FREDDIE is a 13 yr old neutered and vaccinated golden retriever. Sadly, he has had to be rehomed because his owner has gone into sheltered accommodation. We were told that he is arthritic and his eyesight is not good but he is still full of life, loves everybody and is good with dogs/cats/children.

At the moment, Freddie is in foster with Amy in Reading. Amy says"He is very old and tired and he sleeps a lot. He really is a sweet boy but obviously has some issues. The fact that he cannot get up sometimes means he needs someone strong enough to lift him. He will often mess himself when asleep, the vet thinks this being part of his neurological problems, but he has picked up since being here, wagging his tail now and moving around more."

Does anyone have a heart big enough to give this lovely boy a place to rest his weary head and see out his probably very limited amount of days?

UPDATE ON FREDDIE 15.6.08

Amy says "He came to me completely un-toilet-trained but is pretty perfect now. The only time he has accidents is when in a very deep sleep at night...this can be rectified I have found by getting him up for the bathroom around 6am!! He is a very chilled out guy and does sleep most of the day but he loves to be groomed and stroked.

He has a very short coat at the moment as his previous mum couldn't groom him so he was shaved.

Freddie loves his food and will get to his food bowl in record time!

I have had Freddie checked over by my vet and he doesn't actually have any real arthritic problems, however, he does have some neurological issues which mean he will jerk his head when excited and when he has been lying down he can struggle to get his back legs into "work" mode. Because of this he needs to be lifted and placed so he can figure out where his feet are. He is definately in no pain at all! Freddie also has a large fatty tumour next to his armpit but this is just a fatty lump and it causes him no problems, no pain and is not serious in anyway.

Freddie is almost disinterested in the other animals in the house, and there are plenty, and so would get on with anyone...cat, dog and probably even a small furry.

He is very quiet, only barking if he collapses and/or needs the toilet but cant move or get out.

It would be wonderful to see him settled in a forever home very soon."

ON HOLIDAY WITH JULIE & KEN

Joy called in to see Freddie and she said he looks very happy and Ken says he's quite cheeky now he's settled in. Ken's mum is staying there and Judy would make a brilliant dog for the disabled. She watches her every step as she comes down the stairs and alerted Ken in the garden this morning when his mum got up. His mum says she is a lovely caring dog.

Fable and Tara met Freddie today. He stays with Ken's mum while Ken takes Judy for a walk. He wasn't as unsteady on his legs as we had imagined and can certainly move if there is food in sight :)))) He is quite a character. Ken said he goes in all the rooms and even got in the dining room and had his head in a bag of food, the monkey!

UPDATE ON FREDDIE

As no home could be found and in view of Freddie’s age, he has now gone into "forever foster" with Sally, who cared so well for Jimmy.

UPDATE OCTOBER 2008
 
Sally said, “Freddie is a lovely big vocal cuddle monster - who only this morning stole a loaf of bread from the worktop - not bad for a dog who needs help getting
up off of his bed!!  I will say no more.
 
My brilliant vet and I have put him on medication for his mobility and it is working well - he is certainly in no pain.  He is friendly to all my animals and to be honest joins in with them like he has always been here.
 
He went to the hairdressers for a bath and he loved it - went to sleep apparently as they were drying him.
 
  

Freddie is a big boy who likes to be stroked, cuddled and in the mix of everything - he loves his food with a passion which is brilliant.
  He is so laid back seeing is believing’
 
Freddie has his issues but he is certainly a big part of our household now and we love him dearly. 
We certainly know we have Freddie and we would not have it any other way.” 

DEAR OLD FREDDIE'S TIME WITH SALLY WAS SADLY ALL TOO SHORT
& HE HAS NOW PASSED OVER RAINBOW BRIDGE.

©2008 Irish Retriever Rescue UK