DBARC CORNER
These articles features some of the animals at the centre looking for a home, and is very successful in helping them to find a new home
December 2009
As you rummage in the rear depths of the loft for those seasonal lights and decorations, please spare a thought for any household pets sharing in your Christmas celebrations. Whilst most animals seem to have a built in sensor, which delights them when it homes in on the fact that their owners are enjoying themselves, the trappings and celebrations which makes this festival such fun can present real hazards and difficulties, particularly for young animals who are encountering them for the very first time. Trailing electrical leads can make lethal chewing toys, whilst swinging or flashing baubles are irresistible to an adventurous cat - and we all know what dogs love to do at the base of a tree! The sudden invasion of the house by partygoers and the perhaps less than dulcet tones of the family choir bellowing out "Silent Night", can also be a less than tranquil experience for a nervous family pet. So please make sure your pet is adequately supervised during the Christmas transformation of your house and ensure that its training is also extended to some particular "don'ts" associated with those tempting delights that often lie around in profusion at this time of the year. Whilst that really delicious chocolate you bought for Auntie Sue will provide her with considerable delight, its misappropriation by the family dog from the base of the Christmas Tree might well prove fatal, just like those raisins filling the snack bowl in the Lounge! So, as you pop out to collect those last-minute gifts, it would be prudent to ensure that any normally free-ranging pets are isolated from those mince pies lying on the Kitchen table and that all electrical leads and decorations are securely out of reach.
Every animal living at the Hurst sanctuary over the festival will receive a tasty Christmas Dinner and the gift of a toy or accessory, courtesy of the unfailing efforts of our Chairman, Donna Penfold and Manager, Janet North, to ensure they too appreciate it's a rather special time of year. When complemented upon the fact that their dedication to the animals extends even to Christmas Day, Donna and Janet completely dismiss any suggestions of personal sacrifice, emphasising that the sheer delight exhibited by the residents upon receiving their treats represents the most fundamental and joyous manifestation of the true spirit of Christmas that anyone could possibly wish for! Nevertheless, I should still be most obliged if those lovely ladies would accept my most sincere gratitude and admiration for their selfless activities, which take place whilst I sit back comfortably with my turkey and plum pudding.
Further to some recent comments in the local press, I should like to emphasise that DBARC most heartily endorses the earnest plea for dog owners to ensure that they strictly observe the need for pet hygiene when exercising their pets in public areas. The small disposable plastic bags necessary for the collection and effective disposal of faeces add only a few pence to the cost of pet ownership, but bestow an inestimable benefit upon the whole community. The vast majority of dog owners invariably observe this self-evident obligation to preserve our society's environment and share the critic's distaste for the lazy and offensive minority, who seemingly care little for either hygiene, or the understandable condemnation they unfortunately bring to bear upon the heads of all of us who derive such pleasure from our canine companions.
We are accustomed to some pretty varied cross breeds, but there was general surprise recently when we were asked to assist with some Westie/German Shepherd Dog cross puppies. It had been quite a shock to the owners of the German Shepherd Dog when they took her to the vet to be neutered, only to be advised that she was about to give birth to the six puppies. The owners were kind enough to say they held us in high regard and asked for our assistance in finding good homes for these quite delightful puppies. There have been a number of rather ribald suggestions as to how the little Westie managed to mate with such an enormous lady friend. I prefer merely to reflect upon the old adage "Where there's a will, there's a way"!
A very merry Christmas and contented New Year to you all from everyone at the Hurst Sanctuary.
November 2009
It was with the most particular delight that we all celebrated the Ninetieth Birthday of our Founder, Diana Brimblecombe, last week. Even though the last twelve months have been rather traumatic and distressful for Diana, her lovely smile and benevolent kindness never fails to radiate like a beacon, brightening the lives of everyone privileged to know her. It would be truly astounding to calculate how many animals have benefited from this lady's decades of dedication to their care and comfort and it must be a significant proportion of the family homes in our community that have derived inestimable pleasure from the adoption of one of Diana's animals as a family pet. Rarely has the greeting "Many happy returns" been uttered so earnestly by so many people!
