The Beastly Beasts

A Look Back at 2008

posted by Chris at 19:55

2008 has been really eventful year for The Beastly Beasts; here's some of the highlights.

January

Kai:
January saw The Beastly Beasts on the New Year day and White Lodge walks; on the White Lodge Walk we met Cai.

Kai and Cai

February

Kai:
This we went somewhere new for a walk and Rosie added Bronwyn to her fan club.

Bronwyn and Rosie

Monty:
We also all managed to donate blood at the same session for the first time.

March

Troy:
A bit quiet this month. We did get to see the fireman rescue a dog from Watermead; an event that luckily turned out OK for everyone concerned.

Firemen

Firemen

Monty:
By contrast, April was full of things. Not least of those as far I was concerned is that Mr. Onyet said my broken leg was better and I was free to run around again. Took me a while to get back up to speed and I'm not as fast as I was, but it was good news.

Rosie:
I started skool. Dad said I was a clever girl but I was to go so I could meet lots of new dogs, which I do. Most weeks it's quite good fun, others it's not so I lie down a lot.

Kai:
Loads of us went to Coombe Abbey. Dad got us some ice creams and what do you know, everyone else got one too. And Aunty Claire lent her scooter to a girl that had hurt herself and couldn't walk.

Ice Cream

Troy:
We went on 'oliday!!! Monty was 'appy 'coz he'd been told he was OK to 'ave a run; Rosie was 'appy 'coz she got to see Uncle Trevor and didn't 'ave to wear a muzzle; bofe were 'appy 'coz they could watch the cats; everyone was 'appy 'coz the wevva woz wunderful and the beaches brilliant.

On Holiday

And best of it woz, we woz commin' back latea in the year!!

May

Jack:
We went an' spoke to de Scouts an' de Cubs at de 49th Northampton. Dey was great an' we had a great toime. And only dis month we met de grand-parents of one of de lads dat was dere an' dey said deir lad had a wunderful toime - dat was noice of dem.

Troy and Cubs

Chris:
I found out about the plans to introduce Dog Control Orders in Northampton. One clause, clause 4, would forbid walking more than six dogs at once - not much use to me then.

Of course I am not against Dog Control Orders per se; indeed I believe they should "do what they say on the tin", i.e. be orders than ensure people control their dogs. But I do not believe that six = in control and seven = out of control; there are many people we meet that can not or will not control the one or two dogs they have with them. By contrast The Beastly Beasts get many complements about how well behaved they are and everyone I have ever met with many dogs controls them.

Loads of people rallied round and sent their views to the council, and while the Orders are still to be discussed at Cabinet - so clause 4 may yet be made law (though I have a cunning plan in the event that that happens), I'd like to thank everyone that wrote to the council for their support.

Rosie:
On the White Lodge Walk this month we met Rosie.

Rosie and Rosie

And I went back to see Aunty Mandy who put me up for a bit before I cam to stay with The Beastly Beasts. She was dead pleased to see me again and said I looked really happy; which I am.

Lucy:
May is the early Gap Show an' like most Gap Shows it wasn't the weather to be wearin' yer dippers. Saw me old mate Hooch though.

Hooch

Hooch

Mack:
We 'ad soom new arrivals - the hens. Monty and me were quoite interested in them to staart with loike, but they are feisty girls and now we give them a woide berth.

Hens

Hens

I should say they luke noothin' loike this now; they've got feathers and a real attitude.

June

Jack:
De White Lodge Walk was at de Rutland Water. I spent de day with a grand chap called Charlie.

Jack and Charlie

Me and Charlie

Monty:
The Blood Bank ran out of blood; well, nearly. Anyways, it was close enough that they called us and asked if they could come and see us to get some. So rather than us having to go PPBuk, PPBuk came to us; neat.

Troy Being Swabbed

Only thing was my enzyme levels were back up and I've been told I can't donate any more.

July

Troy:
We went to the races; 'uman races. Bit of a turn around that one.

Kai:
Me, Jack, Troy, Mack and Rosie did our PAT assessments, and passed. Dad said he was really proud of us.

Lucy:
We were featured in the Pet Blood Bank UK news letter, which was pretty neat.

Pic for the Newsletter

Mack:
I celebrated my first year with The Beastly Beasts.

August

Monty:
The White Lodge walk came to Northampton; we showed everyone some of our favourite place - Salcey Forest.

Rosie:
And I celebrated my first year with The Beastly Beasts.

September

Chris:
I helped with the transport of this little man - Dexter.

Dexter

Dexter

The really good news is that he is stopping with Elkie in Bristol - for ever.

