Charlie's Story.

Gremlin

Just thought i'd recount the story of our main man.

Charlie is a terrier mix close to 5 years old. We lost our last dog aged 16.5 last summer. We took some time to get over that and in August felt ready to adopt another dog. We saw Charlie on a rescue site (wexford pet helpers) and fell in love on sight. We were told his previous owner walked into a vet and wanted him put to sleep for no apperent reason. The vet refused and the vet nurse brought the him to the rescue centre. Anyway we adopted him and took him home. Immediately we were struck by just how fearful, quiet and shy he was he just sat there shaking. After a couple of days of showering him with cuddles he started to explore the house a bit and gradually came out of his shell. Charlie absolutely lives for his morning and evening walks but it became apparent very quickly he had big issues with other dogs. At first he would totally panick if he so much as caught sight on another dog. Eventually he changed insofar as he didn't mind other dogs as long as they didn't come near him. If they did they got rebuked fairly sharply. He wouldn't quite attack, more of a 'get away from me' sort of snarl. Hes now a lot more confident but he still has an issue with other dogs, he will now try to chase them away. Clearly we couldn't allow that to continue so were bringing him along to obediance socialisation sessions weekly. He's is well behaved but still fearful.

Charlie is also still very handshy and skittish. It makes me wonder what his previous owner did to the little guy. Maybe its best I dont know because he is just the kindest quietest most loving dog I have ever met. He lives for his walkies, food and belly rubs. He has a few tricks and loves to show off his full repertoire in the hope of a bit of chicken! How someone could have mistreated him is utterly beyond me.

We'll have him a year in august and only last week I heard him bark for the first time (when he saw a cat on the back wall).

Anyway just thought I'd share and I'll post a piccie later.

We are really very lucky to have found Charlie.

username123

Lovely story Gremlin - brightened up my Friday no end - give Charlie a cuddle from me.

Zapperzy

Sounds like Charlie has landed on his feet!

Unfortunately an all too common story, when I was in the vets once a man came in, (driving an expensive car and wearing fancy golf clothes no less :rolleyes:), and demanded that he wanted his cocker spaniel put down because his wife was sick of it and he was allergic to it, (must be very sudden allergies to come on because he said he had had the dog a few years). The dog had come from a rescue so the nurse tried to persuade him to bring him back to this rescue but his excuse was something along the lines of I couldn't do that sure what would they think of me. The nurse then suggested that they could hold onto the dog for a few days a try and find her a new home themselves but he declined that because he never wanted to see the dog again. :mad: In the end they finally persuaded the man to surrender the dog to a woman who brings dogs over to the dogs trust in the uk to rehome them.

When I finally met this dog she was the sweetest cocker spaniel, not a thing wrong with her either physically nor mentally, the only thing I can think of was that this was in the run up to christmas so perhaps they were making room for a new puppy! :mad:

cjf

Charlie sounds like a very special little guy who was lucky to find his perefect forever spot in the world!! They do have a funny way of finding us!!

My little one was found in a box with her broter at the gate of the pound. Mammy and daddy were tied to the gate also. They were all in shocking condition. Daddy got rehomed through they pound very quickly and a rescue space was found for mammy and she was homed happily in Sweden. The two pups were taken into foster immediately with dogs in distress. They were skin and bone full of worms and had cuts and sores all over them they were only 8 weeks old. I found her on their website and it was love at first sight! We were so excited to be adopting her but then with few weeks to go she got very sick and had to spend time in the vet. We were due to adopt her at end of September but it was nearly end of October by time she was fit and healthy enough to cone home with us! She is our little princess and most definitely not be with me today if not for dogs in distress and the wonderful fosterer who took such good care of her! She may have been thrown away like rubbish but she is truly a gem and can't imagine life without her! Ha little tear writing that!

Clare Bear

Charlie is a lucky boy to have a great new chance at a second life. My own JRT Alfie is a rescue too, also still nervous in certain situations and around some people. He was badly abused and has some behaviour issues but I knew that taking him on. He's one of the best things that's ever happened to us, he's my little buddy

Yes you're lucky to have found Charlie but he's even luckier to have found you, you sound like wonderful owners

Gremlin

Thanks for the lovely replies. It's lovely to hear some of the stories from you guys and your four legged friends. Just so you can put a face to the story here's a little piccy of Charlie;

anniehoo

Any development on your Pigeon friend? Charlie is gorgeous!

Kudos on your effort this week...there's not too many people like yourself.

Gremlin

Hi anniehoo, thanks for the comment. Look anyone with half a heart would never leave an animal suffer. I'm sure many of the regulars here would do exactly the same.

Anyway the pigeon seems a little better, He's had the antibiotic in his water for a couple of days and he seems just a little more lively, not much. I guess time will tell.

Emoi

He is ADORABLE!!