Blue Staffie DofB 19.08.17 Isleworth Temp Foster

[xxlynne]

Current Status: Available

Blue's Story: Blue was owned since a puppy but then given to father-in-law over the past years. The father-in-law passed away on 25th January and no one was able to receive him in. Rescue Remedies offered a Rescue place in an emergency saving his life. Blue is neutered, chipped, and undergoing vaccinations. Blue came in to our Rescue Centre nr Gatwick whilst awaiting his new family.

If you are interested in rehoming one of our dogs, the first step is to complete and submit our ONLINE HOMING QUESTIONNAIRE. We do not discuss dogs without a homing questionnaire submission. You must be ready and we will only contact you if we have a suitable dog. For more detailed information, please see our Homing Process.

Please support our work and help our long stay dogs: Our minimum adoption donation is £300 (£500 for a pup under 1 yr old). This supports our continuing rescue work and is non-refundable. We exist solely due to the goodwill and donations of our supporters and volunteers. Our dogs need supportive families who will offer them patience, time and tolerance whilst they settle in their new homes. Our Rescue offers all our dogs back-up for life.

Please note: Dog laws have changed, with zero public tolerance and prejudice against bull breeds and terriers in particular. Our Rescue asks new owners to keep their dog on a lead in public spaces and manage and support its encounters with new dogs and people, so as not to place the dog's life at risk. Destruction and Control Orders are commonplace nowadays.

Blue's progress through our Rescue is below.
We work with our dogs, who often reveal an evolving picture and positive skills as they build trust.

Original referral information: Blue's owner was rushed into hospital on Saturday have been found collapsed and passed soon after. Blue was collected on the 26th and brought into our care.

Blue on route to Rescue Remedies

Blue came into RescueRemedies on the 26th January 26

[Jan Case]

Oh welcome to RR sweetheart, lots of love coming your way xxxx

[xxlynne]

Blue arrived last night. His family had gone out of the way to try to save his life...and drove him from Middlesborough, arriving at 7.30pm and reeling from having lost their father.

He settled overnight a sweet boy and today I put him before our senior vet. His skin issue needs urgent treatment and he is now on a strong dose of steroids to calm his system down and antibiotics to treat his ear infections. He also received his vaccination. Our vet will be able to treat his ears in 2 weeks time once his ears can be examined without terrific pain.

Holly and Adam offered Blue a 2 week foster placement and thankfully Anne photographed him before he left. Blue jumped in Holly's car the 4th long journey in 24 hours hours but all to good effect.

[PaulB]

Holly, Adam; thank you - it's so kind of you to jump straight in and be there in Blue's time of need. I have no doubt that you'll find your time with him immensely rewarding and that he'll reflect his appreciation in no time.

[hollyann]

I met Blue yesterday afternoon and as Lynne said he hopped in the car and off we went.

He was perfectly quiet and calm in the car, spent half the time sleeping and the other half gazing out the window. I hadn't realised he'd already had such a long journey!

We had a short walk and Blue came in and had a look around the house and garden, then had his meds and dinner. I was surprised that he wasn't more interested in his dinner but maybe he's slightly off his food due to the circumstances. He was very interested in my dinner! But not in an intrusive way, he just was hopeful that I'd share it

He took his meds nicely even though from what I can gather the antibiotics don't taste very nice and he doesn't really want to eat them. A little cheese smooths the process

He loves being on the sofa and just spending time with you. He loves being stroked

We walked up to the station to meet Adam off the train and that was very nice. He's good on the lead and enthusiastic about going out.

We had a relaxed evening and I put some dog beds just outside our bedroom to offer a choice of venue but he was pretty attached to the sofa and he slept deeply. Adam had an early start so Blue just made a visit to the garden and went back to sleep. He hasn't touched his breakfast yet but again he took his meds nicely with an eye to snaffling an extra snack in the process

Bless him, what a sad time he has had this past week. He must be feeling bewildered but he's hanging in there. Good boy!

[hollyann]

Quick update. We walked to the park today. Blue did so well and was enjoying himself so we kept going down to the river, under Kew Bridge and down Strand on the Green into Chiswick.

On our walk we saw:
~ ducks, geese, gulls, pigeons, all kinds of birds, some quite close
~ dozens of dogs of all shapes and sizes, many off-lead
~ a fox
~ a cat (from a distance)
~ a long line of small children on their way to the playground
~ joggers
~ cars, vans, buses, lorries, motorbikes, bicycles (electric and analogue)
~ a train crossing the river on a trestle above us
~ roadworks big and small
~ a group of drummers who I think had something to do with the proximity to the football ground

Blue was great, he loved his walk! Nothing rattled him, his focus was on his immediate surroundings. He turned his head and checked in with me frequently. He looked a little apprehensive when the chanting and drumming football crowd were approaching but he was quickly reassured and on we went.

He walks purposely forward without actually pulling, you definitely know he's on his way somewhere but he's tuned into the person walking. If you ask him to wait when you approach the kerb he will look at you and pause until you say it's okay.

I was so proud of him, he was just so easy and happy. Sadly forgot to take a photo but will do so tomorrow.

We came home and he had his meds and dinner and a snack of mackerel in a Kong. He wasn't sure about the Kong but once he got the hang of it he was throwing it around like an expert He's a doll

[Jan Case]

He sounds absolutely gorgeous, let's hope those sad eyes start twinkling soon xxx

[hollyann]

Blue has had a good couple of days. He wasn't eating very much which is natural really, he has had so much change and upset. He was enjoying the cheese he gets his meds in and he is definitely interested in our food but he was only picking at his own. Adam saw some tripe tinned food in the corner shop and we gave it a try along with some homemade chicken stock and this evening his appetite seems to have returned with a bang.

Adam walked him around the neighbourhood and reported that he is indeed a pleasure to walk. He's very interested in his walks, when his lead comes out he bombs over to the door and out on the street he looks all around and sniffs and really takes it all in.

Adam's book group met at our house last night. We wondered if it might be a bit overwhelming but no need to worry, he loved meeting everyone and was very well mannered. He got up on the sofa between two guests and fell asleep. (No photo sadly, I forgot. But it was very sweet.) Everyone loved him and declared him an honorary member.

Here he is doing his best hippo impersonation

[hollyann]

Blue continues to reveal his gorgeous personality to us He's doing so well at home, it's like he's always been here. He would fit in beautifully in a loving home and it would be so much nicer for him to avoid kennels.

He is thoughtful, polite, intuitive and communicative with people. He checks in often on his walks, turning his head to see where you are and what you want from him.

He's clean in the house and will come find you if he needs to go out. A few times when the door has swung shut while he's out, he will give a little tap with his paw to come in

No barking at guests, or a knock on the door or the bin men. Interested but calm (actually he wasn't interested at all in the bin men or lorry). Unflappable.

He loves paper and human food so his access should be managed. He's not ruthless, if you catch him with paper he'll drop it. He begs a the table a little (just whining, not unmanageable) but will settle and is easily redirected with a Kong or similar.

Blue has a beautiful coat like a grey pony, and doesn't seem to shed.

He loves people and company, wants to sit quietly with you, not like velcro so you can leave the room and he may or may not follow. He's been sleeping on his own on the sofa mostly, with an occasional foray upstairs to the big dog bed. We haven't yet left him alone, will wait until his ears have healed.

He occasionally tries to sit on my lap, which is sweet and funny

[M1zzyLegendre+]

Blueyyy you are too cute!