‘We’re it, eh, darling? Just you and me, baby’
founder Amanda Fraser-Jones said.
Alternative arrangements have been made for nine dogs – including spending $2300 to fly five to rescues in Christchurch – but eight remain at the property, and Fraser-Jones desperately need to find foster or adoptive homes.
Fraser-Jones said if no one came forward, euthanasia would have to be considered.
‘‘We don’t want to do that – we’ve been working with these dogs for up to three years. We’re emotionally invested in them, and we will do anything we can to make them safe.’’
The charity is looking for securely fenced foster homes in Auckland or Waikato. Food, medical expenses, training and support are provided.
The homes need to be pet-free as the dogs ‘‘weren’t properly socialised as puppies, through no fault of their own’’, foster coordinator Stephanie Smith said.
‘‘Despite what’s happened to them, they’re all really cool dogs with really cool personalities.’’
Email foster@chaineddog.org.nz for more information or you can donate through Givealittle. MICHAEL Joyce has Alzheimer’s and asked his wife of 34 years to marry him. His wife, Linda, decided it would be a good reason to renew their wedding vows.
Truth was, Michael and Linda Joyce had been married for 34 years, but Michael is battling Alzheimer’s and he’d forgotten.
"You don’t say, oh, we’re already married," Linda, 64, explained. "So, I said, of course I will, thinking he might not remember."
The next morning, she was shocked when Michael, 68, said: "So, when are we doing this?"
"I couldn’t believe it," Linda said. "He then grabbed my hand looking for a ring and I asked him if he was still gonna put a ring on it."
Linda decided it would be a good chance - and maybe their last - to renew their wedding vows.
So on Monday, she posted on community website Neighbourly, asking if anyone could help her find a celebrant for Saturday.
She was inundated with offers – all free. Photographer Desmond Downs took photos and video for the couple, while other offers came in from celebrants and even a hairdresser.
Celebrant Gareth Duncan said his wife alerted him to the post and he offered his services straight away.
"I mean, what a lovely story – the story of love, patience and commitment," he said. "We had quite an emotional little connection to the thread of the story and were simply just another couple who helped them out."
Michael and Linda said their vows yesterday afternoon at Hamilton Lake among a handful of friends. They have no children and their extended family live in Scotland.
"We’re it, eh, darling? Just you and me, baby," Linda said to Michael.
The Alzheimer’s means Michael can rarely put together full sentences, so his vows were read by the celebrant.
The couple celebrated with kisses and hugs to the background music of Flower of Scotland, played by bagpipe.
Then there were bubbles, cake and pizza.
Michael and Linda first married in March, 1984, in New Plymouth after meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, around 40 years ago.
Linda’s cousin said she had to meet Michael, an electrician in the neighbourhood.
"She said, you’re gonna marry Mic Joyce. She was getting him over to fix her stove and it wasn’t even broken!
"I know it’s cheesy, but it was definitely love at first sight," Linda said.
The couple eventually settled in New Zealand.
Linda said on the morning of the wedding, Michael opened his eyes and said, "Today’s the day."
"There’s been a lot of sadness and a lot of frustration, and despite all the fogginess, today has been pure joy," Linda said.