Fostering!

Fostering is a huge part of what I do, and I have an amazing team in the UK, we are always looking for more like minded people to join the team, however, it is not for everyone. I'm sure some people want to foster for the glory, the look at me, aren't I amazing saving the little doggy.

If this is you, and you want to foster for the pats on the back, and the selfies, then please keep walking. You are there to help my dog on its journey. None of this is about you, it is all about them. I have got that dog so far, and now it needs help to learn the correct skills, and behavior to find a home.

Fostering also means I have spaces in the kennels, meaning that more lives are saved. My foster mums are amazing people, they open their homes, lives, and hearts to my dogs. They love them as if they were their own, but also know they are there for a reason. The foster mum's are simply a stepping stone to a fantastic home, which offers everything they need.

My team would tell you:

• Yes, it is sad when the dogs go, and yes there are tears often spilt, but because they love them so much, and are happy to see them find their forever home. 
• It is deeply emotional and can be mentally draining, but also immensely satisfying. 
• They do not take lightly the trust that I place in them with my dogs
• The dogs journey is celebrated, every step of the way 
• They do not want thanks or recognition for what they do, as they choose to do this selfless thing
• They do not foster because it is easy 

Many people do not understand how the foster team can say goodbye when they have seen the dog grow and adjust. However, that is the exact reason why they are there, to help these dogs get adopted. Once that has happened, their job is complete. 

As the dog is ready, the foster mums are too, they are ready to let go, to allow the dog the happiness of a family of their own. The place that they have told the dog all about, and have been building up to. Then they are ready to do it all again, with another dog, and another journey.

Think you can foster? get in touch 

The Darker Side of Paradise

Welcome to the beautiful island of Gran Canaria where there is 365 days of sunshine, beautiful tropical beaches, friendly locals, and cheap beer. Millions of people flock here every year, spend time in the resorts, soak up too much sun and even more sangria. They go home, in awe of the island and everything it has to offer, not knowing that there is a real dark side to this slice of paradise.

You see, around every corner here is someone willing to hurt, abuse and kill animals. At this time of year every bag and box is likely to have puppies and kittens in, destined to be crushed alive by the bin men. I still cannot get my head around a human being that can bag a living creature up, and toss them in the bin.

Over the years I have seen so many different displays of animal cruelty, and it amazes me that people think it doesn't happen here. The truth is the government, and tourist boards don't want you to see it. God forbid a tourist would see a starving dog.

The reality is open your eyes, leave resort, and you will see the pain and suffering that many of us have to see every day. The thousands of puppies and kittens born to die on the streets. The older dogs chained, beaten and often starved.

So, you may ask why do I stay on this island surrounded with hurt and pain every day. Well that is simple, 365 days of sunshine, cheap beer, and the glimmer of hope that slowly we are changing things for the better. One day the locals will understand that sterilization is essential, and until that day I will continue to do what I do....... oh which includes picking up carrier bags full of kittens on the way home... four more mouths to feed....

It Is All About The Size!

When I started doing this, all that time ago, I said I wanted to be different, I did not want to only take small, cute, fluffy easy adopts. I wanted to take any dogs that needed me. Far too many other "rescue groups" cherry pick, they want the puppies, the breeds, the small cute dogs. Basically the dogs that my two year old grandson could rehome.

I often get the call, starting with "we have asked everyone else, they have said no" I still wonder why they don't come to me first, but hey I'm used to it by now. I know why they have said no, because the dog is big, or a challenge, or going to take time, effort and money.

So, when I got the call the other day, I rolled my eyes, and asked the person to tell me more, about the two dogs that no one else would help. They had been chained up all their lives, they were big, they were un neutered, blah blah blah .... they weren't old though, or ill so what was so difficult. Then the photos came...

I would like to point out I had said yes, before the photos, so there was no going back. Well, how big could two Saint Bernards be.... So big in fact they had to be collected and transported on their own.

Now don't get me wrong these pair are HUGE, Bjorn the male weighs in at 86.7KG and is horny as hell, spending his days attempting to shag anything with a pulse. I am currently spending my days screaming FFS stop shagging, at the top of my lungs. Whilst watching male dogs run for their lives, as he has no care what sex they are when he batters them to the ground and gets jiggy with their faces.

Do they take up a huge amount of space, yes, are they going to be a challenge to rehome, and god help the girls on transport, however, they deserve a chance like every other dog. Why should they get overlooked because of their size, isn't that what animal rescue is all about, no dog gets left behind?

The Skies Opened

I've been quiet the last few weeks, due to being even more busy than usual, and dealing with the rain. If you read the blog, you will know we have flooding issues, and when it rains here it REALLY rains. On top of us flooding, having no power, I am now ill spending very day very wet (not moist) in the cold with no way of getting dry or warm has taken its toll.

The problem is when it rains in the Canaries, it RAINS, and unless you understand tropical storms, or flash flooding I don't think you will ever understand. One minute the skies are blue, the sun is out and the next you are stood in a foot of muddy water.

As I watched the property go under water, I remember those little conversations of "we must get the gutters replaced before it rains" Ive learnt over the years now, not to cry, not to stress, just let everything flood, everything get muddy and when the storm passes, to begin the great clean up.

I can cope with the rain, its the stupid people that get to me, when they message over and over and moan as you have not answered fast enough. When you explain to them that you have no power, which means no phone charger, no computer, yet they still moan that you have not answered.

You know they weather is really bad when I go to the supermarket (hate shopping) trust me it was warm and dry and I could charge my phone on the journey, so the trip was bearable, and I got a dog (different blog) so, for the idiots that keep messaging asking if they can come visit, yeah go for it, it only took me 20 minutes longer to drive the flooded, rock scattered roads from civilization to my house.

Yes, I know it is sunny in resort, but as I keep telling you I don't live in resort, and yes I am still flooded, and yes it has damaged loads. The reality is I'm not social usually, and at the moment I am, sat in a muddy puddle, with no phone signal, no internet, and the black plague, I would advise staying away!