smirnoff

So sorry, Margaret. I know how much you adore all your animals and I know how special Merlin is. Run free in the summerlands, Merlin. I'm so pleased you have so many over there to welcome you. Say hi to my gang if you see them.

A nursing home near me is looking for a dog in response to a petition from the residents. They're after a young dog though, hoping that it won't need to much in the way of vets fees. I took a friend's yorkie pups in to see the residents where I work a couple of weeks ago and all the residents thought it was wonderful. It would be so good for them to have an animal around. They are technically allowed to take their own pets in with them but they have look after them themselves and if they're ill enough to need nursing care they're not well enough to look after a pet. I think it would be wonderful to have a resident animal in a care home. Pat dogs are great but having someone around all the time would really brighten their lives. I'm sure there's a way round this. Good luck with it.

A home near me is doing this too - in response to a petition from the residents. But they're looking for a younger dog who hopefully won't need too much in the way of vets fees. I really wish the home I worked in for a while would do this but it would mean that staff would have to look after the animal and they're so short staffed they struggle to look after the humans. But I did take a friends 5 week old yorkie pups in to see them last week. The residents absolutely loved them. Dogs and cats in nursing homes is a lovely relationship. I wish more would do it. As for advice, sorry, I have nothing to offer. I just wanted to praise the idea.

I thought that this sounded like a really good idea and tried to buy one - the transaction rejected. I've just been on the phone to my credit card company and at the time I was trying to buy this someone was using my card details to get money from my account. Needless to say the transactions have been stopped and the card has now been destroyed. But do be careful with this site. It may not be all it seems. Diane

Awesome!

Isn't it a fab place. Only about 3 miles away from me and yet I hardly ever get there. Must make more effort this year.

Hi Margaret! It goes without saying that I'll help Homeless Hounds in any way I can. Unfortunately I'm not in a job where I can take a day off at short notice any more, but if I can help, I'll be there. I think you've all got my contact details. Diane

Brilliant news that they've withdrawn this ridiculous proposal. Shame they didn't consider whether or not it was unworkable before publishing it, but at least they've had the grace to admit their mistake.

Thinking of you, Margaret. Run free, Joe. Diane ps hope the new home is working out well.

Whereabouts is Bella?

Brilliant news! My daughter was asking me about this situation yesterday - I'm so pleased I'll be able to tell her that ben has been returned.

That's amazing! I've never had anything relevant from an animal communicator but I have had messages from humans who have "left" - so accurate that I can't do anything but believe there's something there. The major one was a message from my son through Tony Stockwell and, although I'd wanted a message, I was a mess for several days after it. Disturbing isn't close. But now it's an enormous comfort to know that he's well and that he thinks I did everything right for him. I guess it'll be a comfort to you to know that Dobbin's happy. And that poor foal - how awful it must have been for everyone to lose him like that. Can't wait to hear more!

Very true, Owl. I guess change is slow.

I've often wondered about this situation. It seems to me to be awful that a "nation of pet lovers" can watch while someone falls on hard times and has to give up their beloved pet. Talk about kicking someone when they're down! There are people who keep their dog and won't move where they can't take their pet. They live rough. The only hostels in our area won't take dogs either.I know that not everyone in this position has gone through this but as a Samaritan in Derby I have met these people before and after losing their accommodation. Living rough is no fun. Lots of people value their rental properties very highly (rightly so - they're a big investment) and never see them as their tenants home. It's always the landlord's asset. Then there's the problem of people who fall ill and cannot take care of their animals. There's no one to help them, even if it's a temporary thing. Nowadays we can't rely on families. Many people have no one nearby who can/will help. Or maybe it's someone who has to run away from domestic violence. I know people who won't leave an appalling situation because they won't leave the dog and can't take it with them. I feel so sorry for people who have to give up everything. I've personally fostered many cats and dogs while their owners are going through a rough time and everyone's delight when things are sorted and everyone's reunited makes it all worthwhile. But is there not a way of organising something nationally where help could be offered. I know the cinnamon trust does some excellent work helping with elderly and terminally ill, but it's not enough. I'm thoroughly unconvinced about the compassion of our nation nowadays. Diane

Our auction finishes at 8pm tonight. Still time to grab a bargain!!!!!

