Alfie Mastiffx 5-6 yrs Kingston Fostered

xxlynne · Alfie Mastiffx 5-6 yrs Kingston Fostered

His Story: Alfie was found stray in Yorkshire last summer. He was in good condition and surprisingly never claimed.

Salient points: Older dog with calm temperament. Versatile. Dog friendly and cat friendly. Easy on the lead. Inclusive dog i.e. sleeps beside or on your bed. Enjoys companionship and can be left. Medium sized.

Advert: Alfie suffered the indignity of staying nearly a year in kennels. Since then he proved himself in foster time and time again to be that 'MUST HAVE' dog. He was living with young adults who haven't owned a dog before. Managed easily around streets and in a busy park; shopping areas and large gatherings. Showered by attention/cuddles and sore from being stroked by every passerby!! Alfie can occasionally grab a branch off a tree. Meets dogs really well. Makes it clear on rare occasions when he isn't happy with a dog's vibe and can be just walked on. Alfie isn't destructive and tolerates being left just fine. Housetrained. He likes to be inclusive, but doesn't smother and will take himself off for a snooze on the sofa or gets the sun block out finding spot in the garden. Fostered in Kingston upon Thames.

He runs along side a bike; loves to meet people arriving: The perfect host. He loves to stare at the TV with one eye closed and yes has been known to sleep on the same bed as the cat Shocked

Alfie what more could anyone want. He tends not to be off the lead just 'cause he is rather social'. Alfie is handsome with a gentle, rather serious feel whilst showing happiness in meeting those he loves and those he hopes to get to know. He could live with another gentle dog and a dog friendly cat(s). What a lovely person Alfie is, you will have the extended family booking their appointment to visit and meet. Here is a short video! Suit first time dog owner.

Please visit Alfie's individual thread, in Dogs needing homes in our care on our Rescue Remedies forum and read about him and his progress.

If you are interested in re-homing please complete our homing questionnaire so we can ensure our dogs are matched and will suit your circumstances/lifestyle.

Alfie What's it all about???? Read right through Alfie's thread...how he has come on...how he has become everyone's favourite

EmmaSemple

Gorgeous Alfie has had no enquiries yet. Sad

He is such a big and beautiful lad and just needs an understanding owner who will help him past his previous training in his last home. He has now learnt a release command and is coming on very nicely.

He now sits and waits for his toy to be thrown...

And his recall is now very good. His previous name was Mac so we have found out, but he loves the name Alfie more so we have stuck with that. Smile

Emma

xxlynne

Here is our man

Sally

I spent some time with Alfie in the yard today. As with Batleigh and his ball, Alfie is fixated with the trees. I am positive however that this would disappear as soon as he is in a home and has 1-2-1 time again with an owner. A beautiful dog, happy to sit and paw and loves his treats.

EmmaSemple

Alfie has now been to the vets and had his second jabs. Smile

Emma

Sharonr - Admin

Alfie is famous!!!!!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homep...tures/article2209583.ece?offset=5

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/article2209583.ece

Sally

That's brilliant news, good for Alfie!! He deserves a lovely home

ali12345

Walked Alfie today and he had no tree problems at all but is strong on the lead. I would use a halti/ canny collar etc next time. We had a sit down at the cafe and he watched the world go by nicely while I had a cup of tea. He was very quiet and focused on the walk more than on us. Definitely seemed the strong silent type. He took a treat ever so gently.
Alison and Josie

xxlynne

Thank you; Thank you..I so much wanted to walk Alfie on Wednesday but ran out of steam after 5 walks; I've been carry his look when i passed his kennel for the last time... Must be getting old! Need to find this cafe..Caffeine could be the answer. Pleased to hear his fixation is only related to 'the most interesting focus' in the excerise area. Not to say he wouldn't grab a branch but he is obviously genuinely interested in his environment and the people he is with. Laughing

He is sooooooooo lovely

ali12345

Has the Sun feature created any interest in Alfie at all? I checked and only the staffy pup and dalmation seem to have found homes so far. What a shame.

