Dog Adoption France - PoorPaws
Sue GLIBBERY – 0565 24 53 03
Adopted !
This poor lad looking so sad had a great start to life but it only lasted a year as his owners who adopted him as a pup, have to move to a small apartment. Not a great life for poor Zazou so if you are looking for a lovely lab type, Zazou is for you. Chipped and vaccinated.”
Adopted !
Harvey, just a gorgeous little boy. At four months old we cannot understand why he hasn’t been snapped up. A Border Colley with perhaps a bit of Setter in there, Harvey is everything you could want. He is obedient, affectionate, toilet trained, just the best. When Ernst and I were away for a few days he went to stay with our neighbours where he played with their very big and bouncy Oscar and had the time of his life. He came home with a glowing report on his behaviour. Just at the right age to start his training, don’t hesitate. What a great way to start his (and your) New Year !
Biscuit here very happy in his second home with his ‘sister’ Lucy. Biscuit is proving to be a lovely caring dog and bravely tried to protect his mistress from an attack by a very aggressive dog. Luckily a man with a baseball bat came to their assistance. This has made Biscuit rather timid except at mealtimes when he ‘generously’ picks out three croquettes for Lucy to be going on with until he has finished his meal ! Another happy Poorpaws success.
Greta is one of those dogs who just grabs hold of your heart by being totally loving, gentle, obediant and everyone’s friend. She came as a puppy to Poorpaws and was overlooked for some reason for a couple of months before some lovely people looked into her eyes and were hooked. She has proved to be every bit as super as I knew she was and now lives a wonderful life. You will always be one of my ‘specials’ Greta !
Phew, well that’s all over for another year ! Hope you have had a good Holiday Season. We had a couple of magical days at Ernst’s sister’s chalet in La Clusaz. A beautiful old chalet looking down over the village, it was all snow, twinkly lights and all things Christmassy. Back to reality on the 26th and then to the news of three deaths ( I did warn you in the last newsletter that people are dropping like flies round me !). A neighbour on the 25th, a friend on the 26th and a cousin on the 27th. So I’m off to another funeral next week.
Lesley’s planned New Year’s Eve / daughter Marta’s birthday party was nearly put on hold for the 31st because the friend who died had been very close to the family but it was decided that ‘the show must go on’ and despite our sadness a great time was had by all.
Poorpaws did have it’s own two Christmas miracles !! The lovely Porthos went off to a new home on the 31st, we’re all thinking of you Porthos and hope you have the happiness you deserve. I am especially (selfishly) delighted as I had sworn off chocolate until he was homed. I’m now making up for lost time although I have to own up to giving in to temptation ever so slightly over the last month !
The second miracle concerned little Betty the Beagle. I took tiny Betty from Carcassonne a couple of years ago as she was elderly and not doing well there. She came to Poorpaws and I homed her with an elderly lady in Montcuq. “Stuff that” she said (Betty, not the lady) and ran away on the first day. She was found and brought back and a couple of weeks later was rehomed with a lovely lady who had adopted a little old dog, Nounours, from us many years ago. Carol thought Nounurs would like the company of a little old female. Sadly Betty the Beagle turned into Betty the Bully and poor Nounours wasn’t allowed to eat out of his own dish or even sleep in his own bed !! Regretfully an amicable divorce was arranged and Betty came back to us. She was an escape artist and cost me a fortune in bottles of wine for people bringing her home. Then one day 19 months ago Betty ran off and never came home. I was desperately sad thinking of her hit by a car or down a rabbit / fox hole dying a horrible death. On the Saturday before Christmas I had a call saying the vet at Castelnau had had a visit from an elderly gentleman taking in his dog for treatment to an eye. The old boy said he had found the dog nearly two years ago and tried to find the owner but as there was no tatoo he had had no luck. The vet said she would just check for a chip and bingo, they realised that Betty was mine !!! The poor guy was very upset as he had grown so fond of Betty so I quickly reassured him that I would not take her back. I went to visit her last week and there she was nice and snug in her bed with two other little friends. I was just so happy except that she didn’t – or pretended not to – recognise me, little moo !!!
Other miracles arrived in the forms of Christmas donations. Thank you, all of you, who were kind enough to think of us, too many to mention all but a special thank you to dear Oscar who was one of our first adopteds and who never forgets us at Christmas and to the Wilds who still send even though their beloved Labrador has gone on to doggy heaven. You are all great.
Great news for the dogs at Castelsarrasin refuge. All the ones on the Poorpaws website except for one have been adopted and a young boxer pup will be on our adoptions page very soon.
