FIRST REPORT
 
Buddy was fostered by Jane who said.  “He’s like a big soft cuddly teddy bear and is very affectionate. He gets very excited first thing in the morning or when he has been left for a few hours but soon calms down after a bit of fuss and lollops off and lays down.  He loves to walk around with a soft toy in his mouth (it’s like his comfort blanket!!).  He is 100% house trained.  Enjoys his food and loves being brushed.  He is very gentle when taking food from your hand.  Understands sit, stay, down and paw.  Seems fine with the cats and has stopped chasing them around the house!!

 When out he is very friendly and nosey and will go to anyone who shows him attention; he gets on well with other dogs.  He is brilliant on the lead. He has met children of all ages and will join in with them playing.
 
When at the IRR reunion nothing seemed to phase him at all and he even came 4th in the Best Dog in Best Condition under 5 years old category.
 
He is a lovely dog and I cannot praise him up enough.” 

IRR Reunion

Tough at the top!

BUDDY HAS GONE TO HIS FOREVER HOME
 
Jane said.  “Just to let you know that with a lump in our throats and a big hole left in our hearts, Buddy has now gone to Cornwall to his forever home with Tammy.

 He was the perfect house guest!!!!!!!
 
He seemed fine with Henry (Tammy's black Lab) to the extent that they more or less ignored each other.
 
We will miss him greatly but I am sure he will have a happy life ahead of him and look forward to the updates from Tammy.”

Buddy in His Forever Home

Tammy said. “It’s been about a month now since we collected Buddy from his fosterers, Jane and Malcolm. When we first met him it was love at first sight.

We took him for a walk with my two labs, and they got on very well, despite my male labrador not particularly liking other males.

Once we got home, we settled very quickly into Buddy's new routine. I took him to the vet to register him and get him weighed, and the vet commented on how well we had bonded so quickly, and they would never have guessed that I had not had him from a puppy; he was watching my every move.

Over the first few days, my lab had a few pops at Buddy, putting him in his place, but thankfully as Buddy is such a laid back placid boy he didn’t retaliate and accepted his position within the pack. Since then, they have all got on famously. They play tug and chase each other, grabbing each other's legs which is lovely to see. My labs have been trying to teach him to bum tuck, but he looks at them like they are idiots, and only something that stupid labs do, and he wouldn’t lower himself to their levels.

We have been down to the beach a few times, and he loves it down there having a good explore in the rock pools. He has also had a paddle in the sea, but not yet swam, but don’t blame him at this time of year, you wouldn’t catch me in there.

He has just started moulting so much, having only had labs before, I was not expecting this. TWO CARRIER BAGS FULL in 2 DAYS!!! Is this normal ????? LOL. My two labs were getting jealous of all the time that Buddy is being groomed, which he loves, and grabs my arm every time I stop to clean the brush out. Anyway, with two jealous labs, and an impatient GR, I ended up with three dogs on my lap, I could hardly breathe. Buddy then decided that it would also be fun to grab mouthfuls of his fur from the bags and run round the room making a complete mess.

What else can I say about Buddy, other than he is the most perfect dog ever. I really didn’t think there was such a thing as a perfect dog, that was until I met Buddy".

Sadly Henry decided that he really didn't like "Mr Perfect" so, with a heavy heart, Tammy decided Buddy would have to leave Cornwall.

He immediately went to Sally (the wonderful forever fosterer of Jimmy and Old Freddie) who had decided this time she wanted to adopt a middle aged boy who would be with her for, hopefully, a good long time. Needless to say, it was love at first sight.

FIRST REPORT FROM SALLY
 
I have booked Buddy in for a wash and brush up on Monday.
 
He ate all his dinner no problem and has not gone around the other bowls and finished off the midgets' food - such a good mannered lad.  I know it is very early days but he is lovely - sitting at my feet as I type this - thank you so much for thinking of us. You were right, it is a match made in Heaven. 
 
I will keep Buddy on a nice long lead when we go out and will not let him off until I am confident with him and feel he trusts me.

Buddy slept through the night with not a peep - all clean too.  He is getting there with the dog flap - came back through it on his own!!
 
He has not barked yet. Graham and I are taking bets - he thinks he will bark by Saturday.
 

©2008 Irish Retriever Rescue UK