Katie

We have an Alfie fan Smile

A very kind new supporter has just set up a rather lovely (!!) standing order to help us.

It was Alfie that caught her attention. She isnt in a position to rehome at the moment but would like a Hug sent to Alfie from her.

Extra long HUUGGEEEE hug to Alfie from everyone that sees him please Smile

He wont know what its all about - but he has helped a big chunk of the way to pay for a kennel place Smile

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ali12345

Well done Alfie and his lovely new friend!

ladylou

WELL DONE ALFIE & FRIEND

ali12345

Walked Alfie again today, a pleasure. In fact we went for a jog - at first he pulled a lot but settled to nice pace. I offered him treats which he refused but after my cup of tea he accepted treats from me for the first time. He waited patiently watching me pay. Such a lovely boy - he grows on me each time I see him. Those lovely eyes, so honest and steadfast. Couldn't get him to pose for the camera but here are some at the cafe.

karen

What lovely photos. That last one.....oh my Goodness.........................

ali12345

Forgot to say that a large traffic cone was treated like a tree branch and told what for! He didn't get a grip though and left it nicely after lunging at it. Same on the way back.

EmmaSemple

Oh Alfie!

When driving to lunch I passed Alison enroute back from her jog. Alfie was trotting slightly ahead of her at a very steady and gentle pace. Could he be someones jogging companion? I think so! He seemed to be totally at ease with the idea and was thoroughly enjoying himself.

It must be Alfie's lucky day soon! He has been with us a long time now and he is living his life away in a kennel. Crying or Very sad

He is no Spring chicken, but he has got so much love to give and it is truely heartbreaking to see him day in, day out sitting in a kennel and his life slowly wasting. Sad

Don't get me wrong, I love looking after Alfie, but he worth so much more than the life he has at the moment...

Emma

donna-arc

I had the pleasure of walking Alfie yesterday.
He did pull like mad when he was on a short lead but as soon as we were in the lane and he could go on the long lead he was a total doddle to walk. He would come immediately he was called.
We did find one tree that he took a fancy to but he left it without any trouble once he was told.
I would say that he didn't seem that interested in me - but some dogs take more time than others to get to know people. I am having a day off work each week for a couple of months so will try to get down and take him out regularly, then hopefully he will actually get to know me!
Unfortunately dogs aren't going to show themselves at their best when they are in kennels, hopefully any prospective new family will appreciate this and get to know him slowly too.
Can't wait for next week! x

ali12345

Hi Donna,
I find Alfie takes time to warm to you. when he is out he gets on with it all. It was only halfway through our second walk together that he would take a treat from me. When I sit at the cafe though he likes a bit of fuss.
Alison

ali12345

Alfie won me over as I walked past his kennel today. I didn't intend to take him but he looked so sure that I would - I couldn't bear to take that happy smile off his face. We jogged to the cafe again and as before he pulled so much at first I thought I was going to fall over but once we got going he settled to his steady jog. He is a very strong boy. He was on excellent form today and had a good wag of the tail at me and some other people at the cafe. A man spoke to him and he totally blanked him but a few minutes later decided he would say hello. He decided he liked the look of my coffee but gave up when I told him no. The traffic cones in the underpass have bred but he took no notice first time through - on the way back he had a quick lunge at one but soon carried on. He was almost certainly going to pick up a rock but we hurried on at that point. What can I say - Alfie is a treasure just waiting to be discovered - maybe not to everyone's taste but worth his weight in gold.

ali12345

Well didn't manage to walk Alfie last week so I took him out with my son and daughter 14 and 11. My son was a bit wary at first becasue Alfie is a big lad and very strong but later when he settled he thought he was great. By the end of the walk he appreciated Alfie's no nonsense approach and calmness.
Alison

ali12345

Alfie and Jess (Jet) came for a walk today with me and my husband. Alfie as usual was very strong to start but settled. Jess has been known to lick Alfie through the kennel door so they were tried out together today. They walked nicely together.

At the cafe they carried on being well behaved and after we had our tea they shared a puddle of water.