Now then ………………………….PUPPIES !!!!! We are drowning in them, not to mention the buckets of puppy poo I have to collect up every day, the freshly planted pots which are found the next day empty of earth and flowers, my wellington boots which disappear regularly AND my Christmas gloves which lasted only to Boxing Day. HELP !!! Individually they are gorgeous, in a gang they are monsters. All chipped and vaccinated they can’t wait – and nor can I – to bring a bit of ‘lively’ into your home. Wasn’t one of your resolutions to get out more, get more exercise and get more fresh air. Answer ? Walking a dog, cheaper than gym membership and much more fun !!
A very, very, happy and healthy New Year to you all !
Love,
Sue
“I thought that not having to go to work any more would mean that I’d have loads of spare time, a bedroom and mobile home that were forever clean and tidy and delicious home made suppers every evening. Well I’m not sure what’s gone wrong but what I am wondering is how on earth did I ever have time to go to work ??!! November has been a very busy month with something to be done every day.
I went over to the UK for two days to my last remaining Aunt’s cremation. Although a sad occasion it gave me the opportunity of seeing and staying with two of my closest oldest friends whom I haven’t seen for far too long. Also, it was lovely meeting up again with lots of family members. Cousins, their children and even their children (eek !). It also made me realise that Aunty Beryl was the last of our family’s ‘older’ generation, so the next generation is mine! Again, eek !!
The service was ‘cosy’ if I can use my favourite word, ending with a lovely recording of ‘”Daisy, Daisy” the song my Aunty sang to each family baby to get them off to sleep.
Another plus to that couple of days was being able to buy Krispi Kreme maple glazed doughnuts at Stanstead ! I’m seriously thinking of leaving dog adoption and starting a Krispi franchise over here !!
Talking of dogs, there were some good adoptions this week, sadly not from Poorpaws but from the website. The best news is that the blind Brittany – which pulled in more enquiries than any other dog this month – has gone to a great home and latest news is that he is doing just fine. You will have seen our super Kirby on the adoptions page. Poor love was very frightened when she was brought to us with all her brood but she is great now and fast getting fed up with all her babies. Should have thought of that Kirby when you were in slapper mood !! The pups are beautiful and doing very well. They’ll be ready to go to homes after Christmas.
The mother and owner of Barney and Courtney were traced and, as we thought, they will be quite big gentle dogs if Mum is anything to go by. There are other brothers and sisters and the owner was quite happy for us to keep B and C and to home them.
Following a trip to the vet our cheeky Border Colley pup Harvey was found to have one dodgy eye and only one family jewel !! The vet assures me that the eye thing will cause no problem to Harvey whatsoever and he will even be able to work very well as his parents do. As to the other little matter, well if it doesn’t ‘descend’ by the time Harvey is four months, the vet will have to go looking for it !!
Christmas is nearly upon us and anyone wanting to adopt a puppy must remember that they are not “just for Christmas”. Puppies have to go to a calm, peaceful home, not one where children are hyper at the thought of a strange man climbing down the chimney. Poorpaws is more than happy to reserve a pup for you to collect after the festivities when you have time to take proper care of your new pal.
We’re off to Switzerland for a couple of days next week to clear out the apartment of Ernst’s sister who died earlier in the month (stay away from me, people are falling like flies all around !) then we’ll be going to his other sister at Annecy for a couple of days over Christmas. Don’t worry, the dogs will be left in good care and will have their own Christmas goodies.
Talking of goodies, cards are starting to arrive and I would like to thank Diane Mason for the generous donation. Also, a huge thank you to Julie for an amazing donation after I checked up on a dog she was worried about following a holiday near here. There are some smashing people about.
Hoping you all have a wonderful Christmas / New Year and a million thanks for your support throughout the year.
With love,
Sue xx
Little boy adopted !
These two youngsters are only five months old yet already are in the refuge. Not a great start to life. The golden sweetie is a female and the very handsome black lump of fluff is a male – he is going to be GORGEOUS ! Come on, make November 2012 the month they find happiness.
Yes, I know black Labs are two a penny but I really am special and I’m missing my brother (next to me in the photo) soooo much. He was lucky enough to be adopted a few days ago and I’m soooo lonely now. I’m only five months old and I’d love my own home too.
ADOPTED !!!!! We just couldn’t be happier. A very, very Happy New Year to you Porthos, you deserve it.
Right, here’s a promise. I’m not going to eat any more chocolate until this lad finds a lovely home. He is just five years old and has lived ALL HIS LIFE at the refuge at Castelsarrasin (near Moissac). A shy little boy who does not deserve not to know a cosy bed in front of a fire and a romp in the garden. His name is Porthos so please, if you are looking for a scruffy looking angel, get on the ‘phone. You may also like to bear in mind that I can get VERY nasty when deprived of chocolate for any length of time !
2013 has had a great start for Barney and Courtney who were adopted within 24 hours of each other.
Let me introduce you to Barney and Courtney. So named because they were found in a barn and a courtyard – geddit ?!
