Sylvia's Diary 11-07-24

Well a new week is about to start. Like probably thousands of others my enthusiasm for it are zilch. Last week was one of the toughest I have had, but onwards and upwards.  This week coming I need to load the vans for this AMAZING agility show at Ardingly that Many Tears has been invited to and thousands of dogs will be on the show ground site. If we can attract the dogs to drag their owners to our stall we will be in with a chance to raise really good funds.

This past week we have had a true tsunami of French bulldogs arriving with us. These loyal little souls were so popular over Covid that some breeders went crazy breeding more and more. These dogs are literally bred to have defects. The breed standard dictates this, demanding flat faces and other traits. They have breathing problems with badly formed nostrils. They have spinal problems, no tail and often have dietary problems. They get ulcers due to their bulging eyes and skin problems as they often have low immune system but the public love them and its just as well as there are hundreds out their needing homes.

At the moment around 7 out of 10 calls are from people wanting to rehome French Bulldogs. I wonder if you’re wondering if I like the breed?  NO - I hate the suffering I see when they can barely breathe, but I do like the dogs of that breed I meet. They are super generous with love, often patient and look like little gremlins. I love all dogs but as I say in the last few weeks SO many Frenchies have come and it’s a drain on our finances, as the vet has to spend extra time and money on nasal wedge surgery, or an ulcers to be medicated and sometimes boas surgery too (surgery on the throat) which is painful and expensive as well as the usual spaying and neutering.  Overall, they breathe best when under anaesthetic as then they have a tube down their throats opening their airways. Now I am sure somewhere there is someone trying to breed these little souls better but for now we are seeing problem after problem that we have to try to fund and fix. That is hard for us but so so sad for these little darlings suffering. However, don’t be put off, we do all the surgery they need and so are only asking you all to invest time and love and please give one a home.  Take a look at these two noses to see the difference between them

The guy from the pound came, he was a bit of a hero driving here so we could assess a dog that was to be put to sleep this coming week. The dog had been waiting in the pound for months, but no rescue would take him. All the time he was getting more and more frustrated until he became too kennel stressed for the pound to keep there. We met the warden and went to the new play area with a very excited staffy cross and a long line. We shut the gate and let him go trailing the line, in case we could not catch him again. He just could not believe his good fortune to find such a wonderful play area and ran and ran, and then met another dog who was very nice and he was a good boy although he was a little amorous. Tomorrow, as we have no space today, we are taking over his ownership and hopefully turning his life around.

The plan in my mind for the next week is work as hard as I can so at night I fall asleep exhausted and not worrying. I have done this a few days and it sort of works until around 3am when I give up and get up. I hope I have not created a precedent for all the dogs who have given their breakfast at 4.30-5am! I seem to be getting through a ton of work too. New plans, new improvements and more lives saved.

This whole weekend we have had a load of visitors, adopters and many happy hounds. The volunteers have bathed played with and enjoys the dogs and horses and the dogs have enjoyed the extra love and company. It was a great weekend, even through the weather is grey and dismal. Another thing I have noticed is a big increase in retired folk coming to help and fill their days. Some are lonely but they never leave feeling that and they have all been a great asset meeting, greeting, cleaning, socialising, tidying up, painting, gardening and so much more. It’s a win - win for us all, and the dogs benefit hugely from the help.

I never finished my diary last week; the show took up so much time. We got there in convoy and spent over 6 hours putting the tents up and unloading the vans and there were 6 of us doing it. Then the rain came and that’s about how the whole three days went - constant on/off heavy rain. We got soaked and Jay (my son in law) brought us all more waterproof coats. It was SO miserable. The thousands of people we expected did not turn up due to the awful weather and although we did make money it wasn’t near what we hoped for and we came home with TONS of stuff that all had to be unloaded and stored all over again. Of course it was worth it, as every penny made makes it worth it but it was super tough going and I came home to find a string of really urgent messages.  All about dogs that have no where else to go, with BIG heart breaking stories. We will help all we can.

Moses continues to get stronger happier and fatter.  I actually refer to him as “Fat Boy” and everyone knows who I am talking about - how sad is that? When we feed his mum we have to separate him as he eats his food, then climbs in his mums bowl and eats around himself if he can. We all love him and his mum and pray they both find the best homes EVER. I know everyone will love Moses but his mum is the coolest, sweetest, gentlest mum ever and a true pleasure to look after and a privilege to help her. Her name is Tolly.

Kayla one of our REALLY special staff is leaving. She has been amazing hand raising and caring for the pups and dogs who have had big operations, and she will be so missed. I wish her well but will truly find it so hard to replace her love compassion and work ethics as well as her sweet, gentle ways. This week we have also been trying really hard to find a new vet again. The last two both have wanted the job have cancelled at the last minute. Again, luckily we have some great supporters who are vets and continue to help us in the meantime, but if only we had one full time vet it would make life so much easier.

One worry this week was the x-rays for Wave a pup that has severe muscle wastage on her back legs. She had x-rays and sadly they told us nothing. So now we need an angel who will foster her and take her swimming. The vet feels this would be the best way to build her muscles. If there is any kind person out there who would adopt or foster her who live near a hydrotherapy unit, this could really help her. Please let us know if you’d be willing to help.

We have dogs in with pyometras, ulcers, nose and throat deformities, hip problems slipping patellas as well as eyes and heart problems Some of these will have to go to specialists, some will see a wonderful locum vet and his vet nurse wife who are with us and can help them.  All these operations are very expensive and the money made on that very wet show last weekend is already spent. This is a very tough job, with a lot of worry too.  Again, without all your support this little rescue that grew and grew would not exist. THANK YOU
Sylvia