Hunter, what a fabulous new name I have, much better than Henri which I never felt suited such a handsome chap as me. Hunter, hmmm I like that very much. I had a strange history, lost then found by people who didn’t want to find my owners and didn’t want to put me in a refuge. Luckily as a result of a few white lies I ended up at a small friendly refuge run by Danielle in Castelnau Montratier, put on the Poorpaws website and ……………. result !! Adopted by some lovely people, I even have a pal to play with and as you can see in the photo, I am HAPPY ! Thank you to everyone who helped me a long the way.
This little 7 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is in urgent need of a new home as a result of a divorce (don’t get me started !). A lovely little boy and despite being deaf, gets on very well, walking to heel off the lead. So if you have a kind home to give to a little deaf dog, please get in touch.
Two absolutely gorgeous black Labradors, six years old, Dry and Disquette find themselves URGENTLY in need of a new good home. Their owner is having to leave her home and go into a tiny flat where the dogs are not permitted and even if they were they would take up the whole place and be miserable. Great dogs who are both neutered and vaccinated. They get on with other dogs and children. Are used to sleeping outside but I am sure would be prepared to put up with sleeping indoors !
For those who like big and cuddly, meet Jojo ! Only two months old and already weighing in at six kilos ! Not fluffy but a good thick coat, not smooth haired. Mum is a chocolate labrador but goodness knows who Dad is ! Whatever, Jojo is a huge lump of love and affection with gorgeous colouring. Not awfully clear in my rubbish photo, but one ear is speckledy black and white !
Well halloo again ! It’s me Hamish, you can see me a few photos down. Sadly that home didn’t work out after all. But hey, listen to this, I was taken back to the refuge in the morning and such a kind friendly couple travelled m i l e s to come and see me in the afternoon. They adored me straight away (even gave me some steak, shhh !) and I was off on my travels again. I’ve already got a passport and will be off to England and Scotland – perhaps I’ll meet some ancestors – and back to France for holidays. Third time lucky and I just KNOW this time it will work.
Well, I’m rather embarrassed about this, I am, after all Française so I think I should support a French football team but as my new owners are soooooo nice and my new pal Hank is rather handsome, (although don’t tell him that, his head is big enough already and I’m trying to bring him down a peg or two !) I agreed to pose for Newcastle United. I suppose I should be grateful they didn’t change my name from Erine to Geordie !!
Here we have some fabulous pups who are situated down South. Mum is Patou and Dad thought to be a Border Colley – certainly looks like it. they are close to Ceret, near Perpignan and if you are interested please call Vicky on 0682719554. 7/3/14 ALL ADOPTED !!
I am in love !! Not with another man or a special dog but with a city. Berlin !! Ernst and I had the opportunity to go to join his brother and sister-in-law in Berlin for three days and to be honest I wasn’t that fussed. Yes it would be nice to see Ernst’s cousins and friends, but Berlin in February ??!! Cold, snow, rain, surely I would freeze and be miserable. Not a bit of it, the weather was lovely, sunny, a bit fresh and a couple of showers at night. As for Berlin it is FANTASTIC ! Now, I am not a city girl at all, I much prefer a walk in the country to visiting museums and galleries but Berlin has so much of interest to see. We took a bus tour where you can get off and on when you like which was brilliant. So much history, so colourful, lots of wonderful courtyards. Independent bookshops to die for and little coffee shops each with armchairs outside with fleeces and plaids to keep you warm whilst you drink your coffee and put the world to rights. I had only ever seen that in New York and that was exceptional, but in Berlin it is the norm. Don’t even mention the all night bars !! East Berlin was fascinating, beautiful buildings next to run down concrete blocks of flats. There was just too much to see and do and luckily we must have behaved ourselves as we came back with open invitations to visit whenever we like. Next week too soon ??
I have some great news on the home front. We have moved into the house !!! Moved in last Saturday after twelve years ,TWELVE YEARS !, of living in a mobile home that was shabby when we bought it in 2001. So much has happened in those years, my parents died and I have lost friends too, nieces and nephews seem to have suddenly gone from being children to adults with their own children, I started Poorpaws and good thing I did because at times it was only the dogs that kept me here !! Anyway, my kitchen diner is wonderful. I don’t like fitted kitchens so we have tables and cupboards and a comfy chair for me to sit by the wood burner and read. Ernst ALWAYS sits at the table even if there is a more comfortable chair. I have a new range cooker in cream colour after cooking for the last decade on two electric rings and a tiny tempremental microwave/cooker combo. I have called my cooker Betsy and was prepared to love her like my mother. Sadly she has turned out to be Bitch Betsy, burning the soup the first time I used her !!
Back down to earth or, as it feels like at the moment, back down to marsh, will it EVER stop raining? I have only been able to go to Montaigu market to sell my cards one week in five, luckily they are for sale in the lovely Montaigu English Library, if you have never been there, do go, you won’t be disappointed.
