Chester (now STEVIE)

CHESTER
(NOW STEVIE)

CHESTER (Now Stevie) is about 18mths old, and a normal, lively pup with one difference. He is BLIND in one eye and can probably see no more than shadows from the bottom of his good eye. He has undergone surgery to remove his bad eye to avoid any problems in the future. He sailed through this surgery in his usual happy go lucky way. Whilst in foster in Ireland, he learned to negotiate a very tricky route which included 3 steps to take himself out to the garden and was calm and gentle around a very young child. This is one AMAZING boy.

Andy cared for him for a few hours when he first arrived in the UK (at 2am) before he went to his proper foster home and totally fell in love with him. He said: He is full of energy, fun and love. I am not sure of what the problem is with his eyes but his blindness makes him clumsy as you can imagine. However I am sure once settled into a steady home, he will negotiate his way round with little trouble. He is a big fusspot and great fun. He also answers to Stevie (as in Wonder)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He was then fostered by Pauline and had a whale of a time playing with Gizmo and the other dogs. He is such a happy chappie. Chester barks when he needs to go out and quickly sussed out the layout of the house, including negotiating several steps much to our amazement. He adores people and dogs alike and makes up for his lack of sight with the most wonderful of natures. He decided that his name is definitely STEVIE WONDERFUL.

UPDATE 10.3.07
CHESTER, after whom he was named, has definitely been looking out for him from above and STEVIE, as he now is, has found the most WONDERFUL forever home in the Midlands with Alison, Tom & golden retriever brother Sam. ALISON SAYS Stevie is doing well. He and Sam are starting to have a play together (quite rough as you predicted) and they are both worn out!!!

STEVIE is definitely at home

A big thankyou must go to DOGS TODAY magazine for featuring Irish Retriever Rescue because that is where Alison found out about us.

UPDATE 13.03.07 Stevie is such a love that his puppyish behaviour is really not a problem and it is nice that he feels he can play and be a pup as he has missed out on all this. He is definitly settling and getting into a routine too which is amazing after such a short space of time. He really is a wonder dog!!

FURTHER UPDATE 16.03.07
STEVIE is doing brilliantly, he is virtually house trained now (the time spent outside waiting for him to go so I can reward are paying off). He has been a very early riser but last night slept until 6am (plus no longer barking when I shut him in the crate at night). His barking (which was pretty non-stop when he came) is reducing greatly and he seems much more settled. He is a real hit at school and enjoys being fussed over by scores of children. He still grabs at flapping (and sheepskin) coats, but I am getting better at anticipating (however his interest in a toy is very limited when more interesting stimulus around). He enjoys his two walks a day and now knows the route well plus he is starting to explore the garden more.

So all in all - doing amazingly well. I have started clicker training and am working on the sit - he is getting there gradually and I am happy to take it slowly.

UPDATE 19.03.07

Today Stevie had a lovely roll in the snow on his morning walk and seemed to have a great time. He is getting more adventurous in the garden and will have an explore, but still likes to keep near to me. When I am working in my office upstairs he tends to lie in the hall and sleep.

Stevie loves being cuddled and groomed (I am brushing him daily at the moment) and likes nothing better than to sit on your lap and be fussed. He also talks to us by making little noises when he is being stroked. He is also a very mischevious puppy and runs off with my scarves and slippers and puts his nose into everything he can.

I am doing short sessions of training every day - it is slow progress, but he seems to respond well to verbal cues rather than just clicker although I am persevering with it (I am no expert but I am just feeling my way). He knows leave and busy and go to bed and is starting to learn sit. I am not in any rush as I know it will all take time and the amount he is learning already is amazing. I also say noise before the vaccuum/washing machine/extractor etc go on so that he is cued for the fact there will be loud noise, which seems to help reassure him.

He is an amazing dog and I have been so impressed with him this week - it has been hard work but the way he has settled in has made it more than worthwhile. Everyone who meets him thinks he is wonderful and I have to agree.

Our Amazing Stevie

STEVIE sent off his first card and update. We hope he raises lots of money to help other unwanted dogs.

Dogs Today are going to print my letter (and hopefully a pic of Stevie).

His trainer wants us to work towards entering him in for a local fun agility competition next year. It would be weaves, tunnel and jumps (all of which he has attempted and been fine with as long as there is liver at the end). We both think it would be quite an achievement for him to take part and, again, be a bit of good publicity for disabled dogs in general. I also would like to put him forward as a PAT dog when he is a bit older as I think he would be perfect (and he would love the fuss).

THE LATEST ON STEVIE

Stevie is still as wonderful as ever and has so far managed to eat one of my boots and Tom's school shoe so I think he feels at home!! He is doing really well with his training too - just need to work on the 'drop' and 'leave' I think!
Stevie is still doing really well. He now weighs about 27.8 kilos - a lot of which is muscle that the hydrotherapy is helping to build. When he first went, his back legs were quite thin and there was a 5cm difference between the left and right, in 10 sessions the muscles have evened out and he has put on about 8cm on the one leg!

All the effort on alison's part has clearly paid of as Stevie not only won his class for Male IRR Dog in Best Condition but he went on to take BEST IN SHOW. Well done Stevie and Alison!!!!!

STEVIE................THE AMAZING AGILITY DOG

STEVIE IS FAMOUS AGAIN

Stevie continues to be a huge ambassador for Irish Retriever Rescue and for dogs with disabilities. He is featured in the September issue of Dogs Today magazine. This time he has two pages and three pics.

Having already been featured in Dogs Today magazine some time ago, he then had a wonderful article about him in the July edition of Your Dog magazine. Well done to Stevie and Alison for highlighting the capabilities of disabled and rescue dogs. All being well, you will see Stevie in action at the 2008 Reunion.

We are also delighted to find out that Sam and Stevie's wonderful trainer, Ann-Marie, has qualified as reserve for the GB team at the world agility championships. Many congratulations. Only the very best for our Stevie.