Sixteen and a half years of Twilight rescuing and here I am sat on New Year’s Eve full of awe of our amazing puds’ resilience, sadness that they have to endure before they can shine again, and utter dismay at this deeply sick world on so many levels. We have never been ones for resolutions, but for sure, this coming year we batten down the hatches, light up our candles in our little bubble of a world, and vow to carry on and make only good of what comes in our path.
Twilight is still here thanks to you, so many of you. The fundraising and supporting needs for all rescue is huge. Team Twilight South have had an incredible fundraising year, all the Associations with Shops that support us is remarkable, Ark79, Furry Tails, Hope, Hope 79, Hope 87, and Rainbow. Our own online auction Team have shone. Those of you who donate via the bank, or PayPal, monthly. The Teamers that donate €1 a month …now total 55 of you, fabulous. Those who make items for us to sell, so talented. Then all the volunteers who give their time, week after week, or occasionally, you are all part of our amazing Twilight family. Thank you. All your contributions are humbling.
Lord needs a special mention. You may recall he started the year with his new prosthetic. It seemed a wondrous success and Hope Associations funding allowed Lord to run on 4 legs again. As the months passed though it was clear the prosthesis had rejected. It was always a possibility. Our wonderful vets at Chalus took on the health needs of Lord and amputated one more time, this time at the shoulder. It has to be said, Lord hasn’t looked back. We are all glad we tried, but for Lord, being a most majestic tripod is his personal solution. He is now in a most precious outreach family and couldn’t be more loved. What a journey our Ukrainian little man has had.
Our humans have had a very difficult year. Six of our volunteers have been extremely poorly at different times of the year. Our love is with them all, you all have shown such courage. Here at home we have 15 puds still with us who were here a year ago, and 6 puds who join us on New Year’s Eve for the first time, so 21 around our fireplace. We celebrate the lives of 17 puds who have crossed the bridge this year Grizzelle, Jeff, Elena, Taffy, Caesar, Luke, Puss, CJ, Charlie, Hatten, Coco, Arty, Chris, Ela, Lionel and Nesquick. Outreach has 21 puddings with very special homes, some manage alone, others we help with vet fees or special needs. All are part of the pudding club…which totals in our time just over 460 in total.
My Michael’s health is no secret. For this period we keep our numbers at a manageable level. Even as I write though, I know we have just accepted an emergency case, due to the sad sudden death of one of own in the rescue world. We are all on the same side in the rescue community, so important to help each other at such tragic times. And perhaps as I have waffled enough, it seems appropriate to sign off on that note, in the rescue world we all have one aim and that is to relieve the suffering of animals in need. We only managed to get to a Rainbow and Hope event this year. We love meeting up with old friends and meeting newcomers who join all the amazing associations out there. But it isn’t easy, time and energy … and just plain busy. We are grateful for social media that we can all keep in touch this way.
We would personally like to close by congratulating everyone involved in caring for animals. You do an incredible job however you are involved. Be proud. Stay strong, and keep hope alive that we will make a difference to as many animals as we can.