Something I have to mention here. I will always help anyone as much as I can to rehome dogs but I will not help anyone sell a dog. There has recently been a rather unpleasant situation where I was asked to help home a lovely little dog and I was successful in finding several possible adopters. However, although I told the people they would only pay for the chip and vaccination, when contact was made they were asked for much more. This was partly my fault as I did not make the situation clear with the owner of the dog at the outset. Many feathers were ruffled and I have to take some responsibility . So, if you want help from me rehoming your dog, please note that the dog MUST be chipped and vaccinated to date and you can only ask for reimbursement of those costs. I will not encourage breeding by helping to sell a dog.
We have had several dogs homed this month – mostly dogs who never made it on to the website, so if you are looking to adopt, a ‘phone call or email never does any harm as not all the dogs available are on the website, new ones coming in nearly every day. I am particularly happy that Sarko is reserved and will, all things being equal, be going off to a new home in April.
Some very important dates for your diaries:-
March 27th Thursday – Great sale of good quality and some designer clothes at La Sirene restaurant in Montaigu de Quercy. Come along, look through, buy and have lunch too. If you have clothes to donate, contact me. I hasten to add these are not the same clothes we sell at the Vide Grenier in August, much more classy !!
Easter Saturday – Our now famous and increasingly popular Book Sale at Lesley’s barn in Beliben. Can’t read ? Then come for the VERY delicious home made cakes. (Hope Betsy and I have made up by then !!)
July 12th – Hog Roast at the Salle de Fetes in St. Pantaleon.
Hope to see you at ALL of the above !
Love,
Sue x
PS The pictures at the top are of our kitchen – I can’t seem to make them go next to the appropriate paragraph !
Little Bobby is about five months old and one of the most ‘different’ designs we have ever had ! Dad was a Pinscher and Mum is the daughter of a little dog adopted from Carcassonne who turned out to be in the family way a few years ago (what part of “part of the adoption agreement is that you get your dog sterilised” don’t people understand ?!) He has a brindle body, tan, white legs and chest then one blue eye and one brown one !! He is a great little chap, about whippet size at the moment and I think will be on the smaller size of medium. He doesn’t like being on his own so at the moment he is sharing a park with an older female and is quite happy. So I think a home with a playmate would be best, or with people who are around all day and prepared to take him with them when going out.
02/04/14 Update. Bobby has decidely got his confidence( in bucket loads) back and should be called Zebedee !!! Bounce, bounce, bounce, play, run then ………………………….zzzzzzz . Still very wary of strangers however.
Well, hey just look at me now !! From a miserable life when I was always in trouble but didn’t know why, (Sue’s note, Yoda was the poor MalamutX puppy ) I am now in a fabulous home where I am clearly taught what is right and wrong so I am not confused and so, so happy. I have a wonderful four-legged friend and life is just great. Lucky, Lucky me !!
Oh, woe is me, I was reserved before I was born and now things have changed, I am homeless and looking for a new kind home. I am four months old, a little boy and pure Dachshund. I’m well socialised, affectionate, intelligent and great with kids I know a lot of you like my breed and Sue says that a pure pup rarely comes up for adoption so I’m keeping my paws crossed !
Hallo there ! I’m Igloo, remember me ? The cuter than cute pup ? Well, as you can see, I’m turning into a cuter than cute dog now. Not only do I have a lovely home but I have a great new hobby – gardening !!! I just love getting out there to help and I don’t just smell the flowers, I destroy them too. I find they take up too much space where I want to dig. Though I seem to be alone in this opinion !!
From being tied up and miserable to living in a beeyootiful house, what’s not to like ?! My lovely new owners are being trained in how to train me (bummer !) which means I suppose the games of hide and seek around the fields will have to end ! Still I don’t want to upset the applecart so I’m going to try very very hard to be a good boy. Leaving here just doesn’t bear thinking about ! Love to all from Hamish (previously Ursis).
Oh just look at this gorgeous boy ! Thought to be about four years old, he was found near to starvation with shot bullets in his ear and taken in until a home could be found for him. Sadly this has not happened yet and now the situation is getting desperate as the lady looking after him cannot do so for much longer. Dear Fanfaron is fine with other dogs, cats and chickens. He loves long walks but would be happy in a large fenced in garden if he was with someone who loved him. The money has been raised to get him neutered and chipped. I do so hope someone takes pity on him before it is too late, with such a lovely character he really deserves some good things in life now.
13/3 Yeh, yeh and double yeh ! Fanfaron has gone to a new home. Bring on the band and let the parade commence !!
Did you say you wanted a small dog ? Well happy to oblige ! This little dot is two months old and about the size of a tennis ball. (I’ve told you before Susan, don’t go over the top !) Ok, she is a little bigger than a tennis ball but weighs only 1.5 kilos at the moment !! Who knows what mixture she is and I’m not even going to guess except to say that, for once, no Labrador !! Oh, we would rather she didn’t go anywhere where there are big feet in the family !!
Izzie here and as you can see I have fallen very firmly on all four paws. My new Mum and Dad just adore me even though they said they would never have another Yorkie as they were so sad when their last one went over the rainbow. Well, I’m not totally Yorkie and I’m doing my best to make them happy again. Am I happy ? You bet and, as you can see, if anyone needs the address of DogToys R Us, just call me !!
