Further Updates from the Bat Cave

Marjorie and I continue to be encouraged by the many kind e-mail messages, copies of Worcestershire Trading Standards questionnaires, and telephone calls that we're receiving. I posted a small number of these yesterday here at the Doggie Blog, and if you'll indulge me, I'd like to post a few more.

We want you to know that you have our support 100 percent. We have a similar ongoing problem with our neighbour and have seen how some people can manipulate the system and the police. If there is any thing we can do, please don't hesitate to call on us. Wishing you all the very best with this nonsense!

If u've have got a secret cave somewhere I won t be happy because we've never been offered this facility, how big is it, and surely you could have squeezed a couple more dogs in when you've been full booked :)

You have 2 very happy customers filling in this questionnaire plus another 1 1/2 if you count our dogs. F [...] loves it there and T[...]'s a Saluki she doesn't do love. Good luck with this hassle.

I’m sure that you’ve had loads of messages already but I felt I had to reply – I have read your email and am still trying to pick my jaw up from the floor! I can’t believe what has happened! We haven’t had a letter from trading standards yet but can assure you that if one comes here the questionnaire will be completed to reflect the more than excellent standards of care and attention that I KNOW FOR CERTAIN that [our dog] has received from everyone at Lucies Farm. In fact I am very tempted to call them tomorrow to state this in case they miss me out!

[Our dog] is coming for a visit later this month so I’ll see you if you are there – otherwise, I hope that you are able to resolve this ridiculous ‘case’ soon.

Our immediate reaction to receiving the letter from the council this morning was:

• whether this was a vexatious complaint from a neighbour and
• why does the council want to know what you charge us? They can look it up on your site if they wish!

Catching up with your e-mail tonight filled in the pieces for us.

We were really upset on your part and echo your concerns at their accessing of confidential information without your permission or appropriate legal means. Suffice to say we shall be returning a glowing report to the council which we will fax through as requested.

We wish you both the best and are sure you will weather this unpleasant episode. If there is anything else we can do please let us know.


I was truly sorry to receive [your e-mail] and to see the trouble which you are having with your neighbour. I have not received any communication from the Trading Standards authority.

If you do indeed have a hidden cave, (which is of course impossible), I have to say that H[...] and S[...] absolutely love it. I cannot believe that dogs would return to you so happily if they were being ill-treated and mine are both very happy to return to Lucies Farm.

I am sure that a dispute with a neighbour is very wearing to you both, as I do see neighbour disputes in my professional life [...] and thus know the enormous aggravation which they cause. I am sure that you have received many messages of support, but felt that I wanted to add mine to them. I do hope that you don't let it all get to you too much.

My boys have just bought me Marjorie's book for my birthday so that I can try to improve the appetite of the picky eater that is H[...]. Needless to say, S[...] has no appetite problems!

If I can do anything at all to help you in any way with the problems you are facing, then do not hesitate to contact me. I am sure you will win through in the end and have no doubts whatsoever about the standard of care that my dogs receive when they stay with you.


If you'll indulge me, I will post snippets from more messages tomorrow. Even if nobody reads this blog, it makes me feel nice to re-read these. I guess it's the modern equivalent of pasting nice messages in a scrapbook.

Meanwhile, life continues at Lucies Farm. Marjorie has been hampered by the unpredictable --- but largely bad --- weather from taking lots of photos of our guests-in-residence. I am trying to clear the backlog of earlier photos --- with Photoshop on my laptop --- while semi-watching the Olympics. As an American who has lived in the UK since 1986, I am pleased by all the gold medals for both countries.

Our tree surgeon has just felled some trees in Lord's Wood, our private woodland, to widen out the area where we walk our guests. If it's not raining, I hope to see this tomorrow.