As those brown and red tints appear in the leaves and the shadows start to lengthen during the rather less frequent sunny days, we become aware that Summer has implemented the terms of its surrender to Autumn. Very shortly, this process will yield to the onset of Winter, a period when most people seek to find some additional warmth or pleasure to offset the darker and more confined times of that season. Many will consider flying off to breaks in sunnier climes, will resurrect hobbies laid aside during more active months, or concentrate on preparations for that zenith of Winter delights, Christmas. There is, however, one way in which you could not only introduce huge amounts of joy and love into the coming Winter period, but also retain those delights for each and every day of the year. Autumn is an excellent time to think about providing one of our cats, dogs, or other animals with a warm, comfortable and, above all, loving home. The period provides ample opportunities to concentrate your time on getting to know the new member of your family, settling it into its new environment and training it to behave in the manner expected of it. All animals respond very positively to tender loving care in warm and comfortable surroundings, quickly demonstrating the joys of having a new, affectionate and particularly constant friend. A number of our animals have not always had the best of lives to date, which sometimes means one has to devote just that little more care to their first days in a new home, but they almost invariably provide the very best of returns on the investment of that love and attention. Especially when things get a little grey or gloomy, the sheer consistency of their love and utter contentment with your company is enough to make the world a great place again! Whilst others may perceive one's faults and frailties, there's always one totally constant friend who is absolutely delighted just to be alongside. That's the kind of joy you too might so easily share by merely investigating the possibility of adopting one of the many animals that pass through our sanctuary.
It is that time of year again when our staff join the majority of pet owners in trying to minimise the anxieties and terrors of the animal world as fireworks explode at all times of the day and night. Whilst in no way wishing to prevent people from enjoying the spectacle of a well-organised public display, or, a family-centred celebration, it would be very much in the interests of all animals to restrict the almost ceaseless bombardment they have to endure. How satisfying it would also be to put an end to the antics of the mindless morons who delight in detonating fireworks at the most anti-social hours of the night. As for the sadistic savages who elect to injure animals by deliberately exposing them to the blast of fireworks, I think the best … No, I'd better not continue as I suspect my views probably represent a breach of their sub-human rights!
If you wish to procure a special treat for your dog or cat this coming Christmas, you might like to pop along to the DBARC stall at the forthcoming Winter Carnival in Wokingham on Sunday the 29th November. Julie Scott, a much valued staff member, has once again marshalled her entire family to take part in her "Hamper Nights", when they dedicate themselves to preparing DBARC Christmas Hampers, full of tasty and entertaining delights for lucky pets. They usually disappear from our stand at a fairly rapid rate of knots, so an early foray into the proceedings may be necessary to secure your pet a very special Christmas treat!
October 2009
Siblings frequently come in assorted shapes and sizes, but Anna and Belle, sister kittens who arrived recently at the sanctuary looked as if they had emerged from very different gene depositories! Whilst Anna was quite well built, Belle's extremely tiny body immediately aroused considerable fears as to the state of her health or metabolism. Veterinary examinations, however, indicated absolutely no problems and we were forced to assume that this merely represented Mother Nature, once again, impressing her individual fingerprints onto what we mere humans expect to be the natural progression of things. Certainly Belle lacked no aspect of a kitten's usual appetite for play or things curious and, seemingly quite unaware of her lack of physical stature, entered into life with gusto. We were fortunate enough to identify a lovely home which very kindly agreed to adopt both sisters, so Belle will thus continue to enjoy the added security that "Big Sister's" presence bestows on her life. We shall monitor their relative growth rates with interest!
As with our climate, there is seemingly no logic or pattern to life in our cattery. Some weeks after having had only one cat in residence, we were suddenly inundated with new arrivals seeking help and new homes. With that ironic twist which Fate often bestows upon events, the numerous enquiries for cats which we received during that solitary occupation abruptly terminated as soon as the new arrivals materialised, ensuring that the Cattery rapidly filled to capacity. Fortunately one or two enquiries during the last few days have raised our spirits and we hope that the really lovely cats looking for new homes will not languish too long in our pens.
