Well what a day - our annual Christmas Party is over for another year. The weather forecast was poor and the news is full of economic gloom.
But did our friends and supporters let us down? Of course not.
The weather, whilst cold was bright and dry and once again the hall was packed. We hope you enjoyed the day, the bacon butties, the jacket spuds and of course the dog show.
With all the different fund raising options going on and the Collie Shop sales we've raised just over £1700 on the day - fantastic !
Thank you to everyone who came, give yourselves a big pat on the back.
Ben
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Don't give pants Christmas Presents this year
Fed up of trying to guess what to buy friends, relatives and work mates for Christmas?
Why not get together with them and instead of wasting all that time, effort - and money donate to your favourite charity instead. And if that just happens to be us well so much the better please follow the link below and feel free to use the "widget" you'll find on the website.
Don't give pants presents this Christmas
You can use this widget in many online sites such as Blogger, Facebook, My Space and many others so feel free to use the grab button and spread the word !!
It's our big Christmas Party tomorrow (Sunday) and hopefully the weather will stay dry - doesn't look like it will be very warm but fingers crossed it'll stay dry.
Remember my computer problems at home recently? - Well after 3 brand new computers in 6 weeks I've given up, had my money back and gone back to the 5 year old steam driven one - but at least it works !! Once I've got over the frustration of days spent installing software and downloads over and over again I might look again.
We've managed to reopen our waiting list I'm glad to say. It's been quite a good month rehoming with about 45 dogs finding homes which for this time of year and in the current economic climate it very good.
Jill one of our Senior Kennel Assistants has left us this week to join the RSPCA, giving her the opportunity to work with varied animals not just dogs. We wish Jill all the very best and thank her for the hard work and care she's given to our rescued collies in the last (almost) 4 years.
We're currently interviewing applicants for the post and I have to say we've not only had a good number of applicants but it's going to be difficult to select as there are a number of worthy contenders.
Bye for now
Ben
Why not get together with them and instead of wasting all that time, effort - and money donate to your favourite charity instead. And if that just happens to be us well so much the better please follow the link below and feel free to use the "widget" you'll find on the website.
Don't give pants presents this Christmas
You can use this widget in many online sites such as Blogger, Facebook, My Space and many others so feel free to use the grab button and spread the word !!
It's our big Christmas Party tomorrow (Sunday) and hopefully the weather will stay dry - doesn't look like it will be very warm but fingers crossed it'll stay dry.
Remember my computer problems at home recently? - Well after 3 brand new computers in 6 weeks I've given up, had my money back and gone back to the 5 year old steam driven one - but at least it works !! Once I've got over the frustration of days spent installing software and downloads over and over again I might look again.
We've managed to reopen our waiting list I'm glad to say. It's been quite a good month rehoming with about 45 dogs finding homes which for this time of year and in the current economic climate it very good.
Jill one of our Senior Kennel Assistants has left us this week to join the RSPCA, giving her the opportunity to work with varied animals not just dogs. We wish Jill all the very best and thank her for the hard work and care she's given to our rescued collies in the last (almost) 4 years.
We're currently interviewing applicants for the post and I have to say we've not only had a good number of applicants but it's going to be difficult to select as there are a number of worthy contenders.
Bye for now
Ben
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
New beginnings
Can I just thank everyone who has taken the trouble to telephone, write and email with words of thanks and comfort after our loss of Buddy last week and of course for all the kind words I've received personally after losing Sheba.
I know that many people in rescue feel it is sometimes them against the world and whilst we are fortunate that we have good band of people at the centre who help each other it is comforting to know that so many people are not only interested in what's happening here at Colton but are as affected by our news - good and bad.
So some good news this week I thought. Well remember the collie I mentioned who came to us heavily pregnant? Well on Sunday she gave birth to 6 lovely pups, unfortunately another one had to be put to sleep as it was born with a cleft palate and unable to suckle. Mom and pups are doing well. Please don't bombard us with calls looking to reserve one of the pups as they won't be available for rehoming for several weeks and until we are satisfied they are indeed healthy and fit.
