I really can't believe it's been so long since our last update! Really is very remiss of us, Tribble and I send a thousand and one apologies. It's been very busy here, I've had my university course to finish as well, lots of rescue stuff going off and we've had lots of changes around us too.

Big news on a personal front - I passed my FdSc in Animal Studies with a Distinction!!! I am very pleased and am now working out how to make best use of my new qualification.

Chance, our Christmas foster dog, went off to her new home in January and is now known as Maisy. She's much loved in her new home (and much missed here).

Very sadly we lost our darling Tre dog -Theresa- at the beginning of June. Although she'd been showing signs of slowing down quite a lot, we still hoped we'd have more time together, but it wasn't to be and Tre is now young and healthy again playing at Rainbow Bridge. I haven't quite been able to bring myself to remove her picture from the website, but I will have to soon I suppose.

If anyone is looking for a rescue animal, please don't overlook the oldies. Tre may only have been able to spend just under 2 years with us, but they were 2 very happy years. We gained so much from each other, and I'm so pleased I was able to give her a home to see her through her retirement years in love and comfort. Whether a dog, or cat, is with you for 12 years or 12 days - so much love will be packed into that time, you'll make a real difference to their lives, and you theirs.

Christmas Visitor

Hope everyone has had a great Christmas - and wish you all a fantastic 2008.

We had a great Christmas here, we've had someone staying with us.




This gorgeous girl is Chance. She's an 18month-old whippetxcollie and she's an absolute dream of a dog. She runs like the wind, recalls beautifully, is very gentle, gets on with the cats and other dogs and gives the best cuddles ever (except for Tribble of course). We are fostering her for HOPE Rescue and I don't think she'll take very long to find a loving home for. We'll miss her when she's gone (a lot) but we know HOPE will make sure she has the very best of homes - and we'll be able to offer a space to another dog or cat in need.

If you are thinking of getting a dog, or can help with fostering, homechecks, transporting or fundraising why not contact HOPE, or take a look on Dogpages

Goodness me, where does the time go? Christmas is upon us already! Our first 'full-on' Christmas here at Tribbles Giftstore and very successful it's been too. Tribble has designated me as chief packer while he's taken on the role of supervisor, well he said he was supervising, I think he was sleeping.



We have a visitor we'd like to introduce you to. This is Chance. She's a 17 month-old whippet/collie and she's our Christmas foster dog from Hope Rescue. Chances' owner unfortunately her owner found herself in a position whereby she was no longer able to care for her dogs and they ended up in the care of Hope. Now kennels are no place for a dog over Christmas, so we had a family discussion, me, the other dogs and cats, and agreed that Chance could join us for Christmas. We'd have loved to have her brother too but unfortunately the cats vetoed that one as they wanted to keep their numerical supremacy. If anyone would like to offer Chance a new home please contact Hope Rescue

Afraid Tribble won't be joining us today. He's off sulking due to the mammoth grooming session he's just endured - his coat was full of grass seeds!

Latest news - we've been approached by The Oldies Club and asked if we'd allow them to show a link to our shop on their website and offer their members the opportunity to direct the 10% donation from their orders straight to The Oldies Club. As Theresa joined us as a result of seeing her on their website, we said yes! For those who don't know, The Oldies Club specialise in finding homes for older dogs who are often overlooked in rescue centres as people go for the bouncy younger dogs or say that they 'don't want the upset of losing them'. Let me tell you, Theresa may be arthritic and struggle a bit with her walks these days, eyesight isn't too clever and she's several lumps and bumps, but when her lead comes out she (as best she can) jumps for joy, she gives the bestest cuddles and she's just fab. We've had a great 15 months together, and while we hope to have many more, nothing can ever take away the love we've both given and received in that time. Go on, get an oldie.

If you know of a UK rescue that would benefit from linking with us - any animal - ask them to drop us an email di@tribbles-giftstore.co.uk

Charitable Donations Update

Thought it was about time we let you all know what donations have been made lately.

Our friends at HOPE were in need of display boards to enhance their work at shows, so we bought some boards and took them with us when we went to help them over the August Bank Holiday weekend. HOPE are a fantastic rescue, and well worth supporting. As much of their work is about co-ordinating moving dogs from pounds to rescue spaces around the country, they are always having to fundraise hard as they get very little income from animal adoption.

Shown is Bailey, a springer pup currently in need of a home.



Dogpages
are a great resource for dog rescue work. It's through my membership there that I gained my first rescue dog (Beckie) and gradually became more involved in volunteering. Rescues display the dogs they have for adoption, there are forums for chatting about your dogs and issues related to dog welfare, information about events different rescues around the country are planning, and a section for rescues to ask for volunteers to help with tasks (often transporting/fostering).

They are currently looking to swop to a better server as the site is proving too popular for the current one to deal with (over 25000 registered members, plus guests!) and held a fundraising auction recently, with another to come next month. We were happy to be able to contribute goods to these auctions, with the limited edition pewter hare causing something of a bidding war!


These 2 guys are Jack and Charlie. Charlie is deaf and faithful friend Jack acts as his ears. Both under a year old their owner was forced to seek help in rehoming them after she was made homeless herself.







Cat Chat
are the cat rescue equivalent of Dogpages. They are about to launch their Christmas fundraising raffle and we have been able to contribute items from our new range of pet accessories (live onsite by October 7th)

This cat in need of a home is Scotty - Tribble wondered if he's a long-lost cousin!









and then there's Greyhound Gap
These guys are great, offering a lifeline to greyhounds and lurchers in need. This is another rescue I'm proud to be able to offer personal support to, undertaking transport runs and homechecks whenever I can.





Dogs shown are Lucy (10) and Ace (4), beautiful dogs in need of loving homes.

HOPE Rescue Fundraising Weekend

Just back from a great weekend down in Wales. Went to help my friends at HOPE with some fundraising events they had - stalls at local events (Bedwellty Agricultural Show and The Big Balloon) plus the Barking Mad Dog Show, organised by HOPE on behalf of the local council. It was a great bank holiday weekend, the sun shone, the crowds were out and lots of money was raised. Also, very importantly, alot of people were made aware of the work that HOPE does.

HOPE is primarily a co-ordinating rescue, taking dogs from the local pounds and finding places in different rescues around the country. As all the dogs HOPE takes on are, at a minimum, flea treated and vaccinated before moving on (most are also neutered) this means that HOPE spends alot of money on dogs for whom it will see no rehoming fee. Fundraising is therefore very important. Some dogs HOPE rehome themselves, using foster homes to ensure that dogs are fully assessed before moving onto a permanent home.

I took 3 of my own dogs with me (Will, Theresa and Beckie) and got lots of interest from people wanting to rehome them! My babies are going nowhere!!!

And to cap a great weekend the dogs won 2nd prize in the 'Happy Families' class at the dog show.

http://www.hoperescue.org.uk/

New in Store

Really pleased this week. We've managed to secure some wonderful limited edition bronze and pewter handcast sculptures. As you can see, the quality is amazing, and the price is incredible when you consider that limited really does mean limited (75 in the pewter and 100 the bronze). We hope to have more over the coming months, together with a range of miniture bronzes too.

www.tribbles-giftstore.co.uk