Jess may be fussy with her doggy friends but you can't fault her taste- Alfie is such a good old fashioned solid lad.
Alison

Sharonr - Admin

I was really looking forward to meeting Alfie last Saturday and he didn't disappoint me. Despite his size he is a very gentle dog. I gave him some some treats from the palm of my hand and he gently waffled them up with the merest of touches. This guy truly deserves to have his time in a home with some serious loving. That time can't come soon enough - would love to see him out of kennels. Here are his photos ... a very special dog:

Holly doing a little flirting with Alfie, he was playing hard to get!

ali12345

Walked Alfie today with Donna and Jess/Jet. Both got on so nicely although he got a bit too friendly at one point...
He was very bouncy today at the expectation of a walk - quite a sight in such a big staffy x. He arrived at the cafe and sat down just as if it was his regular and he was quite at home! On his walks he is happily ignoring trees and traffic cones but in the paddock he was back to tree pruning! When he got back he made the most of all the cuddles he could get from the staff. He loves his fuss at times but in other ways he is very self reliant, his own man.
Alison

Sharonr - Admin

As you know, I met Alfie a couple of weeks ago and he touched my heart. Here are a few more photos taken on the day we met. He is Staffie Rescue’s "Dog of the Month" and all his recent photos are on the gallery http://www.staffierescue.co.uk/page23.htm. I'm hoping someone else falls for him soon.

Oh, so very gently taking treats ...

xxlynne

He is a cuddle monster...and needs someone to cuddle him Very Happy

and the pleasure will be all theirs!

Sharonr - Admin

When the days comes, I will be green with envy, but over the moon! Smile

ali12345

Took a brief video of Alfie.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23528841@N04/3491194265/
Isn't he just gorgeous?
Alison

Olivia · Alfie

Poor old Alfie, I was at the kennel on Saturday and didnt have time to walk him. He was looking so pleading and whimpering that I came back and walked him first on Sunday. I think that half way through the walk he regretted asking me. He just wanted to lie down and have a rest and a fuss. He has the most appealing face! Good boy and really relaxing to walk.

EmmaSemple

Things are looking up for Alfie and Jess. Smile

Alfie and Jess went out together to play today. After many walks together, we decided that it was time for them to have some playtime company.
These two were bought in as dog aggressive all the way back in August 2007. I believe that all dogs can be bought round given enough time and training and allowed to learn social behaviour.
The body language was now spot on through the bars to each other and we finally decided to bite the bullet. Am pleased to say complete success. Smile

We started off with a gentle walk and then took both leads off and let them play! Wow! What a fabulous reaction! Once they realised they had complete freedom, they bounced about the paddock and had an absolutely wonderful play.

Alfie is such a big lug that a couple of times he bowled Jess over, but she just got up again and carried on going! It has taken a while but finally we reached a good level with these two.

The next step is for them to move in together. We have a quiet kennel for them both near to the main house that has two seperate kennels attached to a large run. This means that at night time they will be apart but during the day they can cuddle up together.

Emma

ali12345

Life will be so much more fun for them now!
Alison

EmmaSemple

Done!

They are now living together and extremely happy! Very Happy

Emma

xxlynne

I've seen them its true Jess is sooo happy

Sharonr - Admin

Can I buy a hat ... our first RR wedding! Smile

EmmaSemple

Sadly it was not meant to be and after a bit of a falling out these two had to be seperated today. Such a shame. Obviously they prefer the attention all to themself! Cool

Emma

Olivia · Alfie

Took Alfie out on Sunday with my husband and a friend with Rodney and Taz in tow.
Alfie showed Taz and Rodney how a good dog should behave. He is a sweetheart. My husband really loved him and judging by Alfie's howl when Seb put him back I think that the feeling was mutual. Crying or Very sad

Sarah C

I had a lovely time with Alfie last Saturday, for such a big dog, he was surprisingly manageable once I'd got him on the lead, and behaved extremely politely when we ran into a family on our way out of the kennel! Although he got rather excited in his run initially, once he was on the harness and lead, he didn't pull, nor did he chase after any trees / branches. A really gorgeous boy.

