 BRACKEN
Unfortunately, due to ill health, Holly's owner could no longer keep her. Holly was fostered by Belinda and Terry in Somerset. They said: "Holly is an 8 year old lady. She has a lovely temperament, is excellent with other dogs and children but she is not good with cats. She settled into our home very quickly, and has fitted in with our three resident dogs and the other 2 foster dogs who came at the same time as she did. Holly is very good about being brushed, having her harness put on and, although we don’t think she was housetrained when she arrived, has very quickly become so. She does tend to pull on the lead and is quite a strong dog. She will need to be homed with another dog. She comes when she is called though we obviously haven’t let her off the lead yet. Holly does tend to help herself to any fruit and vegetables that are within her reach, with a particular fondness for bananas and potatoes so these have to be kept out of range."
Holly was initially homed in Dorset, but after one or two unfortunate ‘Retrieverish’ incidents was deemed unsuitable so went back to Belinda and Terry. But happily Holly, now renamed Bracken, has found her forever home in London, with Eileen, Ray and their dog Sasha. BRACKEN IN HER FOREVER HOME 24 July 2009 Eileen says: Terry and Bracken arrived safely yesterday after a long journey. Bracken is just gorgeous and greeted us with her tail wagging madly. After a quick wee in the garden she settled immediately with us and Sasha (our 14 year old chocolate Labrador). She has been no trouble and comes to us for strokes and cuddles. She was very good the first night, although I stayed down with them both just to make sure. Bracken has found the treat cupboard already and she is so gentle when she takes one. She ate all her dinner last night with no fuss, and is now waiting for some breakfast. She loves being around the kitchen (I wonder why?!). She happily greeted my son when he came in from work last evening.
25 July 2009 All’s still going well. Bracken is so good with us and Sasha. Last night I invited my friend in to meet her and she was happy to greet her. She hasn’t, as yet, whined/whimpered or barked at all. She is eating extremely well and is very clean. I have just taken her on her first walk on to the little green opposite us then continued round the block. I walked her close to the copings so she felt secure. She was very good and enjoyed it. I will take her again later today. Bracken is now having a nice snooze with Sasha.
29 July 2009 I just had to let you know this: I have been training Bracken to wait at kerbs and this morning on our way to the Park a white van was waiting to pull out when the chap leaned out of his window and said ‘your dog is standing in a lovely show stance’. I was flabbergasted and so was he when I said she was a rescue dog and I only had her a few days. He thought she was beautiful.
UPDATE FROM A SPECIAL VISITOR Maria said "Bracken was looking really well & was so sweet. She came right over as I walked in & was on her back in seconds, legs in air, tail wagging & stayed like that for ages. In fact she's so up for cuddles that she hardly lets Sasha have a look in! I remedied that by getting Sasha up next to me on the sofa while Bracken laid on my feet & went asleep, as she won't get up on the furniture. She certainly knows her name now as well, because when she went into the kitchen I mentioned her name in conversation & she was next to me in seconds! Then onto her back again! She is definitely very content & very well loved." UPDATE 25.10.09 After taking the flower essences from Lynne, Bracken has not chewed anything and seems to settle when we are out now I think she knows I will come back home. She's still enjoying her daily walks and is always clean when she's out so no more accidents indoors for quite a while now. Belinda was telling me about Connie doing the movements to music and I think Bracken would be good at it as she is so light footed, she springs along like a little dressage pony. I call her fairy lightfoot although she can be a bit stubborn when she wants too. She's beginning now to muscle out and is looking in great shape. Her coat is thickening up as well and is quite a deep golden colour. I hate the dark nights but the best bit is staying in with the girls all warm and snuggly. Bracken’s first Xmas in her forever home
xxxxxxxxx wooffffffffff........... SIX MONTHS ON Eileen says "We can't believe Bracken has been with us for 6 mths now. She has really settled in brilliantly with us and Sasha and we couldn't have asked for anything more.............the couple of teething problems have now been sorted out and she has become a favorite of everyone. People we meet in the park can't believe she is a rescue and admire her lovely coat but most of all her soft nature. She's great with everyone plus kids and all the other dogs she's met so far. She still hasn't made a sound, as yet. She has never left a thing that's been given to her at mealtimes and she enjoys every mouthful (typical golden retriever) so we are looking forward to another happy 6 mths to come and that she will enjoy many happy hours with us in the garden, weather permitting that is. Thank you again for letting us adopt her." HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRACKEN Eileen says "Well Bracken is 9yrs old today (the 1st May). She has been enjoying her special day with us and Maria who came from the Isle of Sheppey.
I cooked her some chicken carrot garlic biccies (yum yum) and Sasha bought her a packet of treats. She also has 2 cards. She had a lovely walk round with Sasha which she enjoyed, has just had dinner and is now flat out on her fleecy bed." EILEEN'S GOLDEN GIRL ONE YEAR ON Well here we are one year on. How lucky we are to have chosen Bracken or should I say she choose me with her soft gentle face on your website. She is absolutely gorgeous in every way, we couldn’t have asked for anything more. Everything about her is perfect, just what I’d hoped for.
She settled straight in with us and Sasha and apart from a couple of small teething troubles, which were very easy to deal with, she’s great to have around. Her temperament is perfect, she’s fab with people/children /other dogs and has never shown any aggression of any sort. Everybody warms to her straight away.
We absolutely adore her and she does us. Looking forward to many more years with our gorgeous girl wooooooooooooooooooof xxxxx BRACKEN'S NEW JOB Eileen writes: "Here is Bracken, my little helper. She is guiding me along the streets on the frame just like a proper guide dog. She walks to my pace and listens to my commands on the way round so we can enjoy our walk together......
...... and Sasha's 15th birthday pic."
................. and here is Sasha enjoying her Christmas stocking
UPDATE FEB 2011 Bracken is still great with everybody she comes in contact with, and other dogs and is never a problem in the car or at the vets - so all in all 18 months on she's done so well and of course she's adored by everybody. SAD NEWS 25/02/2011 Eileen and Bracken are 2 sad girls again. After having a major stroke at home, 2 days in the vets where she suffered 2 big fits / no movement apart from being able to lift her head, we had to put our lovely Sasha to sleep yesterday. Another angel now at Rainbow Bridge. Run free Sasha. BRACKEN ON ROYAL WEDDING DAY
UPDATE AUGUST 2011 Eileen’s Golden Girl - 2 years on Well, here we are just over 2yrs on from when Bracken first came into our lives. There has never been any doubt in my mind that she was meant for us. Sadly, last October we lost her dad Ray and then in February sadly Sasha went to Rainbow Bridge, so there are just the two of us now.
UPDATE DECEMBER 2011
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