Brandy Crossbreed DofB 06.06.23 Marriot Hotel Gatwick

[hollyann]

Was lovely to meet my new friend Brandy (and my old friend Lynne ) for lunch yesterday.

Brandy is quite a character, generally relaxed and quiet but with a sense of humour Doesn't he look just like a big fox??

We returned home from the garden centre (he was perfect in the car), had a wash and brush and a rest on the sofa for a couple of hours. When Adam appeared at the door Brandy let out a little grunt. Early days of course but so far no other vocals at all and doesn't seem overly interested in what goes on outside. We have a few very barky dogs in our street and he notices them but doesn't respond. This was Brandy just feet away from the full excitement of recycling collection this morning with the lorry in front of the house and men in the front garden

Brandy seems to have the gift of total relaxation: when he sleeps he really sleeps. We left him on the sofa snoring softly and he was quiet and clean all night. Adam let him out early this morning and went back to bed and when I got up later he greeted me downstairs in the hall. He occasionally enjoys snoozing on his own in the garden and rolling in soft grass and dirt

He's very interested in our bed and thought it would be funny to jump in. He's easier to keep out than he is to get out so now the door is closed There's been a little mouthing and as in earlier posts it's easy to walk away or distract. I expect he'll tire of this in time and/or grow out of it.

He's a beautiful boy with a lovely calm energy

[hollyann]

Brandy and I visited a friend in Barnes today. He didn't love getting on the train (he seemed to be spooked by the gap between the train and the platform) but was quite happy once on and loved meeting everyone he came across. I have a lovely photo of Brandy enjoying his train ride but can't seem to upload it so you'll have to imagine it

People comment on how beautiful he is. A lady in the station asked what breed he was and I said he might be a Spitz cross, an answer I wouldn't have had if I hadn't read his thread

[hollyann]

Happy Birthday Brandy!! We saw a familiar face on Instagram today, Brandy is celebrating with some other RR friends He's currently enjoying a birthday yak stick.

We're in Dorset for a few days, where he is having long walks in the countryside, meeting lots of dogs and enjoying the fresh air. He also met our friends very nicely and relaxed while we had a drink and a bite to eat.

Brandy is a dream to travel with, he's very well behaved in the car. He seems like he'd quite like to join us in the front seat but wears his seatbelt uncomplainingly and watches the world go by before falling asleep.

[hollyann]

Brandy has settled nicely even in these few short days. He's shown zero interest in any dog bed in the house which is so funny because we put out so many of them hoping he'd find somewhere to his liking. He hasn't so much as stepped foot on a dog bed by accident He's all about the sofa, which is where a lot of the mouthing initially took place. Things that seem to help: limiting his access to the sofa, handing him something to chew, disengaging.

He has demolished most of a yak stick and he also likes his antler.

He's getting most of his meals in a kong, which keeps him busy and happy.

He's very playful and desperate to greet dogs he sees on his walk, which he has done nicely. People love to stop and tell him how beautiful he is. Two people asked if he's a shiba inu and one person asked if he was part fox

We met a cat on one of our walks. He was interested but not... terrier-level interested. It was a bit cross with him being there which I think is what grabbed his attention, more the hissing and yowling than just the fact of the cat.

Unfortunately it absolutely poured this afternoon and we had two raincoat failures so our walk was shorter than usual. Brandy is quite comfortable in the rain though, it doesn't bother him. Brushing has thinned his undercoat a bit so he's less bushy but no less rainproof

[hollyann]

Brandy is doing well and enjoying his walks and training. We had some ups and downs with mouthing, mainly around using the sofa. Ignoring it wasn't working. It's just cheekiness but he was throwing a lot at it and my hands were sore. I gave it some thought and we're managing some things differently now.

I started hand-feeding him, he takes food beautifully and ever so gently from your hand. We also do 'touch' exercises which he seems to love as he gets both praise and food

He's sleeping on dog beds in the hallway at night. We've limited sofa time. It's early days but there has been improvement. Less mouthing in total, treating me more gently. This afternoon he snoozed peacefully on the sofa, accepted some calm stroking and even licked my hand. He decided to try a few experimental hand nibbles and a few more and was invited to retire to the hallway with his antler. There seems to be a wild hour or so around 8 or 9 at night when he tries it on a little more. I think it'll improve with stability, training and maturity.

Brandy knows basic commands and loves to play and roll in the garden. He's easy to groom when distracted by some biscuits and when brushed regularly there's surprisingly little stray dog hair. He looks very fluffy but his coat is easy to manage, doesn't seem prone to matting.

He has not had a single accident, completely clean in the house. Maybe this is an odd observation but he has little interest in marking anywhere, even on walks. He's more like a person one and done.

Here he is enjoying a walk on the river and admiring some geese.

[xxlynne]

So lets catch up with Brandy... well Brandy has had an unusual journey within Rescue...above Garden Centre meeting with Holly and then a well deserved break in foster.

Then preparations began and Brandy found himself in front of our vets getting his Rabies jab and then a wonderful lunch in Hever Castle Golf course by the lake...

Brandy is oblivious to the cunning plan...

Meanwhile he is enjoying mixing with the Rescue pack in Emergency Kennels.. and the boarding pack...until this morning!

[xxlynne]

This morning knowing it was going to be very hot we revised our plans slightly so when I parked up in Em. Kennels for Henry I had decided Brandy was coming same trip until we heard our assignment.

A morning in the large paddock then activity.... a lovely shower and food and toys and blankets and other 'odd' things Brandy witnessed go into bags and into the dog mobile and then in he jumped...air conditioning on we're off!!!!!

Bernadette and Gary had rung, they touched down in Gatwick 11am and were settling in The Marriott's Hotel they were ready...

Brandy was greeted.

We chatted in the hotel room and shared stories whilst Brandy slept flat out on the bed. So yes Brandy has a few quirks in the house with a little preciousness over space so Brandy is staying for 4 days in luxury and then the Vet appointment to complete the prepared Oversees Vet Certificate on the 14th if he does well...and flies out of Heathrow on the 16th to his new home in Portugal.

Paws crossed...