A Christmas miracle and a stunning gift

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Let’s get STRAIGHT to the Christmas miracle shall we?

Do you remember little Holly who I was fostering? Well, Christmas Eve I received a text from the rescue asking if I could bring Holly in as a friend of the kennel manager was interested in adopting her. A flicker of hope fluttered in my heart and I immediately took her in.

Sadly, it had become increasingly clear to me that Holly was severely disabled. Each day that I had her, her walking gradually got worse, until she was actually walking on her knuckles or falling over.  By the end of the week her front legs could barely support her. I think she had been kept in a crate so just looked bandy, but once she had her freedom and could run around her legs simply couldn’t cope, in the end I had to support her weight with a scarf held under her tummy.

When I arrived at the rescue, the lovely girl who wanted to adopt her was shocked at how disabled she actually was, and was panicking re how on earth she would manage the vets fees as Holly may need her legs breaking and re-setting…and of course no pet insurance would be forthcoming!

After much discussion the rescue agreed to fund any necessary treatment and Holly, after a final cuddle and kiss, was handed over…….and given that I know the girl I was promised regular updates and pics. So…..now puppyless, I sobbed all the way home, I had become very attached to baby bear y’see, and she to me…..

When I told hubs all about her adoption he decided he would pay £600 towards her treatment, which, when gift aided, would take the sum to £1000. Now wasn’t that lovely of him? No-one shall be out of pocket or have to worry about baby bear’s treatment! All’s well, ends well eh?

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Later that evening, daughter arrived home to stay with us for Christmas, and although sad to find baby bear gone, enjoyed a royal welcome from our two! Her and hubs are under there somewhere!

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As we were no longer puppy sitting, hubs daughter and I popped out for a few drinks..

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Christmas morning dawned bright and clear and pressies were exchanged……..and…

D’ya SEE that Cannon camera?????

Mine that is, MINE!!! Hubs has gone a little mad this year methinks…

Oh my…..NO more blurry pics! I just have to get to grips with it now, a task I shall relish!

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Dinner was simplicity itself without baby bear to tend too….although I was missing her!!! Terribly!

Can you see Annie going after the bobbles on daughters new slippers?

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I just loved these little candles a gal at the rescue made from used jam jars…..

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All too soon dinner was over and Annie took to her chair, exhausted….

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Boxing day saw the family gathering at hubs parents’ house, and I tentatively tried out my new camera on the most basic auto setting…

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Lots of pics were taken, and not ONE was blurry! At all…..golly….

It began to snow, and I literally pushed daughter out in it and began clicking, barely even focusing as there were shrill yelps re the cold streaming in, and STILL my pics remained clear!

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I also threw glorious niece out in the snow too…..and GOSH, one unfocused click later…..  I could become used to this!

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Daughter took this pic of one of my lovely friends…I just LOVE it, mobile phones are incredible aren’t they?

There have been so many get togethers over the last week…..I only wish they didn’t all come so thick and fast, it’s nice to be able to reflect a little after each gathering….

Several old friends have been staying over, and catching up has been wonderful……but the peace and quiet is nice too!

 So……while I have the chance..

from all of us to all of you…

Have a happy, healthy, prosperous New year, and may all that you wish for come true…..as long as it’s good for you mind!!!!

xxx

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46 Comments

  1. I’m beyond pleased that your dear hubby has surprised you with a DSLR! They are the best for fast clicking and with you and your multitude of animals to photograph, no more delays when you press the button! Well done both of you!

    Of course, I’m pleased for little Holly and her new peoples who will love and care for her. Definitely a happy new year for that little bear 🙂 And many many good wishes to you, too. Happy birthday! I sent a card, but am not sure it has made its way to you yet. God bless you all in 2015!

    • I had to google what DSLR was…..is there any hope for me??? I love the fast clicking when taking doggy running pics…I am now looking forward to taking CLEAR pics of fluttery baby birds in the spring!! I rather fancy taking videos too, I think I need to get a different card for that, one with more memory….
      What luck for baby bear being adopted like that and right before Christmas…..
      Thanks SO much for the card Anne! And for suggesting the photography course!!!xxx

  2. How compassionate you are to care so much for little Holly when she was in such dire straits. I bet you do miss her. Your hubby is a hero…and the feather that he lost out of his cap (way back there when the house was locked), not only deserves it back, but perhaps a new one to tuck in his hatband. 😉 How comforting to know that Holly will be taken care of by someone who will cherish her, and also now to have her vet bills covered. A great story all around. Your daughter and niece seem to have had a great time…cute photos! You and ‘the hero’ look very classy! Super about your new camera! How exciting. Yay! Funny picture of Annie the bobble-gobbler 😉 A very Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your family! Looking forward to more adventures.

