An annual report. Just to spend a few moments remembering the animals who have checked out for the bridge.
The doves left us for a few days but swiftly returned when they failed to find richer pickings. We counted them back like wartime pilots over the white cliffs of Dover. God knows what that was about. Then just as swift, half left never to be seen again.
We lost Daisy, Norman & Sydney’s mum and Bea the shire at the start of the year. Daisy was 25 years old and had been part of Tia for a long time. The sweetest of shire girls she slipped through our fingers blithely munching an organic carrot. A good life, and we have to thank her for Norman & Sydney. Bea on the other hand was only 12. It was a huge shock to find her in her box that morning. Bea had her health troubles but had given us no cause for alarm. No sign of a scuffle and we are grateful that she went in her sleep.
James and Harper. Stalwarts. Written into the constitution of this charity. James the lurcher who flatly refused four excellent homes was a huge loss, though not unexpected. Harper – Llewin Potter. Psychopath. Killer. Sweet natured. First dog you would hear as you approached the kennel. We miss you kid.
Plenty of dogs are waiting in the wings though and visitors to the kennels must wonder at the tribe peering through our house gate. As I write Uriah looks hopefully at me while Tarzan shifts position next door. Lana keeps a watchful eye from the corner. I am not fooled. At five o’clock, the fridge door opens, and each gets three slices of a “taste the difference” honey roast ham. I swear it has prolonged their life by eighteen months. Tink is giving us the most worry and I don’t know if the lass will be here in January. Prognosis is not encouraging but we shall fight for her last breath.
We do not suffer alone, and our Tia of Joy Facebook page regularly informs us of your Tia dogs that are no longer with us. Giving your heart to a dog to tear is a very foolish thing isn’t it, yet we pay the price gladly. If you are grieving and ready to fit in another, get in touch. Contrary to rumour we are still successfully rehoming.
Our thanks to our back-room girls and boys for sorting out a new way at a time when we were swamped with drama. A lot more on them and our fantastic volunteers tomorrow.
Meanwhile, everyone, Absent Friends….Deb