ali12345

What can I say about this big gorgeous lump? A big boy and a big character too. He is just adorable. I wasn't scheduled to take him but we were taking Jet / Jess so he came along too as although they can't live together they are still good friends. I think he thought we were going jogging but it was too hot - we did manage a quick run though out in the lane. He runs so majestically, such power in his shoulders, a real pleasure to watch. He had a good paddle in some mud and a big drink from a puddle. He plods along puffing a bit and you think he is tired but offer him a run and he is off. No sign of any tree oriented behaviour at all - he is to busy having fun. He was tired after the walk today but still busied himself in the paddock when he went out.
He is a bright boy too - apparently he knows Fridays and on Thursday starts to get excited about his potential walk.
Alison

EmmaSemple

...and every Friday evening he eats his dinner straight up. The rest of the week he pines for Alison and eats it in stages! Laughing

Emma

xxlynne

I don't know about Alfie but I know I enjoy my Friday night meal sooo much more when I know Ali12345 has been down the kennels Laughing

Sharonr - Admin

Alfie has a special place in my heart, so there was no way I could visit the kennels today and not take him out for a walk!

Steve (JJ's fosterer before he was homed) and his friend came to help Lynne and I walk some dogs. So we took out Charlie, Alfie & Murphy together.

Alfie is easy to walk and so laid back. Not bothered by the other dogs at all and just taking it all in his stride. Both Steve & his friend were truly smitten by Alfie and enjoyed taking turns walking him ... with the exception that they bickered over who walked him Wink

I just knew their heart string would be twanged Laughing

You could see that Alfie enjoyed his walk today as he had a massive smile on his face when he chilled on the cool grass with us when we got back.

A very special boy ... we just need to find that very special person!

xxlynne

xxlynne

Alfie has been well trained in the past. Sit; Paw "this one?" "or this one?"

Jessesharville

Walked Alfie today and he was great, didn't pull much and is very obedient. He enjoyed sitting at the cafe watching the world go by. what a lovely dog.

ali12345

Alfie went out with Shiva and Zack today. Greeted Zack really nicely and was friendly to Shiva, maybe a bit too friendly for her liking. Alfie was as ever a darling.
alison

ali12345

Alfie: Very energetic and excited at the beginning, but calmed down a little bit. Enjoyed sniffing the grass!
Marie

blupu

Alfie's big day out - Saturday 20th June

Alfie joined me and some friends at Wimbledon Village Fair today. And oh how he did himself and all the RR dogs proud!!

First off, managed to get him into the boot of the car; a tiny treat was all the incentive he needed (and I'm so glad he can get himself in cos he's a big lad!!! Shocked

), then as the lead was secured to the bars and I closed to boot, he sat and stayed like a good boy.

Arriving in Wimbledon he walked like a dream on the lead and was totally unfussed by pedestrians, busy streets and loud traffic.

Once at the fair Alfie loved being back onto lots of grass and loved all the smells and people. He met all my friends very calmly and friendly, and these were two independant quotes I remember hearing during the day:
"For a rescue dog I'm amazed at how well behaved he is."
"I didn't think I liked big dogs, but he's just lovely!"

A young boy sitting near us was besotted with him and kept coming over to pat him on the head and pour out his water, and Alfie was an absolute star and loved it, just like a big teddy bear. Very Happy

On a wander round the fair, Alfie met lots of other dogs on leads (maybe about 10?), and he greeted every one of them with a waggy tail and friendly sniff, nothing more, even at the Scotty dog who wasn't very polite to him! Shocked

Alfie just stepped away and ambled on Cool

Overall today Alfie was a brilliant boy, impeccable social interaction with all breeds/species!! Especially young children actually, a lot of kids round the fair were totally taken by him, and he just stood there happily as they stroked, patted and cooed!!

Pictures and a special video of his adventures below Smile

Zoe

Alfie, knowing how handsome he is Rolling Eyes

A very contented companion

Loving his neck rubbed...almost dropping off to sleep!

