lester

[ I will be raising funds for Oldies Club and Precious Poundies www.preciouspoundies.co.uk/ If anyone can help and/or would like to help me at the stalls (Midlands area) please let me know. Well if you have room , you can have some baskets . I dont have so many in stock now - as I havent had much joy in getting any rescues to take any. I have a few hamper types that can be filled for raffles but can now make these , their are flower baskets for weddings and very quick to make , although the pic doesnt have the right handle. Non doggie stalls love these as its usually possible to sell 6 in a day and at £ 12 to £15 each they underwrite stall rent,. They are made from offcuts from bigger baskets so cost nowt. Also if you need to borrow any show stuff to start up with gazebo, displays . we have a lot of stuff knocking about, and if you need any help with banners, etc just ask. What kind of shows are you doing?. We did a few really big show last year of the craft/country/forest type and any dog/rescues input we had went down really well. ( over 2,000 cards for one organisation ) But Its really difficult becausee rescues just done want to handover any leaflets etc; for the fundraising or publicity. Filled hampers do well .even on a stall we took at a Letting agents/landlords business show. ( Petlets)

The original query was about buying a carpet cleaner , which i though mean the whole carpet sorry fo rmy mistake. If its just a spot cleaner that is required a sponge and a bucket of hot water is very useful. I was condemning the use of shampooing type machines. ,,,,( please do not put words in my mouth ) extraction type machinations can be useful in the right hands .

NO No No... Okay I put my hand up to a vested interest ---owning a cleaning company but I am gobsmacked here!!!!!!! We are in the 21st century now, its not good to be using 19th century cleaning techniques ..if you have pets ( and carpets) avoid the domestic carpet shampooing devices like the plague.. They do not clean properly and leave behind a deepsludge that dries and harbours all kinds of nasties and will eventually smell. Beware of people that will tell you otherwise, its all a big con. You cannot even sanitise a carpet with one of these contraptions.. Even if you cant afforda proper cleaner to come in and make a proper job of it---throw out the carpets or use one of the dry powder brush in processes for cleaning and a seperate sanitiser. You will need two good vacuums - a two motor upright and a a lightweight edger , both with at least hepa filters. Dont go and hire a Rug Doctor either. Professional companies will do special test and remove the sludge you are harbouring along with the bacteria and virus that you have been hosting. They will also give you advice on safe Ozone blasting and UVC treatments that will help make your home safe and free from allergens for you, your pets and visitors ( and help keep the houses value)

Well, I should really be composing my thoughts so I can put up a First Gotcha Day proclamation that is due in a little while. Like most else in his life something has happened. Quite recently we have discovered a vast amount of information about his history. He has been masquerading as a Geordie Stafft Cross. Now it seems, no is definitely not any kind of Bull breed, and may not even be British. We are in the middle of this, so will write an update on it all for his gotcha day. More info comes though the network now we have got the ball rolling. Everything is bothe explained and much turned on its head. we have got so much wrong in his health and behaviour issue, but are now on the right road, thankfully.

Well they say there is nothing new under the sun. Many years ago I spent considerable time doing research in the British Library . Family history , you understand- one of my ancestors was an established "pure" dealer for the tanning trade. ( not much change there either really) One of the articles I came across in a neswpaper expressed deep concern for the number of young men , who in parts of London were using vicious looking dogs in order to intimidate people. I wish I could remember the exact date but it was around 1803 and it was a copy of the Times

The refuge in the second article says it cannot homecheck every person that takes an animal. Oh Dear However most volunteer homecheckers woudl be out of their depth if the were also asked to check out the mental condition of someone with lots of practise in evading regulations, and covering things up. At the other end of the scale I was recently asked to provide two personal references on a volunteer application form . so that I could pick litter up after an event. ( which is funny because I run litter management course for event organisers) Every rescue has their own way of doing things--- or maybe they have .... the way they actually think they are doing things and a reality that mey not match. ...Perhaps some kind of organised training/ national standards would be a way forward>. I havent really got an answer.

There have been much worse cases , but the frightening thing about this one is that they were rehoming from the internet, and were working to very good ideals. I would feel particulaly wretched if I was involved in any kind of Rescue or organisation that had dealt with them. Sadly there are too many of these people, its not always easy to spot them. The good intentions are one thing but sometimes people do stretch themselves too far before they realise thay are doing more harm than good. Trouble is when anyone tries to point this out , the usual response is one of complaint and attack., which can offten turn into a feeding frenzy . There have even been internet sites where this was the general rule, doing immense harm and evem ejecting those who question the people involved. I take pleasure in the fact that the Refuge is not one of those places, and that, generally the membership act and think in the right way.

I have to put a lead on Texas and then run to the greenhouse. WUS!

The sad thing is that many local authorities are not really aware of their responsibilities concerning some pets or tend to gloss over them. ( expense ) Also the Cinnamon truts isnt as well knowns as it shopuld be , I have seen a number of appeals on this website that should have gone straight to them. Likewise the Oldies Club, Far too often it is just automatic,with no thoughts or attempst to provide any info. I will not rant any further, but it s a hobby horse of mine. Teddy Texas was four years in Kennels because his previous owner was in care. And I am eternally grateful that he came to me because some lovely people cared enough to do something.

