Well today started out really well. Despite the fact that Darcey and I are both travelling we managed to organize a superb reservation! I had also written tonight’s happy blog which was in draft, just ready to publish and our spirits were high when my messages bleeped and then bleeped again with really bad news!
Eight pups arrived at the refuge this afternoon! Yes eight pups of 10 weeks old who were left to roam loose in a local village! This is really devastating news and whoever is the owner of these pups should be hanging their head in shame! How on earth can we ever win this war when people just will not sterilise their dogs and then accept no responsibility for the pups? Do these irresponsible gits really want to condemn their animals to life behind refuge bars? No matter how hard we try, no matter how many hours we spend, and remember most of us are volunteers, can we make an a dent in the number of arrivals! To compound this news an eight year old German Shepherd also arrived so you can imagine how low moral is tonight among the staff and volunteers!
Just as well we did have one superb adoption!
Girly, a three year old border collie was found loose and brought to the refuge a few weeks ago. A dainty, pretty girl she soon caught the attention of a family with four young boys and a two and a half year old border collie called Anouk. Experienced homes are what we want for our borders who are usually high energy intelligent dogs who need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. This family had already taken Anouk to dog classes and were eager to get it right with Girly. Last Wednesday afternoon the family drove 4 hours to come and meet Girly and with four boys under twelve and a dog, that is no mean feat! Introductions went well with both the children and Anouk and so after taking a night to reflect on their decision they decided to adopt Girly. We do actively encourage people to think about such a major decision, to consider how the dog will fit into their lifestyle, the new dogs training needs and the best way to integrate the dog into the whole family. If these logistics are carefully thought out then you really are setting the new addition up to succeed and that’s what we want of each and every one of our SPA dogs, a bright and happy future!
So today, one adoption, one reservation but nine arrivals, it truly is never ending!
Lucky Girly who left today.