The Mayhew

Meet our extra special animals

A treat for the senses

Epilepsy and your pet

Issue 42

Summer 2015

HElpIng AnIMAls And tHEIr cArErs sIncE 1886

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to the Summer 2015 issue of The Mayhew. The weather is getting warmer and we’re gearing up for good one! Thanks for all your support over the last few months, we hope to see you at Open Day (14th June) or Hyde Bark (5th July) over the summer.

Welcome

What we do: Help animals in need gain a better quality of life by delivering a broad range of community-based animal care, education and welfare projects.

contentsnews update 4

Very special animals 6

Our volunteers 10

support our vets 12

Find me a home 14

challenge yourself in 2015 16

Ask the expert 18

the stress-busting sensory garden 20

remembering past friends 22

Your letters: adopted & loved 24

Why microchip 26

Hyde Bark Back cover

To make a donation or to get in touchWrite to: The Mayhew Animal Home, Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London, NW10 6BJ

Telephone: 020 8206 5870

Email: support@mayhewanimalhome.org

Visit: www.themayhew.org

Join us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter @themayhew

Photographs: Yvonne White, Bonnie Baker,Olivia Hemingway

Please pass on to a friend and recycle after reading.

Printed on 100% recycled paper

Registered charity no. 1077588Registered in England and WalesCompany limited by guarantee no. 3837732VAT registration number: 820 4030 87

Mill Lane Veterinary Surgery Advanced medical care for your pets

Proud to support The Mayhew Animal Home

Joshua Rusnak BVSc CertSAS MRCVS

68-70 Mill Lane , London NW6 1NJ www.mill-lane-vet.com

020 7794 1777

Meet our cover star cooper on page 9!

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news updateAnIMAl-lOVIng EstAtE AgEntsDaniels Estate Agents are massive Mayhew supporters and we are delighted to announce they are one of our corporate partners again this year. Staff members at the Kensal Rise office have given some of our animals happy homes in the past and one in particular, Tony, fondly remembers coming to visit us with his Nan many times when he was a little boy.

“Daniels is always keen to help local charities and The Mayhew is right on our doorstep,” says Tony. “We’re all passionate animal-lovers and fully

WOrld spAY dAYThe Mayhew participated in World Spay Day on 24th February 2015 to highlight the importance of neutering, along with 8 other UK animal charities including the RSPCA and Cats Protection. The Mayhew vet team successfully neutered 29 cats on the day – a great achievement!

Getting your cat neutered (or spayed as it also known) is beneficial for both you and your pet: it reduces the risk of certain diseases and the likelihood of your cat developing unwanted behaviour such as spraying, aggressiveness towards other cats and the need to

WE lOVE Our nEW cAt-MOBIlEInternational Cat Care (ICC) generously gifted The Mayhew with a van earlier this year to help our community outreach projects, where we work with animal owners who may not otherwise be able to reach us. Specifically, the new van will be used for our Pick N Snip programme where we collect cats, bring them in to The Mayhew Community Vet Clinic to be neutered, and then return them to their owner’s home. This is a very important service for members in our community who are reluctant or unable to bring their pet to us themselves. Thank you ICC.

tHErE’s nOtHIng lIkE A gOOd BOOkArt critic turned award-winning author, Brian Sewell has been a long supporter and dog adopter and he is donating 10% of proceeds from the sale of his two new books to The Mayhew, so get your copies now!

Brian strays from the art world to tell the enchanting story of a man and his pet donkey, Pavlova. Beautifully illustrated by Sally Ann Lasson, ‘The White Umbrella’ is an allegorical tale about taking personal responsibility for our environment and the importance of both compassion and empathy. It’s a classic in the making to keep and cherish, for adults and children alike. Buy your copy here: http://mayhe.ws/thewhiteumbrella

support what you do. We are excited to be working with you again in 2015.”

Leigh and Matt from the team are also showing us their fearlessness and are doing a skydive in aid of The Mayhew later this year. Thank you and good luck guys, we know you’ll wing it!

escape. The Mayhew Community Vet Clinic offers low-cost neutering for cats and is part of the C4 Neutering scheme in London. To find out more visit themayhew.org/neutering.