We are truly most indebted to Timberland Ltd, the UK subsidiary of the American clothing company, who actively encourages its employees to undertake voluntary work within their local communities by funding time periods. We are fortunate enough to be one of their beneficiaries and the enthusiasm with which our group of colleagues approached the task of painting various structures at the sanctuary and cutting back the wilderness which threatened to engulf our boundaries was most amply reflected in the effectiveness of their endeavours. To cap the enterprise, one of our benefactors kindly offered a home to Benji, a black and white cat who had been with us for about six weeks. We are indeed much indebted to this enthusiastic and delightful band and their philanthropic employer.
Now that the summer recess has given way to the autumn term and resumption of after-school activities, the sanctuary has received visits from a number of youth organisations, including the 1st Finchampstead Cubs and the St Sebastian's Beavers. It was a pleasure to entertain such well behaved and cheerful young people and we do trust they enjoyed their tour of the sanctuary. We were particularly impressed with the young man who clearly fell in love with our resident ferrets and, desperate to secure them as his household pets, suggested he would consider making a donation of £3,000 to secure his new-found friends. Now that's what you call an offer you can't refuse! On this occasion, however, we felt it politic to insist on a cooling-off period. Oddly enough, we haven't heard from him since!!
September 2009
DBARC has always attempted to assist anybody having problems with an animal, but we were singularly found wanting a few days ago when the boys in blue came roaring up our drive asking for assistance. Three Police vehicles approaching the Reception area is by no means an everyday sight at Hurst and the Manager was somewhat ill at ease as she went out to meet the officers. It was indeed a relief to hear that the sanctuary had not been transformed into a crime scene, but that they merely had a stray animal inside the big van that needed some assistance. Her respite, however, was short-lived as they went on to explain that the animal in question was a very large snake which some poor being had found wandering around in Winnersh! Normally we're quite prepared to rise to any challenge and our Manager does have previous experience of handling a variety of small reptiles, but this was one prospect we were absolutely unequipped to deal with. Apart from the fact that reptiles need extremely specialised housing units and controlled environments, our staff have no training or experience in handling large snakes and seemed strangely unwilling to risk being supper for a boa-constrictor, or whatever else lurked within that white van. We were able to provide some names and telephone numbers for people and organisations that specialise in reptile care and have heard nothing more since the white van disappeared down the drive, so we trust the officers were able to accommodate their guest in suitable lodgings. Nevertheless, if you are invited to climb into a Police van in the near future, have a good look round inside before you accept a lift!
This week saw yet more animals abandoned outside our gates, risking their very lives when guaranteed safety lies just a few yards along the drive. That possibility became terrible fact last month when one of three cats, abandoned in a cardboard box in our gateway, escaped before the pathetic bundle was noticed. Despite efforts to lure it into care with some tasty treats, the poor old tabby was just too terrified and sightings ceased abruptly a couple of days later. It would, of course, have had no experience of living in the wild, or of the need to avoid predators such as the foxes which abound in the area. Poor old Christie, a lovely cat and her son Yogi were the latest animals to be dumped and it has now been decided we need to install CCTV around the site perimeter, not only to promptly detect such unheralded arrivals, but also as evidence against the heartless individuals who just can't be bothered to bring them in and hand them over safely. Such an abandonment of an animal is not only a criminal offence, but an absolute and callous evasion of the responsibility that people undertake when they elect to enter into pet ownership.
It is such a pleasure to report that Jingle, the little schnauzer who was blind when she arrived at Hurst has now been signed off for six months by the ophthalmic surgeon who performed the operation which restored sight to one eye. Although Jingle will need to take daily medication for life, that is a very minor inconvenience for treatment which has literally transformed her life. To see the young lady happily rushing around at play with the other dogs in her household, or merely to note how she looks so attentively at new sights or visitors most emphatically underlines the blessing of sight which DBARC and their kind supporters have been privileged to give her.
