Translated for Pompom by Anke Terbruggen

She loves me, she loves me not, she loves me, she loves me not,.. Does she love me?? 

She’s stopped growling at me, that means she loves me, doesn’t it?! I’m sure it does!!

Big Old Girl with her long legs and gorgeous grey fur and me, we would make such a great pair!

Not giving up, though I do need a break every now and then, from following her around,. so glad she’s living with us now, because Tiny Babe and me, we don’t dislike each other, but it’s just not the same! Big Old Girl sleeps under our terrace now, she has three beds there (which she isn’t sharing with me *yet*!!). I keep telling her to come into the barn, but she insists on sleeping outside, I guess she’s just used to that life. 

Haven’t seen much of the Mongrels this week, but in the evening, I can see them play with Big White Fluffy and his gang. Hmmm, not sure I agree with that and I do tell them that, but they don’t seem to listen!! What it is with all these dogs, I swear, everybody just seems to just do what they like and nobody listens to me??

Oh well, at least the people are good; everybody knows to scratch my belly when I roll over and they all know what my favourite tickle spots are. I trained them well!

All in all, a very good week, a bit less hot and my Personal Cuddlers have been coming over nearly every day.

Wonder what next week will bring? Life certainly never seems boring here! I’ll let you know,..

Love, Pom

Translated for Pompom by Anke Terbruggen

Hot, hot, hot!! What a week we’ve all had,… feels like the air is burning and even the ground is hot!

Inside, in front of the big blowing thing, it’s not too bad, but I also want to see what the Chief is doing and when she’s coming back, so have to stand guard in my own spot outside. It’s not in the sun, and there’s a nice cool mat and the Chief cools everything down sometimes, with water. I hate water, so I wait inside until she’s done, but I have to admit, it feels better afterwards! And a few days ago, we got these really cool jackets; wow, that feels so good!

This week, it was Tiny Babe that wasn’t well. They left with her and when they brought her back, she was in a right state,.smelling of blood and other stuff (reminded me of that place with the doctors!), a weird thing attached to her, and really, really sleepy! I left her alone because she didn’t seem to react to my attention and wanted to be left alone. She’s better now, happy to have my little roomie back! 

The Mongrels and I have been sleeping outside on the terrace, which was really nice!! It’s so cool out there at night! We all sleep together on a huge bed, kind of nice,..and in the morning (don’t tell anyone) we play and run around the picnic table, though I will deny that if anybody asks! Can’t lose my Cool!!!  

And… I got to meet Big Old Girl!! Finally!! Bit disappointing though, as she didn’t seem to be interested in me!! How can anyone NOT be interested in me? I’m soooo charming and gorgeous!! Oh well, you just wait, I haven’t given up yet, I’ll make her like me!

Haven’t seen the other big girl walk past today, and the Mongrels have been out for quite a while, wonder what’s happening? I think I can hear them, on the other side of the house, maybe they moved? Don’t really feel like sleeping on my own tonight, hope Tiny Babe will come and sleep on the terrace if the Mongrels don’t come back,..

(note; Dolly and the pups did indeed move, to their own private little area. And yes, Titi will be sleeping on the terrace with Pom, of course!)

Translated for Pompom by Anke Terbruggen

The weirdest thing just happened; a very sudden wind gust just picked up our parasol and blew it into a very high tree!! Now we have no shade on our terrace! I’m sure it will be ok, though, the Chief and her friends will get a new one; they get us everything we need really.

So, another week has passed by and Oh My God (though us dogs don’t believe in that kind of thing) has it been hot!! None of us has felt much like doing anything during the day. I have this pretty cool spot in the shade, that I picked out and the Chief put down a nice, cool blue mat for me, so I’m pretty much ok.
Little Dude and Little Girl don’t seem to mind too much, they still play loads, probably their age, and besides, they’re a bit silly I think. I have taught them to behave of course and they’re cool now, beginning to like them even!

Tiny Babe, the new girl, is still a bit bitchy with them, but I make sure to stay on her good side, so we can hang out a bit. Big Old Girl, the one that doesn’t live with us, she’s doing so much better!! And I think she fancies me!! Just wait ’till she gets out, I’ll have all the ladies fighting over me, you’ll see!!
Been feeling a bit better, despite the heat, but still don’t feel like fighting Big White Fluffy anymore, don’t know why, just can’t be bothered really. Kind of nice, not having to get all worked up about that kind of thing.Probably better for the old ticker too.

But them, what happened to me two days ago,.. how embarrassing,.. The Chief picked me up (she did cuddle me) and put me on a table. Oh oh, nothing good ever happens on a table!! Then, before I could even protest; she put this thing around my mouth and, and, and,..started BRUSHING me! I HATE being brushed, told everybody over and over again, bugger off with that brush!! I tried to scare her by pretending to bite, but she wouldn’t stop and just told me she’ll be careful. and you know what, it wasn’t so bad really. After a while, I thought I might as well enjoy the attention and lie down for a belly scratch. She did another thing, with a noisy machine of some kind, and before I knew it, pieces of my fur were flying around (the ventilator was on). I didn’t hate that, made me feel a bit cooler actually! Shame she had to go and ruin it by picking up my feet and cutting my nails, how dare she!! Anway, she took the thing off my mouth and we had a cuddle, that was nice, cuddles are just the best,..Been feeling a bit lighter ever since and can feel the breeze on my skin.

