Hello, I’m Kira formerly Tara, and I would like to tell you all about my new life.

I wasn’t sure I was going to like my new home but guess what it’s brilliant!

I was a bit poorly for the first couple of weeks, but lots of chicken and rice and a couple of visits to the vet soon put me right.

I got my owner to give me a good grooming and you wouldn’t believe the how much fur that came off me, (enough to stuff two cushions). I actually have three beds, (can you believe these owners!), one for night, one for daytime and one for any other time.

I have got my meals sorted, twice a day and on time please, plus some treats during the day. It’s a bit of a struggle getting out for my morning walk as I am ready as soon as the alarm clock goes off but of course I have to wait for my escort but we have great fun along the riverbank as I have made some good friends.

There is this ginger cat called Olli that lives in my home, I’m not sure that I like him and he certainly doesn’t like me, I don’t know why, as I am always chasing him and speaking loudly to him, but I think we might tolerate each other eventually, especially if he leaves me a bit of his food.

I have so many toys I never know what to play with first but usually it’s the ball that goes straight under the sofa and then I have to encourage my owner to get it out for me, this takes a lot of sad eyes and whimpering, if that fails I can always bark, that soon gets her attention.

I am so glad that I found this home and someone to love and someone to love me

Hi
I'm Murphy. I only spent a short time at Sunnydene (due, no doubt, to my incredible good looks and wonderful personality) but even so I was really grateful to my carers and the volunteers who run the shelter for looking after me when my previous owners' marriage broke up and they were unable to look after me any more.

That was back in October 2007, and I've now been in my new home with Paul and Karen in Cottingham just over two whole years. They tell me I'll be three in March next year, which is not very old, even for a dog, but most people think I'm older because I'm quite big. I'm still only a puppy at heart, and I like nothing better than chasing a tennis ball in the park or running 'laps' up and down the garden, especially if there's a pesky squirrel out there that needs seeing off. When I'm not out being walked in the countryside or the village, my favourite place is the sofa or the window seat at home, or, if I can manage to sneak upstairs unnoticed, my 'mum and dad's' amazingly comfy bed. Failing that, my own bed will do - it's a king-sized duvet folded up so high I have to climb up onto it and it's next to the radiator so I'm always nice and warm even on the coldest day. Well, you see, I'm a lurcher, and as someone once said, "lurchers can stand any amount of comfort".

My 'mum' works for an assistance dog charity and she often brings home a dog to stay with us, so I have lots of doggy pals to walk and play with. My best friend is Harriet, who's a bit smaller than me, but great fun anyway. 'Dad' gave me the great news the other day that Harriet has now retired from her work and she will be staying with us forever. I'm so pleased as secretly I really love her to bits.

Last spring we went on holiday to the Isle of Mull in Scotland. We loved the sandy beaches and long walks in the woods. Sometimes we got very muddy and had to have a bath, but we didn't really mind because we got a good brush afterwards and lots of treats for being good. I hope we can go there again next year as there are so many great places to run and Harriet can have a good sniff and roll in the seaweed, which she tells me is her second favourite hobby (no prizes for guessing who's the first!).
Well, I must go now as 'Dad's' getting his shoes on so that must mean a walk. I hope it's the park as it's just stopped raining and it's bound to be muddy, and I just so love getting all mucky. Have a great Christmas, and thanks again for looking after me when I had nowhere else to go.
Lots of love
Murphy

PS: hope you like the photos. It is of me and Harriet on Mull. I told you I was handsome, and don't you think Harriet looks cute?

Tess came to us when her previous owners were experiencing financial problems. She's been in touch to let us know how she is getting on:

Hi

Just an update from Tess.

“I’ve settled in really well apart from being poorly just after I came home, I’m loving life now and my best mate Max is great, he puts up with me teasing and plays tug of war with me and rolls around the floor for hours playing. My Mum and Dad give me loads of cuddles and I have long walks. When my Mum took this photo of us, we had just been for a run in the snow which is great fun as I had not seen snow before. I had great fun biting it and leaping about in it.

Lots of love and woofs

Tess's best friend Max is also a rescue dog from Labrador Rescue. He was one of the casualties of the farming crisis.

Hi and Happy New Year to all at HAWT from Rolo, Judith and Niall

When HAWT rang us to let us know about a stray dog called Rolo arriving at the kennels, my teenage son was on tenterhooks all week waiting for the weekend when we could come over and see him, thinking someone else might take him home in the meantime. Rolo looked adorable in the photo on the website and so when we arrived at HAWT on the dot of 11.00am opening time on Saturday 28th November 2009 and found Rolo was still there, we were delighted. But we were even more delighted when we got the all clear to bring him home on the same day!

In the last six weeks, life and our daily routine has changed considerably as we have adapted to Rolo and he has adapted to us. He is an absolute treasure and his establishment with us was confirmed today when my son said "I can't imagine life without him now", which prompted me to write this "Happy Endings" entry. Rolo has endeared himself to our relatives and friends, and got acquainted with his new neighbourhood, parks and regular dog walking places, and firmly established a place in our family.

Poor Rolo initially had to get over an extended bout of kennel cough when he first joined us and then, last week, he came through being neutered, and showed great resilience to both challenges. He's absolutely fabulous to care for; good as gold, very clean in the house and bright as a button, which makes us think he has been someone else's much loved pet at some time prior to his "stray" life. He's quickly responded to our training with a whistle and treats which we've used to give us the confidence to let him off the lead safely, so that he doesn't stray again. It's wonderful to have his enthusiastic greeting when we come in the front door, and he loves to snuggle up on the settee with us in the evening. Having the softest ever coat makes him a lovely TV companion! Which is not to suggest we are all "couch potatoes"! Far from it, as Rolo has made both of us get fitter already with lots and lots of walks! Not even the current heavy snow has prevented his early morning trips out. We've all enjoyed snowballing and sledging trips in the current snow, and seen the beautiful moonlit snow vistas during night-time walks whereas previously we might have just stayed snuggled up in front of the fire and missed this treat.

Thanks to everyone at HAWT for caring for Rolo and letting him join our household. Here's a picture of Rolo and my son enjoying the snow. We're all looking forward to many more trips and adventures together, in all weathers and seasons!

Rocco came to the Trust when his single male owner moved to a small flat, he kept one of his dogs but gave up seven-year-old Rocco.

His new owners say:

Hi, we just wanted to drop you a line to tell how Rocco is coming on. We got Rocco on the 17th April 2009, he is an absolute joy to be with, his aggression towards other dogs has all but gone, he is very clever and obedient, everyone who comes into contact with say how good he is and what a handsome dog he is, he is excellent with children and any visitors who come to the house, except the postman. He has brought us loads of happiness and joy as he gives us something to smile about every day, which is a lot in these trying times. It has been the best money we've spent in years, next time we go to West Yorkshire to visit family with him we will bring him to see you all.

Yours

Garry & Jackie

We adopted our Kitten 'Summer' in April 2009. Originally named Bonita by the Animal Welfare Staff and looked after by Elaine, 'Summer' was one of a litter of kittens brought to the centre after they were found by a member of the public.

Despite the tough decision to choose from this gorgeous litter of Kittens 'Summer's' little pink nose and curious nature made her catch our eye. Summer is now almost a year old and her curious and mischievous nature has grown.

She is a very loving cat who just loves to be around people and seek out new adventures. Summer loves to help clean the house although I'm not quite sure she understands the purpose of it as she chases the sweeping brush and rolls around in the dust.

Summer is most definitely the head of the house and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Nicola