Just a normal day - well okay not quite !!

Meet Punky, a shy and nervous collie who came to us a few weeks ago from another rescue. At first he was very withdrawn but soon got to know staff and it was obvious he was a very affectionate and loving chap.

Last Saturday Punky found a new home with a couple from Essex - wonderful. Unfortunately it didn't all go according to plan. No doubt yet another change in his routine and a stressful 200 mile journey to his new home upset the poor lad and as they arrived home and just the slightest of opportunities presented itself, he was off like the wind.

His new home is on an island with one road on and off so he was fairly well contained but it has vast open spaces and also quite a built up area he had to hide in. His new owners spent hours trying to find him and locals rallied around passing sightings, trying to help find him and doing everything they could.

I was in contact every day offering advice and even using Google Maps to work out his likely hiding places from the sightings - sure enough he was tracked to a caravan site (closed for the winter, near to the island coast). Despite finding the caravan he was using as shelter and everyones best efforts, Punky was just too afraid to come close enough to anyone and would run off at the slighest movement.

So it was decided that Rachel our Kennel Manager and myself would go and see if we could help. We left Rugeley at 5am on Wednesday and drove the 200 miles in just over 3 hours (not bad for the time of day). After a quick "plan of attack" meeting with Punkys owner we set off for the Caravan Site and within minutes spotted him but he ran off. We hoped he would respond to Rachel who had spent quite a bit of time with him but he had also been in the office and knew me as well.

For almost 2 hours he disappeared - obviously sussing out what was happening - then suddenly appeared again. Rachel remained by the caravan he had been sleeping under and I waited a short distance away. Suddenly Punky appeared near me, no doubt circling around Rachel to work out how he could get back to his den. Experience has taught us the best way to work is to crouch down, avoid eye contact and talk softly to the dog - and guess what - it worked. He crept towards me and I'm sure suddenly thought "I know you" as his tail was wagging and he looked so relieved. Once safely on a lead he was reunited with his new mom - who was, as you can imagine - very, very pleased to see him.

After a lot of thank yous (and a few tears) we left Punky fast asleep in his new bed in his new home and drove 200 miles back home. A long day? Yes. A tiring day? Yes. A worthwhile day? Without doubt one of the days that will remain with me for years and will certainly brighten up many a day when I need cheering up.

To see how many people have tried to help find Punky, all of whom had never met Punkys owners before, to see the look on his owners face when she realised he was safe and to see Punky curled up in his new bed, safe and well - Priceless, absolutely priceless. I don't need any Christmas presents this year - I don't think that could be beaten.

I think we've got our own little Christmas Story now - don't you?

Bye for now

Ben

Have you done all your Christmas shopping yet?

Yes it won't be long now will it? Like most recent years Christmas seems to creep up on me and before you know it - it's all over.

We've been kept busy recently with lots of mail orders and although it looks like the comparison to last year will show this year has seen a bit of a reduction in the value of sales we still have attracted lots of support from throughout the UK - and even a couple of orders further afield. Thank you for all your support in the present economic gloom - it is vital.

We've still lots of collies needing our help and we're doing our best to help as many as we can but of course rehoming will go quiet for a couple of weeks probably. Apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day we will continue to be open for rehoming throughout the holiday period. We strongly believe that we have to be available to help not only the dogs but also people who are looking for a new companion. As long as they are not having a busy and hectic holiday period with lots of people visiting we see that for many people it's not much different to a long weekend.

It's important to consider the dogs welfare but we've always found that the vast majoirty of people who rehome during this period have already considered this and are well aware of the pitfalls of rehoming if you've a busy social life over Christmas.

I'm looking forward to Christmas Day - the staff working that day will be eating with Sue and myself and we've got a couple of other guests as well. Then in the afternoon the tradition - as always - will be handing out presents to the dogs staying with us and generally having a good time.

I shall try to fit in another blog entry before the big day - but just in case - hope you have a happy and peaceful holiday and that 2009 is kind to you. Everyone connected with Border Collie Trust and especially the 470 plus dogs who have found new homes this year thank you so much for your interest, emails, cards, letters and invaluable donations and support.

Bye for now

Ben