|
Well done to Katy who completed the Flora London Marathon on Sunday 13th April in 5hrs 25 mins 17 secs.
Here is what she said after.
Well I have done it, it was amazing and the atmosphere was incredible. The spectators really kept me going, it took 5 hours 26 mins and 17 secs which I'm well happy with as my target was 5 and a half hours.
I would do it again as I enjoyed it so much until 20 miles then the exhaustion started to kick in but it was well worth it. I am back at work today (Tuesday) and am aching and have sore feet with a couple of blisters but I feel Great.
Thanks everyone for the support.
Katy
  The first Dog Show of the season was held on Sunday 13th April at Marston Social Club. Apart from a couple of heavy showers when everyone managed to find shelter, the weather was good to us.
The Show was really well attended with loads of entries in all the classes, a special thanks must go to our judge, Mrs W. Shaw, who was very thorough and patient with all the dogs and their owners.
Of course we all think our dogs are the best but there have to be winners and losers but all the dogs there were lovely.
  Just a few photos taken on the day. The Dog with the yellow coat is a PAT (Pets as Therapy) dog, there are also photos of the booking in desk, our professional photographer stand and just general views.
Thank you all for coming and making the day great.
The next show is at Willan Park in MIlton Keynes in June, We look forward to seeing you there.
On behalf of ARAS Dog Rescue Kennels we would like to thank The Phoenix Public House and our host Bridget for allowing us to hold a Charity Night at her establishment and also for supplying the wonderful buffet. We would also like to thank George, Bob and Paul for organizing this event and a special thank you for Mary for running her ‘Name the Dog’ Competition and donating the cake. We would like also to thank everybody who donated prizes for the raffle and a very special thank you to everybody who joined us at the Phoenix and those who Named the Dog and bought raffle tickets
The night was a real success and we had a great time raising £364 37p for the Dog Rescue.
Once again Thank you Everyone
Good Citizen Awards
Congratulations to all who passed their Good Citizen Awards on 9th February they were:-
BRONZE
Jodie Dougan with Rocky, Ian Harker with Scoobie, Muriel Boothman with Sasha, Karen Goodall with Rocky, Susan Farr with Rosie, Juliette with Stella
SILVER
David Bayley and Woody, Caroline Eyre with Jazz, Rachel Hukin with Bonnie, Eric Dilley with Rosie, Janet Bayley with Millie, Gill Cook with Bally, Ray Ellison with Saphie, Lynda Galler with Solo Sunshine, Peter Holland with RJ
GOLD
Daniel Ellison with Nemo, Judith Rea with Tess, Stuart Cheeseman with Lila
Well done all of you, now we must all work for the next awards which will take place in October.
Charlottes Sponsored Silence
 We would like to thank Charlotte Tory for organising a Sponsored Silence at S & G Components where she works. She managed to keep quiet for the whole working day (and anybody who knows Charlotte knew it was never going to be easy) she managed to raise £210.10 and all the staff were grateful because it’s never normally that quiet.
We would like to thank all her family and friends, her work colleges and customers at S & G Components, The Staff at Elms BMW in Bedford and the Staff at Boots in Bedford for their support in raising this money.
The money is going towards paying the vets bill for the puppies we recently rescued
Meet Shell
 Happy at work and looking forward to getting married Michelle Flemming's life was turned upside down when she lost her sight in just three months. The 39 year old mother of three was devastated three years ago when she found she had a rare form of genetic diabetes that completely destroyed her vision.
However with the help of some furry friends, she has now found a new passion - volunteering at the Animal Rescue Advisory Service. Michelle said it was a great shock to the system but working with the dogs at ARAS has really helped me get through this difficult time. I went from fully sighted to blind within three months. It took a year trying to get to grips with being blind because I could still see some colour. I got married in a red wedding dress because I could see red. Despite six operations nothing could repair the damage to my eyes. I missed being able to just jump in my car and do things like going to Tesco by myself and going out with my children. At least I won't see myself and my husband get old and ugly. The best way to deal with things is just laugh; the worst is not being able to do things I took for granted like putting on my make up.
Last year her husband suggested perhaps she could help at ARAS as she loves dogs. At ARAS they probably wondered what a blind person could do, but I walk and groom the dogs and it is almost as if the dogs are aware there is something different about me.
Shell has also taken the important role of organising fund raising. In October she organised a fund raising gig, her husband, brother and son run a group called No Alibi and Shell is the lead singer and has a most fantastic voice. For that evening she talked all sorts of people and organisations into giving goods to be auctioned and made almost £1000 to help with the upkeep of the kennels.
No-one seeing her walking round the kennels with no white stick and striding out confidently would realize she was unable to see. All those who have come into contact with her admire her for her ability and humour.
GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS
The Good Citizens Awards exams were held on 5th November at the ARAS Training Academy in Newnham Avenue Bedford and all the following owners and dogs are to be congratulated on their success.
BRONZE AWARDS
Pat Dougan with Dave
Jill Cook with Baloly
Eric with Dilley
Gabbie Stszak with Maddy
Linda Galler with Solo Sunshine
Rachael Moulds with Joe
Mr Holland with R.J.
Libby Kenworthy with Bailey
David Bayley with Woody and Millie
Rachel Hukin with Bonnie
Alison Fage with Bentley
Susan Vint with Woody
Emma Irvin with Thomas
SILVER AWARDS
Daniel Ellison with Nemo - our Star dog, Nemo is Deaf but very clever
Judith Rea with Tess
Danny Carr with Chief
GOLD AWARDS
Susie Carr with Missie
Lesley Taggart with Tanner
CHARITY NIGHT SUCCESS
The Charity Night held earlier this month (October) was a great success and almost £1000 was raised to help ARAS run the kennels and care for the dogs that are entrusted to us. Our thanks must go to Shell, her husband, brother and son for a tremendous family effort which made the event the success that it was. They made a good night great and Shell’s efforts in obtaining prizes for the event were amazing, thanks to you all.
DOG SHOW - 9TH SEPTEMBER
ARAS final dog show of the season was held on Sunday 9th September at Marston Social Club. Although the last show this was probably the best from both an attendance and enjoyment point of view. The weather was just about perfect for the occasion. Attached are a few photos taken on the day, dogs and owners waiting to be judged, a bit of showing off on my behalf  with our Westie - Fern winning a first in the Prettiest Bitch class, (well I think it was for Fern!!!!)
Our thanks to Sam our judge for the day for her time and patience with both owners and dogs. Here's to next year. The dates for these Dog Shows will be announced as soon as they are known and we look forward to seeing you all in 2008 when hopefully the shows will be bigger and better. Thank you all for coming, without you and your dogs there would be no show.
Finally a very big THANK YOU to all those who helped by manning stalls, cooking for the BBQ, selling raffle tickets and showing some of the dogs which are in the kennels to people at the show and, most of all, to Lesley who has organized all six shows this year, no mean feat
   
|
