Sue – Page 14 – Dog Adoption France

Albert

Little Albert arrived in a nearby village a week or so ago with an old rope round his neck. He spent days and days going from house to house seeking food and affection. He is being cared for temporarily until he can come to Poorpaws but wouldn’t it be great if he could go directly to a new home ? All attempts have been made to find out where he comes from but to no avail. A small dog, about the size of a Jack Russell, Albert (I just thought he looks like an Albert !) has proved to be fine with cats, other dogs, chickens and geese ! He is about 6 years old, seems to be blind in one eye and will very shortly be vaccinated and neutered. A lovely little chap who deserves to find a happy home.

Gumbo

Gorgeous Gumbo was dumped on me – almost literally – at the Montaigu market by a lady who begged me to take him. Gumbo belonged to her handicapped sister who lives in a small house without a garden. A great life for a puppy ! I looked at the poor dog emaciated, flea-ridden and frightened (Gumbo, not me !) and how could I refuse? I was rewarded by Gumbo peeing, pooing and puking in the car on the way home but once he realised he had a garden to play in he transformed into a normal seven month dog and ran round happily making friends with all the others. So, with a little education and affection Gumbo will be great I’m sure. Not sure what mix he is but looks to me as if there is a mix of Golden Retriever and Brittany Spaniel……. perhaps ?! He will be neutered, chipped and vaccinated just as soon as I can get to the vet.

Little Ted

Adopted!

This fine fellow is called Little Ted. At two and a half years old the poor boy finds himself in need of a new home through no fault of his own and time is running out fast. Due to personal problems his owner has to return to the UK, very soon. LT is reported to have a very good temperament, great with children and most other animals, though chickens and cats should perhaps beware! If you can offer Little Ted a home please contact Ross on 0565211589.

August 2011

For those of you who may be rather confused, that was July, honestly, not March or November, but what a stinker ! August seems to be better but shhhh, don’t say it too loud !!

We are happy to tell you that Titou has now left his lonely life at the farmhouse, is living the life of Riley with Jill in Montcuq and, as I speak, is packing his case ready for a holiday in Switzerland. Fifi has been rehomed and Sissi will be on her way up North at the end of a month. So, all in all July was a good month for the oldies !

Someone (Mark Twain ?) once said “news of my death is premature”, well for those of you who have heard the rumours, news of my retirement is premature. It is partly true though. We have 15 dogs here at Poorpaws who because of age and/or behaviour problems will never be adopted and I have decided that I really cannot take any more in.
I work long busy hours at the hotel to fund the dogs (and 25 cats) and am finding it all very tiring now – can it be that I am getting old ?!!! Also the hotel is up for sale and if it is not sold by November will be closing anyway so I may well be without a job very soon. However, I will continue to be heavily involved in dog rehoming, the website will stay as an adoption board to put dogs and adopters in contact with each other and the Poorpaws news will continue. Fund raising events will continue in aid of other rescue centres as will the card stall at Montaigu market and the English library, and I hope that the name Poorpaws will still be a focal point for helping dogs in need.

One bit of great news is that the UK is coming into line with other european countries and as from the 1st January 2012 dogs will no longer require passports to go back to Great Britain. No more blood tests or 24/48 hour tick and flea treatments. Your dogs only need to have a valid rabies vaccination of at least three weeks. We are so hoping this will reduce the number of dogs abandoned by Brits leaving France.

On 28th August Poorpaws will be manning its’ usual second hand clothes store at the Montcuq Vide Grenier, so if you have any little numbers you don’t wear any more or any Manola Blahniks that are soooooo passé, send them our way ! Seriously all good condition clothes gratefully accepted.

That’s about it for now – don’t even get me going on the couple of Brits going back to UK but leaving their cat, who they have stopped feeding, behind so that she can “learn to fend for herself”.

Sue x

Setter Pups

This fabulous English Setter is just four months old and he and his brother are both looking for good homes with people who understand the breed.

