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Hello Friends

The support of your lovely cards and gifts arriving at Christmas, put many smiles on my face and even more meals and treats into tummies.        

My heartfelt gratitude that you care and - as you always do - make a difference for the sanctuary residents. Thank you.

Do they know it’s Christmas ? No, not the song, though sorry if that’s now an earworm you’re singing along to ! The lead up to Christmas for many people is ridiculously busy and stressful and I’m very lucky not to have the pressures that so many families do; however every year it surprises me just how chaotically busy life gets in December. Naturally the Christmas winter newsletter is time sensitive - there’s no point sending that out in January, so it has to be done on time - but as a friend said, “the animals don't know its Christmas !”

I was pleased to reach Christmas Day and pause for a few days, taking ‘time off’ from charging about, and sitting with a cuppa, book, snacks and a sanctuary full of contently snoozing animals was bliss.

The crucial task of buying the winter bulk food order is now a joy, with the ability to stock up. The photos below show some of the gifts received or bought from your donations, and I think you’ll agree that the resulting state of our food shed, after Andrew had  unpacked a LOT of boxes, is a wonderful sight. This will take us safely through possible shortages or being snowed in during the winter months of the new year, and I know the animals will be fed. And yes, the freezer is full of human food for me too !

Sad news just before Christmas, when dear old Ruby cat died aged 15. In the early days here, before the cat proof fencing, Ruby would be first to greet visitors as they got out of their cars … and taught many  people that you don’t pick up cats just because they like to be stroked ! She is another gap on my lap, bed, and in life; and - I fear - other golden oldies are having age catch up with them this year too.

The gorgeous card on the front page of this newsletter that I received at Christmas, pretty much echoed my New Year’s Eve too: it was another opportunity to have some time off - again with a book, nibbles and a fire - and a lap full of cosy cuddles ...                                         

   … Sparkle, Twiggy and Broom.         

There is a website that has video showing live footage of the night sky so I enjoyed a visit to Iceland ( from my armchair ) to watch the Aurora Borealis / Northern Lights swirling around - amazing to see.

As I write this, Nikki is still pottering on, though sadly I can see that her time left is limited with her age problems increasing. Recently she had an ulcer on her eye, and I was surprised when our vet suggested a contact lens for her !The lens has made a huge difference for Nikki as it appears to make it feel more comfortable while it is healing; though I’ve yet to master the art of putting a new one in so we pop off to the vets for one of the nurses to do. One of her old age perks ( she is 18 ) is doing a ‘pre-wash’ of a cat dish before she eats her own dinner. Here she is sharing meaty crumbs with Broom, and then my armchair with Rosa.

 A sad update is that dear Nikki died in February - fifteen and a half years after she arrived aged 3. I clearly remember our first meeting when I collected her from the vet kennel. Thanks to our marvellous vet asking us if we could take her, the owner had signed her over to us instead of having her euthanized due to her behaviour. With typical terrier attitude - pretending that nothing bothered her- Nikki charged out to me and her new life; while in fact underneath the bravado she was a scared little girl who had learnt to use her teeth to defend herself. The house is very quiet now without her demanding yaps commenting on life, and she was the last dog here that knew Jacky as she arrived 6 months before Jacky’s death. Sleep peacefully little girl.

Taxi at 15 years, is happy in her senility thankfully; but she’ll go to the lounge door to go out, I’ll open the door, and she will change her mind and turn back in ... or if outside, turn around and trot back up the field when I open the door. As she is deaf, there’s no point calling her, so I have to wait until she turns to look and I can wave at her ... or go and get her of course.

Update on Peter’s pair ( patron; Peter Egan ) otherwise known as Heather and Marsh. They are neutered and will remain as sanctuary residents. They do come to me to be stroked, but as soon as I approach them or try to pick them up, they are off like a rocket ! As many here have similar issues they fit right in; but like all cats they love warmth and here are seen discovering the joy of our fire.

Little Dinky dog arrived with an attitude that earned him the nickname of “Piranha”. Yes - he leaps up to nip anyone ( except me ) who tries to stroke him ! Recently, his bad teeth meant he needed a dental, but he managed to be a good boy at the vets ( was sedated before I left him ) and returned with fewer teeth, but still with the main ‘piranha’ ones should he feel the need ! He recovered extremely well - animals can be incredibly resilient - and is asleep on my armchair with me as I write this.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

This is life indoors with all the furry paws…

The latest fencing update is that Broom continues to challenge Andrew & me by being exceptionally athletic and clever at finding any vulnerable areas. We continue to problem solve the cat version of It’s a Knockout if you remember that television game show….and yes, I have thought of greasing poles !

In the last newsletter I shared a couple of “hay cat” photos with Iris and Broom in the opened box of guinea-pig hay. I’m currently sitting in my armchair with a cuppa before getting on with admin, and Iris has just landed on my lap    smelling beautifully of fresh hay … lovely And much better than the previous cat lap visitor which was Broom, who arrived with cold and soaking wet paws, letting me know that he’d been out and would now like to use me as a warm grooming spot for a wash and brush up !

Here are a couple of the outdoor local wildlife. -  a roe deer in the lane, and close up of fox ears.

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We will be at Chaldon Village Fete as usual on Bank Holiday Monday in August, but not at Caterham Carnival this year. Items suitable for tombolas are gratefully received please.

Calling the Tadworth lady ! I’m so sorry but I have lost your details - please get in touch so I can collect from you.

Easyfundraising, at no cost to you, and Amazon when you use the sanctuary wishlist, both continue to help the residents here, thank you. 

  Click logo to go to page         Click logo to go to page

We continue to collect used stamps, and now also collect ( used or full ) Ink cartridges ( not Epson please ).     

Your monthly standing orders / Paypal, ad-hoc donations and  ongoing support, is always appreciated and put to good use, thank you so much.

And so, with your invaluable help, fourteen years after Jacky left me to continue her legacy - knowing that it was what I needed in life as much as the animals - our sanctuary continues to give peace and security to those who have found their way to our door.

With enormous gratitude and purrs and woofs from all of us,

Liz & Furries

All images used, are either my own ( photos, logo ), are credited or available freely on the internet.