Mack:
Three shows this month. The first wun was ower local - Northants Greyhound Gala. Oi did all roight; won moi class and made it into the Best Dog In Show round. Didn't win that though.

Mack

Me in the Best Dog In Show Round

Rosie:
Our next show was the autumn Gap Show. This was my third Gap Show and I thought it always rained at them; today it didn't.

And I got 3rd place in the Prettiest Bitch class, and Jim Greenwood said I looked happy in my pack - which I am.

Troy:
Next up was the RGT Greyhound Gathering in Nottingham. Don't get us wrong; great day aart, lots of fab 'ounds araarnd and the RGT, along wiv uvva rescues, do stonkin' work to get 'ounds into 'omes. But did the industry 'ave to be there like they was? As far as I can see they've 'ad their paarnd of flesh yet dun nuffink for us.

None of us won anyfink, but we know a man wot did; our mate Skye, and there were some stiff competition let me tell yer.

Skye

Skye

October

Lucy:
We went on our hols again mates. Wasn't the best of weather all the time, but when it was good it was good and we had a fab day on the beach.

On the Beach

It was Aunty Carol's birthday and we and mum and dad were really pleased to be able to be there.

Kai:
We got back off holiday to find out that those of us that had done the assessments were now approved PAT dogs, and a couple of weeks later we did - and passed - our assessments to be come Blue Cross Children's Education Dogs too.

November

Jack:
Oi went and did de first of our PAT visits. De main ting was to check out de environment we'd be visiting to see if we'd loike it. It was foine, so we'll be visitin' de people at St. Andrews.

December

Lucy:
We helped a bit at the White Lodge Meet and Greet. Even though the weather on the day weren't exactly spiffin' over a £100 was raised.

Mack:
Troy an' me did day one of the Christmas PAT visits at St. Andrews. It haard to descroibe it really, but seein' the effect that we had on peoples day was really great.

Kai:
Jack and I went the next day, and all I can say is, Mack's right.

Christmas PAT Visit

Monty:
We did our Meet and Greet for Greyhound Gap and raised nearly £600, so we added a bit to make it £600 for Gap.

From all The Beastly Beasts and Gill and me; thank you to everyone that's supported us, whether by buying things via our VetUK or easyfundraising links, or visiting our stall at the shows, or helping at Meet and Greets, or just being nice to The Beastly Beasts.

2009 looks like it might not be the best of years for many - we hope it's a good year for you.

BeastBlog is Back

posted by Chris at 12:49

You have probably noticed that BeastBlog has been quiet since the end of September. It's not 'coz The Beasts have been quiet, far from it. Rather it has been due to coming back from holiday to find that things at work had gone from not very good to dire. That meant all hands to the pump and then a few weeks back a few of us were told that our hands were no longer needed.

The Beasts have been doing stuff and they've got it all scratched out. Rather than doing one big post they are going to date their posts for the time they did what ever it is they did, so over the next few days there will be lots of new stuff on BeastBlog. I am very proud of some of the things they have been up to and I hope you enjoy their stories.

Chris

Meet and Greet for Gap

posted by Monty at 11:31

Yesterday we did our Christmas Meet and Greet for Greyhound Gap; usual spot - outside Northampton Pets at Home.

We turned up a bit before 10 o'clock so we could get all set up and ready and a couple of minutes later Lisa, our favourite pet sitter from Critterz Pets, turned up for an hour or so. And just after we had the stall all ready our mate Curly with his mum and dad (Ann and Norman) turned up too.

Lisa and Ann

Next thing, out comes one of the PaH staff and says "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave", apparently an organisation called NAT had also booked to collect here. - you can imagine our reaction. On further investigation it turns out that this booking was made at the store whereas we had booked with head office and confirmed with the store and that is the right way to do it; we dug our paws in - nicely mind. Then it was the manager's turn to talk to us and we told him the same story; you could tell he kind of agreed with us. And anyway, here it was nearly 11 o'clock and no sign of anyone from NAT and we were in full swing with Troy, Mack, and Rosie doing their stuff. So long story short, the manager agreed that it was their (PaH) mistake that had caused the confusion and we'd done the right thing. And NAT had booked both days so at least they had Sunday to collect too; we stayed.

And so did Lisa. She was only supposed to be here for a bit. Just after mid-day she decided she really must go, so she did. Not long after Curly and her mum and dad had to go too; turns out Norman is not very well - all The Beastly Beasts hope he gets better soon.

