A day of mixed news. It started with the return of Sangria, who is 4 and a half months old and was adopted just six weeks ago. She is a puppy and as such some “misbehaviour” is only to be expected. But children and puppies is not always a good mix, and if left unsupervised things can go wrong. Without wishing to apportion blame, I have to say that play-biting is typical puppy behaviour and if left unchecked, can get out of hand.
My best advice to anyone who has young children and who is not willing to put in the work required to educate a young puppy, (and no, two lessons in 6 weeks is not really enough effort), is to get a cuddly toy. They are far less work, don’t wee in the house and require no training or exercise; what’s more, you can leave them unsupervised with your children, which you should never do with a puppy.
So Sangria is looking for a home. Ironically she is the sister of Schweppes, the adoption of whom was a cause of much celebration just 4 days ago. Sometimes it is better for a puppy to stay longer in the refuge than be homed with the wrong family. We are a responsible organisation so will mention her “history”, but I suspect this will not prevent her being rehomed. Even with children. A misjudged play bite does not mean a dog is dangerous. And just for information, the fact that you were bought up with dogs does not mean that your children are automatically good with them! Children need to be taught to respect animals. One of the best lessons they can ever learn, in my opinion.
However it was not all bad news. We had three adoptions! First was Betty the puppy who was being looked after by Lisa and Andrew, one of our foster families. She is going to have a wonderful life, as her new mummy is a friend of OUR good friend at Doglinks. Lisa took another puppy home, one who had just arrived. Talk about good timing! Lucky pup!
Also today two border collies found homes. One of them, Remy, had only just arrived (he did his 10 days pound time and off he went!), but the other one, Blaise, had been with us for 8 months. He had been thrown out of a moving car near to the refuge and it has taken him quite some time to find a new home. But I think it was worth the wait. His new mum came all the way from Switzerland to make sure he got on with her own dog (an elderly female Rottweiler).
So it wasn’t another four dog Friday, but still not too bad.
Unlucky Sangria is back
But Blaise left (with a girlfriend, no less!)
As did Betty, here happily playing in her new home
And Remy found a new home as well!
………..and we found a bereaved dobie a new home today as well so can you count that as ‘four dog Friday’. If he doesn’t settle (and I am sure he will) he will come to me.