Caitriona Smith wins SPCA anniversary’s writing competition

BIRCH Acres resident Caitriona Smith was the grand winner of Kempton SPCA’s story competition.

Smith’s entry, called “Toby’s Story”, was inspired by her Spaniel (named Toby) which she adopted from the Kempton SPCA over 10 years ago.

Smith, who does business control for an IT company, has won herself a goodies hamper and her story is being published in the EXPRESS.

Read it below.

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Smith was named the winner during the SPCA’s 30th anniversary celebrations on Saturday, at their premises in Spartan.

The competition’s two runner-ups, Georgette Peristeris and Toni Steven, also received hampers.

See more photographs here

Many people came to show their support and to help celebrate the animal shelter’s birthday.

There was a jumping castle and face-painting for the children, and delicious food and treats, including custom-made chocolate SPCA cupcakes, were on sale.

Two dogs from the SPCA also found new homes when they were adopted on Saturday.

TOBY’S STORY

There’s a sad part to my history that it pains me to relate

About my being deserted and left to my own fate

I didn’t know just what I’d done, what had been my crime?

But the next thing that I knew was that I was “doing time”

The place was clean, I’ll give it that, the staff were kind and true

But with all my love rejected, I really felt quite blue

My cell mate’s name was Oliver a charming “Pup” was he

There was no doubt he’d find a home but was there one for me?

Yes my friends I was, alas, abandoned one dark day

Which is how my mistress found me at the SPCA

CAIT’S STORY

Throughout my life my special friends have worn a furry face

They’ve been there when I needed them and let me share their space

I’ve seen them as my sanity, friends who are always there

To put things in perspective and always show they care

The time was right, I told myself, to find another friend

The SPCA was where I went to find him in the end

For five long weeks I visited to see what I could see

If I could find a dog that felt that he had just found me

The Saturday I found him I was overcome with awe

I’d been longing for a spaniel… sure enough that’s what I saw

TOBY’S STORY

Light on the horizon breaks! There’s hope for future bright

If I can win this human’s heart I’ll be out of here tonight!

Here I am! Choose me, choose me for I am all alone!

All I ask of life is love, some food, a happy home

And miracle of miracles she paid it then and there,

The fee to take me home with her. She took me in her car.

It was soooo exciting thinking that at last I would be free

With a garden in which to run with lots of grass and trees

So now I have a family and I’m loved by one and all

I feel that I at last belong, I’m going to have a ball

CAIT’S STORY

Toby had no confidence, he jumped at every sound

He hid behind me when he could and thought about the pound

He needed some direction and some fun in his wee life

I needed the exercise and escape from work and strife

A colleague then suggested that the answer was quite clear

Sign up with BADTC it really wasn’t dear

So we started with the bridging class Alexa was so kind

She understood his phobias and didn’t seem to mind

And when he passed (surprise surprise!) beginners loomed ahead

Mike helped to build his confidence, but it didn’t turn his head

He didn’t pass the first time round but was game to try again

So we’re doing the class again with Viv and have everything to gain

Agility’s discovered and Toby is a STAR

I’m so glad he’s good at jumping and sure he will go far

TOBY’S STORY

Obedience is for the birds but keeps my mom at ease

So I’ll give beginners another go and do my best to please

But jumping, that’s another thing, at that I’m at my prime

To me it seems quite easy and people say I shine

I’ve made some friends, the furry kind, I love to say hello

And the two legged human ones are pretty cool also

I’m happy at this time of life and think I’ve found my niche

I love my friends, I love my home and at last I’ve found my peace.

“WOOF WOOF” (INTERPRETATION = THE END).