It has been a busy day or so. As well as all the usual comings (numerous) and goings (far too few) of the refuge, there have been other activities.
Thanks to some super-human organisational skills and fabulous networking, Polly, a lab cross who has been at the refuge for almost exactly a year (date of arrival 14th August 2012) is now on her way to her new owner. They are a British couple who live in Alsace, and who found Polly thanks to Doglinks. So Polly had to make her way to them, a journey of some 975 kms. Of course, there are professionals or semi-professionals who can be employed to deliver dogs, but sometimes goodwill is the best (and cheapest) way.
Yesterday morning, and via Facebook, the sister of the owner one of our former residents, Napoleon, offered to do the bulk of the journey (Valence to Sarreguemine). So now we had to find Carcassonne-Valence. A SPA volunteer, Martine, offered to go as far as Montpelier, but after that we were stuck. Then out of the blue, Muriel, a girl whom I had met for lunch at the home of a great friend and SPA supporter, Sharon, contacted me. She could do Montpelier to Valence. This whole mess was given to the indefatigable Carole to sort out. And she did it! Phone numbers were exchanged, meeting points were set up and within an hour Polly was on her way!
Polly will spend a couple of nights at various houses en route, but we know all the people involved and we are receiving photos at each step of the way. We do not let our dogs leave with just anyone!
Oh, I mustn’t forget the donation sent by Didi, who follows us by internet and wanted to help offset the transport costs.
What an amazing example of team work! I think Carole still has some hair left, but I have a feeling I owe her a drink or two!
In other SPA news, two dogs who were brought in to the SPA two days ago were collected by their owner, which was good news. The female, who turned out to be the mother, was identified and now so is the son! Turns out they had been wandering around lost for a week, but the owner had not thought to contact the SPA. They were very tired and dehydrated when they arrived and so I repeat again my plea for people to put down water for stray animals in places where they may gather.
Oh, and after some technical problems, our twitter feed is back up and running. Thanks Veronique, who is tweeting bilingually. So you can improve your French and keep up to date at the same time!
https://twitter.com/SPACarcassonne
Out of her kennel…
And on her first overnight stop