The past ten days or so have been, perhaps understandably, a time of great emotional turmoil, but I've tried to keep going and stick to planned activities wherever possible.  On Thursday afternoon, I attended a meeting of the new Cross Sectoral Companion Animal Welfare Group - chaired by WG, with attendance from local authorities, vets and various voluntary sector organisations.  It was particularly interesting, and one thing that did give me some hope was that WG laid out their planned schedule of work for Animal Welfare over the next year.  They seem very determined to drive through the dog breeding legislation and I'm hopeful that by this time next year, we may actually have some legislation that will begin to bite in combating the dreadful problems of puppy farming in West Wales.  The proposed legislation requires microchipping for puppies and breeding bitches at registered premises, but one of the things that emerged from the meeting was the almost unanimous agreement from everyone involved in dog issues that chipping is the way to go and if at all possible should be made universal and compulsory, as it covers so many issues.  WG indicated that the other British administrations are looking very seriously at this issue, and I'd hate for Wales to be left behind if this were the case.  I really cannot understand why they cannot act in a more co-ordinated manner on this issue.  Anyway, it was good to see some familiar faces, meet some interesting new people, and I tore myself away as Booty had her hydrotherapy appointment.  That went very well.  

On Saturday (pic attached) I attended Rumney Folk Festival.  I've been along several times to the folk club and to their annual festival, both of which are relaxed and agreeably low key.  Yesterday continued this theme - bands started playing at around 5 p.m.  and there was a good mix of musicians and singers, with an agreeable range of styles - from "classic" one person and a guitar to a pretty full on rock style band 

This time was my first foray into stall holding - and I was quite pleased.  A few drawbacks - the venue is a church hall with all the windows covered by curtains (you can see one behind me in the photograph) with small candles on each table and flickering sconces on the walls - fabulous for atmosphere, but hopeless for selling stitched goods, especially when they're brightly coloured! I didn't sell a huge amount but was cheered by the fact that everyone who actually came to the stall ended up buying something, and I had some very positive feedback.  So the stall will be making future appearances.  We picked up a Chinese takeaway on the way home (which was delicious) and had a quiet evening catching up with Doctor Who and Torchwood before bed. 

Today we went over to the greyhound field and as usual the dogs had a whale of a time.  There were a few intermittent showers but on the whole we were lucky with the weather.  There was a great deal of grass munching, lots of scampering about and a good time was had by all.  We always take a thermos of coffee, and it's great to be able to have mug while the dogs are sniffing and chasing about.  Some pics attached.  

Tonight, as part of the Cardiff Music Festival, we're going to the Opera Gala at the Millennium Centre.  

Finally, a big thank you to all those who've sent or passed on their condolences, it is very much appreciated.