WAGS on WATER

06/01/2025

Happy Monday morning folks, may your week ahead be a good one.

05/01/2025

Little ex foster crew mate Lilah is keeping Mandy and Rob on their toes! No quiet retirement with this little terrierist around!

05/01/2025

This is where Harley was found. The situation is desperate.

04/01/2025

They're going on a squirrell hunt, they're gonna catch a big one!

03/01/2025

For anyone dreaming of spring...its only 76 days away 🌞

Counting down the days to Spring 2024. Check back often to see how many days until Spring.

03/01/2025

There was a rapid drop in temperature last night. Mr & Mrs Waggly had frost on their backs this morning, when they came for breakfast. I've fed them (and others) through the last 5 winters and it puts a smile on my face whenever I see them.

02/01/2025

Ships cat Yaffle is now ready for adoption. She comes with a crew mate called Yuki. If you feel you could offer them a home together, please follow the link below.

Looking to adopt a cat in Ipswich? Want to fundraise or volunteer? We’d love to hear from you. Find out more about Cats Protection Ipswich Branch.

01/01/2025

What are they plotting?

31/12/2024

Nite nite folks on the last night of 2024. We have an amber warning on the wind but we dont care. This is because I have a cabin full of four traumatised dogs due to the indiscriminate use of fireworks by the general public in our area. But I have learned that the human species as a whole, don't care about anyone or anything as long as they get what they want in the here and now. It's sad, but I hold onto the hope that things will get better, that the world will get a wake up call and action will be taken to protect our planet and all who depend on her in 2025.

31/12/2024

It's New Years Eve and time to look back at what we, as a crew achieved in 2024.

It was a busy year! We fostered 7 dogs and 1 cat onboard Barge Yaffle! Cinnamon arrived at Christmas but was rehomed by January. Then Snow left us in March after being in our care for 8 months. We then had an incredibly busy time with Goose, Poppy and Gino all being rehomed in June. But as soon as Gino left, Sadie arrived. Poppy sadly died after she was diagnosed with cancer, but we were able to help her grieving guardian, as she took Sadie home in October. Harley quickly filled the space Sadie left. In November we came to the aid of Yaffle the cat. She stayed for only a week, but as the captain still has scars on her leg from the encounter, I think she deserves a mention. She went on to Cats Protection for rehoming.

Whilst we had our fosters onboard, we were also busy facilitating rehomes for 12 other dogs. Most weeks there would be requests for help or signposting to other rescues. It was an awful year for anyone with an XL and we had to turn down 4 of them for foster. Sometimes all we could do was listen and try to comfort. We also came to the aid of a dog dumped down the road from us. On the up side, our resident swans, Cat and Alfie finally had a brood of 7 cygnets after over two years with nothing. The wagglies delivered a brood of eight late in the year. Then there were the three swans we rescued over 8 days at Christmas.

2024 was also the year where we made new friends and increased our network. I met Isabel from HELP STREET CATS AND DOGS at a protest outside MBR Acres. We continued our work with Zante Strays and Sue Bann. Leo from licensing gave us a 5 star for our homeboarding service. Dionne from Candydash images offered her support with our rehoming efforts, through free photoshoots for our foster dogs. We moved our animals care to Ipswich Veterinary Centre in October. In December we found 4 swan spotters to support our wildlife rescue efforts and Gill from WeCare Wildlife Rescue. Finally we have to mention Daisy, the canine physio who has offered her services (probono) to help Harley with his mobility.

We also grew our FB crew and now have 1800 following our daily lives through this page. Our brilliant FB crew rose to the challenge of our GoFundMe's and raised £5,106 to help our fosters. This money directly helped Poppy with medical treatments and Harley to get to the UK and covered the costs of his wheels and care. They continue to support our work, through the Amazon wish list and making donations...even at the car wash! I've been amazed by people's generosity and kindness in 2024.

So what will 2025 bring? Hopefully Harley will find his special person and move on, but if he doesn't, we are OK with that. We already have our next foster waiting to join us. He was found with the body of his owner, and is currently in the temporary care of the kind person who attended the scene. This poor little mite has some issues, but I'm sure we can win him around. He will have the canine crew to show him the way. Barge Yaffle will spin her magic and we will work hard to find his forever person. So 2025 is already looking set to be busy...but thats how we like it.

So myself and the crew of Barge Yaffle wish to thank our FB crew for supporting our endeavours to make the world a kinder place. We wish you all, a Happy and Kind New Year x

31/12/2024

The two swans from Fox's Marina are now at the Water Fowl Sanctuary. They have had Xrays and been strapped up. They now face a long recovery, which will cost. If anyone would like to donate to their onward care the details are below;

The Water Fowl sanctuary a/c 10791094
Sort code 50 42 56

Thankyou x

30/12/2024

The two swans I rescued over Christmas at Fox's Marina, are with Gill at WeCare Wildlife Rescue in Brantham. They will both need veterinary treatment (as both have wing injuries) and transport to a specialist sanctuary. All of which needs to be paid for.

