At
Karen O´Brien
Responsibility for Cats & Kittens, CAS Office Management
Mike O´Brien
Responsibility for all weekly Fund Raising, but will continue with annual events
Peter Thomsing Treasurer
At
Wendy Thorne
President of the Society - special responsibility for Dogs & Puppies.
(She will remain a member of the committee with drastically reduced participation)
Richard Thorne
Responsibility for supporting fund raising and accounting
The Executive Committee will thus consist of Jane Kirk, Vice President
This is not a tenable (nor a legal) situation for The Society.
The most important problem is to recruit a Treasurer.
Saturday 28th November
CAS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BALL
"GLITZ & GLAMOUR".
Hotel El Andaluz, Maro - 7.00 for 7.30pm
Welcome drink, Canapés, Choice of 3 course meal with wine, Coffee & liqueurs.
Entertainment with Mark Peters & Andy Time
Tickets €35
Make up a table of 10 or more to get 1 place free
Menu choice can be seen and selected in the CAS Office
Sunday 29th
Competa Quiz at La Roca, Competa.
Food available. Raffle & Prizes
7 for
This is a story of how a scruffy, frightened campo dog came into our lives and changed us all for ever.
We arrived in
Christmas came and went and we were all having a good time. No more serious rain or snow as in
Time passed and it was Easter week. That's when the "fun" started. I say fun, it was more of a nightmare. Up the hill from us is a finca that is being renovated and the owners go there weekly to do jobs. One morning we saw activity in the form of tiny puppies. We went to investigate and sure enough six black puppies with curly tails were on the run. The mother dog (Rosie) ran off every time we went near her and so we started to look after them. They looked about four weeks old or thereabouts and were scared of us. Apart from one which we called "The Bruiser" as she was the biggest one and the one who wanted to play. The others followed, if not straight away, but as the days went on they became a little braver. Rosie still would not come within 300 yards of us but watched us intensely from a distance.
One day the owner of the finca arrived and said he wanted the pups away and he would just take them and dump them. Not that he is an evil man but they were ruining his crops. I contacted CAS and spoke to Wendy. She arranged for us to collect a large cage from
One evening we were sorting out the pups and Rosie crept around the corner with her tail tucked between her legs. She looked at John, cried a simpering cry and plucked up enough courage to go over to him for a cuddle.
Apart from us feeding the pups we had been putting food out for Rosie which she devoured. She then started to come to us each time we tended to the pups. We did "puppy patrol" every 3 hours. Cleaning the cage, feeding, getting fresh water and letting them have a play. Six puppies playing is a handful and Rosie soon learned that she could trust us. She was so crafty that at one point she led the pups in a line down the hill to our house as if it was a safe haven. It was something like you would see in a Walt Disney film.
Wendy managed to arrange a foster home for two of the pups. There were four girls and two boys. We chose two girls. "The Bruiser" and the smallest one. The journey to the foster home went O.K. Only one pup was sick. Why do they have to be sick on each other’s head? I said I wouldn't cry when I handed them over, but guess what, I did!! Rosie didn't seem to bat an eyelid as I think six pups suckling was getting too much.
So now we were down to four. A little easier so we thought until the next day. Without us knowing, the cage door was faulty and the pups had escaped. We woke up to hear intense crying from a pup. That was it! PANIC! John went up the hill to try and find it and I stayed at the bottom to try and guide him as to where the cry was coming from. And there she was. She had slipped over the edge and was clinging on for dear life. John, not being a mountain goat, managed to climb up and grab hold of her. All the time Rosie was watching what was going on. The puppy was petrified but as soon as he got hold of her she snuggled up to him, licked his nose and wagged her tail. I know you must think this is made up but I promise you its not.
Another phone call from Wendy to say two more pups have to go to a foster home and could we take them to the vets. Needless to say "sick" was inevitable. Same thing, all over the head. Did I cry when I handed them over?
Too right I did.
