by Hannah Elizabeth Wright

We were blessed with perfect (not too hot, cold or wet!) weather for our al fresco, dining concert chez Gillian Lindsay and Karl Billington last Saturday. A big thank you to them both for allowing D+D to use their garden and for driving all over the place on Friday to collect enough furniture to seat up to 83 people! We had a fantastic turnout and would like to thank everyone who came and supported us. With our two latest arrivals, Mabe the Babe and Quatorze, on special diets for their delicate tummies and skin issues, it is events like this that allow us to cater for their needs and get them back to health.

An extra special thank you to ‘Cod en Bleu’ who very generously contributed 50 portions of Fish and Chips http://www.cod-en-bleu.com/LoadPage.aspx?PageId=0, and to our resident bakers, Amanda Bakhtiar Irvine and Caroline Mills, for their ever popular (we sold out) doggy and apero biscuits. And to Mandy Govey, Karl Billington and Keith Hurley who serenaded our diners with an eclectic mix of Jazz and light rock and pop, click here to see a snippet https://youtube.com/shorts/rmb4lz6Nt1Q Look out for them at other events this Summer, as the Two Bad Wolves (Karl and Keith) and Retro Kandy (Mandy and Karl).

I was most impressed with how Cod en Bleu made sure that everyone had fresh, piping hot fish (or a faux chicken vegan pie, along with mushy peas and curry sauce) and chips and didn’t have to cue for ages to be served. Thanks to Gillian’s pre-planning, orders had been placed with Tony and Resa in advance, and when our guests arrived, all they had to do was check their names off the list at the van and take a bleeper that would let them know when their meal was ready. Gillian set up a condiments tables next to a van, which, courtesy of Cod en Bleu, featured a very nice bottle of traditional malt vinegar – yum!

Wild flowers and lavender from Ali’s garden were placed in vases on the tables, along with bunting and fairy lights in the trees. It was a feast for the eyes, as well as our ears and tummies.

Organising an event like this requires a lot of behind the scenes work for it to run smoothly: pre-planning admin; sourcing, collecting, washing and returning of furniture; decorating; shopping; parking; bar tending and the cleaning up! We couldn’t have pulled it all together without the help of our wonderful team members: Ali, Caroline, Gillian, and Lesley. I, (Ali) am adding Hannah too as she put in as much effort as us all but won’t blow her own trumpet.

Thanks to everyone’s efforts we managed to raise a fantastic 1338€! The evening was a great success and we look forward to seeing you at the next one.

Translated by Anke Terbruggen for Pompom

Hello everybody,.. I don’t know all of you, though I think I met a few of my people?

I’m a bit confused sometimes, that’s why I keep forgetting to tell you all how I’m doing. But Chief told me a lot of you are worried about me and that I should maybe let you know that I’m still here! I’m not sure why she said that,. of course I’m still here? I am alive and I’m still me, even though I can’t see very well or hear a lot.

It’s true that I’m not very strong anymore, but just let Big White Fluffy in my garden, and I’ll show them I’m still here!

I’m seeing a lot of Chief and my favorite cuddler Linda these days. I also keep finding tasty treats everywhere and this morning, I think I had salmon for breakfast.

Chief tells me I wasn’t doing so well before, that I collapsed into Linda’s arms and was really struggling and very confused. Well, I’ll take her word for it,. I don’t dwell on the past and I don’t think about the future. 

I’m ok right now, so please don’t worry.

Thank you all for thinking about me,

Cuddles and a kiss from your little buddy Pom,.

Our next fundraising will soon be upon us on Saturday 19 July, 6pm – 9pm, in a garden in Ginals (82).

Cod en Bleu have very generously teamed up with us to offer this fundraising event, offering fish & chips or vegan pie & chips, sides of mushy peas and gravy can also be ordered. Price is 18 euros per person for fish & chips and pie & chips 15 euros (sides extra) which includes entrance to the garden and music. A selection of drinks will be on offer by donation, including beer, three colours of wine and sparkling, non alcohol beer and sparkling wine, Coke, Diet Coke, lemonade, elderflower cordial and fizzy water.

Music will be provided by Retro Kandy (Mandy Govey and Karl Billington) and Two Bad Wolves (Keith Hurley and Karl Billington) offering a selection of Covers, a bit pop, blues, and a little jazz for you to dance or foot tap along too. Saturday 19 July, 6pm – 9pm, in a garden in Ginals (82)

An evening not to be missed! Book online now:

https://forms.gle/T4G7LzesBmiY7TZB8

Written by creator Hannah Wright

Our new ‘Muddy Paws’ range has been a big success. Thank you to everyone who bought a tea towel and/or a bag at the quiz night last Friday and to those who have placed orders with us this week. As some of you may know, it was inspired by Andy after he walked over a duvet in the barn with very muddy paws.

