Spencer Patterdale DofB 11.11.15 RRemedies Centre

[Sabrinamxx]

[heleny]

Spencer and I had a great walk yesterday through the wind and the rain and the mud - to be honest, one of the worst day's weather I have ever walked in!
Spencer was not deterred though and came trotting out of his pen wearing his little red coat and looking totally adorable. He was hoping for treats and of course he got them - loads of them. He deserves them in the cold and wet of winter especially. We did not walk too far as I didn't want him to get too drenched so we did half our usual walk and then spent time in the walkers area reminding people of how cute he is.
Chin up Spencer - you never know - 2026 could be your longed for year - the year when you find your safe, happy, warm and comfortable home.

[Tricia B]

Well what can i say about Spencer a little dog that loves s to walk a little slower these day but still happy he isnt dog reactive friendly with most people and dogs would love to have a sofa to live out his days think about him

[oldlobster]

I walked Spencer with 2 supported walkers today. The supported walkers had 2 much bigger dogs Bunny and Dash, but Spencer as always was the leader of the pack. Spencer is perfect as he is calm and doesn’t react, other dogs feel reassured by his presence.

Spencer was keen to get going but when we got to the wet and muddy path he wasn’t keen and dug his little heels in. Being older now I do worry about his little legs and so I tend to carry him more if he stops. So for the majority of the muddy footpath Spencer needed carrying. When we got to the pavement he seemed fine to walk and trotted happily with bunny. Spencer can still move fast after his old bones have warmed up a bit! When we got to the public park he raced to the front of the pack, rolling back the years! He still loves running through the grass.

Spencer came across a squirrel in a hedgerow, only a few inches away. Poor Spencer was quite scared of it being so close, and definitely didn’t show an instinct to chase it. Instead he ran back to David for reassurance.

Spencer’s little red coat was a bit worse for wear as he’s been wearing it since the cold snap started. Volunteer Diana had no trouble changing it and putting on a fresh one - he was wagging his little tail with delight - must have realised he was getting a new coat!

When I checked on him at the end of the day to deliver his final consignment of chicken treats, he was curled up in his little bed. Enjoying the warmth of his new coat.

Spencer really is a wonderful dog, he grows on you slowly, more and more, over time. Then you realise what a fantastic friend you have and wonder how you got by without him. He really needs his home to come along now.

Here is a video showing how calm Spencer is with other more lively dogs.

[heleny]

Thank you David for your brilliant posts - write ups, videos, photos - of this endearing little dog - your affection and understanding of him are evident from how and what you write.

Spencer came to the rescue five years ago when his owner found him too 'high end' in his terrier behaviours. I must admit in those days - five years ago - I too found him quite intense in his behaviours. It took me a while to feel comfortable walking him. He had an extreme relationship with sticks and puddles - bless him!

However now - five years later - I am more than comfortable walking him. He is now ten years old and has calmed down so much. There is no evidence of extreme behaviours now on his walks. Instead he is regarded as the little chap who will calm other dogs down; who does not mind physical contact (David picks him up on walks when necessary); and who sticks to his walker without any reluctance at all. He does not show much interest in wild life he encounters but just trots on. Maybe in his twilight years his eyesight is not as keen as it used to be?

I have been walking him fairly regularly recently and he is the little dog I look forward to walking the most. He trots along either beside me or slightly in front of me wearing his little coat and looking so cute! It is rather sad to see him aging in kennel care - but that is the way of life. Five years in rescue and he will start to look older.

He is an easy dog to walk as he is not reactive to dogs or people and just trots along enjoying the time out of his pen. He loves his treats - I think getting high value treats from his walkers is quite the highlight of his day.

Yesterday he was a brave little dog - braving the ice puddles and the unpleasant weather and we had our usual really good walk.

The rescue will insist that his future owner has experience of the amazing Patterdale breed and quite rightly so. Spencer needs to be kept safe and never walked off lead. No one would want to lose him down a rabbit hole after all!

His future owner must try not to put him in compromising situations where he could well make a mistake. They must be aware of the importance of understanding Spencer and his little quirks. Spencer is so worth the effort.

[oldlobster]

Great write up by Helen. It highlights how this little dog has changed in his years at the kennels.

I walker Spencer as usual this week. It’s sad to see he is reluctant to walk far nowadays. He kept stopping and needing carrying or encouragement. I do hope his little legs are ok and not giving him trouble. When we got to the bridge over the Burstow stream, he looked up at the step and then looked at me. It was heartbreaking to realise he could no longer jump up. For all the years I walked him he always leaped up the step without a thought. On the next time I walked him he didn’t even look at the step and just turned away. I guess he knows he can’t jump anymore.

Here is how cute he looks in his little coat.