and Mark and look forward to seeing this lad flourish.
Midge leaving the kennels with Trish
and just two hours later happy and smiling settling in.
Also early morning a massive thanks to Marion and Gareth. We had a desperate poundie who needed moving today all the way from Walsall to Bath Cats & Dogs Home. Marion or Mad Marion as we like to call her managed an epic journey right the way up to Junction 10 of the M6 for 10.30am considering she lives in South Wales this is no meanfeat. She then drove all the way back down to Bath to deliver the lad to safety. Poor boy is poorly with kennel cough but is now guaranteed fabulous care and a safe future. Thank you both im sure if this lad could he would send massive licks and kisses.
Yet again we also welcome two more new arrivals to the Gap hound clan today.
First up is a little greyhound girl called Bluebell but now changed to Coco. Coco was found straying and was due to be euthanised last Wednesday but thankfully Rochdale Dog Rescue contacted us and we were able to offer her a place. She was collected today by Alicia and Ray (thank you both) from Widnes and they made the massive journey down to Coventry with her to hand her to her foster parents Abigail and Paul. Thank you Abigail and Paul for welcoming your third Gap foster into your home and hearts.
Once little Coco arrived we were able to trace her ear number and were shocked to find that this little lady has only just seen her first birthday. She was one in June yet already the poor girl is unwanted another waste product of the racing industry. She is a lovely natured playful girl who after a good bath and de fleaing is already settling in well.
Coco
and finally our second arrival today Perry. Perry is a 4 year old greyhound male who has arrived in our care from a home situation. Sadly Perrys owner has found herself in a position where she can no longer care for his needs. He is a beautiful lad who has travelled from Rotherham to Walsall to become Lisa and the boys latest foster.
Massive thanks to Kerry and David for collecting him and transporting him and thanks to Dawn and Lisa for travelling to meet him. Fingers crossed your new forever home wont be far away.
and so to bed and ready for yet another new week. I have no idea from one week to the next what to expect fingers crossed that its all good.
I will attemt to sum up the news in a nutshell. I feel so bad for not blogging but it has been manic.
Saturday saw two of our hounds head off to new homes. Gypsy who has headed off to Hertfordshire and Minnie who has left for a new life in Oxford. Both are so far doing well and settling in a treat. Great to see them finally finding their forever sofas. Gypsy has waited a while as we knew it was the perfect home but her new Mum and Dad were away on holiday and little Minnie came to us really poorly with kennel cough and we have had to wait for her to recover. Thanks to Mel and Brian for fostering Gypsy and Lisa and boys for looking after Minnie.
Gypsy
Minnie
Meanwhile Saturday was also the start of a busy fundraising weekend for us. I went along with other Gap volunteers Trish and Jackie to Westfest2006. West Fest was held at a local high school in Leek and was an open day with lots of live music provided by the pupils of Westwood High School. It was a fabulous day and was wonderful to see so much young musical talent in one place.
The hounds behaved impecably apart from the odd squirrel sighting, lots of awareness was raised and also a wonderful £50 to help continue the care of the dogs.
Westfest2006
We would like to thank the sixth form pupils and the school for inviting us along to attend on the day.
Sunday and back out on the road fundraising with three events being held simaltaniously. First was the PDSA Fun Dog Show and Opening Day in Worthington Park Sale. Another fabulous Gap turn out and we cant thank everyone enough for taking the time to attend. The day was a great success and we managed to raise an astounding £250. Unbelievable.
Also Dogs Trust in both Roden and Bridgend held there annual open days and again volunteers all around the country rallyed round to be in attendance. We managed to raise another amazing £200 combined taking the total for one weekends fundraising alone to £500 thank you so much one and all.
Sundays Fundraising Events..
also on Sunday beautiful Cassie left us for her new forever home in Nottingham with Lynda and husband. She is such a beautiful gentle girl and has settled in straight away. Be happy sweetheart.
Whilst out attending the fundraiser we also received a call from our kennels to ask if we would be willing to take on yet another black male hound who needed help. How could we say no? So another new arrival landed.