When I saw the bedding airing over the railings, I managed to snap a quick shot of him standing in front of it and shared the picture on our social media pages, saying how proud Andy was of his latest work of art. We had lots of lovely comments on the post, including one from Caroline, who suggested that his muddy, paw prints would look great on a scarf….and there the idea was born!

Inspired, I contacted Jean and Martin of ‘Maison des Loups’ (printers) in Caylus to see if they could help us create something with the paw prints and they came up with the idea of bags and tea towels. We have plans to extend the range, but in the meantime, our bags and tea towels will be for sale at all future ‘Dawn and Dusk’ events.

Post written by Caroline Mills

A BIG thank you to Caroline and her team for their day spent at the village vide grenier (boot sale)

Last Sunday morning the alarm went at 6.15 and I hauled myself out with my dogs before leaving to meet up with Jo Stephens, the first of my much-appreciated volunteers. We made our way in convoy into the centre of the village where a lady with a clipboard exclaimed “ah oui, Dawn et Dusk” and directed us to our space near the church. We unloaded, set up our table, and displayed our bric-a-brac. Jane Robinson joined us, and armed with coffee, we sold quite a few things.

Amanda Bakhtier Irvine had made cookies and dog biscuits, and there were a few bags of chocolate brownies left over from the Quiz Night. Once I’d decided to allow a tasting, the dog biscuits sold very well. Hard to resist the sales patter when your dog has just devoured a cheesy biscuit. One lucky border terrier got three packs! Mid morning I was joined by Sue Sherratt who generously donated some pieces of her work which sold well.

At lunchtime, Andrea White took over, going off to find us delicious burgers to keep us going. Linda Walsh joined for the afternoon slot which saw a bit of sunshine, and a swell of people who had gone to Laguépie for plants in the morning. By 4.30 the stalls were beginning to pack up as the skies clouded over so when Sue Bedford and Maria Murphy and her helpful small niece arrived, I retrieved my car and we loaded up. Later at home, armed with a fortifying G&T, I added up the takings. Including a few bits sold afterwards, our total was 227€. That’s not bad for a vide grenier.

Thanks to everyone who donated items, cakes, or their time. Very much appreciated. In many ways this was a public relations exercise. As was my hope, we met lots of locals who were aware of D&D and pleased to see us there. It was an opportunity to chat about our elderly dog family and how they are unadoptable, but lead a good life with good food and healthcare, access to open fields and a comfortable barn furnished with rugs and old sofas. It’s the Dawn and Dusk way.

Translated for Pom by Anke Terbruggen

Do you all still remember me?

Chief said you would, but I’m not sure,.. for all the new people; I’m Pom, short for Pompom (but nobody calls me that). I’m the very first Dawn & Dusk dog!!

I used to tell you about myself every few weeks or so, but ever since we moved, Chief said she has been very busy and hasn’t had time to write down my stories.

Personally, I think she just forgot. 

But she told me it’s really important I let you all know how I’m doing, with Tiny Babe gone,..after all, we’ve been roommates for 2 1/12 years! We moved together from our barn to our room in Chief’s house and spent all our time together. My cuddlers always said we were like a grumpy old married couple; always bickering, but used to being together and keeping each other company nonetheless.

Well, let me reassure you; I’m ok! Us dogs, we experience death very differently than you humans. We don’t really think about it that much,. we can miss our buddies, if we’re really good friends, but we adapt quickly, especially if you humans make sure our routine isn’t changed that much. We do hate to see you sad though, and we can feel a bit unsafe and insecure and cuddle up with you a bit more. We need to know you still love us, even though you’re acting a bit strange!

I think Chief was sad about Tiny, and so was our favorite cuddler, the one that comes especially for us,.. but everybody is making sure I get plenty of attention, and walks and treats, so life as usual really! Chief says our cuddler will come for me only from now on, that makes me really happy! I didn’t really like sharing her attention, to be honest,.

Got to go back to sleep now, I’ve had a busy day and I’m no spring chicken, Chief says. I’ll get back to you another time, to tell you more about our new place. Bye for now!

Come and join us for an afternoon of you time.

Our ladies’ afternoon is for a small group of thirty ladies. It is an opportunity to connect with others, indulge in afternoon tea, participate in our wellness sessions, and experience a one-on-one therapy session.

In addition, we will have a raffle that will include prizes for a 1:1 session with Irena-Marie Makowski, an animal communication session with Colleen Kersey, Jo Malone’s room fragrance, a bottle of gin and all that is needed to drink it, and more.

Finally, we all have gifted items or items that we no longer need or use stored away in our cupboards, so we will have a (small) area for you to browse with an honesty box.

