SIGHTHOUND RESCUE

 For those who just want a quick update and haven't the time to read our blog here is our
Latest News.

AUCTION TIME NEXT MONTH.

We're pleased to announce that once again we'll be teaming up with Greyhound Rescue to hold an online auction.  The auction will begin at 8pm on November 22nd and will end at 8pm on December 6th.

We're currently on the look out for items.  If you think you can help with any unwanted items or know any businesses that may wish to make a donation we'd love to hear from you.

A VERY SAD FAREWELL TO ARRIE & ECCLES

Last week Greyhound Rescue had to let 2 of their older boys go.  Eccles had bone cancer and the pain became too much for him to bear and dear Arrie lost the use of his back legs.  Two lovely boys who spent far too many years languishing in kennels when they could have been on comfy sofas - thankfully for the last couple of years of their lives Gail and Malcolm provided them with the love and home comforts they so deserved.  RIP boys. X

FRECKLES IS BACK

Sadly Freckles returned to us yesterday October 14th, once again through no fault of her own.  We really feel that she's had a disruptive year and don't want her to go through anymore changes so she will be staying with us and will becoming one of our NEW sponsor dogs.

LONG TERM FOSTERS FRECKLES AND COADY FIND HOMES.

Just as we were beginning to think we might have 2 more permanent residents, Freckles and Coady were both offered a home, and by coincidence both in St Clements.  Freckles was the first to 'go home' and after a day of major sulking we were all concerned that perhaps she was missing her canine pals. However it soon dawned on her that getting all the attention and all the toys and treats was actually quite a good deal!

By all accounts she is keeping her new Mum and Dad entertained.  We hope they'll all enjoy many laughs and fun times which are guaranteed with Freckles.

Freckles with her new Mum and Dad.

It didn't take Freckles long to adopt her very own armchair!

Coady went to his new home on September 21st and soon followed suit with Freckles, though not content with an armchair he thought he'd make a claim on the whole sofa.  Coady has been settling in fabulously with his new Mum and Dad and just like Freckles is enjoying the one to one attention.  Ssh, don't tell anyone I told you so, but he's also got a new lady friend - Olive the greyhound who lives just round the corner.  By all accounts they've been enjoying lovely runs on the beach together.

Coady with his Mum and Dad

A comfy sofa, fluffy cushion and a teddy bear, what more could a lurcher boy ask for?

"It's hard work, that posing for photos lark"

Both these lucky hounds have found super homes and we thank Guy & Gillian and David & Elaine for giving 2 special hounds these wonderful opportunities.

MANY THANKS TO THE ST MARTIN'S CAR BOOTERS

Last week I received a text message from Cathy Le Marquand asking if I'd be in later that day.  Indeed I was and welcomed Cathy, Angela, Karen & James in to meet the gang.  I was totally gobsmacked to find out the reason for their call was to donate their takings from the St Martins Car Boot that they had attended the Sunday before.  We are extremely grateful and would just like to say a very big thank you for their generosity.  Below are some photos of their stall.

POPPY/LEXI GOES HOME & FLETCHER RETURNS.

Tuesday 1st September was a first for us with a departure and arrival all on the same day.  Within a couple of days of her arrival Lexi had a home offer, but her family were going on holiday so she stayed with us for the duration.  I loved the experience of having a puppy around and this girl was just so special and I'd been dreading parting with her.  The good news is her Mum and Dad are friends from work so I'll have regular updates and will be able to see her.  She has settled well and has already got up to many cheeky puppy antics, one of which was stealing a pepperoni pizza (I wouldn't have wanted to be on poo collecting duty that day!).  She's adored and is having a wonderful time, I couldn't ask for more than that.  Thanks to Chris and Cherie for offering Lexi a fabulous home.

Who wouldn't fall for the charms of this little cutester?!

Lexi's last breakfast time with us.  She fitted in and enjoyed being one of the gang.
I was proud of my lot as they were as good as gold with her.

Fletch flew in that afternoon.  He was being returned, or should I say we had to go and collect him - his family had moved to England.  We would be continuing his care which his family couldn't provide for.  It was a sad affair and you can read more in our blog.  He came back with an open, infected wound and sores from his dressing, but despite all this he's remained a cheerful chap and although I don't want to tempt fate, so far his progress has been very encouraging and his wound has remained closed, though for the moment there is the danger that the would could open up again.

Not the most flattering shot and if we could see his rear I'm sure his tail would be wagging!
Such a happy chap despite his injury.

The day after he arrived his wound was stitched closed.
It partially opened and now has been reinforced with beads so that the stitches don't tear through the weak and damaged tissue.

WE HAVE A NEW RESIDENT - MEET FOXY.

When we heard about a 10 year old ish ginger whippety X girl in the pound with a large mammary tumour we just knew we had to offer her a place with us.  Once her time was up, which is 8 days, when a stray is bought in, we dreaded to think what might happen.  So on the 8th day, which was August 25th, a special friend 'bought this girl out' as they say and so began her journey from the North of England down to meet me in Bristol, 2 volunteer transporters were involved in her delivery - so thanks to all involved.  We decided this girl looked like a whippet x fox, hence the name Foxy.

