Merlin

I don't know - but I wish.  She hasn't said no for sure yet but I'm not too optimistic by the noises she's making.  I've sent some more pictures that Rowan took yesterday when she had him out with one of the Beagles - both un-castrated, they were fine together and Malcolm just loves everyone!  I'm following in Rowan's footsteps and not sleeping at night for thinking of all the dogs I saw there that day and especially one little one that a French lady took the day we were there last week and has since taken her back as she said she was too lively!!  One of Rowan's favorites so you can imagine how she's feeling poor lass.  Poor little girl a week of freedom and being looked after and then taken back!  It's deeply heart breaking and I know we should toughen up a bit and be more realistic perhaps instead of fretting so........ but it's impossible.  So, if there is anyone who might think of Malcolm the gentle and very loving English Bull Terrier, please make contact soon as he's so very stressed where he is.  Thank you one and all.

Well very sadly this lady seems to be backing away a little.........   She says that she would love him but that they would need to do some fencing first and they have a busy summer schedule just around the corner as they run an activity centre.  So I'm not sure now and am feeling a bit down and worried for Malcolm's wellbeing once more.  I am not pressuring her in any way and will just have to see what she decides as I've left her to think about it.  If anyone has any ideas please, voice them.

Well not counting any chickens just yet - but am hoping like crazy........

Well this lady seems really interested in the Bull Terrier and I have my fingers and toes all crossed for him!  She lost (died) her rescued Staffie two months ago, whom she called her soul mate and now has an old 14 year old who's lonely too. She helps run an activity centre which is why she has to be sure he's good with people and other dogs.  She's seen the pictures I sent and thinks he's gorgeous so she's going to try to get to see him this week at Carcassonne!

Hi Rowan - I have sent the bottom picture of him to these people together with your comments about him so far - cut and pasted so no embelishments!   I have said I will get back as soon as I know more from you.  Fingers crossed........

Hi Rowan - someone has asked me for his picture and also how he is with other dogs and cats?

Thank you Christine - perhaps I can pass this site on to the people at Carcassonne in the hope that they can move her there.  I will try.

Whilst I was at the Spa in Carcassonne last week with Rowan, I couldn't bring myself to go and look at all the dogs - too many - too harrowing........ and not enough space in the back of my car to take them home!  However, whilst Sue was investigating a very sad couple, I walked along the cages nearby and noticed rather a lovely English Bull Terrier (more black than white but otherwise the classic Skyes dog from Oliver!).  Now I have a very soft spot for this breed as they are normally wonderful with people and make courageous and loyal pets.  This poor lady had opened up her nose by pushing hard on the wire cage that she was clearly not happy about being trapped in!  She was kind to the touch and Rowan said they were trying to find a rescue place that specialised in the breed - I hope they were trying hard as she was very very stressed and barking a lot.  Now some dear friends of mine had one some years ago and when they returned to live in the UK from S Africa she had to go into quarantine........ she died within two months due to barking constantly from the stress of being in kennels despite being with her long time friend - a Great Dane, who made it through the six months.  I felt very sad for this dog at Carcassonne as you could see she was suffering very much in the same way, so just thought I would post this in the outside chance that someone on here might want her - she needs to get out soon, ASAP!

Louis/Deborah - sorry I didn't know your name when I mentioned you had been for the poodle in my post.  I am sure your little man will soon become a trained good little fellow.  I am following our little Molly around a bit today also as we've had a couple of accidents but hey, we know why and we also know it's only temporary........... my rugs aren't anything to write home about with all the renovating, dust, dogs' feet, cat clawing......... and so the occasional scrubbing does them good!  I long realised that material things are not all they are cracked up to be but that the love and affection from grateful pets is not something you can ever put a price on and lasts way beyond anything you can buy!  I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you yesterday but something tells me we might all be there again one day....................

What lovely words about the older dogs Christine - and oh so very true!