    • Awwww….thanks Glo…..I did miss baby bear dreadfully on Christmas day, it’s surprising how quickly you get used to having a puppy underfoot! I agree re hubs, I shall immediately go a feather hunting!
      Classy???? US????? Lol….xxx

  3. So glad that Holly’ s future is all sorted out. How kind and generous of your husband.
    A new camera, how exciting. You are going to have fun with it. Happy New Year Dina.

    • Thanks Chloris, it was such a relief to see Holly adopted by someone I knew, and it will be lovely to see her in the future.
      My new camera is fast becoming “my precious” Yes!xxx

  4. Great news about Holly. I too got a new camera for christmas.. a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ72EB-K bridge camera and I am also loving the great photos it takes. Have fun with yours and Happy New Year :o) x

  5. I was a little worried to hear that the puppy was severely disabled. That is clearly why the previous owners got rid of her. But I was happy to hear that it can be treated and that someone is willing to adopt her 😀
    And well done to hubs for taking care of the financial side of it. That was very kind and thoughtful of him.
    I am so envious of your snow. We didn’t have one flake ! There is a saying that the sun shines on the righteous, but I think that the snowflakes also dance for people with kind hearts !!

    What a marvellous set of photos. There will be no stopping you now with your new camera. And everybody on your photos looks happy. Thanks for letting us have a peep at your celebrations. I smiled when I saw Annie going after the bobbles on your daughter’s slippers LOL :)) Those dogs are so amusing.

    Happy new year to you and also happy birthday for tomorrow. I hope you are planning to do something nice…? Xxx

    • I was shocked by how quickly baby bear’s walking deteriorated….it was so sad to watch. She will need so much tlc so it’s great to know that she will be the only dog.
      I think Holly and her litter were bred to be sold and yes, her disability was why she was abandoned. Bless the girl that took her, she will have her work cut out for sure!
      Not a single flake of snow???? Awwww,,,,I shall conjure some up, just for you!!! What a lovely thing to say about dancing snowflakes!
      I am certainly looking forward to photography now, and hope to get some decent shots of the animals….
      Annie….sighs….she doesn’t miss a trick!
      Thanks Kegs, I may have a wee drinkie tomorrow!xxx

  6. Oh. such joy…and yes miracles all round for Holly….and blessed be to Hubs:):) I am sure you will see a great deal of little bear Holly as she grows, flourishes and develops….and you will alway know that she is part of your family.

    I wish you and your beautiful family a year filled with joy, love, peace and of course all things creative…..

    Sending love on this first day of 2015. Janet. xxxxx

    • Thanks Janet, it was such a surprise to hear Holly was to be adopted, and lovely that I know the girl adopting her so shall always know how she is doing……what a lovely thought to think she will always be a part of my family…..ahhh….
      Thanks Janet, lots of love to you too.xxx

  7. Such good news. Happy New Year Dina.

  8. Brilliant news on the puppy, so pleased he has found a good home and sponsors! Enjoy seeing more pics next year now you have a new camera. I have a Cannon…its brilliant. Hubby bought me a tripod this year to help me take steady photos. I love taking pics.

    I wish you and your family, success and joy for 2015. You are a star, thank you for all that you give to others. Xx

    • Thanks so much Karen, it’s such a happy outcome for Holly, knowing the girl made it so much easier to part with her.
      Ahha, so you have a canon too eh? Good to hear you got a tripod for yours! I love taking pics too but usually they are horribly blurry….it’s such a pleasure now.
      Thanks Karen, lovely to hear from you, all the best to you and yours.xxx

  9. Oh Dina, what a glorious Christmas all round! So pleased for you and your sweet family. Thanks to you and your hubs little Holly will I’m sure be fine! My, the camera is FAB :o)
    Thank you for making me smile from ear to ear with your post…
    Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy 2015.
    Love and hugs
    Rose H
    xx xx

    • Ahhhh, thanks so much for your lovely comment, I hope all is well with you and yours, all the very best, lots of love and hugs Rose.xxx

  10. Hooray, Dina; joyful, joyful, for so many reasons…is that beautiful woman standing with your handsome husband you or your daughter? I get you confused! I LOVE your new camera and photos, and am soooo happy your husband’s heart matches your own in depth and compassion (but not surprised). Just smiling thinking of what a glorious new life lies ahead for Holly.

    Blessings on your gatherings and partings, Dina, and I hope you find that dear, precious time for reflecting…a most joyful new year to you and yours!

