Four Paws Animal Rescue
Proud to have been an owner => Rainbow Bridge => Topic started by: sandypar on July 30, 2013, 14:00:03 pm
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Please meet Tommy......
(http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd439/tinasilva4/IMG_2125_zps5aab8795.jpg)
(http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q517/Shamus_Hound/4P4T16_zpsdc803176.jpg) (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/Shamus_Hound/media/4P4T16_zpsdc803176.jpg.html)
Breed: Staff/Whippet Cross
Sex: Male
Age: 18 months in october 2013
Dog Friendly : Shy of dogs he doesn't know
Cats : fostered with cat, but not 'cat friendly' yet
Child Friendly: Yes, older children, and slow moving other ages.
Loves to watch children of all ages playing.
House Trained: Yes
Food: Dry complete. also eats peanut butter and rawhide chews, will not touch soft food.
weight: 18 kg
Vaccinated: Yes
Flea and worm treatment: Yes
Neutered: Yes
Micro-chipped: Yes
Travel: Good
Training: enjoyed lesson with Rachel at Dogs Trust, close to M4 jnct 36. (she is an expert with staffie crosses Highly recommended by Tommy's foster mum)
Fostered: Cowbridge
Type of home required: experienced owner
Adoption fee: £150
Tommy is full of fun and curiosity when awake, although he spends most of his day dozing. He loves nothing better than to curl up on a human's lap or next to you, so his ideal home would be where he is allowed to lounge all day on a humans lap, or in a chair or dog bed. He doesn't ask to go out for walkies, although he is happy enough when he sees the lead...but he does need lots of mental stimulation when awake, games or clicker training. Lots of affection and elegance, combining sight hound and staffie properties, his fosterer is seeking someone who will not let him off the lead when out at present, and who will take him to his special classes with Rachel at Dogs Trust Bridgend, as she is good with staffie crosses and especially their owners. He is so curious that i sometimes put him on the hands free lead around the house. He is shy of other dogs, but plays well and socialises lots with my Daisy Dalmatian.
Paper round ...he is very nimble footed, agile , and focused. sits at each doorstep. Might be good as a runners companion or in Agility classes.
Details of our adoption procedures and adoption application form are http://www.fourpawsanimalrescue.org.uk/adoption_procedures.html
(http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd439/tinasilva4/IMG_2129_zpsbeaf2541.jpg)
Tommy relaxing after a long walk....
(http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd439/tinasilva4/IMG_2121_zpsaf61810a.jpg)
"Look at me, aren't I handsome!"
(http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd439/tinasilva4/IMG_2117_zps7b3259b6.jpg)
It's a dogs life.....not!
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He is such a handsome boy chillaxing on the sofa
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Yes, he is very handsome! he is full of fun and curiosity when awake, and so affectionate when going off to sleep. Tommy is a cuddle Monster.
He plays for ages with daisy Dalmatian and with his toys. He usually walks nicely on the lead and keeps his distance from new dogs. Loves bouncing about in long grass.
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TRAINING:
When there are no distractions, Tommy is lightening fast at sit, down, paw and waits to cross the road or pass through the door\gate. although he plays for ages with Daisy Dalmatian, and we,ve been walking with our regular doggy chums, I would like to see him feeling a bit more comfortable in himself. ..Less daunted by meeting other dogs. He enjoyed his lesson with Rachel at Dogs Trust, it was only a fiver, easy to get to..and I learnt so much about tommy ( and daisy dalmatian) handling-skills. This class is a special one for rescue dogs...the lady not only works for the dogs trust, but also has three rescue staffie crosses herself! I would highly recommend that Tommy,s new people keep up his classes if at all possible
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I've had the pleasure of meeting this handsome boy several times and each time I do it amazes me that he's with four paws. He plays great with other dogs and seems great around the house. I took him to the training at dogs trust with his foster Mum and it was lovely to see how much he enjoyed and benefitted from it. I think that it is imperative that the training with dogs trust continues when he finds his new home so that he can learn about his new owners and them about how to handle Tommy.
He loves to be loved and will make someone a great companion but he will need lots of cuddles!! I hope he finds his new home soon
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''imperitive for new owners''
thanks Dan. I'm glad you feel you've learnt useful stuff at those lessons, and would recommend Tommy's new people do all they can to atttend. She will go to your home if you don't have a car too, but you would miss the experience of practicing behaviours with other staffie crosses.
Yes, it's amazing how fast you can make progress with a dog if you have the right experience ( Rachel's experience, that is). Why reinvent the wheel? One class with her taught me as much as i've learnt in 5 years with daisy, videos and a behavioural animal psychologist.
