More Kind Messages of Support

I'm in the Bat Cave, with Barney asleep on the couch to my left, and Mana asleep (on his back, with his legs in the air) on the couch behind me.

Marjorie and I watched the BBC documentary last night about the problems that affect some pedigreed dogs because of "debilitating inbred problems." Some of the journalism was quite florid, as we've come to expect from the BBC, but they made some good points --- with very dramatic, heartbreaking footage. It put our problems with Worcestershire Trading Standards into perspective.

Here are more snippets of messages we've received in the past few days from our customers:

Yes, I also got the questionnaire and rang the council on the pretext of being 'very worried', to see what I could find out. They told me that they had had a complaint telling them that dogs are kept in the 'stable block', when owners are told they're being kept in the kennels. I was quite vociferous in telling them that the 'stable block' is a very nicely converted kennel in which [our dog] had stayed and that any such complaint was nonsense. I'll also send you a copy of our reply to their questionnaire.

You must both be really upset - how awful. It's sour grapes. We'll see you next Wednesday when we bring [our dog] for his spa break.

Many thanks for the email and somewhat spooky timing; I got home yesterday to find the letter from Worcestershire Trading Standards and to say L[...] and I were shocked was an understatement.

We both thought that the questionnaire was somewhat strange and that in our experience we have found that you have provided a service above and beyond anything we could hope for, for [our dog].

I will send you a copy of the completed questionnaire as requested; and please rest assured that we will be returning to you soon and will continue to recommend you to our friends.

I hope everything is resolved with your neighbour as soon as possible.

I have nothing but praise for the service that Lucies Farm provided in the past. If I were to use a kennel in the future, I would use Lucies.

Sorry to hear about this, I'm sure the situation must be extremely stressful for you & Marjorie. My response has already been sent, but I can quote my comments:

"On the few occasions I have used Lucies Farm, I have always been extremely pleased with the level of care & interest that the owners have given my dog. I have never used any other kennels where my dog reacts so positively upon arrival and looks so healthy upon departure."

I hope this helps and I wish you both the best of luck in achieving a positive outcome to this unfortunate & unfair action.

So sorry to hear about your troubles with your neighbour. We haven't received a questionnaire, but if we do I can assure you that we'll answer with the most positive comments and send you a copy.

You only have to look at [our dog] when we arrive to pick her up after her stays with you that she has a great time, and that she is treated like a princess during her stays.

What a ridiculous situation, sorry for all your trouble, there's some pathetic people around unfortunately.

I did receive a survey but rest assure me, my dog and my family have never had any complaints about [my dog] staying with you guys, the photos convey the fun he has when he stays there.

I can complete the survey and send you a copy not a problem or if you would rather me not complete the form that's also fine.

I'll contact Marjorie today about [my dog] staying in a couple of weeks, I hope this matter settles down soon for you all.

I am concerned about councils and the like using powers, which were supposedly granted for fighting serious crime and terrorism, to prosecute fairly trivial complaints. I have no confidence that these people act responsibly, and I am quite concerned about them having my details. So if there is anything we can do please don't hesitate to get in touch. Do you recommend returning this questionnaire?

I think things are only going to get worse, see this link. I read an article by a security/cryptology expert, his name escapes me at the moment but I believe the article was in Scientific American, who recommended that you should routinely encrypt your emails just to frustrate government snooping. [I believe this is the article.]

When I first started using computers in the 60's everyone believed that they would lead to a great improvement in everybody's lives. How wrong could you be.

Just a quick one, apparently a questionnaire has been sent through - it has arrived today, I'll fill it in later and scan through a copy for you!

Well first and foremost in response to the email below [our dogs] have asked me to speak on their behalf.

[Dog 1] is severely disappointed that he was denied access to this cave - he wants to know if he had been a bad boy and was therefore being punished by not getting to play and explore -- he wants to know if it is like Cheddar or Wookey Hole or if it is a wondrous wet, dark, smelly hole filled with bats that he could terrorise -- either way if he doesn't get to go to the cave next time he will be most upset. He also suggests that if the humidity is acceptable in said cave and you are able to get sufficient light in there -- that you install a web cam in there -- oh and a cookie dispenser!

[Dog 2], however was glad that she didn't get to go to the cave as she thinks she might have got her paws wet -- which as you know is unacceptable to her!

Seriously though, we were both pretty incensed when we read what you have been putting up with from your neighbour. Just goes to show the amount of trouble one person can actually cause if they put their mind to it and the extraordinary lengths the council will go to -- presumably to keep that same woman off their backs and out of their offices!

The irony is that clearly she has never been near a run of the mill dog kennel where you can hear the barking from half a mile away! In fact the first time we left [our dogs] in your care we assumed that they must have been out for a walk when we came back to collect them as we couldn't hear any barking or wails of horror from our beloved pooches who had been left at the 'nice' kennel for the afternoon -- but then I suppose that may be because they hadn't been bought back from the cave yet, nothing to do with the fact that they were actually quiet, knackered from a long walk and happy!

The other thing that she won't have considered is that the majority of the owners that send their dogs to you for their holidays, will do so after checking the establishment for themselves, against other places available, will have done a trial run and will indeed check the web cams to ensure that their dogs are happy and well cared for.

I haven't received a questionnaire from the council, but would happily respond to it in the appropriate manner.

As a dog lover - like you guys, I understand that any 'complaint' made to the RSPCA (however unfounded) should be followed up, but what must this person have suggested was going on for them to send (and waste the time of) that level of resource, I can only imagine the level of stress this will have been causing you.

I think I recall correctly that there is more than one house near your property - strange that complaints haven't been received from anyone else!

I trust that you and the other neighbours will also be installing silencers on your lawn mowers, will be ensuring that children keep noise to a minimum, oh and you may want to have a word with the cattle and ask if they could keep the mooing down!

Whilst the best way to deal with a bully is to rise above it and not retaliate, so as to take the wind out of their sails, I do hope with the help of your solicitor something can be done to resolve this.

Anyway, keep your chins up.....