I was going down for the third time My heart was broken, I thought that loving you was out of the question Then I saw my reflection Saying please don't let this go
Tell me, I guess that cupid was in disguise That day you walked in and changed my life I think it's amazing The way that love can set you free
So now I walk in the midday sun I never thought that my savior would come I think it's amazing I think you're amazing
The "haters" have done it to me again darlin....but I'm over it now. Steve gave me a big hug and said, "I wish you wouldn't let people upset you so easily." But you know..and I hope that maybe you do, your so precious to me. I don't understand why someone who I have invited into my home would think it appropriate to slag you off when they know what you mean to me. And they do know, because I took the time to explain it all to them once on a long car journey. What she said was hurtful to me, cut like a knife, but I was good, I said, "Let's not go there...please, best we don't go there today." Steve understands what you mean to me, and knowing how sensitive I am he changed the subject. But why do these people do it?..is it fun to them? In their shoes I'd respect the other persons feelings and shut up...but heho..we are not all the same it seems, some of us seem to get a kick from hurting others!
Well let me tell you people It's an easier affair Not livin' my life with other people on my mind No, got nothing to hide from anyone 'Cos i'm walking on new air Just living my life Better believe i'm gonna get what's mine See I don't have the time for the haters
who along with his mum and sister, was a stray kitten at a Garden Centre before he came here to live with us.
Most of you know that my official work title is “Cattery Manager” of Freshfields Animal Rescue (North Wales Branch) Though most of the time with only 3 cattery staff I feel like a general dogsbody, but this week was different….and I’ve had a horrible week!
Last year 4 semi-feral kittens came into the rescue centre. A white male was quickly re-homed but his black brothers and dark tortie sister where proving to be harder to rehome. As they turned 6 months they where neutered and moved from the kitten unit into the main cattery. From then on their characters really improved. I suppose they where seeing so much more and having the contact necessary to help them on their way through life. That’s when Felix arrived, he was a lovely chap and was put into the pen next door to them. Within a week Felix had gone down with flu and of course the babies got it. By now christened Fitz and Freddie they boys where much worse than tortie Jenny: within days she was back o her feet causing chaos and was lucky to find a loving home. Fitz also recovered quickly but little Freddie was struggling. The antibiotics prescribed by the vet help and he showed some improvement.
That was 2 months ago. Yesterday Freddie was put to sleep. I have struggled and cried and prayed that little man would find some strength to survive but yesterday I had to make the decision that it was time to say goodbye to little Freddie. His Kidney where failing and there was some liver damage, he had become jaundiced and the flu like symptoms had returned. The little man no longer had the quality of life he deserved , he was loosing the battle and I had to help him. Today I’m gutted! Freddie never had the chance of a normal life, he lived within the confines of a cattery. He never felt the sunshine on his coat, he never caught a mouse and never sat on anyone’s lap in front of a fire. But little Freddie was loved and he has left a lasting impression on my heart.
So why are you reading this here? Why Not? It has helped me to write it down and if it makes one person do the right thing then I’ve achieved something in the memory of little Freddie. Think about it: Get your female cats spayed and please god neuter the males. After all think of all those litters one male can sire in a year. (and of course FIV-The Feline Aids Virus is now prevalent) All those little kittens, do they deserve to spend their lives as “unwanted” in a rescue cattery or worse still scavenging through bins to feed their own by now unwanted feral kittens?
In one year we have hundreds of cats and kittens at Freshfields, varying in ages from 6 days to 16 years. Can we not all as animal lovers do our bit to try and improve the situation and give cats like Fitz who is still “Waiting,” but now alone, the chance of a perfect life! written in 2006
OMG..Now are you sitting comfortably? My acquaintance known here as Anna saw George on X Factor...Anna said she didn't realise George could sing like that, and he came over as a nice man...Yes actually she quite liked him! OMG no wonder it's snowing!!! Mind you I kind of gathered she didn't know her arse from her elbow when she previously heard a heavy rock song and said, "listen Rhian, your kind of music!"
Please let me try to I can heal the pain Won't you let me inside Whenever you want me You know that i will be Waiting for the day That you say you'll be mine
For the second day in a row, I was lying there in that chair with my mouth open...(don't be rude!!!) The fear worse than the pain that had by now been numbed. A conscious decision to remove my mind from my body took me to a better place. My thoughts again turning to you. Thank you for helping me through another bad day, thank you, you again helped "Heel The Pain" for me.
Why, when I'm a 41 year old "supposedly" mature woman can this man still make me go to pieces? A TV appearance from him and I have a million butterfly's in my stomach, my heart is pounding so loud I'm sure Steve can hear it from the other side of the room. My palms are sweating and I'm shaking like a leaf. What is this hold he has on me? I wish someone could explain it to me because I'm damned if I understand it! Would I change it? Never, not in a million years. Would I change him? Hell No, I love my bad boy, all the complexes and controversies make him who he is and I adore him. Life is certainly interesting being a George Michael fan.
At Work I care for hundreds of kittens in one season, I often think..aww I could live with you, but never do anything about it. (Last one I bought home was Tia in 2003)But this little fellow just got to me. I burst into tears and just couldn't put him down, I had to bring him home. He was not the most glamorous kitten I've seen this year, but for some reason this little man stole my heart in just 2 minutes.
....Well almost! And what a year it's been. Asha and Mikey are both growing into lovely outgoing young adults and are having a successful show career. I'm proud of both of you Crufts here we come!
