Oliver is 12 years old, very healthy for his age and is being rehomed due a change in family circumstances. 
 
His owner has said, "Oliver is a very sensitive and placid dog. He is not aggressive in the slightest. He has a very loving nature and enjoys the company of any human.  I have a 3-year-old son and, as you can imagine, children can sometimes torment or tease dogs, however, Oliver has never shown any aggressive behaviour when this has happened, which is rare in any case.
 
Oliver likes children and enjoys interacting with them. He does however get upset when babies cry as I think that he feels they are distressed . He enjoys the attention  of adults and loves nothing more than to sit and be stroked for any length of time.
 

 
When he goes on a walk at first he can be quite excitable and will tend to pull on his lead but once he has settled down he is very good on the lead and will not pull. He does not like being wet or dirty!
 
He does not like baby safety gates as when he was a puppy one nearly fell on him so, because of this experience, he is quite scared if a baby gate is moved when he is near it. If one is attached to a door he is fine with the gate being there.
 
In terms of food likes and dislikes he enjoys gravy bones, chicken, marmite on bread and cheese. He likes dry dog food and does not like tinned dog food which can upset his stomach.  He also doesn’t like turkey or pigs ears."

UPDATE FROM HIS FOREVER HOME

Oliver is now living happily with Jean and Don in Essex.

Jean says "Things couldn't be better.  He has settled down very well.  He is eating all his food with great gusto, enjoying his walks (where he is frequently admired - now known to several dog walkers as 'the rescue dog').  We  believe Oliver is really feeling quite at home here. 

He sleeps peacefully through the night - he's now decided he prefers the lounge which is good because earlier on he really confined himself to lying in the hall.  He is a wonderful dog to have and we feel very lucky to have been chosen as a forever home for him."

UPDATE OCTOBER 09

Jean says "We took Oliver to the vet this morning just to get him checked over and to get him weighed. His weight was 32 kg so perfect and the amount of food we had been giving him exactly right. On examination the vet said that at some time he had suffered an injury to his right knee (possibly tear of a tendon)  He had arthritis in both rear leg joints, weakness and stiffness in both rear legs and also his back but his hips are quite mobile. She advised that Oliver should only have gentle exercise. Walks should be no more than 20 minutes each if twice a day or 15 minutes if three times daily."

"Despite his disabillities, Oliver is a bright boy, always excited when he realises he is about to go for a walk, and he really enjoys his food.  He's not at all like a dog of twelve except that he does sleep quite a lot. He is definitely Don's shadow and he thinks I am 'just the dinner lady'. The flower essence drops sent to help Oliver with his distress in the early days definitely made a difference."

UPDATE MARCH 2010

Oliver is fine, not looking or behaving anything like a dog coming up to thirteen.  There is great excitement each time he is off for a walk and he is enjoying every minute of it - lots of lovely smells. 

He does have to put in a little more effort when getting up but it doesn't take him long so it is not a great problem.  He enjoys his food but we have to keep him on Hill's Science Plan, suitable for his age, and, they say, longevity!  This way we avoid any episodes of diarrhoea.  He will be going for a bath and trim very soon now that it is finally warming up. Whatever happens, Oliver will continue to be well looked after and loved.

UPDATE 9.4.10

Oliver is gorgeous and we love him to bits.  When collecting him from his recent bath and shower the comment was 'he looks such a healthy dog, you would never think he was coming up to thirteen'. 

©2009 Irish Retriever Rescue UK