Alfie Dunn

THE EXTREMELY SAD NEWS (17.5.2019)

A devastated Hayley told us her beloved Alfie went, peacefully, to Rainbow Bridge at 11pm on Friday 17th May having suffered with multiple fits. He was at home and with the family he loved so much.

After three, very happy and healthy years with Hayley and Al, which, latterly, included the rather unexpected arrival of a human sister (Charlie Elizabeth) for him, he had, very suddenly, become poorly. His demeanour had changed and he “just wasn’t right”.

Alfie had been really well and eating normally etc right up to and even during the day he died but, because they were so much in tune with one another, the subtle changes in him, instinctively, made Hayley think something was seriously wrong. On the strength of her feelings, she booked an appointment for him to see their vet on the Saturday morning when Al would be at home to take them all to the surgery.

Pauline heard there was a problem later on in what turned out to be Alfie’s last day when at 8pm, a very upset Hayley, texted her to say Alfie had just had 2 fits and, having spoken to the vets, things weren’t looking good. They had been told to keep a close eye on him that night and take him for his appointment first thing in the morning but the vet warned her the outcome was unlikely to be good and Alfie may well have to be put to sleep.

On 18.5.2019, Pauline awoke to a very sad text message. “We had to call the vets out at 11pm as Alfie kept fitting over and over again. He went into yet another one just as the vet arrived. My poor boy, it was horrible for him and for us.

As a result of these massive fits, we had to let him go last night”.

Everyone who knew Alfie was really upset to hear the sad news. Terry, who had been his very first fosterer with Belinda, on his arrival in the UK way back in 2010 remembered how they both fell in love with him immediately. We all said we were sure Belinda would be there on his arrival at Rainbow Bridge to, once again, help settle him in.

MEMORIES FROM HIS FIRST IRR OWNERS

Wolfie was a much loved, highly intelligent, majestic dog and we were very sad to hear of his passing.

When he first came into our lives our son was very ill – we specifically wanted a dog to keep him company, and he turned out to be a great companion. He was certainly one of a kind – he had a lovely way of blinking his eyes when joyful, as if to avoid the draft from his magnificent, wagging tail.

Although rather lazy, he loved walking through the woods near us with our other dog, and when our son was well enough, we were thrilled to take them all to the beach – the photo of Wolfie on the sand remains one of our favourites.

In the summer he loved to see picnickers – he was a terrible beggar – and in the Winter he was thrilled if it snowed, when he became like an excited puppy (and you would never usually describe him as a puppy!).

He was loved by our friends and neighbours, adored by our other dog, and he had made a good recovery from niggling and more serious health problems but clearly had a difficult start in life and carried his past with him.

Unfortunately, when our son was eventually well enough to return to school, Wolfie did not cope well with the disruption to his life, with visitors now coming and going, and he became aggressive, even towards our son who he had loved so much.

Heartbroken, we felt that it was in his best interests to be in a quieter home. We remain incredibly grateful to IRR for rehoming him, to David for his kindness and compassion and most of all to Hayley and Al for loving him as much as we did. In the five years that we had him he had become incredibly attached and loyal to us and the parting was traumatic for all of us. Wolfie just got into your soul. Wherever he is now, I hope that he is raiding picnics and playing in the snow to his heart’s content.

OTHER MESSAGES FROM FRIENDS OF ALFIE

Jane and her husband, who were his designated fosterers, and who always regretted not adopting their wonderful first foster boy themselves, were extremely upset to hear of his passing too as was Julie who lived nearby and often went walking with them. Di, who did the homecheck on his first owners in Stroud remembered him with great fondness too and was also extremely sad.

It hit Pauline particularly hard especially as it came only two days after the passing of young Shamrock who, strangely enough, had a similar look to Alfie. She had played a big part in Rommie’s rescue and adoption (that was the name he had been called way back in 2010). Then, she became even more heavily involved in his careful rehabilitation when he needed to be returned to IRR’s care in 2016. This happened much to the sadness of everyone who had known and loved him. Nobody, including his adopters, could believe things could have gone so badly wrong for him when all had been so perfect for him for so long.

Having recently lost touch with Hayley and Al because of everyone’s busy lives, David and Anne said they often wondered how he was. They knew he had been doing really well for a long time and had completely settled into family life. He also knew Alfie adored the little girl who had made such an unexpected arrival. They were relieved to know he had been absolutely fine until the very last day of his life when he suddenly became extremely unwell and crossed the Bridge.

David said “Although he was only with us for a few days, he really made his mark and we were very touched by his story and character. We are so glad he was given the opportunity of nearly 4 years of his idyllic retired life with Hayley and family and, we are so pleased, he was able to totally get over the angst from which he was suffering when IRR rescued him for the second time”.