‘Sleeping with Dogs’ is the record of one man’s passionate affection for dogs, rooted in his early childhood and lasting undiminished into his dotage. This is a book that will delight readers new and old. Buy your copy here: http://mayhe.ws/briansewellautobiography

The books cost £9.99 and £12.50 respectively. Quote ‘MAYHEW’ at the checkout to ensure we get the donation.

Bottom right: Claire Bessant, CEO of ICC, handing over the keys to Caroline Yates and Ursula Goetz, CEO and Chief Vet at The Mayhew

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Every day at The Mayhew we are astounded by the strength, resilience and spirit of the animals that pass through our doors. Here’s a tribute to just a few of our unsung heroes…

Very special Animals

AntOnIO tO tHE rEscuE!Aged just 12 weeks, Antonio arrived at The Mayhew with his four siblings after being found abandoned. He was adopted by Sarah along with his sister Serafina in September 2013. Both kittens settled into their new home quickly and while Serafina remained dainty and petite, Antonio grew into a big, strong cat.

Shortly afterwards Sandra was approached by her local Village Vet and asked if she might consider putting Antonio forward as a blood donor; he was the ideal candidate being so strong and healthy, but also sweet-natured and gentle. Since Antonio had been a rescue cat himself, Sandra loved the idea that he could help other cats in need – so of course she said yes. Antonio went through a number of tests to check he was a viable donor and a surprise discovery was made… he is the very rare blood group B!

“Type B cats are so rare, so it’s great that we’ve found him,” explains Sarah Egleston RVN from Village Vet.

Antonio passed all the tests with flying

gOrdOn Is All EArsTwo-year-old Gordon arrived at The Mayhew last November after being found abandoned on the streets of London. It quickly became apparent to our kennel staff that this bouncy white Staffie was no ordinary dog. In fact, he is completely deaf.

At The Mayhew we always go the extra mile to give an animal the best chance of being adopted and we also love a challenge… so our experienced dog carers are now teaching him sign language!

Eric Hugenberg, one of the kennel staff teaching him to sign, said: “Gordon is an amazing dog, very lively and boisterous. He is as bright as a button and really deserves a second chance home.”

Gordon is getting to grips with learning commands through hand signals, body language and reading facial expressions. He’s still waiting to find his new family, so if you’d like to give this extra special dog a home please visit themayhew.org/gordon Above: Antonio relaxing at home

Top & above: Gordon learning sign language

Above: Gordon learns to shake hands

colours and is now on Village Vet’s blood donor register, eager to swoop in to the rescue and help as many kitties as he can with his extra special blood.

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WHAt dO YOu cAll A OnE-EYEd cAt?MacGyver arrived at The Mayhew in February with a swollen cancerous tumour around his left eye after being found hiding in a shop in severe pain. The vet team carried out delicate and complex surgery but, although the eye itself was fine, it couldn’t be saved as the tumour had eaten away the delicate area surrounding the eye.

Chief Vet, Ursula Goetz, said: “The cancer was pushing against the eye itself so he was in a lot of discomfort. By removing the eye we have eased his suffering and hopefully the cancer won’t have spread.”

Luckily, animals deal with physical impairments much better than humans do and, showing he has the resilience of his namesake from the hit 80s TV show,

Above: MacGyver after (top) and before surgery (bottom)

within a matter of days MacGyver quickly got back on his feet. He was a little disorientated while he got used to having only one eye but his character soon started coming out and he spent his days in the recovery ward at The Mayhew winking at anyone who came to say hello!

A MEdIcAl MArVEl This is Cooper, a Staffie cross who came to The Mayhew as a young, lively pup of just 4 months. He was adopted by vet student Jessica in 2011 and when she came back to The Mayhew for a short placement as part of her studies earlier this year, she filled us in on what Cooper has been up to…

While studying veterinary medicine Jessica came to realise that the best way to learn is to get hands on and start practicing. So one day she went home from class and performed a physical examination on Cooper, which involved inspecting his skin, coat, teeth, eyes and ears as well as listening to internal organs such as the heart and abdomen. “It was amazing, I learned so much and he absolutely loved the attention!”

Since then Cooper has been more than happy to oblige when Jessica needs to practice and he even goes along to her classes sometimes and has allowed Jessica and her fellow students to practice ultrasounds on him.