Monday and Tuesday were both busy days with the usual flurry of activity behind the scenes, there was lots of transports to be arranged for death rowers and thankfully through so many wonderful volunteers and fabulous rescues we managed to secure places for all that needed a safe place to be. Thank you to everyone who helped too many to name you all know who you are.
Wednesday saw yet another new arrival. One of the overdue poundies was a two year old black (no suprise there then) greyhound male. We made arrangements for him to come safely into Gaps care and to be kept safe in our holding kennels along with Hero and the Sunday dog.
Nicky grabbed him and brought him up from Birmingham collecting me on the way so we could head over to the kennels and walk them all.
On arrival at the kennels we were greeted by Hero and the new boy who im not sure is a greyhound male and I suspect has a little bit of bull in him somewhere, never the less he is a beautiful boy with a cheeky, bouncy personality who has been named Dipsy. We called the new lad Midge and headed out to walk all three. They were angels and are all lovely boys a pleasure to spend time with. Dipsy amused us by doing headstands in the local public field trying to get off his muzzle.
At the sametime Simon the kennel owner asked me to go and have a look at a little middle aged gentleman, I would say he is lurcher x he was dumped two weeks ago in the quarry close to the kennels very near to death he was so under weight and neglected. Simon naturally took him in and has done a wonderful job getting him back on his feet. However, now he needs the routine castration etc and a rescue to safeguard his future? Could you of said no? I know I couldnt. Albert as he has now been named has been happily welcomed into the Gap fold and we will be seeking a foster home for him shortly.
Dipsy, Hero & Midge
Albert
A beautiful bunch im sure you will all agree!
Friday saw Slim leave for his new home in Coventry! Slim is a beautiful boy who has been with us for around four months now. He has left to live with his new parents Andrea and Neil and their beautiful 12 year old lurcher bitch Jess. He is already settling in well and has been a good lad since landing. Good luck Slim we are so glad you finally have your forever sofa. Lots of love to Trish and Mark for doing such a fabulous job with their first foster and looking after him so well.
Saturday and the busiest day of the week quickly comes back around!
This morning we were up the kennels for 10 am we being myself and Trish. We took the four lads out for a lovely walk before it become to hot. They were all pleased to see us and lots of happy tails and smiley faces met us.
Enjoying their walk
As we were putting the hounds back into the kennels Trish caved in and decided that Midge wasnt going to make it back in there. He has now headed home with her to join her family as their second foster. Well done Trish and Mark and look forward to seeing this lad flourish.
Midge leaving the kennels with Trish
and just two hours later happy and smiling settling in.
Also early morning a massive thanks to Marion and Gareth. We had a desperate poundie who needed moving today all the way from Walsall to Bath Cats & Dogs Home. Marion or Mad Marion as we like to call her managed an epic journey right the way up to Junction 10 of the M6 for 10.30am considering she lives in South Wales this is no meanfeat. She then drove all the way back down to Bath to deliver the lad to safety. Poor boy is poorly with kennel cough but is now guaranteed fabulous care and a safe future. Thank you both im sure if this lad could he would send massive licks and kisses.
Yet again we also welcome two more new arrivals to the Gap hound clan today.
First up is a little greyhound girl called Bluebell but now changed to Coco. Coco was found straying and was due to be euthanised last Wednesday but thankfully Rochdale Dog Rescue contacted us and we were able to offer her a place. She was collected today by Alicia and Ray (thank you both) from Widnes and they made the massive journey down to Coventry with her to hand her to her foster parents Abigail and Paul. Thank you Abigail and Paul for welcoming your third Gap foster into your home and hearts.
Once little Coco arrived we were able to trace her ear number and were shocked to find that this little lady has only just seen her first birthday. She was one in June yet already the poor girl is unwanted another waste product of the racing industry. She is a lovely natured playful girl who after a good bath and de fleaing is already settling in well.
