There we all were, quietly getting on and doing 'our thing', when suddenly everything changed. People! Lots of people, big and small, and dogs too - all visiting for the Penny Jones Open Day! We all enjoy the PJ open days and we all know how important it is for people to visit and see us - but, in truth, as much as we do our best to enjoy it, we also get quite stressed. My Mum always says we are a little bit out of sorts the following day and it's not really surprising as our emotions have been on a roller coaster! The highlight of every open day has to be when we see old friends (ex PJ dogs) who have been adopted into homes - they always look so different and often with new names to go with their new home.
There were some very important guests at the open day. Of course everyone is important and some have travelled a very long way to visit - but there was a lady, some children and their families that My Mum especially invited. Allison is a teacher for Hospital & Home Tuition Service based in Carlisle and she held an art auction with art produced by some of the children. The auction raised a whopping £385 for PJAH and the funds will be bringing a special dog over to the UK from Macedonia. More about Sofia (the special dog) at a later date. Big thanks to Allison, the amazing children and their families, for all of their support.
It's a bit weired that dogs can come to UK from Macedonia - but are still not allowed from Romania. The travel ban is being reviewed on 9th July and I really hope the problems have all been sorted out and that Romanian dogs can travel again. It's been very quiet at PJ without the new dogs arriving but we still have plenty to do and My Mam has been keeping the SAS (Save Another Susie) funds safe, ready for when it can be used to pay for the Happy Bus when new dogs are allowed to travel from those (currently) banned countries.
PJAH has quite a few dogs reserved and waiting in Romania until the travel ban is lifted. Those dogs are in foster or safe in kennels and, wherever they are, PJ is supporting them by paying for their keep - your donations are still helping to save dogs and keep them safe, even though they haven't reached the UK yet. Big thanks for all of your support. Let's all send positive woofs & snuffles to each and every dog who is currently stuck abroad but dreaming of a new life in the UK.
Finally... I often wondered what RBU meant as My Mum mentions it occasionally - but now I know. Rescue Back Up. It's quite a rare event at PJ but, over the last few months, My Mum has been asked to take back a couple of ex PJ dogs that have found themselves needing to be rehomed. Rescue back up means that My Mum will do her best to help a dog that was originally rescued by PJ. RBU is very very important and it keeps dogs safe. (Am I wrong to be a teeny tiny bit disappointed that rbu doesn't mean 'Rabbit & Beef Unlimited'? Me 'n' Lilly came up with that...)
Bye for now,
love Toto x
