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25 - 5 - 08
We’re back on line! After an unavoidable prolonged absence whilst our computer was being repaired and reset we are now fully functional once again. Not just a computer fault, the mind-blowing inefficiency of BT Broadband had to be experienced to be believed. We have now moved to Sky Broadband, and our problems appear to have been resolved. Apologies to all those who think we have ignored their emails, or disappeared off the planet, we now have a tremendous backlog to catch up on and will get to them just as quickly as we can.
The most urgent task has been to get our 2008 Scruffs Dog Show on the net, and on the road. Please take a look at the Events Section for more details.
11 - 1 - 08
Today, Robert and I attended the funeral of a very special man. One of the chief mourners at the service was a lovely little Westie called Rosie that had been very close to him. There were references to their relationship, with photos, throughout the service, which we found very moving. How refreshing that Rosie had been welcomed into the church and that her important part in the last ten years of his life was acknowledged and valued by the whole family, and also the forward thinking vicar. Maybe there is a lesson to be learned here by those in charge of Sheltered Accommodation who still have a ‘No Dogs’ policy.
- Jacqui
14 - 11 - 07
Westie ReHoming today welcomes John and Gillie Coghlan as our patrons (check the link, ‘Welcome to our Patrons’). From time to time we will add new photos of them with their Westie, Betsey Boo, which will no doubt please any Status Quo fans amongst you.
This is an exciting new development for the charity and will have numerous benefits. We extend a warm welcome to John and Gillie and look forward to working with them.
11 - 11 - 07
We are today appealing to the great British public NOT to give a puppy as a Christmas present this year (or any year for that matter). Read why we are against this practice by visiting our special page on the subject.
10 - 9 - 07
The 'Silly Season' has begun a little earlier this year. I refer of course to the season when people with money to quite literally burn, and nothing better to do (pyromaniacs) amuse themselves with explosives with little thought for anyone else. The effect of these explosions on animals can be quite devastating with often tragic consequences. If your pet is one of the unfortunates to react badly to fireworks, please take a look at our tips to help, entitled 'Crash Bang Wallop'.
17 - 8 - 07
From today, we are launching our Memorial Section, in which you can leave a memorial message and picture of a dear departed pet, which others can share. Simply send your message and photo to our usual email address at enquiries@westierehoming.me.uk, and we will include it in the page. You can see how yours might look at the Memorial Section page, where Jacqui & Robert have paid tribute to some of their late Westies.
1 - 7 - 07
Westie ReHoming attended a service for pets this morning at St. Mary’s Church in the picturesque village of Bishopstone, Wiltshire. Jacqui and Robert were accompanied in the congregation by Westies Lilidh, Islay and MacGregor, and their 14-year-old Cairn cousin ‘Parsnip’.
29 - 4 - 07
We have lots of enquiries regarding Westie skin and various other ailments that are far more prevalent in dogs than they used to be, and have been prompted to share some of the information and experience collected over the years. Jacqui and Robert have been disciples of Catherine O'Driscoll and her organisation 'Canine Health Concern' for many years and feel passionately about a number of the issues alerted by Catherine. In fact, we were concerned enough to embark upon our own extensive studies for a considerable time even before meeting her.
We would strongly recommend that for the sake of your dogs you take a look at the Canine Health Concern web site, and then make an informed decision about their management. You will find the site illuminating, if somewhat controversial.
Mobility problems?
We have been trying a product with both our own and the dogs in our care that suffer from mobility problems. Some suffered the problems associated with older age such as arthritis, some have had cruciate ligament repairs, or surgery for Legge Perthes disease, and we are frankly amazed at the results achieved in a very short time.
The product is called 'Joint Aid for Dogs', produced by Gro-Well Feeds Ltd. in Wiltshire, and we can totally endorse the claims made by the manufacturers.
Do check out the Joint Aid product page; the company will be pleased to send you a sample. There is a corresponding product for humans too, called ‘Elavina’ which Robert finds excellent, and I’m sure I would too if only I remembered to take it every day!! We are currently trying another product from the same company called ‘Immune Aid’ for dogs with immune related disorders. Do consider using the products, I am sure you will be amazed at the difference.
