WAGS News
R.I.P
Date of entry: 14-08-12
For Sale
Date of entry: 03-01-12
Large folding dog crate 42"x30"x27.5"
Silver metal heavy gauge frame with carry handles. Heavy duty seamless plastic tray for easy cleaning. 2 door options (side door & end door). Folds flat when not in use. Excellent condition. £35
Stan Browning R.I.P.
Date of entry: 11-12-11
On Thursday 8 December, Stan Browning said his final farewell to this world. The world lost an inspirational soul, and we lost a trusted friend, trainer and pack leader.
Stan lived his life with enough vigor to inspire everyone that knew him and he will be greatly missed by so many.
“Because I could not stop for death, He kindly stopped for me”
Emily Dickinson
Have you seen Ozzie?
Date of entry: 10-12-11
Can everyone please help bring Ozzie home. He went missing last week in the New Forest. He was seen by a horse-rider being put into a grey van by two men. He's a friendly lad and is tattooed in the ear. He's about 3 and is a rough coated fawn colour lurcher. Please make contact if you have any iformation.
Update 22-12-11: Great news - Ozzie is home safe and well. A message from his owner: "Full details around how and why the person came to have Oz are suspicious to say the least, and will probably never be fully clear, but the person did the right thing in the end..."
Atlas and Poppy
Date of entry: 03-12-10
It has been on our local news that a lady from Wilton (near Marlborough) has gone missing in the Lake District. Sadly, her family say there is no hope that she will be coming back. Before she left she boarded her two female labradors, Atlas and Poppy, with a lady called Julia who now has the unfortunate job of finding the girls a new home.
Julia has passed the following on to me: Atlas, aged 10, and Poppy, aged 8, are both fit and healthy (no sign of hip problems), spayed and up to date on their vaccinations. Both are exceptionally well behaved, friendly, gentle and quite happy to muddle along with limited fuss and attention. They come from a home where they were loved very much but not humanized! They are, therefore, very undemanding. They do not fret when left on their own. They do not pull on the lead. They are very good with other dogs. Don't know about cats. No allergies or food sensitivities. No bladder weakness.
It is thought that the girls do not have too much experience with young children but Julia feels sure, given their gentle nature, there would not be a problem. However, it should be noted that, at 10 years old, Atlas would prefer not to be pulled about all the time by young children. She wouldn't snap, but it would not be fair on her at her age.
Julia would rather the girls stay together but separating them will be considered to the right homes.
Update 10-12-10:Thanks everyone - the girls have now found a new home. They will remain together.
A Thing of Beauty is a Joy for Ever
Date of entry: 01-12-10
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
John Keats
Sadly, WAGS member Murphy (GSD) died last Thursday 25th November. Mike and Carole stayed with him to the end and he died peacefully. Murphy was 4 years old.
"Welcome to Narnia ... the land between the lamp-post and the castle of Cair Paravel on the eastern sea, where animals talk, where magical things happen and where the adventure begins." *
Panto: Snow White & the Seven Woofs
Date of entry: 27-11-10
Last weekend members' of the Shewton & District Dog Training Club took their dogs on stage to perform a Panto for charity. Stan Browning led his team in a hilarious performance of Snow White And the Seven Woofs. In all, 25 dogs took part in the Panto along with their human counterparts and they drew an audience of 300.
The Panto raised an impressive £1,714 for the Riding for the Disabled in Wilton.
Brave Little Poppy Will be Missed
Date of entry: 21-11-10
Sadly, last Thursday WAGS Dog Club lost another Member. Tiny, brave little Poppy had heart failure. She was 10 years old. Hilary says, "It all happened so fast - she was fine on Wednesday and you would never have believed that she was to die the next day".
Poppy was a brave little soul that wouldn't bat an eye at all the large German Shepherd Dog's that surrounded her on WAGS walks. She would trot along completely unaffected by any of them, and they seemed to respect her age and wisdom.
Poppy was a Chihauhau and, despite her size, managed to keep up with all of us. She had surprising stamina but obviously her heart had to work harder than all of ours'. She will be missed, not only by her family, but by all the WAGS walkers.
Storm's Last Walk
Date of entry: 16-11-10
No one knows how old Storm was. Denis brought him home from Battersea Dogs Home in March 2004 when they estimated his age to be between 3 and 5. Denis and Storm bonded deeply and Denis says, "It's horrible at home now, so I went for a drive down the dog field after night shift but no one was there. I've still got to sort out his bed and bowls, a job for tomorrow after work."
Storm was the calmest, most endearing German Shepherd Dog and a wonderful ambassador for his breed. Children loved him and he would have made a great PAT (Pets As Therapy) dog. His calming influence will be greatly missed on the WAGS walks.