These two pure mongrels, with perhaps a hint of Beauceron, are a delight. Both very confident, friendly and (very) full of life. A boy and a girl who just want to have fun.
These two magnificent Braque pups are at the refuge in Cahors. At just about four months old who knows why they have been dumped as this is a very popular breed. One male and one female. In love ? Then don’t hesitate !
Sue was right, I was snapped up within only a few days of arriving at Poorpaws and although I was having great fun there with the rest of the gang, I am LOVING my new life and new owners. Here you can see me practising the Green Cross Code – look right, look left, but even then don’t go unless your owner does. I’m a lucky dog especially as my new friends were looking for a sissy girl. I’ve got a new dog friend too, Yogi, who was adopted from Poorpaws many years ago. I was taken to visit and we got on like a house on fire. I’ll try and get a photo to send so you can see. Have fun, I certainly am !
OBLADI is a beautiful German Shepherdx two years old, sterilised, chipped and vaccinated. A great dog, fine with children, very affectionate and still loves to play the fool. One problem, she doesn’t like other dogs and tends to ‘have a go’, so we are looking for a home without other dogs – and preferably with no neighbouring dogs either !
Well, phew what a finish to the month, Barn Book Sale, then party, party and party !!! My friend Lesley threw me a great party to celebrate my leaving the Auberge. The Auberge didn’t even mark the occasion after eight years, in fact I took in a bottle of champagne on my last day which I ended up drinking with my colleague, my bosses having “just a tiny bit to celebrate your last day of washing up” !!
I rang the employment office and had been told by everyone that after the initial ‘phone call, you get an appointment to go and see them for about ten days later. Huh, I got one for 8.30 the next day. Not wonderful considering I didn’t get to bed until 2.30 am the previous night following the party. I managed to get there on time only to be told I was at the wrong office ! When I finally went in to my interview it was with a chap who looked as if he had been partying the night before too !! He was great when he realised I was English as his daughter had come first in her English exam. He was very helpful and at the end of the interview he said we should look to see what jobs were available. There was one in the laundry room of the nearby old people’s home. My new friend looked at me quizzically and I tried to look enthusiastic. He then said “Nah, you’ve got a bad back” and struck it through !
So, I’m still looking but haven’t had much time as I went to the UK for a week to celebrate a friend’s 60th and boy did we celebrate ! Feeling a little bit jaded I am flinging myself into domesticity – when did have time to go to work !!
The Barn Book Sale was great in all aspects. We had many more books so expanded to the stable in Lesley’s lovely barn. Loads of people came along to bring and buy books and get stuck in to the gorgeous scones, cakes and soup. It was lovely to see Polly the walnut-muncher with her new owners and Polly was very excited to see her previous owner as well.
Other ex-Poorpaws came along too and looked very happy but wary to see me in case I took them back !! We took 1,044 euros which is terrific. I’m sorry to say that I still haven’t given out all the raffle prizes and can Les get in touch with me as you have won a box of biscuits – gently Les, don’t get too excited ! – and I seem to have written down the wrong telephone number ! Next book sale, Easter Saturday.
On the dog front – after all this is what this news page is supposed to be about ! – there has been good news and bad. As mentioned previously Polly the walnut dog has gone to a wonderful new home and has settled as if she had always been there – probably because there are many walnut trees there too. Oh dear !! Little Harper (see Happy Endings), was snapped up very quickly by a couple who came set on adopting a female ! Honey has gone ‘on trial’, so fingers crossed for her. The poor blind spaniel who has been called Sweety, has had several enquiries and we are hoping for good news there too.
On the bad side, Carcassonne is overflowing, we are getting very disturbing news about the SPA at Toulouse (unconfirmed) so please, please, please, if you don’t see anything you fancy on our list, take a look at theirs.
Well that’s about that, I’m waiting to take in a mum and her pups who were found in a ditch – if the mother can be caught.
Have a lovely November – Christmas is on its’ way !!
Oh, if you have English tv, make sure you watch the ghastly programme Little England on Monday ITV 9pm French time. Terrible programme but gets very good on Monday as the wonderful, fabulous, amazing Leeanne and Mike are on showing the wonderful work they do at Twilight – tissues at the ready !
Sue x
OK, here’s a cutie. Ideal for all you lovers of the whiskery type. Just about a year old he turned up in someone’s garden. Not identified and a week has gone by without any sign of owners looking from him. So, we’re counting on someone out there. By all accounts a very friendly little chap who can’t wait to be your pal.
The staff at Carcassonne were horrified to have twelve, yes TWELVE, pups dumped on them a couple of days ago, as well as being anxious about the poor unknown mother who must be missing her babes. So there are SOS’s going out everywhere to find homes. Thought to be shepherd mixes they are, obviously, seriously cute. You can see more photos on the Dog Links website. If you are interested you can get in touch with me, or with Dog Links or, of course, with Carcassonne refuge direct. Don’t worry about distance, we can help there. Thanks.