August 2009
It was most interesting to discover that a study recently commissioned by the Government's Social Studies Group had confirmed our long-held view that the vast majority of human beings derive not only great pleasure, but also therapeutic and restorative benefits from pet ownership. The quite intensive study they carried out provided strong evidence that elderly people in particular gained not only the great joy of companionship, but were significantly less likely to suffer from a range of illnesses and psychological conditions believed to emanate from introversion, depression or low self-esteem. Dog owners also enjoyed a marked advantage in terms of a number of other joint, muscular or skeletal related problems, which, it was assumed, derived from the associated gentle daily routine of exercising their pets. Overall, the study equated pet-ownership with a striking reduction in the number of visits per annum the owners made to their general practitioners - a conclusion that might perhaps strongly advocate support for DBARC from the NHS!! Although based upon a much smaller sample group, there was seemingly also evidence that people with some pre-existing medical or mental conditions were markedly assisted by the acquisition of a pet. The report made particular mention of the beneficial effects observed by psychogeriatric specialists when elderly care-home residents received visits from pets and this is certainly an aspect that fits closely with our experience upon occasions when we take carefully selected animals to local care establishments. It is, indeed, sometimes quite astonishing to witness the joy and unexpected animation that a seemingly almost comatose resident will suddenly exhibit when confronted with an animal. Upon any terms of reference that has to be advantageous! I think it would be fair to add that the gentle and consistent companionship that characterises the empathic relationship between most pet owners and their animals is, in itself, a tremendous advantage in life. There is a most satisfying, even if a mite selfish, satisfaction in knowing that every time you arise each morning, or return to your front door, you will receive an enthusiastic, joyful welcome and that, even though the rest of the world perceives your faults and warts, you have one friend whose love is absolutely constant and unconditional. That is a valuable asset in even a pleasant, comfortable existence, but becomes priceless in the demanding, rapacious world that exists for so many people nowadays.
This morning we had yet another example of animals being abandoned outside our gates. On this occasion a large cardboard box had been placed in our open gateway with an attached note saying it contained three cats which the owner could no longer afford to look after. Unfortunately, by the time the box was found, one cat, a seven-year-old tabby, had managed to claw its way out of the box and had disappeared. Our staff searched the surrounding area and, although there was a brief glimpse of the escapee in some brambles, they were unable to coax it into care. We very much appreciate the trauma involved in having to place pets for adoption and our staff are exceedingly sympathetic to people who find themselves in that most unfortunate position. We therefore sincerely request that animals requiring our assistance be brought into the sanctuary reception, rather than abandoned in circumstances where they may, like poor old tabby, find themselves suddenly cast into an existence which previous domesticity has ill-prepared them for.
July 2009
I'm afraid 2009 is not going to live in Diana Brimblecombe's memory as other than what is nowadays termed an annus horribilis. The neck injuries she sustained in a fall last December continue to give concern as they fail to heal properly and a recent hospital examination has now revealed that she is also suffering from a skin cancer. These setbacks, however, have totally failed to dampen either that delightful smile, or her very positive approach to life and she continues her battle against her infirmities with not only our very best wishes, but also our profound admiration.
Pancake, a four-week-old kitten, has also proved to be one of life's survivors after hovering on the brink for a few weeks. Her mum, Josie, gave birth to four kittens, but two died very suddenly in their second week, having given no previous indication of distress. Josie, with that perception so often observed in such circumstances, obviously knew there was little hope for her two surviving kittens, Muffin and Pancake and promptly withdrew maternal care. The sanctuary staff, though, were determined to do everything possible to give the two survivors some chance and started a round-the-clock programme of care, with the tiniest feeding bottles I've ever seen and lots of TLC. Poor little Muffin, however, had a very serious heart defect and all efforts to save her failed. Pancake was also patently very ill and Julie Scott, one of our leading staff members, offered to take her home where she and her children were determined to concentrate all their efforts on helping her through the crisis. They succeeded beyond their wildest hopes and Pancake, presently entering her fifth week, is going from strength to strength. Somehow we were not terribly surprised when the children decided that Pancake would be joining their other four cats as a permanent member of the household!