I know none of you need to be told, but I'm going to anyway........ tell you all that Rowan is a lovely lady in the true sense of the word!!  I met her yesterday at Carcassonne together with Sue from Poorpaws - yet another lovely lady!  What an afternoon - heartbreaking in so very many ways.  English ladies standing on a sunny hillside surrounded by a veritable nightmare of more than 100 barking, stressed and unhappy dogs!  Dear heaven what we humans inflict on man's best friend beggars belief and makes me so very angry...... and this is only one small corner of the world where it all goes on day after day.  But between us we made five dogs' lives better!  Sue took two bouncing boys and her friend (whose name I didn't catch in the chaos) another English lady, took a little 'sprout' of a thing that was very stressed indeed in the same cage as the one I took - the little old beaglette, very battered and care worn who is now asleep in the chair next to me as I write and I have named Molly!  Another English lady from this forum came earlier in the day and took a poodle.  Whilst we were there a sweet pair of old French ladies took a little spaniel too.  Their cages were re-occupied within minutes!  Molly will be bathed and given a good look over later today when she has rested some more, but so far she has been quite bright and quick on the uptake - runs with the 'gang' of four others who have been very kind to her (but don't think she's going to take any nonsense mind!) and just adores the freedom of the large garden here.  She heads straight for the door when she's had a patrol round and jumps back into the chair she has made her own and heaves a huge sigh of relief as she makes her nest and settles to watch the goings on around her!  Thank you for yesterday Rowan - it was good to meet Flo, another bright and caring lady and make no mistake....... I will be back there!  Once I have got some meat on Molly's bones and she is truly settled then I will foster another for Sue to home as we discussed.  I will post pics of course.  Keep up the support all of you out there - you have no idea the good that comes of it until you see first hand - GO and look if you can and if not turn your thoughts to fund raising....... money can make a difference too, vets don't come cheap and neutering HAS to be a huge priority.

Hi Rowan - I would give the vet a call and in the meantime keep an eye on the wound for swelling as it's near the mouth, keep it disinfected and also watch if the the dog starts a fever of any sort or generally appears lethargic.  Think the dog got off lightly as these wild boar can do serious damage but tetanus might be in order which is why the vet should know.  Hope he'she is ok.  See you later!

Sounds like a lovely lovely dog - if you manage to get a picture of her to show everyone, Russethouse is the one to help you sort it through photobucket on here - she did me and I'm soooooo hopeless!  Good luck with this

What a lovely pair of dogs - saved!  I hope they find homes that do right by them and they have lovely lives!

Simply wonderful Louis....... just wonderful!

I told them that!  They replied that when they decide to look again they will DEFINITELY come to you guys!  And I think they meant it. 

that should read MY OH - sorry again ...... brain not properly engaged this morning!  It seizes up in the cold!

Sorry Christine......... I did try but am going to ask you OH how to transfer the incoming text to wordpad or something to edit it before sending it on!  Sorry!

Well Auch isn't THAT far away from Carcassonne........ but it seems unfair that the dogs in their neck of the woods don't get the chance of these people getting a couple out!  I wonder if there is a way to persuade the Spa there?  Maybe Christine has some ideas. 

Hi Christine - following is a message I received from the AI forum which I am hoping you can give more expert advice than I can to these people.  There are two potential dog rescues here that are being somewhat thwarted which is a shame. Thanks. hi, I wonder if you could clear something up for me, we went to the SPA in Auch to find a dog and they were totally adamant that we couldnt meet the dog outside the cage, there was one dog that wouldnt come near the front of the cage so we had no idea even if he could stand or whatever. Is that the SPA policy everywhere ? we left without a dog, the people there said we could take it home, try the dog out and then if it didnt work we could bring it back, which I found totally horrendous, and awful for the dog. If we ever decide to try again, is this the policy for all SPA centres ? I would appreciate a reply at some stage, as some friends of ours might also be interested in adopting a dog, but only if they can meet it on a one to one basis. thanks squoppy

Yes Rowan - Molly has a home with us!  Will give you my tel no and we can discuss logistics, paperwork and so on  before the week-end though, I can't get her till Monday at the earliest so maybe I can hook up with the lady from Cahors and meet her mid journey depending on where she passes closest to me on her way back with the two she is collecting - think that might be a good plan.  Hopefully we will talk today some time.  Will go and get her a new bed today!

Good for you Louis - there is usually a way round these husbands......... but they can be hard work sometimes eh!!  Good luck

Husband is definitely coming round.......!!  You wouldn't need to get her as far as Cahors - we are near Rodez and I would meet you half way between there and Carcassonne - Albi possibly if that is any help?  We can discuss further - already got her name sorted....... what do you think to Molly?  My husband deserves a medal sometimes but he actually knows there is no real point in trying to fight it as it's a lost cause!  He did mutter about how the blazes we are going to manage with 5 dogs in the bedroom though!!   However I think I must draw a halt after this one.......... for a good while at least unless I win the lotto!  All our dogs have a wonderful life here in the middle of nowhere, end of a little track with no roads nearby, we are completely fenced anyway and they have three acres of garden to play in, sofas to kip on in front of fires in winter and home cooked food....... anyone else like to be rescued!!  You can tell I'm excited can't you...  I'm a hopeless case.  I have just one slight dilemma in that the poor starving doggie who had the puppies was on my mind also - she's OK at the moment, had the pups (5) she's just gorgeous and will need a home once the little ones are weaned......can we save 'Molly' AND this lovely creature do you think??

Will forward this on  and let you know - thank you.

Yes please Rowan - more info for the lady would be good!