12 - 11 - 06
Westie ReHoming attended 'Discover Dogs' at Earl's Court London at the invitation of Dog Theft Action for the presentation of a microchip scanner to help combat dog theft. Bruce Forsyth and his daughter Debbie Matthews, who was recently reunited with her two Yorkshire Terriers after they were stolen, donated the scanner.
25 - 10 - 06
Today Westie ReHoming broke new ground when we rehomed a handsome male Westie on the beautiful Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. What a wonderful life he will have living on a croft within easy reach of stunning beaches, and wide expanses of heather. We are deeply indebted to Judith from Inverness who went out of her way to ensure a stress-free journey for him, and we wish the little chap and his new owner all the best for the future.
5 - 8 - 06
Jacqui has just returned from a rehoming trip up north, covering the Cumbria and Northumberland areas and then over the border to Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders. Lilidh, MacGregor, Islay and Campbell, four of the family Westies, accompanied her on her marathon, travelling in the motor caravan and it was a very productive trip, visiting some of our volunteers and recruiting new ones. There were also home visits and rehomings to do and it proved to be a busy time. There was also time for pleasure, including lunch in Edinburgh with one of our staunchest supporters and long evening walks with the dogs on the beautiful beaches in the area. Not a holiday by any means, and a lot of driving, but Jacqui says that it was lovely to work away for a change, and in such beautiful scenery.
Hopefully there will be more trips of this nature and who knows, maybe we’ll meet you on one of them!
2 - 6 - 06
Details can now be found on the Events page about the 8th. Scruffs Annual Fun Dog Show on Saturday June 10th 2006, incorporated in the Liddington Village Fete. We are aware that this clashes with the World Cup football in Germany, but still hope you will be able to attend!
13 - 5 - 06
Jacqui has written a humorous piece of prose entitled If I Did Not Have Dogs - click on that title to take a look. We are also highlighting the dangers of certain spring plants which hold a sometimes deadly secret within them - please read about "PET POISONS: Are we poisoning our pets?".
3 - 5 - 06
Details have been posted on the Events page about the Dogs' Friends' 2nd Dog Fun Day, to be held on Sunday 28 May 2006 at the Hand Stadium, Clevedon, near Bristol. Please attend if you can - it will be a fun day out, supporting good causes such as Many Tears Rescue.
28 - 2 - 06
From today, we are happy to announce that we have introduced a "Large Text No Graphics" version of the web site, which you have already accessed from the Homepage. It is specifically provided for those who have difficulty reading some of the smaller print contained on the site, but is also useful for those who don't wish to view graphics or photographs.
We have also introduced a facility for online Donations, through the Charities Aid Foundation. The Foundation do not take a percentage of these Donations, so you can be sure that 100% of your money will go to the needy cases who come through our doors. Click HERE now to contribute straight away, or you can do so via any of the links throughout the site.
(The Gift Aid scheme encourages donors who are tax-payers to allow their chosen charities to reclaim basic rate income tax paid on donations. Consequently, each donation of £100 is worth £128 to the charity. All administration is undertaken by the charity on receipt of the donor's details on an appropriate declaration. Click HERE to access and print off a Gift Aid Declaration Form.)
15 - 10 - 05
On our Homepage you can currently find a trial service called Live Support. This is operated through a company called Boldchat, but is totally confidential, and cannot be seen by anyone other than the caller and the operator(s) working on behalf of Westie ReHoming - the conversation is completely private. If the service proves useful and beneficial to our web site visitors, we plan to continue it indefinitely. We regret that there may not be an operator available at all times, in which case you can send an email.
14 - 10 - 05
We are currently suffering a shortage of foster carers for specific Westie cases, and would appreciate help with this or other emergency volunteer work. So, if you would be willing to stand by for occasional short-term fostering for Westie ReHoming please email us as we get periodic enquiries from all over the UK. Or telephone 0844 879 4260 [INFO].
25 - 5 - 05
It is difficult to believe that it is almost a year since the start of Westie ReHoming. It has been an extremely busy and hugely satisfying year for us, and we can proudly boast a success rate of 100%, with no dogs having been euthanased. This is particularly gratifying when one considers that we do not turn away problem dogs, but work with them until they can be successfully rehomed, thus genuinely achieving such a high rate. Our volunteers database has gone from strength to strength and we are indeed fortunate to have recruited such a dedicated and sensitive team. We look forward to the next year with confidence.