Blacky

Blacky (original !!) is a beautiful Cocker Spaniel. Just two years old, vaccinated and neutered

Fox Terriers

Don’t let their sad little faces fool you – these chap are full of beans. At about four years old they are brothers who find themselves homeless due to the death of their owner. Great ratters !

Fredy

Fredy is a two year old Fox Terrier who is very well educated and a very faithful little lad.

Milou

This is two year old Milou, a lovely little boy who was very frightened when taken into care. Much improved he is a friendly little boy but we wouldn’t want him to go to a family where there are young children just in case.

Fifi

ADOPTED!

Another little Fifi, under two years old, very friendly.

Gus

The lovely Gus is just four moths old and was found hunting for food around some dustbins. He has a really super character, gentle yet fun.

Bonnie

Four year old beautiful Bonnie was rescued from the SPA at Toulouse and taken to live in a wonderful environment in the Dordogne. Sadly Bonnie (chipped, sterilised and vaccinated)

has taken to country life too well and thinks she is a hunter. She has killed badgers and a deer and her owners feel now that she would be better off (as would the poor wildlife) in a home where there is adequate fencing and walks would be on a lead. It would be tragic if Bonnie had to go back to the SPA and I know there are lots of Boxer fans out there, so……………………. ?!

Puppies

These little pups are the result of an ‘accident’ between a Flat coated Retriever (Dad) and a Boxer (Mum). Here they are at five weeks. The black and white – female – on the left and the boy on the right are looking for homes and will be ready to go mid-August. They are situated up near Caen and if you are interested please call Paul on 0233668885.

Kittens

We don’t usually home kittens, leaving that to Chats du Quercy or Ami des Chats, however this mum and her six babes were literally dumped on us and we need to find homes for them all as our resident 20 or so cats are totally miffed at the interlopers !!’

Sissi

Dear little Sissi is with us due to the kindness of our vets. She was taken to be put down as her owner has a terminal illness and can no longer look after her. Even though she is no longer as young as she was (9 years old) Sissi has a lot left in her yet and is a very easy going little dog. The vets asked me if I could possibly find a place for her and even though I had vowed not to take any more for the time being, already having 14 who will never be adopted, how could I say no ? I couldn’t, (a ) because our vets are so good to me and (b ) because they are all so cute !!! Sissi is sterilised, vaccinated and chipped and would make a wonderful companion for an elderly (or not so elderly !) couple as she doesn’t ask for much, just a lot of love and good care.

Fifi

At under two years old, little Fifi already finds herself alone, her owner having gone into a retirement home. She is a darling and, as you see, is very good at smiling for the camera !! Fifi is a little timid at first but very quickly makes friends. She is sterilied, chipped and vaccinated.

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Oh, by the way, it’s that time of year again, fetes, festivals, vide greniers and marchés. Go and have a great time, but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, leave your dogs at home in the cool. Fun for humans, those festivities are pure misery for dogs being dragged around the crowds in the heat. Much better to go alone and be free knowing that your faithful friend is happy at home dozing in the cool. Under no circumstances leave them in the car even with windows open, the sun moves round surprisingly quickly.

Gina

RESERVED!

Gina is one adorable pup ! Taken from an unhappy home she bears no grudges and just loves EVERYONE ! Goodness knows who her parents are but we think she will be about a middle size lady. 3 months old, vaccinated and chipped, Gina has her bags packed and is ready to go !

Calès

Calès is a fantastic boy who is at the moment at the refuge in Cahors. He bonded well with one of the volunteers there and was coming on a treat. Sadly the volunteer has left and Calès is seriously unhappy. At about two years old Calès needs a home where he will have plenty of exercise and space to run about. For more info on Calès speak the Refuge Canin Lotois on 0565226632.

