Introducing Brighthelm Ferdinando better known as Winstone or Winnie to his friends.  He is full litter brother to Brighthelm Silver Mammamia aka Poppy.  Just before his 11th birthday in 2010 he suffered an air rifle wound to his left humerous bone, narrowly missing his heart .  Part of the shotgun pellet lodged a milimetre short of his spinal column.  This brave boy took three days to get back home from the Recreation Ground nextdoor to where we live.  His leg was shattered.  Half the village were detailed to help search for him to no avail so he must have made his way home taking frequent rests in hidey holes.  His future looked grim until our Vet referred him to Noel Fitzpatrick – The Bionic Vet at Godalming.  There he underwent major surgery to rebuild and plate his leg.  As you can see from the photo his stands at a jaunty angle!  His road to recovery was amazingly quick – he was a model patient who seemed to understand he had a six month recovery period, firstly in a very large cage in the sittingroom and then gradually extending his boundaries one room at a time. He had many human, feline and chosen canine friends to visit him.  Never once did he complain.  Now he barely walks with a limp but stays close to home, rarely away from our sight for more than an hour.  We don't discuss the cost of his operation but owe Noel and his Veterinary Team a huge debt of gratitute for their expert Veterinary work, kindness and understanding.

Now 2 years on from his ordeal Winstone shows no signs of lameness and leads a normal and very happy life.  I find it hard to believe he will be 13 years old in August.  His sister Poppy is also in robust health. 

 Spider is my Bedlington x Whippet Lurcher.  Born on 1st December 2000.  I could eulogize  about him for ever.  Suffice it to say he is kind, loyal, intelligent and trusting and I have the utmost respect for him.  He puts up with the cats encroaching on his space and understands that one never, ever tells a cat what to do!!!

      Berry and his friend Barbados are moving home to Camden with their humans, Anna and Evgeny, who assure them that, although sadly there is no garden for them to play in, their new home will have just as much room for them to get up to their usual mischief!!

Marbles born May 2010 lives with Zoe in Shepperton.  She loves water and  happily sits at one end of the bath watching and supervising bathtime!  Her other hobby is sleeping, this can be carried out in various comfy places but Mum’s handbag is the new best place!