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(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/image_zpsc016b607.jpg) (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/zadoksandypar/media/image_zpsc016b607.jpg.html)
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What a sweetie!
Dx
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Looks like Daisy is going to give him a big kiss how cute
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:) Not sure if he wants one ;) :-*
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he's got his eyes set on a treat ; )
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Thats such a lovely photo! You have very pretty foster sister tommy! You are looking very well yourself handsome boy, and those ears are fabulous!
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Tommy's a blur of activity if he gets off the lead
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/image_zps2ac45598.jpg) (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/zadoksandypar/media/image_zps2ac45598.jpg.html)
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this sums up their relationship...tom and daisy spend ages playing together..tom is the more submissive, reserved, obedient one ( well, most of the time!)
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/image_zps3570ed5c.jpg) (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/zadoksandypar/media/image_zps3570ed5c.jpg.html)
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tom looks really tall here...standing on his long, long legs. But he's only half the weight of daisy dalmatian...just about possible for him to sit on your lap while typing at the computer..
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/image_zpsa67b3295.jpg) (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/zadoksandypar/media/image_zpsa67b3295.jpg.html)
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Thats such a lovely photo! You have very pretty foster sister tommy! You are looking very well yourself handsome boy, and those ears are fabulous!
thanks for seeing how pretty they both are! Tom has wonderful Kohl, dark lined eyes, long toes, cat like whiskers..he does look amazing. Practicle for keeping the house clean too...small feet don't bring in much mud, hardly any fur to malt, keen to learn family routines.
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Video
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/th_IMG_0537_zpse37d98d3.jpg) (http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/IMG_0537_zpse37d98d3.mp4)
Click on image to play video of daisy keeping the squeaky ball fro tommy
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New video
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/th_IMG_0535_zps45ce668a.jpg) (http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/IMG_0535_zps45ce668a.mp4)
Click on the image. To see Daisy and Tommy play ,Argie-Bargie,.
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Tommy you are a star and so gentle with Daisy, is she not sharing, you definitely like other dogs. You have learnt so much since you have been in foster clever boy
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Wow Tommy you're looking great, soo fit and healthy :0). So glad you're settled with Cheryl. xx
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:) What a good gentle boy you are - girls rule huh? ;) :-*
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Yay Cheryl, photobucket queen!! Lovely videos of tremendous Tommy and delightful Daisy. xx
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Thanks everyone, for seeing Tom,s debut on film. ( I am really chuffed to have achieved uploading with an Apple). Have told him any naughtiness will now be on film ; )
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BEHIND and EYES
Tommy has completely learnt the behind and eyes commands. It,s such a joy to see him achieving things in his training.
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He is so clever some one is missing out on a lovely boy he so deserves his forever sofa
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TRAINING PROGRESS
while Tommy certainly needs to improve his confidence with other dogs and learn quiet, appropriate behaviiour with guests, he has learnt so many things already. We are taking his newly learnt behaviours ( eg, eyes, or , behind) which will help him socialise, out into the streets and practicing in the parks, where he will meet other dogs, animals and children. We are incorporating his , and my, trainer, Rachel's ideas...she has rehabilitated many dogs in her work for dogs trust. And he is following Dr Sophia Yin's program in doors so he will be quiet around guests in the house, ultimately : )
Here is a list of training areas which i will update as he makes more progress to keep you all up to date:
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mid jan 2014: trainer adrian wants me to concentrate on training up Daisy dalmatian as she is holding him back.
introducing self to dogs:
behind command
look nicely
since training with Adrian, tom's nose has openned...he's interested in sniffing on the walk and has started to pee on 3 legs: a sign he has become more confident.
we are content to get tommy walking while focussing on his human and avoiding other dogs for the moment, as he is very shy and will need alot of trust in his handler.
did very well yesterday on the busy high street ( last saturday before christmas) ...walked past lots of dogs with no problem
Next training session we are going to porthcawl beach to meet more dogs
meeting wildlife, cats, children
charlie cat: this week he' s learnt not to approach me , bark at me etc, when i'm carrying the cat ie he's learnt to ignore charlie. i now feel sure i could train him to ignore the cat around the house completely. However, i dont want to do that just yet as naughty Charlie soon began to take liberties and i want him to stay unpstairs as he's an indoor Ragdoll
Now understands not to bark at birds
Walked through the children's playpark and kids came up to him in the street...he's interested but a little nervous off them up close. Told them they should ask, can i stroke your dog?
loose lead walking with lead and collar only
accepts head collar
accepts halti harness
accepts hands free lead
auto sit at curb/gate/ door ( paper round)...is very nimble and focussed on the paper round
to be quiet in crate or playpen, knows settle, but doesn't like being shut in.
recall: ok in the house and garden, but not being let off the lead at this stage of his training with adrian.