Di, who remembered his story very well, was extremely sad to hear the news as was Julie and they both pointed out it had been really good to meet up with Alfie again and have so many of his old friends able to be reunited with him when he attended some of the Sunday Meets in Gizmo’s field. This had been a great way of gently with other dogs and people.

Everyone agrees Alfie was a lovely boy who was just dealt a poor hand in life but we will all be eternally grateful to Hayley and Al for helping him every step of the way on his road to recovery and for refusing to give up on him when, occasionally, things were extremely difficult (mostly for poor Al who was less used to dogs than Hayley).

Because of their love and compassion, Alfie got better and better and, once again, he learnt how to enjoy his life properly and to the full. Thanks to them, he was surrounded by their love

for a wonderful 3yrs and that’s how he left us all too. Rest in peace, lovely boy. Go and fly high with the angels now

EARLY HISTORY

When he came back to us after 6yrs, Wolfie was nearly 9yrs old but, of course, he was still the very handsome castrated male Retriever Cross who came to us from Romania in 2010.

To help him settle, he stayed for a couple of days with David and Anne, who subsequently became the proud owners of Archie.

David drove him the short distance to Lynn’s house where Pauline met them. He huddled in the back of David’s car, refusing to get out of his safe haven.

After some time and much gentle coaxing by David, whilst on his lead, he, very reluctantly, got out to stretch his legs in Lynn’s very large secure garden.

He appeared to be ok with both ladies and David but it started to rain so Lynn went to get a coat. When she re-emerged from the house wearing a hoodie he freaked out but, thankfully, he relaxed again as soon as she, gently, spoke to him.

Pauline transported him to Wiltshire where he met his new fosterers. He investigated the house thoroughly and he seemed quite happy but he totally refused to set paw outside into the garden. Hayley left the doors open but even the birds seemed to frighten him. The curtains had to be drawn as even seeing people outside seemed to spook him. He flinched at any quick movement and was very unhappy even when someone bent over him to stroke him. He was happiest with people who were confident around him. We knew there was going to be a long road ahead for our special boy but, then and there, we promised him that we would be all there for him forever.

A CHANGE OF NAME BROUGHT A CHANGE IN DEMEANOUR.

Strangely, he also seemed to be very scared by the use of his name “Wolfie” which he had had for 6yrs. A subtle change to “Alfie” made an enormous difference and he took to it immediately so, from then on, he was always referred to and called Alfie.However, with kindness and understanding from his wonderful, experienced fosterer, Hayley and her lovely, much less experienced husband, Al, he did, slowly, make steady progress as his trust in humans grew back again.

It didn’t help the cause when Alfie had to have his troublesome, painful dew claws removed. This turned out to be an unexpectedly traumatic event for him and it did set him back but, with patience, gentleness and kindness from his fosterers, he was quickly won over again. It took a lot to rehabilitate Alfie but, thanks to the dedication and TLC shown to him by his fosterers, Alfie was, again, becoming the gorgeous boy we all knew and loved.

THE MOST WONDERFUL NEWS

We all knew Alfie still had a little way to go but, it came as real great surprise to us, when his fosterers realised they loved him far too much to ever let him go.

We were all absolutely delighted with the news and immediately told all his many fans that Alfie was now settled and very happy in his wonderful, absolutely perfect forever home.

ORIGINAL HISTORY FROM 2010 WHEN ROMMIE WAS ADOPTED AND BECAME WOLFIE

Rommie is a very handsome, 3yr old Retriever cross who is neutered, fully vaccinated and wormed. He had been living in kennels in Romania with a female companion for several months after being rescued by ROLDA.

REPORT FROM HIS TEMPORARY FOSTERER

Belinda told us “Rommie has finally arrived after his very long journey and is behaving beautifully so far! He has eaten his supper, had a drink and investigated the garden with our girls. He is quite a bit bigger than Connie, our Golden Retriever. He is laying at my side at the moment, sound asleep, with Connie, Millie and Stella.

He seems to be very laid back and relaxed, although he was slightly apprehensive when he first met our four dogs, even though it was one at a time.

UPDATE FROM FOSTERER JANE

After having a few days which allowed him to settle after his very long journey, Belinda and Terry were quite reluctant to have to move Rommie from their Somerset home to his designated fosterer, Jane, in Gloucestershire.

Jane reported “He flinches or cowers at any quick movement or raised hand. Even when you bend down to stroke him he’s not sure what is coming his way. He’s done this when we’ve hung up his lead, picked up a toy or simply reached out for a fuss. However, he does seem to be making progress in this respect as his trust of us grows.

