Mossie Jefferey
MOSSIE HAS GONE TO THE BRIDGE
On 23rd April, Lorraine wrote on Facebook:
“Pauline and Steve’s Mossie has gone to the Bridge.
Yesterday morning, this huge character chose to leave for the Bridge. As with everything in Mossie world, it was entirely, on his terms! He passed at home, in his sleep, surrounded by his loved ones, both 2 and 4 legged.
Those who knew or even knew of Mossie, will know what a hole he will leave in their hearts.
An unexpected foster for Pauline and Steve, he had other ideas about what foster meant. We all knew but it took three months for his humans to admit it.
Mossie was 14 on 9th April and he had enjoyed 4 wonderful years in Somerset.
Pauline is grateful knowing our ‘B’ (Belinda) will now be looking after him at the Bridge, along with the rest of the Jefferey and McAvoy clans that went before him.
Night night Mossie xx”
OUR BAD LAD HAD CHOSEN TO SAY “GOODBYE”
(Our boy went to Rainbow Bridge at 6am on Wednesday 22 April 2020).
Pauline said “Mossie had come to us as a 10yr old in 2016. Inexpliquably, the man he had adored the whole of his life no longer wanted him. Everybody was very kind to him but he was, clearly, very confused as nothing could compare to the close bond he had always known with his Dad.
He first went for foster to Lynn’s in Bristol where he proved a big hit with everyone he met but, it came as no surprise to anyone, when he formed a special attachment to Lynn’s grown-up son who lived there too.
All was going really well, so much so, despite his age, IRR were confident of finding Mossie a happy retirement home, ideally with an active older gentleman.
Unfortunately, circumstances conspired against Mossie on the day his current “master” decided to mend his bicycle in Lynn’s kitchen and, of course, Mossie wanted to be as close to him as possible. Lynn, on seeing this was worried the bike could fall and hurt Mossie so, very gently, she bent over him and gave him gentle words of encouragement to “come away”. She did this by tucking her finger in his collar and pulling gently.
Being a stubborn boy when he wanted to be, and being fixated on staying put, he put on the brakes hard. At the time, unfortunately, nobody realized one of his front elbows was in quite a bad way and the ensuing pain must have been what made Mossie lash out at Lynn, catching her on her lips.
When Steve and I got the call from Lynn’s best friend, Val, who was with her at the hospital, we shot into action and went to pick up Mossie who was still happily laying by the man he had chosen as his new master. We were certain he had no idea of what he had done and Lynn was insistent that it had been a flukey accident so she couldn’t bear to think of Mossie getting the blame.
We gave Mossie time to settle in and, immediately, Steve became his best buddy whilst I was viewed with some suspicion for quite a while. Our vet picked up on his knee problem immediately and concurred the pain produced on putting pressure into it would have been more than enough to cause a lot of pain and the strong reaction to it.
Despite there being a valid reason, this event had made him almost impossible to re-home but nobody was worried as they knew he would simply become another “bad boy” for us to adopt.
We soon fell in love with him and he fitted in very well with Gizmo, Sprocket, Ferdie, George and Rhani. He was a big hit at Gizzie’s Get Togethers where he would latch on to a group of dog walkers and go round with them but we noticed he always liked to go all the way round one way and then all the way round the other way. He also did this every time we went to the field. It was much, much later when we realized his vision was extremely poor and it was getting worse. Walking close to the perimeter must have made him feel secure.
During the 4yrs we had him, his sight got worse and worse but he never let it bother him as he learnt to do most things by scent. His hearing also deteriorated although we were convinced that was somewhat selectively as he could always hear the noise of a liquorice allsort bag being opened.
Mossie’s back legs began to fail but, with the help of a sturdy Rabitgoo harness, it was never a major problem and he managed well.
On 9th April, Mossie celebrated his 14th birthday and we all looked forward to, at least, one more good year with him but that wasn’t to be.
MOSSIE’S LAST DAY
Mossie had enjoyed a few happy days and he was still full of mischief but Tuesday 21st April was a hot day so all the dogs lazed around in the shade outside. They chose to do that rather than be inside with me where we have a lovely portable air conditioning unit. Unusually for Mossie, he turned his nose up at his supper but he was more than happy to lie in my arms and be groomed. He seemed to be very content and I wasn’t overly concerned about him.
