Category: Blog

🐾🚗💕A PUPDATE FROM FINLEY TO SAY THANK YOU! 🥰🙏🐾

Hello, friends! It’s me, Finley – or should I say Winston?

That’s right, I’ve been thinking: with this brand-new chapter of my life, it feels like the right time for a brand-new name. “Winston” has a ring of elegance to it, don’t you think? Distinguished, refined, and, well… just like me (if I do say so myself). What do you think? I’d love to know if you think it suits me!

Now, let me tell you a bit about how I got here. My journey wasn’t easy, and honestly, I never imagined I’d end up somewhere warm and safe. You see, I spent most of my life on the streets of Romania. It was a hard life, and along the way, I suffered some pretty serious injuries – a fractured pelvis and a whole lot of other hurts, inside and out. Then I got caught and taken to a kill shelter. That’s where I thought my story would end…

But no! Some kind souls saw the fighter in me and made sure I got a second chance. Thanks to the amazing rescue team and my lovely Aunty Gill, I had surgery to fix my pelvis, and I was brought to a rescue kennel where I finally felt the bitter cold start to leave my body – and my heart.

Now, I’ve found myself in a loving home with Peter at the specialist reactivity centre. Peter understands me in ways I don’t fully have words for yet – but I understand the language of love, and that’s all I need. Thanks to so many kind people, I’m safe now, and for the first time, I feel ready to trust again.

I may be 11 years old – a proper golden oldie! – but I’ve got a lot of life left in me. I even have a new purpose: looking after my baby brother, Sammy. Sammy came here with me, but he’s only 11 months old, and he’s been through so much. He’s scared of the world, carries some hidden wounds of his own, and relies on me for everything. So, I’m his big brother, his protector, and his best friend.

Together, we’re finding our way, but we couldn’t have made it this far without all of you. Your kindness and generosity to Penny Paws Rescue made my journey possible, and Sammy and I can’t thank you enough. But we still need your help! My ongoing care, and Sammy’s too, will take time, love, and funding, so we’d be so grateful if you could continue to support Penny Paws. Your donations don’t just help us – they help other dogs who are still waiting for their own chance at a new life.

From the bottom of my (healing) heart, thank you for giving me hope, love, and a future. Now, about this new name… Winston. It feels right. What do you think?

With love,
Winston (formerly Finley!) and Sammy 🐾

With thanks to Peter Loy at Greenbank Animal Sanctuary for the lovely write up and for all he has done for Finley – now Winston

By Peter Loy of Greenbank Animal Sanctuary

When preparing for New Year celebrations, especially if you’re expecting guests, it’s important to ensure your dog is clean, free from fleas, ticks, mites, and odours. This guide will help you both groom your dog and clean your home effectively.

Part 1: Bathing Your Dog

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Before starting, ensure you have:
• Dog-friendly shampoo and conditioner (anti-flea/tick if necessary).
• Flea comb.
• Towels.
• Non-slip mat for the bath.
• Cotton balls (to protect their ears from water).
• Brush suited to your dog’s coat type.

Step 2: Brush Before Bathing
1. Brush your dog to remove loose fur, dirt, and mats.
2. Pay special attention to areas where fleas and ticks like to hide (armpits, base of the tail, and behind ears).

Step 3: Protect Sensitive Areas
• Place cotton balls in your dog’s ears to prevent water from entering.
• Use a gentle wipe or damp cloth to clean around their eyes.

Step 4: Bathe Your Dog
1. Wet the Coat: Use lukewarm water, starting from the neck down.
2. Apply Shampoo: Work the shampoo into the fur, focusing on flea-prone areas. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes (or per product instructions).
3. Rinse Thoroughly: Ensure no shampoo residue remains as it can irritate the skin.
4. Condition (Optional): If using a conditioner, follow the same process as the shampoo.
5. Dry Your Dog: Towel dry thoroughly and use a blow dryer on a low, cool setting if needed.

Step 5: Post-Bath Grooming
• Use a flea comb to check for any remaining fleas.
• If needed, apply a flea treatment recommended by your vet.

Part 2: Deep Cleaning Your Home

Step 1: Vacuum Everywhere
1. Focus on areas where your dog spends the most time (bedding, sofas, carpets).
2. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture fleas, eggs, and allergens.
3. Vacuum cracks, crevices, and baseboards thoroughly.

Step 2: Wash Dog Items
• Launder your dog’s bedding, toys, and collars in hot water with a pet-safe detergent.
• Air-dry or use a dryer on high heat to kill any pests.

Step 3: Treat Furniture and Carpets
1. Use a pet-safe flea spray or powder on soft surfaces like carpets and upholstery.
2. Steam clean rugs and furniture if possible.

Step 4: Mop Hard Floors
• Mop with a pet-safe disinfectant to remove odours, bacteria, and mites.

Step 5: Address Air Quality
• Use an air purifier to reduce pet odours and dander.
• Light pet-safe candles or use essential oils like lavender (but ensure they’re safe for dogs).

Part 3: Prevent Fleas, Ticks, and Odours

Maintain Regular Grooming
• Brush your dog frequently to remove loose fur and dirt.
• Bathe every 4–6 weeks or as recommended for your dog’s breed.

Use Preventative Treatments
• Apply vet-recommended flea and tick treatments monthly.
• Consider using flea collars or oral preventatives.