Benno

Benno is a beautiful 2 or 3 year old spaniel cross who has obviously had a hard time. She turned up at a house in a sorry state, evidently recently having had pups. She was very timid and wary but with the love an affection given to her, has turned into a lovely girl. Brilliant in the car but not keen at being left alone. In foster care at the moment Benno needs to find a home soon as her foster carer is off to Australia in the near future. If you can help Benno, please call Carolyn on 0565362009.

Titou

ADOPTED!

Titou is a beautiful Border Collie of ten years old. His owner has died and he is now alone at the farmhouse being fed and walked daily by an elderly relative. Obviously this situation cannot go on and we are looking for a kind home for Titou who has only ever known being the constant companion of his owner and who is now so sad. A well behaved loving dog who only needs regular meals, a garden and the love he has known up to now.

July 2011

Phew, well that’s over for another year ! The TV has had its’ annual airing, has now been unplugged and I’m trying to get back to normal life after trying to fit in work and ‘playing’ every match at Wimbledon that I could. I feel quite bereft now !

June was a sad little month for us here, two of our beautiful puppies caught a ghastly gastro virus and sadly didn’t make it. Then two of our oldest residents had to be put to sleep. Fabus, one of the very first dogs taken in, was a scruffy little so and so. He came to us after his owner died and after he had run away from two new homes – to go and sit in front of the café where he used to go with his master ! He ran away from us once but couldn’t find a bar so came back and never left us after that. Every morning he would branch off from our walk and go to our lovely neighbours Pat and Tony. He would walk in the back door, eat the breakfast kindly given to him, then out the front door without so much as a thank you ! Pat and Tony miss him but our Max is taking over – happily he is more polite and at least permits a pat and stroke before he comes home. Fabus came to us at 12 years and was 17 when a series of nasty fits eventually left him in a very sad state and the decision had to be taken for him to be at peace.

Then our Nicky. We took Nicky from the refuge at Figeac after we learned she had been there for ELEVEN years !!!! We couldn’t bear the thought of her eventually dying there not ever having felt grass beneath her paws or knowing the pleasure of lying in the shade of a tree on a sunny day. (Gosh, sounds so good I think I’ll adopt myself !). She got a tumour on her leg a month ago which was removed, but then it came back bigger and rampant moving up to her body so that it would have been useless to amputate the leg which we had discussed but which I wasn’t keen on. Sleep well Nicky and remember the sunny days here.

Well, it wasn’t all sad news ! Folie will be off to a new family in the UK, the elderly German Shepherd is off the streets, is living and loved by a wonderful couple, Willow went to a new home as has Fausto. So many, many thanks to all you lovely people.

We don’t normally take in cats any more (having about 15) but we have recently had dumped on us a cat and eight kittens. Six ginger and white, one tortoiseshell and one tabby. All adorable obviously and we would be very, very grateful for homes for them all – especially as the mother is VERY protective and has made a very definite no-go area near our front door for all our other cats and dogs !!!

The adoption page will be updated just as soon as I find where puppy Gina has hidden my camera !!!

Have a wonderful July !

Bouba

Bouba is 6yrs old and VERY stressed! This beautiful dog was left tied to a railway track! He’s a young setter cross (possibly spaniel) whose owners were tracked down because he’s chipped (250269200053140)and he is now also vaccinated. It turns out he has been passed from one owner to the next (stolen) and has had a terribly confusing time. His owners basically now no longer want him back because the lady of the house is pregnant and doesn’t want him around any more! This poor dog knows he’s been abandoned and cries and cries and barks and barks – this level of stress will eventually bring him down as it will make him ill…. This boy needs to get out very quickly to a loving home and why not, he’s so beautiful and settles down immediately he has your attention and feels a kind touch. Some dogs ‘manage’ the stress, chaos and confinement of the refuge and some don’t…. Bouba will not and needs help!

