BeagleWalk

Earlier this year, Helen asked me to pick up a young Beagle bitch and keep her in my kennel overnight. The bitch was suspected of having a brain tumour and needed to be kept somewhere safe, away from people. I gladly did this. I drove to Deeside and picked up Kali, who had been rehomed that day but who was showing signs of having something wrong. Early the next day, I took Kali out on her own along the country lanes of Manley for what turned out to be her final walk, before Helen picked her up. Unfortunately Kali did have a brain tumour and she was put to sleep quietly and gently that morning.

Everyone involved was very upset, particularly Helen who had had the unpleasant job of taking Kali on her last journey.

Beagle Welfare re-home many many dogs every week of the year. Their area officers work like trojans, sometimes with not much thanks. Their success rate is phenominal, but every now and again they come across a dog like Kali that they can't help.

I know that Helen kept thinking of Kali, because she rang me several times and spoke about her. I thought at the time that in the face of this one dog that she couldn't help, Helen needed to see the many many dogs that she HAS helped. And so the idea of the sponsored walk was born.

All the Beagle Welfare dogs that came on the walk are success stories. Whatever their background, they have been re-homed and are testament to the work carried out by Beagle Welfare and its representatives. They are also testament to the many many kind and loving people that re-home these quite often distressed dogs.

Once the idea took root, I roped in a lot of people - friends, neighbours, relatives, to help. I even asked our local pub to cough up some goods and they did. I have listed as many as I can think of on the "Thanks to ..." page, please have a look and spend a moment saying a quiet thank you to these generous people. If I have forgotten anyone, then please accept my apologies, and my belated thanks. The day seemed to run smoothly - no event of this size runs smoothly without a lot of people in the background working hard. There were marshalls who made sure that no-one was left lying in a ditch, we had a catering team, who made sure that there was enough cake and who served cake and drink up on the day, there were neighbours who offered parking spaces so that everyone could park safely on this country lane that is full of blind bends, and then there were organisations who donated goods for us to sell and raffle. I cannot thank any of them enough.

Lastly there was Helen. Helen works tirelessly for Beagle Welfare. She worked tirelessly for the walk. Helen was still inviting people on the walk right up to the last moment - ringing me asking if we still had parking available. Helen now has the job of cajouling you all, making sure you actually collect and send your money in. Me, I'm off on holiday - I've done the easy bit!

We raised just over £4,000 on the day (assuming you all send your sponsorship money in). That £4,000 will help a whole lot more Beagles.

We are going to do it all again next year. And we are going to invite TWICE as many Beagles and we'll make TWICE as much money next year.

I hope you can all make next year. John and I can't wait to do it all over again!

Thank you once again for turning up and making the day so successful.

Julie Bircher

Piczo