“He’s just a big ball of love! He is so good with people and he really likes having a fuss made over him. He doesn’t even realise how much he is helping us to learn when he lets us practice on him.”

And as if that wasn’t enough, Cooper (like Antonio) is also a blood donor at the Royal Veterinary College in London. He gives blood every 6 months and he is even on call to help in an emergency if needed. Cooper is a dog who just keeps on giving - we are in awe!

Above: Cooper with vet student Jessica and her husband

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We’re looking for new volunteers with their own dog for our TheraPaws project, preferably based in North and West London areas.

If you are interested in getting involved please visit themayhew.org/therapaws or contact Luke Berman on 020 8962 8004 or luke@mayhewanimalhome.org

Our Volunteers

Q. When did sky join the therapaws project?I adopted Sky from The Mayhew 3 years ago. I live really close by, and when I saw her there waiting for a new home I just knew she should be mine! Everyone at The Mayhew loved her and she has such a gentle nature so it was only about 6 months later that she was asked to join the newly-initiated TheraPaws project. I knew straightaway she’d be perfect.

Q. What does sky do when she’s volunteering for therapaws?Once a week Sky goes to visit The Meadows in Muswell Hill, a care home for those suffering from dementia. She goes along with two ladies who also volunteer for The Mayhew and they go into the home and meet the residents. Everyone looks forward to Sky’s arrival and love to stroke her thick, soft fur, something which is scientifically proven to lower blood pressure. She’s an incredibly smart and perceptive husky and I think she understands what’s

We have over 300 volunteers at The Mayhew, who are vital to keep us running smoothly. Our innovative community project TheraPaws takes animals into the care setting to engage with the elderly and is almost entirely volunteer-run. We catch up with one of our star TheraPaws dogs, Sky, and her owner Laura.

Above: Sky saying hello to a resident

going on around her. Sky knows that she brings joy to the people she meets on her trips and she is calm and gentle. She loves doing it – she enjoys being stroked and getting lots of attention!

Q. What’s sky like at home?When I first brought Sky home, she didn’t really know how to play or go for walks and she was subdued and overweight. I got her on a nutritious diet and taught her how to do all the fun things a dog should do and now she’s so happy and more like a puppy than ever, even though she’s eight years old!

I recently adopted another puppy from The Mayhew – Jaya, an incredibly bouncy Springador – and Sky has very naturally adopted the role of mother to Jaya. It’s really very sweet and Sky is so patient with her, calmly teaching her how to behave and grow up into a beautiful young dog. I love nothing more than watching them play together in the gardens, chasing tennis balls and each other round in circles!

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pErrY was rushed to The Mayhew with a horrific injury under his front leg, after getting it stuck in his stretch rubber collar. The collar had gradually worn the skin away and become deeply embedded under his shoulder blade, so much so that part of the collar grew into his body and was no longer visible.

The Mayhew vet team were determined to save his leg and performed three complex surgeries. The final surgery involved a highly advanced technique known as omentalisation in which tissue from inside Perry’s abdomen was used to heal the wound under his arm – similar to an internal tissue graft.

Perry now lives a happy life with his new family and has all four limbs firmly attached. If the Mayhew vets hadn’t got to him when they did, this little cat would have suffered immensely and most likely have lost his leg.

prIncE had been dumped on a filthy mattress in a park amongst a collection of rubbish. He actually appeared dead at first as he was too weak to move, soaked to the bone, covered in faeces and his coat was matted from head to toe. Our veterinary team immediately got him onto a drip and medication, working through the night to try and save him.

Sadly, the vets discovered a severe range of medical conditions which had devastated Prince’s body to the point of

Help us build the new vet clinic:Fill in the enclosed donation formCall 020 8206 5870Donate via our website: www.themayhew.org/clinic-expansion

Above: Perry on the operating table

Above: Perry after surgery

Some peopletreat animals lik

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we treat animals like this every day

The Mayhew vet clinic was able to perform 9000 procedures in 2014. We are planning to extend the clinic and training facilities this year which means we will be able to help thousands more animals every year. Please support our heroic vet team to treat more animals that have nowhere else to go and desperately need our help.

no return, leaving this poor boy in severe pain and distress. He had clearly been suffering for a long time and the level of cruelty he had endured is unimaginable. With loving care and pain-relieving medication the vet team were able to send him off in peace, knowing he was settled, reassured and finally safe. Without the Mayhew vets prince would have suffered a slow, painful death, scared and alone.Below: Prince at The Mayhew

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Find me a homeHere are just some of the lovely cats and dogs patiently waiting at The Mayhew for their forever home. Please help us to find their new families.