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This poor boy has had a really rough time lately and at about 10 years old we are hoping that someone out there can offer him a home. I know not all of you are after puppies ! His owner gave him on to a very uncertain future and he has been wandering picking up food and affection where he can. He is in fine fettle, no problem with other dogs or cats and would make a great companion. His owner just doesn’t want to know so it will be a life at the SPA unless a home is found.

Puppies

Four ‘beeyootiful’ puppies of just two months. Three Brittany Spaniel crosses and a little black lab female cross. Regulars to this website will know that I cannot resist anything with Brittany Spaniel, they are just such lovely, intelligent, faithful dogs. There are two females and one male and all will be vaccinated and chipped before leaving Poorpaws.

Willow

Willow is a female border collie who has just turned one year old. I have no idea why she has been abandoned, but chances are that her owners just didn’t understand the border character. She is typical of her breed; bright, lively, eager to please, playful. All in all just a lovely girl. Having only just arrived, Willow is in no danger at all; but she is very bored as collies hate inactivity. She is sharing her cage with another female and passed our cat test with flying colours. She is young enough to train, and, being a collie, will be keen to learn. Please can someone find a place in their home for Willow.

Lost

URGENT!!!

Little Fiegle seen in these photos (he’s the small grey dog) has been missing since the 23rd May from the Cadamas, Bouloc, Belves area. Fielge is a small Yorkie/Cairn terrier type and is one of the first dogs to be home by Poorpaws. Very timid. Any news, good or bad, will be greatly appreciated. Young owner crying herself to sleep every night.

June 2011

A very, very dear, sadly departed, friend always said “no good deed goes unpunished”. Sadly I often find this to be true but never more so than last Sunday ! Following the death of someone in the village we felt duty bound to take on his elderly German Shepherd dog. Uncastrated and normally I would have got him ‘done’ but due to his age and possible heart condition I didn’t. Then I had a call from a lady saying she had gone on holiday, left her little dog tied up in the garden and would I go and get him and look after him until she came home ! I was in fact in UK for the weekend so the poor thing was tied up for two days. At first all went well, the GS was fine with all the other dogs and cats, then he took against the other little dog (also not castrated). To cut a long (boring) story short the GS finally went for the little one in a nasty way. He had him in his mouth and was shaking and shaking him. I was screaming and trying to get the poor thing free but as old as he is the GS is very strong. The little dog had his head thrown back, also screaming, then he saw something to bite. And he bit. Don’t blame him. Only thing was, what he saw was my leg. Luckily Ernst heard all the noise, ran over and delivered a swift hard punch to the GS’s nose. Little Caramel was dropped and scurried away, thank goodness only bruised. He has since spent most of his time in our bedroom coming out cautiously to pee. The GS is in solitary until the guy’s family find a solution. As for me, well I have the mother and father of bruises plus a nice little row of teeth marks. It was flipping Mothers’ Day too, so no chance of staying off work – in fact I had to do a 12 hour shift ! Got to the Doctor, finally, who said that the leg won’t have to be amputated (bummer, could have given up work !).

So, think twice before doing good deeds !!

A mini soapbox moment. All you walkers and hikers out there, if, when you are on your trails, a dog starts to follow you PLEASE chase it away. Every year many dogs end up in the dog pound because they follow walkers then can’t find their way home and few French dogs are identified.

Now for Good News. The best is that Buzz has been homed !!! We are just so, so delighted. Of course the Coton de Tulear pups went like hot cakes, one Scruffbag has been homed and the other has a home to go to just as soon as we are sure she is not pregnant. Flora went quickly too, Matthew has a home in view and all the Border Colley pups are happily with their new families. Thank you to all you lovely adopters.

Go to the adoptions page for this months selection, lots of cat prevention dogs urgently needing homes !!!

Folie

ADOPTED!

