Sue B

Thank you and a hello wave from Hewgow, That picture was taken three days after I adopted him and on his first visit to Regents Park. Have to say I loved the picture of Bumpy being an honorary pointy in Claire's birthday thread too.

I always thought (hoped) some dogs were just naturally greedy - Hugo doesn't have a cut off point with most food, he would literally eat til he was sick if I let him. However, now I am curious to know if this is an indication of his past life. He was a bit plump when I got him, not healthily plump but saggy, dull coated, plump but I thought that due to his very friendly and trusting behaviour he hadn't had any ill treatment or neglect. In some ways his old home was far from ideal - he had no vaccs records, he was allowed out on his own because his elderly owner couldn't or wouldn't walk him and apparently the house was an absolute tip, but he acts as if everyone is his pal and that everyone should and would treat him nicely, so I assume he was loved and treated well in some ways. I know he loves scavenging (I don't let him do this, of course) and I assume as he was allowed out alone a lot he did this most of the day, do you think he wasn't being fed enough proper food at his old home and scavenging is what he had to do to survive

When I was a volunteer at Battersea, around four years ago, they had a policy of not rehoming any dog with people that were planning to move in the next six months. Of course, they may have changed their policy since then but thought you should know that.

Noooooo! it really works, honest! I have tried this with my mum's cat when I met her for the first time, she is supposed to hate strangers but she sat on my lap purring (mum was gobsmacked). It has also worked many a time with shy cats at the home. Pleeease try it!

A tip I picked up from the home to get a cat to relax with you: blink very quickly when looking at them, gawd knows how this works but it does, I think its a sign of friendship to a cat?

Hi Tegk68 we have used these moon collars (link) http://www.gandbmarketing.com/mooncollar.htm in The Mayhew with some success, one of my fosters wore one and it was so much easier than a lampshade collar, both for me and the dog. Sorry, I couldn't find a UK link but your vet might know how to get hold of one.

Have just seen it and its wondeful, thank you so much it made my day

Where's Baldwins? Must have some Sarsparilla for old times sake

He is Bruce Fogle's son and was also on a reality TV programme some years ago called Castaway. I also think he was shite at presenting the Crufts show as he kept stumbling over his words and getting the dog's breed and other stuff wrong. He also seemed a bit nervous and false.

You have seen it Kathy, I posted it when I first got Hugo. The cheeky beggar had only been with me five minutes and he was stretched out on my sofa, his head on a cushion, expecting room service I think you may have gone to a far posher school than me I remember East Lane. well the market, it was the only place in the world I have seen the drink Sarsperella, do you remember that drink or is it before your time?

Am pleased to do so Whatever made you think of that picture now, though? Its been over a year since I posted it. I also did a really bad photoshop job of his eyes in it as they looked yellow in flashlight, so if his eyes look a little odd, they are not in real life.

Sam, you lived in Peckham? Small world, I went to school there - grew up in Denmark Hill - Peckham Girls School was the pits, I got beaten up for being the only girl in full uniform, I was a bit of a swot and the other girls were all skinheads I think I am a good twenty years older than you so its unlikely we ever met. PS I had sticky back plastic, must have been a spolit brat

Beth, if that dog was golden colored and vaguely Lab crossed with a Mastiff type dog then SHE is very gorgeous, she came over with other dogs from Ireland recently and found a home with a very nice lady who also has a Cavalier Spaniel. They looked hysterical walking down the road together but apparently adore each other already She was probably recovering from being spayed at the time you saw her.

Hi, I'm Sue, I live in central London and work in the Fundraising Dept of The Mayhew Animal Home. Prior to getting my job there I did voluntary dog walking/fostering/homechecking for three years for The Mayhew. I adopted my lovely 15 year old, Hugo - see avatar - from our centre on January 12th last year. I also have a goldfish called Nutty Sorry I didn't get round to doing this sooner

I am up late on a school night as I have some time off - though I have to be up reasonably early tomorrow to take Hugo for his booster jab. Some more tales and photos of Caleb and Honey would be nice, Sam and Wendy (pretty please).

I would say that reading your posts you come across as articulate, intelligent, warm, caring and well educated. Thats not common in my book. Oh and people who call other people 'common' are probably have a huge chip on the shoulder and are secretly insecure (think Hyiacinth Bouquet)

David Seaman is also a lovely man, he adopted two rescue dogs from our centre some years ago

Hi Wendy, Have just noticed the time have a nice (non toxic) night. Off to bed now - Hugo is a bit confused to find me still up at this time - he sends his regards to Bumpy and Poppy.

Just to add, the cafe at Dulwich Park has a childfree area at all times. They also provide a play area. So they're providing facilities for both people with kids and those who'd prefer not to be in the same area. It works! I wish they would do that at the cafe I use in Regents Park, every weekend my peaceful timeout with Hugo in the park is ruined by hordes of unruly children not only running around screaming but also cycling round the seating area, chasing and trying to kick pigeons and just generally being a pain. The outside seating area is also used by many dog owners, we all ensure our dogs are not a nuisance to anyone but the parents don't give us the same courtesy. I don't have any objection at all to well behaved chidren and certainly don't expect children to be angels all the time, but allowing them to run riot seems sadly to be the norm in London. Having segregated areas may seem unfair to parents with well behaved children but they are definately in the minority in my experience.

We buy the knobbly rugs from Ikea for the kennels (I think the smaller ones though as they are around a fiver) They seem to last well and wash well.