It is in old age that you need life's little comforts most and Milly, a German Shepherd Dog, who is about 9 years old, will certainly not want for those benefits. Milly was rescued after living wild for some time and was in a pitiful condition, emaciated, dirty and having a large growth on her neck. Gill Brady, one of the lovely foster ladies we work closely with, heard of Milly's plight and took her in, arranging for her local veterinary surgeon to remove the growth. After a lengthy convalescence period, it almost broke Gill's heart to pass her on, but Milly's now settled into a local home where she will receive every care and comfort she desires. As is so often evidenced with rescued animals who've had a very bad time, Milly has reacted to her new circumstances by bestowing a limitless degree of affection upon her new owners. We wish the old girl well.
If you'd like a friendly, fun-filled family day out, do visit DBARC's annual Fun Day on Sunday the 19th July at Moss End Garden Village in Warfield. There will be a large selection of stalls, sideshows and, of course, the annual DBARC Dog Show. Who knows - your family pet might even win "The Dog With The Waggiest Tail", or walk off with one of the star prizes in The Dog Tombola!
June 2009
The sanctuary witnessed a touch of feline competitiveness during the last few weeks when Ruby, a delightful white cat was rescued after being found straying the streets, where, as was readily evident, she'd lost her maidenhood! After a quick wash and brush up, followed by a good square meal, Ruby was allocated a berth in the feline maternity block next to Emerald, a black and white young lassie who was also anticipating the arrival of a family. Ruby duly decided that the May Bank Holiday had to be an auspicious date and promptly delivered three lovely white kittens for everyone to admire. Emerald, obviously most impressed with the attention, treats and heat lamp that Ruby's exploits had generated, promptly decided to join the party and, within a few hours, had produced four absolutely delightful black and white kittens as an alternative attraction. Both mothers and their assorted offspring are now doing well and continue to vie for the attention of the many well-wishers popping into the maternity section to pay their respects and distribute the expected goodies!
Sadly, another maternal case, which took place in less civilised surroundings, had a very different and savage outcome. Misty, a young Terrier cross, who was doubtless also a very friendly lassie and devoted mother, became pregnant when her owner ignored advice to have her spayed. Although the arrival of Misty's family was quite evidently a most unwelcome event in her household, her owner's reaction was savage by anybody's standards! Having bundled Misty and her puppies up in an old sack, the owner took them to a local riverbank and tossed them into the water. Luckily the pathetic bundle partially floated for a few minutes and a passing Police Constable heard muffled sounds and saw movement on the surface. Wading in, he extracted the sack from the river, dragged it to the bank and opened it up. His very kind and prompt action saved Misty, but unfortunately came too late for her puppies, which were already dead. Misty is now recovering from her ordeal and is slowly beginning to accept that she may place rather more trust in the love and kindness of human beings.
With the summer rushing up towards the horizon, arrangements are now well in hand for DBARC's annual Fun Day, which will be held this year on Sunday the 19th July at Moss End Garden Village in Warfield. Once again, the owners of Moss End have very kindly donated the use of their adjacent events field, which will be the venue for a family-centred day out featuring a large selection of stalls, sideshows and, of course, the annual DBARC Dog Show. Dogs do not have to be rescued animals to participate in most of the classes, where they can win such exalted titles as "The Dog With The Waggiest Tail", although one or two titles are reserved for the hundreds of ex-DBARC dogs who attend our reunion. If you would like to have a fun-filled day in the middle of all the gloom that seems to pervade our society at the moment, do bring your family and any family dogs along to what we trust will be a most enjoyable occasion.
