Monday round trip.
On Monday, a volunteer all the way from Darwin and I loaded up the red utility and did a door-to-door delivery run. Providing for various dogs different items that they need and that they had lost in the fires. Two kelpies received waterproof coats and a bed with some nice soft blankets, we had the pleasure of meeting their owner.
We then dropped off two X Large Hound Houses for two greyhounds who will be learning to use them as a lead in to large timber kennels once they relocate back up to Kinglake. We left doona's and purpose designed greyhound pyjamas so they can be snug and warm in their new dens.
We delivered a donated kennel to one of our foster dogs in Whittlesea and then continued on up to the Kinglake Animal Relief Centre.
We were thrilled to see that as a result of the enormous community spirit in Kinglake the shop front that has been the Emergency Relief Centre now has walls, a surgery, an office and will soon be a Vet Practise. Dr Kate Murray will be heading up the practise and servicing the local community. We then dropped off some more kennels and goods to our Kinglake storage facility and headed on home.
My jockey for the day was sobered by the drive home on the Kinglake - Hurstbridge Rd. I am thrilled to report once we got to the bottom of the mountain we heard the peal of bell birds, truly thrilling to hear them. It is such a privilege to visit a community so determined to re-build and move past the devastation of the fires.
Lynne Fitzsimmons
To add to last Mondays report, we have a huge job ahead of us tomorrow! A South Australian Dog Listener has built and transported (flat packed) 15 dog kennels that he has built. A tremendous and generous effort, Thank you David. Tomorrow we will deliver 7 of these kennels and put the others at our Kinglake storage space for distribution as they are required. 7 dogs will sleep dry and warm tomorrow night because of these efforts.
We are also very grateful to receive over 30 dog coats from all over Australia & New Zealand, made by generous sewing groups. We know there are more to come and they are welcomed by the owners of the wonderful dogs we continue to meet.
We also received a wonderful email and phone call from a great group of sewers in Darwin, they have sewn 35 high sided, padded dog beds. An unbelievable amount of hard work went into creating these beds and they will be very gratefully received by the dogs.
There are some examples of the coats in our Gallery amongst some more new pictures, we will add pictures of the beds as soon as we have them!
On another note: 'Funds4Paws' is moving forward with gusto, we are an official non-profit organisation with all that that entails (a big thank you to Grant!). We meet this month to assess our progress so far and regroup on our individual efforts. We will keep you posted on our progress!
It was another busy but amazing week, more dogs rest easy and warm and the generosity of Australians helps us to continue our work. Thank you.
Luke Williams
