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MBNAD woman · User Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 24 Location: UK

I thought that I'd drop you a note to let you know how Spot is getting on since he has been with me for nearly 5 weeks. Spot is a very sprightly about 10 - 12 years old. Before coming to Emma he had a very tough time and when his owner died, he found himself in a rescue where he was set upon by one of the other dogs and arrived with very little hair on his back and massive scars. His cataracts mean that he sees very little but that doesn't stop him at all.

When I collected him from Emma, he just cowered by the side of the desk at the kennels but he settled into the car and luckily we were home quickly. Then he had to work out where everything was downstairs. Dinner and a walk were all fine and then he settled on the rug by my chair for the evening. He wasn't sure about the bed in the kitchen and settled for lying by the side of it while I cooked. Short walk before bedtime and then I settled him in the kitchen since he wasn't interested in coming upstairs, for which I was grateful!

He woke about 1 am and asked to be let out and then settled back perfectly happily. I left the kitchen door open so that I could hear him if he asked to go out and went back to sleep. When I woke at 7:20, I couldn't hear him but when I got out of bed I had a big surprise : there he was curled up asleep at the top of the stairs :-) So we have learned stairs quickly. He's got a good appetite but is not motivated for reward by food but loves praise and patting - so as we did each step I said "Step" and he felt for the stair and then "Good boy" and a pat when he came down. It took him about 2 hours to work it out! Now, at home, he puts one paw on the edge and feels for the next step and comes down all the way like that. When we're out and he meets steps, we do the same routine and he's brilliant.

He is totally amazing - he worked out all the edges of his new world within a couple of days, getting in and out of the car etc. We went to Wales for 10 days over Easter and he adjusted straightaway. Very happy, not clingy or anxious at all. He's very obedient and has great recall (although I wouldn't risk him being off-lead when we're out). In the evening he loves to sit by my side and have a cuddle. I've attached a photo of us out and about last week - you can see that he's full of beans and very alert. The scars are healing on his back. I don't think that he will ever have hair on the scars themselves but the surrounding hair is growing and is beginning to cover them up. I'm used to people stopping and asking what's happened to him (or staring at him and then ME!). Children that we meet are so sad about what happened to him so I tell them how horrible it is to be bullied.

We've been out visiting to dog families and have had some visit us and he's been great with all of them. His beating obviously hasn't put him off being with other dogs and he's always very friendly and gentle. Mind, he's obviously been used to being a superior dog and engages in peeing contests when he meets another dog ;-)

A perfect gentleman and a big cuddle. He's lovely.

Thank you again for letting me take him home!

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Disce quasi semper victurus vive quasi cras moriturus

ali12345 · Core Member Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 919

Lovely to hear about Spot in his new home. I walked him shortly after he arrived - he is a clever boy and makes the most of what senses he does have.
If you have some photos why not post some up - would love to see them.
Alison
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www.furryfriendsrescue.co.uk

MBNAD woman · User Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 24 Location: UK

_________________
Disce quasi semper victurus vive quasi cras moriturus

MBNAD woman · User Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 24 Location: UK

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Disce quasi semper victurus vive quasi cras moriturus

ali12345 · Core Member Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 919

Lovely - thank you. Looking very relaxed.
Alison
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www.furryfriendsrescue.co.uk

EmmaSemple · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject:

Ho looks so happy and relaxed. Just what I was hoping for him. Smile

Emma
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Sharonr - Admin · Site Admin Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 2609

His life with you sound just perfect for him. Smile

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SHARONR - ADMIN

"My sunshine doesn't come from the skies,
It comes from the love in my dog's eyes".

MBNAD woman · User Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 24 Location: UK

An update on Spot since we have just had 11 days in Wales walking and enjoying ourselves.

In the morning, if I make a cup of tea and go back to bed for a quick read, he sits by the side of the bed with a deeply cute look.

He is full of energy and affection. When he arrived, I assumed that we would never be able to walk off-lead. Blind dog might go dashing off to who knows where. But in the house, he is very good with commands and has adapted to the Here and There as if he's been doing it all his life. A few weeks ago out on a walk, I took the plunge and bravely let him off the lead. He loves to run and dashes across the field as if he knows exactly where he's going. You can hear the Chariots of Fire theme tune in the background.

When I call him back, he charges back towards me. Heathcliff, Cathy, Heathcliff, Cathy. Crunch. A learning experience for both of us as we pick ourselves up off the ground.

So now I know that I have to remind him to come to a stop. He still bounces off me regularly and I can be heard yelling "Head" at him if we walk where there are obstacles. I started off shouting "Mind your head" but sometimes he's going at such a pace that there's not enough time to veer off if I get the whole phrase out. Heaven knows what people think. That I'm shouting for a lavatory or worse ... Perhaps I should try hollering "Mind" instead.

But there are upsides to being a guide person for a blind dog. Razz

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Disce quasi semper victurus vive quasi cras moriturus

ali12345 · Core Member Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 919

Sounds like you are both having a wonderful time full of adventures!
Alison
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www.furryfriendsrescue.co.uk

EmmaSemple · Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:52 pm Post subject:

This is such a lovely read. Smile

I am so pleased that he found you. He couldn't really be more loved!!!

Emma

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