Where does time go and why does it fly by faster as I get older? Now the wall is dappled with that wonderful warm autumn glow. The leaves are beginning to turn and the nights and early mornings are chilly --even though it reached 24 degrees C. today!
I have been busy: a month in London getting to know the newest grandchild, then a week in Ireland where we were the guests of my wonderful eccentric brother always known to my children by the self-styled name of "Wicked Uncle Peter". Chelsea went to stay with a friend here who owns a hotel in a beach-side town situated about twenty minutes from here. She spent a lot of times sitting on the front steps of the hotel getting spoilt by hotel guests. No tears from her then.
September passed quickly with a succession of guests and all too quickly October has arrived...
I made a lot of new friends in September: I discovered that our local dog shelter was closing down and I went on a sort of crusade. I visited the kennel which is situated in a beautiful abandoned villa with lots of green space and trees round it, in the village of Arliano and got to know the dogs and some of the volunteers there. The estate was bequeathed to man's unwanted four-footed friends by the French countess. It is entirely run by volunteers who go there on a regular basis to feed the dogs and clean out the kennels and give the dogs lots of love and affection.
Now this kennel is like a little family commune. The dogs are really well cared for and consider it their home, so it is very sad that it will close soon and the dogs will be separated and sent to other kennels. Quite a few have found homes but still twenty or so remain. I nearly adopted a beautiful old Siberian Husky called Asterix, but somebody got in first! Good for Asterix though! In any case, there are some beautiful, big, young, dogs there needing homes but I have a small apartment and an old dog to consider. One dog, Bobo reminds me a lot of Mars. So instead of adopting, I wrote an article for a local English publication that I hope will be published in November and some more dogs will find homes. Fabrizio and I have gone several times to take various dogs for a walk--even though sometimes it seemed the other way round with the big dogs! So we met some kind-hearted doggie people and some wonderful dogs with some very sad stories of cruelty and abandonment....
State Bene!
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6 comments:
I volunteer for our local retriever rescue and it can be hard not to want to take them all home!
But giving them love and attention now will prepare them for their future forever homes. You are doing a wonderful thing; even if you can't take them home with you.
Enjoy your autumn!
Hello Mary
Welcome home. Glad you had fun meeting the newest addition to the Hewlett Clan. And that you had a great time in Ireland. How can you not spoil Chelsea, she is so adorable. When David posts pictures of Mars those big brown eyes of his are calling me to rub that tummy of his and give him treats. But sadly I am here in Toronto and Mars is over there in WA. I bet he is spoiled plenty too.
It is a great thing that you are doing and I hope it results in those dogs being adopted.
Fall is here now in Toronto and the leaves are changing and the nights are getting colder.
My roommate and I have adopted out many rescued cats over the years. It's always hard to say goodbye, but it helps knowing that they are going to good homes. You and your friends are doing a great thing. Keep it up! Maybe between us, we can influence more people to care.
Hope the Holidays treat you well.
So sorry to hear about Chelsea.
I was so very sorry to hear the news about Chelsea. I would like to share with you a poem that a friend of mine sent to me when I lost a cat I had for 14 years in March just a few months after losing my former boyfriend/by then husband. You may have read the poem before. It's called "The Rainbow Bridge"
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
The best of wishes and thoughts with you now.
I was so sorry to hear about Chelsea.
But what a grand life she lead.
(((HUGS)))
Sara
UK
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