Letter about Hazel from 2004
We opened our rescue centre in 1997 . It takes many people to make it all work . Kennel staff who care for the dogs daily , admin staff keeping all the paperwork in order , Trustees ensuring the overall governance is correct , volunteers offering practical support and supporters providing moral and financial support . Each and every one is vital , but we must never forget where it all began .
Like most rescues we can trace our origins back to one , or a small number of people who began the valuable work .
I was recently reminded of an article in the magazine , published 20 years ago in 2004 and thought this was an opportune time to remind everyone of our history . The article was originally sent to us by Mary Fletcher , who had worked tirelessly alongside Hazel Monk when Hazel began rescuing collies one the 1970 ' s .
" I met Hazel when I made a telephone call to in reply to an advert in the Birmingham Mail advertising , ' Home required for a young blue merle bitch , rather nervous , needing special person ' For a few months I had hoped to get a blue merle , so I rang . The result was ' Blue ' who came home from Solihull ( where Hazel was at that time ) to make her home with my husband and I in Bromsgrove . The great opportunity resulted in a great friendship with Hazel and her husband Reg . Blue died quietly in her basket aged 14 years .
Hazel informed me she had a scheme running for jumble sales etc to make money to keep rescues . Immediately I bombarded friends , relatives and anyone who came my way . Between us we planned to get sufficient cash to buy kennels , which would be erected in Hazel and Reg ' s garage . It was not too long when the kennels were there and very quickly filled .
At the time Hazel was employed during the mornings at a veterinary practice in Alevchurch . My new ' job ' was to visit the kennels each morning so that I could exercise the rescues . Fortunately there was a field adjacent to their premises where they free from traffic . After exercise I cleaned the kennels . My telephone often went so that I could , if necessary , interview prospective new homes . How I enjoyed my new found occupation - despite being 70 years of age .
Where I lived , I had an acre of land so visitors were always welcome , and of course an ideal place for fund raising events . Many happy years were spent until the sad news of Hazel ' s illness , which she accepted with such great courage and worked on with the border collies as long as she could .
As she became very poorly I used to collect her mid-morning and take her to my home where I cooked her a meal . She thoroughly enjoyed herself and I w3ould then take her home to her greatly loved animals .
I always recall her saying to me , ' You will carry on as long as you can , won ' t you ?' This I have done and still help and advise despite my 87 years . My admiration and love for Hazel will never diminish she taught me so much ."
The Trust remains forever in the debt of Hazel , Mary and all those who shaped the work we do .
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