May 2009
It is such a pleasure to confirm that Jingle, the three-year-old Schnauzer who underwent an ophthalmic operation on the 16th March, now has the gift of sight in her one undamaged eye. Success, however, was not achieved without considerable trauma as she developed a serious post-operative infection and only swift detection of the problem by the Sanctuary Manager and a rapid transfer back to Hospital saved the day. It is truly a joy to watch Jingle as she carefully moves around examining her new world, peering intently at people, fellow creatures and places that until now have only been scents or sounds. It's interesting to speculate on what possible emotions accompany her on this new voyage of discovery into a world that is at once both familiar and yet fascinatingly now revealed in all its visual detail for the very first time. People who tend to scoff at the notion that animals lack the gambit of emotions usually attributed to human beings should spend some time working at the sanctuary - their scepticism would be rapidly eradicated! May I reiterate our most sincere and grateful appreciation to all the lovely people who so kindly contributed towards the cost of providing Jingle with this most wonderful enhancement to her life.
Another notable veterinary success was achieved when a puppy was admitted to the sanctuary showing symptoms of that most dreaded canine illness, Parvovirus. Once again prompt detection by the Manager meant the full paraphernalia of isolation and disinfection was being implemented even as the little mite was being driven to the veterinary hospital. Although the episode meant our doors had to be closed to new arrivals for two weeks, the prompt response achieved a double-top success in that not only did the puppy make a full recovery, but the repetitive testing of our animals showed the potential outbreak had been completely contained. Full marks once again to Janet and the superb team of individuals who staff the sanctuary. The only remaining headache will be our veterinary bill which promises to be quite an eye-opener this month!
Once again we saw the quite astonishing resilience of animals to adversity and injury when LouLou, a one-year-old Tortie, limped into our care after a most traumatic period which included, amongst other misfortunes, the loss of her home and a road traffic accident which resulted in the loss of a rear leg. Despite these adversities, LouLou remained as bright as a button and exceedingly anxious to engage in any exchange of affection on offer! Once a minor problem with her remaining rear paw had been resolved, she quickly demonstrated she had already mastered that remarkable ability of a four-legged animal to adapt to only three and any mice prowling the precincts of her new home will need to be particularly vigilant!
It has unfortunately been confirmed that Diana Brimblecombe's injuries are not healing as well as might be expected and the almost constant pain and extreme inconvenience she has so bravely coped with for almost five months is now being augmented by frequent trips for further medical examination and assistance. Diana's father, as a General in the Royal marines, may well have seen many impressive examples of bravery and resilience amongst his men, but one suspects he would have been particularly proud of his daughter's conduct "under fire"!
April 2009
Regrettably the current news concerning Diana Brimblecombe is not quite so encouraging as the latest hospital scan has sadly revealed that the broken vertebrae in her neck are not healing as well as might be expected, a situation that could possibly have fairly serious implications. At the time of writing Diana is about to return to hospital for additional examinations and treatment, a further punishing schedule for this brave and lovely lady who will certainly travel with the very best wishes of her legions of admirers. After all the cures and miracles Diana has performed for so many thousands of animals, surely she's entitled to just one in return!
Jingle, the blind, three-year-old Schnauzer underwent an ophthalmic operation on the 16th March after initial scanning techniques indicated a good possibility that sight could be restored to her left eye. Sadly the pre-operative examination confirmed that her right eye is quite beyond help, but it would indeed be a wonderful achievement if this lovely young lassie could be given the blessing of at least partial sight after all the trials and tribulations that have characterised her life to date. It will be a short while before we know whether the treatment has been successful, but, if one morning soon you hear a tumultuous noise from the Hurst direction, you'll know our prayers have been answered!
A word of caution to local dog owners. We have become aware of several instances in which dogs have been stolen from their owner's premises. The motivation, however, is not so readily apparent and certainly doesn't seem to fall into the "dognapping" category in which owners are asked to pay significant sums for the return of stolen pets. A lovely Golden Retriever was recently taken from the garden of his owner's house, a secure area in which the pet frequently played. Luckily the laddie was brought into our sanctuary a short while later, having been found wandering the streets of another local community about fifteen miles away. Fortunately he'd been micro-chipped and we were able to arrange a rapid reunion with his delighted owners. This is not the first occasion upon which a stolen dog has been found wandering streets some miles away from its original location and it's not easy to think of a logical explanation for such apparently mindless thefts. If your family pet has not already been micro-chipped, it's certainly worth the few pounds involved to have your ownership and contact details thus permanently recorded. Apart from the probability of reunion if the animal is lost, thieves are well aware that the police, local authorities and veterinary surgeons can thus very easily identify a stolen animal.
