Simba

From his previous owner who, sadly, had to give him up.

Simba was born on 19 July 2003 and has been vaccinated and castrated but is not micro-chipped.

He loves going for walks, especially in the woods or on the beach. He loves swimming and retrieving sticks, in the sea and lakes. He loves cuddles and adores company, and especially loves being scratched about his ears, with his head in your lap, which he understands when you tell him "head down"!!.

He returns to call, by his name or a loud whistle, and if out walking off the lead and he meets someone ahead, he will always return to have his lead attached. He walks on the lead fine, however if a scent catches his attention, he may need a firm hand.

He loves to have a gift for you, when he first sees you in the morning, or if you have been away for a while, like your shoe or a tea towel, he never chew's them, he just wants to give you something to please you.

He eats anything, and is partial to a chewy bone or a pigs ear. When I let him out in the morning first, he would do his business, and always return to sit outside the back door, awaiting his invite inside. He always sleeps inside, either in our kitchen or utility room; he likes a blanket or a mat to lie on.

When you put his food down, tell him to wait and show the palm of your hand. He will sit there until given the ok to eat. He jumps in and out of our estate car no problem.
Our neighbour's have a cat, and Simba has chased it, although I would put this down to lack of socialisation, rather than wanting to hurt it.

We have recently noticed that he has become over protective of me. He did growl, although only once, at our 3 year old, although that said when my little boy and Simba played on other occasions', they interacted perfectly but the vet said, because of having another child on the way he must be rehomed. My little boy and Simba would play fetch and chase each other in the garden often.
He left us today. It's been a very hard day for all of us here.

UPDATE FROM HIS FOSTERER, SALLY

Simba is doing fine and seems to have settled in well. He loves his early morning walks. He's not keen on Hayley's dogs but when meeting dogs on walks he seems fine with them. He doesn't seem to like them in his space so he probably hasn't had much socialization with other dogs. He has been great with my daughter and has been no trouble at all.

One week on, Simba is fantastic. When he arrived he was over weight but he has already lost some of that now, he loves affection and let's you know when he needs it to by putting his head in your lap and giving you his paw. He loves his walks but, at the same time, he is very happy to lay in the garden and chill out. He is great with my five year old daughter and they play really well together. My only concern is his lack of socialization with other dogs.

UPDATE FROM HAYLEY, HIS FOSTERER'S SISTER

I think Simba would be ideal for an older couple, as he is not over boisterous at all. He likes his walks but is not over demanding. We have done a bit of lead walking with my three and Simba, and he was fine. He is very much like my Roxi, a little defensive with dogs in his space, but does not react to them in a confrontational way. He is more timid than anything and whereas my Roxi is all noise, I am not sure if Simba would actually retaliate.... he seems to like his own company.

His new owner Chris said: "Simba is a dream can't make out if he is just very quiet and laid back or he is weighing us up. Walks like a dream on a lead and just ignores other dogs and cats. He is following me everywhere which is great coz that's what my Zac used to do. He has explored the garden and it seems to come up to his standards. Can't thankyou enough for bringing us together. I am sure me and Simba and family are going to get along very well."

UPDATE ON SIMBA FROM CHRISTINE

She says. "Simba is settling in really well and he is absolutely adorable. Everybody loves him. Her dad thinks he has a new best friend and her best mate wants to adopt him (no chance). He loves water as they found out the other day:)

Christine thinks he may still be pining a bit as when he goes out he is constantly looking for children, especially little boys. She suspects he is probably still looking for the little boy he grew up with but that should soon pass and otherwise, he is doing brilliantly."