Keep the Home Fresh
• Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and vacuum to remove odours.
• Clean litter areas or potty spots promptly.

Part 4: Guest Preparation

Minimize Stress for Your Dog
• Keep your dog calm during celebrations with a quiet, cozy area.
• Consider pheromone diffusers to reduce anxiety.

Ensure Freshness
• Use fabric sprays on furniture and clean any smelly spots in the home.
• Place freshly laundered throws or covers on sofas where your dog might sit.

By following these steps, you’ll have a clean, fresh-smelling home and a happy, healthy dog—pawfect for ringing in the New Year with guests!

We have made 2 beautiful 2025 digital calendars which you can download here. These lovely calendars feature Pennyoaws dogs looking for a home, and are only available to download. We do not have a printed version. They come in PDF format so you can open them on your phone, tablet and computer. And please feel free to send them on to friends and family, it really helps to spread the word.

There are two PDF calendars to view here or download.
The second calendar features lovely drawings of Pennypaws dogs looking for a home, made by the artist LC.

Pennypaws Rescue Calendar 2025 No 1

Pennypaws Rescue Calendar 2025 No 2 (Artist LC)

If you would like to download a calendar please consider making a donation to Pennypaws Rescue so we can help more dogs in desperate need. Thank you. Pennypaws is run entirely by unpaid volunteers so EVERY PENNY goes to the dogs. Thank you. How to pay details are below.

Our Bank Details are:
Metro Bank
Name of Account: Pennypaws Rescue
Account Number: 47713498
Sort Code: 23-05-80

IBAN: GB14MYMB23058047713498
SWIFT Ref: MYMBGB2L

Paypal
Our Paypal address is: admin@pennypawsrescue.org.uk

Paying by Cheque
If you would prefer to send a cheque please make it out to ‘Pennypaws Rescue’ and send to:
Jonathan Slatter, 25 Frankley Buildings, Bath BA1 6EG

Registered Charity No 1200959. Thank you so much if you can help us.

A beautiful song by Greg Crowhurst about the poor dogs in Romania desperate for a warm home.

Greg and Linda are wonderful supporters of Pennypaws Rescue.
Greg wrote this this song , which Linda has illustrated, to raise awareness of the plight the dogs in Romania, this winter and the desperate need to find them all warm, loving homes.
Words and Music by Greg Crowhurst Art by Linda Crowhurst © 2024

If you would like to help Pennypaws Rescue in anyway please email admin@pennypawsrescue.org.uk Thank you.

This is where you can order personalised copies of our Christmas Video Message E-Card to be sent to your friends, loved ones and family.

For each personalisation we are suggesting a contribution of £4.95 or whatever you choose to donate. Even £1 makes a difference for the dogs.
This will include personalising the video e-card with your own personal Christmas message to your loved ones, and a link to stream or download the video will be sent to the email address of your friend/loved one on your preferred date. (please see form below). You’ll receive a copy too so you can WhatsApp and Email it to whoever you like.

So…remember you can just order one generic personalisation and send that video to as many friends and loved ones as you like using your own WhatsApp, Email or Facebook Messenger.

To order yours, please just fill in the form below.
For each personalised card you order, can you please send £4.95 or whatever amount you would like to donate to Pennypaws, to our Paypal address (admin@ pennypawsrescue.org.uk) or our Bank. (Full payment details here)
Every single penny goes to the dogs, we are run only by a handful of unpaid volunteers. Thank you.

Any questions or problems please email Jonathan: admin@pennypawsrescue.org.uk
To summarise…! If you want a personalised card sent to one person / family – we will send the card to them personlised with your message.
If you would prefer a generic video card which you can send to as many people as you like, we will send you a link which you can WhatsApp, Email or Message to as many people as you like.

Card Order Form:

Thank you so much to Linda Crowhurst for the story idea and the beautiful drawings.

The Little Page of Dog Promotions is a Facebook group which helps promote a selection of homeless dogs. Often rescued from the notorious kill shelters in Romania, these dogs have never experienced anything in their lives other than fear, hunger and cruelty.

The Facebook page is run by Zoey Nettleingham and she has been very kind to post lots of profiles of Pennypaws dogs desperate for love and a home.

Check out the Facebook page here

It’s incredible how much difference sharing a Facebook post can make to the chance of a dog finding a home, so please check out this Facebook page and if you have a moment please share some of the posts. Thank you.

November 2024
Gill Jenness, trustee of Pennypaws Rescue, collected a generous donation of cat beds from Ryan Crundwell, manager of Jollyes Pet Shop. These beds will help the cats keep warm in the freezing Botosani Shelter in Romania, until they can hopefully be found warm loving homes in the UK. The beds will be delivered to the shelter in Romania by CHR Pet Transport.

Thank you Jollyes Pet Store for your wonderful kind support.

About Jollyes Pet Shop in Thetford
Website
Visit Jollyes pet shop in Thetford today to shop affordable pet products and premium brands 7 days a week and as late as 7pm on weekdays. You’ll find all manner of food, toys, treats, bedding, cages, and tanks for your dogs, cats, birds, small pets, reptiles, and fish. Bring your pet into store for us to say hello to and so they can sniff out their own treats and toys. Take advantage of our free onsite parking and don’t struggle with your shopping to your car, not when a friendly member of our team will help you carry your new goodies.