Van Gogh: 4 years oldGender: FemaleLikes: To sit on laps and stretch up to give you hugsEssentials: I’ve only got one ear (hence my name!) but I’m super smart. I’ll need to be the only pet in the home

Mio: 5 years oldGender: MaleLikes: Being active and getting lots of play timeEssentials: I need to live with someone who is around a lot and has lots of open space for me to explore (outside of London is best)

Rosie: 2 years oldGender: FemaleLikes: Getting to know you!Essentials: I’m a shy girl so I need an experienced owner who can give me plenty of TLC

Rosie: 1 year oldGender: FemaleBreed: Shih Tzu and Chihuahua crossbreedLikes: Climbing onto laps for a cuddleEssentials: I’m quite a shy girl and I don’t like to be left alone for too long

Lady: 6 years oldGender: FemaleBreed: Labrador and Staffy crossbreedLikes: Greeting new people with a toy in my mouth and a full body wagEssentials: I have osteoarthritis and would like my new owners to take me to doggy hydrotherapy

Gordon: 2 years oldGender: MaleBreed: StaffyLikes: Greeting people with kisses and having my back scratched Essentials: I’m hard of hearing but I’m learning hand signals

Brucey Boy: 3 years oldGender: MaleLikes: Playing with my toys and sitting in my tunnel watching the world go byEssentials: I’ll need an adult-only home

Please pull out and display on a pin-board or in a window

where lots of people will see me!Hopefully, with your

help, our forever homes will be found sooner!

Help us to rescue the countless cats and dogs who are missing homes: Text RESCUE to 70111 to give £3 a month**This is a subscription service. You will be charged £3, plus one message at your standard network rate in the first month, and £3 a month thereafter with the option to skip donations if you wish. The Mayhew Animal Home will receive 100% of the donation. To unsubscribe, text STOP to 70111 or call 0203 282 7864.

To find out more about these animals and other Mayhew residents please visit:

Cats: www.themayhew.org/cats

Dogs: www.themayhew.org/dogs

Or telephone: 020 8962 8000

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challenge yourself in 2015!

BrItIsH 10k12th JulyJoin 25,000 runners and take part in the world’s greatest road race route. The route starts in Piccadilly and you will pass by London’s most famous landmarks.

Be a pAWsome fundraiser!Registration fee: £35Minimum Sponsorship: £200

run tO tHE BEAt13th septemberExpect this to be FUNtastic! Sign up to become part of The Mayhew team at London’s only Music 10K this year! Join 12,500 runners and enjoy the energy–boosting beats from the many music stations which you will find along the way. Oh, and don’t forget about the epic after party with amazing headline acts – in past years they’ve had Jessie J, Tinie Tempah and lots more.

Be a pAWsome fundraiser!Registration fee: £35Minimum Sponsorship: £220

If you’d like to challenge yourself this year AND raise money for The Mayhew, then why not join the #PawsomeTeam! We have lots of challenge events to choose from where you can do something exciting, get fit and have fun - all at the same time as fundraising for our homeless cats and dogs. So what are you waiting for?

To find out more about how to get involved, please contact Margherita Billotto on 020 8206 5872 or events@mayhewanimalhome.org

skYdIVEVarious dates availableWould you like to make a thrilling skydive from 10,000 feet or an exhilarating solo jump from up to 3,000 feet? Then a skydive is for you!There are three types of jump available:• an ‘Accelerated FreeFall’ where you

can experience the thrill of skydiving solo from up to 12,000 feet

• a ‘Tandem Skydive’ from 10,000 feet attached to a professional instructor

• a ‘Static Line’ jump which is performed solo from up to 3,000 feet

Be a pAWsome fundraiser!Registration fee: £70 deposit on booking which goes to the organisers (Skyline)Minimum Sponsorship: £395

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Ask the expert

Epilepsy is a condition we are seeing more often in dogs. The Mayhew’s Chief Vet Ursula Goetz, MRCVS, GPCert (SAS) explains what epilepsy is and how to care for an epileptic pet.

