Recently, a couple of friends brought me two Jack Russell terriers for a two week holiday. Their owner had to go into hospital and I was told these two characters had a few issues.

As it turned out, the only main issues were that neither one would answer to name, they attacked other dogs and pulled violently on the lead.

Within the time it took to drink a cup of coffee, the answering to name issue had been resolved, much to my friends’ amazement, and we were well on the way to solving the attacking problem.

By the end of their stay, it can proudly be said, that both dogs left relaxed and with entirely new attitudes. Not only making life easier on the owner, but also for the dogs themselves. Advice and exercises to follow were given, and as I last heard, all were living happier lives in the pack order.

The Ace Organisation in Holland, Spain and the Belgium, have also been busy of late, organising a somewhat international press presence for when Tinkerbell arrives at the Refuge in the south of Spain. Indeed, here too, there will, hopefully, be press coverage of the journey in a national 4×4 magazine. We await the input of information from the dog press at the moment, but it appears positive.

For those amongst you who wonder why this expedition is taking place, please ponder the following thought…

If not me, then who?
If not this, then what?
If not now, then when?

This is just one way to raise awareness of ACE. There are many ways this could be done, but this is the way I have chosen as I believe I can do it.

Let us not forget the reasons behind all this. The tireless staff and helpers of ACE. The organisation spans some five countries and has numerous others where people support them directly.

Even though the centre is in Spain, it may surprise many to know that the Spanish are not the worst culprits in their treatment of the dogs abroad. British ex-pats have a horrendous track record in abandoning their dogs in the Spanish countryside. They no longer fit into the lifestyle changes, or are no longer wanted due to it being too much trouble to bring them with them on the return to the UK.

This practice makes me ashamed to be of the same nationality. Once you take a dog into your home, you have a duty to it. They look to you for their food, their comforts, exercise, health and general well being. Your leadership within the pack gives balance to the dog’s life. In return, you receive their undying devotion and love.

There have been times in my life where I have interactions with other humans, and realise why I prefer the simplicity of life with a dog. There are no hidden agendas nor lies. Loyalty will always be there.

The new RuffWayOver Web site is now live, check back for regular updates.

Bob has done what most others wouldn’t even contemplate. The sale of most of what he owned and to search for the new project.

Almost all the sourced parts are second hand, there just aren’t enough funds to afford new. The only exceptions are when items can be fabricated from steel. This is where Bob can excel, making bumpers, rocksliders and bar pin eliminators to custom fit Tinkerbell.

Not only are custom fabricated parts fitted to this Jeep. Many of the Rockz’n’Rutz forum members have faith in both the project and the manufacturing skills involved. So much so that many have ordered and bought the made items for their own vehicles. Sold at a fraction of the price they would have cost from the States, these are reputed to be of a higher quality too. The monies received being donated to the charity.

As can be seen from the photos, much hard work has been done to create this work of functional art, and not without help from friends on the Rockz’n’Rutz forum. Special thanks are very much due to these exceptional friends.

Included in the items sold, were his much beloved Suzuki GSXR 1000. A sought after K5 model, the likes of which will never be had again.