Sue B

Another of my pet hates. I don't mind Hugo having the odd treat but not every time someone meets him in the park and why do people not ask first? There is a particluarly arrogant dog walker in Regents Park who thinks he is such a wonder with dogs - all he does is dole out treats to any dog who comes by and of course they all come running when they see him. Any fool can bribe a dog with treats, that does not make him a savvy dog person in my book, quite the opposite. Leading nicely to my next gripe; people who let their dogs get grossly overweight - they are realy harming their dogs, its a form of cruelty

A few to be going on wth Lack of committment, they think they love thier dog until he/she gets in the way of thier holiday/new partner/ lifestyle etc. People walking dogs off lead on the street. People tying their dogs up outside a shop (where they can't see their dog) People not picking up. Thinking having pedigree "papers" means thier dog is something special, i.e. only valuing a dog if its a so called pedigree. Especially hate all this designer crossbreed nonsense too.

I am going on the Sunday, as Hugo is in the Golden Oldie finals. Best of luck to Teija on Saturday.

I swear Hugo has a secret pocket watch When we are at work, come five pm he starts pacing up and down the office and looking meaningfully at me, he is a real clock watcher. This is the same even when the clocks have just gone back or forwards, so its nothing to do with sun position or light. I wouldn't mind, but I rarely leave at 5pm anyway, I am always trying to catch up on some work - do you think he has read his contract and is working to rule? He also knows exactly what time I should get up at weekends - with no alarm clocks involved, if its 9am, its park time, no matter how tired I am. Of course, his meals must always be served when expected, god forbid I am a bit later getting them ready Don't know if its an oldie thing to be such a creature of habit or if he has always been like that.

Thanks Kathy! So glad that Gabi has a distraction to help ease the pain over losing Mel and that Ginny has a great foster mum. Another bonus is Charlie having a good playmate - bless your Charlie for his friendliness to other dogs Ginny is adorable

Ahem! We are in London and we do low cost neutering/microchipping and vaccs, regardless of income. Neutering is also totally free for all bull breeds and bull breed crosses.

If you want some serious bling, take a look at these http://www.hollyandlil.co.uk/index.htm I met one of the ladies who runs this business in the park, she is a very nice woman and has an adorable Lab cross. They also very kindly promised to donate some of the profits from their collars to us.

Love the Miss Marple description I hasten to add that this coat was given to me, I didn't choose it! Have to say it does suit little Bow very well, she is a very dignified old lady. Am so pleased to hear about her huge progress, may all rescue dogs find a Gandma Squiggs of thier own.

Roar-ee, Deepesst respeckt to yoo mayte, I neffer, effer pee in de hows, eye yam a gud boy, but eye did wunce piss up de leg hof an Vee Eye Pee gest at a ferry himportant Mayhoo funkshon Hit woz a reel haccident, fort he wus a tree Pee Ess, mumee sumtymes torks abart a "f**kin ell dog" too, hewshally wen eye haff niked sum fud eye shudant haff. Hedited to say, dis is Hewgow speekin

Oh my word, what a really adorable dog and what a lovey tribute What was his story? Sorry if I missed it before. Re the song, it may be cheesy but never fails to make me leak, the words remind me of saying goodbye to foster dogs, they seem really appropriate for that, especially these ones: "bittersweet memories that all I am taking with me, so goodbye, please don't cry, we both know I am not what you need. I hope life treats you kind And I hope you have all you've dreamed of. And I wish to you, joy and happiness. But above all this, I wish you love"

It just takes you through to Photbucket, is it me or is the link wrong?

Thanks ReikiAnge, I already gave her some Serene-um earlier, which has worked wonders with Hugo's firework fears in the past, but I think she is just too scared for it to have any effect, also tried some TTouch. Funnily enough, the yobs legged it when they saw me just now, I am all of five foot 3 and nearly fifty, didn't think I could be quite so scary but I was absoltely incandesant with rage

Just gone and screamed my self hoarse at some yobs letting fireworks off in the street they didn't take much notice, called the police as well, they told me they had had loads of calls about the same incident and would send someone round as soon as they can. They had better do it soon as Vicky is shaking,drooling, panting and has squeezed herself into my tiny toliet - she has a heart murmur amongst other things, she really does not need this Another one has just gone off. Am going out again to scream like a wishwife.......... wish me luck

Oh my God! Her face is so like Hugo's and he even does that head rubbing thing too. Difference is, he has got a totally bald nose Is that part of her skin problems and do you think her fur might grow back? Great to see how much happer she looks, she seems very bonded with Grandma Squiggs already Bless you again for all you have done for her, I think she will be with you a while yet. PS Will look out some suitable coats on Monday and send them off, hope she likes them.

