Hersham Hounds

I was just going to write a thank you to everyone who joined us for our Christmas Lights celebration, to those who couldn’t join us on the day but sent in gifts and offerings, and to everyone who helped make it happen by decorating the yard, manning the stalls and helping to set it all up and tidy away after the event. It was, as always, the loveliest of events and heart-warming to see so many familiar faces and happy much loved greyhounds; in fact a timely reminder of what WGW is all about.

We’ve had another tough year. A year when we’ve all had to work incredibly hard to keep WGW in the public eye and cover the ever increasing cost of caring for 80 plus greyhounds every day of the year. It’s a big commitment and a commitment that we couldn’t make without your unstinting support.

We have so much to be grateful for and I don’t think a day goes by when we don’t count our blessings.  Whatever happens, when things go wrong, when things make us sad, something will happen that will bring a smile to our faces. Inevitably it is an act of kindness by you; our friends, our supporters.

So thank you. Thank you for the thousands of ways that you show your support and your belief in what we do.  This poem was written by me many years ago when I started working at the kennels, and I think it holds as true today as it did then. Enjoy.

Tonight I ran my final race, My future’s in their hand, They do not know I’m listening, As quietly I stand. “She’s done her best,” “She’s had enough,” “Hasn’t she been great?” “What happens now?” ”That’s down to you – you decide her fate.” I know no other way of life, My heart is full of fear, As I recall my kennel mates, Who’d simply disappear. But there’s a place I’ve heard about, A special place to be, And I believe that someone said, It’s meant for dogs like me, I think some of my friends went there, I really hope that’s so, From what I’ve heard it’s wonderful, I’d really like to go.

My owners came to say goodbye, But why are they so sad? They’ve given me this chance of life, They really should be glad, For here I am – that special place, I can’t believe I’m there, All I know is on the door it says “GREYHOUND WELFARE.” Some people come to see me, I really love the fuss, And someone told me yesterday, “Come home and live with us.” Now I’m only a greyhound, It’s all I’ve ever known, So please can someone put me wise, And tell me “What’s a home?”

Merry Christmas to you all, and don’t forget to pop down on Christmas morning to walk the hounds. It wouldn’t be the same without you.

A huge THANK YOU to you all for your tremendous efforts on Boxing Day - and a big hug to all your hounds. The total raised was £1,098.92.

Wednesday morning began with a beautifully uplifting feel to it with the autumn sunlight beaming down and my heart feeling the warmth of both sun and the thoughts of Bobby for my morning ahead.

Having walked Bobby down at the sanctuary I was so eager to take him out on his first trip to the woods.

He stole my heart from the moment we first met two weeks ago with his gorgeous big and dreamy amber eyes that were absolutely glowing in the sunshine that day I picked him up.

From time spent around the fields at the sanctuary I knew Bobby had walked well on the lead and from our last walk in the pouring rain together I also knew he was a wee bit woosie and jumps those muddy puddles to keep his lovely white paws persil white so I was so excited to be his proud guardian for the morning to take him on a little journey out for some individual attention and lots of fun.

Bobby was a little apprehensive when we opened the car door and urged him to jump in, but once he was in and the door was closed he settled immediately and seemed to enjoy the ride gazing out of the window for a little of the way, and then happily laid down on the back seat very relaxed and enjoying a gentle stroke from me. We parked at the recreation ground and walked around the large open green first before heading down through west end village near Garsons farm and then heading up into the wonderful woodland they have there. Bobby was inquisitive and alert to all the new sights and smells he came across but continued to be his gentlemanly self and walked alongside me with ease on a loose lead. With those big amber eyes as wide as an innocent child on Christmas day he seemed full of excitement and appreciation as he trotted along and we stopped every now and then for a cuddle. You just can’t help wanting to cuddle this handsome boy.

What with it being a lovely dry day, with crispy autumn leaves under foot, ever thoughtful bobby decided he would water as many trees and ferns as he could before we passed them by, oh what a kind and caring boy you are Bobby.

It wasn’t long before we came across our first dogs to meet. Unsure of how Bobby was going to respond I had a chat with the lady at a distance first so I could guage his body language, but it was obvious within seconds that he was displaying no signs of aggression what so ever and if anything just continued to be more interested in his surroundings than the four little terriers who stood before him eager to say hello.