Folie was found by a Poorpaws supporter out walking her own Poorpaws. She (Folie) had obviously been travelling a long way as she was very thin and limping. With the most beautiful Bambi eyes and colouring Folie is the size and similar in shape to a Whippet, ideal for someone looking for a small dog. She also runs and jumps like a baby deer or hare. About just a year old Folie is so sweet and gentle. Vaccinated and (by the time this goes to press) sterilised.

Coton De Tulear Puppies

This very rarely happen to Poorpaws ! We have been asked to help to home four of these beautiful Coton de Tulear puppies who will be ready to go at the end of May. This breed are ideal for those who want small and pretty. Lovely characters. They will go quickly !

Scruffbags

Regulars to the website will know that I work very closely with Danielle, a voluntary SPA Inspector. Danielle investigates cruelty cases (as well as doing kennelling, rehoming and dog education ). She was recently called to investigate a case and left with these poor babes under her arm. About two or three years old, the poor things were in a disgusting state, living in disgusting conditions. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly dogs forgive bad treatment and these dogs are now happily running around in a large park at Danielles. I went to visit them and if I didn’t know their history I would never have guessed what they have been through. They will be cleaned up, shampooed and set and soon looking for new homes. We think they are Yorkshire Terrier mixed with something equally smallish.

Annie

Annie’s son Geordie has now gone to a smashing home and we are hoping that Annie will soon find happiness now. At about six years old (or as our vet called her, “six ans hors tax” !) Annie has been sterilised and is fully vaccinated. She will make a great companion for any household WITHOUT A CAT !!

Archie

Three year old Archie was left with us last winter by people who promised to pay for his keep and come back for him in April. Yeah, right. Archie has been abandoned so is now up for adoption. A Belgian Sheherd X (we think !) Archie is full of energy and fine with female dogs.

Flora

OK all you Jack Russell fans, here is the nearest thing to a JR that we have had for a very long time. Flora has all the JR characteristics including the ability to bounce up and down on her back legs like a rubber ball. She is crossed, we think, with a Pinscher, so is a very small young lady of about a year old.

Matthew

Matthew. This is Matthew. Matthew is not a dog. Matthew is a cat. Matthew is a cat with a bucket full of love to give, in fact so much that he is driving me mad !! The other fifteen plus cats here at Poorpaws all get on quietly with their own lives. They have cosy places to sleep and plenty to eat. They are all neutered and generally seem happy with life. Then there is Matthew ! Matthew want to be with me ALL THE TIME ! He wants to be on my lap when I’m eating, he wants to be on my shoulder any time I am sitting down, he head butts me for a cuddle when I’m on the computer and he cries outside the bedroom door at night. I’m afraid I don’t have that much time to give to him what with work and the dogs. So PLEASE will someone with the time and inclination for full time cuddling (or an elderly relative in residence who likes cats) adopt him from me ?

May 2011

May already and only a month to go before I can leave my socks and vest off !! Mum always said “cast ne’er a clout ’til May is out”, but I can tell you with the weather we’ve been having I’m tempted to dare to disobey !!

Many of you have asked how little Gypsey is. Well, she is just great ! She recovered fully, is now Lola and is happily eating her way through her new home when not at art classes !!!

Toto went to a great new home and has slotted herself into the pecking order – near the top ! – of her new four-legged pals. Her adoption also gave me another opportunity to go up to the Vienne so I was very happy ! Geordie had lots of enquiries all of a sudden and has gone to Albi where he has six, yes SIX, children to play with.