Q. What is epilepsy?Epilepsy is a disorder of recurring seizures. Seizures are described as ‘an uncoordinated firing of the neurons, usually within a portion of the brain.’ Why these neurons do not function normally in epileptic dogs is still poorly understood, but we do know that the nerves do not behave in the normal coordinated fashion. A dog with epilepsy will exhibit periodic episodes called seizures, which can also be referred to as convulsions or “fits.”

It is important to know that epilepsy causes seizures but not all seizures are related to epilepsy. There are many other reasons for a seizure to occur such as congenital defects, diabetes, heart problems, kidney disorders, toxins or even certain medications. There is not one single test to check for epilepsy; it is diagnosed by excluding the other possible causes which can be a difficult and lengthy process.

Q. What happens during a seizure?Epileptic seizures are usually recurring, can range in duration and severity, and your pet may lose consciousness. The

seizure is often preceded by ‘focal onset’ in which they may appear frightened, and when the seizure starts they may fall on their side and their body can become stiff with stretched out legs. They may begin to move their legs rhythmically (a little like running) and may urinate, defecate and drool depending on the type and severity of the seizure. Seizures can last between a few seconds to several minutes. Following the seizure the animal may be disorientated, and sometimes may be thirsty and hungry.

Q. What should I look out for?Your vet will need you to provide an accurate description of the seizure so it is helpful if you can answer the following questions:• What your dog looks like when having

seizures• The duration and how often they occur• Are there signs that only appear on

one side of your dog (e.g. walking in circles and always in the same direction)?

• Has your dog had a high fever?• Has your dog been exposed to any

toxins?

• Has your dog experienced any trauma recently or in the past?

• Are your dog’s vaccinations up to date?• Has your dog been recently boarded

or running loose with other dogs?• When and what your dog eats• Do seizures occur in a pattern related

to exercise, eating, sleeping, or certain activities?

• Does your dog show different signs right before or right after seizures?

• Any changes in behaviour?• Any other signs of illness?

Q. can it be treated?Every animal is different and your vet may prescribe anti-epileptic medication after diagnosis of epilepsy to help control the seizures. But keep in mind that the medication is not a cure – it is a treatment to control the condition. Blood tests and continuous monitoring via regular visits to your vet are necessary. However, most pets and their owners learn how to successfully control and live with the condition and the animal lives a long and happy life.

Above: This is Cassie, an epileptic Staffy owned by Sue, our Reception Coordinator. Sue says: “Her condition doesn’t affect her life at all. The first time she had a full seizure it was scary, but now it doesn’t faze us. Cassie is a lively and otherwise very healthy dog with a real appetite for life.”

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the stress-busting sensory garden

The Sensory Garden is made up of numerous different smells, textures and sounds to engage all the senses and offer enjoyment for each individual dog at The Mayhew.

plAntsDogs love nothing more than having a sniff about so here are a few of the scented plants that you’ll see in our Sensory Garden this summer:Catnip: not just for cats! This has relaxation properties and stimulates playfulness in dogs.Chamomile: dogs suffering from anxiety or skin/stomach upsets will be attracted to this plant’s scent.Lavender: helps to reduce anxiety and other nervous conditions.

Dogs arrive at The Mayhew for a variety of reasons, some who are in desperate need of our help, and some who may not cope well with a kennel environment. The Mayhew’s Head of Kennels, Maria Markey, has created a Sensory Garden for our dogs to reduce stress and anxiety, encourage them to become more secure in their surroundings, and provide additional stimulation and enrichment on a daily basis during their time with us.

Marigolds: dogs in grief or emotional distress will often sniff out this plant.Mint: good for cooling properties and will often be selected by dogs who suffer from skin irritations.Violets: Nervous dogs or those who have recently changed home may enjoy sniffing this plant.

sOunds, tExturEs And ActIVItIEsA solar-powered fountain and wooden wind chimes provide soothing and relaxing sounds for the dogs to listen to. These non-invasive and natural noises have a calming effect, making the dog feel at ease.

