20th December

It looks like the Christmas cards have got through! Emails from recipients with updates on their dogs. I will get round to sharing them but at the moment have more pressing matters.
Came down this morning to evidence of our (visiting, at least I hope so) rat, in the kitchen!
It had deposited a half eaten old Bonio in front of Chloe's crate. How it had managed that without Chloe going bolistic, I don't know, or how we manage to have a rat in the house at all with six Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

Angel ... Top Ratter!

It was obvious from Chloe's reaction it was under the dresser so we brought in Angel. She found it and silently but with every sinew of her body and intense concentration kept it holed up under the dresser while we had breakfast.
There was an electronic beeping, which we supposed was from a phone,no longer in use, that had been disconnected from Angel's exertions.
My son needed a lift to the bus so, alas, we could not stay and see this through, so we put Angel away and after a couple of false starts set the trap.
On my return all was calm and the trap still set so I left it and took Angel, Rosie and Chloe off to do the ponies.
The pouring rain meant none of them were very happy to be out.

There was no sign of the rat on my return and judging by the dogs reaction it was no longer under the dresser but in the corner under the piles of newspaper.

Later when Dave came home and with the help of Sara's boyfriend, we took Angel back in and pulled the newspapers from the corner ... no Rat! No Hole! but a pile of dog biscuits and chewed wire which was causing the phone to beep!
I feel better it hasn't actually got a nest in my kitchen, cunning plans to trap it are under way.

Have also been busy making 50 mince pies for the Riding School Party.

Chloe has had another Promeris treatment for her mange and has had a bit of a reaction and so had a quiet few days but nothing like the first time.

18th December

Just so you know it can happen to all of us ... Lexus attacked a neighbours Labrador today.

I was on our usual walk with Lex and Khan through the Gunpowder Mills. Khan was on the lead but I had let Lexus off and he was in front of us. A lady came round the corner with her Lab on a lead, Lexus ran straight up to her dog,  ignoring my shouts and just laid right in.
 I asked her to grab him, which she did, while I tried to get close enough to grab him but keep Khan away. She thought I was there and let him go and he turned round and started all over again!!

The lady could not have been kinder, or faster of hand, and seemed remarkably unruffled by the whole incident which is more than could be said for me!
Whether it helped that I had only seen her on Sunday at the carol service and offered her a mince pie (and asked after her dog) I don't know.

Butter wouldn't melt in that toothless mouth ... 

The Labrador is only eight months old and came to them from 'friends' who 'no longer had time for him.' The all too familiar story, the dog has a number of issues, nice of Lexus to add to them!

Is Lexus bad with other dogs? I hear you ask. Should you have been more prepared?  Well, yes, we have always been careful, but never had a real problem, until today.
 We do not usually meet anyone and I had just become complacent, after all he has no teeth and a dodgy hip.
How nicei it must be to be the 'victim' and claim the moral high ground.
 Some people always seem to hang on to victim status whatever the circumstances, 'He was bitten by a German Shepherd as a puppy.' 'Its just fear aggression.'
Well, I could claim none of these things, I was an irresponsible owner.

I don't think the Labrador was harmed. I apologised profusely and also dropped a note through the owners door later.
And as for Lexus, was he repentant? Not at all! On the contrary he thought he had done something marvelous, bounding around and grinning at me for the rest of the walk as if to say, 'I got him, did you see? I may not have any teeth and a dodgy hip, but I've still got it. Did you see Mum? Did you see?'

He will remain on the lead in future.



Update on the Christmas cards.
We have sent some but now run out of stamps, time and will. Cannot carry on or will end up having a 'Christmas Episode,' like Rev in the TV programme of the same name. You may get a card, you may not. You may get one before Christmas, you may not.  But ...  WE WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

17th December

Sorry for the lack of blogs, Christmas and all that!
Today I was making a last desperate attempt to get all my cards done so we could make the second class post deadline tomorrow!!
Due to the expense and lack of time we will not be sending cards to everyone now but will try and catch up with some owners we have not heard from for awhile.