Jess is enjoying his new status as our new Sponsor Dog and just to clarify - yes he is a he (many people seem to have thought he was a she) and I'm sure he'll have lots of stories and adventures to share with his new friends.
Finally a reminder that our annual Christmas Party will be on 30th November at Colwich and Little Haywood Village Hall between 11am and 3pm. All the usual fun will be available.
Bye for now
Ben
I know that many people in rescue feel it is sometimes them against the world and whilst we are fortunate that we have good band of people at the centre who help each other it is comforting to know that so many people are not only interested in what's happening here at Colton but are as affected by our news - good and bad.
So some good news this week I thought. Well remember the collie I mentioned who came to us heavily pregnant? Well on Sunday she gave birth to 6 lovely pups, unfortunately another one had to be put to sleep as it was born with a cleft palate and unable to suckle. Mom and pups are doing well. Please don't bombard us with calls looking to reserve one of the pups as they won't be available for rehoming for several weeks and until we are satisfied they are indeed healthy and fit.
Jess is enjoying his new status as our new Sponsor Dog and just to clarify - yes he is a he (many people seem to have thought he was a she) and I'm sure he'll have lots of stories and adventures to share with his new friends.
Finally a reminder that our annual Christmas Party will be on 30th November at Colwich and Little Haywood Village Hall between 11am and 3pm. All the usual fun will be available.
Bye for now
Ben
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Sheba 1998 - 2008
It really is one of those weeks. Only two days after losing our Sponsor Dog, Buddy, I had to face the same decision again with my own Sheba. Regular visitors to the blog will remember she had a stroke a few months ago. She made some recovery and apart from some lack of co-ordination at slow speeds and a troublesome appetite she remained her own unique self.
This morning I received the usual early morning call which we've come to expect, asking to go out. On coming downstairs though it was apparent this wasn't the usual call at all and it was painfully obvious that Sue and I had to take the decision.
Sheba came to the Trust in 1999 having been rescued from a very isolated farm in Wales. No one knew her history but she was the most scared dog I think I've ever seen but had no aggression at all. Sue and I fell for her straight away and she came home with us a couple of weeks after arriving. At the time we didn't live at the centre and it took three months before she felt confident in moving around the house - let alone the garden.
Over the years her confidence has improved and although she remained wary of new experiences and loved a set routine it was good to see her happily running around a field or the seaside (she loved our trips to Barmouth on Boxing Day). Her behaviour in this way taught me so much about collies like this. Taffy our other collie certainly helped her confidence and her little ways in rounding him up - but usually only when it was night time - will always bring a smile to my face.
It still has to be business as usual and I'm sure Sheba would have expected nothing else in order to help more of the collies who are so in need of the Trust.
Bye Sheba, Ben & Sue
This morning I received the usual early morning call which we've come to expect, asking to go out. On coming downstairs though it was apparent this wasn't the usual call at all and it was painfully obvious that Sue and I had to take the decision.
Sheba came to the Trust in 1999 having been rescued from a very isolated farm in Wales. No one knew her history but she was the most scared dog I think I've ever seen but had no aggression at all. Sue and I fell for her straight away and she came home with us a couple of weeks after arriving. At the time we didn't live at the centre and it took three months before she felt confident in moving around the house - let alone the garden.
Over the years her confidence has improved and although she remained wary of new experiences and loved a set routine it was good to see her happily running around a field or the seaside (she loved our trips to Barmouth on Boxing Day). Her behaviour in this way taught me so much about collies like this. Taffy our other collie certainly helped her confidence and her little ways in rounding him up - but usually only when it was night time - will always bring a smile to my face.
It still has to be business as usual and I'm sure Sheba would have expected nothing else in order to help more of the collies who are so in need of the Trust.
Bye Sheba, Ben & Sue
Monday, 3 November 2008
Sad News and new arrivals
Today is one of those sad days when you don't really want to share the news but know that lots of friends will want to know.
Buddy, a sponsor dog for a number of years, has passed away. During the last few days he become noticably frail and reluctant not only to go out for a walk but also to eat. So over the weekend he's been spoilt with some special chicken and today we had to make the decision that all pet owners dread.