If you have any (good condition) clothes, accessories, jewellery, bags, or any items that would interest our female attendees, such as books or crafty bits, we would greatly appreciate your contribution. Please let us know if you would like to donate.

We hope you can attend. As this is a small event, places will be given on a first-come basis. Once we have your R.S.V.P. (contact@dawnandduskfrance.com) and payment to secure your place, we will send you an online form to fill in for the sessions. (Please note that we will try our best to allocate your first choice but ask for a second and third.)

Tickets are 28 €, payable via cash

Cheque, payable to Dawn & Dusk which should be sent to Ali Stickler, La Singlarie, 12270 Najac.

Paypal (friends & family option) donations@dawnandduskfrance.com.

HelloAsso https://www.helloasso.com/associations/dawn-and-dusk/formulaires/

bank transfer please contact Ali Stickler for details.

We envisage it will be popular, so don’t sit on the fence if you wish to come. xxx

Although we are small, our monthly outgoings to provide care for our dogs include food and chews (the dogs love their natural chews and get through a lot each month). Vet bills and regular medication, as well as insurance and equipment, these all add up. We are gratified to our sponsors, donators and volunteers for their contributions and those that take part in our fundraising events. (Part of our meeting last week was to outline the years’ events, which we will share soon).

We have increased our following and presence through Facebook however; We have been thinking of other ways we can continue to promote ourselves via other outlets other than social media. So we were very happy when team member, Sarah Shephard took on this challenge by writing a publicity announcement an getting it published.

We thank Sarah for the writing the article, as well as Rescue and Animal Care Magazine, for publishing the story about Dawn & Dusk in their latest issue. The UK-based magazine promotes responsible pet ownership and animal welfare with great tips, informational articles and stories, and it’s free! https://www.rescueandanimalcare.com/ .

Check out P38-39 via the link below to read about our story: https://issuu.com/jspmedia/docs/apr_may_2024_final?fr=sN2UyYTczMTkxMjQ&utm_campaign=April%2FMay%20-%20Issue%20194&utm_medium=email&utm_source=WDLMJ&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3HkTY4PzgCQv60yB9Z_YPBpHVnQXU9lprxhr-kSHBapyvr7i5lU5eQXsk_aem_AXJaZjjIQGXP_qw3W3ksFyptmIIQcGvbiaVPvVqQ9tq0V9xs–2R1Z_uCExT6v0xDlM7jIYQjcwyeKqfQvqI8jHy

Hello, I’m Cheyene, I’m the latest addition to the Dawn and Dusk doggies. I have been speaking to Caroline Mill’s who has translated my message for me for you all to understand.

I’ve been here for nearly seven months now. I was living in the woods after my owner became ill, so I love all the comforts and regular meals I get now. They sometimes call me the Bossy Bitch, well, I wasn’t going to let Colin, Primus and Mitch boss me around was I, but I’m a sweet old lady really. You just have to let them know who is in charge, so I told Pompom that I was taking over his diary this month, because there’s an important message to deliver to you, our very kind supporters. I mean, you can’t leave that to a terrier, can you?

Very soon we are moving to spacious new premises, and you wouldn’t believe the costs involved. Just fencing us in for safety is costing five thousand euros. I’m allowing the three boys to share my barn. There’s a new floor going in, and the walls are being tiled so my housekeeping team will be able to clean it easily. There are so many things to be done, and the ladies who run Dawn and Dusk (Anke, Ali, Elsa, Gill, Lesley and Caroline) are very determined to do everything right first time so they work closely with an official animal protection inspector lady who tells them what has to be done. Of course all this costs a lot of money. Usually it costs about a thousand euros each month to keep all of us comfy, healthy and well fed, but this move is going to cost about 20,000€. So we are launching a Go Fund Me appeal https://gofund.me/1cddcf1d to raise this money. I understand that not everyone can afford to make a big donation, but everything you can give will help us reach our target. Will you help us? Please click on the link and help us reach our target.

We have two fundraising channels Go Fund Me https://gofund.me/1cddcf1d which accepts Bank card or PayPal and HelloAsso, our French platform which does not take any commission from you or us (it will ask you to donate a % but you do not have to) https://www.helloasso.com/associations/dawn-and-dusk/collectes/fonds-necessaires payment is via a bank account.

Should you wish to donate the old fashioned way we have other options. Please could you mention ‘ projet’ with your payment. Our Paypal account is donations@dawnandduskfrance.com (option friends & family, please) or Euro cheque payable to Asso Dawn & Dusk and send to Ali Stickler, La Singlarie, 12270, Najac or by Euro Bank transfer account details below.

Thank you so much.

Your very loving bossy bitch Cheyene