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NFDOG FOLK TURN COLD PUPS INTO HOT DOGS |
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Madeleine Platt’s heart went out to the shivering lurcher puppy when it arrived at the Winchester day centre she helps to run for homeless and disadvantaged people. The owner asked if Madeleine had a warm coat that would fit the puppy. Although with help from the local RSPCA they could help with veterinary bills, worming tablets and dog food, they had no suitable coats. Madeleine was so touched by the puppy’s plight, she approached NFDOG to see if members could be asked if they had any coats to spare. Membership Secretary Penny Gayler quickly forwarded the appeal to members who have email addresses. “The response was wonderful,” said Madeleine. “In no time at all, NFDOG members had given us around 20 coats, plus a selection of patterns for knitted coats. One kind person even went out and bought a selection of eight new coats to donate to us. “ Lots of people went to a lot of trouble to find coats in places like charity shops. Some donated coats that belonged to their own dogs who had died.” Soon, the lurcher was warmly tucked up in a blue waterproof with a fleecy lining to keep out the punishing cold that the homeless and their dogs suffer. Several other dogs in a similar situation have also been given coats. Madeleine, from Lyndhurst, who has been an NFDOG member from the launch, has worked at the Trinity Winchester day centre for six years. Many of her clients have dogs and finish up living rough because most hostels for the homeless will not accept people with pets. “Like all of us, they love their dogs and will not give them up,” said Madeleine. “In many cases, the welfare of their dogs is more important than their own wellbeing. Some live chaotic lives because of substance or alcohol misuse and often their dogs are the only thing that help them keep in some sort of order. “There is a bonus from helping dogs. People who we might not have seen for some time come because of it and perhaps we can give them some medical attention and a warm meal.” She added: “It think it is wonderful that NFDOG has been able to help in this way. It is important that there are forums like this which enable people to help each other.” But does she not worry that the dogs are being used as “begging aids” by their owners on the pavements of Winchester? “In all my years here, I have only known of two clients who were begging with dogs. Other clients at our centre let it be known that they did not approve of their dogs being used in that way. Anyway, if a warm coat reaches a cold dog, then that is great. At the end of the day, the dog does not have any say in how it is being used.” |
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