All in all, not a bad week really. Hoping Big Old Girl will join us soon, will let you know how that goes!
Love, Pom

Colleen, with her expressive wording, has written her account of her time spent with Anke, Elsa and me on Thursday morning and on meeting our canine residents. Colleen is also a natural Reiki energy healer. I am going to leave her to explain in a later post what Reiki is and how she can help animals (and humans) restore their physical and emotional well-being. We are excited to hear she has volunteered to help Titi, Pompom, Kim and hopefully Dolly when the time is fitting to settle at Dawn & Dusk.

Please do fill in the volunteers form or contact us if you wish to come and be involved with the meeting and sitting (with a bit of stroking and attention-giving) dog team.

I walked up the slope through the shady woodland, my tummy full of excitement. It’s dog-cuddling day.

All of a sudden I stop, in the field on my left, is a goat staring at me.

“Who are you and what do you want?

“Uhm…” I hesitate, hoping I’m in the right place, “I’m here to cuddle dogs.”

“Oh, okay. Keep walking.”

I know better than to argue with a goat, so I keep walking. I smile as I see there are two others watching me curiously.

“I’m here to cuddle dogs.” I say to them, smiling.

A bit further on, and a group of sheep approach the fence. I try not to think about cuddling sheep as one curiously asks, “Who are you, and what do you want?”

“I’m here to cuddle dogs.” I answer.

“Oh, okay. Keep walking.” Was there a hint of sadness I spotted there? Can one cuddle sheep, I ask myself? Focus Colleen, focus…

I glance up and on my right, I recognise the wooden summer house that I’ve seen on the website that provided shelter for some sweet black pups, and now for a dog called Kim. I AM in the right place, whew!

I see buildings, my excitement grows. Just when I think it can’t get any better, I spot a few donkeys, eight in total I’m later told. My word, how on earth am I going to drag myself away from this animal heaven, there’s cuddling opportunities everywhere (well, in my head anyway…)

“Up here, Colleen!” I hear, as Elsa beckons me up through a barn door and upstairs to the cuddle room. I’m introduced to Titi, a white Jack Russel with typical terrier energy and character; and Pompom, a longer-haired terrier who was subdued today getting over having his, ahem, bits adjusted. Needs must, boy…

I notice the two comfy sofas, the dog beds everywhere, and the gorgeous gentle breeze blowing through. I’m already thinking I could sit here for a day – I wonder if I could hide in one of those dog crates. I spot one in the corner which I might try later…

I meet Anke and Ali and then listen to the three ladies talking about nutrition, dog behaviour, the residents and more. I’m struck by the determination to provide the right individual care for each dog. These canine souls are in good hands, but I think they know that, animals have that ‘sense’, don’t they?

We head outside to meet ‘the pups’, Nel and Timmy. I fall in love with their ears immediately and comment that they look like dingos, hoping it doesn’t offend them. Friendly, playful, and gentle, these dogs seem to draw out affection, and I find myself down on my knees stroking their soft bodies and making cooing noises.

We then head over to the enclosure where Kim is. She’s making excellent progress having given everyone a fright with her deteriorating condition, soon after her arrival. But let me tell you, despite her age and seemingly tough background, there’s a sparkle in those eyes (well, one eye, but age is a thing, right?) and every now and again, she does this puppy-like thing with her legs, like she wants to play. Watching this would surely melt the iciest of hearts. I’m so pleased to ‘meet’ her, even if only from the other side of the fence.

I catch a glimpse of other dogs in another field, Anke’s own dogs apparently. If one thinks that Anke’s heart has a limit, you’d be mistaken. Let’s just say it’s just as well there a lot of land around here.

I spend a few hours, which fly by FAR too quickly, chatting and stroking dogs. My heart is so full, and I continue working on my plan to hide in the dog crate so that I can stay longer, hoping Elsa doesn’t notice.

As I leave, we catch a glimpse of Dolly, the only dog to be kept apart from the others due to her current insecurities. I say hello, because that’s only polite, right?

I want so badly to stay. I want to curl up near the fence and read a book to Kim, I want to run around and play with the pups, I want to tell Pompom that size isn’t everything and cuddle him until he knows that we all love him no matter what; I want to love Titi and tell her that she’s got nothing to prove here, everyone is loved equally.

And I want so desperately to convince Dolly that she’s safe.

But today was my first day, and all this will happen in its own time with incredible, experienced people working their magic. Today was just a ‘allow yourself to be sniffed’ day because that’s important to dogs, and it was important to me.

See you all very soon,

Colleen

Colleen