2007_11_01_archive

It's a miracle!

Those of you who keep an eye to our main website will know that we are

tantalisingly close to opening Phase One of our long awaited sanctuary

in Kilfinane. The dogs' isolation unit is almost ready for its first

occupants. There's some plumbing and wiring to do in the kennel block,

and the important job of fencing in the site so that the dogs will

have safe enclosures to run and play begins tomorrow! Hurray! We

dearly hope that it will all be ready by Christmas, so that some needy

Limerick dogs will be waking up on Christmas morning in their snuggly

new sanctuary beds!

Phase One of our Sanctuary - a dream come true!

We went to visit the sanctuary on Saturday to see how things are

coming along. It was a bitterly cold day but the sun was shining. We

were all so excited, none of us felt the chill! Jodie Hayward, our

terrific new sanctuary manager, gave us a guided tour, accompanied by

the sanctuary's first doggy resident - Jodie's Jack Russell, Pupper!

It was this writer's first visit. It was such a humbling experience to

walk through the doors of the dogs' isolation unit for the first time.

After so many years of planning and fundraising, it's still hard to

believe that our dream for the animals of Limerick is becoming a

reality! I actually had to reach out and touch the walls to convince

myself that it wasn't a mirage! It truly is a miracle, and we simply

could not have done it withouth the ever-generous support of the

people of Limerick.

Limerick Animal Welfare stalwarts (left to right) Ann Kelly, Anne

Dynan and Chris Samways enjoying their tour of the dogs' isolation

unit with Jodie, while resident Jack Russell and official greeter

Pupper leads the way to the treat jar!

After a tour of the surrounding fields to plan enclosures for our

goats, ponies and donkeys, it was time to retire to Jodie's cottage

for some much needed tea and rhubarb tart. Our spirits were high the

whole way home to Limerick. We're already working on the plans for

Phase Two - a special unit for our cats and kittens. The sanctuary

will be an incredibly special place, and one that all our supporters

and benefactors can take great pride in having played a part in

bringing to fruition. We hope you will continue to help us in in our

ongoing fundraising efforts for the sanctuary, and look forward to

seeing you at the official opening in 2008!

We're constantly looking for ways to fundraise for our sanctuary. For

fundraising ideas and details of current fundraisers, please visit the

fundraising section of our main website.

Posted by Limerick Animal Welfare at 10:14 PM 4 comments

Friday, November 2, 2007

Busy busy busy!

Goodness, it's been such a hectic week here at Limerick Animal

Welfare. The phones have been ringing non-stop all week, although they

did quieten down a little once our Yorkie cross puppies Muffin, Susie

and Pookie all went to their lovely new homes! Poor Champ was back at

the vets yesterday as his stitches burst and the wound has reopened.

We're all gutted at this set-back as he was doing so well. He really

is such a sweet chap and so lovable. If he's feeling up to it and the

weather is fine, we'll take some more photos of him tomorrow so

everyone can see how well he's coming along.

*

Hallow'een might only just be over, but our eyes are already focused

on the festive season ahead... Ciara collected our Christmas cards

from the printers, and with thousands of cards to be folded and

packed, I think we'll all be asking Santa for a manicure for

Christmas! The cards really are lovely - we have our fingers and toes

crossed that they'll sell well as we really do need a boost to our

Sanctuary fund. They're on sale in our shop on Parnell Street. We're

also looking ahead to our annual Christmas Swim, which will be taking

place in Kilkee on the Saturday after Christmas. "Christmas Swim" is

something of a misnomer, as we're in and out of that water so fast, we

hardly have time to get wet! The dogs always think it's a hoot and

love all the excitement. Have a look at the fundraising page of our

main website to see photos of our antics from previous years.

*

There's also been great excitement this week, as our dear friends from

Wiccaweys Border Collie and Working Sheepdog Rescue in England are

paying us a long-overdue visit next weekend. Irish pounds and rescue

shelters are heaving with collies and collie crosses due to

over-breeding, and sadly, with little demand for them here as pets, it

can be very difficult to find suitable homes for them locally.

Wiccaweys have been working with Limerick Animal Welfare for several

years now, and have taken so many of our most needy dogs into their

care that would otherwise have been waiting a terribly long time for

the right home to come along in Ireland. This will be Sarah and

Alexa's first trip to Limerick, so we're all anxious to show them a

bit of Irish hospitality! They won't be leaving empty-handed either,

as we have some very special-case collies in our care at the moment

that wouldn't fare well on the normal transport run to England, so

Sarah and Alexa are hoping to bring them home to Wiccaweys HQ

personally. So this week there is much airing of spare beds, beating

of cushions and polishing of pets in anticipation of our English

guests.