Ollie Ridette-Gregory Hobbs

IT BECAME A SAD END TO 2019 FOR OLLIE AFTER HE LOST HIS FRIEND CASSIE (31.12.2019)

Rosemary told us when she and Bruce adopted Ollie it was as friend and counsellor to their very naughty Flat-Coated Retriever, Cassie. She had been re-homed due to the owner’s work patterns 2 years before.

She had been a real trial with her challenging and sometimes really bad behaviour which just would not settle despite her having a very loving nature. When Ollie came into our lives she became a different dog almost overnight. She still had all her charm and mischief but she was so much calmer and less demanding of our constant attention.

They soon became absolute best pals.

She continued “While we were away this Christmas, they went into kennels together and, tragically, Cassie had to be taken to the vets then died suddenly on New Year’s Eve. She had been ill a few weeks before with gastritis but this illness had responded to the antibiotics she was prescribed and she was eating well again.

When the kennel owner noticed a sudden deterioration and a refusal to eat or drink at the morning feeding rounds, it was decided that action was necessary.

An ultrasound at Rosemullion Vets in Falmouth showed a massive tumour on Cassie’s spleen which had ruptured so we had to give permission for euthanasia over the phone from a ship in the Atlantic.

Needless to say, we were absolutely devastated; she was only 8 and ½ years old and still, normally, full of fun and energy.

Cassie was the 4th in a line of Flat Coats, who have all died from cancer. Sadly, it is well known in the breed, and we lost them at increasingly young ages – 11, 10, 9 and now 8.

We have decided that is the end for us as far as Flat Coats are concerned as we are also older now and do not want to again go through the heartache over losing beloved dogs who should have been with us so much longer.

We are spoiling Ollie totally for a while as he seems confused and lost without her but, later, in the Spring, we hope to find a new pal for him. Maybe a young lady dog who will keep him and us youthful together.

We have just moved to a new home with half an acre of secure garden and have a lot of work to do, so a few months should see us properly settled, organized and ready to take on another dog who needs a loving home”. Sleep peacefully, sweet Cassie.

UPDATE ON OLLIE FROM HIS FOREVER HOME (MAY 2015)

Ollie came back from Rugby with us yesterday and managed the 300 mile car journey very well. He was an immediate hit with Cassie! She has let him curl up in her basket and they are walking well on a joint lead. Been to the vets to register and weighed in at 29.8 kilos. He finds the garden to his liking and slept well (in our room, but on his own bed) – no snoring!

It is now two weeks since we collected Ali from Warwickshire and he is settling in a treat. In the house he is a real gentleman – whereas Cassie will push past to get where she wants, he waits and lets me go first! He is very gentle, and has put up with quite a bit of boisterous play from Cassie, but they both love it and seem to be really good friends.

There was one incident where she got a bit lippy with him early on, but basically he is very sensible and lets her have her way, although occasionally does push her out of his way, usually to get to me.  

He is sleeping in our room, no fuss at all, they swap beds at some point in the small hours. Just before I finally make the decision that I have to get out of bed in the morning or breakfast will be late, they are to be found on our bed, Bruce long ago pushed out by Cassie, but with Ali snuggled up closest to me, and Cassie quite happy, resting her head on his rump or tummy.

They do the same bed swaps during the day, he is not bothered if he gets the floor, and although he comes up on the sofa, he goes to the basket for a nap. If she is too full on he retreats there and she knows to leave him alone. They share and steal soft toys and kongs from each other all day, with no falling out. They both occasionally mount the other, but its in play and stops as soon as I tell them off.

They are currently having a fairly quiet bundle over nothing in particular. If he wants to play he grabs her ear gently in his mouth, and her way of engaging him is to blat him around the head with her paw. Feeding bowls are set about 6 feet apart, he finishes first, waits for her to abandon the empty bowl, then checks it out, always in vain, for any leftovers.

His recall is better than hers, especially to the whistle, but not so good for Bruce (too deep voice, I tell him to squeal at her, but he has trouble). They are let off lead as soon as they jump out of the car, and off they go. He did seem to mistake a cocker-poo for a small sheep today, and I got a bit nervous, as he would not come back, but the other dog was up for a chase, and eventually Ali decided he’d better come away. Other owner anxious, but there was no aggression; Ali is very fast when he chooses, but he now knows the route, and I was walking away with Cassie as I called – his brain finally kicked in and there was no further problem.

His tummy has been a bit temperamental, and a change of food to sensitive science diet made it worse. Back on basic complete feed again, and better. It may have been triggered by a bone which they both had last week, as they were both upset. He has worked out that tea-time is about 5pm and they both sit by the food cupboard to remind me. He does not bark at all, so guests can come and go with no hassle; actually his did bark once at a magpie on his lawn, and he has a really big, deep bark, definitely an intruder deterrent if Bruce is ever away.

Ali is a very affectionate dog, loves cuddles and any attention but does not bother you to get it. I don’t think he would mind being on his own, but does love the company of Cassie, and when they do take a rest, it is often lying very close together, but he would climb over her to get to me! I confess to spoiling him with hugs whenever he turns those big brown eyes on me. It was almost love at first sight, as you can gather.

The dogs are in heaven! We’re pretty chuffed too, thank you! Many thanks to IRR. As you can see, Ollie knows he is home for good! He is just adorable, and we all love him hugely.

HISTORY

Ollie, then called Ali is a handsome, neutered, Golden Retriever male who will be three in July 2015.

Golden Retrievers are known world-wide as Dogs’ Guardian Angels and it is not difficult to see why. Ali’s owner was a boxing buff who had had a wonderful Golden Retriever, Cassius Clay,  that went to Rainbow Bridge after 15 years and so, when he got Ali, he named him after Muhammad Ali. However, that is where the similarity in name stops, ‘he does not flutter like a butterfly nor sting like a bee’. 

This stunning boy was relinquished by his family due to sheep chasing and this was the only reason. His family were afraid that although, a sweet gentle character, a farmer might misunderstand his intentions and the inevitable would happen. His family, are so devastated at having to rehome their beautiful Ali, that they were almost inconsolable, but made the courageous and selfless decision to do so, afraid of what might happen if they didn’t. Kathryn, IRR Ireland Co-ordinator explained how passionate Irish Retriever Rescue are about the breed and that we would make sure that Ali got an equally fabulous home.

UK FOSTERER’S REPORT

PERSONALITY: He is mischievous but friendly and really affectionate. He used to hold his owners hand in his mouth while he walked around the garden with him.

He loves open spaces and gallops like a race horse, head down, intent on enjoying himself, letting the wind ripple through his fabulous coat. He is used to a five mile walk every day with lots of interaction.

SOCIAL LEARNING

Housetraining: He is housetrained.

Recall:  His recall needs work

Children:  He is accustomed to children and is very gentle with them.

Dogs:   He is very friendly with other dogs.  Ali has presently taken Kerina under his wonderful Golden Guardian Angel wings and has befriended her like no other, even down to sharing his wonderful teddy.

Cats:   He is, so far, untested with cats

Other livestock:  He will chase sheep given the opportunity

ALI’S DREAM HOME

This beautiful boy must be rehomed with another dog for company, whether the dog is young or old, male or female makes no difference. A coastal home is preferable where he can run on the beach or an urban home with access to large open spaces. This boy, cannot under any circumstances, be rehomed in a country environment near sheep.

As this boy is clearly highly intelligent, it might be an idea to enroll him in competitive classes that would stretch him mentally and physically, where Kathryn thinks he would truly excel.

A BRILLIANT HOME (May 2015)

Ollie (once called Ali) has gone to live in his Forever Home.