But before the question - an update on Tia. She'd doing fine and enjoying the scambled egg Sue keeps cooking for her each morning !!
Her owners will be repairing the fence and putting up watch towers and alarms to ensure she can't under any circumstances escape again and hopefully she'll be going back to them on Sunday.
So - the question, well there's two actually.
Some of you may already have been asked in the email newsletter that goes out, if so - return to the Sheep Game again :-)
But if not and you subscribe to Border Collie World would you prefer a printed copy or would you be happy to receive an email copy - or download one?
Secondly - for many years we've not shown photos generally on the website for dogs that are looking for a new home. The reason? We feel that on occasions people may be influenced in a positive, or negative way in respect of a particular dog, simply based on it's looks. Often we find that having discussed with staff a particular dog, a visitor may find it is just the right one for them, despite not initially meeting the looks they would consider. We've always said that if it is vital that a photo is needed we will try to help by emailing one.
But we're always open to comments from our supporters and those interested in our work - so what do you think. Does not having photos make you less likely - or even more likely to come to us? Do our reasons for not showing photos seem reasonable? Your views on these and anything else you feel relevant on this subject would be gratefully receieved so please do email us on info@bordercollietrustgb.org.uk
Bye for now
Ben
Friday, 27 February 2009
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
A Good News Day
Tia is safe and back with us!!
Rachel and Lisa went out today when we learned she had been spotted yesterday afternoon (after I'd left - typical) not that far from home. Armed with our trap, net, dogs and assorted paraphernalia they set off in pursuit. After a couple of hours she was spotted in the same field she had been seen yesterday and with the aid of some cheese and gentle persuasion she eventually surrended to Lisa.
Another happy ending
Ben
Rachel and Lisa went out today when we learned she had been spotted yesterday afternoon (after I'd left - typical) not that far from home. Armed with our trap, net, dogs and assorted paraphernalia they set off in pursuit. After a couple of hours she was spotted in the same field she had been seen yesterday and with the aid of some cheese and gentle persuasion she eventually surrended to Lisa.
Another happy ending
Ben
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Busy, busy, busy
Once again, sorry it's been a while but I can't believe where the time goes. One minute it's early February, next it's almost over.
Of course getting ready for the NEC Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show and then quickly followed by Crufts tends to keep us occupied, apart from all the usual stuff. The NEC show went very well and overall we saw a good attendance and quite some interest in our work which is exactly why we go.
At the kennels it's been a roller coaster of emotions recently. Still lots of dogs finding homes and plenty of dogs coming in from our waiting list but with the loss of another dog only shortly after homing it's dealt us a bit of a body blow. Tia was the last of 6 very shy and almost feral dogs we rescued last March and we were delighted when she found a home at the weekend with a couple who'd already rehomed a blind dog from us. We knew it would take a while for Tia to bond in anyway with them so they were fully aware of her issues.Unfortunately within a short time of arriving home she managed to slip past them into the rear garden and apparantly simply threw herself through the fence before disappearing into open countryside.
All the usual avenues have been dealt with and I've been out for a few hours today looking for any signs but without success. It's upsetting but when we look at the nature of some of the dogs we've taken in over the last two or three years and the success we've had with the majority I suppose we have to accept the ones where things like this happen and just try to ensure that we do everything we can to reduce the chances. All we can do know is keep our fingers crossed.
On a happier note there's a few new lines appearing in the collie shop and after the success of our showerproof fleeces over the last few years we hope the soft shell jacket we have on sale at Crufts (and on the website soon) will be as big a hit.
Don't forget if you are at Crufts do come and see us Hall 2 Stand 28
Bye for now
Ben
Of course getting ready for the NEC Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show and then quickly followed by Crufts tends to keep us occupied, apart from all the usual stuff. The NEC show went very well and overall we saw a good attendance and quite some interest in our work which is exactly why we go.
At the kennels it's been a roller coaster of emotions recently. Still lots of dogs finding homes and plenty of dogs coming in from our waiting list but with the loss of another dog only shortly after homing it's dealt us a bit of a body blow. Tia was the last of 6 very shy and almost feral dogs we rescued last March and we were delighted when she found a home at the weekend with a couple who'd already rehomed a blind dog from us. We knew it would take a while for Tia to bond in anyway with them so they were fully aware of her issues.Unfortunately within a short time of arriving home she managed to slip past them into the rear garden and apparantly simply threw herself through the fence before disappearing into open countryside.
