Just to let you know our long haired Guinea Pigs are settling in well. We have called them Sunbeam and Starlight. They are really loving their new hutch and the run which Chris has attached to it. We have put lots of tubes in there and they run in and out of them all day! They seem to love being groomed and I have even given them a little trim! It's lovely to see them get so excited when I take them their vegetables. I have attached some pictures taken a few days after we brought them home.

Thanks very much.

Love from Chris and Katherine.

This is Spider; he was abandoned in the Hull area in a cardboard box with his two litter mates at the end of January 09. The weather was freezing; the finder took them to a local vet and then to us at the Trust. The three kittens were hand reared by Jenny and her daughter Amy who is our Assistant Manager. Unfortunately two of the kittens didn't survive as they so weak.

Amy sent us Spiders update:

Spider had an unknown hidden strength. He battled through loosing his litter mates and a virus. He has survived so much, he has a special place in our hearts, we couldn’t let him go and decided to keep him.

Spider is now five months old and incredibly healthy. He is jet black and his coat is so shiny. His best friend who plays with him for hours is Cody and she is my Border Collie. Cody herds Spider like sheep and chases him all over the house. He too retaliates and chases her back, jumping on her and grabbing her tale. He squeaks with delight when he sees her first thing in a morning. They make a great couple and would be lost without each other.

The person who dumped these kittens missed out on a fantastic friend but then if you are inhuman and cruel enough to dump an animal then you don't deserve the friendship that they give.

Amy and Jenny

Three weeks in and we thought it was time we sent you an update on Suki

19th May was a sad day for us; we lost our much loved thirteen year old dog Rebel and knew the place just wouldn’t be the same without him.

Sitting outside the vets my husband suggested we went up to Hull Animal Welfare Trust “just for a look”. We drove out to South Cave and were immediately made to feel welcome by the staff, and proceeded to have a look around the dogs in the kennels.

In one of the first kennels we saw Suki who had arrived at the centre only the day before due to a marriage breakdown. Suki came to us and seemed very friendly, she reminded us of one of our previous dog Pepper who also came from HAWT. I could tell from Michael’s face that he was very taken with Suki but we had said we would have a look at all the dogs so we did, eventually deciding on three “possibles”.

Sam was so lovely and helpful and we had each of the three dogs outside in a run to see how they reacted to us etc. and all were lovely. However Suki just seemed “right” and a couple of the staff even commented that they could see we were particularly drawn to her, she was wonderfully trained and played happily.

Several long thinking minutes later (if we could have taken them all we would) we decided Suki it was to be, one quick call to the vets for a vet check and we were filling out the paperwork to take her home there and then!!! Paperwork complete, Suki on lead and into our car like she had been doing it all her life.

It was a hard day, we were still very sad, and still are, but Suki has fitted in perfectly with our family.

We have two young children (aged eight and two) and Suki totally adores them, no issues at all. Our eight year old can even walk her on the lead she is so good and boy does she love to play ball, tennis, football, it doesn’t matter – if it’s a ball it’s fun – most of a nice weekend is spent retrieving the football from neighbours' gardens when she heads it over the fence – and we always try to make sure there is a tennis ball in the pocket when taking her for a walk – never seen a dog take a ball out of the air like she can!

Now with her paws very much under the table she is well and truly at home and the bed, sofa etc. are all hers!!! If she’s not laying close by and the doors are open you can guarantee she is being cheeky and on the bed (wonder where she is right now as I type this???).

We’ve attached a picture of Suki enjoying one of her walks down the disused railway line. We can’t thank the staff at HAWT enough for their help that day in picking out the newest member of our family – maybe it was fate she was in one of those first kennels and we saw her before any of the other animals – Michael will be the first to admit it was probably love at first sight – for us and for Suki.

Lots of Love

Sara, Michael, Ellie, Amy and of course Suki xx

I've been in my home for a year now (14th June 2008). I settled in after the first few weeks once I knew I was here to stay.

I didn't like the lino so I decided to rip it up. I've also chewed a few shoes. I often go on the field to play with all my friends. I love going for a ride in the car as on weekends my dad takes me to the beach and to Beverley Westwood.

On my first holiday to Somerset last summer and I heard that this summer were going to Great Yarmouth next to the beach.

I like sharing my dad's toast with him on a weekend. Recently I have had some poorly ears but I went to the vet and they're better now but I didn't really like the drops I needed.

I also love having bath time.

Got to go now of for my nap - which one of my favourite spots shall I sleep in mmmmm sofa, in the corner, under the table top of the stairs, the big bed or my own basket.

Bobby aged 2 - I just recently had my birthday
(Bobby Dazzler)

We rescued Jaylo and Runty in 2008!

The cats have now been re named, the mum (Jaylo) is now called Sharm and her kitten is Asha.

They have both settled in and are very happy as part of our family, snuggling up to our other rescue cat Garfield who is now 18 years old and our 11 year old Golden Retriever whenever they can!

Sharm and Garfield are always together and seem to have formed a joint parental role in the rearing of the Asha who is constantly up to mischief. When she's not climbing the curtains she is chasing anything and everything that moves....and she is absolutely adorable! After hours of playful madness she will eventually just collapse in a heap and be nursed for hours on end, upside down like a baby!

Whether the family are outside in the garden or settling down for the evening, the animals are constantly around, having cuddles and keeping everyone entertained. Life wouldn't be the same without them, it would be much quieter but nowhere near as much fun!

The Quarmby Family

Benson, a Yorkie cross came to our centre with mum and three siblings back in 1989. Mum, Sophie and her four puppies were no longer wanted.

The brood had a shaky start as poor Sophie died a month after having them.

Benson went to his new home with Jackie, her three teenagers and a grumpy but loyal dog called Bobby. The two dogs became the best of friend and Bobby went on for another nine years after Ben arrived

By the mid 90’s Ben was accompanying Jackie to her work with people who had leaning disabilities and profound handicaps. Ben was a star and became their official house dog whenever Jackie was on duty

Ben accompanied a gentleman down stairs when he had difficulties negotiating such objects, Ben provided him with confidence to tackle something he was unsure of. Another lady who refused to go outside after being cornered by a pack of hunting dogs as a child eventually warmed to Ben’s gentle nature and began walking him, A Red Letter day for everyone

Ben went round many Residential Homes and was the Dove House Pat Dog going into the critical care units if the patients ask to touch and pat him

His manners were always impeccable when ‘working’

On his days off he enjoyed nothing more than sitting next to Jackie in the car with his ears blowing in the breeze, enjoying walks all over the country

Ben died aged almost 19. Jackie says ‘Ben took a big piece of my heart with him but left a host of wonderful memories I was truly blessed to have owned a dog like Ben, he made such an impact on my life’