Still very good on the hands free lead and one of our training goals is to see him settle, relax or sit with restricted activity.
Settle to earn food and privileges, to help reduce anxiety: managed to settle a number of times last week before food: a landmark for us.
knows emergency whistle and Tommy Come but needs more practice has got overexxciteted off leash
Now understand what 'wee wee' means as a command and knows he's not coming in from the garden until he's been
vets: acdepting and calm of vets building and all over handling.
accepts T touches and will wear t.shirt. Does not like wind, rain or cold. Has 'thundershirt' as likes swaddling and a short lead in these situations.
Guests:
has made sufficient progress while Adrian is here for us to a adopt a calming strategy, but he seems to forget who Adrian is between visits each week. This is the area that seems most in need of improvement
Postman walked past open window and dropped off a letter without tommy barking, even when i encouraged him to! What a tease. Looks like his desensitising to window and door knocks is progressing
knows 'speak' and 'quiet' commands under normal household circumstances
knows 'place' and touch stick under normal household conditions
Tuggie and Fetch. Loves to play games with you. good at . leave it, now. Has never been possessive over food or toys, but does like a good tug, shake it, or tosses it by himself.
Has now learnt drop' and really enjoys his new flirt pole game.
Exercise, enjoys paper round where he sits at each door.
treadmill: excellent at treadmill now, seems to like the attention of me sitting next to him for his 'walk'. Can even eat treats while walking and can be left alone to walk while i go into the kitchen. Actively asks for machine to be turned on during the day.
Food: Needs noticeably less exercise since being on Arkwrights complete dry food, ( is less protein than other foods), and is perhaps better behaved on it.
Didn't used to be food orientated, but now will work anytime for a small piece of cracker. Have had to loosen collar...has put on weight. Good dog : )
Walks...not eager to go walkies, likes his home comforts. However, has at least one walk on his own per day with me, and one walk with daisy dalmatian as a 'pack' . improvement will be when all 3 of us can walk together when it is busier.
Easy to get to look the other way from a distraction.
i learnt this week to always keep the dog on the wall side, and to be more confident at asking other people to give tom some space while 'training'.
manners minder..
( Manners Minder is a program and distance clicker invented by dr Sophia Yin, available from Training Lines)
has attained one minute wait.
next step to run to place.
watches daisy learning manners minder ...v.patient. Haven't done manners minder since starting training with adrian , and treadmill takes up alot of time.
Boundaries: not allowed upstairs at all ...that's for the cat and his human. Also not allowed in the kitchen except when invited by me, as this is where guest come. Not allowed on furniture at present...will have to wait until he gets his forever sofa.
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today he kept his eyes on me while a terrier played on the grass opposite, for the first time. I was chuffed that he was able to do this and not fixate on the other dog.
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Wow Cheryl, you're doing such a fantastic job with Tommy.
Surely someone must have a space on their sofa for this clever boy angel.gif
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I agree Fran he is doing so well. Well done Cheryl and Daisy x
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WOW well done tommy and cheryl he has come on so well big pat on back for you both. Just the forever sofa now
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RACHEL
Today Tommy had a special training lesson all on his own with his trainer from Dogs Trust Bridgend.
I was greatly encouraged to see what a professional can do in one hour! She has set us some tasks to practice over the next month...more toys, games and walks with his special doggy friend in quiet areas to help him be less shy of dogs he doesn't know.
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STAIRGATE
Tommy is impressed with the stair gate I put up to divide the open plan downstairs area. This will keep Dustbin Daisy the Destroyer away from Tom,s new chew toys and other food left in the kitchen! Rachel suggested he gets to chew and play more, and for me not to shut him in his crate
TRAINING....has finished learning to run to his PLace. Today starts the last section in the Manners Minder program!
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Tommy would love a home where his people are prepared to carry on with his training. If you would like more information on this lovely boy, please get in touch.
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Oh Tommy I hope you find a home soon you've been with four paws ages now. This lovely boy would make a great companion for an older person, he's happy to sleep all day and have short walks. He will love and look after you should you give him the chance. There must be someone out there willing to give this little man a home.
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HAPPY
There's been a real change in Tom,s behaviour over the last few days, as we are implementing the trainers tailored advice. He,s started wagging his tail!
This is a major step forward in the right direction.
He,s also started to take on board what we want him to do with the tennis ball, squeaky toy etc. He's less attention seeking. And he's able to look at and walk past other dogs without fixating on them.
