Sylvia's Diary 03-08-24

Another week has passed and every week I meet the most amazing people and even more amazing dogs.  These dogs are incredible, so heroic, so kind gentle and forgiving. The staff's dedication is crazy, their love and their dedication is impossible to mirror. Then there are some wonderful folks who adopt these wonderful dogs, who give them time, love and the understanding they so need and deserve. I am humbled by all both canines and humans.

Our new vet is lovely, although I think it’s a huge change for him. He saw me at my worst Monday and I will explain more about this later.  I have really struggled the last week with maybe a trapped nerve in my leg.  It affected me so much I ended up in hospital. I waited 7 hours to be given strong pain killers and sent home. Bill has helped me and I have struggled walking and working, often in tears.

I had the Ukrainian dogs coming in and Southern Irish dogs waiting to be picked up. Enough about feeling sorry for myself, instead let me tell you about the dogs War Paws sent. I met the dogs whilst sitting in the reception checking their paperwork and I was brought each dog to meet.  The meeting was mind blowing. These dogs had started in a war torn country, they had been abandoned by the humans who had in the past fed them, some had been loved, others abused.  All were on the Romanian Ukrainian borders.  Many came with owners who were fleeing and wanted to take their dogs with them and thought the life saving buses would rescue them and their dogs together, but only the humans were allowed to travel and the dogs were set free to take their chances.  Some died, some roamed free, some were picked up.

Ours are the ones that were picked up, kennelled in any kennel found and then they were moved time and time again. They were visited and supported by the amazing charity War Paws who sent someone to oversee their care whenever they could afford plus paid their kennelling fees.  They tried so hard to find places for the 200 or so dogs at rescues in the UK. They tried to build kennels in the UK, but funds were so tight as they are supporting dogs all over the world in war torn zones as well. After two years most had moved on but no rescue wanted the last dogs and that’s when we stepped in.

So that’s their story and you’d imagine they would greet with mistrust and fear, but all let me talk to them, lay my hand on their sweet heads, some gently put their paws on my lap and even the very scared looked into my eyes.  They need a lot of love, they need special visitors with natural treats like chicken bits or liver treats, so that they can learn to take from a human’s hand. They need us!!!

The kennels made for them are spacious, comfy, quiet and perfect. They were funded by the Bristol Buddies, a group of ladies who hold sales and make amazing things to sell and raise funds that mean the dogs here can have the extra special things they all deserve. Every time I limp to see these dogs I am filled with the feeling of gratitude.  They will get a UK health check Friday andyet again another brucellosis test.  Although they have already had them before traveling, we are doing this again just to reassure all they are free of any diseases so they then may find a wonderful foster home or best still a forever home.

Ex-breeders have come in too and are enjoying paddling pools, our super play yard and socialising hour and the staff.  Monday rolled along with severe pain in my leg, some sad news in the vets resulted in a total meltdown of emotions in front of all in the vets and floods of tears (something I never do).

Steph came to learn about the trips to Ireland and Joyce drove the other van. At the ferry when it was time to leave the vans and go up I embarrassingly could not make the stairs. A super kind employee of Stena Line took me to a lift. I went straight to a cabin and put my leg up. On departure from the boat, I strapped ice packs to my leg and managed the first three-hour drive.  Steph was magnificent and did all the leg work, in fact the only thing she really struggled with was understanding the southern Irish accent!   The dogs are dreams, paperwork was triple checked and all are home happy comfy and now getting beautified with kind volunteers bathing and grooming.

Me?  Well I am back in hospital waiting again for help and feeling very guilty I am not back helping the dogs. Whilst I sit here waiting to be seen by our wonderful NHS, our little cavalier with the bad leg is with the specialist vet who is hopefully carrying out the complicated £3,000 operation to save her leg. She is just a pup, and the sweetest little soul and  I was desperate to know the outcome.  Late Monday night I found out her operation has been done and she has 12 weeks of crate rest ahead of her. She won the hearts of both the vets and the vet nurses and wagged consistently the whole time except when asleep.  Today she comes back to us to be on strict bedrest, but hopefully her leg is mended, and with careful recovery regime it will mend perfectly. We will have to pay for the operation and fundraise for this. I would be so grateful if you would consider making a donation towards helping us pay for the operation which will hopefully give her complete freedom and to be free of pain.

Again, I thank you all for your support that helps us continue with this job that is so much needed.
Sylvia