Usually we have no problem whatsoever in making friends with any animal arriving at our gates, but Scully, a beautiful black cat, proved that every rule does indeed have its exception. Right from day one, Scully, made it absolutely plain that she had no wish whatsoever to be associated with, of all things, a rescue centre and remained icily and disdainfully aloof during her very short stay, literally turning her back on any offers of affection or titbits. Having rapidly attracted a lovely home, we strongly suspect Scully has by now erased all recollections of DBARC from her memory.
March 2009
Diana Brimblecombe, our Founder, who fractured a wrist and broke vertebrae in her neck after a heavy fall almost three months ago, continues to make quite astonishing progress, whizzing around her house as fast as a large neck brace will permit and dazzling a continual stream of visitors with that lovely smile which even this ordeal of pain and stress has failed to defeat. No wonder the Charity we're now privileged to administer was forged into such an effective entity by this determined and indefatigable lady! Diana has asked me to express her very considerable gratitude for all the kind wishes and assistance she has received.
The mounting effects of Britain's current financial woes continue to present us with some truly depressing sights as families struggle to cope with the effects of redundancies and other related ills. A growing number of family pets are being brought into the sanctuary as owners find themselves unable to cope with costs, a situation frequently crystallised by the need for veterinary treatment. In addition to the personal tragedies involved, this situation has thus resulted in the average cost per rescue rising significantly at a time when our income, like most charities, is decreasing. Perhaps the saddest example of all this month was provided by a family who had been forced to surrender their family pets into our care after they'd lost their family home and been obliged to move into a small flat where animals were prohibited. To see those parents and children sobbing as they departed was a sight I should dearly love to have made compulsory daily viewing for the avaricious elite who caused and have greatly prospered from our present financial woes. Not, I suspect, that the sad plight of some of society's footsoldiers would generate any perceptible measure of contrition in those egocentric financial Generals!
We have been so grateful for the kind enquiries about Jingle, the three-year-old Schnauzer who requires some particularly extensive ophthalmic treatment. Although her general physical state continues to progress towards the standards necessary to permit the required veterinary treatment, the condition of her eyes is unfortunately rapidly degenerating and it has now been decided that her operation will need to be brought forward to mid March. Hopes for success and the recovery of this lovely lassie's sight will certainly rest on a very substantial bed of good wishes.
One laddie who was exceedingly fortunate to arrive at Hurst was Freddie, a six-to seven-year old cross breed. He was found by a kindly passerby beside a railway in a location where local youths had been seen tethering animals to the tracks and filming their deaths on mobile phones. Having been fostered by a local Veterinary, Freddie was transferred to the Hurst sanctuary and quickly found a new and loving home where his faith in the kindness of humans will be rapidly restored!
February 2009
Our thoughts during the opening weeks of 2009 have very frequently turned to Diana Brimblecombe, our Founder, who suffered both a fractured wrist and broken neck after falling heavily at home just before Christmas. Each news report and visit, however, underlines how the truly indomitable spirit of this lovely lady continues to simply dismiss any obstacle placed in her path. Although a plastered arm and huge neck brace, augmented by considerable pain and discomfort, are imposing such restrictions upon her activities, that familiar smile and amusing quips continue to demonstrate her determination to rise above "life's little inconveniences"! The only sadness Diana will admit to is her current inability to look after her beloved pets, particularly her dog Orchid, although she takes great delight in being regaled with stories of how Orchid has established herself as Queen Bee amongst the other dogs during her sojourn at the sanctuary!
