Last night had to wake Richie and tell him that I could not sleep, felt real bad about doing that.

It did help though as he got out of bed and got me two bags of thc vapour which helped me get off to sleep quite quickly.

The next thing I knew was an explosion of kids outside the Fijnhout theatre opposite us.

It sounded like hundreds of children but was probably no more than twenty to thirty, the noise they were making was explosive.

So much joy first thing in the morning was quite wonderful to hear even though it meant the end of sleeping.

Afer the arm exercises the dogs came up on my bed for their morning cuddles this time Marleen first.

She sat quite regally on the bed and enjoyed being petted tremendously Spike was watching enviously but luckily without any vocals.

Then it was his turn whereupon he went into full puppy mode all soft on his back enjoying having his tummy tickled and stroked behind his ears.

It is a privilege to have these two lovely dogs and for them to love and trust us as they do it is very touching.

After they have been on my bed the dogs seem even happier and play with renewed energy round my bed.

Richie massaged my legs while around us Spike and Marleen were playing with their respective toys.

Every now and then Marleen would grab Spike's red ball (his favourite) luckily he seems to have learnt how to tease back picking up her discarded toy and shaking it in front of her face.

Great fun and the massage went double quick because of the entertainment the dogs provided us with.

We have been watching the Animal Rescue Services on Animal Planet, time and time again I am amazed how nice the animals are despite having been treated really badly.

Still the dogs and cats are trusting and friendly and affectionate what amazing creatures, sure I would not be nice if I had been half starved and tied up permanently in a too tight collar that was literally cutting into my neck..

There have been a few of these where dogs were rescued in the nick of time before the dog died of internal bleeding as a result of long term damage from dangerously tight collars and inappropriate ways of tying a dog up.

Horrible stories and brilliant rescues and heart warming stories of cats and dogs being fostered and well looked after and re-homed.

Happy endings are nice and no finer sight than a previously abused animal totally happy with its new home.

Horrible to think what might have happened to Spike had we not re-homed him when we did as he could have become an unpleasant little bully as a result of the neglect and bad treatment plus being dumped as a pup.

We always advocate people re-home dogs and cats rather than buy, as buying keeps the world of dog and cat cruelty alive and flourishing.

Not every breeder is neglectful but how do you know where your dogs and puppies go to and how do you know where the dogs are that they might be wanting to churn out lots of pups.