Can this be me ? Barney ? Sitting here in this lovely home with a very smart red collar ? I can’t believe it ! I was so sad and in pain living tied to a tree with a wire put on me when I was a baby and not changed when I had grown a few months. Then along came a lovely lady who took me to Danielle who works with Sue at Poorpaws. Before you could say Bonio, I went to sleep and when I woke up the wire had gone. Then my dream came true, I was chosen by Mr. and Mrs. White the kindest of people who had driven FOUR HOURS to choose a dog (that’s EIGHT there and back!) and chose me before anyone had time to draw breath. So, my advice to others ? Never give up on your dreams, they are free.
Phew, thank goodness for that, January is over. Why does January feel so l o n g and miserable ? Possibly because of the absolutely horrid weather we are having, probably because of the bills coming in and for us here at Poorpaws because we had two very sad RIP’s. One was our lovely little Tammy. I found ginger Tammy wandering around in the middle of the main Montcuq/Cahors road a couple of years ago. Nearly blind, nearly deaf, this little mite was surely lost. However, after a poster campaign and all the usual searches, no-one came to claim her. Had she been chucked out after a death or was it because that her favourite place was stuck to your legs even when you were walking around, very dangerous if she belonged to an elderly person ? It may even be that the foul example of a human being who was responsible for the ten shotgun pellets in her thought that she had died. Who knows, anyway she became my little darling and shadow. She survived a major stomach operation thanks to the lovely Dr. Cros at Prayssac a year ago but a couple of weeks ago cancer got the better of her and she was sent peacefully to sleep.
Then I heard that Zac a beautiful Border Colley adopted from us some seven years ago was being beaten by leishmaniose. This is such a cruel disease which dogs get from mosquitos. If vaccinated before they get it they are safe but once they have it there is no hope and the end is heartbreaking. Sleep happy Zac, Christopher and Diane thank you for the happy memories.
So, lets get on to happier news. Hmm, have to think ! Many adoptions, mostly of dogs who never made it to the website ! One very happy one was Barney a scruffy looking love who was rescued from a travellers’ camp. When he got to us he had a wire so tight round his neck that the vet had to operate to remove it. But does Barney hold any grudges ? Nope, he is just one lovely happy fellow. Mr. and Mrs. White drove four hours to choose a dog. In ten seconds they came, they saw and Barney conquered !! I am not kidding you, a very long drive, they walked in, spied Barney and said that’s the one ! We offered to show others but no, their minds were made up and you can see Barney on the Happy Endings page. Then there was Tilly a lovely little lady, not unlike my Tammy. Tilly came with a broken tail but that didn’t put Mr. and Mrs Oaks off, Tilly was snapped up (oops, ouch, perhaps not the best word !) let’s say that she was given the thumbs up immediately and went off happily with Ossi. We won’t mention that Ossi obviously would have preferred one of the little boys !! Mustn’t forget Izzie, another one who had a long journey home but worth every kilometre ! You can see Izzie on the Happy Endings page too.
Another little pup has gone down to the Cote d’Azur. Ernst and I went down for a party to celebrate the 25 years of the Ship and Castle pub in Monte Carlo where I used to work and where I met Ernst. (Hmmm. !) So little Hektor came too and his new owners are over the moon with him.
I have been asked to put on the website some very needy dogs who are coming over from India. That is one country I would never want to visit, I just wouldn’t be able to cope with the poor animals there but I am more than happy to try to help from afar. So, being unable to put the dogs ‘en bloc’ on our website, can I direct you to Doglinks website where you can see them and hopefully help.
I’m typing this quite early (for me) in order to get our news out there, but it is very possible that I have forgotten something I wanted to tell you, so when you have a minute, pop back to see if I have added something !!
Also, if anyone sees the sun, tell him we are missing him !
Love,
Sue x
PS Added later. Something wonderful happened after I had written the above, Gali went off to a new home which I know is gong to be great ! He deserves if after all he has been through. You are on your way to happiness Gali AND to three new girlfriends !! There is a photo of Gali ready to leave up at the top. Sorry, I’m totally incapable of getting it in the right place !!
I’m Coco and right, let’s get this clear, I was on the Poorpaws website as a Yorkie Terrier, but hey, look at me now !! I know the truth but mum’s the word (no pun intended). Could be a little bit of Poodle in me, a bit of Bichon perhaps and, clearly a little bit of Yorkie. I know it was difficult to tell when I was tiny but whatever, have you everseen anything so cute ?!
Little Gamin is just 18 months old (so won’t get any bigger). Kept all his short life on a VERY short chain, he was rescued and brought to us. A little terrier mix he is fun and gets on well with his park mates.
My name is Kali and I am a French Spaniel. I am a lovely lady and although I am ten years old, I promise you there is a lot of love and life in me yet. I had a very happy home and then the unthinkable happened, my caring owner died and I was left alone with no-one to carry on with the wonderful life I had. So, from a loving home I find myself here at the refuge, where everyone is kind to me, but oh how amazing it would be to find a kind cosy home to end my years.
Don’t think we’ve ever had one of these before !! A little Norwich Terrierx just two months old. His sister has already been snapped up so we just have this little boy. Soooooo cute !