Treat time, yummm

We hope Alfie enjoyed his day with us as much as we did with him!

blupu

Alfie's video:

ollie&bex · Your lovely day out!!

Oh Alfie (and Zoe) you have made me cry this Sunday morning.......such lovely pictures and then the video. Thank you for sharing them, I'm so glad you had a great day and sincerely hope that Alfie has many more to come very, very soon. Love Stevie's Mum, Julie XX

ali12345

That is brilliant Zoe. The true Alfie for everyone to see. A very special boy who so deserves a chance. That video of him enjoying normal life will just bring joy to the hearts of all of us who know him.
Alison

Sharonr - Admin

Fantastic Zoe and thank you so much - we are all thrilled that he had a such a deserved break for the day away from kennels.

I loved the video and I am going to post it with the photos on all the dog forums today. Fingers crossed that someone falls for him - we are all routing for this gentle giant. Very Happy

ollie&bex

Everything is crossed for you Alfie - Love Stevie XXXX

xxlynne

Oh Yes Yes Yes call me Churchill

ali12345

Managed to get to the kennels this morning and walked Alfie. Had to go to the gym with Alfie footprints on my white sports top but oh well. Glad to be able to say goodbye as he walks off into foster.

beckahandliz · ALFIE!!

Hi everyone,

Just a first update

alfie is currently snoring in the kitchen on the cool floor tiles
just had his dinner and is enjoying his nap after playing in the paddling pool and doing some gardening all day.

thank you to everyone and if anyone wants to visit him , please feel free. hes very special and we already love him

beckah and liz
xxxxx

xxlynne

Well I love the people....Liz and Beckah

They know I love Footie...

AND! The water bowl was a great size for a summers day..(You can see how happy I am!)

Then this very very big water bowl turned up. Oh happy days... Laughing

Sharonr - Admin

Never been so delighted or so choked up! May all continue to go well with his fostering and keep the updates coming please! Someone pass me a tissue!

xxlynne

"OH I've still to meet Trevor the cat!" cat

Only they say he is a black cat....don't they bring you luck?

beckahandliz · Alfie and trev!!

Alfie and trev just had their first meeting!
Tongues were out but they both smiled and it was fine!
trevs out for her daily adventures and alfie is having a mid afternoon nap, took him for a walk this morning at around 730 am and he was fantastic! alfie is settling in and i have so many videos and photos that will be uploaded soon!
xxxxx

xxlynne

Looks like we'll all be sitting down to a full length feature film on Alfie tonight...I'll get in a take away and adorn my fluffy slippers!

PS Yes Trev has a few problems Beckah keeps referring to HIM as her and corrects herself but I think it is having a deep seated influence on his sense of Tomness Laughing

beckahandliz · i love alfie :)

watch this space guyssss... xxx

Sharonr - Admin

Got my popcorn and pick n' mix. Tuned in and ready to receive ... bet it's gonna be a love story!

Sharonr - Admin

beckahandliz · ALFIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

here you go guys, first of LOADS!

hope everyone is well.
alfie says HIIII!!

xxx

beckahandliz

having some problems uploading the videos!?
any ideas?
xxx

Bud

I just watched Alfie doing some gardening and LOL that all the people here at work came to see..........send him round to ours to help pull up some shrubs...I see this very happy dog!

Jilly Allen

Well done Alfie's foster mums he is absolutely lovely. Could we make money out of him gardening ??? Well done you two for giving him such a lovely break from kennel life. Look forward to seeing more photos soon.

xxlynne

xxlynne

Met Alfie tonight..oh how he has calmed.. yes even calmer. He has lost weight and become a loving gentle dog. He has proved himself in so many ways. He can be left; isn't destructive; housetrained; He rarely barks occassionally when someone is at the door or at noise from the back garages. ALFIE HAS settled with the cat to the point where they have shared a bed. Alfie sleeps on the bed or on his bed 'his choice' He comes off lead when there isn't dogs around in parks. He can occassionally grab a branch off a tree. Meets dogs really well on a lead. Makes it clear on a few occassions when he isn't happy with a dogs vib. and walks on with his fosterers.
Alfie is Fab. and should be so easy to find him his forever home now, thanks to Beckah and Liz.