Its official! Hugo's picture is now on the Scruffts website, see linky (and scroll down): http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/1388

A very happy secod Gotcha Day, Michigan. I have met you in the flesh and you are extremely handsome and very soppy Hugo has a special message for you: Deer Mitsheegun, Yoo cannot paws-i-billy eet awl dat cayke by yoo selff, I musst come and elp yoo! (mi mummee neffer maykes me caykes ) Manlle paw shaykes, Hewgow xx

Sobbing here

Bless you Helen, Grandma Squiggs and all the Squiggs from the very bottom of my heart, you are really, really special people. You have given this poor little girl lots of love and comfort and the chance of some happiness. Is there a fund for her vet treatment? If so, i would like to contribute, if there isn't a rescue pot its coming out of, perhaps I could donate to a chosen rescue (Dogstar?) in her name. Wishing all the best for little Bow Edited to add, she looks like my Hugo, or rather she will look like my Hugo when her fur is all grown back and silky again and when she has regained her trust

Oh Gawd, Hugo drives me demented with this, he seems to delight in doing it most when I am in a hurry. I wouldn't mind him being slow if it was just his age, but he can shift when he wants to: like whn its time to go to his favourite park or when he spots food. I am thinking of changing his name to "Come onnnnn Hugo!"

I was trying to come up with something along those lines and you have said it perfectly. Claz, if anyone doubts your decision or gives you grief, I would like to ask them to think long and hard about what wanting the best for dogs is all about, because they really don't know

Welcome to your new home, Barney, you look very happy and settled already, love your big smile. Long may his silliness continue PS He is a very handsome dog

Had a lovely experience in the park today, I recognised an ex foster of mine from five years ago - one I only fostered for a few nights - and he remembered me! While talking to his owner, I also discovered an amazing coincidence; she used to live a short distance from my dog, Hugo's ex owner for a long time, and although she didn't know Hugo or his owner that well, used to see him out and about. I don't know if most oldie owners feel the same, but I love to get any snippets of info about his former life - Hugo's ex owner is a little eccentric and not able to give what we felt was reliable info about him. The main thing I learned is that he really is as old as she said he was (16, to be 17 in January) and that he was a very cute puppy She also said what I originally suspected, that his owner loved him in her own way, but was not coping well - she had three other dogs - and they were never on lead on the street - this is in a busyish part of London Now all I have to do is to bribe her to go round to his ex owner's house on some pretext and steal puppy photos of him

This may not be of much help, but in my fostering experience, I found that a lot of dogs under a year get travel sick, but they usually grow out of it by the time they reach maturity. In other words, you may only have to put up with this for a few months Also, the more he associates being driven with nice things (walks) the more he might relax and not be so inclined to feel sick. Another thing you could try, is to crate him with a cover over the crate, if he can't see out he may feel better about the experience and also less likely to feel queasy from the movement not relating to what he is seeing - a big cause of nausea.

I have fostered countless dogs for our centre and although I don't get paid that well in my 'proper' job, I would not feel comfortable at all in getting paid for the fostering. We do get all necessary stuff provided, such as food, toys vet treatment etc, so no money needs to change hands anyway. I like to treat my fosters to extra nice things and toys occasionally, out of my own pocket, so fostering actually costs me, albeit not a large sum and I'm sure most other foster carers do the same. To me it just doesn't feel right to pay for foster carers, it should be done for love and love alone. The danger of paying for this service might mean less than committed people applied to do it, possibly seeing it as any easy ride - which done properly it isn't always.

Too sad about this to have posted earlier, I only met Mel a few times when she was at The Mayhew, but she was just the kind of dog I like most. I was thrilled when I heard that Gabi - one of our nicest volunteers - was going to foster her, and not at all surprised when she decided to adopt her. Then Kathy got to know Gabi and told me what great pals Mel and Charlie had become, and I had the lovely experience of seeing that in action in the park. Mel was the sweetest, nicest dog and I know she will be sorely missed by her family. The only consolation is that I know she had the very best life with Gabi and her partner and at least had some months of joy. Sleep well little Mel.