Another trip to San Francisco ... now I've discovered the Marriott Waterfront hotel I find I get quite sad when I have to leave. I've been fortunate to get a room overlooking the bay every time I've stayed here and the early morning views as the sun rises are wonderful. The light changes so much every day and throughout the day. I don't think I'll ever tire of staying here. It makes me long to live by the sea... something I can't see me ever being able to achieve, but I'll still hold onto the dream of maybe one day.

Effie

Meet the lovely Effie. Her previous owner had left her tied up outside from just 2 months old. She'd had to survive outside all over the winter, but was eventually handed over to the owner's neighbour who signed her over to SLR (Southern Lurcher Rescue). I volunteered to foster her and she came to stay with me and my dogs until a new home was found.

It wasn't long before there was some good news. I had recently done a home check for Katie here in Reading who was interested in my previous foster, Dottie, but she was already set to go to another home. I contacted Katie to tell her I was fostering a new young bitch and arranged to take Effie to see her and her husband. She was very happy to meet them and very gentle with their very elderly greyhound, Ben. After doing a sleep-over with them a week later they fell in love with her and she is going to live with them on 9 September, when Katie is back from her adventure holiday in Columbia.

Effie is such a sweet-natured little girl. Despite her harsh start in life she is a happy, friendly and loving girl. She is loving playing with Alice but I have to restrict them as much as I can so that she doesn't learn to play too rough and end up knocking Ben over - he's very frail. She deserves to have a loving home where she can play and explore and be fussed over. She's going to make them very happy and be much-loved. I'll miss her lots but the sadness at having to say goodbye will be tempered by knowing how happy she will be... and hopefully I'll get to see her again for walks before too long.

Hugs and kisses sweet little Effie!

Sad time

Chris's brother, Steve, died yesterday. Four months after being diagnosed with liver cancer. It's a sad time.

Lenny

I watched Claire's video of Lenny's holiday in Walberswick today... it brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes.

He's so special. I wish I could have kept him. It's one of the most difficult things about fostering... the ones that totally capture your heart. I just hope there aren't many that do that.

Summer

I love the seasons we get in the UK, especially spring and the summer. But they go so quickly. It's nearly the end of July now and I'm thinking about what I have planned for November. I wish it were possible for me to live more in the moment. I tried that this year by taking some days off to give me long weekends during May and June, but I still find that the days go too quickly and before I know it it's nearly August and that means just a few more weeks before the best part of summer is over. I know that some people love autumn but I love May and June and I'm wistful every year when those months have gone.

I think there's something wrong with me.... I've said I'll take in another Lurcher pup when I know it's a bad idea. I'm a sucker for an unwanted Lurcher. I may be posting about Patchy soon!

Blog on my website

Just worked out how to add my blog to my redsnapper website. I had to play around with the css in order to get it centred on the page and also the blog settings so as to restrict the number of posts that are listed. I think it looks good. I know there are other things you can do to get the blog inserted into a personal website but I'm OK with how this looks. I'm adding this post in order to see how easy it is to add to the blog from my website. I can see this so it works!

Dottie

Dottie came to stay on 5 July. She is the sweetest-natured little girl I've ever had. She was saved by a couple in Finchampstead when they heard that the RSPCA were going to have her put to sleep. SLR stepped in and I offered to foster her. Unfortunately a week later, on the 11th, she came into season  just before she was due to go in for spaying. This is my first time with a bitch in season and it's not been easy. She's goading Comet all the time and he keeps mounting her so it's been a case of watching them all the time and quite often having to keep them confined to different spaces. Although Comet has been neutered I still have the awful worry in the back of my mind that something might have gone wrong and Dottie will end up being pregnant. Alice has suddenly decided she hates her and runs away from her with her with her tail between her legs. I wonder if it's because she is in season.... I'll have to look online to see if this could be the problem.

She's due to meet her potential new family tomorrow, Monday 27 July. I will miss her lots as she is so affectionate, but this family with two young children sound ideal for this happy, gentle, fun-loving little girl.

Good luck Dottie!!!