Soapbox time again ! I have said time and time again that shit happens, we all know that and when I get people calling desperate for help rehoming dogs because they “have to go back to UK and never thought we would” or seeking kennelling facilities for a couple of months, I will do what I can to help even if I can’t understand why the problem has not been faced earlier instead of leaving things to the last minute. However, I’m soon going to stop trying to help. Time after time, Danielle (the voluntary SPA Inspector I work very closely with) puts herself out and reserves places for such dogs only to find, that despite promises made, no dog arrives and when we make enquiries we are told that “other arrangements have been made”. OK, but why are we not told, surely it is just common courtesy. Another increasingly regular problem is people leaving dogs and never coming back for them. One horrid snivelling confidence trickster swore to me several times during the course of calls to UK (at my expense !) that ” a friend was on his way from Paris with backdated kennel fees and a large donation”. Well, even if the friend was crawling backwards blindfolded from Paris he would have been here by now. Then there was Mrs. G who was desperate for us to look after Vinny – or was it Bonny, she couldn’t remember ! She even said she couldn’t understand how people messed us about when I was cautious about agreeing to help. Guess what, the time for Vinny (or Bonny, who gives a toss now ?!) to arrive and……………..silence ! Not even the good manners to get in touch.

Now it has happened again ! A lady desperate for us to take lovely Archie (see adoptions page) for the winter, promised she would be back in April. She didn’t have a French chequebook (should have been a clue Susan, should have been a clue !) so it was arranged that Poorpaws would pay the monthly kennel and feed bill and the ‘lady’ would pay the equivalent in Sterling into a Building Society account in England. All went well at first then the emails stopped. I recently checked my account and, surprise, surprise, no payment has been made since January and all emails are ignored. I work in a restaurant to fund Poorpaws and 100 euros a month is not peanuts for me ! So Mrs. P where are you ?! What is so difficult about emailing me to say there is a problem ?
It’s just pigging rude. Do you know it is illegal to abandon a dog in France ?

Now then, lets get on to happy news ! The Book Sale went well. In a way I think the rainy weather helped as you weren’t able to lounge or work in your gardens !! Don’t forget the Saturday Night Fever evening on June 11th and get in touch to reserve places – it’s getting closer !

Anyone looking to adopt a cat, take a look at Matthew – please !!

Have a wonderful Maytime, see you in June by which time I will have been to my first ever class reunion – we’re all over 60 now, how did that happen ??!!

PS. Since the above newsletter ‘went to press’ I have heard from Mrs. G. Apparently the email cancelling the kennel booking must have got lost and is floating around in cyberspace somewhere, together with my emails asking for news. So that’s one puzzle solved and apologies offered. (Sometimes I think I’d like to float around in cyberspace for a while – and if I keep upsetting people like I am at the moment, the floating may start sooner than anticipated !) Still waiting for the chap from Paris though …………………….. !

BORDER COLLEY PUPS!!!

ALL HOMED!

One female, four male – look at the darling brown one, quite unusual ! These pups will be ready to go, chipped, vaccinated and wormed, from 14th May. Both parents are known and are excellent working farm dogs. So, as I always say, Border Collies are dogs who need to have mental stimulation as well lots of good loving care so sign up for your nearest agility class !! More than happy to sleep outside and great playmates for children.

Fausto

You won’t be able to tell from these photos, but Fausto is one of the soppiest, most affectiionate, loveable dogs ever. On the slightly larger than medium side, Fausto is just one year old (so won’t be growing any more) and is just one adorable og. Gets on fine with other dogs and would love a home where there are children to play with.

Toto

ADOPTED!

This is little Toto (who ”aint in Kansas anymore’ !) She is an absolute delight, just under three years old, very loving and just adores being with children. Due to tragic circumstances Toto is going to be with out a home from 12th April and azlthough she can come to Poorpaws, it really would be less traumatic for her to go straight to a new home. Knee high to a butterfly Toto has love the size of an elephant to give.

Geordie

ADOPTED!

Geordie has grown some since the photos were taken of him with his mum ! A real little character, Geordie just loves to play and is getting bored here at Poorpaws where we only have adults at the moment so poor Geordie keeps getting put smartly in his place ! He is now nearly four months old and is chipped and vaccinated.

Leo

Leo the boxer – well nearly all boxer ! – is eight months old and a very sociable fellow. Found as a puppy his owner find now that he needs a bit more fun and frolics than she can give him so would like him to go to a home where long regular walks are the order of the day. We think he looks just great !