I had the bank statement through today and since the beginning of December we have received over £1,600 in donations! I can't believe it even when I have it in front of me in black and white!
Thank you so much all who have given.
After a very difficult year when I nearly gave up in despair we are finishing the year on a high.

14th December

What a day! I was soaked to the skin twice, now thinking maybe the cold was not so bad, at least you could walk the dogs and they stayed clean. Hopefully be able to work tomorrow.

I received the following email from Christine :-      





Just to give you a further update, Boycie now has a second name: Mr Muscle!  He's on the go all day and seems to have built up more muscles.    
 
He is now much better at Doggie school and tonight is the last session of this course.  We will collect our rosette with pride!  He no longer barks at the other dogs and is much calmer in their company.  He is such a happy little chap and is so lovable.
 
As you know we have always had rescue boxers in the past but I have to say, we are now Staffie converts.  What lovable characters they are.
 
Will take some photos over Christmas and will send them to you.  In the meantime, please tell everyone that has asked after Boycie that he is a very happy boy and we cannot imagine life without him.


Lovely to think of our long stay dogs, Jade, Chance, Boycie and Saffy all with their own homes lying in the warm this Christmas.

13th December

I must apologise, I am getting very behind with things.

Wasting time this morning, so Sam nearly missed his bus, trying to take a photo of Lexus in a Christmas hat! You can see what he thinks about it!

We have got some way with the Christmas cards but had underestimated the price of stamps, we may now have to curtail it a bit, but also have not got around to writing them and yet we are being overwhelmed by cards, letters and donations from all of you.

One very timely gift was a coat knitted from the Battersea Pattern sent by Pat Bennett, just in time for Chloe to wear it during this very cold spell.  Thank you Pat.

 We struggled to get a half decent picture.


I paid the vet today. As well as our three neuters we had some other outstanding costs and it was over £600 but at least we were able to clear it. However no room for complacency, running costs are high and continuous.
Thank you again to all who donated.

11th December

Very cold again tonight as I write this and only two weeks to Christmas, how does it happen?  Every year I think I am more prepared but always end up doing things last minute.
We hope to send out Christmas cards to everyone we have homed a dog to since we began, just to renew contact, plans are under way.

All the dogs seem very sleepy tonight, perhaps it is an instinct kicking in due to the cold weather but they have all had plenty of good runs yesterday and today which must help.

I realise I did not mention Angel the other day. She is well at the moment and generally calmer. Chloe and Rosie are quiet in the car and do not wind her up and I try to avoid taking her with me on days when I know there are 'triggers' for her to get excited and 'spin'. Her tail is a bit pink but not damaged and she has put on weight. I have also done some TTouch with her and she responds well. She has huge muscles in her back legs and is very fit.

On Saturday we took her with us as although it was a busy day of lessons the first lesson this particular fortnight is Charlotte with her Dad Rob Brown. Rob loves Staffies and has been a very generous supporter of the rescue since we started. He has agreed to be our Treasurer  once we become a charity. Whilst Charlotte has her lesson, Rob plays ball with Angel. Having had a really good run she then settles for the rest of the day.

News from Kate about Jesse is that he has settled well and is improving, even walking with their older dogs and showing respect. He and Moose love each other and try to pick up the same stick on walks!

Boiler engineer called today and fitted new fan so we are very warm and toasty on this chilly night.

I will be paying Jane the vet at the end of the week. Thank you to all who have made donations.

9th December

IT DID HAPPEN!   

This morning we were presented by Pets At Home at Godalming with a cheque for £581.92 

Raised during their Support Adoption Charity Week in October.

We would like to say a big 'Thank You' to Pets At Home and their customers for raising such a large amount.

They were very busy today and their 'Santa Paws' Christmas appeal is under way where customers are asked to round to the pound their payment and all that money will come to us too.

On top of that the staff were holding a cake sale on our behalf today as well.

You can also nominate us as the benefiting rescue from one of their loyalty cards too.

Thank you to all the staff at Pets At Home Godalming.