In the end, Mossie stayed in my arms all night. He remained very peaceful and he slipped away at 6am.
He had chosen his own time and place. God bless you Mossie”
History
AFTER A ROCKY START, MOSSIE HAD HIS FOREVER HOME (SEPTEMBER 2016)
Mossie is now living in his Forever Home and, it comes as no surprise to anyone, he is staying with his fosterers, Steve and Pauline, who have failed for the 7th time in IRR’s history.
Their first failure was the gorgeous Danny from 2005 (now at Rainbow Bridge) then Gizmo (the famous pawet) in 2006. Their only female, Rhani, joined the family as a youngster in 2007 followed by Ferdie in 2008 when he became too much of a handful for his adopters. In 2010, Georgie having blotted his copybook and been returned into IRR care for misbehaving, was their next failure.
After three bereavements (Danny, Ricky and Eddie) which reduced the family down to a mere four dogs, it was inevitable that the adorable Sprocket would become their failure for 2014. The adoption of Mossie brings the family back up to six.
UPDATE FROM GIZMO (OCTOBER 2016)
My new brother, Mossie, has fitted in perfectly and we all love him to bits. He quite likes our Mum but absolutely adores our Dad (a very wise move when he was still getting his paws under the table). Unbelievably, after three months, nobody wanted to adopt poor Mossie and he grew on us so Ma and Pa simply bowed to the inevitable.
Like Sprocket, he has a few minor health problems but nothing he and our folks can’t cope with so we are all hoping he will have a long, happy and healthy retirement here with us in Somerset.
HISTORY
In 2016, Mossie was a 10 year old light cream, almost white Golden Retriever. This beautiful boy is entire but will not be neutered due to his age. He is micro-chipped, inoculated and was groomed in Ireland.
Sad Mossie came from a lovely home where he was a stud to two litters of pups, all of whom got great homes. Family commitments meant that Mossie had to be rehomed, as was his daughter, Poppy, who went to a wonderful home in Ireland. Since being adopted, into the perfect home for her, Poppy’s gentle personality has really come to the fore.
Mossie went into foster in Bristol with Lynn
FOSTER ASSESSMENT
HEALTH: He is in good general health and doesn’t look his age but Mossie does have a little stiffness due to the onset of arthritis. This, however, does not stop him enjoying life to the point he managed to twist his front right elbow whilst playing! This is being treated with rest, gentle exercise and appropriate veterinary supplements. He also wears a Bioflow collar.
PERSONALITY: Mossie is a typical, gorgeous, well balanced, affectionate Golden boy. He is very friendly with people, especially men, and is usually calm and confident but he does seem to need a human around most of the time as he sometimes barks if he is left alone. He can be a bit stubborn on occasions but he is a good natured dog who is very easy to live with.
SOCIAL LEARNING
Now in a second foster home in the UK, having blotted his copybook in the first one, Mossie seems to be coping with the change and is settling in very well.
Travel: He is a good traveller.
Housetraining: He is house-trained and does know some commands
Leadwalking and recall: Mossie walks well on a slip lead but his recall is a bit hit and miss. He is very keen to go for walks but they are short because of his arthritis.
Food : Naturally, as with all rescues, it is advisable to feed them separately but he isn’t food or toy possessive and he is not a resource guarder.
Children: He is good with children but living with them would not be recommended in case they inadvertently caused him pain.
Dogs: Mossie has lived with other dogs in Ireland and has been in foster with several other Golden Retrievers of differing ages and both sexes including one male who is totally blind (Alex).
Now, he is in foster with 5 dogs of mixed breeds. Mossie has been absolutely fine with them all and is always very sociable and friendly.
Cats: He is untested with cats.
DREAM HOME
Mossie needs a home with a family where there is a certain amount going on to keep his interest but with people who will also be gentle with him as he will need time to re-adjust to a new life. He is better suited to a single man or retired couple who are active and who have a lot of time to spend with him.
Mossie is presently being cared for and loved in foster but, hopefully, it won’t be too long before he finds his perfect forever home.