That stuff sounds wonderful - and very well worth a try. Neither of mine have fear aggression, but I've bookmarked the page so I can give it a try if I have an aggressive dog to deal with again. Diane

Completely agree with the article (except for the Norfolk bit - that's very odd!) But totally in favour of dealing with the dangerous people who own dogs, and not the dogs who don't start out as dangerous. Wouldn't want to take that Chihauha on - he looks evil!!!!!

Don't know of one which specialises, but my daughter has lodgers and makes it clear they have to be dog lovers to apply. I'll ask her which site she uses when I see her this weekend . Diane

Rochdale Dog Rescue forum is having an online auction to raise funds so we can carry on saving dogs' lives. Few people realise that dogs who end up in a pound have only 7 days for their owner to claim them or to find a place of safety. At the end of seven days, they can be (and often are) put to sleep. Rochdale Dog Rescue take the dogs who reach their time limit and get them to rescue spaces around the country or pay to keep them in emergency boarding until a space can be found. So, to help raise the money we need we have an online auction twice a year. This is the perfect place to find a new home for that lovely present from Auntie Mabel, or that pile of stuff lurking under the stairs that you've been meaning to take to the car boot..... Or join in the bidding and grab yourself a bargain. The auction runs from Saturday 9 January to Saturday 23 January. You can get to the Rochdale Dog Rescue forum through the website, www.rochdale-dog-rescue.com

Excellent idea for a novel Christmas present for someone who has everything - but blimey they're expensive!

Sending love. Diane

Thank you, Caroline. Oldies club have already offered to put him on the waiting list. If he's cat friendly I'll probably go and get him and foster him myself. My contact is away this week so I can't do anything until next week but then I'll work something out with her. Diane

Apparently Roly is quite happy in the kennels. I have to say that it's a very posh kennels and the dogs even have their own TVs in their rooms. I'll be monitoring the situation, and if there's no interest by next weekend I'll be checking on whether he's cat friendly or not and then possibly moving him to foster (which might just be my house!).

This is Roly He's a terrier cross - obviously a bit of Jack Russell in there, and also some Patterdale, but probably a variety of others too. Sadly, Roly's owner died recently and since then he's been in boarding kennels. He's about 8 or 9 but may be a little older and his owner adored him, so she'd love to know that he's going to find a lovely forever home now that she's gone. A friend of his owner has asked me if I can find him a new knee to sit on. He's been an 'only dog' for most of his life, used to having an owner who's at home with him most of the time - so he'd be ideal for someone who's at home a lot. In his first couple of years he did have another dog in the household and they got on just fine, so no doubt he'd be fine in a house with other canine companions. I don't think he's used to having long walks, although the man from the kennels has been taking him for some good walks recently. Apart from that, I don't know a lot about him apart from the fact that he loves Bonios!! Does anyone know of a home waiting for this lovely little guy. He's currently in Derby, and if he's lucky enough to find somewhere I'll be happy to arrange a homecheck and transport. Diane

doggy finger puppets - but could become key rings.... http://chrisknitsinniagara.blogspot.com/2008/04/puppy-puppets.html scrunchies to sew http://fosteringlove.tripod.com/id7.html large fabric ball to sew http://www.sewing.org/html/fabric_ball.html dog toys (bones) http://www.craftstylish.com/item/40451/how-to-embroider-a-chew-toy-for-mans-my-best-friend fleece tuggers http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/fleece-rope-dog-toy/index.html braided leads (made from fleece they have a stretch and agility/obedience people love them) http://www.netw.com/~rafter4/braidpjts.htm crocheted mini doggie http://haakpoes.blogspot.com/2006/10/mini-doggie-pattern.html crocheted animals - don't know the size http://ibrakeforyarnpatterns.blogspot.com/2006/10/stuffed-animal-cal-week-three.html