Henri here is a 13 month Beauceron. I just love Beaucerons, they are the most faithful of faithful dogs. Henri is fine with other dogs and gentle with children. Impressive looking to keep unwanted visitors away too.
Hallo, my name is Sarko (but you can change it if you want !). I am an English Setter mixed with perhaps a Brittany Spaniel. I am four years old and have been rescued from not a very happy life. However, I don’t hold any grudges, I just love EVERYONE and if you have the time to take me on long walks or a large garden where I can run around and play, I will love you even more. I am very active but am learning to be a bit calmer which I want to do to make me a Very Good Boy and find a nice home.
You have to feel sorry for poor little two year old Gali here. Rescued from a miserable life, came to the refuge where he soon found a home. THEN the people who adopted him were given a Bichon puppy so the rotten callous bastards brought Gali back !!!!! I just cannot believe some people, how could you do that. So poor Gali finds himself whipped out of a lovely warm home, back to the refuge, poor little sausage. As I’ve said before, what goes around comes around, so just watch it you unspeakable examples of human beings.
Feeling slightly jaded as I write this, don’t know if it is an ‘age thing’ but I don’t seem to be able to cope with lots of socialising and all that goes with it, as well as I used to. I love it that’s for sure but it seems to take longer to recover !!
Sadly we didn’t make it into the house for Christmas but we were able to host a Christmas Day drinks apero in there after I had Christmas decorated the kitchen and got the tree etc., up. Sod’s law, Ernst went down with a ghastly cold just inches from the finishing line and wasn’t able to work for a while. Strange, I had the same cold the week before but was able to carry on so long as I had plenty of early nights. Hmm, man-flu obviously. However, the great, really great, brilliant thing that has happened as a result of the man-flu ……..Ernst hasn’t smoked for over two weeks !! This is someone who smoked at least a packet of cigarellos a day. He had such coughing fits that I was sure I would have to take him to A and E so bad was the choking and I think that may have frightened him – it sure did me !! Anyway, I’m not saying he has given up, don’t want to tempt fate, I’m just keeping my fingers crossed.
He surpassed himself with my Christmas present. Having told me on Christmas Eve that he hadn’t bought me a present ( I quite understand, he hadn’t had much time …………. only 364 xxxxx days since last Christmas !) he obviously dashed into Cahors and on Christmas Day I found a parfumerie bag with a Chanel packet in. As my friend Lesley is a Chanel 5 girl, I assumed someone had left it for her. But no, Ernst said it was for me. I expressed surprise as I have never worn Chanel but Ernst insisted I had, then admitted that the salesgirl had told him. It turns out he had gone to the shop and asked what was the last thing I had bought. Yes, Chanel 5 body lotion….. BUT FOR LESLEY’S BIRTHDAY !!!! He now has on a little piece of paper in his wallet the names of my two favourite scents !
There was plenty of good dog news. Ixe the malamut/German Shepherd went off to a new home and the latest news is that although he requires a lot of education, things are going well. Now called Iffi and this because before he went off to his new family there were apparently lots of “If he” conversations !
Then there was the story of Harry and Sally, two very elderly Westies who were not living in very good conditions. Suffice to say that they are now living in a cosy loving home and have even had a trip to the hairdresser.
Igloo goes off this week, his new owners are driving down from Normandy !!
Then I had my own personal “phew” moment. A couple of weeks ago, to help Danielle out, we took in a desperately sad Pointer who had been ‘removed’ from her bastard owner who used her as a punch/kick ball. She was so timid and frightened poor thing. She came out on walks with us, on a lead, then as she gained confidence and realised a hand coming towards her meant a stroke and love rather than a clout, I let her off the lead. She was so happy it brought tears to my eyes. She would run around with Tega but always kept me in her sights. On Boxing Day I let her off and she ran like a rocket off into the distance. I didn’t worry as she was with another dog and they always come back at some time. However that evening she hadn’t returned and nor had she the next morning although all the others had returned long ago. By now I was beside myself. I rang all the local hunt Présidents and all promised to keep an eye out. (nb. Although I hate hunting, I keep in with the hunters as they have helped me find dogs on several occasions.) That afternoon one of the hunters called to say he had seen her in the next village the night before and had just seen her in between St. Pantaleon and Sauzet, but had not been able to catch her. We shot up and drove around for an hour up and down all the lanes but to no avail. The hunter was even there looking too and pointed out exactly where he had seen her. We went home disappointed, then got another call from the hunter all excited, he had just seen her again at Cambayrac. This was worrying as she was getting further away from us. So, off we dashed again with torches and whistles – and sore throats from calling ! No success, so we returned again. BUT, on the way home I left my jacket together with food and water, at one of the places she had been seen. (A tip from a hunter long ago.) At about 10pm I returned and there she was on my jacket !!!! Spooked by the car headlights she ran off but I walked around with the torch calling gently to her and I soon saw two little frightened eyes looking up at me through a bush. She was curled up, tail right through her legs up to her nose, trembling, clearly waiting to be beaten. I held her and cuddled her and managed to get her into the car. She’s back to happy and confident now and will make someone a lovely, lovely companion. Look out for her on the website.