Tissues at the ready ……………….ADOPTED !!
This is a heartbreaker. This poor little chap who is only four months old, was found tied to the gates of the refuge in Cahors. The staff couldn’t imagine why such a beauty had been dumped but they soon found out. He is blind. How could anyone do something so cruel as to leave a blind dog, who would not know what was going on, tied up ?
I’m bursting with anger and desperation that such people even exist. So, we are looking for a wonderful family who would be willing to give him a home. We know that blind dogs can lead perfectly happy lives and as he is young he will soon learn his way around. A home with a friendly intelligent dog would be best so that this one could follow.
If you can offer him a loving home please contact me or the refuge in Cahors direct on 0565 22 66 32. Many thanks.
“Hey Toby my new Rottie friend, you’ve been here longer than me, do you think that’s our supper they’re preparing in there ?”
“Yes Lily, I distinctly recognise the smell of roast chicken gravy and vegetables. Only problem is, if you don’t eat your cabbage, you don’t get dessert !”
“Bummer ! “
This is Honey, an eight month ……..honey !! A Golden Retriever crossed with a sheepdog, this beautiful babe was a well intentioned but not thought through gift ! Her owner loves her but lives in a small property with small garden and as she is not in the first flush of youth, is finding Honey a bit too much to handle ! Honey needs space to run around and would adore another dog to play with. She is housetrained, quick to learn and fine with children and cats. Honey is vaccinated and will be chipped and sterilised before adoption.
Meet Griff, one very lucky bunny ! Griff is one of the dogs found whilst I was on holiday and before I could get back to the lovely couple who found him, Griff had wormed his way into their hearts – and onto a cosy rug in front of the fire !! What a beautiful dog who has obviously ended up where he was intended to be. Cockles and warm hearts spring to mind !
You know me, not one to get all gushy, cutesy over any dog (liar, liar, pants on fire), but Harper here is just too cute for his own boots ! He turned up at the house of a very kind couple together with a large hunting dog. the large dog has, hopefully, been rehomed and the couple would have loved to have kept Harper but the timing is off, so he is here at Poorpaws.
Rather timid at first he has found his paws but is very respective of the other dogs and cats. Thought to be about seven months, this little Griffon type has now been chipped, vaccinated and will very soon be without his ‘family jewels’ ! I only collected him this morning and he has followed me like a shadow ever since. He’ll make a super pal so those of you who like the whiskery type, don’t hesitate.
Well here I am back from ‘me’ hols all refreshed and the first thing I have to do is send out a HUGE apology ! I was so excited on the morning we left that I completely forgot to change the answerphone message to say that I would be away. Result ? I came back to a full answerphone machine and more emails than I have ever had, from people desperately needing help and wondering why I had not got back to them. So to all of you who had me down as an uncaring impolite moo, I am so, so sorry !! I think I have replied to to everyone now (Ursula I haven’t forgotten you !) and am delighted to report that messages asking for advice on what to do with abandoned dogs, changed during the week to “we find we love the dog and have decided to keep him” !! Perhaps I won’t change the machine next time either !
Yes, thanks, the holiday was great ! As usual we met up with friends at Ernst’s sister’s house on the Cote d’Azur and spent a week playing cards, lazing in the sun, reading, swimming (well, I did swim twice !), of course eating and drinking, and lots of zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ! A great big thank you to friends Virginie and June who made sure our little darlings were well and happy whilst we were away.
One thing I decided whilst we were there is that I would like a law to be passed banning mobile ‘phones and those little computer thingys from restaurants, shops and all public places. It was done for cigarettes so why not for ‘phones ? We lived without them for millions of years, so why can’t we leave them at home when we go out for the evening. Is it really absolutely necessary to know that a friend is just leaving work or that little Tommy has just gone to the potty on his own (I kid you not !) when I am choosing what I want to eat ? Ok call me a miserable so and so, and, no, I don’t have a mobile ‘phone and don’t intend to get one, but why can’t people go to a restaurant without the electrical umbilical cord ? Where I work we often get couples in who never talk to each other but spend the evening sending texts – to lovers perhaps ! France and Italy used to be known for their lovely family lunches where the elderly and the children were included and participated in the conversations. Now the kids are given electronic games to play with and who knows where the older generation are, probably eating a lonely meal at home or sitting round a gloomy table in an old peoples’ home. Well, sorry, I just think it’s sad.
If my friend Sue is reading this, she will quickly point out that her mobile ‘phone was very useful one day during our week. To get to my sister-in-law’s house we have to take an outdoor funicular lift down a steep slope. If the last person to use the lift forgets to close it, then the next person cannot call the lift to the top. Ernst forgot to close it and it took two telephone calls to get him to send the lift up. Without the ‘phone ? Ok I would have had to wait until Ernst realised what he had done, or slid down the cliff !