So now we were down to two.The two boy pups. We then decided to bring the cage and pups down to our house. We had a shaded area near the garage and our two boys could not get to them. Rosie seemed a lot happier with this situation. We continued to do "puppy patrol" every 3 hours. Rosie then decided one day to lead the pups up the drive and into our garden so they could play on the grass. I was petrified as Charlie and Skipper were there. Now I must say that Charlie and Skipper are as soft as putty but it is always a worry as Rosie may have attacked the boys etc. etc. It turned out to be a big happy family although an exhausting one.
Rosie was loosing interest with the pups and usually left us to attend to them. So, when Wendy phoned to arrange for the last two pups to be fostered, she didn't seem to care. She let us take them and has never looked back. And yes….. I blubbed!!.
She sleeps in the house with Charlie and Skipper and considering she was a campo dog we have had no "accidents". We have bought a bigger bed for her as she has now grown into the most beautiful girl.
Our grandchildren have been to stay with us a couple of times. Evie is four and Freddie is one. Rosie loves them and they love her. If we go to the shops Rosie stays outside in her other bed as she thinks she is the "Guardia Civil" of the dog world and has to protect all of us.
They all get fed at 5pm and if we are running late Rosie goes into the utility room where the bowls are and reminds us that its food time.
Skipper has always been obsessed with playing ball, morning, noon and night. We've had 8 years of this and now Rosie has learned how to play and loves it. She is only 18 months old so a few more years of ball lies ahead.
CAS has been so helpful to us. It is unbelievable what they have to do and the volunteers are heroes.
We are so happy that we have Rosie in our lives. Considering four months ago she was a wild campo dog, she is the most loyal, sweet natured, non aggressive animal we have ever met and if anyone reading this is considering taking on board a stray animal we wish you well. In our case we couldn't have wished for a better dog. She has now been spayed, micro chipped, vaccinated etc and has settled in completely with us all. She has given a new lease of life to our boys and we wouldn't be without her.
Pam, John, Charlie, Skipper & Rosie
They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly.
I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.
But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt.. Give me someone to talk to.
And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.
But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed letter from his previous
owner.
See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.
For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls - he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he settled in
But it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to.
I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and "come" and "heel," and he'd follow them - when he felt like it. He never really seemed to listen when I called his name - sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey.
This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it, I could tell.
The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cell phone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the "damn dog probably hid it on me."
Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also found his pad and other toys from the shelter.. I tossed the pad in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But then I called, "Hey, Reggie, you like that? Come here and I'll give you a treat."
Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction - maybe "glared" is more accurate - and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down with his back to me.
Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought. And I punched the shelter phone number.
But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice.".........
_______________________________________
To Whoever Gets My Dog:
Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter.
He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time... it's like he knew something was wrong. And something is wrong... which is why I have to go to try to make it right.
So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.
First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hordes them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there.
Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after it, so be careful - really don't do it by any roads. I made that mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.
Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones - "sit," "stay," "come," "heel."
He knows hand signals: "back" to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and "over" if you put your hand out right or left. "Shake" for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five.
He does "down" when he feels like lying down - I bet you could work on that with him some more. He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.
I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog.
Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and again at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.
He's up on his shots. Call the clinic on
Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car - I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.
Finally, give him some time. I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially.
Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new.
And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you....
His name is not Reggie.
I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter,
I told them his name was Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I'd never see him again. And if I end up coming back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything's fine. But if someone else is reading it, well...well it means that his new owner should know his real name.
It'll help you bond with him. Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he's been giving you problems.
His real name is Tank. Because that is what I drive.
Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with... and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to
Well, this letter is getting to downright depressing, even though, frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family. But still, Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family..
And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.
That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to
All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.
Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight – every night - from me.
Thank you,
Paul Mallory
_____________________________________
I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in
I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog..
"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.
The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes brightened.
"C'mere boy."
He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor.
He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months.
"Tank," I whispered.
His tail swished.
I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.