    • Hahahaha….flattery will get you EVERYWHERE!!!
      The new camera is astonishing, I have always had cheap ones before and they usually end up covered in soil or out in the rain, I will really look after this one. I’m looking forward to taking videos of baby birds and hoglets in the spring too…..how marvelous that will be.
      Isn’t it just perfect that Holly found a home so soon, I’m glad I didn’t have her much longer, it would have become impossible to part with her! Thanks Kitty.xxx

  11. Aw smashing …… HAPPY NEW YEAR and have a fantastic birthday ~x~

  12. Your holiday looks so fun and what an amazing guy your hubs is for helping with the surgeries! You have a gorgeous family! That puppy is lucky to have been loved by you and also off to such a good home. 🙂 Happy New Year!

    • Thanks Casa, it has been a lovely Christmas, how quickly it passes though!
      Awwww….I’m so happy to see Holly in such a lovely home, as she’s the only pet she should get all the attention she will need. I was heartbroken when I handed her over, I almost felt like I was giving her up!xxx

  13. A very joy-filled post and I wish you good-hearted family and friends a very happy, healthy and fulfilling new year 2015.

  14. If you would… just for me… mention the name of the model of that beautiful new Canon camera. And I’m so glad for the improvement. Wonderful! Aside from that, your Christmas sounds positively delightful, and I was carried along by the spirit of the holiday as reflected by your post. You are very fortunate to have a hubby with such a great big heart. But all of the family and friends radiate positive spirits and celebration. xxx

    • The camera is a Canon EOS 100D, it came with a lens which is EFS 18-55mm, I am SO pleased with it, I have tried a few different modes, ie athlete and macro and have been stunned by the results. There does seem to be a lots to learn so I shall try to spend time each week mastering it…I can’t get over how clear everything is, I took pics in the rescue today, of birds and rabbits, I must post the rabbits for you next week….they were moving and I was still on auto but still surprisingly good pics!
      Thanks for your lovely comment Shimon, hubs is a big softie although he tries hard to disguise it. All the very best to you and yours.xxx

  15. Aww what a lovely post and Christmas, SB – and I love your photos, espec the one of your friend – that’s just beautiful. Well done to lovely Hubs for coughing up such a generous contribution to baby bear’s treatment. A happy new year to you too!

    • Christmas flies by so quickly doesn’t it, and here we are in the new year all ready….
      I do like that pic of my friend, if I ever get time I will paint it, Thanks Gilly.xxx

  16. What a SUPER POST…to take us out of the ‘Old’ into the ‘New’ Year….Truly lovely…. Super pictures with your new ‘Cammy’….Enjoy!
    Happy New Year! Love and Hugs! xxxx

    • Thanks Bushka, I am looking forward to discovering what this new camera can do, it even has a touch screen! It shall certainly be fun.xxx

  17. I’m so glad that sweet baby got a forever home and that all his medical issues will be taken care of. He sure is a cutie!

    What a lovely gift you received! You will enjoy getting to know how to use that one! Happy New Year to you!

    • It’s such a lovely outcome for her isn’t it? And as she is the only pet her owner will have time to cater to all her needs….
      Oh….I am really thrilled with the new camera, I just need to figure it all out now. Thanks Susanne.xxx

  18. I’m so pleased that Holly has got a forever home and what a wonderful, generous gesture from your hubby. I saw something similar on Paul O Grady’s Battersea programme recently where a dog was walking on it’s knuckles. It had x rays and they determined that it was something it would grow out of, I think the two bones in its legs were growing at a different rate but it would eventually right itself so I hope it’s good news for Holly too. Wishing you all the very best for 2015.

    • Oh I do hope Holly’s legs right themselves, that would be such a fantastic outcome, the vet thinks poor nutrition may be the cause, if that’s the case good food should sort everything out.
      That’s interesting about the bones growing at different rates…..Thanks Jo.xxx

  19. Puppy tails always bring a tear to my eye. Keep us up to date with how she gets on. Great pics!!! Happy New Year to you all xx

  20. I’m glad Holly has found someone to love her and hope that you’ll keep us up to date with her progress. What a wonderful gesture from your husband.

    Enjoy the camera although it looks as though you have already started doing that.

    • I shall certainly keep you informed re Holly, she was very hard to give up though, such a sweet little thing!
      Oh….the joys of a decent camera…..I am loving the fact that pics are no longer blurry. Thanks Sue.xxx

  21. A lovely, heart-warming post with the news about Holly, and well done to hubs for such a generous gesture. Do please let us know how she gets on if you can.
    Lucky you with the new camera, have fun and take lots of wonderful pictures.
    Thanks, and a happy new year to you too. xx

    • I shall certainly keep you updated re Holly’s welfare, hopefully her legs will heal without too much medical intervention. I am certainly enjoying playing around with my new camera…..isn’t technology amazing? Thanks Flighty.xxx

  22. It’s been such fun following your posts this year and what a great Christmas miracle! A very Happy New Year to you too x

  23. Enjoy the new camera, though it sounds like you already are! Your husband is a good hearted fellow.

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