OK grumps over ! Doggies !! Well I’m delighted to say that practically all the dogs on the Adoption Page last month have been rehomed or solutions have been found to problems. I have to mention the Smith family who made a 1,700 – yes 1,700 !!!! – round trip to pick up, not a fabulous rare breed with a pedigree a mile long, but a little crossbreed Lab type pup who has proved to be worth every kilometre. Well done and thank you Smiths, you are obviously a great family !
This month we are having a Blackdogfest and doing our best to home some of the very many black dogs who it is very difficult to home – please give them a second, third, fourth and fifth look !
I’m off to the UK for the weekend of the 27th to celebrate my friend Annie’s 60th birthday and before then will be celebrating my departure from the Auberge so a fun month in prospect, hope you have one too.
AND !!!!!! don’t forget our Barn Book Sale, 20th October in the hamlet of Beliben next to Sauzet in the Lot. 10 am start, lots of great books and yummy cakes. See you there.
Love,
Sue
“Who do you think you’re looking at ?”
Helia – now Lucy – seems to be saying.
“If you think you are going to take me away from my super new home where I am loved to pieces, you’ve got another think coming !”
Panic not Lucy, it would be a brave person who tried to uproot you from the paradise you seem to have landed in, I’ve just still got a few regrets that I didn’t keep you myself !!
This little Fox Terrier / Poodle has been missing since the 5th September. Lost with another little dog – they may have since separated – in the area of Montaigu de Quercy in the Tarn et Garonne but close to Lot and Lot et Garonne. A friendly little chap who is chipped but may nevertheless have been scooped up by someone. If you have seen him or know where he is, please contact us or his owner on 0676544172.
Rolf here is one of the Labx pups on the adoptions page. He is one lucky lad as the wonderful Smith family travelled well over 1,000 ( YES 1,000) kilometres to go to see him and bring him home. Apparently he is worth every kilometre and has turned out to be a very lovely pup, intelligent, bright and very, very nearly clean. So, a good recommendation for the others !
Fanny here has turned out to be the most brilliant, intelligent, obedient and loving dog in the whole wide world – according to her very happy new owners – so yah boo sucks to the rest of you !! We knew she was special and she obviously hasn’t disappointed. Look out Beckham and Rooney, Fanny is up for a place in the England team and she won’t want millions of pounds, just a pat and a few treats !!
Spot here is in a spot of bother ! A lovely little lad who was to be kept with his mum along with a sister. However the owner is now finding that three dogs is quite a handful (try 14 !!) and has reluctantly decided that Spot would be better off in a new family. So, a rare chance to adopt a BEEYOOTIFUL Australian Shepherd of about 5 months.
This is Frankie an ex Poorpaws pup – who has grown somewhat since he left us two years ago! Frankie has been missing now for a couple of weeks (15.09.12) and, quite naturally, his owners are getting more and more worried. So all you in the Dordogne area and beyond, and especially Belves / Daglan, please keep your eyes open. If you should see Frankie, grab hold of him if you can and call Donald Chandler on 0553293870 or me on 0565245303. If you cannot catch him but see him, or know where he is, please call.
One thing, there seems to be a lot of dogs going missing at the moment so please make sure your dogs are identified. You can also set up pet cameras in your home to keep an eye on them when you are away, read more about pet cameras here. The chip is obligatory but the best method to get your dog back is by having your telephone number (NOT THE DOG’S NAME !) written on his collar in indelible marker pen. Pale coloured collars or red show up the number best. Whilst people may not always bother to take a dog to a vet to see if he/she is chipped, most will make a telephone call if there is a number visible.
Here is our lovely laid back young golden lab (now called Rex) and his new owner posing beautifully for the camera ! Rex is having a great life and living just over the road from Captain Hastings and Hercule so fun days ahead totally assured !
Here is little Flocon – now Laika – who was, as we knew she would be, adopted very quickly. She is living in Toulouse, is best friends with a little girl and enchanting everyone who meets her with her adorable character. Lucky Laika and lucky family to get a Jack Russell who is not a little xxx !!
Dry those tears Freddy, you’re off to a new home next week !!
Is that a tear I see on poor Freddie’s face ? Very possibly. poor Freddie has been looking for a home for the last few months. he is being looked after by some lovely people who, sadly, cannot keep him. Obediant, clean, loving, good with other dogs but would be quite happy on his own. He is vaccinated and will be chipped, so all you Border Collie lovers, give us a call.
Here are two gorgeous Malinois x boys. Very popular here in France they are faithful to their owners and have a similar character to the German Shepherd so you won’t have any unwanted visiters as they are impressive to look at.