An area of astro-turf, a paddling pool and a wooden bark trough provide different and interesting things for the dogs to feel and touch.

Toys, activity tables, games (such as a log with treats hidden in it) provide mental stimulation and enjoyment.

Above: Catching a scent

Above: Maria has been busy growing plants on her windowsill

Above: Marigolds

Above: Chamomile

Above: Cooling off in the paddling pool

Above: A dog sniffs out treats hidden in a log

Why not make your own Sensory Garden at home this summer? Visit themayhew.org/sensorygarden for more tips and ideas on how to get started.

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remembering past friends

charlie: a Mayhew ‘old boy’ success story“Left on the doorstep unloved and aloneThe Mayhew gave him the name ‘Bertie’ and a bed of his ownIn six months he’d grown into a cute little guyBut despite his good looks he was always passed byUntil one day in August when we looked in to seeIf we could find an addition to our feline family.

There was this white haired young rascal, one blue eye, one green With the cheekiest face we had ever seenHe allowed us to watch him as he scoffed down his food It was a chance to observe his character and moodHe was playful, inquisitive and eager to please He melted our hearts with incredible ease‘Bertie’ became ‘Charlie’ which he took with aplomb And we brought him home to meet our cats Henry and Tom.

Almost eighteen years later, he’s still in our home He’s very much loved and never aloneHe’s arthritic, diabetic and hard of hearing - he’ll claim His coat’s lost its lustre, but his teeth still remainHe’s classed as geriatric the veterinaries say But he still has his sparkle and his pain’s kept at bay.

His ‘twilight’ is now dimming, an acceptance we must bear But Charlie has a very strong spirit that will always be there.”

A short poem from Christine and family to show how much love and enjoyment they gained by having Charlie in their lives.

sandy: a tale from British actress sue Jameson“About eleven years ago the New Tricks team were filming at The Mayhew. Our own dog was lonely, so the crew were soon laying bets on how many I’d take home! I fell for an ancient Yorkie called Scruffy. While filming our scene, I spotted a sign on the counter – “Hard to Home – 5yr old Sandy”. She was epileptic and had come from Death Row in Sheffield. We really didn’t want three dogs, so I stuck with Scruffy... However, when we came to fetch him, Jim met Sandy. She sat down next to him, looked up at him with one ear up, one down, and said, “me too?” How could he resist? “Better take her too!” he said.

But poor Sandy struggled to cope. The fits were never a problem for us or her, it seemed. They were just short Petit Mals and she was fine afterwards. But being left alone was another matter; she barked and leapt all over the furniture and never seemed to rest.

It was a long haul, but eventually she settled down. She was highly intelligent, loved her walks and just being with us. The sofa, across somebody’s lap, was her favourite place!

As years went by and we sadly lost

Losing a pet is a hard time for every owner and for many it is like saying goodbye to your best friend. Two of our supporters have sent us special messages as a way of remembering their four-legged friends.

Above: Charlie at the grand old age of 18Actors James Bolam and Sue Jameson with Scruffy (left) and Sandy (right)

Another way to remember a loved one is to make a donation in memoriam or why not consider sponsoring an animal cabin? You can do this by calling us on 020 8206 5870 or visiting themayhew.org/donate.Your donation will help the many homeless animals at The Mayhew.

Scruffy and then our other old dog, we took care never to leave Sandy alone and friends came to stay if we were working. She coped with heart problems and wonky legs in the most stalwart undaunted way, and right up to the end we would take her for a stagger down the road every single day. After 11 years, our neighbours could almost set their clocks by her, and her fans (human and canine) would stop to say hello.

This January, our favourite vet came and we tried one last injection to clear fluid from her abdomen. But after a night with me on the sofa she did her own thing, in her own time and, quite gently, let go of life. Dearest, bravest girl.

Probably room for others in a little while!”

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Your letters – adopted & loved

Buttercup

To all at The Mayhew,

Buttercup rules our roost - she came to us as a

foster and ended up staying for good! She’s there in

the morning with her loud rattling purr and there’s

no doubt the bed, couch and living room rug are all

hers, she just shares them with us!

