8th December

I am writing this on Saturday night at the end of a week that has been dominated by the weather, cold, wet and first snow of the winter, also for me my car troubles, now, thankfully, sorted.
To top it all our boiler went wrong yesterday afternoon. We had a night with no hot water and no heating.

Being outside in the cold all day and with arthritis and a stiff back I really do not cope well with a cold house. I took myself off to bed early with a hot water bottle. Saturday morning however was not too bad, feeling positively warm after some days last week and the inside of our house. I am pleased to report that by the time I came home this evening an engineer had called and persuaded the fan to work until next week when he will return to fit a new one.

Things are much easier being back down to three rescue dogs. Thankfully Chloe is now off lead walks and she and Rosie have fun charging around together, they are both high energy girls and require plenty of exercise.
We are working with helping Rosie become quieter in the house. She is better with just me and no' traffic' but in a busy house that is not always possible. This evening I was keen to get the dogs in from the car after a long day. It was quiet so I went out for Rosie by the time we got into the house two of the children were there making themselves hot drinks. I persevered by giving her her dinner only for Dave to walk in. It was too much for Rosie she had to go into her bed. A little later I tried again. She was not very settled picking at her food then running off to play, then someone opened the living room door just as she was next to it and she was in with our dogs much to Sprites disgust.
It was a case of third time lucky as eventually she came out ate all her food and I did some TTouch with her without any interruptions.

I have received two photos of Saffy with her new favourite toy, a glow in the dark ball! I can think of nothing better for her.

People keep asking if there is any news of Boycie and the answer is 'Yes'.
Last week I had a phone message from my RSPCA friend Pat to say she was walking her Labrador in the woods and she met a lady with a Staffie on a lead, as he was not too good with other dogs. It was none other than Chris with Boycie!

 Well done Chris for some excellent responsible ownership and Pat for doing a 'follow up' for me.





Sunday morning we are 'hopefully' being presented with our cheque from Pets At Home. Arrangements are slightly vague but I am heading down there for 11am. Lets hope it happens.

6th December

We Received this update from Karen Snook on 27th November regarding Peppa (previously Fleur)

A year ago today I picked up an overweight and scared white Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross called Fleur.
We renamed her Peppa, gave her a space on our sofa,and in our hearts, a huge amount of love patience and training and today even though we have had a few bad times and problems I can hand on heart say that Peppa is 100% part of our family and I dont know how we could live without her.
My only wish is that she get judged by who she is not what she is.
Thank you for allowing us to adopt Peppa. she has brought us so much pleasure and we absolutely love her to bits!
she has won over some of our friends who believed the media portrayal of staffys and they adore her too.
james and karen snook.

We gave her a bath.

We played out in the snow

climbed trees

went to the seaside.

5th December

This morning I awoke to a text from Val saying it was snowing with her!
 I peeped outside, it was still dark, there was a frost, it was hard to see what the sky was doing but it had that hushed feel. I texted Val back, 'Not snowing here yet, but it feels like it might.' I took Lex and Sprite out and then Chloe. As Chloe came back up the garden a flake began to fall. 'It's snowing!' I announced to my son who was pouring himself some cereal, he grunted disbelievingly and took himself into the other room. Next time I looked out it really was snowing, heavily, and everything was covered.

It was only a shower but in some places it has stayed. Another first for the pups, Rosie went mad, Chloe missed it really as most of it had gone by the time she went out again. Kate sent me these lovely pictures of Jesse with Moose and Lara.

Jesse's first snow.

We got up in the frost this morning then as soon as we started our walk the snow came down! Jesse spent half the walk licking the ground where it settled! It stopped so isn't very deep but thought I'd get some photos for you in the garden when we got back.
Last night Jesse settled with a bone and was laid next to me by the sofa letting me stroke him.
 
Kate

4th December

Mud and frost this morning!

My car was worked on all day and all the work now completed but not in time for the re-test so still no certificate.
ATS who did it for me were great and kept the cost down but I am still considerably lighter in the bank balance area.

Millie as a puppy

Worst of all the dogs had to stay at home. Jessie took them out and they had Marrow bones to chew but they were all stir crazy when I got in. Hopefully tomorrow we can be back in routine and they can have a good run before I take all the crates out yet again and take it for its re-test in the afternoon.
 Next year I am going to plan ahead.

We have received a further donation of £150 by post.

Also we have heard from the family who adopted Millie. Millie was one of Harry and Trixies pups we took her in with her sister. Harry and Trixie are now owned by Sam Horscroft.

Millie is now five, unbelievable. She lived with George the Bulldog who sadly passed away last year.