"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me."
Tank reached up and licked my cheek. "So whatdaya say we play some ball? His ears perked again. "Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?"
Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room.
And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.
What is Blue Badge?
The Blue Badge is an initiative against the abandonment of pets. Its aim is that all pets carry a blue plaque as a promise…..
What does the Blue Badge?
It means that the owner of each pet which wears the Blue Badge is against the abandonment of animals & hopes to stop the practice.
What should I do to get the Blue Badge?
Simply register with the web site. Nothing more. 3 simple steps and you can get a plaque for each of your animals.
How much does the Blue Badge?
Nothing. The Blue Badge and shipping costs are completely free.
Who can apply for Blue Badge?
Everyone (who has registered in Spain). The Blue Badge is an open initiative to pet owners and supporters who believe that the abandonment should and can be eradicated.
When will my Blue Badge?
The estimated shipping time is 14 to 20 working days (from date of application).
How will my Blue Badge?
You will get it as a letter mailed from Spain.
Does the abandonment of animals in Spain?
There are more than 150,000 animals abandoned annually.
Blue Plaque takes the initiative will do all in our power to reach a zero abandonment.
http://placaazul.org
The post of Treasurer of CAS will become vacant in December. To help potential applicants, I spent some time with an earlier Treasurer.
Interview with previous Treasurer: Richard
When did you serve as the CAS Treasurer?
I think for 5/6 years up until Dec 2007
Are you a qualified accountant or have some other relevant experience?
No not a qualified accountant but in the UK I was treasurer for Berkshire Women Aid for many years which was an organization supporting battered women and which was funded by the local Authority. It involved keeping the books for submission to the local Authority and the DHSS.
How much time did you need to dedicate to the “job” and what exactly was involved on a day to day basis?
I probably spent at least an hour each day sometimes longer imputing information plus visits to the office and regular visits to the Bank to Bank money or withdraw floats etc. I spent at least 3 hours every Thursday dealing with the office “takings”.
I assume one must have a computer….. ?
It is not essential to have a computer but highly desirable. Providing you input all info into a programme like Microsoft Money then detailed accounts can be produced easily for the committee. Everything is of course automatically added up which makes life much easier. Also all info is then available for print out at the end of the year for the auditor
Is it important where one lives?
As I said, I spent at least an hour each week day in the Nerja bank dealing with cash deposits and withdrawals. Also, very frequent visits to the CAS Office in Nerja were vital
There’s an Annual Audit – what does that involve?
Each year detailed accounts have to be given to the auditor together with supporting invoices, receipts and bank statements etc. Hopefully everything tallies.
You did monthly reports to the Committee. Was that time consuming?
As I said, having a computer enabled me to produce monthly accounts of income and expenditure for the committee to consider. It helps immensely for them to see our current situation because CAS operates “hand to mouth” every week. Raising the funds we need to help the animals is everyone’s responsibility, but they cannot fulfill that responsibility if they don’t know the actual situation.
Why did you resign the post?
I resigned after I had done it for a number of years. Also at that time I was also largely responsible for most of the fund raising and the Sunday car boot. The 2 jobs together meant I was working for CAS nearly every day and it is fair to say that I eventually got bored with it.
Were you disillusioned then ?
One of the main problems with CAS is, I believe, that there are too few people doing too many jobs. The old adage that “Many hands make light work” was never more true than when applied to CAS!
The Treasurer should deal with financial matters only and not get sidetracked into fundraising; running boot sales; organising dinner dances; Scruffs Dog Shows etc.
The job was also made more difficult by people not adhering to the systems. Things like inadequate receipts and having to decipher the jumbled weekly Office sheets used to drive me up the wall!
For a preliminary chat about the job – call Richard on 659 458 020 or send an email to rthorne1@gmail.com
Class 1, 2 and 3
Class 4, 5 and 6
Class 7, 8 and 9
Class 10, 11 and 12
Class 13, 14 and miscellaneous
