After a flurry of last minute donations, the rescue goes quiet at this time of the year. Visitors and donations dwindle, but many more pets arrive, as people often abandon them at Christmas. We do have some wonderful souls who continue to volunteer in the various units and a team of voluntary dog-walkers who turn up whatever the weather to walk our sixty dogs.
In the wildlife unit, it’s mainly about the hedgehogs now. Over a hundred current residents will remain with us until late spring, with many more arriving over the winter months. We also have the usual range of birds, and unbelievably, a duckling recently arrived, goodness knows what that’s about!
This little guy is feeling sorry for himself given he’s lost most of his prickles. He’s being treated for ringworm, but will also be given zinc supplements to encourage spine re-growth.
There are always lots of ringworm cases. This guy is now recovering beautifully.
Yes…really!
The vast majority of hedgehogs are passive guests, but occasionally they bite, and when they do you sure know about it!
On the farm, the pigs have hunkered down in their barns, given they’re not fans of wind and rain.
Even the sheep are reluctant to venture out, preferring to be indoors, along with the chickens and ducks. The fields are like ghost towns at the moment…..how I wish the shops were!
Now there are only four days to go I shall get a wriggle on and buy some presents, or vouchers, as that reduces waste and excess packaging. There’s also a house in need of cleaning and food shopping to be purchased. Hopefully I’ll get there, I usually do. So, all that remains here, is for me to wish all of you, my dear readers, a very merry little Christmas. I hope you all have a good one!
And Finally….
the fabulous Barbara, from next door, has just popped round with the mince pies and banana loaf.
Mmmmmmmm
Thanks Jade. The little hog will hopefully be fine, but it will take a while for those spines to grow back. Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2020.xxx
Poor hedgehog! Hope it is recovering well now!
Such nice neighbbour of yours! Those pies and banana loaf look delicious!
Hope it is not too late to wish you and all your loved ones all the best this 2020 !
Dear Dina…I am late in wishing you a wonderful holiday season and of course a special 2020…good health and much creativity.
I. love all the shelter pics – the tree is superb:)
I send you and yours much love and hope we do see one another in 2020. Janet XXXXXX
Thanks Janet, the same to you and hopefully we’ll catch up again this year!!! Love and hugs.xxx
This post reminded me of a dog that we adopted many years ago in December. I remember the volunteer at the rescue organization telling me that people clean their homes for Christmas, and that sometimes includes getting rid of pets. How sad – though we ended up with a wonderful dog.
Glad to hear you ended up with a lovely dog. I’m always shocked seeing so many pets abandoned each Christmas. Unbelievable! Thanks Cheryl.xxx
Hello Dina ? (I think I know your name ? LOL)
Those are amazing pictures .. I have never seen a poor hedgehog without it’s spines .. I didn’t know they could go through that with ringworm .. poor little things but they can be feisty with the bites too ? LOL
I don’t think any animal enjoys bad weather like that .. I always worry about what animals are left in the cold here in Kingston .. we had a few nights when it was -20 .. it makes me so angry to think people are so thoughtless as to just push them out the door in that weather.
The best thing I have done for 2019 , for Xmas, is donate money to a charity that will buy a goat and a few chickens for a family in need in Africa (I think) I haven’t been told where, but World Vision is a reliable charity .. they have all sorts of animals to donate to make a little herd for needy families.
In any case .. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thanks for stopping by my very boring blog at this time of year !
Cheers !
Joy 😉
Dina it is! We have had a fair few spineless hogs over the years, sometimes it’s ringworm, but it can also be a zinc deficiency. Thankfully, both complaints can be treated. Oh goodness, -20 makes my eyes water, how do animals survive that? Your blog is wonderful!!! Thanks Joy. xxx
That’s a sad-looking hedgehog. Hope he feels better, and that you have a great Christmas. Enjoy the mince pies!
Yes, hogs do look so bereft without their spines, hopefully he’ll make a full recovery now he’s getting treated for his ailments. Thanks Jason.xxx
How can anyone just abandon a member of their family because they are an inconvenience. It’s disgraceful . Hope you are getting all your chores sorted.
Couldn’t agree more! Chores were sorted, I’m quite good at doing everything at the last minute. Thanks Sue.xxx
Good neighbors are the best 🙂 And thanks for sharing all the good work done at the rescue. Happy holidays!
Amalia
xo
Yes, you just can’t beat good neighbours. Thanks Amealia.xxx
I had no idea that the spiny things on hedgehogs are called prickles, and I certainly had no idea they could lose them. I know a few prickly people who could stand to lose a few — I wonder if we could find a way to accomplish that?
I’m going to be caring for a friend’s kitty the next few days. It’s not exactly rescue work, but it will allow them to take their dog and head off for a visit to family, and it will give me a chance to enjoy a kitty — provided she comes out from under the bed or out of the closet. Their house is so large, and she has so many hiding places, I may not see her the whole time I’m there, although I’m sure the food and water will disappear.
Speaking of food: those mince pies look delicious. I’m the only one of my family or friends who seems to enjoy mince pie — lucky you to have some landing on your doorstep. Enjoy them, and have a wonderfully merry Christmas!