Coco
and finally our second arrival today Perry. Perry is a 4 year old greyhound male who has arrived in our care from a home situation. Sadly Perrys owner has found herself in a position where she can no longer care for his needs. He is a beautiful lad who has travelled from Rotherham to Walsall to become Lisa and the boys latest foster.
Massive thanks to Kerry and David for collecting him and transporting him and thanks to Dawn and Lisa for travelling to meet him. Fingers crossed your new forever home wont be far away.
and so to bed and ready for yet another new week. I have no idea from one week to the next what to expect fingers crossed that its all good.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
The heat is on!
Phew its hot and in the rescue world the heat is on in more ways than one. Yet again this week has been one of the busiest on record with dogs in danger turning up left right and center..
Its been all chop and change with dogs coming and going.
Saturday saw Beano leave for a new home. Beano is the last of the Greyhound puppies who were whelped in our care in January. We cant believe that this lad has waited so long. He is a joy to have around and such a good boy and so far seems to be settling well. He has gone to live near to Wimbledon Common. No jokes about the Wombles please.
Today he visited our treasurer who actually works on the common with his new brother Gyp and things seem to be going well...
Sunday saw another of our pups leave, Chester. Chester came to us after being surrendered into the pound at 12 weeks old he then stayed there until 5 months when he landed in our care. He is a beautiful boy who is so eager to learn and has quickly picked up all the basics of homelife. He is settling well into his home but is having a few problems with manners around other young dogs, he is being a little overly boisterous and lively on walks and not sure when to call it quits. His new Mum is planning on booking him into training and socialisation classes and limiting his freedom when out and about in the hope of gradually easing him into interacting with other dogs and nipping any social climbing in the bud. We wish them all the luck in the world and hope that Chester soon realises that wally behaviour isnt the way to go and starts to understand how to play. We will be keeping in regular touch with his new family to offer assistance and hope between us that happy little chappy that is bursting to get out begins to bud.
Also on Sunday one of the regular Gap meet ups took place. A group of us met up at Biddulph Grange Country Park in Stoke to allow the hounds a shaded walk through the woods and some fun in the lake and streams that run the length and bredth.
A great time was had by all, especially the humans after when we headed to a local dog friendly pub The Hollybush Inn, Denford for a refreshing pint and a meal. A few photos of the day below..
Monday was all change again! We have to give massive thanks to GRWE who kindly offered to take one of our current kennel hounds Max into their care to allow us to bring in another poundie on Tuesday.
As always the Gap volunteers stepped up to the mark and Max was transported safely from kennels in Stoke down to Hereford with even a stop off for a pub lunch on the way. Although his table manners leave alot to be desired lol and need some working on!
Massive thanks to Trish and Shellie for taking the time to move him.
Handsome Max
Behind the scenes also a great dane x mastiff boy who was also under threat was on the road to safety. After the pound we regulate asked us for help Hope rescue managed to secure him a place with Teckles in Gloucester. We are greatful to both. Thanks to Nicky for transport assistance.
Tuesday saw all change in the kennels day to make way for our new arrival Roo. Roo is a beautiful 3 year old Greyhound boy who was in a pts situation in the pound. He was transported to Mike and Judy on the M6 where they headed down to Stoke with him to meet up with myself.
We headed up to the kennels with Roo where the plan of attack was to bail Ice and Hero from kennels and place them both into foster care, Ice with Judy and Mike and Hero with Karen and Colin.
On arrival at the kennels though it was clear to see that Roo is so nervous and traumatised he wasnt going to fair well going back into a kennel situation and needed the sanctity of a foster situation straight away. After nipping into the kennels and running a quick assessment on Ice and Hero it was obvious that whilst Ice needed further medical care for the time being Hero was as happy as a sandboy. He grinned me with his daft grin and cheesy face and is fairing very well.
The decision was made, Ice would go to Mike and Judy but Roo would make the journey back to Widnes to foster with Karen and Colin, Hero will be going to another foster home hopefully within the next week.
