Believe it or not we had yet another quiet day at the SPA. A beautiful chocolate labrador, Pitoche, found his owners (he was identified) and we had two new arrivals, but by our standards this was a quiet day; especially as I don’t think a single person came to adopt.
Of course many people have gone away on holiday, but by the same token some people have come to Carcassonne to see the sights. One family came to see us, bringing with them the puppy (now fully grown) whom they adopted from us last summer when they visited the city from their home in Marseille! Initially Abby was terrified, as she must have thought she was being abandoned, but once she realised that her owners were just chatting (as well as donating two huge bags of dog food), she relaxed and said hello to us all. She was particularly pleased to see Carole, who was her foster mum and who had turned Abby from a traumatised and terrified creature to a trustworthy family pet.
It was lovely to see this young dog but I am ashamed to say that we took advantage of their daughter in our spring makeover efforts. I am not sure when child labour was abolished in France, but it had a long tradition in Britain. At least we didn’t have any chimneys that needed to be swept!
Next Thursday is May 1st, which is international labour day and hence (illogically) a bank holiday. We are thinking of having a working day at the refuge, though. We will not be open as such, but we plan to do some planting, (we still need plants and compost) and also some more painting and other chores. If anyone would like to help out, please get in touch. Personally I would like to find someone who isn’t afraid of heights to paint the top bits of the building. I chickened out on about the 5th rung of the ladder!
Abby says hello
Child labour in action!