Our News - April 09

April 2009

So many thousands of dogs and cats are sadly abandoned each year just here in France let alone the rest of europe and generally these instances could be largely reduced if we all learnt to be more responsible with our animals.

Be they unwanted pets, pets of deceased owners or pets of owners entering nursing/retirement homes where family seem uncaring as to their fate, be they victims of neglect/cruelty, be they lost or unwanted litters the numbers seem to be increasing year on year.

If only owners felt more love and loyalty to their pets, if only more people could be encouraged to accept the many benefits of sterilizing their cats & dogs, if only there were less irresponsible breeders for monetary gain, if only more people considered adoption of a rescue dog rather than insisting on a puppy or pedigree, if only - IF ONLY ......

No matter.  We are convinced that there remain enough genuine, caring people out there and we just need to get the word to them that our refuge exists and that our dogs are deserving of good homes. 

Just a month ago we added our SOS page and within a week we found a great home for Unique who was so depressed at the refuge that she was self-harming by constantly biting her rear legs right through to the flesh.  Look at the following before and after photos and as you can see she doesn't look too unhappy now!

   TO  

On the 22nd March we were invited by Estelle from the pony club in Planioles, just north of Figeac, to have a stand at their horse dressage show where we were warmly received.  Our aim was to make the refuge known locally and we certainly had a lot of interest which should lead to some additional adoptions even if not immediately.  A second event 2 weeks later was less successful as this time it was a show jumping event and a lot more competive which was reflected slightly in the people attending.   

Both dogs shown were, by chance, ex-refuge ones and it was good to get news of them!

FOR SALE      FOR SALE     FOR SALE     FOR SALE

Due to kind benefactors we have an 'as new - used once' bicycle to sell as well as a collection of 20 Jaques Cousteau encycopedias.  The bike cost 150€ and is for sale for 100€.  For the books we would love an offer in excess of 100€ as they are in excellent condition. Call me, Nicci Halton, 06 21 99 61 99 if you are interested or if you have anything you would like to donate.

ENGLISH LIBRARY - Villefranche

Unfortunately, for the 2nd April I was unable to be at the library (at the centre social, Villefranche, nr the Penitents Noir)for my usual 1st thursday of every month stint to promote the refuge and collect any donations of food etc due to a trip back to the UK and though I arrived to cover the library the following week, on the 9th, it was to find it shut for other uses!  Sorry if any of you had a wasted trip but I will be there the morning of thursday 7th May.

VERY SAD NEWS

From time to time you lose your heart to a very special animal and my partner, Mike, and I were very upset to hear the news in March of the premature death age 8 of an incredible dog whose brave spirit, beauty and kindness had encouraged our increased envolvement with the refuge over her time there.

Her name was Utah and even now, as I sit here typing I can't help the tears that are pouring down my face.  She was an uncropped doberman who had been abandoned at the refuge around the time we started walking dogs there 5 years ago.  As her kennel mate (Tarkan - since adopted by my brother) desperately needed weekly excersise we always took them both and they would start screaming as soon as they heard my voice.

In August 2007 we saw posters advertising a dog race in Figeac, the 'Canicross' and with just over 2 weeks to train 3 refuge dogs to be entered in the 9km race Utah was one of those we chose.

Imagine a dog who in her 3 years at the refuge was lucky to get an hours walk a week.  Imagine a dog who was overweight due to the over rich diet of meat scraps & bread.  Imagine a dog who spent 24/7 imprisoned in a 4m2 pen and then picture this big, brave creature crossing the line on a baking hot september day 6th out of 23!

She was overheating to the extent that we had to cool her down in a paddling pool to reduce her body temperature.  She was so unused to been out and about that Mike, who ran with her, had to carry her 40 kilo weight across the metal bridge at the very start of the race.  Due to her we raised 1200€ in sponsorship which paid for 16 insulated kennels and we were delighted when she was finally adopted a month or so later.

She respresented all that is good and great in a dog and for those of you who have never experienced these qualities in an animal I feel sorry for you as you are truly missing out on something wonderful.

When we created this website 5 months ago I picked Utah immediately as one of the 3 dogs whose heads form our 'MASAQ' logo and I am glad that she will always stay, not only in our hearts, but on this site! 

These next photos have just come in (02/05/09) with the following message:

DON't FORGET!      

For you Hyper-U shoppers don't forget you can donate your unused/unwanted points up to whatever quantity.  These will accumulate and will be exchanged for dog food later in the year so please note our card number (89398825994306 - ino MASAQ) and go with this and your own card to the reception desk.