Every Christmas its the same; all rescues struggle with too many dogs, not enough homes, dogs being put down in stray pounds and no space to get them in. But this Christmas was definitely the worst I have known in our 21 years.

We took in a total of 22 dogs over the Christmas period - I know, absolutely mad! Fortunately we have some wonderfully generous people out there (you know who you are) you have donated your time, food, money and cages. Massive thank you to you all, please, please keep it coming.

Both myself and Sophie have had a worrying few weeks waiting to hear if we have got jobs due to the recession - so that has been a dark cloud hanging over us. For those of you that don't know, we all volunteer for EGLR as well as work full time and our paid jobs are at risk, keep your fingers crossed for us both!

On a happier note Sophie and Carl got engaged, Carl proposed on Christmas day with breakfast in bed (who said romance is dead) congratulations, the ring in beautiful and I promise I will wear a dress to the wedding :)

Sophie is working very hard on the second edition of our new newsletter and we are hoping to get it out to you all very soon.

A big thank you is also due to Pete; he has been building a kennel and run in his new barn for emergency dogs where we haven't got a foster home free to take them, this will help us to save even more dogs in desperate need. He has financed it all out of his own pocket and done the labour all on his own, it is very generous, much needed and much appreciated.

More good news; Michelle veterinary nurse at EGLRs vet's has passed her exams, making her head veterinary nurse. We're very proud of her, what an achievement, well done! Michelle volunteers for our rescue every saturday come rain ,shine or snow she's helping out and mucking in. She is a great support and help to us so were relly pleased she has done so well with her academic achievements xxx

My beloved Hartley (one of our sponsor dogs) was seriously ill over Christmas and had to have a major operation but is slowly getting back to normal, I will update his sponsor page as soon as I have 5 minutes.

On a very sad note Tara (another of our sponsor dogs) has had to leave us. Her foster home had to make the difficult decision to have her put to sleep just after Christmas, she has had a wonderful life with Helen and my thoughts are with you at this sad time.

Amber's puppies have been poorly over Christmas and the new year with a severe stomach bug. They are on antibiotics, electrolytes and special diets so we are hoping they will make a full recovery soon.

We have one foster home with 3 dogs down with kennel cough, we have had huge vets bills in December leading to January mainly due to the volume of dogs, so if you can spare some change please chuck it our way.

And to top it all now we are all snowed in (great if you are a snowman) any thing else we can have thrown at us ?!?!? (no snowball jokes please!)

Take care out there stay safe and warm. I wish everyone a better, brighter 2010 and hope someone up there is good to us all

Happy New Year loads of love best wishes

Pip (Chairman) xxx