Once again we have had a really super quarter since last we wrote and the 20 dogs have become 68 which is quite astonishing to me when I think back to just two years ago when we struggled to home that number in a year, let alone just 6 months! Of course we have had a returned dog, but just one, and that from someone we had grave reservations about, but couldn’t actually find a genuine reason for saying no. Sometimes the “gut” instinct should be allowed to override all else. However no harm done and the dog in question is glad to be back in kennels and was always perfectly safe, if misunderstood!
There have been several unexpected changes since last we wrote, but as ever the integrity of the Charity is protected by the Guardian Angel I am convinced looks after us, and despite losing Kelly to her first love, Horses, and Debbie who left at no notice, having asked to come back only three months earlier! The friends of the dogs rallied round superbly and the transition to full staffing was more or less effortless within a fortnight. In fact we now have 30dogs in kennels and three in the house, not to mention the sponsor dogs who live up with me at” Ray of hope” together with a few other orphans of life’s storms!
Speaking of which, whilst we were surrounded by lakes on all sides, Fen Bank itself survived unscathed by the month’s rainfall that fell in one night! We did however have a number of our homed dogs as honoured guests whilst their owners sorted out wet carpets and bedding. It was a joy to have them- if even a little too crowded at times!
We are very fortunate that we live out on the Fens where drainage is a science- the people who suffered were those near rivers and natural watercourses, whilst our dykes or drains as they are locally known carried away all the water that might otherwise have engulfed us! We did have a surreal moment when we debated our “Flood Plan” – the only possible thing we could do is bring 30 dogs into the house at Fen bank – six to a bedroom!! In the event, flooding would be so fast we would have time to do nothing else! However we will be contacting some of our owners on higher ground out of the area- just in case!
UPDATE ON MUFFIN’S POORLY FOOT !
Muffin is alive and well and has not yet kept his promise to tell all in the Sunday Press. Suffice it to say he now quite often forgets to hop so we think it might be a success. Bluebell is enraged that he is still in the limelight after two months and is threatening a spectacular event of her own- we know not what, so watch this space!
OTHER WORK IN PROGRESS
The front drive project nearly came to grief when Shaun was taken ill in the middle of it – but thanks to a willing band of volunteers we managed to do all but the last two feet across the top and this is being done by Vic Rolls who is the proud owner of Robbie now “SKY” and a builder of many many years experience. We are extremely grateful to him for his offer of one day’s maintenance each and every week! Jenny is piling up the jobs for him!
The new Isolation Kennel is now erected and Vic has sorted out the slab which was not at all as level as it needed to be! There are one or two minor tweaks needed until it meets our very demanding standards!
A new volunteer Steve has taken down the trees that were in the power lines with Jenny whom he describes as a “ Geezer Bird! She is amazing there is nothing she will not tackle and she and Steve make a formidable team and have saved the Sanctuary many hundreds of pounds. So a huge thank you to both of them.
There is a spanking new conservatory which the house dogs love to lie out in, thanks to the efforts of David Northwood, another of Fen Bank’s talented friends!
Fire precautions are now fully in place and hopefully we will not be flooded!
THE DOGS
We have been extremely fortunate to secure the services of two super professionals, one a Mc Timoney Practitioner who is doing vital work with some of our more injured ex racers, and the other a Tellington T Touch specialist who is doing some excellent work with some of our more distraught dogs. Both ladies give their services free of charge to the Charity and we are extremely grateful to them. Good Physio for injured dogs is very hard to come by and the man we always used has now retired , so we are thrilled to have not one but two professionals whose works complements each other for the benefit of the dogs. If anyone is interested in the the Lincolnshire/ Nottingham area and feels that their dog needs corrective manipulation for an injury or perhaps is in need of grounding and centering to increase confidence. Please get in touch and we will pass on contact details. However in the case of the Mc Timoney practitioner your vet must first give his consent to treatment being carried out.
As always the girls fly out of the kennel whilst some of our nicest boys languish forever it seems.
We are delighted that following the last Newsletter HARRY went to a super home in Norfolk, GORDON too has found a lovely home at Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire, but we still have FOSSE who is an absolute poppet and SHAEMUS who is improving everyday although still frightened of other breeds.
KAY is now in the house , is house trained and now good with other breeds, so perhaps her stay at Fen Bank will soon come to an end. We will miss her quiet presence and joyful antics with the children who come to play in the garden with Jenny’s son, Ryan. Her companion Sam is also looking for a home!
THREE OLD FOGIES aged 10 have joined us via the RGT who wanted somewhere nice for them to live
And DOT and ERIC ( named after our departing next door neighbours) and Cherie who is now MOLLY are completely inseparable. Fortunately we had a huge kennel for them and Jenny designed a Heath Robinson Fence and Gate ( that works!) so that they can access a shared paddock at all times!
After a good bath and groom and a visit to the Dentist(!) they are looking very presentable and putting their weight back on after their respective operations. We are hopeful that we can home them together so that they can enjoy their last few years in comfort.
Stop Press: Kay has been offered a home! Does anyone want beautiful black, shy, SAM aged 5 ?
Sandra Miller Hooker
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