Tag Archives: Godmanchester

Aug 10 2012

Dog Blog – Loving Lenny the Labrador / Rottweiler Cross

Unfortunately I have not been able to visit any gorgeous dogs at Wood Green, The Animals Charity recently, due to attempt at Olympic Loft Falling as per earlier blog post.

So, off I went to meet Lenny. Lenny is a Labrador Rottweiler Cross, one of the members of staff there said he looks like he has Collie in him too, he is adorable!

I had already seen him on YouTube doing an mini- agility course, he is uber intelligent and apparently does anything for food, in the form that he can be trained easily to do an agility course with just a treat in your hand.

I fed him some treats through the bars, before taking him for a walk, just as a brief bonding session, he was taking the small treats from my fingers with ease, again, similar with Bouncer, I was apprehensive about feeding from hand, but as much as I could feel his teeth taking treat it was done in a very gentle way.

What I did find really sad were the 2 couples that viewed him while I was feeding him treats, the first looked and said he did not look ‘rottweiler enough’ , the second couple said he did not look ‘labrador enough’ – this really bothered me, Lenny was gorgeous, with a personality to match. I wanted to scream at these people… I had not even taking Lenny for a walk and I was sold.

He was a treat to walk, happy to greet other dogs and humans, while walking at our sides the whole time, never pulling on the lead.

Lenny is a dog that would suit a family with a large garden, he would enjoy lots of exercise, I can imagine you could walk him for days and he would still be happy to walk some more, so this is why a large garden would be of use as he could exercise himself, however he would still need at least 2 twenty minute walks a day.

Lenny is a very intelligent dog, to save him from boredom the staff at Wood Green give him a box at night time, filled with cardboard and treats, he enjoys pulling the box apart to find the treats.

The strange thing about Lenny is why no-one has taken him home… there has been no interest in him for 1 month now.

With Harry he used to sit at the back and not come to the front to see people and sell himself, JoJo was stressed so in a seperate room so not seen so much and then there’s Bouncer, he was a scruffy dog, and some people love this, but unfortunately some people don’t.

Lenny has been at Wood Green since May, he is just over 1yrs old and has plenty of love to give so come on…. Lets Find Him a Home!!!

If you can not offer Lenny a home then perhaps you know someone that can, if so forward this blog post to them, he’s an adorable guy and just wants some cuddles and fun (don’t we all!)

As always, please click here to see photos of all the other lovely pets I saw at Wood Green, The Animals Charity

Jan 27 2012

Sponsored Zumbathon

I am organising a Sponsored Zumbathon, with Huntingdon Rotaract. It is taking place on Sunday 5th February 9am – 6pm (half days available). Raising money for Wood Green, The Animals Charity!

What is Zumba?

Zumba is the only Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music, created by Grammy Award-winning producers, and contagious steps to form a “fitness-party” that is downright addictive.

What is a Zumbathon?

Take the above and times it by 4hr or 8hrs (your choice) and you have a Zumbathon!

What is Wood Green?

Wood Green is an English animal welfare charity. The charity was founded in 1924 as a response to the number of animals abandoned on London’s streets. There are three shelters with Godmanchester being the Headquarters.

The shelter rehomes a variety of animals including dogs, cats, field animals such as goats and horses, and small animals such as rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs. The charity has been affected by the Financial crisis of 2007-2009, with increasing numbers of dogs and cats abandoned by owners who do not have enough money to look after them. They also are one of a few animal charities that operate a euthanasia policy for aggressive or ill animals.

What is the Event?

You can take part on a half day (9am – 1pm or 2pm-6pm for £10) or a full (9am – 6pm with 1hr break for £15), you will be taught by a trained instructor, who will ensure you have a great time throughout. You’ll get fit, laugh, smile and have fun - all for a great cause.

How can I get involved?

Just email huntsrotaract@yahoo.co.uk to book your space, saying the times you want to do and who you are bringing (if anyone) and it’s all done! You will then be sent full details, a sponsor form and your waiver form – easy peasey!

 

Oct 9 2011

Wood Green Animal Shelter, Godmanchester

I used to go here all the time as a child, during the Summer Holidays it was a cheap day out for the family… free entrance, nothing to pay for (but maybe an ice-cream) and it kept me and my sister entertained for hours, if not whinging for hours after for a dog / cat / rabbit of our own (maybe that was why we got the ince-cream, as bribery?)

For those of you that do not know, Wood Green Animal Shelter, is a place where strays / unwanted pets and also those that the owner is no longer able to look after. Then the public can then visit for free and, if they want, purchase a pet after Wood Green Representatives check that you are a suitable pet owner.

I went there last week, the weather was lovely, the sun was shining and my friends and I went for a picnic. There is a picnic area by the dog pond, some shaded by trees, some not. It’s a lovely place to have a picnic and gossip about the latest goings on – as girls often do!

Then my friend came down for the weekend and I felt we could go there for the day, a nice wander round, weather was not as great, but there were inside areas where we were protected from the bad weather. We had a lovely time, we saw the small animals first (stated small but some of the rabbits were HUGE). I was shocked to see that they currently have 134 rabbits looking for new homes, that is such a huge amount!

We then went to see the dogs, and they had LOTS of Rottweilers, these are not my favourite dog, and they do scare me a bit. So we were walking along, looking at all the dogs, looking at their names, and their ages and the story behind them and it was really lovely, then my friend stopped at a dog and I kept going, and there was this gorgeous Tan and White Dog, 11months old, immediately interested in me, came up to bars, climbed up to see me, licked my hand and it was adorable. It was a Rottweiler Cross and it was adorable, I immediately fell in love, then it was trying to bite it’s way through the bars to get closer to me and then it started crying… it was so painful to watch, this poor, beautiful, young dog. My friend came and gave it attention, and it loved the attention, and I wish, with all my wishes I could have given it a home as this is the first dog I have ever seen that I fell completely in love with, and I never through the dog I would fall for was a Rottweiler of any type. It was heart-breaking to walk away, leaving it crying.

Then we went to see the gorgeous cats, they used to have them in 4 large cages, you could go in and sit on a bench and they would sit on your lap, now they have them in individual compartments and you see them through glass, it’s not the same, and I am sure it was done for health and safeth reasons and not to spread disease, but I am sure more cats were sold previously, when everyone got the cat that fell in love with them!

Then we went to see the goats and sheep and then over to some beautiful horses.

It was a lovely day out, my friend had not been there before and he claims that he enjoyed himself, and I did too. Apart from the Picnic Area you can also go to the Cafe / Restaurant and there is a Gift Shop too, so plenty to do to entertain you all day.

They are desperately seeking donations of Newspapers, Bedding, Dog Toys, etc along with Volunteers so if you have any of the requested items, or spare time then drop them a line, I am sure they would be more than grateful.

Huntingdon Rotaract have done a collection for them, which was fantastic fun. We stood outside Huntingdon Tesco, dressed as a dog (their fancy dress outfit) collecting for them. We were thanked so gratefully, and all helpers got certificates, it felt great to have helped them, and we were really warmed by their thanks.

We have also done newspaper collections for them, which filled my car to the brim, and again they were really grateful for these.

If you want a pet – Why noy try Wood Green Animal Shelter?

Have you been there before? What do you think?