He met another staffy whippet, a girl, today, and it's amazingly how similar they are...I,m really pleased for him.
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:) That's fantastic news Tommy, we're so pleased for you. Thank you Cheryl for giving this gorgeous boy a chance, he's making such good progress with the trainers and your help and guidance. I'd love to see Tommy again, maybe at a show one day. Keep,up the good work both, you're doing an amazing job. :)
Tina
xxxxxx
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LOYALTY
this dog is so loyal, and with such a grateful heart. I cant remember him wagging his tail so much as when he saw his old friends and fosterers at the FPAR show today! What a great afternoon he had..thanks
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It was lovely to see you and Tommy Cheryl, you're so patient with him x
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I met Tommy yesterday for the first time out in the car park as we were leaving. What a beautiful boy he is :)
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I gave Cheryl and Tommy a lift back to the bus stop after the Paws4Tea. All I could hear was Tommy snoring on Cheryl's lap! :)
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:-* It was lovely to see Tommy enjoying all the fuss yesterday ........ he was so relaxed he looked like he was going to slide off your lap Cheryl:-*
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(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/th_IMG_0606_zps06d265a9.jpg) (http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/IMG_0606_zps06d265a9.mp4)
VIDEO...click the picture to see Tommy demonstrate MannersMinder basics.
PS the picture is compressed and made him look plump.
Look at those whippety ears! He can turn and flip his ears all the way back!
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(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/150e1257-91b6-4c40-8d5a-36faec622bb4_zpsfd26c540.jpg) (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/zadoksandypar/media/150e1257-91b6-4c40-8d5a-36faec622bb4_zpsfd26c540.jpg.html)
Long, long , whippety legs. And ThunderJacket for bonfire night ( no barks at all from Tom, although Daisy barked enough for them both)
This distance clicker game teaches the dog to stay on the mat regardless of distractions.
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He is such a handsome boy he is gorgeous he is concentrating very hard there
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:) well done Tommy, you're working very hard & concentrating on each treat {clap clap} :-*
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What a clever boy Tommy :) xx
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TREADMILL, CRATE and LESSONS
Tommy and i have been having weekly lessons with a trainer called Adrian. Last Saturday morning he walked up and down the High Street to meet people and dogs ....he is generally good walking 'close' on a loose lead with flat collar, and i would like to improve taking Daisy and Tom out with them both walking to heel ( one goal!).
Tom is not barking at noises from next door anymore, and only gives one barrk when i test him by knocking on the kitchen window/front door. However, our goal is to have him greet guests cordially, and we are practising with that each week in our lessons.
Crate...This week's work has been to get Tom to relax in his crate with the door shut...which he's done really well on i think. I would like him to learn to 'relax' more generally too.
With the dark mornings and winter weather we haven't been able to get to the open fields for the walks we did in summer time.
Tom learnt to use the treadmill last week, walking tentatively
ith me. Daisy already walks without a lead or human companion on the mill, and insists on her 'turn' ! This week Toms confidence has improved, as long as i am walking with him and he has the lead on...amazingly he is walking for 1 mile, 3 or 4 times a day : )
( this is besides his outside walks ) He seems to enjoy the attention.
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Sounds like you are all learning new things and enjoying every minute
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Fantastic, keep up the good work Tommy. You're still doing an amazing job with Tommy Cheryl. :D xx
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:-* Wow Tommy you're doing sooo well learning all these new things, thank you Cheryl for helping Tommy achieve sooo much.xx
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thanks, everyone , for your support, it means alot.
tom is doing brilliantly on the treadmill now, he's really mastered it and even keeps going to it by himself. He walks for an hour at a time or 3 miles in distance, with me next to him reading. twice a day works well. What a dog!
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THANKS
Tom says 'thanks' for the food that arrived from fourpaws, especially the MunchyFlats!
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I met Tommy today and he liked having a tickle under his chin. I think he is looking forward to Xmas and putting his stocking up for Santa
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Good boy Tommy, you're such a clever boy walking on a treadmill. xxx :D
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:-* I've told Santa how you've been such a good boy so I reckon your stocking is going to be pretty full ;) :-*
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thanks , everyone!
Toms trainer said yesterday that things are coming together for him. We had a wonderful time walking through the busy High Street for our training session...tommy was much better behaved than Daisy Dalmatian.
you all know what's on his permanent wish list! The forever home, possibility of further training, raw hide chews, crackers and tug toys. But for christmas, he's asking for something to start off an agility set! We'll have to see....
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(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/image_zps2969ef3b.jpg) (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/zadoksandypar/media/image_zps2969ef3b.jpg.html)
chronicle of treadmill practice: first one must don the appropriate clothing and get a human to unearth a treadmill, which probably hasn't been used for years.