Lucy and me with Lisa

So that left the seven of us plus mum and dad. They were talking about something called the credit crunch (apparently it's not the same kind of crunch as in a decent treat) and not expecting as much as last year, but all day there were people coming up and putting money in the tins and having a stroke.

We'd been there a few hours and then it happened. Me, Jack, and Lucy had gone for a lie down to take the weight off our feet and Jack was resting his eyes too. Then dad's feet appear in among us. He'd stepped back and trodden on Jack's leg and a bit of skin was hanging loose. Mum got in flap - she's not best with this kind of thing. Dad put everyone else in the Beast Bus for a bit and lady, who had only done a First Aid course that week - not thinking her first patient would be a greyhound - helped and PaH came out with a First Aid kit. With Jack suitably bandaged up mum whizzed him off the emergency vets. Jack would like to thank the lady and the staff at Pets at Home that helped. He came home that evening with stitches, and nothing else is wrong with him - he's back to normal today.

We got out the van again and carried on, then Jayne and Marcus turned up (Jayne comes and lets us out for a wee if dad is out all day). They were sorry to hear about Jack, but mum got back while they were still there and she said he was going to be OK.

Mum Lisa and Ann

By now it was starting to get dark. Our plan was carry on until 4 o'clock. In the end we stayed until after 5 o'clock and I have to give Troy, Mack, Rosie credit - they were on their feet all day making a fuss of people. Jack (before he went to hospital) and Kai did there stuff and even Lucy and me decided to get a bit more involved this year.

We did notice a couple of things this year. There were still a lot of people who thought that what happened to many greyhounds in racing industry was bad, which is good, but there were also a lot of people who knew we made good companions for humans, quite a few who knew greyhounds that were living with humans, and quite a few who said they would get a greyhound when they next needed someone to live with - and that was music to our ears. We gave away load of stuff on Greyhound Gap; let's hope dad has some homechecks to do in the New Year.

So I guess you'd like to know how we, or rather Greyhound Gap, did. Once again the people of Northampton were really generous and donated £552.87. The Beastly Beasts are going to add a bit to that and make the total

£600

We are dead chuffed with that (hope NAT did OK too). We'd like to thank everyone who donated, the Pets at Home staff, Lisa, Curly and her mum and dad, and the lady that helped Jack. We hope everyone has a nice Christmas and a happy New Year.

Labels: GAP, Meet and Greet

My 4th Homecoming Day

posted by Monty at 14:23

I've been a Beastly Beast for four years now. It still seems amazing to me that life can be horrid then turn out so good.

I used to hate being with people, now I love being with people I know and since my rescue no-one has ever hurt me. And when I think of all the stuff I've done, places I've been, hounds and humans I've met and live with, I reckon I'm one of the luckiest hounds ever.

Me on holiday this year

It's hard to imagine being as scared of things like I used to be. Thing is, no-hound should have to be scared. Maybe one day that will be true; I hope so.

Here's to more homecoming days.

Christmas PAT Visit - Day 2

posted by Kai at 19:21

Today Jack and I that went to visit St. Andrews. The Bookend Boys said they really enjoyed themselves yesterday and Jack of course has been before.

Like yesterday Pat and Lucy, and Helen and Shauna were there, and today we also met up with Richard and his two Irish Terriers.

PAT Dogs

Pat with Shaun, Helen and Lucy, Richard and his terriers, Dad and us

We also met Annie who had been accosted by Troy and Mack yesterday; she wanted to know if we only went out in colour coordinated pairs.

We visited a few people today. Our first stop was at a house that's part of the hospital but not in it. Everyone there was really nice and one lady in particular made a big fuss of me saying I was very handsome.

Then we went upstairs but that seemed quite quiet. There was one lady that loved Shauna and stroking her made her smile, and a chap who put his hat on my head and said I looked dead cool.

Our next visit was to some wards for people that have acquired brain injuries. That means that they hurt themselves in some way, a fall, a car crash, or something, and they have to learn stuff all over again. Richard's terriers visit here regularly, and they told us that they were very proud to be on these wards.

First we went the the men's ward. We waited outside in the dining area and some of the guys came to see us; mostly they made a fuss of the terriers as they were their dogs. Next was another men's ward were they made a bit of a fuss of us, but to be honest they seemed more interested in something else.

Then we went to the ladies ward. Here they all cam flocking to see us. A bit like Mack and George yesterday there was a lady, Julie, that didn't seem interested in anything until Lucy stood next to her. Then Julie started stroking her and from the smile on her face I think she enjoyed it as much as Lucy did. Then Lucy got me to have a go and Julie carried on stroking me.

