Letter from a volunteer

We have found new homes for dozens of unwanted pets over the last twelve months and given them the chance of a happier life. Many have been homed quite quickly, especially the young and cute. It is harder to home those that are not quite so pretty or those who need a little more patience and training to overcome any problems they might have.

Ben is a plain black crossbreed saved from death by a kindly vet. His owner had taken him in to be destroyed because he was too lively and pulled on the lead.

Lulu is a 5-month-old Staffie puppy, an unwanted stray. She was in an appalling condition, completely bald with only a tuft of hair on her back. She looked more like a piglet than a dog. She must have suffered greatly from the irritation caused by her skin complaint. When examined by the vet his opinion was that she was born with this skin condition passed on by her mother and left untreated. After extensive treatment and lots of TLC she has fully recovered and is in her new home looking fantastic with a beautiful glossy coat.

We also cared for an elderly Boxer that had been abandoned, found lame and confused and in obvious distress. It was later discovered he had a brain tumour, which was the cause of his confusion and his frequent fits. He was sadly put to sleep but died very peacefully in the arms of Jenny from the kennels. I often wonder did he and all the other dogs like him feel betrayed by their callous and uncaring owners.

The saddest part is to see dogs come in that have been beaten and abused by their owners. We helped two this year, Teddy repeatedly beaten and choked by his owner and now after 18 months starting to trust people, and he has a new home in Cornwall. Patty, who now lives with me. but still suffers from periods of utter panic when something triggers off memories of her past and the beatings she once had. She can now be touched and stroked without screaming or flinching but is still nervous. One day she will realise how nice it is to be picked up and cuddled.

Normally I look forward to the weekend when I see all the excited faces and wagging tails all eager for their walks and a play but today is different I feel gutted! The decision was reluctantly taken to end the life of a dog so badly beaten by his wicked owner with his walking stick, cries of pain were heard nightly by neighbours on the mans' return from work. His love, loyalty and trust of Man were gone forever and his fear of people was so great it made him too dangerous to re-home. I spent a little time with the dog I called Shep, tried to show him a little kindness and compassion, I will never forget him.

As I leave I am told that lady had just phoned with an 8 month old Labrador she wanted to get rid of and if the kennels didn't take it in it would be destroyed within the next hour.

WHAT A NATION OF ANIMAL LOVERS WE REALLY ARE!!!