Sue B

Got the PM thanks, will send template tomorrow from work. Handsome Hugo is fine and sends his love, I also have a longterm foster girl, Vicky, who adores him. Both are snoring away at the moment after a few piggy lugs.

We order the tins (well, they are actually plastic) and make our own labels on Word then laminate them. You can get them specially printed but unless you are doing thousands, its not really worth it. I use the scotch sticky tabs to stick the labels on. Sam, if you want me to email you my template word document that is set at the right size for standard collection boxes (as on the blue one on this link) http://www.direct-fundraising.co.uk/3.html pm me your email addy

Thats awful, have they no knowledge of breed anatomy? My Hugo - who is not a sighthound but elderly and arthritic - obviously finds it uncomfortable to sit, he either stands or lays down, depending on his mood. I have lost count of the amount of 'helpful' people who try to encourage me to get him to sit, what for? If its not comfy for my little man, then it doesn't happen!

I think (hope) a lot of oldies seem to be immune to some strains as they have come across them before, bit like us not getting so many colds when we are older. Don't know if its just luck, but Hugo has never caught kennel cough in the two years since I adopted him and considering he comes to work with me, it must mean he is fairly immune to most strains.

I am not a greyhound peep but I have never met one that could/would sit like other breeds do.

So sorry to hear about Lily, bless you for loving her and caring for her

So its not just me then, great, one to add to the list in volunteer training then

That really takes me back to my dog walking volunteer days, complete with headbutts, shin scrapes, extension lead rope burns (my fault) and the best of all, grass skiing - has to be experienced to be really appreciated. It was total fun and joy though and I do miss it a lot. PS was it just me or do your volunteers find they always develop a hole on the right knee of their trousers as well? (from kneeling down in kennels to pet the dogs) I would be interested to know if 'volunters knee' is just my own affliction or a common complaint.

A friend of mine got her last dog from there, and she is adorable. From what my friend told me, I think most of the dogs in that rescue are poodle crosses or at least have poodly type coats. Another of her friends also has had equally adorable dogs from there. Edited to add picture of said dog, she is the lovely cream coloured dog to the left of the picture with her owner, my dog, Hugo, is the bored looking one on the right!

I can confirm that those jumpers are excellant

How awful to have that extra upset on top of your loss We habe an affiliation scheme with Animal Friends Insurance, I've not tried them personally but have heard good things about them and they are a non profit organisation with all net profits going to animal welfare causes. Their is a link to thier scheme from our website, see link here http://www.mayhewanimalhome.org/howtohelpu...linsurance.html

Only just seen this, I am so pleased that Elsa's eye has not detiorated and will be having many happy ball chasing days to come Give her a big kiss from aunty Sue

A very happy birthday and Gotcha day, lovely Poppy Hope you enjoy yourself and have lots of lovely treats. Hugo and Vicky also send thier best wishes and sloppy kisses.

You feel so lucky? Looking at your fabulous house and your fabulous dogs, I think Dooley is also feeling very very lucky today. PS Can I move in too?

I voted for Dave too and I see that this name winning by mles I think its cute when dogs are called naff human names, especially ones that aren't usually used for dogs.

Although I think Huey genuinely loved Casper, I do think he let him down. Yes, he was right to say that he didn't want to rush him but throughout the whole show he constantly failed to give Casper concise commands and acted up for for the audiance far too much. He seemed to think that follwing the training was a bit above him, IMO. Also, don't assume that the bond you saw is down to Huey doing anything special, in my experience anyone who walks/pays attention to/spends time with a dog that is in kennels would get the same happy response

Kathy's dogs are even more stunning in the flesh PS In case anyone is jealous of the good weather, these pictures were taken last weekend, the weather in London right now is as miserable as everyone else's!

I'll put them up for you Kathy. And I sneaked one in of my Hugo, who was watching CB and Ela's antics from the sidelines

Thanks for the kind comments Wendy I am so pleased Poppy liked the treats and has eaten all her dinner as well. I know how distessing it is when a dog won't eat, as Vicky wasn't eating much when I first took her on - she clears her plate now though. Hope the adorable Poppy continues to do well, she is one of my favourite Refuge dogs

I am pleased for Chump but really really wanted Cookie to win, think of the brillaint PR that would have been for Staffies. Still, at least her getting as far as the final will have gone some way to convincing people that they are great dogs. I voted for her three times and I have never voted on reality shows before.

My name is Sue and I work in the Fundraising Dept of The Mayhew Animal Home. I have not fostered for the Oldies Club, but have fostered many dogs for the Mayhew, my speciality and great love being oldies. I adopted a 14 year-old dog - Hugo - in 2005 and he is still going strong at 16 years old In January this year I was asked to foster a 12 year old dog - Vicky - who was very depressed in kennels. She is still with me and for medical reasons is unlikely to get a home, so she is a long term foster and I may well be her last home. Handsome Hugo Pretty Vicky

Oh my, she is the dead spit facially of my long term foster, Vicky: I assume she will resemble her even more when her weight is down to a normal size. Because of Vicky's markings and general shape, i always assumed she was a Collie/Rottie cross, I didn't consider a GSD/Dobie cross, though she may be on the small side to be that. What do you think?

I do have some more from today but this is Kathy's thread so I will let her post hers first............. Come on Kathy, hurry up!

Ermmm, like this Kathy???? Bit of an out take photo but shows his 'disgusted of Regents Park' face to perfection CB is far left of shot, having just sprayed Hugo with water, Vicky is getting her bottom in the way of the photo and Elsa is quietly sniggering at the top of the pic.