Finally I have to thank all of you who sent the dogs such generous donations for Christmas. I can hardly believe how so many of you remember us at such a busy time. I would love to name you all but would be so scared of missing someone, but I will mention Oscar who was adopted from us many years ago and always sends us some of his pocket money. Thanks to all of you I am going to buy some ‘squashy’ beds for our little oldies in the sales and some of the inmates will get a much need ‘shampoo and set’. Thank, you, thank you, thank you !
Have a wonderful New Year, love your dogs and if you have room for another, well, you know where to come !!
Lots and lots of love and thanks to you,
Sue – and The Poorpaws Gang who are mostly unhomeable due to age or bad temper ( a bit like me !) Scoopy, Piglet, Kiki, Tammy, Tiny the Terrible Poodle (who gave me a nasty bite just before Christmas when I was bathing him !), Doucka, Rik, Ermine (the Pointer), Tega, Robbie, Ziggy, Lizzie, Lulu, Charly, Fargo and Caline. Plus the cats !
Thank you, thank you, thank you Caline for refusing this wonderful home !!! You don’t know what you are missing – own bed, lots of walks, titbits and my own personal pianist !!! For those who don’t recognise me, I was Gary on the Poorpaws website but now my name is Barney which I much prefer. Happy Christmas everyone, I know mine is going to be GREAT !!!
When I met little Igloo I immediately went into “who’s a boofuls boy den ? Come to mama” mode, he just seems to turn that on in you !! A lovely little chap just two months old, mother is a LabritX on the small side of medium and father unknown. Possibly a spaniel or setter. Whatever, Igloo is gorgeous !
November was an up and down month for Poorpaws. You will probably have read our special item on Sky the fabulous Rottie and we had our own RIP here. Remember Jilly, ‘haven’t stopped barking yet’ ? Well after a few months of calm and comfort Jilly turned into Jilly ‘haven’t stopped coughing yet’. Two weeks of medication showed no improvement so she had an Xray. This showed that Jilly’s heart had enlarged, more tumours had appeared and, the worst of all, she had cancer on the tracchea and in the lungs. So, at her age there was no hope and I had to make the PTS decision. This obviously broke my heart but I couldn’t let her suffer. Happy Birthday me, but in another way, because of the date she will never be forgotten and thank goodness (and Lieke and Lesley) Jilly knew love and comfort before she died.
Another sad loss was Cheddar who had been on the website for a while. Poor Cheddar was asleep in front of his house when two strangers somehow startled him and he bit them. Sadly the people insisted that he too be PTS. Now I’m not sure that anyone can insist on this without various tests being done, but in the chaos obviously things happened too quickly. So, please, please, please, if you don’t know the dog, let sleeping dogs lie !!
Then there was the story of Bambi ! Get a cup of coffee for this one !! Bambi was on the way back to the UK from Spain with her owners. At Calais port the car door was opened just at the same time as an articulated lorry put on, or let off, his airbrakes. The noise spooked Bambi and she was off. Her owners spent hours driving round looking for her and finally had to take the last ferry home whilst their lift returned to Spain. I got a plea for help and got in touch with the port dog pound, Bambi hadn’t been taken there. Then the next day, great excitment I had a call from the pound to say someone had taken her in !! Brilliant, then disaster, her passport had been left in the car which had returned to Spain !! The passport was posted back to the UK but took time. One person at the pound told me that if the passport was sent there they would arrange for the necessary flea treatment to be done so that her owners could do a return day trip to collect Bambi. So the passport was posted to the pound and then someone else there told me they wouldn’t get the treatment done and the owners would have to go over themselves, thereby obliging them to stay three days in Calais. So this is what happened and Bambi is finally reunited with her family. Did I mention that the owners were also in the process of moving house ??!!
So, be warned and be prepared ! ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS attach your dogs in your car. Even if they are the most docile and obediant, the unexpected can happen. I attach a lead to a loop in the back of the car (I think the loop secures the warning triangle cover) and attach the lead also to the dog. I also put another lead attached to the dog so that you can release one knowing you are hanging on to the other.
Adoptions were good this month, Oscar, Faulk (now Very Happy Frankie), Italy and Roxanne went to good homes and Gary took up the lovely home that Caline refused. Silly her and Lucky Gary !!
My good news is that we are frighteningly close to moving into our house !! I have even ordered a new cooker – just as well I need somewhere to put my jumpers.
Thank you to all of you who through various Christmas Fairs are helping dogs in need and HUGE thank you to Hope Association for yet again sharing.
Ok, sometimes I get really cross. Here we have the most beautiful dog, only six months old. He was taken in as a puppy by AN ELDERLY MAN WITH A HEART PROBLEM for goodness sake. It was pointed out that perhaps an older dog would be better for him but no, he would walk the dog, it would be good for both of them and if he couldn’t his wife or little girl would. Yeah right, his wife wants nothing to do with the poor dog and the daughter is much too young and small. Inevitably the dog is never taken for a walk because he pulls the old man over. So, if he doesn’t find a new home soon the family are threatening to have the dog put down. I am so angry about this, the poor dog, through no fault of his own, has had no education whatsoever but despite this is very affectionate and loving. Totally non aggressive he throws himself on his back when he knows he is going to get told off because, well here’s a suprise, he doesn’t understand basic orders !
