Chance
Chance
We had had a rough few years, losing old dogs and at the end of May we lost another, she was a Goldie x Collie, everyone thought she was a proper Retriever but I knew her mother and father who were mated specifically for obedience work, they were a lovely litter.
Well this brought us down from 6 dogs to one and that one was 14 years old. All my dogs were pets first and the obedience side came second but as they got older the working side dropped off and I did miss training a dog so I knew in my heart that if I did not get another now I would probably give up training dogs all together. I had helped a friend find a Retriever from IRR so when the time came she helped me, I do not think I would have done things as quick except she kept pushing me and this is when CHANCE came on the scene.
CHANCE was being fostered, in Suffolk, by Gemma and her family. We live in North Nottinghamshire and it was along way to go but I was determined to see GOLDIE as he was called then, in surroundings that he knew. As soon as we walked in I knew I liked him he was so up for it and friendly which is what I like in a dog, especially if I intended to try and work him. I know if Gemma had not thought we were ok for him she would have said as I know she turned a few families away. He was fine with our old GSD so she allowed us to bring him home.
When you think what these dogs have gone through from whatever happened to them in Ireland to being transported across the sea and then by road they go through an awful lot in their lives and it is surprising how well some of them do pull through, I know some are not as lucky. The only strange thing we have noticed with Chance is that when he hears sirens he just freezes. If he is in the car when police or ambulance pass with their sirens on he howls and barks and thats the only time he really barks.
What a change to our lives. We had got into a sedate life style with having oldies for so many years that now it was as if a tornado had hit the household. The GSD hardly knew what had hit her .They tried to play but the old dog would fall over although she loved him being here as it seemed to rejuvenate her. Unfortunately she died in November and I know Chance missed her for a while, again his routine had changed and he took some settling.
I made sure he met other dogs at club and elsewhere on a regular basis. Chance has not been easy and even now can be very frustrating when he goes on a bender and he does not listen but they are getting less often. He is still young and energetic but he makes us smile so much with his antics and he is such a bright dog who is very quick to learn ,even the bad things.
He loves everybody and everybody loves him and our grandson who is not doggy minded talks to his friends about him. Chance loves doing the tricks I have taught him, sometimes he guesses and you get a whole repertoire. His first obedience show has been booked for May and whatever happens I know he will have fun. I still cannot believe my luck in getting a dog like Chance he is everything I would have wished for. Thank you Gemma for entrusting him
to us.
2007 IRR BEST OBEDIENCE DOG
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