Jackthelab

That was a lufferly story, x

OMG!! That was our old vets before we moved, John O Connor is/was a very well known and respected vet amongst the greyhound people there, he was brilliant with all the dogs and was recommended by everyone in the area!!!!

You can always find somewhere within walking distance. The Hospice has a resident cat and the patients love him

don't often write about our visits to St Helena Hospice, but today I was profoundly moved and quite emotional. We generally visit on a Sunday afternoon but today as it is Mothering Sunday we went early so we can go visit my mum later. After doing the rounds of most of the rooms and Jack being fussed by all the nurses, the lovely chaplain and volunteers a young girl of no more than 10yrs old came to have a stroke, Jack is not one for giving kisses, but today he gave this young girl a really gentle one, I found out why he felt she needed it a bit later. Her mum, who was no older than I was in a private room, she had obviously undergone chemo and radiotherapy and was laying in her bed very poorly, her daughter sitting by her bed. Jack and I asked if we could come in and the lady beckoned us her tired face brightening up, she was thrillied to be able to stroke Jack and her daughter had a cuddle too. For one brief moment her illness may have been forgotten, a bit of light was brought into the room. You may think reading this that perhaps its a little melodramatic, but I was so moved I became quite emotional, as sadly it was quite likely she was there to die and this was her last Mothers day with her daughter. I came out and picked up the phone to my Mum and told her how much I loved her, because you only realise how much you do when they are gone. Natalie x

Well we will be ON the PAT stand at some point on Friday so it would be fab to see some Fugees

What a beautiful tribute... I am so sorry for your HUGE loss xxx Run free Hugo

As long as attribute to the author Its a smashing piece of writing

A MESSAGE FROM MAX My name is Max and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear. I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life. Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy now, that comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle. You smile at me, I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see a spirit, a soul inside who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrongdoing for just a simple moment of your time? That is all I ask. To slow down if even for a few minutes to be with me. So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of others of my kind, passing. Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat. Sometimes we age so slowly before your eyes that you do not even seem to know, until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes. Still the love is always there, even when we take that long sleep, to run free in distant lands. I may not be here tomorrow. I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed the waters from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their soul, and you will be angry at yourself that you did not have just "one more day" with me. Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me. We have now, together. So come, sit down here next to me on the floor. And look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I, heart to heart. Come to me not as "alpha" or as a "trainer" or even a "Mom or Dad", come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes, and talk. I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general. You decided to have me in your life (I hope) because you wanted a soul to share just such things with. Someone very different from you, and here I am. I am a dog, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls. I do not think of you as a "Dog on two feet"---I know what you are. You are human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still. Now, come sit with me, on the floor. Enter my world, and let time slow down if even for only 15 minutes. Look deep in my eyes, and whisper to my ears. Speak with your heart, with your joy and I will know your true self. We may not have tomorrow, and life is oh so very short. Love, Max (on behalf of all canines everywhere) Author: J. D. Ellis 2001

We are going to be going on Friday 7th, we are taking part in the Pets as Therapy Display in the main arena at 3pm and we are dead excited about it Also we have been asked to take turns in collecting for PAT so look out for us, there are only 3 Labs out of 50 dogs in the display so we are going to stand out

Well reherasals went well and Jack behaved himself thank goodness, it was lovely to meet other fellow PATters too. WE have been selected from over 500 applications, wow what ana amzing thing for us to do and we are looking forward to it. If you are going to Crufts please come and say hi on the PAT stand.

We are, we have been invited to take part in the Pets as Therapy display for the 25th Anniversary, we have rehearsals tomorrow and then if all is well we will be going on Friday. Anyone else?

LLLLLLL, he has found his new forever home and goes off on Sunday He will have 2 homes a lovely country estate and a town house He really has landed on his paws. So I wish him all the love and luck in the world

Chloe Update today from Joanne her foster mum Some good news, Chloe is eating again, although as fussy as usual! She didn't want her lovely chicken and rice, but raw liver with the other two, which she has turned her nose up at when offered before!!! Also, we've tried her with the buster collar off today, and she's not even doing anything to her tum where the wound is, its as though it was never there. And, big step, she's less growly grumpy last thing, I think she has been frightened we'd chuck her outside for the night or something, but she's learning that she actually has a life of luxury now! She's got OH wrapped round her iccle paw, he's a right softie! He's the one that tried her with raw liver tonight for her tea. She ate her chicken this morning so how it isn't ok tonight I don't know; and personally I'm such a meany, if they look fit and well and haven't got any problems, I'd just assume if they're not hungry enough to eat fresh boiled chicken and rice then they're not that hungry. And, funnily enough, if the OH leaves the room to get a drink or go for a fag, Chloe will try and nick his spot on the sofa, even though she knows she's not meant to. But if I've been sat where she wants to get up, she rolls her eyes and gives it the hard done by act, but doesn't want to push her luck. Now what does that say about me?

Just a quick update for Chloe fans She has been for her op to remove the skin tag as she kept chweing it and it got infected, here is what Jo her foster mum says We're back from the vet, the wound is healing up beautifull, but the buster collar has to stay on until next Friday when she has her stitches out, and I suspect they might say keep it on for a couple of days after that even so she doesn't lick where the stitches have been. She was poorly in the night, and I didn't notice in the pitch black when I took them out for last busies before settling them all down for bed, that she'd had a very runny poo, so she's obviously a bit under the weather and now has to be starved for 24 hours. Not a happy bun at all bless her, we have to monitor how she is and take her back in the morning if she's still a bit out of sorts. She did turn her nose up at her tea last night as well, fresh boiled chicken and rice and I don't think many dogs would!!!

A male German Shepherd dog has been found wandering on Davy Down this morning. He is badly mal nourished, has a collar but no tag. He has been taken to Basildon Police station and his details are on the web site:- www.doglost. co.uk.

You are more than welcome

Another item has been added a pencil drawing of your dog Beautiful pencil portrait

Meant to read Closing Date is Sunday 17th FEBRUARY Losing my marbles.... Thanks Michelle for pointing out such a GLARING error So get bidding

Hi all Some of you may already know, but I am the Labrador Link Rescue Co ordinator for Labrador Forums and Oldies is now a member of this networking group, and as such has been voted LF charity of the month. We have a member who makes tapestry dog themed cushions and auctions them for charity and she has kindly donated a couple to raise money for Oldies. If you would like to bid on them and as long as the MODS don't mind you can go onto LF and bid. I hope its OK to put a link up to the auctions Handmade pack of Five greetings cards Cushion with Yellow Labs/Gundogs Cushion Lab puppies The closing date for bids is Sunday 17th Jan All monies raised will be going to The Oldies

I just burst into tears seeing what an appalling state that poor babe is in, how on gods planet can a human being sit by an watch this happen!!!! It really does sicken me to the stomach. I hope that the people concerned are being prosecuted. I am sending all my love to Laska and to Freshfields, I hope that she makes a full recovery xxxxxx God bless her xx

Have cross posted, its a shame but somehow I don't think the Media want it to stop, it makes great Headlines and that sells papers

Blimey she does look similar bless her

Huge congratulations yay

Fantastic, thats 2 dogs I know now in the finals Well Done !

Poor girlie Thinking of you all xx