Since arriving in foster care Roo has proved to be a very nervous and untrusting boy, he has seen more hardships than any dog should ever face in their life. In the 24hours he has been there he hasnt voluntarily ventured out of the sanctuary of a crate although the doors have been left open for him. He went in today for neutering because we decided we wanted to get all the nasties and upset out of the way as soon as possible. Hopefully now he can start to settle and learn to trust before he starts to make his journey to his forever home.
Roo
Its been all chop and change with dogs coming and going.
Saturday saw Beano leave for a new home. Beano is the last of the Greyhound puppies who were whelped in our care in January. We cant believe that this lad has waited so long. He is a joy to have around and such a good boy and so far seems to be settling well. He has gone to live near to Wimbledon Common. No jokes about the Wombles please.
Today he visited our treasurer who actually works on the common with his new brother Gyp and things seem to be going well...
Sunday saw another of our pups leave, Chester. Chester came to us after being surrendered into the pound at 12 weeks old he then stayed there until 5 months when he landed in our care. He is a beautiful boy who is so eager to learn and has quickly picked up all the basics of homelife. He is settling well into his home but is having a few problems with manners around other young dogs, he is being a little overly boisterous and lively on walks and not sure when to call it quits. His new Mum is planning on booking him into training and socialisation classes and limiting his freedom when out and about in the hope of gradually easing him into interacting with other dogs and nipping any social climbing in the bud. We wish them all the luck in the world and hope that Chester soon realises that wally behaviour isnt the way to go and starts to understand how to play. We will be keeping in regular touch with his new family to offer assistance and hope between us that happy little chappy that is bursting to get out begins to bud.
Also on Sunday one of the regular Gap meet ups took place. A group of us met up at Biddulph Grange Country Park in Stoke to allow the hounds a shaded walk through the woods and some fun in the lake and streams that run the length and bredth.
A great time was had by all, especially the humans after when we headed to a local dog friendly pub The Hollybush Inn, Denford for a refreshing pint and a meal. A few photos of the day below..
Monday was all change again! We have to give massive thanks to GRWE who kindly offered to take one of our current kennel hounds Max into their care to allow us to bring in another poundie on Tuesday.
As always the Gap volunteers stepped up to the mark and Max was transported safely from kennels in Stoke down to Hereford with even a stop off for a pub lunch on the way. Although his table manners leave alot to be desired lol and need some working on!
Massive thanks to Trish and Shellie for taking the time to move him.
Handsome Max
Behind the scenes also a great dane x mastiff boy who was also under threat was on the road to safety. After the pound we regulate asked us for help Hope rescue managed to secure him a place with Teckles in Gloucester. We are greatful to both. Thanks to Nicky for transport assistance.
Tuesday saw all change in the kennels day to make way for our new arrival Roo. Roo is a beautiful 3 year old Greyhound boy who was in a pts situation in the pound. He was transported to Mike and Judy on the M6 where they headed down to Stoke with him to meet up with myself.
We headed up to the kennels with Roo where the plan of attack was to bail Ice and Hero from kennels and place them both into foster care, Ice with Judy and Mike and Hero with Karen and Colin.
On arrival at the kennels though it was clear to see that Roo is so nervous and traumatised he wasnt going to fair well going back into a kennel situation and needed the sanctity of a foster situation straight away. After nipping into the kennels and running a quick assessment on Ice and Hero it was obvious that whilst Ice needed further medical care for the time being Hero was as happy as a sandboy. He grinned me with his daft grin and cheesy face and is fairing very well.
The decision was made, Ice would go to Mike and Judy but Roo would make the journey back to Widnes to foster with Karen and Colin, Hero will be going to another foster home hopefully within the next week.
Since arriving in foster care Roo has proved to be a very nervous and untrusting boy, he has seen more hardships than any dog should ever face in their life. In the 24hours he has been there he hasnt voluntarily ventured out of the sanctuary of a crate although the doors have been left open for him. He went in today for neutering because we decided we wanted to get all the nasties and upset out of the way as soon as possible. Hopefully now he can start to settle and learn to trust before he starts to make his journey to his forever home.
Roo
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