FLYNN REPORTS ON
2008
23 HOMINGS OUR
RECORD YEAR TO DATE
When we decided
it was time to let everyone know about
the years happenings we thought it would
probably be more apt if one of the
Sanctuary gang told you, so after putting
all the names in a hat, we concluded that
Flynn was the most literate, having been
educated at Oxford, that's Oxford race
track, not the university!!
So Flynn it's
over to you:
Well here
goes...
...Most people
will know I am the shy one of the family
so I never really get to go to shows or
sponsored walks, I am far better than I
used to be, but I just can't be doing
with big crowds and noise. Jed and Kella
are a bit that way inclined and Dilly in
her twilight years prefers to stay at
home. Danny and Arrie, well you can't
prise them off the sofa, we are just home
birds at heart.
This year saw
Turk retire from his P.A.T. dog duties
and also from shows and school
assemblies, he is nearly 12 now and mum
and dad thought it was getting a bit too
much for him plus he and Arrie had big
operations on their throats this year, a
condition called laryngeal paralysis
which is when the larynx gets all floppy
and hinders breathing. Anyway it's done
now and they are fine. Rio also gave up
his duties as recently he was diagnosed
as epileptic. This is a particularly
nasty illness as we never know when he is
going to fit, but we don't ever leave him
on his own, just in case.
I didn't escape
surgery this year either, had a nasty
malignant tumour removed from my back
leg, it was a pretty gruesome operation
as they took my whole muscle out in fact
our veterinary nurse went vegetarian
after that - she said she couldn't face
red meat after seeing the removal of it -
anyway I'm fine now but have to have my
leg checked on a regular basis.
Malarky and Fonz
have been really busy this year, they are
real good lads and work so hard, they
have been blood donors a few times and of
course they continue to visit Clifton
Nursing Home in their capacity as P.A.T.
dogs (Pets as Therapy) then of course
they do all the shows, fetes, awareness
assemblies at the schools joined, of
course, by my Aunty Alison and the
beautiful Harlea. This year O.B., made
his debut and proved to be very popular,
when he was awake that is.
Dad, Aunty Al
and Jude took a trip to Guernsey to
attend the Animal Shelter show. Harlea,
O.B., Malarky and Fonz all went, mum
stayed at home to look after the rest of
us. They got to meet a lot of our
Guernsey homings which was fantastic,
sometimes I wish I wasn't so shy as they
do seem to have a ball.
We've packed in
the events, Charity week, Open Days,
Charity Work out, the Foire de Jersey,
West Show, Animal Day, St. Clements fete,
Sponsored Walk, Craft Fairs, RJH Poultry
show, we've done 'em all.
There has
equally been sadness, the loss of my
brothers and sister Ocean, Paris, the
remarkable Squibby and our Gunner left
the Sanctuary very low, it's awful when
we lose a mate. Equally we have had some
new friends join us - the gals, I find
them quite bossy and they are all quite
young so I suppose they will grow up at
some time. Dilly our old girl at 13 1/2
puts them in their place though.
Our mate off the
radio John Uphoff passed away and we were
all very sad, mum and dad said waking up
in the morning just isn't the same
anymore, some of the gang did a walk at
Gorey in his memory which was lovely.
We've ended the
year on a good note. We teamed up with
Sighthound Rescue, a charity formed by my
Aunty Al, (Jake, Toots, Harlea and Wiz's
Mum). They help the smaller version of me
and my mates, you know, those dinky
little whippets and lurchery types. Mum,
Dad and Aunty thought they'd try an
online auction. They're all the rage in
England at this time of year with
Christmas coming, so they thought why not
hold one locally. Well, people were so
generous we couldn't believe it and we
enjoyed meeting the people that came to
collect their lots.
People keep
talking about the 'Credit Crunch' I've
asked mum if this is a new biscuit out
and can we have a packet to try, but she
says it's nothing to do with food but it
might make collections for our charity a
bit harder next year.
Before I close
the others have reminded me to thank all
our sponsor mums and dads who support us
and stroke and love us at our Open Days
and other events. We are so so lucky in
comparison with our pals still on the
track and still in kennels.
Our gratitude,
as always, also goes to the public out
there, many of whom we never even get to
meet, you are all very special and you
all make such a difference.
All that remains
now if for all of us at the Sanctuary and
that includes, mum, dad and Alison, to
wish you an amazing Christmas and the
happiest of New Years. We look forward to
seeing you all in 2009.
So there you
are, details of all the this year's
events can be seen on site under the
heading LATEST NEWS on the front page.
Take care everyone and remember......
EVERY HOME
SHOULD HAVE A GREYHOUND
AND
EVERY GREYHOUND
SHOULD HAVE A HOME
Flynn - Feature
Writer
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