He sometimes has a tug at your sleeve but this playbiting is done very gently.

Occasionally, he will surf the work surface or kitchen table but he’s not possessive over food or toys, which appear to be an unknown entity to him.

He will have a mad 20 seconds running round the lawn on his own but, as yet, he doesn’t join in any form of play with us.

He is clean in the house and stays in the kitchen overnight without a problem although you may get the odd whine. He doesn’t, obviously, ask to go out but we leave the kitchen door open most of the time anyway so he’s free to wander in and out as he pleases.

At some point, he has learned that upstairs is out of bounds and he hasn’t attempted to push this boundary so far.

We’re using only English commands as my attempts at Romanian seemed to fall on deaf ears! “Sit” varies from a “down” to a squat but at least he is learning to ask for his meals. Giving “paw” is some distance away.

He doesn’t yet recognise his name but is starting to respond to “come”. He is also starting to spend more time outside on his own which may be due to the fact the sun is shining or just to his growing confidence.

He didn’t want to leave the house on either Friday or Saturday but, with John’s help and much coaxing, we managed two walks yesterday (Sunday) and I’ve just walked him this morning without a problem.

He’s surprisingly good on the lead.

He met a couple of Whippets on his first outing and just turned his back on them. He was freaked out when two Lurchers ran up barking to their gate as we passed by and he was all for doing a runner had he been able to. We’ve been avoiding other dogs that haven’t been on a lead.

He’s a digger! We now have a mine shaft in the veggie patch and he buried his bone between the peony and the fence only to be moved to a “safer” place later. The photo of him with the bone (a present from a friend) gives you an idea of its size. Suffice it to say, it’s still pretty visible despite John lending a helping hand with the shovel! Despite all the digging, however, he has still stayed amazingly clean!!!”

Julie, mum to Ricky 3 Legs met Rommie at the weekend and, like many other people, immediately fell in love with the gorgeous boy. He has an ever-growing, orderly queue of admirers forming.”

FURTHER UPDATES FROM JANE

Tuesday …………. Sue and Steve, his prospective adopters, came to meet Rommie and, as expected, it was love at first sight.

Wednesday………..We have been walking Rommie with Megan and Julie this morning. He met loads of other dogs and he was an absolute dream with them all.

Thursday…………He’s learning to play …. Yeah!! Last night, one by one, he carried ALL his toys from the kitchen to the lounge! He is putting on weight and is being spoilt rotten. He’s just divine. It was with great sadness, that we had to say”goodbye” to this fantastic boy and mused how lucky his adopters were and what a shame for us they had been promised him as, otherwise, he would have been going nowhere!

Because of Rommie and his wonderful nature, there was no hesitation when we were asked to foster Sammy and, this time, we made sure of registering our hope of being allowed to adopt him, which we did.

FIRST REPORT FROM HIS FIRST FOREVER HOME

Rommie is now called Wolfie and lives with Susie, Steve and Alexander in Gloucestershire.

Susie told us “Wolfie was very good in the car getting to us and seemed very accepting of going somewhere new – seeing what he has been through. He spent some time pacing about the ground floor of the house and garden when he first arrived – the cat was very obliging and slept most of the day upstairs! but he settled down fairly quickly.

He was quite active his first day, following us around the house, and I took this to mean that he was a bit anxious, which is hardly surprising but he has settled in so well now, I can hardly believe it.

Shortly after arriving, the church clock struck ten. One local dog howls throughout but Wolfie didn’t seem to even notice them. He is the most chilled out dog I think I have ever come across.

According to the Jan Fennell book that we have (the Practical Dog Listener) he is displaying all the signs of being relaxed – stretching out, deep sighs and weeing in copious amounts in the garden! We have been trying to follow her basic principles. Although we don’t always get it right, I feel as if we are all learning together.

He loves being in the garden and is a real digger and, the first morning, he buried his breakfast. There are also several excavations where he tried to find the perfect spot for a bone. Since then he has relaxed over his food, no doubt, as he realises it is still going to keep coming, and he is eating noticeably slower from his bowl.

I have moved over to the BARF diet and he absolutely loves meat and bones but I have yet to find a raw fruit or vegetable that he will eat (pulverized) but I will keep trying! I have gone back to four small meals a day to start off with. The meat and bones seems to keep him satisfied and he is less interested now in our food. His rather anti-social ‘wind’ problem also seems to have disappeared with the change in diet. That is very welcome!

Wolfie was very excited to “meet” a neighbour’s dog through the trellis this morning and there was much tail wagging. You could see that he wanted to make friends and I think, from our limited experience and from talking to Jane, he will be a very sociable dog. There are lots of dogs around us who he can meet when he has spent a bit more time with us. Stephen and Alexander took him out for a short walk this morning and, apparently, he was relaxed on the lead and perfectly behaved, although he doesn’t seem to like cars.