So, I am really desperate for a home, or even a foster home for this poor animal. He is very bouncy, needs exercise and basic training. He is still so young – six months, did I say that already ? – and needs a home where he will get all of the foregoing.
Help !
WONDERFUL NEWS !!!! IXE GOING TO A NEW HOME VERY SHORTLY !!! LET THE BELLS RING AND MAY IDIOTS BE PREVENTED FROM TAKING IN DOGS THEY CANNOT COPE WITH.
From spending 24 hours a day, seven days a week on a chain for years I have come to this wonderful home ! Pinch me, do anything, but don’t take me away from here !! Not only have I got lovely new owners who think I’m the bees’ knees, I also have not one, but TWO new girlfriends !! I just can’t stop cuddling them ! ( Sue’s note, make the most of it Frankie, I know something you don’t, a little snip trip to the vet is on the agenda !!). I am just so, so happy, thank you, thank you for choosing me.
Can this be true ?! Is this really me, Igor, son of Caline, in this fabulous place ?!!! Woweeeee !!!!!! I was handed over to my new family at the Poorpaws Barn Book Sale (hmm they didn’t let me get anywhere near the cakes I noticed ), stayed a few days with my new owners’ owners, then a long drive down to the South where I have landed in happy, happy doggy land. My new mum Elizabeth does lots of running and takes me with her (she’s a bit slow though don’t tell her I wouldn’t like to hurt her feelings) that is great fun. The kids play with me and I am gentle with them trying not to get too excited. So, all in all RESULT and Well Worth Waiting For !!!!
Ernst and I are very lucky in that we have wonderful friends and neighbours, Pat and Tony. Pat and Tony in turn have a lovely daughter, Kelly, who lives in the UK. About five years ago Kelly, her partner Phil and daughter Morgan, adopted Sky a year old Rottweiler. This caused concern amongst family and friends as Rotties don’t have a very good press in England – well anywhere for that matter. Everyone was proved wrong. Sky was the most beautiful, gentle, obediant dog. A gorgeous creature the size of a small bear with the character of a lamb.
Sky was truly a magical dog who touched many hearts. Phil works with people with disabilities and Sky was so gentle with them. Even those fearful of dogs, especially large ones, were drawn to her and were unafraid. She proved that it is not dogs who are bad it is owners who make them so.
A few days ago Sky was discovered to have a cancer that had gone through the bone of one of her legs and into her lung. She was in great pain and no-one could bear to see her suffer. So this wonderful animal was put to sleep on the 15th November leaving broken hearts lying all around. Sky was loved, adored and admired by anyone who came into contact with her (well apart from the squirrels !) and is missed dreadfully. Run now without pain Sky sweetie, there must have been a huge welcoming party there in doggy heaven to welcome you, our loss is their gain and you will never be forgotten.
Tega, ah Tega, you big beautiful girl ! Long term Poorpaws followers may remember Tega who came to us about three years ago when she was five years old. Rescued along with her thirteen puppies by some great English ladies the names of whom I am ashamed to say I can’t remember – sorry ! -from a repulsive farmer who is on my hit list, she proved to be a fabulous mum and her pups all went to great homes. Tega herself went to a great home too to a lovely man who cared deeply for her. Sadly he has died so Tega is again back at Poorpaws looking for a good home. Now then, I can promise you that Tega is a star. She looks impressive but is as soft as butter. Very obediant, no need for a lead on walks, great with other dogs, a bit lively with cats but only if they run. Tega is just a largish lump of love. Ok she is now eight years old but not everyone wants a young dog. ADORES the car, in fact trying to get her out is a game ! I do so hope that she finds a forever home very soon. I adore her. The photo is crap, Tega has the most amazing long ears which point to the skies, I’ll try again !!
13/3 The bestest news ever ! Our lovely Tega has been offered a wonderful new home. Boy I’m going to miss her !
I’m sure I don’t have to write much about Oscar – except to apologise for the terrible photo, the others were blurred so I’ll try to get another. Oscar is just a delightful two year old Yorkiex and, unlike many Yorkies I have met, is eager to learn to be obediant as well as giving lots of cuddles !
Thought I’d give you another photo of Gary as the other one obviously didn’t impress anyone ! Gary is a Beagley sort of dog, two years old and full of life, a great all round family dog.
Ok, right, all you Cocker nuts here is a real loopy, er, sorry, beauty ! Seven month Caramel was a gift that hadn’t been thought through. Given to someone who was away from home twelve hours a day little Caramel was left on his own and to his own devices poor little chap. Since he has been with Danielle he has proved himself to be Very Energetic yet intelligent and ready to learn.