Jack was in his element; he had three ladies stroking and making a fuss of him. In fact when it was time to go he didn't want to move; he reckoned that this was exactly what all hounds should expect. And you know what? The ladies wanted him to stay.

We were supposed to be visiting another of the wards in the unit, but the lady in charge this afternoon said we couldn't; which was a bit of a shame as it was one of the wards Pat would like us to visit.

On the way back to the cars Pat asked dad and us if we'd enjoyed it. We all had and we all felt fine about the places and the people; and there is something about making a person that doesn't have much to smile about smile. So now we are all waiting for dad to get his training done so we can start visiting regularly, and of course Rosie wants to go and see what it's all about - I think she'll enjoy it too.

Labels: PAT

Christmas PAT Visit - Day 1 (Part 2)

posted by Mack at 20:52

Like Troy said, we did a visit with Pat and Lucy and Helen and Shauna for PAT. Troy's told you about the first few places we went, but there's a couple more to go.

Our next visit was to a ward were people who have Huntington's Disease live. We were quoit excited by this as Pat would like us to visit people here once dad's all sorted with 'is training. As soon as we walked in a lovely lady I'll call Alice came up to greet us. It turns out she really likes dogs an' wants to take one of us for a walk. We couldn't do it today as we were on a tight schedule like, but Alice and a nurse and Pat and dad had a chat, and to cut a long one short, in the new year Alice will be allowed to take Jack for a walk with a carer; well, you'd've thought all Alice's Christmas' had come at once.

Another lass - Sandra - took a right shine to me. She wanted to hold my lead, which was fine; trouble was she didn't want to give it back when it was time to go!! In the end dad unclipped me and we went out of the room; we did get my lead back too.

Last visit of the afternoon was to a ward for the older man. One chap, Alan, was really looking forward to Christmas; he had his Santa hat on and had a singing Rudolph. As we left he gave Pat, Helen and dad one of his paintings.

Our Painting

Like Troy said, if this is what being a PAT dog is about it's blooming great. Dad's explained a bit about some of the reasons that people are there. If we can help - even in a tiny way - to make there stay there a bit nicer it's great, and from what Jack said on his first visit it seems people look forward to you going to see them, and we like people that like us. I'm looking forward to the next visit.

Labels: PAT

Christmas PAT Visit - Day 1 (Part 1)

posted by Troy at 19:49

This afternoon me an' Mack went on our first PAT visits. After Jack's visit we had a conflab and from wot 'ee said we decided we'd go for St. Andrews. So dad's been checked out by the CRB again an' they reckon 'ee's an OK bloke - just shows you can fool some of the people some of the time (just jokin' dad - 'onest).

We met up wiv Pat and Lucy (collie) and Helen and Shauna (German Shepard). Shauna was a right gobby mare 'til we all said "Allo" proper. Lucy and Shauna was done up as fairies, me and Mack 'ad dickie bows a tinsel on to look a bit festive like.

While we was waitin' a lady said "Hi" to dad so I took me chance - straight in for a stroke an' a cuddle. Turns out it's the Volunteer Services lady don't it. She laughed and said "This one's a PAT dog". Not to be left out Mack gets on the uvver side of 'er and does his thing; she reckoned he was one too.

First off we went to an old ladies ward. I reckon most was 'avin' a kip 'coz there weren't that many up an' about, but there was one lady, Mavis I'll call 'er, wot insisted on seein' everyone; lovely lass she was. Each of us went to see Mavis in turn; when she sees me she gave a lovely smile; Mack reckons 'ee got one an all, so I reckon we all did.

Next off was anuvver ladies ward. Funniest fing here was not any off the residents, but one of the staff. Lovely lass called Ester who come from Zimbabwe was workin'. We wanders in looking for people wot's going to make a fuss of us and she gets as far away as she can wivout actually climin' the walls; she's scared of dogs. For me an' Mack, who's mission in life is to be stroked by everyone, this is an unacceptable situation. Five minutes later she's got 'er arms round the Bookend Boys - result.

'Course, we weren't there for the staff an' went to see the ladies wot live there. Joan was very 'appy to us and wanted know everything there is to know about greyhounds - sharp as pin she was.

Then we went a ward for fellas. It did seem like they needed a bit more care, but they were glad to see us and me and Mack don't give a monkeys - a stroke is a stroke. And good fings 'appen.

Mack went up this one chap - we'll call 'im George. Just sittin' there he was, 'ead down looking at 'is lap; turns out that's all George ever does. Well, Mack goes up to 'im and does the big brown eye stare and next fing George is strokin' Mack. We fought nuffink of it 'til all the staff turned round in amazement at wot was 'appenin'. Mack didn't realise 'til I told 'im afterwards, 'ee was quite 'appy 'avin' stroke.