Sharonr - Admin

What a lovely report and he looks so fit and healthy. Am so glad he is staying in foster until his forever home is found too.

Olivia · So young!

I cant believe how much younger he looks! When I first met him I thought that he was a bit older than 5 but he looks sooo young and fit now! Razz

Lucky boy!

karen

Alfie is now back with us and tucked up in his kennel with his favorite toys. Poor little chap, he is mightily confused Crying or Very sad

I found it exceptionally hard to leave him, both emottionally and physically - he did not want to stay by himself in the kennel.

It is the first time I have met him in the fur and I can see how he has built up such a fan club. He is slightly smaller than I thought, but it might be that I am comparing him to Tia. Such a lovely dog!

May

Janet

Well Alfie took me for a walk today! I think both of my feet actually left the ground at one point. He was so excited to be going out - but he calmed down after a little while and was then much easier to handle. My mum took over from me so I could take some photos and she was surprised how easy he was to walk. He walks with great purpose and when a GSD ran straight at him in the woods, he took no notice at all. I was definitely more bothered than he was! It was very difficult to leave him as he really seems to like company. Hopefully, his home will come up very soon.

xxlynne

Alfie goes back into foster tomorrow. He is still very available! Laughing

Sharonr - Admin

So pleased for him and very grateful to the person/persons that have taken him in? Very Happy

xxlynne

Liz and Beckah again...they enquired how he was and couldnt believe he was returned. Wanted me to go and get him out of kennels that night (Wednesday) but we had a family who said they were meeting him today so it didn't seem fair for him to be moved about. No word from the family and further investigation they have an emergency on and so Liz and I go and collect him 11 am tomorrow

karen

Great news - he will be missed but I am so pleased he can wave goodbye to kennel life. Way to go, Alfie, you deserve the best Exclamation

Sharonr - Admin

Liz & Beckah, thank you both from the bottom of my heart! Very Happy

xxlynne

Alfie is such a happy dog tonight!

Sharonr - Admin

Not half as happy as I am for him Very Happy

ali12345

Sighs of relief all round I think Very Happy

cobden28

Do I read this right - has Alfie gone to his 'forever home' at last?

Rigsby

I think he is just back with his fosterers again - although they seem to take such good care of him.....maybe they could adopt him???! Very Happy

xxlynne

Alfie's fosterers have decided he cant leave them! Cool

ali12345

Well done Alfie Very Happy

Obviously made himself part of the family Very Happy

Great news.

beckahandliz · ALFIE IS OFFICALLY A FAMILY MEMBER!

liz and i are so happy that he is now our little big baby!
tears of joy when we found out today that we can have him in our lives forever. im glad all the ups and downs for alfie are over and hes on my bed right now , pretty much taking up the whole king size bed as normal but i wouldnt want it any other way.
thank you all for being lovely!!
xxxxxx

xxlynne

This time last year Alfie was probably travelling down to our kennels. We were asked to take him on about a fortnight after he arrived..so yes a sad start to his stay but magic since he came to live in Kingston. Thank you for loving him ...he is terrific! Hats off for Alfie!

xristine

I'm so very very pleased for all three of you. Alfie couldn't have found a nicer, kinder home. I know when you posted the pictures of all three of you together I wondered why you didn't all just stay together! It was the bit about insisting that he was fetched there and then that clinched it for me - so congratulations and much happiness to all three of you!! Wink

beckahandliz · photos of our boy xx

we have so many more, let us know if you want more xxx

karen

Just fantastic news. Love looking at the pictures Laughing

Please Ma'am, can I have some more Wink

ali12345

Alfie so loved and so happy Very Happy

Those pictures bring a tear to my eye. He was my first doggy friend when I started walking the dogs.
Alison

xristine

My favourite picture is still of the three of you and the winalot! You look so right together. But the nose out of the duvet says it all - one doggie has found home!!