This Year, Think of the Animals – Swap Fireworks for Kindness!
Kirkby Stephen Parish Church held its annual Pet Service on Sunday 6th October and in addition to the parishioners that attended there were eighteen dogs of various sizes and breeds, together with two cats (safely secured in cat carriers to prevent mayhem with all the dogs).
Alan King, one of our volunteer dog walkers is also a churchwarden at Kirkby Stephen and he was asked to give a short talk about the work of Eden Animal Rescue. He began by speaking about his old dog Alfie that passed on to the great kennel in the sky in 2020 and how bereft he was at the loss of his little Jack Russell. It was a year later following a suggestion by a friend, Wendy Johnson (another volunteer at EAR) that he applied to join as a dog walker and he has been walking the doggies most weeks ever since.
Alan had Meg, his Lurcher alongside of him as he was speaking and he spoke about how she had won his heart when she came into the kennels in summer last year and his great delight in sharing his home with her ever since they adopted each other.
Alan spoke about how wonderful and rewarding it was to spend time walking, exercising and making a fuss of the dogs each week and went on to explain the origins of EAR and its amazing work in rescuing, caring and rehoming dogs, cats and other small furry pets. He explained about the centre’s policy in keeping and caring for any animal throughout its life if for any reason it cannot be rehomed. He emphasised that EAR is a charity and relies on donations and fundraising events to raise money to continue its vital work. He spoke about the new kennels and the efforts currently underway to raise money to pay for this essential addition to the facilities at Moorlands Head Farm and invited those present to help support the work of EAR and to spread the word.
There was a retiring collection at the end of the service (this is in addition to the normal weekly collection) and a total of £110 was raised for Eden Animal Rescue.