Why cannot they take him into the rented accommodation? Is it a matter of space or facilities? If it is just lalndlords requirements , they should check as there are now new guidelines for landlords housing pets, groups willing to work with them and specilaised cleaning firns able to do special EOPL " end of pet lets" ,makeovers/cleaning . ( cheaply) and groupsthat will supply info and assistance if allegies are involved. Banning pets just on the basis of some misinformed whim is no longer the general rule.

If you do;;;well done, but you should give a false name and address! Its not so much the Local press trying to do a " Hero saves dog" story as some blooming insurance adhuster chasing you about a replacement window.

For future reference; there are a number of schemes for the homeless and their pets. Its a bit higledypiggedly, but info may be found by asking locally or via the Dogs Trust.My link/ Some local schemes do not work with rescues though, and get uppity about them, ( like my local one ) so take care what you say. Some will pick up the kennelling bill if straits are dire.

I went to a trade exhibition recently and there was a section with all of the companoes that do different things with ashes ( admittedly people's though. ) They can be compressed into diamonds and made into jewellery or enclosed into glass paperweights with a picture. And everything in between. I didnt come away with any info , as its not really my part of the market. But i am sure that they should be Googleable.

I think that the fishing is most likely the cause; especially if the causative body was so virulent. I hope it is being looked into.

Happy gotcha to Kizzy and a well done to you for doing an excellent job Laudus. Have a really excellent day

Sorry that you feel you ought to bracket. I an a mardy old git and its terminal . I represent the cynical unmoving bitter and twisted element on here, and no matter how I try or how many times i rewrite a slight hint of this comes across in my message,ocassionally. I dont come here to help animals not for friendship. I believe there are other places for that. If any one asks a question in areas that I work in , renting to pet owners, dogfighting prevention, wasting RSPCA time, "do gooders", I usually have something to say. It never includes plattitudes or shibboleths. I hope it may help in someway. If its not what you want or expect I can only say ..." tough"

Teddy Texas has had a couple of bad nights, especially Divali--- the church hall next door had some kind of event on and they let some fireworks off in the roadway, one of them was a huge crate like thing with 36 bombs in it..I discovered this later by falling over it in the dark and spraining all kinds of stuff, Teddy texas was well up the wall. You dont go out here after dark at this time of year as the gangs will throw them at you even if you havent got a dog. Sometimes the white racists group will come into the area to crank things up a bit,, so its bucket of water behind the letterbox. He will be at his worst on Bonfire night(s), emergency activity --play Hawkwind at full belt on all speakers , ( the next door neighbour goes to the lake district for the firework week) but have a cd of firework noises playing in the bathroom . Keep taking him up to look at it. He gets suspicious but it worked at new year. But then hey sainsburys budget range french brandy is only £7.00

Have facebooked it

Its awfully addictive you know!

Well it seems she has gone to a lot of trouble getting the yard sorted for them (in a rental) and she goes to work to support herself and them. Surely thats more of a priority than walking the dogs. How do you know if this is a fuulltime plan. Perhaps she is planning to go onto benefits and be at home all of the time to tend to them. Perhaps they are used to starying indoors but the landlord has inflicted this sytem on them. Do we know how old the dogs are or if amy medical conditions precludes much walking? Have they lived in the area long enough to know it or is this some kind of sensible acclimitization plan? In fact , what is know.have you ever spoken to the woman? Perhaps she waiting for some kindly dog loving nearby neighbour without much to do to offer to walk them? I dont think you should be ring the RSPCA , you might get at best ignored , told off or get a reputation.

The Chinese make a little testing gadget that is really cheap.

they only seem to be light scratches. You need fine "button "polish and apply with a rubber---- cotton wool wrapped in a soft washed cotton.. very lightly small circles with a smidgin of double boiled linseed oil if it does move freely. This will partiallt dissolve and spread th eexisting polish if it is shellac based. If it doesnt work this may be because the finish is oil based or a lacquer sray . Shellac of french polishing can be tested by applying a very small amount of methylated spirit, it should go sticky straight away.

Well that is the Police Farce for you. I am dreading the day tha the other Blue light services work along the same lines---- Ambulance..Well we got to the Accident but all of the victims were facing the wrong way...Fire service--yes the house burnt down we went to the wrong on enxt door but we did find an old lady with a dodgy battery in her smoke alarm!!! Yes its farcicial. Its probably an arrangement they have so as not to have to deal wioth too much touble or is because of special arrangements for police informants. But please dont call them pikeys! You should go straight to the police complaints procedure, chief constable and press. I am afraid that the dog is most probably elsewhere by now, although I must say its a bit early for the next round of organised fights so they have some expense involved. You could poster the area with a carefully worded poster..but be very careful you dont get picked on as an easier target, theres a lot less hassle in arresying you for diorderly offences and possibly them misusing the terrorist laws against you. I am sorry Society is broken. It is just getting more noticeable in areas where it wasnt before.

Oh dear I was wondering how long it would be before the Anti Dog lot in Birmingham parks would jump on this band wagon, they have been very active lately any way ,with another outburst of graffiti. The trouble is they are so organised.

Freecycle is basically a load of yanks trying to govern the way we get rid of our crap, its very fascistic in its management. If you are going to get involved in this kind of thing at all...use Freegle...uk run ,very freeform and about a thousand times for readers.