Carrie

Don’t like cats ? Don’t want cats in your garden digging up and peeing on your plants ? Then Carrie is for you !! An adorable, loving, affectionate, obedient lady who gets on well with other dogs, Carrie DOES NOT LIKE CATS !!! She will wiggle to you on her tummy, she will roll over in front of you for a tummy rub, she will come when called but SHE WILL NOT PUT UP WITH CATS !! Sterilised and vaccinated.

April 2011

OK get your kleenex out because I’m going to tell you a sad story ! See this little angel here, Gypsy ? Well she and her brother, both barely two months old, were found at the bottom of a ditch. They came to Poorpaws and were immediately taken to the vet for a pre-distemper prevention vaccination. Galpin, the little boy (who is now Ozzie) was fine and is growing well and healthily in his new home. Sadly little Gypsy must have already had distemper in her and has been so, so poorly. She spent a week in the vets on a drip and I was convinced she would die. I had to go away for a couple of days and took her with me so that she wouldn’t die alone. She had a horrible fit one afternoon and I was convinced that was it and begged her to just ‘go to sleep’. I even considered looking for a vet in the area to help her on her way. However, she obviously had other ideas and hung on in there. She started to eat again and perked up ……….a bit. One week on she is eating normally but is still weak and instead of running around like any other puppy, she walks like an old lady. The vet thinks the virus has caused brain damage so she will probably never be ‘normal’ but hey, she’s here, she’s a darling and one more nutter in the madhouse makes no difference !!

Other Poorpaws babes have been luckier ! Toby’s owners decided they couldn’t part with him after all (phew), Sultan went off to a great home with Libby and Craig and instantly acquired four new brothers and sisters – last news was that Sultan is the best behaved of them all !

Gerry and Foscoe (the Aussie shepherd pup) went off together to the same new home and are doing just great, George went off happily to a French family who have declared him “trés intelligent” ! Beakie also found happiness despite practically ignoring his new owners when they came to see him, preferring to wind up the dog in the next park by running up and down and barking at him !

AND (!) our lovely big boy Saxo suddenly got such a huge flurry of fan mail that he was almost embarrassed ! John and Judith were first in line and despite Saxo being rather larger than they had imagined, it was love at first sight on both sides and all is well there.

I must give a mention to little Fidgi who never made it on to the website before being chosen. However, he too got distemper and caused us many many sleepless nights. Gold stars to the Robson family, especially young Aisling who never gave up on him and were delighted after a very anxious two weeks to welcome him to join their gang.

So, a successful month here and let’s hope April will bring happiness to more of our dogs – Geordie for example just can’t imagine why no-one wants him !

Another reminder of our Barn Book Sale, Easter Saturday 10am to 4pm at Beliben just next to Sauzet here in the Lot. Hundreds of books at 1 euro plus teas and yummy home made (not by me !) cakes. Please help make this a success for Poorpaws and Cancer Research.

Another date for your diary – from the team who brought you the Blues Train evening in 2009 and The Pink Ball in 2010, we are happy to bring you a Saturday Night Fever evening on June 11th. 70’s style supper and music. 25 euros for a great evening at the Salle de Fete Sauzet. Email me for more details and to book your places.

Ok, so now lets get down to doing what I am supposed to be doing – finding you your dream dog ! Flip over to adoptions to find your new pal !!

Toby

ADOPTED!

Owners find they cannot give up Toby so he stays at the bar. Lucky boy – the aperos are on you Toby !

Young Toby – about a year old, was rescued from the refuge at Cahors and taken to a lovely home in the Dordogne to live with a couple who own a bar (lucky sod !) However, Toby needs more room than he has there and more of an outdoor life so the couple are, very regretfully, looking for a new home for him. A lovely little boy who they say is great in every way, loving and affectionate, but more suited to a more active life and a fenced in garden. Toby is chipped, vaccinated and neutered.

