It’s hard to believe that once again the nights are drawing in and the word ‘Christmas’ keeps popping up - where we ask, has the year gone! Even though our Summer was virtually non-existent, nevertheless we were extremely fortunate with our two most recent fund-raising events. The sun shone throughout the day for our Summer Fair held at Blossoms Kennels on 21st August, with thanks to Phil and Deborah for their hospitality and for making the day so enjoyable for all our visitors. The forecast for the Fun Dog Show~Autumn Fair on 2nd October was not looking too good. Following our Summer Fair, Winter seemed to appear with a vengeance from nowhere. However, we were lucky enough to snatch back the last remains of Summer with a day that was cloudy but warm. Certainly it was ideal for the dogs who were not overheated, and their owners were well catered for with cool drinks. Ironically, a few days before we had been considering selling hot soup, but opted for cold drinks instead. A good decision as it turned out!

Cat News

Malcolm was a twelve-month old kitten remaining from one of last year’s litters, and unfortunately as he had grown, he attracted less attention. Fortunately he caught the eye of Louise who had seen him on our website. Malcolm had always been a shy little boy with strangers, but when Louise came to see him he let her stroke him. We knew that it would be a big change for Malcolm, but in time he has come to enjoy being in his new home and his confidence has increased. A few days after he had left we had another enquiry about him. We explained that Malcolm had gone to a new home but that we also had some other lovely cats looking to be rehomed. Suzanne came along with her daughter and initially chose two of the kittens who were awaiting a home. However, on arriving home, she realised she could not get Silky out of her mind and asked could she have her instead of the kittens. This was really a much better option for us, as we have more time to re-home kittens and Silky had been with us for some time. She is now completely settled in her lovely new home which was certainly worth the wait. Next to leave us at the end of August were two of our very friendly kittens who are now called Elle and Tyra. When these two girls arrived at their new homes with so much space, they were running around like wild things. They have recently been spayed and will soon be introduced to the outside world.

Of course we never have free spaces for long, and as the two five-month old kittens left, we were joined by Tammy a very friendly five-month old female whose owner could not take care of her. Tammy is very playful and can be seen on Facebook playing with her toy mouse. She was closely followed by Chloe, a lovely black long-haired female about four years old who was a stray. Joining us next was Ivy as we have called her, a very friendly tabby who was abandoned in a cat carrier outside Blossoms Kennels. Her real owners sent us an email a few days later to tell us her name and that she is about four years old. They also informed us that her vaccinations are due in February of next year. However, without the actual certificate, this information is of little use to us and so we shall have to go to the expense of starting her vaccinations again. We still have two remaining kittens from the last litter we had - Adam and Eve - who purr like engines! Very sadly in August we had to say goodbye to Joules. In addition to his diabetes, he had a number of other ailments which we had been battling with. When he finally lost the use of his back legs, the hard decision was made to put him to sleep. Joules was such a character and we had spent so much time on his welfare that his passing has left a huge sadness here at Otterspool.

We were contacted by a lady who had recently lost one of her cats and wanted a friend for Angel, her remaining cat. Having seen a video of Tammy on Facebook, she felt this would be the perfect companion for Angel. Up to now, the two of them, who are almost identical to look at, are getting on fine. It was just as well that Tammy went to her new home on the Monday evening, thus creating a space, because on the following Tuesday lunchtime we received a call about a cat and kittens that had been dumped on someone’s doorstep. Isabella and her three kittens were picked up and taken to our vets for health checks and to start their vaccinations. They also had some flea friends which have now been treated. They are all tabby and white, one male and two females, around ten weeks old. The mother we think is about two years old. All are now happily settled at Otterspool and awaiting