Laura_E

It must be very hard to say goodbye to a dog that has been with you for so long, I struggle when they have only been here for a few weeks! But you obviously looked after her very well and I am sure she will make her new family very happy. It's great that things are looking up for the long termers (I make it sound like a prison sentence!). Fingers crossed for Ginny's visit next week and I hope somebody comes forward for Womble soon too- another dog that should have been snapped up a long time ago

I know it sounds cruel, but I think some of them are more inbred than their dogs!

I've just got back from running a stall for the Oldies Club at the Shield Dog Show, and things didn't go too well The rain was pretty much torrential from the out set, but it didn't deter people from turning up so I started out with high hopes. But by the time it had got to 2.30 my entire stall was ruined and I had only made £25 :mecry:Despite having a gazebo, I was completely soaked through and EVERYTHING on my stall was too. Tess and Clyde were totally drenched and shivering, so I decided to call it a day. I feel bad for not seeing the day through to the end, but I didn't want to risk either of the dogs (or me!) getting ill and the crowd weren't very friendly or willing to part with their money. Although it was supposed to be a companion dog show, people were taking it very seriously and showing about 10-15 dogs each. They were wheeling in trolleys packed to the rafters with dogs and There was absolutely no money in any of the three collection tins and one man even let his dog pee against the stand! I thought it was best to go before I ended up saying something to somebody and forever tarnishing the reputation of the Oldies Club! On a more positive note, there were a few friendly people there and one lady invited me to have a stall at a show she is organising next Saturday. She said it would be a completely different crowd to today and much more in the spirit of a 'fun' show. I just need to see what I can salvage from my stock now and pray that it isn't damaged beyond repair!

He is lovely. Sure he won't be waiting long.

Hello Your gang are lovely:wub: I also have a heinz 57 dog called Tess and a foster spaniel- although mine is a cocker, not springer. He will be going to his new home next week, so I'm sure there will be lots of tears when he goes! I'm sure you won't have your foster for long either, he looks lovely.

Thank you all for your kind words. There hasn't been any improvement, but things aren't any worse either so we're trying to focus on the positive at the moment. I will let you all know as soon as there is any news. Thanks again.

Adorable She looks really like my Tess in this picture. What breed is she?

My niece went into hospital last week because she was having problems breathing and hadn't been eating properly. After some assessments the doctors decided to perform heart surgery and everything seemed to go well, but I have just spoken to my mum and she is now in a critical condition. Apparently they nearly lost her in the early hours of this morning and had to open up her chest to relieve the pressure in her lungs. The doctors aren't giving much away but the next 48hours are critical. If you could spare some positive thoughts for her, my sister and brother-in-law, I would really appreciate it. Sophie, my little lady bug....

Does anyone know where I can buy a cooling mat for dogs? I've looked on ebay, but they only have cooling pads for tiny animals (rats, mice etc). Tess can't handle to heat at all and looks totally miserable.

I was thinking about going as Mia Wallace, but I've got long blonde hair and it would be quite tricky to hide under a black bob wig. The ehow website suggests using a bath robe, which I don't really want to be wearing on a Saturday night in the pub!! If my mum didn't have so much on at the moment I would ask her to knock something up for me, but she lost Jasper on Sunday and now my niece is in hospital again, so she has a lot more important things on her mind. I was also thinking about Bat Girl, but all the costumes are really slutty. I don't understand why they don't do fancy dress for the more modest women out there!

It's my best friends stag do on Saturday and I am going as an honorary stag (I don't think they consider me to be female), the fancy dress theme is Film and TV Stars. I wanted to go as Princess Leia, but all of the costumes that you can buy are quite tarty. I definitely don't have the figure for the bikini costume, and even if I did I wouldn't wear it! I'm also not very keen on the white dress that you can buy ready made- I don't want to look like I've put no effort it, or fork out £50 for it! Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd quite like to get a long white hooded robe, but don't know where I can get one. I'm a bit useless when it comes to fancy dress. Or failing the Princess Leia idea, can anyone think of any other characters that I could go as?

Mine too, I was already welling up! Have a fantastic life Muffin, you deserve it.

Thank you all for your kind words. My parents took Jasper to the vets yesterday and have asked for him to be cremated so that they can scatter his ashes in the garden. They are still very upset at the moment and miss him terribly. It's amazing how much an animal can change your life in such a short space of time. It is some comfort to know that he was loved and cared for in the last few months of his life. He was a very special boy and deserved nothing less. Run free now Jasper.

Thinking of you at this sad time.

So sorry for your loss. It sounds like she was a very special dog.

Jasper was knocked over and killed by a car 2 hours ago. We are all devestated. He was a lovely, lovely boy and gave my parents so much love and affection in the last few months. I just wish he had had longer with them.

Happy birthday beautiful girl.

Thanks everyone I have just about stopped cringing at how hideous and fat I looked, but I'm glad it has generated so much interest in the Oldies Club. Marc did a great job and was really friendly. In fact everyone on the show was so nice, I couldn't believe how well they looked after us. The girls from the Dogs Trust and Mayhew were lovely too. Tess did look adorable I have to say- and she was surprisingly well behaved too!

Not everyones cup of tea, but what about a chinese crested? I was meant to have one come to me a couple of weeks ago on foster, but he was snapped up within hours by somebody with a fur allergy. They are also an ideal breed for people wanting a lap dog. But like I said- they're not everyones cup of tea!

It makes me so angry. Who takes the life of an innocent being to 'relax'? Sick bastard. Don't suppose you remember his name do you?

Ahhh, it's Cordellia! So glad you decided to offer her her a home, can see why you fell in love with her.

So very sorry to hear about Merlin. Thinking of you at this sad time.

That is awful. Those poor cats, and your poor uncle too. There are so many sick and evil people living in this world.

Because they were Londoners?

Whilst I appreciate that the farmer was protecting the sheep, he apparently walked past the dogs home to get his gun, instead of knocking on the owners and giving them a thorough talking to and a warning. But instead he decided to kill the dog and then leave him/her on the door step for the owners to find, knowing how much upset and pain that would cause them. In my opinion, that makes the aforementioned statement quite accurate.