In praise of good friends.

The internet can be a wonderful thing. Within the worldwide web we have made some good friends, who we love very much.

Recently, one of those good friends - Amy Tomei - sent us a parcel, just so we knew she loved us too!

Missy was fascinated by the parcel.

Is this for me?

Its a locket for mummy, with mine own picture in it!

and the picture of my sister in Heaven, Spotty

Pleeeeze let me habs it, mummy!

Comes to me, Foxy!

and Heffalump - meet my teeth!

Den me hypnotised mummy to gib me a tweet

and it werked! 

 Thank you so much Amy - the locket will be treasured forever - the watercolour paints and paper will be used to create something nearly as beautiful as your friendship -- though I have a sneaky feeling that Missy's toys won't last that long!

In honour of Bill Tomei

In honour of Bill Tomei - and to bring comfort to his wife, Amy.

I need to tell you a story.....
recently Bill passed away and I made a blog post about losing a good friend who loved dogs.
Many people from many countries searched the internet when Bill passed and many came across my blog post. One in particular - Noel , who worked with Bill - was moved to leave a comment.

Noel left the blog via my gallery site and fell in love with two paintings, which he asked to buy.
I promised him that all proceeds would be used to sponsor a rescue kennel in memory of Bill, to honour his life and friendship.

Here are the paintings that Noel has had framed, and are now hanging in his house, across the ocean.



The monies were enough to sponsor a kennel and a half.
And this is where Marie comes in. Marie is a good friend, who I met through Bill because of our mutual love of dogs.

I explained to Marie what a wondrous thing had come to pass because of the blog post and as quick as you please, Marie offered to make up the cost of the second kennel, so we could sponsor it for Amy.


For love of Bill and Amy Tomei, some dogs in Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are now warm and safe - which I know will give them both great pleasure.
Why Battersea and not a US rescue? My dog came from Battersea . Bill and Amy both adored her - and any shelter which kept a dog for two years whilst it waited for a new home was a good shelter in their book!

In Noel's own words, re: Bill, Amy, the paintings and the rescue kennels : I think it’s a beautiful story. I tell everyone I know; feel free to pass it on.

It is a beautiful story - its the story of love.
Love.
Pass it on.
Just like Bill did. :)