All you German Shepherd (or as near as damn it !) lovers out there, here’s a treat, FOUR pups looking for good homes. About four months old they have been rescued and need good homes. Most are the lovely beige black colouring but there is one more black than the others who will need lots of tlc as he is extremely frightened having been badly treated poor love.
These beautiful Australian Shepherd ‘Sheilas’ are a year old and are pedigree with the fantastic names of Give me Chance and Give me Freedom. Chipped and vaccinated, they will be sterilised before gong to new homes.
One of these beauties has been adopted and the other is very lonely and hoping that each visitor is coming to adopt her !
Go on, turn away from this little face if you can !! And the good news is that there are two of them !! Bruno de Juras make the most wonderful pets. Gentle, loving and loyal I just love them. These two were probably dumped because of their short tails – “not quite up to scratch don’t you know” !!! Six months old they are chipped and vaccinated.
08/04/2013 At last, this lovely girl is reserved and has the great name of Jess !!
Fantastic news ! Wesley has been adopted and is a much much happier dog !
12 year old Wesley here is a sweetheart. The lovely people at Twighlight took him in when he was perilously close to death row at a refuge. He is in good health, has all his jabs and is neutered. The sad thing is that poor Wesley is not happy at Twighlight and doesn’t like all the other dogs around. He is in fact a lap dog in Brittany Spaniel clothing, he just wants his owner to himself alone. Twighlight have asked us for help in finding him a loving home where he can live out the rest of his days calm and happy. Please someone ?
Look at these little cuties. Two females and three males. Just over two months old they are ready and waiting to go to new homes. They are with the owners, who only heard about Poorpaws recently, otherwise they would have been in touch when the pups were younger. They are in the Aveyron and you can get in contact with Jemma direct on 0565656982 / actingangel123@hotmail.com. No money needs to change hands but you must agree to get your pup vaccinated and chipped – and NEUTERED when he/she is old enough.
Poorpaws will cough up for chips and vaccinations if it helps. Situation now desperate !
drum roll…………………
POORPAWS !
Yeh ! All on the podium please for the dog refuge anthem ‘You’d be so nice to come home to’ !!
Actually we possibly (very probably !) didn’t home more than other refuges, but we had a bumper of a month. Harry and Holly have both gone to good homes, the lovely Golden Lab has gone to neighbours of Captain Hastings and Hercule, Flocon is making a little girl very happy in Toulouse, one of the Tibetan pups went, along with Youpi, to a great home (making their new owners very happy as no rabbits have been eating the lettuces since they arrived !) and Fanny has gone to an ideal owner who is bringing out all of her potential talents – and Fanny’s too !! But, we have to save the best for last. TINA HAS BEEN HOMED !!!!! Tissues were out all over France this weekend I can tell you. We were many refuges very eager to get her out of Carcassonne where she had, very unfairly, been for far too long. The great news broke just before this newsletter was typed and we couldn’t be happier. She has gone to a great home not far from Carcassonne so the lovely Rowan who loves Tina so much, will be able to visit and from the photo above, you can see Tina is pretty pleased with herself !
So, what part of “reserve a table before you go to a restaurant” didn’t you understand ??!! This month, amongst others we had a group of 15, yes 15 English people just turn up for dinner and as for the 12 French who arrived just ten minutes before we were going to start clearing up well, mots fail me. Well, they didn’t fail me actually ! It’s been a pretty rotten month at work actually, 12 hour days being the norm and things got worse but more of that later. I can also give you tips on how to be a good hotel guest. Don’t make your beds thinking you are being helpful, you’re not – unless you want to strip the bed before you leave ! The most important plea is to please check the loo before you leave the room !! We chamber maids have many stomach churning moments early in the morning when braving the bathrooms. Nothing more guaranteed to make sure you have a bad day than guests who don’t know what a loo brush is for !!!
Our clothes stall at the Montcuq Vide Grenier was again a huge success. I think I can safely say our stall is becoming legendary now (can something become legendary after just three years ?!) with people going through the bags before we could even empty them ourselves. The secret to our success is that everything is sold at just one or two euros which ensures a crowd round us nearly all the day. We raised 654.24 euros which will be shared between Poorpaws, Twilight and our local refuge in Cahors. My very good friends Danielle and Lesley again devoted their whole day to helping me and we had great fun. My partner, Ernst, manufactured an amazing table for us which incorporated two sunshades and he also turned our trailer into a clothes rail transporter. Thanks also to Lesley and Virginie for spending many hours helping me sorting out the clothes beforehand. All the clothes that were not sold went to Emmaus the following day, so you can be sure that if you donated, your garments went to very good homes.
