Rowan

How awful, Jouals Good luck rehoming him. Let me know if I can help at all.... Rowan

When I walked Alex yesterday it was clear that he is suffering quite badly in the kennel. He really needs more personal attention than he can possibly get there, having to share with about 100 other dogs.... As I said, he is good with other dogs, as well as cats and people of all ages. And he is truly magnificent.

Hi All This is Alex dit Athos. He is a pedigree English setter, who will be 6 in March. He is a beautiful dog, who was found wandering miles from home, and all attempts to reach his owner have failed. He is chipped and vaccinated, but really needs a new home, as his good breeding means he is a bit sensitive for a refuge. He is quite boney, probably due to stress, but otherwise is in good health. He gets on with other males and cats and is fine on the lead. Can anyone offer him a new home? His SPA number is EE675 and you can either call the SPA direct (0468 253545) or contact me! Many thanks Rowan [IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx153/rowan1965/IMG_1160.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx153/rowan1965/IMG_1168.jpg[/IMG]

Jouals Did you not have any luck with the contact I sent you? I am surprised, she is usually very helpful... Rowan

Well done Merlin. Now let's get some of MY dogs out!!! (tho as you know, I am happy for every single dog that is rehomed!) RXXX

Hooray for Merlin again. My site is still under construction, but I am getting there....Watch this space!

Thanks to you too, for adopting Albi, cos without people willing to adopt, we are nothing! Like many other people involved I have been reflecting on this past year and thinking of the dogs who are now warm and happy. At the same time I am painfully aware of the ones who "got away", as it were. I am determined to do my best to rehome many many more this coming year, so that next Christmas I have fewer regrets. Thanks again to you and to everyone who has either adopted or worked behind the scenes or just encouraged us all in our endeavours. Onward and upward! Rowan

Merlin, What can I say?! THANKS, Rowan

Yeah, we have posters up with pics of some of our dogs at local vets etc, and they always contact us when someone is looking for something in particular. It is a long, hard road we have all chosen, tho.

Thanks all. I like the suggestions about a New Year Open Day and taking dogs to local events...The problem is one of motivation amongst La Direction. Plus they just see liability issues, what if a dog bites someone, or escapes, etc. It is all just too much hard work for them to even consider it. Ref the 5 who went out, I think they are all going to work as adoptions. But what I am really worried about are the puppies who were sold at the Salon de Chiots and many of whom we will definitely see after Christmas....

It didn't go well at all. There was a puppy sale in town on the same weekend, which must have been deliberate (not that we don't have our own pups to home). Still, we got 5 dogs out, which is better than nothing, and one of them had been with us since May, so it is great for him. In genera, tho, I was very disappointed and feel a little bit down. Thanks for asking.

Belle was homed at today's open day at the SPA.

Hi everyone The Carcassonne SPA has its Christmas open days this weekend, Sat and Sunday 1400-1800. I will be there on both days to help anyone if they need help wither with the language or by helping them select a dog. Please come along and bring a dog or cat into your lives this Christmas. Thanks Rowan

So....Good news? .....

As we all are to you, Merlin! Well done. Again!

I saw Little Tiny Tot off to his new owner yesterday. He is now called Roux (cos of his red ears) and is going to be adored, that is clear. Thanks to everyone who helped out with this, Merlin mostly, as ever, but I like to think that all the positive thinking helps too! Rowan

Morning all Someone (not a Brit, thankfully) has just abandoned an 8 month old female black lab at the SPA. Her name is Belle and she is absolutely beautiful. She is very affectionate, good with children and has good obedience skills. She has been abandoned as she was left alone all day and the neighbours complained about her barking. She is still only a puppy (tho is a well-built one!), and so I am sure this will pass, especially if she has some company. She is not spayed, but is in perfect health. Her owners took her to the vet regularly and we have her vaccination book. She is not in any danger, clearly, but as a black dog, may have trouble being noticed at the SPA. Plus she is a real find and I would love her to go to a good home and SOON! We have our open days next weekend, so hurry up if you are interested! As usual I am happy to liaise. Belle is a fabulous girl, truly. She is quite a chunky dog, looks like she may be from shooting stock. Thanks for helping me with the photos whoever steps in! :)))) [IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx153/rowan1965/151088_161147880594899_125415270834827_303054_3160531_n.jpg[/IMG]

Good start to the weekend for me. This is great news. Well done again Merlin for facilitating. RXXX

We love Merlin!!

He is a tiny fox terrier, as I hope you can see. He is extremely cuddly and affectionate, not at all a hunt dog (which may be the problem). When you pick him up he just clings to you, which is quite hard to cope with (for me at least). Anyone think they could get him out of the cold before things get any worse?

Would it help? I assumed the problem was that I use a Mac....

Well, thanks to a lovely fellow Carcassonne volunteer (and after several other offers of help, thanks to all) the podencos (or Canary Island greyhounds, to be more precise) are now safe with Phoenix. It was a bit of an epic, but no disasters per se, and it was wonderful to hand them over to Sheelagh, knowing that their lives were going to be nothing but fun from now on. If anyone would like to offer one of them a home, please contact Sheelagh at the Phoenix Association. They are both lovely girls, the smaller one, Armida, is just 6 months old, and Roda is a year old. They have never known anything outside the refuge, so will need a bit of patience. They are both very gentle natured and will make lovely pets, for sure. Here is a link to a photo, if someone would be kind enough to sort it out for me. [IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx153/rowan1965/Podencos.jpg[/IMG]

The photos are now on Facebook on the SPA Carcassonne page, which is run by volunteers. Everyone asks about him all the time; he won all our hearts. I am just lucky that I get to hear about him firsthand from Merlin and I am also planning a visit.... Thanks Merlin!

Hi Everyone Long story short, but I have promised to help out Sheelagh and Richard of Phoenix in return for some space on their website to publicise individual Carcassonne SPA dogs. My help is in the form of driving to Barcelona to collect a couple of Podencos who are being rescued from Lanzarote. My task is to bring them over the border (quite legally, obviously) and then get them somewhere a bit closer to Sheelagh. Can anyone help me?! It is quite a long drive from here, so maybe a co-driver, possibly one who lives on the route I am likely to take (motorway all the way), or maybe someone who can offer an overnight pit stop for me and a couple of dogs.... I was hoping to have more time to arrange things, and was hoping for more daylight hours, but Sheelagh doesn't hang around, as many of you know. Our one and only discussion on this subject was on Friday (5th Nov) and yesterday she asked me if November 16th is okay. I refuse to be the only broken link in the chain, so I have agreed....But I need some help.... Thanks in advance for any and all offers! Rowan PS I am house-trained, but I can't vouch for the dogs!

At the Carcassonne SPA they make the owners pay to have the dogs chipped or tattooed before they hand them back, as this is a legal requirement. Means the dog can be identified next time it shows up somewhere. If a chipped or tattooed dog is reclaimed, then there is no charge. This may vary from SPA to SPA, of course. Good luck settling the cats back down! Rowan