A friend who I simply know as Whisper once told me that I write beautiful tributes for my dogs, but that I should try writing for the living and not just the dead…so, mad, bad, scary Whisper, where ever you are now… here goes….
My Amazing Louis
Louis arrived in the world sometime during the sweltering heat of 21st of July 2003. The first litter for us since 2000, 7 boys and 1 girl where born to our beautiful Krizzie.
I quickly got over the disappointment of the only bitch in the litter being a long coat and decided that I would keep a male…after all Daddy Jay was a really handsome chap!
Two of the boys where long coated but the other five where pretty equal in quality, but 2 kept catching my eye. Tom was the biggest pup in the litter and Jerry the smallest.Tom was indeed a very promising masculine young man, but something about little Jerry excited me. I loved his charisma, his presence, his attitude and his very cuddly nature. But still uncertain of my facts two champ show judges came to visit the litter and to help me pick the pup with most “show potential.” Both picked Tom, with one placing Nat in second place and Jerry in 3rd place. So I was wrong then…or was I?
8 month old Louis with Mummy Krizzie and Daddy Jay
Over the next few days my heart argued with my head, I tried to focus on Tom and not look at little Jerry. But with tears in my eyes one morning I told Steve how I felt about Jerry, he said “well keep him then. If you make a mistake then it’ll be your own mistake.” It was like a weight lifted off my shoulder…the conformation I needed…Yes I would keep little Jerry, he would become Blanik Excentrik, my Lovely Louis.
The little man charmed me but over the next few months I would cry and worry so much over my little friend. Louis was never really any trouble, he loved the world and saw no harm in anyone or anything…a trait which has stayed with him till this day. But Louis had no interest in food, he would go on hunger strike for as long as 36 hours at a time. The more I worried and stressed the less he ate, so the more I worried. He was still also very small, and didn't seem to be growing....so I cried. But how would he ever grow if he didn’t eat? I persuaded Steve to make me a measuring stick, big mistake I became obsessive about measuring him, this weekly ritual became almost a daily one! But Louis didn’t care, he was just a such happy chappy!
What a Star-2nd in Limit at WELKS 2008
When he was 6months old he measured only 55cm at the wither, I decided to take him to visit the vet for a check up. She assured me that there was nothing wrong with him, he was just small and I had to like it or lump it! So I cried…again, and by now I was even starting to bore my myself so it must have been awful for those around me!In January when he was just 6months old I took him to a canine society show….he was last in a GSD Graduate class and with his size I could see why. I remember standing outside the ring and telling a friend, look that man, he is talking about Louis. (He was a GSD judge visiting the show) With my frame of mind being low at the time I thought he was simply pulling him to pieces, my heart was heavy, again I could have cried, and probably almost did! But later in the day the same man approached me and said, “you have a lovely puppy here, lovely head and colour, great coat, great body shape and a fantastic outgoing character, but…” yeah you know what's coming… “I would worry about the size, I do hope he grows for you, he’s the nicest puppy I’ve seen in a long time.” After my initial disappointment I came home with a little hope in my heart. When he was 10 months old this same judge offered to buy Louis from me, though I was flattered there was no way I would part with him. And two years later I gave him the chance to put his money where his mouth was, I enterd Louis under him at a show, he gave him Best Of Breed!
Importantly though, through-out all of my early worries, one thing never ever changed. I loved the bones of Louis and would never, ever have parted with him. I have never, not for one minute regretted my decision to keep him. He is my prince charming, My Mr Amazing, and now following in his grandmothers footsteps he is my very special friend . At 7 months Louis was 59cm and as an adult he has made 62.5cm. Actually, closer to the correct size than many a male that stands next to him in the show ring. At 8 months old he gained his first Best of Breed and by the end of the year he was joint 7th top winning German Shepherd Male Puppy being unbeaten in all his breed puppy classes both at Championship and Open shows level. I think the highlight for me was when Louis went Best Puppy Dog at Three Counties Champ show under Gary Gray. Wow.. What a ride we had that year… and the little man loved every moment of it!
As he grew older Louis
gained more friends, or maybe they where just a lap to sit on. Many a time he
has embarrassed me and sat on a strangers lap at a show..after all he can’t
possibly sit on the floor! And though he is still little Louis to me, to most
other people he is an “Alsatian!” His enthusiasm and presence in the ring has
gained him many a first prize I’m sure, and his love of life will only enhance
his chances of winning.
When Tali was born in
January of 2005, no doubts Louis was initially put out by the presence of this
cheeky young lady in the pack, and to loose some of his mothers affection was
also a bit of a shock to him. But within no time he had accepted his little
sister, but thank god he did not join her in her mischief making. After Louis,
Tali was indeed a culture shock, the real puppy from hell!
Over the years in the show
ring Louis has continued to go from strength to strength, with numerous Best of
Breeds, Best In Shows and Champ show wins to his name. He has also achieved his
Bronze and Silver K.C Good Citizen Dog Scheme certificates. But now as he
approaches middle age he will unfortunately have to take a little step back for
the youngsters to get their foot in the door. I dread the show days when I have
to leave without him. He will be heartbroken as these are his “special” days
with me. It will surely be strange to come home from a show without the odd
Louis love-bite or two!
Sometimes I fear what is
ahead for me. The years creep up on us quickly and the pup is all too soon a
mature adult, and then frighteningly a veteran before we've even thought about
it. Sometimes now I look at Louis as he's growing his grey beard and I dread
the day when he will no longer be by my side. In a weak moment I hug him and
cry but then I know I can't let these thoughts ruin the years of love and fun
we hopefully still have left to share together.