My high spirits following the Vide were dampened and crushed when I went in to work the next day. I walked into a stream of shouts and screaming abuse because I had taken the day off. This was so unfair, I had booked the day off at the beginning of the season back in April and had reminded my bosses the week before that I wouldn’t be in. It was not my fault that they hadn’t bothered to get cover in. They shouted at me that they didn’t care about the Vide, they didn’t care about my private life (at least I have one !) I had no right to take a day off in August and I could just “degager” (get out). I didn’t because I didn’t want to leave my colleague on her own to do all the work so I went to fold towels and have a good cry! My contract there ends on the 21st October and usually it is extended for the Winter but this year I’m not going to accept an extension. After eight years at The Auberge de la Tour at Sauzet, I will be outta there ! When I think that I turned down another job because I didn’t want to let them down during the season, how stupid am I ?!
Good news on our house, Ernst has taken the insulation panels off the sides of the mobile home and used them to insulate the kitchen floor, so I’m hoping this means we really will be in the house for this Winter after ten years !!!
It’s nearly Barn Book Sale time again. This year it will be on the 20th October at the usual venue, Lesley’s lovely barn at Beliben near Sauzet and there will be the usual yummy scrumptious cakes to eat there or take home. So sort out your books and give me a call or send an email if you want them to be collected. Then please come along on the day to replace them. We had a super sale in the Spring and hope you will need to store up for Winter.
I want to say a HUGE thank you to Alexander, a lovely young man who has been running the Poorpaws website for me, putting up with my confusing emails and photos and managing to get it all out every month in great order. Alex is off to University and will be too busy having a great time whilst studying to be great doctor. Dad Colin will take over for a couple of months and then he is going to (try to) teach me how to do it all myself. Well I’ll be out of work so should have time but I fear there may be a few frustrating moments, computers and I don’t get on too well !!
Well that’s about it except to say ……….I’M GOING ON HOLIDAY ON THE 29TH SEPTEMBER !!!!!!!! As usual a week at Ernst’s sister’s house on the Cote d’Azur with close friends, playing cards, reading and generally relaxing. So the next newsletter will be a little late, forgive me !
Enjoy what’s rest of the Summer !
Sue x
PS did I happen to mention that TINA HAS BEEN ADOPTED !!!!
Out of the laundry room and into a fabulous life in the country ! Things couldn’t be better for the lovely Venard who doesn’t seem to miss La Vie Parisienne one little jot, he’s too busy being loved and loveable !
This is little Bea a Jack Russell / Cocker Spaniel who has been missing from her home in Aurignac near to Montaigu de Quercy for quite a few days now. Her owners are beside themselves with worry, so please if you see Bea, or even if you think you see Bea, call 0563051735 / 0637228816. Bea is chipped.
This beauty is six year old Polly. A little on the chunky side because she lives surrounded by walnut trees and snacks constantly ! I can understand you Polly, I would have a few extra kilos if i was surrounded by walnuts ! Polly is a very loved dog but her owner often has to leave her in order to deal with family problems in the UK. Polly was left with another family but her owner has been told that she is not being treated kindly. So, we are looking for a foster home or forever home for Polly who is a darling girl, very laid back, not a wanderer and has a very gentle nature. Polly is sterilised and chipped – and will hopefully slim down a bit when removed from the walnuts !!
For those of you who only like pedigree dogs……………………turn away ! Here we have Harry and Holly, two absolute pure mongrels !! Heaven knows what mix they are and they can’t tell us who Mum and Dad were. Dumped unceremoniously in someone’s garden they don’t give a monkeys, just so long as they can play, sleep and eat in whatever order they feel like. Very, very friendly, to see them is to love them !
Well this handsome young lad has to be one of the finest we have had to find a home for. At just about 5 months he really is a super dog. Very intelligent, very loving he obviously has Golden Lab in him and his golden hazel eyes are just to die for. Already neutered he is ready to make your life that bit better !
All you Jack Russell lovers out there here is one out of the ordinary – she has the sweetest, gentlest of characters !! I’m not a JR fan, having been bitten by the little perishers more than once, but Flocon (Snowflake) here is a darling. Barely 2 years old we think, Flocon was found by someone. We couldn’t believe that such a super little dog could have been abandoned but all efforts to find her owners have failed so she is up for adoption. if you like the look of her, don’t hesitate, these littluns go quickly.
Well hallo Dolly ! Aren’t you just the sweetest ! Another ex-gipsy dog, Dolly is about 5 years old. A timid little girl so we are looking for a family without boisterous children to give her time for her confidence to grow.
August and the heat is on – at last !! After a rotten start to Summer, dare we think that we are now on the way. Temperatures up in the 30’s and don’t let me hear anyone complaining !! As each year, let me make a plea to you all; go to all the wonderful Summer Markets and Fetes but PLEASE leave your dogs at home in the cool. I know a lot of you believe your dogs must be with you all the time and credit to you for that, but really being dragged round all the festivities in the heat is no fun for them at all. I sometimes see people at Montaigu market with dogs and whilst the owners stop to have chats with friends enjoying the sunshine, the poor dogs are panting in the heat and look very miserable.
