23rd March, 2009,

Lynne and I packed up the ute and went delivering.  We had a number of booked drop offs for people who had requested goods for their dogs.

Our first stop was to the wonderful owner of Roxy. This beautiful little girl had received burns to approximately forty percent of her body, but is on the road to recovery.  Roxy was saved by the CFA along with 3 other dogs that she lived with – Well Done CFA! Roxy’s pack mates also received some burns and are recovering well. 

Fun4Paws had two specialised coats made to help Roxy with the healing process; they were made with organic muslin lining and a waterproof outer lining. (You can see a photo of Roxy sporting her new coat in the gallery on our website). We were able to provided these dogs with 5 new kennels and 5 trampoline beds. It is great to know that we were able to make a difference to these lovely dogs and their owners.

We continued on our rounds to Glenburn, then on to Flowerdale , Hazeldene and finally to Kinglake. Along the way, we dropped off some of the great coats that have been made and donated, to dogs we have previously visited. The mountain gets very cold in the evenings, especially now, as there is very little left to slow down the winds and rains. We can rest easier knowing that at least some of the dogs are now protected and warm.

Upon visiting one of the community centers we had a chat to the site manager regarding the temporary village that is being set up in the area.  They require 20 kennel runs for the dogs that will be living there. Fun4Paws is facing this new challenge with gusto. We are contacting temporary fencing companies, suppliers of diamond wire, cement companies, producers of colour bond and various contractors, to source the equipment and the skills required to build these runs for the dogs in need. This particular site is likely to be in place for the long term, as homes are slowly rebuilt. (If you know anyone working in industries that may be able to assist in these efforts, please let us know or, pass on their contact details).

As we continue to move forward, we reflect on all that has happened. This has been an overwhelming task that has demanded many, many hours of hard work and sleepless nights. We have been able to continue with this work largely due to the wonderful support of our families, friends and many supporters and volunteers who have worked so hard to support us in our efforts. We also owe a huge thank you to the public Australia wide, and indeed, world wide. Thank you to you all, and we will continue to keep you updated with our progress.

Luke Williams

Friday the 13th was a good day.

 

It is now Saturday and I have just realised that yesterday was a Friday the 13th.

 

What a FEEL GOOD day it was.

 

Since the rains there is a tinge of green growth in the fields and some new shoots are growing out of the blackened tree trunks, a wonderful thing to see.

 

In Kinglake Luke, Glynis and myself did a total of three house calls delivering dog coats, dog beds and kennels as requested by the survivors. We are doing so to meet the needs of the dogs in the interim whilst people rebuild.

 

I am pleased to be able to tell you two dogs, that were to be relocated into our foster care are now able to stay home with their family safe warm and dry. Coats kennels and trampoline beds that we delivered, making all the difference.

 

The dog ramp we mentioned in a previous post has been collected and work is being done to get the dog used to using it. Her owners who have currently had to relocate to the suburbs whist they wait to be able to clear their house block, were very pleased.

 

We dropped off a number of large trampoline beds at the Emergency Animal Relief Centre. People with large dogs had taken all the goods by the time we returned to collect our supply request forms. None of these items are luxuries, rather practical solutions.

 

One of the joys for us is the contact we have with the families, individuals and of course with the dogs. In a typical understated Australian way people are chuffed that there are so many of YOU out there that care.

 

Our supporter's page is growing at a rate of knots, please support these companies if they have products that you need in your everyday lives. We have a small timber supply company donating 5 large solid timber kennels and they will make them at cost as further orders are requested. Obviously they will be unable to make enough kennels to go round so YES we still do need the donated ones. It is a real case of many hands make light work.

Thank you again for your hard work and support!

G'day,

 

We have been busy since our last post, getting into the areas and speaking with the survivors, we are also working closely with the animal relief centre in King Lake. We have been able to distribute a number of items to those in need including a limited supply of kennels and dog coats.

 

Below is a post from Lynne Fitzsimmons who is working around the clock in our efforts to help the domestic animals.

 

Lynne - Imagine getting up in the morning and looking out your window and nothing is recognisable all your familiar points of reference are gone. If you have ever been woken early by a magpie song and been annoyed, imagine what it sounds like when the birds have all gone.

 

Since the wonderful rain, the weather it is now turning cold. We are getting calls from owners whose dogs are damp, cold and shivering. With no foliage on the trees it is very exposed and the winds can howl through with little to hinder them.

 

We have stepped up our efforts to source large kennels and coats and have had some wonderful responses but the demand is still high for these products.

 

On Saturday I was back in King Lake and was able to supply 3 dogs with warm waterproof coats at their home. I dropped off a supply of large trampoline beds at the Animal Relief centre and they are there for people to take, as they need them. The trampoline beds are by far the best option for the larger dogs as it keeps them off the cold damp ground.

 

Unable to practise as a veterinary service the Emergency Animal Relief Centre headed up by Kate Murray is doing a wonderful job of dispensing advice and providing basic first aid for the animals, animals in need of clinical procedures have to travel down off the mountain.

 

On Saturday we took up the last large dog kennel that we have and there was a row of brightly painted smaller dog kennels out of the front of the centre. It is gratifying to see these things one day and then notice they are gone a couple of days later as it means they have been taken and a dog somewhere is able to get under cover out of the weather.

 

We are continuing to discuss with individual survivors what their specific needs are.

This week we have 3 dogs coming into foster care, two of the dogs will need routine vet supplies, all wormer and heart guard, we will assist in transporting them to these services and meeting the financial costs.

 

Due to the assistance of many volunteers I can report that that in the next couple of days we will have the patterns for dog coats in attachment form that we will be able to forward online to the many sewing groups and the talented individuals that are waiting to make the coats. Thank you to all of the wonderful people busy sewing away.

 

On Friday we received a request for a dog ramp. There is an elderly lady that is going to be re-housed in a caravan and her long time companion is an aged arthritic large breed dog. He can't step up into a caravan without assistance. I am happy to be able to tell you that one will be taken up for this lady and her dog to use so that they can be together and warm and snug as winter approaches.

 

Eight designer suits suitable to wear to funerals have kindly been donated by one generous person, they have now been delivered to the Community Resource Centre in King Lake and they will sensitively be dispensed as the need arises.

 

Luke - As you can see, we are still very busy and working hard in our efforts to help the domestic animals, unfortunately there are areas, which we still haven't been able to get into, but we will continue in our work until the job is done. Thank you to every one who is supporting us, your support is invaluable and we couldn't continue to do the work we do with out your assistance. Tomorrow (Friday) we are heading back in to the fire districts, so we will post again over the weekend.

 

Luke Williams

Fun4Paws