All the usual avenues have been dealt with and I've been out for a few hours today looking for any signs but without success. It's upsetting but when we look at the nature of some of the dogs we've taken in over the last two or three years and the success we've had with the majority I suppose we have to accept the ones where things like this happen and just try to ensure that we do everything we can to reduce the chances. All we can do know is keep our fingers crossed.
On a happier note there's a few new lines appearing in the collie shop and after the success of our showerproof fleeces over the last few years we hope the soft shell jacket we have on sale at Crufts (and on the website soon) will be as big a hit.
Don't forget if you are at Crufts do come and see us Hall 2 Stand 28
Bye for now
Ben
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Another landmark - almost there
You might remember I recently mentioned that visits to the website were approaching 500,000. Well it's probably only 3 or 4 days away !!
As of this morning just 1039 visitors are needed to clock up the half million. The website in its current guise was first launched on 10th July 2002 and clocked up 16,000 visits that year, last year it was 102,000.
So I'll be keeping a close watch over the next few days and whilst I can't identify the person who hits the magic number, I'll be able to give you lots of information which you might just recognise as you :-)
The snow has just about left us now but the effect will be a round for a while as everywhere is so water logged. With the possibility of more snow tonight and continued low temperatures it looks like we'll be having the heating on for quite a while yet !!
Bye for now
Ben
As of this morning just 1039 visitors are needed to clock up the half million. The website in its current guise was first launched on 10th July 2002 and clocked up 16,000 visits that year, last year it was 102,000.
So I'll be keeping a close watch over the next few days and whilst I can't identify the person who hits the magic number, I'll be able to give you lots of information which you might just recognise as you :-)
The snow has just about left us now but the effect will be a round for a while as everywhere is so water logged. With the possibility of more snow tonight and continued low temperatures it looks like we'll be having the heating on for quite a while yet !!
Bye for now
Ben
Monday, 2 February 2009
Snow joke
So - soon be spring then eh? That's why the entire country has ground to halt then?
We had quite a settling of snow overnight but fortunately most staff managed to get to work. The problems came later on, after more snow and especially after the skip emptying wagon had been on our car park and turned all the snow into an ice rink.
So at 12 noon as I glanced out the office window, all I could see where two BT vans and a couriers van doing their own version of Dancing On Ice.
Never one to miss an opportunity to play with my Mitsubishi 4 wheel drive I was out like a shot and three vans and two cars later everyone was on their way!! Don't get to need 4 wheel drive and all its fancy gearboxes very often but it left the drivers impressed with its capability.
Helped another car this afternoon and yes I'm like a big kid playing with his toys - but I don't care :-)
Well what a busy month during January. 61 dogs found new homes which is our best ever month and very welcome in light of the number of dogs we've been asked to help recently and also in light of the current economic situation.
Plans are underway not only for Crufts next month but for our stand at The Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show at the NEC in a couple of weeks.
Right I'm off to polish the tow rope again as I'm sure it hasn't seen its last outing this winter!!
Bye for now
Ben
We had quite a settling of snow overnight but fortunately most staff managed to get to work. The problems came later on, after more snow and especially after the skip emptying wagon had been on our car park and turned all the snow into an ice rink.
So at 12 noon as I glanced out the office window, all I could see where two BT vans and a couriers van doing their own version of Dancing On Ice.
Never one to miss an opportunity to play with my Mitsubishi 4 wheel drive I was out like a shot and three vans and two cars later everyone was on their way!! Don't get to need 4 wheel drive and all its fancy gearboxes very often but it left the drivers impressed with its capability.
Helped another car this afternoon and yes I'm like a big kid playing with his toys - but I don't care :-)
Well what a busy month during January. 61 dogs found new homes which is our best ever month and very welcome in light of the number of dogs we've been asked to help recently and also in light of the current economic situation.
Plans are underway not only for Crufts next month but for our stand at The Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show at the NEC in a couple of weeks.
Right I'm off to polish the tow rope again as I'm sure it hasn't seen its last outing this winter!!
Bye for now
Ben
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