Karen24

I cannot resist recounting what happened when we had the first gay couple stay in our gite. My first faux pas was when the two guys arrived I was tired, (why do changeovers never get easier?) so not really paying attention. They could see that I was looking for the women and must have thought that I was shocked. Of course I wasn't, it was just a standard reaction. I showed them the living room then walked into the kitchen to check something when I turned round I saw that the throw covers that I was sure that I put on the sofas were not there. Stll very tired I was obviously perplexed. Did I? Didn't I? One of the guys finally interpreted my confusion and said, " I hate throws, wont put up with them. " I put throws on to protect the upholstery from the chlorine from damp smimming costumes. It really can shread fabric and after quite a few years in the game I have learnt the hard way. Well I bit my tongue and didn't protest but I was not a happy bunny, and of course this had nothing to do with whether they were gay or not. On the few occasions that I saw them during the two weeks I could detect a coldness and was concerned, call me old fashioned but I like my guests to be happy. About two days before they left they confronted my husband who had, by chance, often cleaned the pool during their stay. Usually it is me who looks after the garden and pool. By the way my husband is not in the least homophobic. They asked him directly if he had a problem with gay couples. John looked at them completely puzzled and said without thinking, "Good God no, I am just usually a miserable old *******. That is why my wife normally keeps me away from the guests." Oh so many stories to tell!! Karen24

Sorry Penny, I still haven't got the hang of this forum. I will be more precise in future. My response was meant to be to Mr Helen16. Nicola you are so absolutely right in what you say!! Penny, I cannot tell you how sorry I am to read about your cats. It is horrific enough to read about what happened, I do not even want to imagine how it is for you. Every morning when my cat Tiger comes home safe and sound I already offer up a silent prayer of thanks to the gods. Now I am even more fearful. At least with dogs we can protect them in the grounds but how on earth can we protect our cats. I cannot bring myself to keep my cat indoors, his pleasure is to go and hunt and explore. I am so pleased that your little cat has been saved. Chouette and Penny, I am so with you in what you both say. As if the chasse is not enough to scare most of us silly, the cat of a french friend was recently killed, caught horribly in one of the traps set by his neighbour. Why would anybody want to set traps!!! The mad trapper doesn't even keep sheep anymore. I am so much against violent protest but sometimes I can almost empathise with the animal rights extremists. A couple of years ago my daughter saw the wife of the farmer who set the traps kick a tiny baby lamb over the width of two fields to teach it to go home. Cruelty to animals is universal, in most cases it is impossible to stop it. My silent protest is that I have not eaten meat since the mindless and cynical slaughter during the foot and mouth outbreak. To me it was the final straw. All we can do, I guess, is to give our own animals the best lives possible while they are in our care. Karen24

I hope you don't include me in this. I have adopted three dogs and my beautiful cat was found as a tiny kitten in a box with his brothers and sisters in the middle of the countryside. Yes he has been castrated. I consider that my adult donkeys were 'rescued' from a dealer who could not even be bothered to pay for a farrier or supply top up feed during the drought. Baby donkey is a female and Daddy is a healthy stallion of eight or nine years old. Too old to be castrated. Need I say more?? My heart is bigger than my pocket and I live in fear of large vet bills. I agree with the sentiment but surely it is better that homes are sought rather than animals simply dumped out of cars etc.

Dordogne baby donkey seeks a good home: I am trying to find a home for my 8 month old female donkey. I know that I should try to sell her through ads etc. but we love her very much and really want to be sure that she has a good home. We own the mother and Father (He is a beautiful big stallion) so cannot keep her. She is micro chipped and we are currently waiting for her registration papers. We would only be interested in a reasonable payment for her. Money is the least of our concerns about her, but my farrier tells me that I must ask some payment to be sure of a serious commitment by the new owners I would be interested in all offers or contacts. Transport would be down to new owners but we probably could arrange that. Donkeys are more fragile than horses and ponies so she will need a stable in winter and cover from the rain in summer. Donkeys do need a companion, sheep or other will do.******o will be a full sized donkey, she has a beautiful nature and is used to constant human contact. A photo of her and her mother is currently on the front page of our web site (contact us for the link) but we can email other photos on request.