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