I am very sorry to inform you of the death of Sparkles, our darling Yorkshire Terrier, he was 17 years 9 months old when we had to let him go.

We took him home from you when he was nearly ten years old, a few weeks after Easter, a chap of character, full of love and energy.

Mr Sparkles as we called him, was such a lovable boy, well loved by all. We had to get a post-box and put it near the gate because the six foot postman was frightened of our little Sparkles, if he was in the garden when the postman delivered he would run and bark at him, many a time the postman just dropped the mail and ran as fast has he could with Sparkles behind.

People would walk by the house and Sparkles would wait in prey at the side gate (a little small boy), as people approached and walked by the gate he would jump up and bark, they jumped out of their skin nearly, looked and then rushed by quick to get away from him but then he would run as fast has he could to the drive gates and get the same people again, barking to let them know how protective he was: he was a real character.

I have send you some pics of Sparkles they were taken in the snow 2010 as you can see he looks really good for 17 years and 9 months, he was never a fussy eater, as long has he had his balance diet of a little meat and biscuits cut up small (he never had many teeth left) twice a day he was happy.

I do not know whether I told you but Sparkles was put to sleep a year to the day my father died, in one of the pictures you can see we have Bruno who was my father's dog, he is feeling a little lonely at the present without Sparkles, you see, Bruno is 14 and deaf, Sparkles could not see much either, between the two, Sparkles was Bruno's ears and Bruno was Sparkle's eyes.

We had eight wonderful years with Sparkles, unconditional love and affection, how we miss him and how quiet the house is without him.

Thank you so much for giving us the chance to know and love such a lovely boy, what a character he was, everyone knew him with tender care.

If you should ever have another Yorkie (no matter how old) who would like a home let me know.

Thank you once again

Margaret

Here is a photograph of George I promised to send you when I brought him home to live with me in the middle of April. He has settled down very well and is a great comfort to me.

He likes going for long walks and has been on holiday with me in Holmfirth where my daughter and her family live

He is a very clean and contented little dog and we get on well

Margaret M

At the beginning of February 2010 we adopted Ellis (formerly Elvis). He has fitted in with our family brilliantly. We are so grateful to whoever gave him to the rescue centre as he is the most amazing and loving dog ever and we are so pleased to have him.

He has a great social life and has made lots of friends who he enjoys seeing every day.

Here are some pictures of two of our children and Ellis on a day out in Dalby Forest. They had all been playing in the stream and were cold, hence the towels.

Just thought we'd let you know how he was

Ellis's Family.

We adopted Guiness nine years ago. We fell in love with his large brown eyes staring at us through the kennel bars. He is a lovely affectionate dog who has brought us a lot of pleasure.

We added to our family in May 2010 when we adopted Belle (now Bella) after the sponsored walk. We had been looking for another dog to match with Guiness, not too traumatised, not too young. Bella has slotted into our family and Guiness enjoys having some company.

Clare

This is Guiness, Bella is below

See story above, this is Bella

We have had Badger now for over 3 years, she came for a visit one Saturday afternoon in April 2007 stayed over and never left. Although she does not like most dogs she does tolerate some and is quite partial to a run around and a play with a big Golden Labrador called Saxon.

Badger, we believe, is now just over 10 but still likes to have her mad moments racing around the house and garden and bringing toys to us insisting that you have a play fight with her. Although very growly when she plays she is a very gentle and sensitive dog.

Her arthritis restricts her from any long walks now, but she still manages to do some great walks locally or whilst on holiday, mainly in the Lakes. She likes nothing better than swimming and diving to retrieve stones and shaking herself next to you so that you get wet as well.

We are very grateful to HAWT for asking us to take Badger, she enriches our lives and that of our families and we are very lucky to have such a great dog.

Scott & Kay