Our hearts are often touched by stories that bring about a positive response from us . . . and a long haul result. Sometimes we think this could fit the title THE BIG, THE BAD, THE UGLY. Our longest long-termer by far is TORREN (spaniel X), who has been kept well, safe and, over the past nearly 4 years, has learned how to enjoy life without living in total fear. FOUR YEARS – imagine!! His learned response was to bite, which, when as a puppy and young dog you have been thrown down cellar steps, lived in total darkness in your own excrement and in abject fear of being hit or kicked, that learned reaction is not surprising. This boy is not vicious by nature – he has a joie de vivre which is wonderful to see.

Then there is BLANKA (American Bulldog) – who is another complex case in quite a different way – diabetic, so requiring insulin injections twice daily, and needs to be an only pet in the home. We did not know how very complex she was going to be when, nearly 12 months ago now, we had the call from a vet where she had been taken to be put down, and they were refusing. Now she is in the peak of condition as her photo shows.

And finally PAYOLLE – a 70+ kg of a patou – Pyrenean Mountain Dog – who had, until a good few months ago, known only a walled courtyard, along with his friend POUTOU who has had greater luck and is now in foster. These huge gentle giants, independent by breed, delightful family people, great guardians of their domain, are not many people’s idea of an ideal family pet, and happily he has now been reserved.

These three are all in paid pension where they are having a better life than they were – and we remain optimistic that one day they will each find their understanding forever home. So yes, we pay for their care.

AND TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED

HATTIE is one of our lifetime foster cats . . . and it took a little while to find Hattie her final home. She’s on heart medication so any surgical intervention was unlikely. A short time ago we had a ‘phone call to say that Hattie was very sick at the vets and it looked like the end because of the size of the mass and her heart condition. We sadly gave the go-ahead to let her leave with dignity. What we did not legislate for was how upset her carer would be, how taken by her plight the vet would be and next morning (A Sunday!) we heard that not only was Hattie still with us, but there was a plan to do the operation if we agreed. The two vets (husband and wife) felt they could give her a fighting chance having discussed her case over Saturday dinner – as you do! Of course we said yes and knew that then everyone would feel that they had done the very best they could for her. The mass turned out to be herniated intestines which had glued together with the urine tract. These wonderful vets came in that very day to perform the operation. Her Mum went in to say goodbye just in case. We waited with baited breath! Another miracle – Hattie survived, and after a few days went home. She is not out of the woods but we know we’ve given her extra life and her Mum is just delighted to have her around for that bit longer . . . and Hattie is purring for France.