3rd December

I cannot believe the rain came back!
All dogs were taken down the muddy 'again' garden, eventually it became light enough to see.
Son's lunch packed, dogs fed. Running out of time Sam was dispatched to remove dog crates from car, whilst I gathered bits and pieces and downed a cuppa. Sam returned to report crate stacking had not been entirely successful, plus there was no way (or time) to stop them getting wet. Already late we jumped into the car and drove up the road to pick up George and head for the school bus. Halfway there Sam announced that he had left his school bag behind. His school bag, containing all his books and his packed lunch!
A quick mental run through of all possible scenarios resulting in the conclusion there was absolutely nothing we could do about it, he would have to carry on without it, no books, no lunch.

Mobile dog kennel.

8.33am arrive at garage. They consider my list of failures, eventually put my car up on the ramp and call me over to point out another. The exhaust has two cracks. New exhaust needed with catalytic converter at catastrophic cost! Desperate to have my car, my security, my mobile dog kennel back I nod concurringly inwardly gulping.
Text Dave about availability of parts, horrific cost and Sam's school bag.
 Kate texts to say she can take Jesse back today.
After many phone calls to source parts the decision is made to do the work on the car tomorrow. I slide thankfully into the drivers seat, smile gratefully and tell them I will see them tomorrow having robbed a bank, they suggest I rob two!

Feeling very odd without any dogs in the car I bring in my ponies, go to the bank, pop into Pets At Home followed by Sainsburys.
Return home, pick up Angel, Rosie and Sam's school bag and drive to Cranleigh. Drop off said bag with 3 minutes to spare before lunchtime.

Jesse with Lara.

Drive home, petrol light comes on.

At home walk Khan and Lexus, who will not let me get away with a short walk so we go the usual length.
Grab some lunch and Jesse and Chloe head back over to ponies to meet Kate.
Jesse is delighted to see her, she reassures me, not only will he have plenty of walks and playtime with Lara and Moose but that he is welcome for Christmas too, Bless You Kate!
 Used to turning dogs around it is hard to admit I can't provide enough for a dog but Jesse is much better off with Kate.

Jesse and Moose.

Give Angel a run, turn ponies out, walk Chloe and Rosie. Chloe on lead and Rosie off which works really well. Rosie has a great run.
Head home, fill up with petrol, bring dogs in, change trousers and top and join in Christmas tree lighting service at church, handing round warm apple punch as if I have done nothing else all day!

Just one more thing to mention.
 When I was at Pets At Home the Manager mentioned, almost in passing, that they had received a cheque for us, from their Charity Week ...  for £581 !!!

And could I come in on Saturday or Sunday so they could present it to me!
You bet I could!

It will be Sunday morning, all welcome!

2nd December

Now very, very cold.

Yesterday Adam and Jude fully adopted Saffy and I had a very lovely visit. Their living room had been changed around yet again and this time a soft, comfy dog bed took pride of place. The crate was gone, they gave it back to me, no longer needed, at last Saffy has her own bed in her own home.

Not only that, they gave us the full adoption fee of £150 (we accept less for older dogs) plus a further £80 towards our funds for the neutering.

I have become rather confused with our total but I think with another £5, donated by some of my pupils for my pink hair, we are up to £215.91 The £150 for Saffy is on top of that and we have just made a transfer from our paypal account  that takes the online donations, of £200 !!!

So I think we can say we have reached our target!       £415.91

Thank you to all who donated.


My car has to go in for work  (hopefully) to get it through its MOT at 8.30am  tomorrow. So all dog crates will need to be removed and all doggies staying at home. It failed its MOT on Friday. It is such an upheaval for me to have to clear it all out and be without it, it is as big a worry as the cost!  So the last few days have been very difficult and I am hoping it is quickly sorted tomorrow. One of the fails is the centre rear seat belt which is 'chewed,' perhaps the rescue could reimburse me. (Only joking)
Anyway in the light of this, this afternoon I endeavoured to give Angel and the three pups as much exercise as possible. Rosie learnt to play ball, eventually getting the hang of bringing it back and sitting before it was thrown again.
Jesse played ball with two balls as he was not good at giving the ball up, but he ignored a walker on the bridleway below and concentrated for a while during some close lead work.
Chloe is still on lead walks but was charging about on the end of the extension lead with no problems, she met the farm Collie and a Collie X
They were all very well behaved which just shows how much easier things are when you are not in a rush.

30th November

It is now very cold and all the rain a distant memory. So much easier being dry but the cold brings its own problems, not least, 'taking it out of you' when you are out in it all day.
None of the pups had seen frost before. It was so funny watching them trying to work it out. ''Whats this? It isn't wet but it feels funny on my paws.'

Chloe had a quiet day yesterday interspersed with lots of trips down the garden. Not that you would know she has had anything done at all, today she had a couple of walks on the lead but each time wanted more.

.
We have walked Khan and Jesse together the last two days.

Rosie is doing brilliantly. I had her out in the yard whilst I did the stables  and she just pottered about and now on walks she behaves as a dog should, sniffing and running around.. We need to keep up with her recall though, as now she is bolder, she is less likely to come back!