Bob Stoker

Sad News, 15 March 2023

Bob’s dad said, “This is our lovely boy Bob who we rescued from IRR on July 24th. 2016. He was a great boy with so much love and a good mate for our old golden Sam that we lost last April. Sadly Bob was diagnosed with lung cancer last September and received 6 months of chemotherapy. Although he stayed active and fit most of the time during the treatment in the end we had to say goodbye to him on March 15th. At 9 years old he was the youngest dog we have lost and the hardest one to make the decision to let go.

We know it was the right thing to do and now he and Sam will be together again.”

BOB, NO DOUBT, HAD A PAW IN THIS  (2.5.2023)

Bob’s dad said, “We last posted on the 23rd April about losing our poor Bob who remains forever in our hearts.

We are pleased to say we are now lucky to have Ben from IRR who at 12 months old is keeping us entertained and busy!! He has settled in very well and has attached himself to us…..sometimes in a puppy-mouthing way!

He is gorgeous and is very popular in our village.

We now look forward to making happy memories over the coming years with our 9th golden and in time we hope for a playmate for Ben.”

REMEMBERING BIG BOB 

Lynne says, “l remember meeting the very handsome Retriever Cross known as Big Bob and little Finbar, his foster brother, when they and Dave came to Gizzie’s field for a large gathering of IRR dogs and their friends, including some of Fin’s family (the 8 Foundlings) and most of Lily’s babies (The Magnificent Seven). There were also several disabled dogs but all were so happy you would never know it. Sadly, apart from Dave and Chris, none of us got to meet George but he sounded like a wonderful man so we were all delighted when we heard of the adoption”.  

Thank you for giving Bob as good a life as possible xxx”. 

Pauline and Dave, who both fostered Bob were really shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Bob. Pauline said, “I know he wasn’t with us for very long but it was love at first sight for me and I would have kept him in a heartbeat. I have always had pretty big dogs and he was adorable but Steve wouldn’t let my heart rule my head again!  Well, we did already have Gizmo, Sprocket, Rhani, George and Freddie and, by not adopting Bob, we had room to take Mossie on when he went rogue”. Dave, who fostered for much longer, also loved Bob to bits but he was just too big for him and much more suited to George who was just perfect for him. We agreed it sounded like Bob had a wonderful life with him and thought it really good that George has been able to adopt Ben. His new young IRR lad sounds just the ticket and we are certain Angel Bob would have had more than one of his paws in the decisions. For sure, he will be watching over the new relationship with a smile on his lovely face.

History

SO HAPPY IN HIS FOREVER HOME (13.8.2016)

George wrote to say “Bob has settled in really well and now engages with Sam in the garden and house in much the same way as he did with Finbar. He is a better thief than Sam, so human food is now not left unguarded unless it is, at least, 5 feet from the floor.

He comes back when called in the garden although he is not so good on the dog walking field but he is improving. He swims very well, although he has not yet worked out that you have to drop the ball for it to be thrown again but he will learn.

Bob still needs lots of work on the lead but he is eager to learn and improves each day. He has put on a couple of kilos so he is now around the 30kgs mark. Of course, it is difficult to be totally accurate as he wiggles a bit on the scales!

He is a good dog, and with time and effort, Jenny and I think he will become a VERY good dog.

BOB’S HISTORY

In 2016, Bob is a 2.5 year old, neutered Golden Retriever Cross. He is deep golden and almost white in colour and looks to be about ¾ Retriever. This beautiful boy has been groomed, micro-chipped and inoculated and has his passport for when he travelled to the UK.

Bob was originally re-homed from the Pound in Eire but the new owner did not look after him, resulting in him losing much of his original body weight. This poor dog, who had looked fantastic originally and was indeed a little overweight, had become unrecognizable.

His original lustrous coat was dry and lacked any shine and he was thin to the point that his vertebrae stood out and his rib cage could be clearly felt. The man advertised him on Done Deal but, thankfully, IRR were contacted and Helen, of Carrick Dog Shelter, gave us assistance and the benefit of her experience.

In the UK, Bob went into foster first with Pauline and her gang in Somerset where he got on especially well with Georgie and Rhani.

Bob then went on to be fostered with Dave, Chris and Finbar in the Forest of Dean. Again, he got on extremely well with the resident dog.

FOSTER ASSESSMENT

PERSONALITY: He has a vivacious personality and is very sweet and affectionate He is very friendly with people but he does jump up which needs to be discouraged. He is generally playful and happy, alert and inquisitve, and fairly boisterous and energetic.

He normally seems to be very confident with people but there was one occasion that indicated a fear of men and big sticks when he went into frightened mode and barked. There has not been any repeat of this so it may have been a one off.

HEALTH: Although Bob weighs 28 kilos he is under-weight and has some muscle wastage in the legs due, no doubt, to lack of regular exercise. After 10 days, there has been a noticeable improvement in the body building department and he really looks forward to his walks.

His teeth are improving with Denti-sticks.

SOCIAL LEARNING

Basic Commands: He has, clearly, not received any basic training but Bob, after 10 days in foster, already sits for his food and to have his lead put on.
Bob has responded very well to limited training – lead walking, sit, stay and his name. He is much less of a bull in a china shop now. He has learnt his name and will respond to it and he sits on command.

Grooming: Bob had the opportunity of a free run in a totally safe field which he didn’t waste as he put up a pheasant and had a good old roll in fox pooh! His fosterer said “Just bathed Bobby so that can be added to his CV. We did not get soaked and he really enjoyed it, not like our Fin who just about puts up with it and makes sure we get as wet as he does. Well done Bob”

Travel: He travels very well in the car

Housetraining: Since being in foster, he is now fully house-trained.

Lead walking and recall: He was very strong on the lead and had no recall. He walks far better by using a body harness but recall does still need some work.

His fosterer says Bob is a lovely dog and with basic training for recall and lead walking, he should be ideal for rehoming.

Children: He is strong so he would not be recommended for children other than teenagers

Resource guarding: Naturally, as with all rescues, it is advisable to feed them separately but Bob isn’t food or toy possessive.

Dogs: He is great with his fosterer’s dog and with most dogs he meets. Bob was somewhat fearful and over-whelmed during the recent IRR dog meet in Somerset but there were 30 other dogs all mingling so his reactions were quite understandable. He gets on fine with small quantities of dogs and, clearly, just needs to work up more slowly to the larger packs!

Cats: His reaction to cats is unknown.

BOB’S DREAM HOME

Bob deserves a wonderful home. IRR is all about second chances and this boy has never really been given his first. He probably never experienced love of any description before that given to him by Michelle, Helen and Kathryn in Ireland.

Bob would enjoy an active life and living in a home where there is a lot going on. He does need an experienced owner who will teach him good manners in a gentle yet firm way and who is interested in obedience and agility for fun. Bob would benefit from living with a friendly, laid back dog who will act as a mentor and friend for him. Preferably, his forever folks will be at home most of the time.

A GREAT FOREVER HOME (August 2016)

Bob went off to his Forever Home. Dave, his fosterer said “It looks as though “Big Bob” has landed on his paws. Fin has definitely missed him so maybe we should consider another foster dog but not such a big one next time please:)