If anyone would like to help cover the costs, donations can be made to;

[email protected]

via PayPal
https://www.paypal.com/uk/digital-wallet/send-receive-money/send-money

Many thanks in advance. Yvette x

30/12/2024

I'd say the Giraffe that Santa Paws bought for the crew...has been claimed!

29/12/2024

🦊 💩 🤢🚿🧼🫧

29/12/2024

Harley for Adoption: PLEASE SHARE, SHARE, SHARE.

♂️ Male
🎂 Birth date: Late 2023
(estimate)
🐕 Breed: Border Collie Mix
✂️ Neutered
🐕‍🦺 Good with dogs
🐈 Good with cats
👩‍👦 Good with kids
⚖️ 17 kg
📏 Medium Sized
💉 Fully vaccinated
🦽 Disabled
🇬🇧 Currently in the UK,
Ipswich area

Meet Harley – this cheeky, loveable boy is searching for a very special person, who can give him the care and love he deserves, a chance to finally feel safe, cherished, and truly at home. Harley’s life has been filled with unimaginable challenges. He has partial paralysis in his hind legs, yet his determination to keep going despite everything is nothing short of inspiring. His disability is only a small part of who he is.

Harley was found in heartbreaking conditions in February 2024. Imagine a scene of chilling winds, biting cold, and snow swirling around a paralysed dog. Huddled amidst the rubbish, shivering, hungry and utterly alone, was Harley. He was found at a landfill in Turkey by volunteers of the charity HELP STREET CATS AND DOGS , desperately trying to find food and shelter in the midst of a harsh winter. His back paws, raw and bleeding, told a story of hardship and survival – dragging himself across miles of unforgiving ground, hoping to find food and safety.

Harley was rushed to the vet for care and x-rays. His injuries were too severe for any simple fix, and the vet advised amputation for his back legs. However, after consulting UK specialists, it was decided not to. His resilience alone is a miracle. He likely survived a serious accident that left him partially paralysed with fused legs, but his sheer will to live kept him going.

Finding a forever home for Harley in Turkey was impossible, but his rescuers wouldn't give up. Harley arrived in the UK in October 2024 and into foster with WAGS on WATER. Since arriving into foster, Harley has proven he is a very intelligent, patient and flexible dog. He has adapted to life inside a floating home quickly and has responded well to a regular routine. He loves the resident dogs and is friendly with everyone he meets, including cats.

Harley has partial paralysis of his hind legs. Whilst he can stand for short periods of time, he is unable to walk and will drag himself along as his hind legs are fused. Harley's feet are protected by either wearing boots or using a drag bag during the day. Care of his feet will be paramount going forward. Harley has also been introduced to a wheelchair and he loves the freedom this gives him. He is currently using it for 45 minutes at a time. He can move very fast on his wheels and loves to play chase. He can also be walked for short periods using a Tigris lifting harness.

Harley is doubly incontinent and this is easily managed by routine and products. Harley opens his bowels predictably first thing in the morning and later in the afternoon. This can be induced by excitement. Harley does have some sensation and will whine when he feels the urge to go, which gives time to take him outside. His urinary incontinence is managed through the use of belly bands and a washable nappy worn over the top. Harley has his products changed up to five times a day and is cleaned with baby wipes during changes to avoid skin irritation. Harley has learnt the toileting routine very quickly and will stand beautifully for the 4 minutes it takes to be changed. He has a weekly bath to keep him fresh.

Harley sleeps in a crate without continence products. This is done in order that his skin and ge****ls can be aired and to reduce the risk of UTIs. He has a waterproof blanket over vet bedding and this is often damp in the morning. His bedding and pants are washed daily. A tumble dryer is a must!

Harley travels well, but when travelling alone does get stressed. He prefers to travel in a crate. He needs to be lifted in and out of vehicles. He is a very good boy at the vets and shows no aggression or worry when being treated.

Harley will share toys, chews and attention without any guarding behaviours. He has chewed some bedding. He isn't destructive in the home. He is an exceptionally good-natured dog and lovely around children.

Harley's potential adopter ideally would be at home during the day in order to carry out his toileting routine. Harley has been left up to four hours without incident. He mainly spends his day on the sofa or outside playing with the resident dogs. Harley would be happiest rehomed where there is another resident dog. Once a routine is in place, Harley is very easy to care for and is a delightfully funny companion. He is determined, brave and totally inspirational. He has daily pain relief which is purchased online with a prescription. All equipment purchased for his care will go with Harley.

I am more than happy to share detailed insights on his needs, personality, and care. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or would like to know more about this very special boy ❤️‍🩹

Please follow the link and complete the online adoption form if you would like to adopt Harley.

https://www.helpstreetcatsdogs.com/harley

Call now to connect with business.

28/12/2024

DOGS

The dogs I know
Have many shapes.
For some are big and tall,
And some are long,
And some are thin,
And some are fat and small
And some are little bits of fluff
And have no shape at all.

by Marchette Chute