Anyway, I'm gonna stop now and let Mack tell yer about the rest of the afternoon. I'll end by sayin' that I fought it was brilliant. If this is what being a PAT dog is about, bring it on; we made Mavis smile, we got George to take is face out 'is lap and we got Ester to like dogs - well - us two at least; triffik!!

Labels: PAT

Impromtu Meet & Greet

posted by Rosie at 20:29

One of the things I've found as a Beastly Beast is that we often get to stop and talk to loads of people when we are out and about - even on our normal walks like, particularly at weekends; today was one of them days and a couple of things happened that I'd like to tell you about.

The first one is about a couple who stopped and had a chat with us. They told us we were all lovely (don't want to sound too big headed, but that's not so unusual) and that they thought what happened to greyhounds was awful (luckily that's not so unusual either these days). What was unusual, but really nice, is they said that their grandson had met a load of greyhounds and lurchers when they came to his Scout night earlier in the year and he reckoned that they were all really brilliant and he wanted one. 'Course we asked which Scout Group he was with and it turned out, as you've probably guessed already, it was the 49th Northampton and that the brilliant hounds was us - wicked!! Nice to know the kids enjoyed it.

The other one happened as we were on the way back to the Beast Bus. We were walking back from the Tree Top walk to the café (for those of you that have been to Salcey) when we came up behind a couple of human ladies and their puppies. They were wandering along blissfully unaware of seven hounds behind them when one of the puppies turned round and let out a little scream; turned out she was petrified of dogs. The two ladies however wanted to talk to us and the other puppies came and said hello. And here's the magic - after a bit the scared puppy came over too and started to stroke us; no-one asked her, she just did it. And next thing you know she's giving us hugs and strokes and has decided that dogs aren't so bad after all - much to the amazement of her mum who reckons she's never done anything like that at all. Even when the other lady visits with her dog this young lass wouldn't go near, yet for some reason she decided we was nice. She promised that she would stroke the other ladies dog too. And when we wandered off all the puppies - except the one in the wheels - ran along with us and when we got the car park we had to wait for their mums to catch up.

I got back to the Beast Bus with a funny but nice feeling in my tummy; it's was nice to know that our visit to the Scouts really did go OK (adult humans are polite which means they say nice things even if they don't really mean it, but human puppies always tell it like it is), and to get a little girl not to be scared of dogs was great.

White Lodge Meet and Greet

posted by Mack at 19:29

It's the Christmas Meet and Greet season and today was the furst which was for White Lodge; Jess' mum, Tracy, had organised the day. We turned up to do the afternoon shift and luckily by then it'd stopped rainin', though it was still pretty cold; mind you - I was togged up in what dad calls my Arthur Daley coat so I was warm an' toasty.

Mack

Me

Despoite the fact it was a miserable day there was a fair few there, which was great to see.

Everyone

Assorted Crowds

When we turrned oop Jess came ova to say "Hi and thanks for comin'"; I've got a bit of a soft spot foor Jess; Rosie 'oweveer thought she was gettin' too close to 'er and 'ad woords, so that was moi chance gone.

Jess

Jess

After a bit some of the others went off foor their Christmas lunch leaving Jess and Lester, us and another very pretty lass called Jill, to do the stuff. Let me tell you a bit about Jill.

Jill

Jill

Jill is a very friendly lass to humans, and loike Oi said - very pretty, but put your nose anywhere near her and she'll tell yoo where to go; remoind you of anyone?

Later on our mate Morty turrned oop with his human Sarah. Durin' the afternoon they 'ad woords with Jill and soon she was happily standing next to Morty, so Oi reckon Jill and Rosie are the same; for some reason scared of other hounds 'til they get to know 'em loike. And just loike Rosie she needs to know that who ever she's with will loook after her so she doesn't 'ave to worry.

Anyway, back to the Meet and Greet. We need to say thanks to Aunty Linda who got us some chips - of which dad stole a fair few. Lucy wanted more, but there weren't any in the money bucket.

Lucy

Lucy

It got reeally daark about 4 o'clock so we decoided enough was enough. Despoite it being a cold and dark day £112.46 was raised for White Lodge, and quite a few leaflets had been given away to people thinking about giving a hound a home; that would make some-hound's New Year - a sofa of their own.

And thanks to Alison - Sol's mum - for the piccies.

Labels: Meet and Greet, White Lodge