8th August

Tom and Sara with Sprite.

I had looked forward so much to our weeks holiday and having a break.
The number of dogs we had in had crept up steadily last year and remained at two or at times even three over our acceptable level.  Dave getting a job after over two years without was excellent news but it meant walking all the dogs during the week fell to me and I was becoming exhausted.
Homing Chance was nothing short of a miracle and took some of the pressure off.
 So being away I was able to take stock and consider the future of the rescue.
 Val had given me the story of Battersea Cat and Dogs Home, to read which was a great inspiration and encouragement.
I decided we must put a stop on taking in anymore dogs until we had homed enough to bring us down to just three rescues. It is difficult as to function as a rescue there should be some movement but we had to weigh up the strain on ourselves and the quality of life to the dogs in our care.
Having reached the decision I was still dreading the week ending and returning home.
It wasn't until our last morning that Val and I were able to talk and she told me that she and Stuart would like to keep Tara for another week and fully integrate her with their dogs and if it worked keep her as a long term foster. This would be better for Tara and also relieve things with me.

 Things are looking quite hopeful that this will work so far.
What a relief!

Angel came back today having had a lovely time with David and Pat, she did not look too happy to be back but Jess is pleased to have her owners and her home to herself again.
With two less dogs it is already much easier.
 We will continue to take calls and consider each in case a dog does come along that we feel we could help and more importantly would be easy to home.

The Battersea story was encouraging as we have face many similar challenges.
The attitude towards dogs of the 'Throwaway Society,' that we see today seems to have started back in the 1960's. One of the things they say in the book is 'Nothing has changed, yet everything is different.'
Society's attitude to dogs still leaves a lot to be desired. We will continue to do our bit to relieve the suffering of some.