July was like the parson’s egg – good in parts. Foxie, Helia, Guapa and Dolce, Venard, an Aussie pup, Fashion and Newak all found lovely homes or lovely homes to go to very soon.
So, the bad bit ? My lovely Duffy. Remember she went off to a new life in the UK ? Very sadly, although her new owner loved her to pieces, Duffy became very nervous when grandchildren came to stay and it obviously became a ‘them or her’ situation. Of course there was no contest (there would have been if it had been me !) and poor Duffy lost. It has made me so sad to think of her confused and wondering what on earth is happening but wonderful Tiffany has found her what seems like an ideal temporary home, which, hopefully, will become permanent. If not, Duffy will come back to Poorpaws to be welcomed with open arms/paws thinking she has just been on holiday.
Can I put in an extra word for TINA ? It is my aim in life now to find this wonderful dog a new home. Her sterilisation and exit costs will be covered by a wellTinawisher.
Many of you know that I work in a small hotel restaurant which is very hard in the Summer with 11 hour days being the norm. So, a few hints on how to be a good restaurant customer ? ALWAYS, ALWAYS wherever possible book your table ahead, don’t just turn up expecting to find places. If you do this, your waitress (who could be me !) will welcome you with a smile, but inside she will HATE you!! There is a reason for this. After lunch, restaurant owners will look at the bookings and decide, depending on the number of reservations, how many staff are needed for the next shift. So, if as happens nearly every day now, there are, say, 15 reservations, only two of us will be asked to work. Then if masses more turn up the two working have a very difficult time. New tables have to be set up, people who have reserved have to wait, the chef gets in a foul temper as orders are taking too long and dishes not getting out quickly enough. Also, if you haven’t reserved, please don’t expect to get your order taken before others who have. Unbelievably, I have had (unreserved) people walk out on me because their orders weren’t taken within a minute of them sitting down and don’t even get me started on the family of 15, yes 15 (!!) who turned up on a very busy evening without booking, then before their bottoms had hit the seats, started giving me drink orders and were surprised that we weren’t delighted to see them. Obviously we always set up a few extra tables but when you get large unexpected groups coming in it is difficult to keep a smile on the face when you are thinking very impolite thoughts ! A final thing, tipping !! Tips are NOT included in your bill and if nothing is left on the table waiters/waitresses don’t get anything. If they are added to the credit card payment – which is not allowed at our place as it messes up accounting – again, we don’t get them. The British are the best tippers so we love you. To be remembered as a valued customer, leave a tip, it doesn’t have to be huge (although if you want to ……..!), it’s the thought that counts. To those who say “keep the change” then we find out that said ‘change’ is 10 cents, I feel like telling them to keep it !! At our place we waitresses have to do all the washing up and cleaning before we go home, so we have at least an hour’s more work after clients have left. We have a saying before each service “venez, mangez et degager!” ( “come, eat and bugger off”), then we get into the swing of the evening and usually have a laugh and a giggle too.
As every August, Poorpaws will have a second hand clothes stall at the Montcuq Vide Grenier on Sunday the 26th August. We have now got a great reputation for selling excellent second hand clothes at amazingly low prices. So, come and see us. Don’t forget, if there aren’t any dogs who tickle your fancy on our website, PLEASE go to peek at dogrescuecarcassonne (no worries about the distance, transport of dogs is no problem), refugecaninlotois and dog-links. If you feel a need to wash your eyes look at Twilightchien where Leeanne and Mike do a wonderful job and we love them for it.
Back in September when I will be so excited about going on holiday I will probably ramble on making no sense – even more so than normal !
Delphine looks very happy and contented here and so she should do. AT LAST she must think, a ‘forever home’ – just have a little shut-eye then I’ll drag my lovely new owner down another rabbit hole, he seemed to enjoy it last time !! “
All you Terrier lovers out there, here is a great boy. About two years old he is full of fun but knows how to behave when necessary. Youpi just can’t wait to get out of the park and off to play.
OK you’d have to go a long way to find cuter than these two. Just two months old, mum is a Tibetan Spaniel and dad a Beagle (we think) so they will stay small size. I’m sure these will go quickly, well I hope they do or I may have to choose between them and Ernst !
Fany, a beautiful 18 month female border collie abandoned (or lost) in Prayssac. Fany spent a week at the vets there to avoid putting her into the already overcrowded refuge, then came to us. A lovely girl who attaches herself quickly to whoever may be her new family – to the point where she would climb Everest to be with you. So, we are looking for a home where there is someone present most of the time, in a non-working, or working from home family. Fany is chipped, vaccinated and sterilised.