The Alsatian dog brought in this week is in a pitiful condition.  He has no body fat or muscle tone - he's weak and emaciated and can hardly stand.  His skin is in bad condition and he's covered in sores.  At first glance he looks like a really old dog at the end of his days - but this poor chap is only a youngster - no more than two years old.

When we put Stellar the Staffi up for adoption it was because although she had been brought in as a stray, she hadn't been claimed.  Although her owner had reported her missing she hadn't been able to discover anything more about her and was heartbroken at the loss of her lovely dog. 

Five week old puppy 'sold'

This tiny puppy was brought in yesterday.   He had been 'sold' to people who soon realized they couldn't care for him.   Five weeks is much too young for any puppy to leave their mum.   Only puppies that are much older, around twelve weeks at least and fully weaned, in good health and vaccinated are ready to go to a new home.

A happy ending for our favourite friend - fritz made himself at home with his new people right away

Just to let you know that Fritz has settled in extreemly well. He was no trouble in the car going home- was quite happy taking in the scenery,and once home seemed to take it all in his stride after the initial investigations in the garden etc. Bless him, he has such a wonderful temperament and whoever had him previously had obviously trained him well and I feel, must have given him lots of love as he is SO well behaved, its incredible.

I would like to say a BIG thank you to you all at St. Bernards for looking after him so well and for the wonderful work you do. I hope I have a win on the lottery so that I can make a donation to your sanctuary.

Latest rescue - brought in to us by the Dog Wardens today - this poor little chap is infested with fleas and what's left of his coat is totally matted.  Doesn't he look sad?   Some food, then the vet, a bath, trim the lugs away, under the dryer, more food, soft bed.... and he'll hopefully feel much better tomorrow.

And another of today's rescues ......

This little sweetie was brought in because he'd been knocked down - cuts on his face and an injured back leg.  Very shaken up too.  The vet says no broken bones and he'll recover.  Still bleeding a bit though and a bad limp - ouch - the leg does hurt.  Feeling very sorry for himself and who could blame him.   Lots of t.l.c. on the agenda.

One of the sanctuary rescued cats gave birth to seven kittens this morning.   We've never had such a large multiple feline litter before.  They are all even sized except for one who is bigger than all the rest.  At first Mum looked a bit dazed at her extra large family but after a rest and a dish of fresh goat's milk she's recovered and is purring away, washing and nursing her new babies.

A homeless young cat with some very tiny baby kittens has just been brought in to us.   She needs to be vaccinated and checked over by a vet.   If anyone can help with the vet bill for this 'waif and stray' we'd be very grateful.   Any donation, no matter how small will help.

Several cats have recently been dumped at the sanctuary gates - if you can offer a loving home please get in touch  -  Tel: 01246 456177 or email us via our website.

LITTLE MISS NOLENE

Have you ever thought about what little notice people take of animals' feelings?   Most folk assume that farm animals exist solely to provide food for humans.   What do the cows and goats and sheep and pigs think about being part of the food chain?   Not much, I guess.

But do pet animals fare much better than those that are farmed?    Aren't they still kept for our pleasure.  It's not entirely for their benefit is it?   It's because we want something from them - friendship and companionship.  They're faithful,  they make us feel good and less alone.

Domestic animals are almost always split up from their families and friends.  They have no choice in the matter.   They aren't allowed any freedom except at our whim.   They are forcibly neutered and not allowed to breed, which is a natural urge.  They have to eat what we provide whether it's to their taste or not.   All their natural instincts are stifled in compliance with our way of life.

It's a safe bet that there aren't any humans in the Animal's Heaven.  

Handed in yesterday - one tiny week old orphan kitten.   This little chap was found by a passerby.   Perhaps his mother is an abandoned cat who had to give birth outside and somehow became separated from her babies.  There was no sign of her and we don't know her fate.

So far, the kitten is surviving, we're snuggling him in a soft blanket with gentle warmth from a heated pad - when we're not cuddling him that is!   Feed is little and often from a kitten feeding bottle, which is just like a dolly's bottle.   He has to be turned and fussed - just like his mum would do if she was still around. 

Really tiny orphan kittens are difficult to hand rear.   They are very fragile and have to be gently turned and fussed just like their mother would.   Keeping a watch out for any malfunction of their bowel or bladder is vital.   Getting a vet to check the baby is a good idea.

We get orphan kittens handed in nearly every spring.  Some of them are strong and rear well.   With others it's touch and go.

We don't know as yet, how this little one will be.   Often an instinctively tuned mommy cat will reject a kitten that is ill - one that she knows isn't going to make it.  Cats, like most other animals, are more practical than humans and give precedence to the healthy.  It's survival of the fittest after all.

This little kitten is taking milk - which is bought in orphan kitten milk, mixed up like baby's formual milk - so that is a good sign.    But it would be best of all if we could find one of the nursing mom's to adopt him.   

We had a young cat brought in with only one kitten - not much older than this one either -  I wonder.......

Sadly, this little chap didn't make it.   In spite of the mommy cat with the singleton taking to another kitten and allowing him to suckle, we found him in his final sleep by her side yesterday morning.   Even though we'd only known him for a couple of days, there was a bond between us. Every creature in this world is as important as the next, the Universal God sees even the littlest mite that falls.    If willing the kitten to survive could have done it, he'd be with us still.  Sleep on, little one ........cat's heaven for sure.