If I had a ‘Dog of the Month’ on this website, Roxanne would be the one for November. She’s a great little girl. A sort of Pincherx about a year old, she just loves to play with a ball, a stick or just about anything. Loves a cuddle and would be your very best friend. Her only failing is a weakness for pigeon pie, only Roxanne doesn’t bother with the crust or a pie dish ! She would be ideal for those who want a small but ‘real’ dog. Looking a little apprehensive in the photo but she had only just been taken in. She really is a lovely bundle of fun !
Meet little Italy, a sweet little three month girl who is rather lonely at the moment as her kennel pal has been adopted. Italy is a very happy little girl and just can’t wait to go to a home of her own.
Hiya, see me ? That’s me with my new brother and pal Woody. Of course you all know Woody as he is already on the Happy Endings page and boy am I happy to be there too now. It was a close thing as my new Mum and Dad came to see TWO other dogs (one of which was Caline, well, huh, you may have read what a wuss she is ! ) then they asked to see the pups. Well, easy peasy, deal done I put on a ton of ‘cute’ and was snapped up ! Feel a bit guilty about the other two but, hey, we black dogs don’t often get lucky. I just l u r v e Woody even though he played hard to get at the beginning and now life is just one huge bowl of cherries.
It was great, the weather was great and you were wonderful !! Thank you sooo much to all who came along to support us and to those who couldn’t, hopefully next time ? We have never had so many people which was really super as we had serious competition on that day ! You donated wonderful books (albeit as with the clothes sale there are obviously those who don’t get the ‘in good condition and saleable’ concept !) which added to our good reputation so much so that we had requests to visit the day before from some who were unable to come on the day. The cakes were just as yummy as ever, our Quercy Cake Queens pulled out all the stops and by 2pm there wasn’t a single cake crumb left (even all my ginger cake went !) so huge apologies to those who came later, we have already put the wheels in motion to ensure more goodies for next time. Of course there are special thank yous, firstly to Lesley who yet again put her lovely barn and garden at our disposal, to the gang who gave up their Wednesday afternoon to help sort hundreds of books (I won’t name them all for fear of forgetting someone and losing them for the next event !) to Tony who was indispensable taking and sorting the many books brought along on the day, and to our saviour Gary who, after we have cherry picked the left overs, takes the rest. We raised a fabulous 1,500 euros half of which will be shared between Poorpaws, Twilight Retirement Home for Dogs, the Rescue Refuge at Castlenau Montratier and the other half will go to cancer research. Thank you, thank you, thank you !!
Yummy !!
Lots of adoptions in October, Iriane, now Kelli, the little black lab type pup ,now called Indy, see her on the Happy Endings page, Geronimo, Igor and lastly Caline who went to a wonderful home a week ago …………………….and came back yesterday !! Silly girl Caline, a perfect, perfect home for her and what did she do ? Went into a depression ! All her life Caline has been with lots of other dogs, first in a hunting pack where she was asked to leave as she is gun shy, then here at Poorpaws where she proved herself a gorgeous affectionate young lady. Her prospective owners loved her and did everything to make her happy, but no, she turned into a nervous mess and spent most of her time hiding under the bed. So I took her back yesterday and when we got home she leapt out of the car and bounced up the driveway dashing left and right to say hallo to everyone. Then today she had an epilectic fit. So, we now know she needs a home with another dog, more if possible and with someone who is not going to worry about the fits.
Djerk has also been adopted apparently. I just love it when people beg for help to find a new home for a dog, then don’t have the common decency to let you know when the dog is sorted. I had an enquiry for Djerk so happily rang the guy only to be told he had homed the dog “way back in the Summer”. Thanks a bunch, my description of the owner on the website was obviously spot on !
A couple of days ago I was told about a poor dog tied up out in the countryside nowhere near any houses. Lesley and I went to have a look and indeed there is a lovely dog tied to a tree with a ramshackle kennel beside him with no company except for three horses in the field. The chain he is on, which is way below regulation length, was so tangled round the tree that the poor thing couldn’t even get to his kennel or his bowl of rotten green water. The owner has been traced and when I spoke to her to see if she would like to rehome the dog she replied “oh no, I really love him”. Words fail me, well actually they don’t but I cannot print them. So at least we now know about the poor animal we can do everything possible to make his life a bit more bearable – he already looked so happy when we stuffed his kennel full of the bale of straw we had taken along.
Can’t believe it is already nearly two months since I left work – when did I ever have the time to go there ?! Ernst and I had a wonderful week on the Il de Ré as usual, then his cousin came to stay, which meant that we had to move back into the bedroom in the mobile home. We had a lovely time with her here and I saw more of Cahors in five days than I have in twelve years ! Now my friend Sue is coming over to help me celebrate my “when I’m 64” birthday and we have a very busy few days lined up. I’ll probably need to lie down until Christmas after that. Christmas ! Yikes ! If you need to top up on cards I have some for sale, in aid of the dogs, at the English Library in Montaigu de Quercy and on rain-free Saturdays I will be selling at the market there. It was funny yesterday as people kept coming up to me saying “got any Christmas cards ?” and I’d get out the boxful behind my stand. I felt as if I was selling illegal substances !
Enjoy the rest of this wonderful Indian summer and get reading so you can bring the books back for the next sale. Oh, by the way if anyone bought a book about Brigitte Bardot, can they let me buy it back when they have read it ? I promised a friend I’d put it by for her ….. and promptly forgot !