Her outlook was pretty bleak, and we homed her in the knowledge that she was likely to be terminally ill.  With tumours that size, there was a strong possibility they had already spread.  We've been through a quite a rollercoaster ride with her, but so far her results have come back much more positive than we ever would have imagined.  Monday 14th September is a big day for our girl as she is having all her tumours removed.  She's a tough cookie, who is enjoying life far too much to give up at this stage, so we hope and pray all goes well for her.

Foxy trying out one of the dog beds.
(Note my nephew in the background not wanting to disturb the dogs - he knows the score in our household!) 

 
Foxy soon discovered the sofa.

A BUNDLE OF MISCHIEF AND A SUPERSTAR HAVE ARRIVED.

On Saturday 15th August myself and 2 new fosters arrived on Jersey's shores.  Meet Poppy the little bundle of mischief, plus Elvis 'un hah hah' the superstar.

Poppy & Elvis meeting for the first time!

Now you can see why she's referred to as the 'bundle of mischief' and our very well behaved superstar Elvis.

NB We are pleased to announce that Poppy is now reserved.

OUR FRIENDS AT GREYHOUND RESCUE SUFFER ANOTHER LOSS.

We were so desperately sorry to hear that just 10 days after losing Turk, Gail and Malcolm's brindle boy Flynn had passed away.

COADY HAS HIS OP.

Coady our foster boy arrived with us in April, he came from Cork DAWG who rescued him and also discovered that he had an old hip injury.  The most likely cause was a collision with a vehicle as the hip  joint was impacted.  This had healed but he was left with a unique walk where he'd sometimes have a little skip.  This didn't bother him in the slightest and he could run as fast as the rest of the group, but if left arthritis would develop later on in his life.  The vets advised that by having his hip joint removed, as drastic as it sounds, he should go on to make a full recovery without any further problems.

Due to DAWGs constant influx of dogs and the long term care Coady would need it was decided he should come to Jersey for his operation and convalescence thereby freeing up a much needed foster space in Ireland.  So he arrived and despite being very quiet for the first few days, he soon found his feet with all our dogs giving him the confidence he initially lacked. His operation was booked for June 4th once we'd returned from holiday.

The operation went very well and in technical veterinary vocabulary we were told the joint really was 'cream crackered'!  Coady doesn't like the confines of a kennel and certainly let the veterinary nurses know, so I think they were relieved when we collected him.  At home Coady found it difficult to settle and was quite distressed, so we prepared ourselves for a long night - which it was.  You feel so helpless as well as guitly for putting them through this.  We went back to the vets the next morning and had another painkilling jab and antibiotic.  We also brought back some sedation if he didn't settle again.  Fortunately he became much more relaxed and is doing well hopping round on 3 legs.  He has to rest until Tuesday when we return for a check up and to be shown exercises to help mobilise the affected leg.  So, so far so good.  Here's a couple of shots of the patient.

NEW BLOG - LIFE AT THE MADHOUSE.

If you visit the site from time to time you may have noticed that updates can be a bit sporadic to say the least.  I guess it's a sign of modern day society where we always seem to be up against the clock, and our household is no exception.  Full-time work, 15 dogs, family, other animals - this doesn't leave much free time, but I'm not complaining, just making excuses!! But from June 1st there will now be a weekly/fornightly updated blog of all the goings on of 'Life at the Madhouse'! So I must get typing...

JET TURNS ON THE CHARM...

Jet our handsome young foster boy turned on the charm at our recent Sighthound Social walk and decided he would befriend Cathy, and even invited himself up onto her lap, the evidence is in the photo below if you look carefully...

Well, Cathy certainly fell for Jet's charming ways and offered him a permanent home.  We're pleased to report that Jet, now known as Cody is settling well with Cathy's hound gang and little Timmy.  Thank you to Cathy for offering Cody this opportunity.

OUR FIRST 'SIGHTHOUND SOCIAL' WALK.

On Sunday 26th April we had our first Sighthound Social walk.  Owners and their sighthounds were invited to meet for a walk, then return to La Fregate cafe for refreshments, dogs invited too of course!

At West Park waiting for all the pointy noses to arrive!

We were really chuffed with the turnout and thank you to all who attended.  It was good to see a mix of greyhounds, whippets and lurchers - though some of the dogs took some persuading to accept that Whisper really was a lurcher with his stunning long coat!  Alfie the retriever also joined us, to be honest he probably thinks he's a sighthound as he's generally surrounded by them.

 Our best attempt at a group shot.

Donna's gorgeous lurcher quartet, Whisper, Woozle, Ludo & Kizzy.

Whatever it was Mikey decided to get a better view.

It would be one of my boys that forgot his manners!

We hope to make this a regular event, so please check the site for future dates.

FLETCHER HAS A 'TAIL' TO TELL!

SONNY HAS GONE HOME.