Jingle, the three-year-old Schnauzer who was recently rescued from a Welsh puppy farm, is making steady progress towards good health. Having benefited from both an improvement in her skin condition and a few extra pounds from a proper diet, she is clearly not only enjoying life, but is also beginning to develop a much greater confidence towards human beings in general and the sanctuary staff in particular. Her blindness, however, still imposes pathetic limits upon both her confidence and ability to adapt to her new circumstances and we await the results of her imminent detailed ophthalmic examination with keen anticipation. If the veterinary specialist indicates a suitable level of residual optical capacity, it has been decided DBARC will fund the very considerable expense necessary to give Jingle the blessed gift of sight. Apart from the sheer pleasure of providing such a delightful young lassie with the prospect of a complete and agreeable future, one might also view that decision as something of an apology from the human race for all the suffering and distress these appalling puppy farms continue to inflict upon Jingle and other such innocent creatures.
Another young laddie who embarks upon the new year with an enhanced regard for life is Lucky, a four-year-old Collie, who had previously spent his entire life chained up outside a house. When a neighbour commented to his owners that this wasn't perhaps the best of circumstances and that he didn't look too healthy, they readily agreed and announced they would have him put down. The neighbouring Samaritan, however, very kindly terminated this intended course of action by removing Lucky from their ownership and arranging a foster home with a local vet. Having been transferred to the DBARC sanctuary, Lucky quickly found a lovely new home and his future will now hopefully fulfil the portents implied by his name!
Josie, a young guinea pig, became the first arrival at the sanctuary in the disheartening procession of animals that had been gaily parcelled up as Christmas presents. One parent sadly handed in an animal that had been gifted even after prior advice to the donor that it would be unwelcome. When will some people learn that animals are not just potential toys, or casual amusements?
January 2009
The weeks leading up to Christmas at the sanctuary regrettably rather lacked the joyful and festive spirit that one always hopes will characterise such a period. It was with a real sense of despair that we heard news of an accident that had befallen Diana Brimblecombe, the lovely lady who founded our Charity. Diana fell heavily at home, suffering some horrendous injuries which included a fractured wrist and a broken neck and is now likely to spend a considerable time in hospital trying to adapt to the extreme physical restrictions so suddenly inflicted upon such an active lady. Reports from alongside her hospital bed, however, suggest Diana has reacted to life's latest obstacle with all the cheerful sang-froid we have grown to expect from the lady. She was, it seems, somewhat bemused to find her reputation had preceded her admission to Casualty and recounted with wry humour that, even whilst she was patiently waiting for the initial procedures to be carried out, several members of the nursing staff and other patients were regaling her with stories of family pets adopted from her over the years. Methinks it may have been the first occasion for many, many years that Diana's mind had not been totally preoccupied with thoughts of animal welfare! I'm quite certain readers will join me in sending this wonderful lady our very best wishes for a rapid and complete recovery from her current traumas.
Back at the sanctuary, one or two rather different casualties had limped in for treatment. Jingle, a three-year-old Schnauzer, had been rescued from a Welsh puppy farm, providing a poignant example of the complete lack of care and ethics which characterise these abominable "puppy production lines". Jingle was in a truly terrible condition, suffering from a serious skin condition, rotting teeth, a painful ear infection and almost total blindness. Despite the appalling treatment she's received at human hands, she is a delightful lassie and loses no opportunity for an exchange of affection. Having just had a number of teeth removed, Jingle was obliged to accept her Christmas Lunch from a mincing machine, whilst her other ailments gradually yielded to veterinary treatment. Her eyesight, however, is far more problematic as she has only hazy vision in one eye, but the latest ophthalmic report from our Veterinary indicates that an operation on her blind eye may well offer a good chance of success. Such a technique is very expensive, but what a joy it would be to provide the gift of sight to such a lovely lassie who has been so sorely abused!
Reflecting the deteriorating state of many families' financial affairs, December saw a number of animals arriving at our gates when owners could no longer afford to support them. One such arrival was Pippa, a young and absolutely beautiful black cat who was clearly in an advanced state of having lost her maidenhood! Just as arrangements were being made for a veterinary examination, however, nature decided the time was apposite and Pippa went into labour. Our Manager swiftly took matters in hand and delivered five kittens. Sadly three were still born and beyond the reach of Janet's expertise, but Pippa ended up as an extremely proud Christmas mum!
We very much hope that 2009 belies its rather grim portents! Our sincere best wishes to you all.