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VIDEO: CLICK ON IMAGE TO WATCH : )
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/th_IMG_0619_zpsf9c637be.jpg) (http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/IMG_0619_zpsf9c637be.mp4)
after a few weeks, tommy's a real expert. SEASON'S GREETINGS!
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One cool dude, merry Christmas Tommy + family xx
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Yay cool dude indeedy, you've really got the hang of it, Happy Christmas Tommy & family :-*
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(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a623/zadoksandypar/image_zps05313ed7.jpg) (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/zadoksandypar/media/image_zps05313ed7.jpg.html)
tom says, MERRY CHRISTMOOSE!
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Very cool Tommy xx
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Merry Christmas Cheryl, Tommy, Daisy and Charlie cat!!
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:) Merry Christmoose to you Tommy & your family :-*
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Sorry to have to give this update :(
For those of you who know Tommy, you will know that he always had behavioural issues which meant that he was unpredictable with people he didn’t know. In his foster home with Cheryl he was the sweetest, most clever boy you could imagine but stress and anxiety meant that he couldn’t cope with anything outside of that bubble.
We’re so grateful to Cheryl for giving Tommy the best chance he would have hoped for over the last ten months, also to Tina & Pat for fostering him initially. Cheryl and various trainers have worked with him and whilst he did appear to be improving very slowly it just wasn’t enough and recently he bit someone completely out of the blue with no provocation whatsoever – not for the first time.
Tommy wasn’t re-homable because we could never have taken the risk that he would bite a child and no other rescue would take him because of his history of aggression. He was very stressed during the short periods he had in kennels and it would have been unfair of us to expect him to cope with that longer term.
Sadly we were in a position where putting him to sleep was our only option. Recently Tommy has been so stressed and anxious that his quality of life was compromised and we felt it was the best thing for him.
Run free at the Bridge Tommy free of your demons.
This is a tribute from Cheryl who I know misses him a lot:
Tommy was cuddly and clever, homeloving and handsome. Thanks to Four Paws, his passing was totally peaceful.
i'm glad to have had the time i was able to spend with him, i wish things could have been different and hope there is a doggy heaven where he will be free from fear, and playing 'til we meet again.
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Run free Tommy, big hugs Cheryl xx
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So sad, run free Tommy, your in a better place now xxx
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He was a very special boy, now free from the stress of life, run free at the bridge relax and enjoy with all the other fur babies. God Bless
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Aah Tommy poor lad, run free darling no stress now.
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So sorry Cheryl I know how much you loved him - run free baby boy :luv:
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:'( Aw Cheryl, I know how hard it is to let a foster go in this way, we at Four Paws try so hard to undo the damage done before they came to us, you tried your very best but sadly couldn't heal his troubled soul, at least he knew what it was to be loved, loads of love & hugs to you.xxxxxxxx
Run free at the Bridge beautiful boy, all free of your problems,go & find your Four Paws buddies who'll take care of you :-*
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So sad & so sorry for his carers :'(. I'm sure this was not a decision taken lightly, as we all know FP go above & beyond to save all the dogs in their care. Big hugs to all involved & even bigger hug to Tommy, run free boy, life at the beginning for you was bad, but you knew love at the end xxxx
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so sad but he will be at peace now and in a better place for him
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Sandypar,
For ages, from a distance, I have been admiring the determination and intelligence you showed tackling Tommy's demons and all the love you gave him. This is a sad, sad end but the right one for Tommy. Life in kennels would have been intolerable for him, he had a gentle, pain and fear-free end, and - best of all - he had time to know love and happiness with you. Possibly for the first time in his life. No-one could have done more that you did. I do hope the hurt dies down soon. x
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What can I add to the tributes already here?
I echo both what Maggie and Anne have said Cheryl, you were Tommy's guardian angel here on earth.
You and Daisy brought this boy as far as he could go after his stay with Pat and Tina, he was loved, enjoyed and knew that he was special xxx
Run free at the Bridge handsome Tommy.
Lots of {{hugs}} and leans from me and Peppa for you and Daisy.
Thank you Cheryl for being there, you could do no more and have our respect.
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Run free Tommy, big hugs, x
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Still love you and miss you...god willing, it won't seem like a moment until we meet again. Have another foster dog now. You,d like him and be pleased he has a good home to go to.
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Big Hugs and Kisses to you - nobody will ever forget Tommy :luv: :luv:
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horrible decision to have to make. Cheryl, you were so giving with him, and worked so hard. Sending you loads of love xxx