As I walked him closer he showed a happy interest in the four little guys who were also rescued dogs and they all sniffed and greeted nicely with the delighted Bobby who was finding himself a whole new world of wonderful doggies he had never come across before with tails a wagging and eyes beaming bright we took some photo’s and then said our goodbyes to roam around the woodland a little more.

I was having such a lovely time I really could have stayed out there with his pleasurable company for hours. Bobby really does make you feel very relaxed and warm inside when your with him. He has such a lovely presence about him, such a beautiful soul from outside to deep within and even when we sighted a squirrel who darted out of the undergrowth right before our eyes, Bobby was excited but not in the way a strong male greyhound could have been and thankfully I remained on my feet with ease, in fact he barely pulled at all. Perhaps he knew he had a weakling at the other end of his lead, lol.

Further along our journey we came across both a lively border terrier off lead and a young Labrador also off lead, and again with both of them Bobby greeted happily and stood with comfort as they sniffed all around him. I had a feeling he wanted to run and play with the lab and as the lab ran away Bobby stood and gazed with that look in his eye that said “oh please can I play “, “One day sweet Bobby” I said, “one day you shall“.

With 2pm fast approaching, and lunch on its way back at the kennels it was sadly time to jump back in the car and head home to WGW. A tired young man I think he was by the end of our walk as he laid down in the back of the car no sooner had he jumped in.

Once back in his kennel and with his pretty little girlfriend again my sister and I said goodbye to what seemed to be a happy special little soul as he lay upside down on his back, with a twinkle I his amber eyes and a smile upon his handsome face. I hope he had enjoyed his time out. I know for sure he melted my heart with every minute I spent with him. Bobby you are a true angel and you will bring so much happiness and warmth to someone’s life very soon.

I’m sure your forever home will find you x x

We have our very own Santa Claus, in the form of Deb from Tia in Yorkshire, who made sure that our special Christmas delivery arrived as planned.

9 delightful little girls made our acquaintance before being whisked away for a well earned meal and a rest, and a chance to meet up with their new boyfriends.

We're all looking forward to getting to know them better.......

Thanks as always to Deb for doing the 500 odd mile round trip - you're a star!

Denise

xxx

More Photos of the Tia Hounds

We are very sad to announce that Princess collapsed at the kennels on Monday afternoon. She had been remarkably well these past few weeks, and in fact had just eaten her afternoon feed and polished off what her kennel mate Sam had left in his bowl.

Despite being rushed straight to our vets there was nothing to be done but to put her to sleep and ease her struggle. I was with her at the end and she slipped away as I stroked her ears and told her how special she was.

With love from Denise and everyone who knew you and loved you and made sure that you only ever knew kindness.

xxx

Babs

Babs is a delightful little girl who lost her home through no fault of her own.

She came in as diagnosed with bladder cancer, but we have since had her scanned and our vet could find no sign of a tumour and we think she just has a urine infection.

Indeed, Babs continues to do well at the moment and her urine infection seems to have cleared up, but we are watching her closely for any signs that it may have returned or that she is unwell.

At the moment it is just a waiting game for us and for her as we count the weeks till her next scan (about 2 more to go, I think.)

Lynda

Lynda is being monitored for her cough – which comes and goes in varying degrees. She’s been seen by Martin Bennet, had x-rays and an oscilloscope, and had a sample of her mucus sent off for testing.

She does seem to suffer from congestion, which is not helped by some old scarring on her lungs, most likely caused by a previous untreated infection.

Martin tells us that she may always have a bit of a cough especially when she’s getting up and down, but he doesn’t think this will affect her quality of life.

So as with Babs, it’s a bit of a waiting game at the moment to see what results come back.

Tally

Seems to be far more comfortable on her leg now that her corn has been treated, and we’ve noticed that she is using her leg a lot more.

Fingers crossed this improvement continues without the need for any surgical intervention. It certainly doesn’t seem to bother her, and this week she had her first outing to the park.

She met dogs of various sizes, and although a bit excitable around the little ones, on the whole she did very well and was certainly manageable.

We’re on a mission to get her out and about on a regular basis so that she can improve her social skills.