On a disturbing note, we learned recently that there is to be a remake of the film 'Greyfriar's Bobby', but the star of the film is to be a Westie rather than a Skye Terrier, (the original dog). One can only imagine the resulting number of pathetic little scraps bred 'conveyor belt style' to satisfy the demand of the impulse buyers (remember 101 Dalmations?). We will be picking up the pieces, and our wonderful breed will suffer as a result of the publicity, once again, a victim of its own success.
While you're here, please do check out the latest event being featured on our Events page, the 7th. Scruffs Annual Show.
1 - 3 - 05
Although all may seem quiet on the Westie front, can we assure you that we, as an organisation, are much like the proverbial duck - all seems serene and effortless above water, but underneath we are paddling like mad to maintain our advancement, and to do our very best for the dogs we are committed to helping.
We hardly ever rest! There is always something to be doing where rehoming is concerned, and our dedicated band of volunteers get through an enormous workload each (we thank them wholeheartedly for that).
We never say no to more helpers either! So if YOU think you have what it takes to make a Westie's 'life move' less traumatic, and an adopter's life more fulfilling, send an SAE to: Westie ReHoming, PO Box 2868, Swindon, SN4 0WU, and we will make sure you get a Volunteer's Application Form by return. Thanks!
4 - 2 - 05
There has been very little time to update the 'News' page since the start of the year, as we have been extremely busy - our higher profile on the Internet having generated an amazing amount of interest. We can tell you that the numbers of people volunteering to help our cause has rocketed, and we are therefore in the process of introducing an Identity Card system, which will enable us (and of course those members of the general public who are in contact with them throughout the rehoming process) to properly verify their integrity.
Our pictures of successfully rehomed dogs have now been moved to their own page! Go to the ReHomed Dogs Gallery to have a look at the latest additions. By the way, we are unfortunately unable to expand further on each of their names and stories, due to the confidential and sensitive nature of their journey in and out of 'rescue'. We do hope, however, that it is heart-warming for you to know that there has been a happy ending for all the dogs, who have now successfully settled into their new homes.
23 - 12 - 04
The impossible we do at once - miracles take a little longer!
We are always pleased with ourselves when we are occasionally able to rehome a dog into a far away part of the British Isles. We have rehomed in the Scottish Highlands and other wonderful places largely thanks to our many contacts up north, but on the 20th. we were presented with a logistical challenge when we had an application to adopt from a lady in Australia!
After arguing amongst ourselves for a while about who should do the 'homecheck', we decided that it would be best to put the lady in touch with the Kennel Club in her homeland and forwarded her all the relevant contact details. Hopefully it will have a successful outcome.
Another missed opportunity - such is life!!
5 - 12 - 04
Yesterday I attended a full day workshop about TTOUCH (no, this is not a spelling mistake!). This method is based on circular movements of the hands and fingers all over the body, the intent being to activate the function of the cells and awaken cellular intelligence - a little like "turning on the electric lights of the body". There is no need to understand anatomy to be successful in speeding up the healing of injuries or ailments or help with changing undesirable habits or behaviour. It balances physically, as I found when I was used as a 'demo model' and experienced it for myself. It also speeds up the bonding process and I was most impressed with the effect it had on all of the dogs, one of which was particularly hyperactive.
There were eight students each bringing a dog along, six of these dogs were 'rescues' and it was easy to see the benefits that this method offers to these dogs in particular. The dogs responded very quickly, being much calmer and some were so relaxed that they went to sleep! Our own dog absolutely loved it and it is obviously something that we need to find regular time for in our busy lifestyle. It will certainly be an additional tool to helping any dogs coming into our care.
I would recommend looking into this system for anyone with an open mind. It can be used with all animals (and humans) and you may well have seen the television series not so long ago in which it was demonstrated on a variety of animals by Sarah Fisher, who first introduced it into this country. Fortunately for ourselves she lives not too far away.
31 - 10 - 04
The Gwen Bailey Workshop took place today. Thank you for your interest, and do look out for further events of this kind from Westie ReHoming. A report about this occasion appeared on the Events page.
20 - 9 - 04
Today saw the official launch of the Westie ReHoming web site. It is hoped that this web presence will be of much valuable help to the organisation in the pursuit of its Strategic Aims...
Also, details have been posted on the Events page outlining an interactive workshop, to be held on 31st. October, 2004.
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