A self-portrait from this afternoon, when the sky went blue and this vaguely familiar, bright thing appeared! I could probably count the number of photographs of myself that I like, on one hand (maybe two). This photo is definitely one I’ll treasure. I’m very grateful to Susannah Conway too, because I am not sure I would have taken this had I not been doing one of her wonderful e-courses.

Me with one of my darling dogs.

Then I saw a tag made for humans, which can be worn as a pendant and I HAD to have one of those! I ordered the pendant a few weeks ago and it arrived today and I love it. It’s a beautiful design, with a nice feel and weight. I ordered mine in a silver colour.

I asked Paula if it would be possible to include seven names, which thankfully worked as a couple of the dogs have short names! I love that it features all the dogs my husband and I have adopted together. Sadly a few of the dogs named are no longer with us, so its arrival brought a few tears to my eyes, but I am so glad I was able to include them all

I shall be back to order the dogs some tags when I’ve made up my mind!

Happy Gotcha Day darling boy xxx

Oldies Club is delighted to have been selected as one of four registered charities in a May facebook competition run by Animal Friends each month. The charity with the most votes at the end of May will win £5,000, which would make a tremendous difference to Oldies Club and the gorgeous older dogs it cares and finds new homes for.

So, if you are a facebook user and can spare approximately 30 seconds, would you please click HERE and vote for Oldies Club? You just need to click on the link, approve the app, select Oldies Club and vote! It really is very quick and easy and your support would be really appreciated

It is very sad to think of all the dogs who lose their homes during their older age and Oldies Club does an amazing job of helping some of these older dogs by taking them into foster homes, caring for them and providing any veterinary treatment needed, while they are assessed for a new home. The charity takes in older dogs from all sorts of different situations and also lists many older dogs in the care of other UK rescues, via its website, free of charge, to support the general adoption of older dogs.

Those who have been following this blog for a while will know that our darling Jasper was an Oldies Club boy and we are eternally thankfully that the charity was there to take him in when he was due to be put to sleep. He was an incredible dog and was just one of many oldies the charity has saved.

Thank you,

Angela and Mr Moo, aged 13 and a quarter …

I wasn’t able to visit the local rescue centre this week, so I looked closer to home for this assignment. I photographed the collars worn by two of our much missed dogs.

Once they were gone, their collars were something I could still hold. This brought some comfort amongst the pain. Though how I wish they could be filled once more, with the fur and energy of my loved ones. Each dog is a unique soul and each is missed tremendously.

Although I am comforted by my husband and our remaining dogs and the kind words of others, I certainly feel loneliness as part of the loss. An enormous sense of self-inflicted loneliness that I could not live my life without.

Loneliness is one of our greatest dreads. Most of us have felt it. Most of us have feared it ~ Mind.

Taken yesterday – yes, we have had some sunshine in short bursts, amongst all the rain!

I’m taking part in the 52 HeARTs creative project, which involves a different assignment each week. This week’s is Friendship. This photograph sums it up perfectly for me. Two girls, two rescue dogs, such great friends, chilling out together. Friends. Sisters. Precious ones.

Star is a very handsome Greyhound who is in the care of Bath Cats & Dogs Home and looking for his forever home. He is currently Old Dog of the Week at Oldies Club so you can read all about him by clicking HERE.

Star is a nine year old Greyhound, who could live with children aged 12+. He would like to be the only pet in his new home. His carer told me:

Star lives up to his name; he really is a little star. Friendly to any person who wants to say Hello to him, although very loyal to his close friends, he bonds for life. He is a typical greyhound type and would adore a sofa to call his own. He loves cuddles and affection, and loves to lean into your leg.

He does lunge at dogs on the lead, but he has a very dedicated volunteer dog walker who, alongside us, has done a lot of training with him, and he is coming on in leaps and bounds. We need a home for him where new owners have the time and commitment to continue his training.

He recently had a day trip with me, and he was fantastic. He was brilliant at travelling in the car. I took him to meet my Grandma (she is 83 now!), and he was so gentle in the house with her. The first thing he did, after having a hug from her, was to immediately leap on the sofa, where he stayed snuggled up on my lap.

Star finds kennel life stressful, so I am desperate to find him a new loving home. He totally deserves it. I can’t put into words how much I love him and what an amazing dog he is.

Star was very happy to have a bit of a play with the Safestix and football

but settled into a spot of posing for us too and relaxed for a fuss

and enjoyed a roll around in the grass

He was very pleased to see his carer, who is wonderful with all the animals in her care.

He rather liked the tuna cake too …

If you have had a read through the information on the above links and think you could offer a loving and suitable home for Star, please contact Bath Cats & Dogs Home directly. Please let them know that you saw Star at Poochie Freak

Good luck Star, I really hope you find your forever home (and sofa!) very soon. You certainly deserve to.

Ollie is in the care of Bath Cats and Dogs Home while he waits for his forever family.

He has a lovely relationship with his animal carer, as you can see in these photos of the two of them and would really love to find his very own special person/people.

The rescue describes Ollie as a fantastic dog, who is friendly and affectionate. He is initially shy and can be a bit wary with strangers for a few minutes, but after that will be happy to be stroked for as long as you want to stroke him!

Indeed, he was very happy to receive attention from me shortly after meeting him, though of course a new owner will need to take time to build up to the loving bond he has with those he’s most familiar with

Isn’t he gorgeous? Have to admit he reminds me a little of Scooby Doo!

One thing I observed in the time we spent together, is how much Ollie loves his special person and how much he enjoys attention from them. He did have a play with the toys in the paddock, but he was also keen to settle down and have a fuss. I gather he is rather fond of home comforts, hence his affectionate Stripey Sofa Hound title

Ollie is described as a very obedient lad who is fine to be left for short periods. He will curl up in his chair and await your return, without being destructive.

Ollie arrived with his brother, who has since been homed, but poor Ollie is still waiting for a special home where he can enjoy his freedom. He is a super dog who just wants a home of his own. Please don’t pass him by.

Ollie really deserves a chance of a home life again as all he wants to do is please you. He does not show himself off well in his kennel when strangers approach as he is frightened and stressed by kennel life, as many dogs are. Please, if you are interested in adopting him, ask to meet him away from his kennel so that you can see the lovely boy he is

The rescue says Ollie is a very calm dog, except when you get out his toys – he absolutely loves to retrieve squeaky toys, balls, frisbies etc. and he will keep going with his tail in the air until he gets tired, where he will then want to lie down and chew his toys.

Ollie is seven years old and has been waiting for over four years now. He is looking for an active but calm and quiet adult-only household. He has not been socialised very much with dogs or cats and must be rehomed as the only pet.

Isn’t he gorgeous? I was admiring his beautiful collar too, which is from Melrose & Mutt, which also kindly donated goodies to help Oldies Club recently He has a rather grand quality to him, I think. I can imagine him living on a country estate and strolling around the grounds with his new owner

If you are interested in offering Ollie a forever home and feel you can provide a loving and suitable environment, please contact Bath Cats & Dogs Home directly. Please let them know that you saw Ollie at Poochie Freak

Ollie is just one of many dogs waiting for a second chance. Best friends are found in rescue. I know mine have been