Helios is a really fine labx of about 18 months with a great character, very affectionate and obediant. Another travellers’ reject who seems to love everyone and everything.
Australian Shepherd dogs are quite popular at the moment and here is a beauty ! Faulk is three years old and the poor animal has spent all of those three years tied up. Now free as a bird with my friend Danielle he is proving to be a lovely dog who bears no malice. He really deserves a loving happy home. Just need to be a little careful with cats.
Ok, it’s “ahhhh” time ! Little Igor (not to be confused with the previous Igor) is the Most Gorgeous little Beagle. At seven months he is rather timid at the start but will very quickly become your closest friend.
All you German Shepherd fans, here is a beauty. Iriane is six months old and has the most wonderful character. Absolutely fine with cats and other dogs, here she is playing with little pal IBYS who is a four month female labx, also looking for a home.
20.10.13 GREAT NEWS ! Both Iriane and Ibyss are adopted.
You all know by now that Brittany Spaniels are my own special favourites and here is a smasher ! Calinette is seven months old and knows it ! Very active, needs a lot of exercise and will give tons of affection in return.
This young lady with the lovely name of India, has to be one of the prettiest dogs we have ever had to home. A WhippetX, India is just seven months old. She is very timid to begin with, but when confident will play happily with other dogs so long as they are not too boisterous, so a home without young children is necessary.
Well it’s over ! My horrid Summer job has finally come to an end and I am free ! Well actually I’ve been free since the 15th September and have had a great fun week on the Cote d’Azur with friends Sue, Jan and ‘Ouisa (Louise). We had nothing but really hot sunshine which was a good excuse to do very little except laze around the pool, read, and play cards. Isn’t it lovely that when you are on holiday it always seems to be aperitif time ?! The week got off to a giggly start when I bought a new mobile ‘phone, plugged it in to charge up whilst we played cards, then was surprised three hours later to find it wasn’t working. I started off on one, casting curses at the thieving supermarket ‘without a mother’ where I had bought it. Then one of the girls asked mildly if I had put the battery in it. Battery ? What battery ? Surely it wasn’t for me to put the battery in, it should already be in there !! Apparently not but never mind, luckily they were all there to get it up and running for me. I learned how to text but it takes me for ever just to send a very short text and anyone nearby has their ears assaulted by expletives and deletives !
Whilst I was down there I went to visit Holly, one of the loves of my life, in her new home, along with her ‘brothers’ Hector and Houston who also came from Poorpaws. I was happy (and a little sad) to find that Holly only had eyes for her new owners and couldn’t have cared less if I was there or not. You will see in the photo that I have to hold her collar to keep her near me but she is staring adoringly at Olivia. There’s faithfulness for you !! Seriously, she, and Hector and Houston just could not have fallen into better hands.
You will see from the adoptions page and the missing photos that September was a great month and very many dogs went off to lovely new homes. A couple of new ones and there will be more, including a Boxer for you Boxer fans.
I think several of you know that I sell greetings cards at the market at Montaigu Market (and at the English Library there). I buy them in bulk from the UK and am able to sell them at just 1 euro each. Well I just wanted to mention here a lovely lady called Hayley who I ordered a number of cards from. When Hayley learned what I wanted them for, she threw in several packs free and made a HUGE reduction on postage. Thank you Hayley, you are obviously a lovely person and you can be sure I will order from you again.
Someone has pointed out to me that I should mention the website chiensperdu.org. If you find or have lost a dog, take a look at this site as many dogs have been reunited with their owners as a result.
VERY IMPORTANT !! In the last newsletter I mentioned that our Autumn Book Sale would be on the 19th October. However, due to the fact that our Quercy Cake Godess will be in the UK then, we have changed the date to the 26th. So we do hope you will be able to come along, usual place, Lesley’s Barn at Beliben, Sauzet, usual time 10 am to 3pm, usual price, 1 euro per book, 1 euro per dvd and usual yummy cakes, tea and coffee. We are collecting books now, so get in touch 0565245303 if you want us to collect. It is better for us to have them the week before so that we have a couple of days to sort but obviously you are welcome to bring them along on the day.
Ernst and I are off to our beloved Ile de Ré on the 5th for a week. I know, I know, but he deserves a holiday too . From the look of the weather forecast I shouldn’t have been so mean when buying my last pair of walking boots and should have forked out a bit (well, actually a LOT) more for the waterproof ones !!
Caramel is another of those ‘oldies but goodies’. At about nine years old Caramel was rescued from going into a refuge by our good friend Didi on the Cote d’Azur after his owner died. She has had him vaccinated, neutered and chipped ready to go to a new home. Despite his age – well, nine is not that old really – Caramel is just great. He has a teeny weeny heart murmur but I never take any notice of those having had many dogs with the same thing and it never affects them at all. I had the pleasure of spending time with Caramel (and Didi !) recently and can confirm that he is a dear, behaved himself perfectly whilst we had an aperitif at a local bar and also in a restaurant. He is very loving and would make a lovely companion for anyone not in the first flush of youth.