Georgia and Apache

These two lovelies are sisters, although you wouldn’t know it ! They are a mix of German Shepherd and Malinois, a cross often seen round here. They are two years old and are chipped, sterilised and vaccinated. Sociable with other dogs and fine with cats and children. At the moment they are in foster care at Cassagnes and I will happily put you in touch with the foster ‘Mum’ .

Sultan

ADOPTED!

Here is just one lovely lump of cuddle ! At eight months Sultan is a cross betseen and Border Collie and a Pyreneen Mountain dog, so he will be a big boy. His owner already has other dogs and due to ill health (his, not Sultan’s) is looking for a home with lots of space for Sultan. Sultan will be vaccinated and neutered.

George and Gerry

ADOPTED!

Meet George and Gerry who are just dying to meet you !! Mum is a medium size mongrel rescued from Greece and Dad is unknown but he must have been very handsome – and hairy !!! Very friendly and soooooo cuddly ! Will be vaccinated and chipped before leaving Poorpaws.

Sukie

This is Sukie. Sukie is a lovely black Lab of about ten years old who was unceremoniously dumped at Poorpaws about six months ago by a guy I can hardly find words horrible enough to describe.. She was in a very poor state with hardly any fur on her back, flea ridden and hungry. As you can see from the photo things have changed for Sukie, she is now in fine fettle and we are hoping (vainly ?) that we can find her a kind home. She loves people and affection but does not like cats at all and can be iffy with other dogs. A nice comfy bed, regular meals and a daily walk is all she asks. Any hope for Sukie ?

Beaky

This is Beaky a little Tibetan Spaniel. a lovely friendly little chap who was found on the street. Very strangely all attempts to find his owner have failed so he is now up for adoption.

March 2011

Well February was a Very Busy Month !! So much so that I’m wondering how I ever had time to go to work before my accident. I’m very soon going to find out as I start back tomorrow and it’s going to be very difficult after three months of being with the dogs all the time.

This month Mimi had a haircut and found a great new home, Moss found another person to love, Xena struck lucky and Mia is now at Poorpaws where she is fast losing her timidity and enjoying her new life to the full.

I was lucky enough to spend a couple of days in the Vienne – I love that department – when I took Babouchka and Titi to new homes. I stayed with my penpal from 300 years ago and we talked the hind legs off very many donkeys. Babouchka said thank you to her new owner by presenting him with a neighbour’s chicken on the first morning ! Neither Babouchka’s new owner nor the chicken’s owner seemed very put out by the event but I told them that if it happened again they should tie the dead chick round Babouchka’s neck for a day. That should make her think twice before doing it again.

As for Titi, well, I was an absolute mess ! This boy had come to Poorpaws a nervous wreck and very quickly became my little loving shadow. As his lovely new owner led him away he turned and gave me such a look, then they drove by with his little face pressed up against the window as if to say “why ? what have I done ?” I blubbed all the way home and yet again wondered why I put myself through this !!!

On the way home I stopped off at Bellac where I picked up another Mimi and made new friends. Mimi was adopted within two days and went off for a week to her new owners. She came back yesterday as they were going on holiday. We went for a walk and the moo-bag ran off. Can you imagine telling people that you have lost their dog ??!!! I didn’t sleep and was rehearsing my “I don’t know how to tell you this….” speech when I got a call to say she had been found three kilometres away (nb., ALWAYS put your telephone number on your dog’s collar !). Great relief, but she cost me a bottle of champagne ! She is now handcuffed and shackled to a post in the garden ! No, not really, but she probably wishes she was as I haven’t let her out of my sight since, even taking her to a charity committee meeting this afternoon !!

Don’t forget the Barn Book Sale on Easter Saturday at Beliben. Let me know if you have books to donate or bring them along on the day.

Now, have a look for your new friend and if you don’t find him/her check out the other adoption centres under Links.