45 Dogs Rock!

I have just spent 17 days with Lovely dog. We have been camping, stayed with G and we have spent a couple of days at my caravan, just me and her.
I took her back to G's yesterday and I am home now. I really enjoyed spending time with her.
Dogs make everything more fun. Sitting on the sofa reading is a joy with a dog curled up by your side. Dogs give you a wonderful greeting when you wake up in the morning and you often get a free face wash into the bargain!
Yes, spending time with dogs is great!

44.Ollie's anniversary!

In  a few hours it will be exactly one year since Ollie was run over. It was so shocking and upsetting but today I choose to remember Ollie's good days.That dog was so funny and loving. He was also a pain in the neck. He used to run off at any opportunity, steal snacks if he could get his paws on them and generally make a nuicance of himself and all this just for laughs!
Despite his naughty ways, Ollie is sadly missed by so many people. I think his message is 'be yourself.' he has taught me that. We are loved for who we are, all our annoying little ways!

Ollie would approve!

My pal Ollie would definitely approve of the happy story I heard on Radio One News today. A boy called Ollie is being bullied and his dad appealed to people on Twitter to help convince his son that he is special and appreciated for who he is. Ollie has received birthday messages from so many people including celebrities from around the world.
Happy Days!
http://www.breakingnews.ie/discover/heres-why-everyone-is-wishing-ollie-happy-birthday-on-twitter-795779.html

Stories like that brighten my day.

42. 'Oh Ollie!' My new book...

As you know my dog Ollie was a very naughty but very lovely character who was also pretty wise. He taught me to enjoy life and get outside more!
Inspired by Ollie, I have created a new book that is suitable for people aged 5+ It is about the adventures of a cheeky puppy called Ollie who gets up to all sorts of naughtiness.
As you may also know I support a wonderful local animal sanctuary called Wanderers Haven.
The royalties from my book will go to them to support the amazing work that they do.
If you click on the link below it will take you to the amazon Kindle store where my new book is available. A paperback version of my book is also available.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kindle-Store-Cathy-Shuter/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A341677031%2Cp_27%3ACathy%20Shuter
Please let others know about this book. It is my way of supporting a great cause.
Thanks everyone! :)

41 Please let Bob keep his dog.

https://www.change.org/p/let-bob-keep-his-dog-bob-87-lives-in-a-care-home-with-his-close-companion-darkie-and-help-us-raise-enough-funds-to-keep-them-together?recruiter=84798692&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

If you click on the above link you will be able to learn more about a man called |Bob living in a care home.He wishes to keep his dog. His dog has been living with him at the home but the home has changed their rules and have said that they will evict Bob if he does not give up his dog.
There are volunteers willing to walk his dog when needed and anyone who has a dog will know how strong the bond between dog and owner can be.
If you would consider signing the petition you will be doing your bit to help keep the pair together.

40. Be kind, stop tattooing animals!

Animals do so much for us. They are loyal and friendly and they trust us utterly.
I understand that people like having tattoos and some tattoos do look cool. This does not mean that it is fair to tattoo your pet.
They go through pain and fear in order to have a pattern put on their bodies. The pattern means nothing to them.
There is a petition being circulated. It has been created to put a stop to people tattooing their pets.Please consider signing it:
https://www.dailypetition.com/More-and-more-dumb-owners-are-forcing-their-pets-to-get-a-tattoo-Take-Action-Now-1-t-914

39. Friendship and loyalty

Dogs are such loyal animals. I have just watched this weeks episode of The Secret Life Of Dogs where two dogs lived in a rescue centre in Spain and one came to live with new owners. The dog left at the shelter started to pine away His name is Alphonso. The owners of Jack, the other dog, heard about this and arranged to offer a home to Alonso too.

http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep3week8/secret-life-dogs

When you consider what some rescue dogs have had to endure it is so impressive that so many end up making excellent, loyal pets.

Lovely, is a rescue dog. It took her a while to trust some of our friends but she is such a sweet and friendly girl! ( See below!)

38 The Secret Life of Dogs

I am back from work and am treating myself to watching The Secret Life of Dogs.
It confirms what I believe that dogs are such incredibly loyal and loving animals. They have such utter faith in their owners that they will go to the end of the earth for them. On the programme one man dives from great heights with his dog faithfully following.
Dogs give us so much and ask for so little in return.
All they really want is somewhere warm and safe to live, some food and lots of love.
Human's are the same if you think about it.
Amazingly they have found that the heart rate of dog and owner both increases when they are apart and that often their hearts beat in synch when they are together.

Lesson 37 Dogs know how you are feeling!

Some of the children I work with talked to me recently about dogs. They told me that they like dogs because they cheer them up when they feel sad. They told me that dogs are happy and like to cheer us up.
I completely agree with them.
The dogs G and I look after are so friendly. they get so excited when people they know come and visit and they give them a warm welcome.

This is a lovely photo of Rufus, Bert and that loveable rascal, Ollie!

Lesson 36 Rescue Dogs Rock! Happy Anniversary Bert!

I spotted a lovely video on Facebook. It was of an old dog and it was highlighting the merits of offering an older dog a home. Some people worry about an older dog, feeling they may be expensive and they are nearing the end of their lives but if you do offer an adult dog a home they can make excellent companions. They often have experienced challenges in their younger days and are just looking for a peaceful life with lots of affection. they really seem to appreciate all that you do for them.

G and I have 3 rescue dogs between us and all three were adults when they came to live with us. Bert has been living with G for three years to the day!
Happy Anniversary Bert.
People who know Bert fall in love with him. He is so friendly that it is hard to believe that he once had to fend for himself on the streets of Romania. He must have had a way with people who came across him then so that they fed him and cared for him as he is so trusting and good with people now.

A big shout out goes to the rescue centres in UK and their wonderful staff and volunteers who put hours into caring for any animal they come into contact with. Two that really stand out have to be:
Wanderers Haven...
http://www.dogsblog.com/author/wanderers-haven-animal-sanctuary-essex/
and Lord Whisky.
http://www.lordwhisky.co.uk/

If you are thinking of getting a dog or another pet for that matter, please consider offering a rescue animal a home.
Here we have Lovely at the top, Rufus and Bert. ( Bert is the brown dog.)

Lesson 35 Lovely and snow!

Lovely pretends not to like walkies but today it was snowing and she got really excited and rolled about in the snow. It is so lovely for her to show her playful side as she can be quite a serious little dog.
Today has been a brilliant day made all the better by the company of wonderful dogs!

Lesson 34: All you need is love and a dog!

I have been lucky enough to spend much of the holiday with 3 wonderful dogs. I received a brilliant gift from a friend. Here is a photo:

I think this photo frame just about sums things up. All you need is love and a dog!
Some people might even say~ all you need is a dog as a dog is pure love anyway.

Other people do not like dogs much but they can still get a lot out of this message. In life all you need is love. When you are able to love yourself and others you have a recipe for a truly happy life!

My friend suggested that I might wish to put in a photo of Ollie, the lovely little rascal that was my dog until he got run over in July 2016. It was tempting but I have lovely photo's of him on display already.
I decided that I would like to display a photo of Lovely the adorable dog I now share with G. I think Ollie would approve!
She is loving and truly appreciative of the small things in life, a comfy sofa being one of them!