When we get home in the evening she’s behind the door purring and she loves

her back garden, but not the neighbour’s dog so much. Heaven help any other cat

that might think it’s for sharing - she’s straight out her cat flap to hiss them off!

When she is not sleeping or “yomping” in her garden, she’s surveying her

Kingdom for intruders.

And we like to think protecting us too...she’s a right little Madame but she’s our

little Madame. We would like to send a big thank you to The Mayhew (especially

Joanna) for her kindness.

Best wishes for future residents!

Buttercup, Alan & Olivia

Louis

Dear JoAnna & Matthew,

Guess who’s looking super-healthy and happy? I’m delighted to

say that the anti-dust mite measures seem to be working a treat

and, as you can see, there is barely any trace of the skin allergy

Louis suffered from for so long and his coat looks really glossy.

Better yet, he is dashing about the house, chasing his tail and

loving life; we’ve never seen him with this much energy!

He is wearing me out with his constant demands for play!

Hope all is well at the Mayhew and we look forward to bringing

Louis back to you this summer for his jabs.

Best wishes

Nemone

Sooty (previously Duchess)

Dear everybody,

We thought you’d like to know that Sooty (previously

Duchess) has now spent her second Christmas with us.

She’s such a fantastic dog and we and everybody who

knows her loves her and tells her how pretty she is. I

continue to train her and I also play hide and seek

with her in the forest which she really likes!

With all our best wishes to you and all the four legged guests

at The Mayhew.

Adam & Andrea

To share your stories, please get in touch by writing to The Mayhew Animal Home, Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London, NW10 6BJ or email support@mayhewanimalhome.org

Lucky

Dear Mayhew,

What makes you think that Lucky the pom has settled

in then? He’s nicked my chair and last night he slept on

my pillow in my bed... for a little boy he sure takes up a

lot of room! He has just had a Sunday roast dinner and

wolfed it down. This little chappy is the best thing ever

and he is so clever. He loves his squeaky bone and can’t

wait to chase and fetch it for me.

Lucky is the best pet in the world, so loving and obedient

and we wouldn’t want to be without him!

Kind regards to you all at Mayhew,

Thelma

Here’s an update from some ex-Mayhew residents...

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Why Microchip?

Thousands of cats and dogs are lost each year in the UK and many are never reunited with their owners as they have no permanent identification.

Callie was found as a stray in the local area. Most people assume that a stray cat would be underweight, tired, sick or injured but that wasn’t the case for Callie. When she was brought into The Mayhew she was overweight and, apart from needing to shed a few pounds, was in great shape. She was very friendly and fully domesticated, seemingly free from the stresses of a hard life on the streets of London, and more accustomed to living in a nice house and being loved.

Sadly Callie was not microchipped so we had no way of re-uniting her with her owner.

Microchipping is cheap, harmless and takes seconds; it’s the safest way to ensure your pet can find their way back to you if they become lost. A small chip (the size of a grain of rice) is implanted into the back of the animal’s neck during a procedure very similar to giving an injection. The chip has a unique number on it which is linked to your contact details.

Above: microchipping is cheap, harmless and takes seconds

Above: Callie relaxing at The Mayhew

The Mayhew offers low-cost microchipping. To book an appointment please contact the Clinic on 020 8962 8017 or email vetclinic@mayhewanimalhome.org

If Callie had been chipped, her owner could have been traced in a matter of minutes. Make sure you microchip your pet to maximise your chances of being reunited if they become lost.

Luckily for Callie, we were able to care for her at The Mayhew and she has now been happily rehomed.

To find out more visit our website: www.themayhew.org/hydebark

call us on 020 8206 5872 or email us at events@mayhewanimalhome.org

A truly PETacular day out for all the family10am - 5pm, Sunday 5th July 2015

Hyde Park The Cockpit

Free admission

Fun celebrity-judged dog show*

Fantastic stalls and food

Sponsored dog walk

*£4 entry for each dog show category Date for your diary:

Open Day-Sunday 14th June-Live music & entertainment -Delicious BBQ & street food -Fun children’s activities -Meet some of our animals -And lots more.. . .

www.themayhew.org/events