Another Photo

I don't think Sky appreciates being disturbed by having her photo taken. She is so relaxed these days.

Looking back on my blog I find I have had Sky now for more than a year. I can't believe where the time has gone. She is such a happy little thing it is hard to remember the panic stricken dog I brought home. Around the house and areas she knows well she is totally confident. Everyone has noticed the difference. She still will not let anyone stroke her unless she is sitting with me or Ken but she doesn't panic or bark like she used to. There are still things that upset her and I wonder if she will ever have the confidence Shula has. Most people who remember the timid dog Shula was say it will just take time, I am not so sure. The difference is, Shula was born wild, she was timid of what she didn't know, when we gave her security she accepted it. Sky on the other hand was terribly abused, she knows what some people are capable of, she knows we love her and she is safe with us but other people she is not sure about. I think she will never trust anyone she doesn't know well so people in the street that want to stop and stroke my dogs have to make do with Shula.

Another Passion Flower

Another passion flower in my garden, not quite as exotic as the purple one but a bit more robust.

Passion Flower

Passion Flower

The passion flowers in my garden are starting to flower. I have managed to get a few roots to plant in my garden at the back.

It is the most beautiful flower I hope it will take.

Rufus - Not all dog parks are safe.

Rufus, dressed up as an angel for our Christmas party winning the first prize.

So sad the hear that he has died.

 My friend Patricia and Tim did all the right things for Rufus and he could not have had better or more responsible owners. Rufus went to dog training classes every week where he was a great favourite with all the other dogs and owners, he was so happy, everyone loved him.

Patricia and Tim were loving protective owners so everything they did was for Rufus to enjoy his life. Taking him to dog parks was one thing you think would keep him safe, it didn't. They took him to a dog park in Rivera where he picked up a poison that is meant for killing snails, it killed Rufus.

Rufus was such a beautiful dog, so full of life and so loved it should not have happened but did. I am not sure how we protect our dogs especially mine who are rescue dogs used to scavenging.

It has been a month now since Rufus died but I still worry when I let my dogs off the lead to run.

Tommy

Tommy one of Carmen's cats who followed her across here when she came to feed my cats while I was in the UK. He obviously preferred the quiet and less cats from her place. He has been with us for a few years now and is fed and looked after. Feeding these cats is not a problem. The problem comes when they are sick, fortunately I have Carmen to help who can get me the anti-biotic needed when they are injured. Vets fees are so expensive and for these cats which are so very hard to catch it is better if we only get them when we absolutely have to. We only get one chance, after that all trust is gone.

Tommy is looking good, also Tich for which I am grateful.We are still trying to look after Oliver. He seems well and perky. His poor face is still  raw. I think he has scratched the scab. There is nothing we can do except feed him and monitor his progress. I am constantly reminded he is not my cat, he has owners, that they don't care, or can't afford better treatment I am not able to ascertain. My friend Carmen assures me we are doing the best we can, I really hope so.

Poor Oliver

I had not seen Oliver for a few days, then about a week ago he turned up looking very sorry for himself. He was all hunched up and miserable on the window ledge. When I went to feed him I saw that he had a great big wound on one side of his face. I rang my friend Carmen and she came over to look at him.We really have no idea what could have caused the damage, the wound seems too big to have been caused by another cat. We cleaned his face and put Betadine on him, poor boy did cry. Carmen got me a course of antibiotics and six days later he is back to normal, apart from his face, although that looks to be healing well. I am feeding him on pouches of soft food which he has no problem eating. Carmen and I decided not to consult his owner our Spanish neighbour as we know from past experience she will not take him to the vet. Anyway I don't think the vet would do any more than we are doing already. I expect my neighbour does know he has been injured because now he is feeling better he isn't spending all his time on our terrace as he did for the first few days. I don't think they feed him as he has been helping himself to our cat food for years. Carmen once told the neighbour that he came in and ate our food and her reply was that he was a free spirit. Suits me, he is a beautiful cat and feeding one more makes no difference. I personally would not want my own cats to eat elsewhere but they don't need to they are well fed here.

A Dog Is For Life

FOXY

Quite a few of my friends from the Calahonda Pet Dog School have returned to the UK. I really miss Georgie and Foxy but so pleased to see this photo on Facebook. I think it just proves it doesn't matter to your dog where they are as long as they are with you.

Georgie took all her cats and dogs with her when she went back. It is expensive but leaving them behind was not something she ever considered. I get so mad when I hear of English people returning to the UK and dumping their pets. I am not talking about abandoning them in the street, but taking them to a shelter and saying I am going back to the UK and can't take them. WHY can't you? There is no quarantine, you just need to get the animal micro chipped, which if it was a dog in Spain it should be already, get a rabies shot and 21 days later you can travel, just before you go it need tic and worm treatment. Probably the cheapest way is to drive back but there are lots of pet carriers that will bring your animals back for you. They charge, if you don't think your dog is worth it you should not have a dog. A dog is for life, they are not luggage to be left behind. They are part of the family, or should be, you wouldn't leave your kids, why would you leave your pets unless you are the sort of person who thinks dogs are accessories, designer toys for your kids, looks good on a lead.

Well I could go on, in the UK we are supposed to be animal lovers, you only have to watch TV to know cruelty goes on there. Here is the same. What I am upset about is people who get a dog make it part of their life and then they move on, go back to the UK. get another dog. Do they not realise, they were not part of that dogs life, they were his whole life, that is what they give you. A dog is for life, don't take him on unless you can give him that.

 I forgive you if you die.