Buddy came to us many years ago and found a home with a caring older couple. His dislike of other dogs was never a problem for them and despite his little tantrums they gave him a loving home. After losing his wife, Buddys owner continued to care for him until his own ill health meant he had to move to sheltered accommodation where he could not take Buddy.
As always with any of our dogs, we quickly arranged for Buddy to come back to us. His age even back in 2002 and his little ways made it difficult to find a new home and as he quickly settled into kennel life his future always seemed to rest with us. I spoke to Buddys owner shortly before he passed away in 2003 and at least he knew that Buddy would always be safe with us. His contribution to the Trust will always be remembered as in his will Buddys owner left a generous donation which helped make the Puppy and Special Needs Block a reality in 2005.
In the last 6 years Buddy has been a firm favourite with all the staff and even mellowed towards other dogs over time. He asked for very little and enjoyed the many treats and visits he received from all his supporters. All our dogs are special to us but the Sponsor Dogs are of course extra special and we will certainly all miss Buddy.
If Buddy did have any "doggy friends" in the kennels his best friend was certainly Jess, who has been with us for 3 years and I know Buddy would be delighted that Jess will be the latest Sponsor Dog.
We will be writing to all Buddys supporters but if you are one of his sponsors please accept our
sincere thanks for allowing us to care for Buddy on your behalf and we hope you will continue to support us, do let us know if you would like to move your sponsorship to Jess or any of the other sponsor dogs.
To happier news - the patter of tiny feet is definitely in the air at the moment. With two young litters to care for we now have another pregnant collie with us who was left tied to the owners ex-husbands car at the weekend (bad enough? But made worse by the fact she chewed through her lead and it wasn't for some time that the man realised and then had to find her at this time of year.) No I'm not going to share with you our thoughts on this one !!
Lots of more dogs needing our help on the horizon at the moment, I've got two trips out this week and we've lots arranged to come in during the next few weeks.
Yep in rescue - life goes on, sleep well Buddy.
Bye for now
Ben
Buddy, a sponsor dog for a number of years, has passed away. During the last few days he become noticably frail and reluctant not only to go out for a walk but also to eat. So over the weekend he's been spoilt with some special chicken and today we had to make the decision that all pet owners dread.
Buddy came to us many years ago and found a home with a caring older couple. His dislike of other dogs was never a problem for them and despite his little tantrums they gave him a loving home. After losing his wife, Buddys owner continued to care for him until his own ill health meant he had to move to sheltered accommodation where he could not take Buddy.
As always with any of our dogs, we quickly arranged for Buddy to come back to us. His age even back in 2002 and his little ways made it difficult to find a new home and as he quickly settled into kennel life his future always seemed to rest with us. I spoke to Buddys owner shortly before he passed away in 2003 and at least he knew that Buddy would always be safe with us. His contribution to the Trust will always be remembered as in his will Buddys owner left a generous donation which helped make the Puppy and Special Needs Block a reality in 2005.
In the last 6 years Buddy has been a firm favourite with all the staff and even mellowed towards other dogs over time. He asked for very little and enjoyed the many treats and visits he received from all his supporters. All our dogs are special to us but the Sponsor Dogs are of course extra special and we will certainly all miss Buddy.
If Buddy did have any "doggy friends" in the kennels his best friend was certainly Jess, who has been with us for 3 years and I know Buddy would be delighted that Jess will be the latest Sponsor Dog.
We will be writing to all Buddys supporters but if you are one of his sponsors please accept our
sincere thanks for allowing us to care for Buddy on your behalf and we hope you will continue to support us, do let us know if you would like to move your sponsorship to Jess or any of the other sponsor dogs.
To happier news - the patter of tiny feet is definitely in the air at the moment. With two young litters to care for we now have another pregnant collie with us who was left tied to the owners ex-husbands car at the weekend (bad enough? But made worse by the fact she chewed through her lead and it wasn't for some time that the man realised and then had to find her at this time of year.) No I'm not going to share with you our thoughts on this one !!
Lots of more dogs needing our help on the horizon at the moment, I've got two trips out this week and we've lots arranged to come in during the next few weeks.
Yep in rescue - life goes on, sleep well Buddy.
Bye for now
Ben
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