He has become very attached to us very quickly and us to him. I can’t imagine him not being with us now. He really is the most splendid, special dog. When we first went to meet him, we all fell in love with him on sight and felt that he was “our” dog. Alexander had been awake most of the night before we picked Wolfie up as he was so excited and they fell asleep together on the floor in the afternoon!!

I’m sure that it won’t all be plain sailing. For sure, the poor old cat has had his nose put out of joint, and I think it will take time for the cat to accept Wolfie (who, by the way, has been brilliantly behaved with the cat) but we couldn’t have got off to a better start.

Thank you so much IRR for allowing us to be Wolfie’s forever owners and our home to be his”.

SECOND UPDATE FROM SUSIE

We walked Wolfie to the vets today – just a short walk away – to get him weighed and used to the vets. He is almost spot on for his size and the vet was really pleased with his weight. He said Wolfie could do with a little bit more fat, as he is very lean, but he is doing really well.

Wolfie was very fond of the smell emanating from the bakery we passed on the way home. We bumped into a friend with her young daughter – who starts school in September – and who was eating a cream cake. She stuck her finger into the cream and licked it off, just at Wolfie’s head height!! Having seen his lack of reaction, I have absolutely no qualms about his nature, whatsoever as he was perfectly behaved.

This had been an unexpected test of his character (I would never have engineered this) but he passed with flying colours and, I think you can safely say, he has been well and truly child tested!!

This morning, I discovered that he had “tidied” a dirty vest of Alexander’s into his dog bed – he obviously likes the smell. Alexander has plenty of vests so I have let Wolfie keep this one and Alexander will have to learn to be tidier in future.

Wolfie has also taken a shine to my oven gloves, which I also let him have to keep. They probably smell wondrously foodie and niffy and, as they had definitely seen better days and I really did need a new pair, there was no contest. He also loves his soft toys, as long as they look “puppy” like. He was very unimpressed with a soft whale.

For some bizarre reason, best known to himself, he gets very excited

when he has done a poo and he barrels through the house at top speed to let us know how clever he is. He has, now, slowed down a bit, however, after he had gathered such speed that he slid across the front room on a rug and crashed into a wicker basket!

I have put up a baby gate for rainy days. Wolfie’s “big digs” in the garden on rainy days make for an unbelievably mucky dog so, at least, I can clean him up in the messy room before he charges into the rest of the house!

Apart from this short-lived burst of excitement – which is the signal to get the poop bags out, he is an incredibly calm dog to live with.

As you can tell, he is turning into quite a character!

TWO WEEKS ON

Susie says “Wolfie is doing really well, his personality is beginning to emerge and he is starting to be more playful. He likes running around the park at great speed like a complete lunatic, with his tongue hanging out. I am sure he can actually run as fast as a Greyhound!! He is such a foodie that he has been quite easy to train to come back for treats and he definitely knows his name. Unsurprisingly, as he is growing in confidence, he is just starting to see how far he can push the boundaries!!

The ME specialist thought that getting a dog was a great idea and this has proved to be true as Alexander is really benefiting from having a dog. It has got him out of the house and into the fresh air and he seems much better for it. He is going to take Wolfie to training classes on 8th June.

It seems like Wolfie has always been with us and I can’t imagine not having him now although, if the cat could speak, he would say otherwise!! MacKenzie, the cat, has moved from abject fear into complete hatred and he has had a few swipes at poor, innocent Wolfie.

However, both seem to be coping. It appears Wolfie would quite like to be friends with Mackenzie if he would let him but the cat has taken up residence in the top of the house and the front garden and the dog is in the bottom of the house and the back garden. This system, which they devised themselves, seems to work reasonably well.

Sometimes, I feel that I don’t see as much of my cat but he comes and sleeps on my desk when I am working and he sleeps with Steve and I at night. Steve points out that the cat (who is 16yrs) sleeps most of the time anyway and we probably actually spend more time with him, as we all seek him out!!

On the whole, bringing a dog into our house with a very spoilt, elderly cat, who is used to having the run of the place, has been easier than I had expected but this is, mainly, because Wolfie has been so accommodating. He has “chased” the cat only once, in a playful way, but he stopped when the cat stopped. Wolfie, obviously, thought that it was a game but MacKenzie made it quite clear that he doesn’t want to play, thank you very much, so there hasn’t been a repeat. I have absolutely no qualms that Wolfie would hurt him. I was going to say Wolfie wouldn’t hurt a fly but, actually, he hates flying insects with a vengeance, bless him”