We’ve had several hogs over the years who have lost their spines, it is a sad sight, hopefully this guy will make a full recovery. I know a few prickly people too….lol! Oh, I hope the kitty sitting went well and you got to spend some time with her. It’s funny with mince pies, it’s a little like marmite, people do love or hate them. Thanks Linda.xxx
I feel sorry for the sheep in the field across the road here in all this endless rain. They look thoroughly miserable. It’s a good thing they don’t live across the road from you. You’d be herding them all into your study along with the cat and any odd pigeon you have hanging around.
A hedgehog without prickles is a sad sight.
Happy Christmas dear Dina.
Oh….your poor sheep, they really don’t seem to like all this endless rain. I think hubs would draw the line at sheep!!! I tried that one years ago and he put his foot down. Lol. Yes, a spineless hog is awful, poor thing must feel so odd. Thanks Chloris.xxx
Have a great Christmas. Get back to the animals in 2020
Thanks Peter.xxx
I didn’t realize that your rescue cared for so many animals, and I certainly didn’t know that some hogs bite. Well done to all of you for the work you do.
The mince pies look delicious, so enjoy.
Thanks, and for you too. xx
We have two rescue centers, one here and one in North Wales. The welsh site cares for horses and ponies and has a cattery. The Liverpool one has a kennels, cattery, small mammal and wildlife unit and a farm. There is certainly a variety of animals. Thankfully, it’s only the odd hog that bites. Thanks Flighty.xxx
It will never cease to amaze me how people can just abandon their animals, thank goodness there are kind souls who volunteer to help. Awww, how cute is that poor spineless hedgehog, and a hog that bites, who knew? Wishing you a happy and peaceful Christmas.
You and me both re people abandoning their animals, utterly callous! The rescue is lucky, there is an army of volunteers who put so many hours in. I’m glad it’s pretty rare that hogs bite! Thanks Jo.xxx
You all do such worthwhile work at the animal rescue all the year around. Happy Christmas Dina. Have a wonderful time with your family! xxL
Thanks Linda. The rescue is lucky to have such dedicated staff.xxx
Thank you for all of your photographs allowing us a peek at the rescue. It is good to see and read about the continued good work that goes on 🙂
Those mince pies and banana loaf look delicious.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and all good things for 2020.
All the best Jan
Thanks so much Jan. Oh….those baked goods are wonderful! xxx
You sound busy, keep up the good work. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas.
Thanks Steph, lovely to hear from you. I hope all is well in your world.xxx
Spineless hoggy does definitely look bereft. He’ll soon look like a hog beau if your prime example is anything to go by. Lucky hog.
Your sheep are definitely softies. They’ve got great sheepskin coats to keep them cosy. Now if it were very warm, or excessively wet weather, I could understand the reticence to go out. That natural lanolin should be doing something useful for them.
The volunteers are a super group of people. Walkies and chatting to other animals must make for great socialising.
If you ever find out about wee ducky do let us know.
A very merry Christmas to you, hubby, young dad and mum plus grandbairn. Xxxxxxxx
The poor hog certainly is woebegone! Hopefully all will soon be well. I think the farm animals are sick to the back teeth of the endless rain. The rescue is so lucky to have so many dedicated volunteers, they are a fab group of people. It’s strange re the duckling, they shouldn’t be breeding at this time of the year. Thanks Menhir.xxx
Poor little bald hedgehog! I’d love to see an after photo when he recovers. Those mince pies look yummy! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas with Littl’urchin. xx
It’s sad seeing a hog without it’s coat, thankfully this guy will get all the care he needs. xxx
Have a lovely Christmas with your family Dina, …. especially with Grandbaby! Best wishes for all the rescue animals over the holiday period.
Thanks Gerrie. Hope you get to see lots of your grand in 2020.xxx
Oh, what a treat to see all these adorables being cared for, loved, and healing! Thank you again for all you do to heal the world!!!!
A very, very Merry Everything to you, dear Dina, and a new year crammed with joy and blessing!
Ahhh, thanks Kitty. Our staff are amazing, so dedicated! Hope you have a wonderful 2020.xxx
That poor hedgehog, it sounds like he is in the best place. I had no idea that they could lose their prickles, that must make them very vulnerable?
How wonderful to be bought baked goods by a neighbour, such a lovely gift I hope you enjoy them.
Wishing you a very merry Christmas too.
We’ve had several prickleless hedgehogs in over the years, yes, they have no defense without their spines so won’t be released until they have all grown back. It is lovely having a neighbour who bakes for us all throughout the year. Thanks Sustainable mum.xxx
I can use empathy (to the limit of understandable since I am human and the hedgehog is a hedgehog) 🙂 losing my hair was my most horrendous misfortune.
Now I cut them short to touch my shoulders… and I feel… naked! My baby girl did the same, but since she had a thick “forest” of hair, she donated them to an association that makes wigs for people with cancer and chemotherapy….
We both now have the same hairstyle LOL!
An affectionate hug and best wishes for a peaceful holiday to the whole family
claudine
Oh goodness, I had no idea you had lost your hair! What an awful experience. How lovely that your daughter cut her hair in empathy! Thanks Claudine. Love and hugs to all.xxx
Wow, I wish I had a baking neighbour … I am rubbish at it!
Enjoy your Christmas holiday, Dina. Hugs xx
Thanks Gill. I’m no baker either!xxx
Oh that poor prickleless hedgehog!
Merry Christmas all and enjoy those mince pies.
Thanks Jess.xxx