Storm with new friend Laura - WAGS walk Rollestone 16-05-10
10'x6' Dog Kennel/Run
Date of entry: 12-09-10
Can someone do John and Sue a favour and come and pick up a 10 by 6 foot dog kennel/run that's taking up too much space in their garage. They're offering it free, so long as you collect (from Westbury). As John explains, "The unit is around two years old but in good condition and barely used as Lexi wouldn't take to it".
It's currently disassembled and will need someone who is handy at DIY to erect it, with new screws required. It could also use a lick of fence treatment before assembly.
If interested call John on 00000 000000.
Update: Good news! Someone called John and he now has his garage back.
Free to the right home
Date of entry: 27-08-10
Mikey is a 3 to 4 year old Border Collie looking for a new home due to very sad change in family circumstances. Typical Collie high energy, so requires lots of exercise. Quite sharp, so not suitable for home with younger children but ok with older children. Handsome, healthy and neutered. Wary of being groomed or touched, although he will cuddle up in arms of eighteen year old daughter of the house. Fear aggressive - needs patience and understanding. Dislikes car because he has only been in one when taken to the vet! And has to be muzzled at vets.
He is not a nightmare, but is unsuitable for a first time dog owner and needs an experienced owner prepared to work to earn his affection. He could be very trainable and certainly might enjoy agility, flyball etc.
Mikey will be put to sleep in 4 weeks time if no one takes him.
Update 13-09-10: Mikey's situation has now been resolved and he is happily settling into his new home so thanks to everyone who showed concern.
It's not fair...
Date of entry: 14-07-10
A lot of us know Murphy from the many WAGS walks he’s been on and from his antics with his best mate Alfie which kept us all amused. Recently, Carole and Mick noticed he has been panting heavily on walks and feared he was suffering from the heat. However, sadly, it turns out that poor Murphy has cancer.
Carole says, “He’s not yet four years old – still a baby really. We don’t know how long he has left but we will do all we can for him.”
Carole and Mick have decided to take him for chemotherapy. As Carole explains, “If he were an old dog, we probably wouldn’t, but as he is so young we would like to give him a bit more time.”
Carole continues, “We have thought long and hard about it and sought a second opinion. He will never beat cancer as the chemo dose they give to dogs is so low but, because it is low, dogs don’t get the nasty side effects.”
The chances are, if the chemo works, Murphy could go on for six to twelve months of feeling good and healthy. However, there are no guarantees it will work.
Murphy’s first chemo treatment is today – so fingers crossed everyone.
Alfie and Murphy - best mates.
Crop Circle
Date of entry: 10-07-10
On the 6th a Crop Circle appeared in a field directly next to Danebury Hill Fort near Andover. It's a hexagonal design and quite intricate.
I went to see it on the evening of the 8th, only to find it too dark for photos. So I returned on the 9th with my camera. Overnight someone had walked through the field, thus ruining the isolation of the Circle.
There is now a lady charging access to the Circle (£3 per person). However, it can be viewed from Danebury Hill Fort - which is also a nice place to walk your dog. Access for dogs at Danebury is well marked, with some areas being on-lead and some off-lead.
Diesel Needs a Home
Date of entry: 23-06-10
Diesel is a lovely 9 month old, short-haired German Shepherd Dog that needs a new home. His family are moving to a place where dogs are not allowed and they need to re-home him as soon as possible as their move is imminent.
Diesel's father was a police dog and he is good with children and other dogs, although his training is still very basic.
If you or someone you know would like to meet Diesel, please let us know.
Update 01-07-10: Diesel has now found a new family, so thanks to anyone that asked around for him.
More Sad News
Date of entry: 22-04-10
Steve and Jackie are sad to report that Millie passed away on Sunday 11th April, but glad that she lived such a long and happy life.
Millie, an old lady at 13, was a delight to have on the WAGS walks and no problem to anyone. Despite her size, she was quite able to hold her own with all the GSDs. She wandered around completely unimpressed by any of them, and they seemed to respect her age and wisdom.
After so many years, Steve and Jackie feel a bit lost without her. And, I’m sure Alfie (her GSD brother) misses her too. But, as Steve and Jackie say, “She’ll still be with us in spirit”.
Sad News
Date of entry: 11-04-10
Sadly, on Saturday 27th March, WAGS Members’ Heather and Tony awoke to find JD had died in the night.
JD has been on so many WAGS walks and will be missed by everyone. He has been with the club since the start and things won’t be the same without him. I, and others that were lucky enough to have known JD, are deeply saddened by the loss of such a wonderful friend.
He was a young dog – 4 this summer – which makes his passing even more distressing. The veterinary clinic seemed to think he had died from torsion of the stomach, although the diagnosis is not conclusive. He lay peacefully, with no signs of trauma.
Heather and Tony’s life took on new meaning when JD arrived in their household as a tiny pup. He was a cherished member of the family and his ashes have been put to rest next to their son’s.
Lexi
Mikey
Murphy at his first WAGS walk
Grovely Wood, 12 July 2009
Murphy
Millie
JD