Some puppies arrive and we just know they won’t have long to wait. When Jack arrived there was a collective “Awwww”, as this young yellow lab wagged his tail. He went straight home with volunteer Martine where he has been getting used to cats (lots of them!) plus one dog, and most importantly avoiding the stress and potential microbes to be found at the SPA.
Of course there were lots of prospective adopters for this dog, and it is no surprise that today, the very day when Jack’s obligatory “pound time” finished, he went off with his new family, carefully selected by Martine. For those of you who were left disappointed, it is the foster families who choose as they know the dog the best, it is no reflection on you as potential owners.
Isa and Audrey also said goodbye to their foster pups today. Jessy has gone to a sporty couple, which will be perfect for this active border collie. And Audrey said goodbye to Alf, who had, like Jack, spent the minimum amount of time at the SPA (on paper,that is).
Thank you so much to all three foster families for giving these lucky pups the best start possible, bearing in mind that they, like all the dogs who arrive at the refuge, are simply not wanted.
On the subject of which, today we had the arrival of five more puppies. One, a border collie, arrived this morning, and four more were brought in by the cruelty inspector this afternoon. The mum had been adopted from the SPA in 2011, before we had obligatory sterilisation, and this is her second litter at least. There had been seven pups, but 3 had been given away by the time we knew about them.
This just makes us despair. And there is nothing we can do. So never ever ask us why we insist on sterilisation. THIS is why!
Another unwanted dog was Indy, who looks about 10 years old, but is just 2 and a half. He was a planned abandon, and I can’t even remember what frivolous reason was given. All I can say is that this dog is far far better off with us. We will soon have him spruced up!
Then the highlight of the day. We finally said a sad but happy goodbye to Quirke. This fabulous dog had been at the SPA since last June, and has only recently turned two years old. DRC have been plugging him on their website, and the general opinion of the staff was that he was the most perfect dog at the refuge. Free to roam in the mornings, never leaving the grounds even when the gate was open; good with cats; great with other dogs. Perhaps a tendency towards hyper-attachment, but hey, who doesn’t like being looked at adoringly? And his new family work from home. Perfect.
They made a long journey to come and meet Quirke, but I am sure they think it was well worth it. I was not the only one to shed tears when I said goodbye to this wonderful dog who has been overlooked for so many months.
Happy life, Quirke, keep in touch!
So a day of ups and downs.
Jessy- ADOPTED
Alf – ADOPTED
New arrival – a female border collie
One of today’s four other puppy arrivals. All are girls
Indy – Abandoned (he is only two and a half)
And the highlight of my day, and doubtless of Quirke’s life.
Quirke – ADOPTED.