Walter

Walter  is a  wonderful, neutered male, white, Golden Retriever/Labrador/Collie X. He is supposed to be 2yrs in October but it is thought to be much younger.   He was surrendered to the pound and a likely death sentence.

IRR was contacted about Walter hoping we could help. He was due to be put down and Mollie Animal Rescue wanted us to do our best to get him a good home. Mollie Animal Rescue is based in Meath, in Ireland and work very much like IRR. They are a wonderful charity whose people are only worried about getting the best homes for each individual dog.  Although IRR is predominantly a rescue for Golden Retrievers, sometimes we are also able to help a Golden Retriever X like Walter.

THE VALUE OF A GREAT FOSTER HOME

The most important thing was to get Walter to an experienced fosterer so she could peel back the story that only he could tell. We knew he had belonged to a family at one stage and had been tied up and left in the garden to his own devices, we also knew that he had been brought up with little children and was gentle with them but that was it. He had, clearly, been hit as he ducked every time you went near him.

The only fosterer that had the experience required in this area was Sarah who is one of our few very valued Irish fosterers. She has brought countless dogs around and has made a lasting impression on so many lives, guiding them gently through a maze of uncertainty. Bosco, Daisie and Rosie , to name but a few, were set in the right direction because of the love she and her family gave them and, now, Walter was to be her new challenge.

Whilst before most of the dogs Sarah had fostered had been good with other dogs, Walter was an unknown entity.

Rocky, is a beloved part of their family. He is a year old Lab who is bouncy, a little nutty and loves canine companionship and is utterly adorable. Their three year old girl is fantastic with dogs, has no fear and is completely respectful of them. 

At first, Walter met Rocky and was then separated from him as the slow integration process started. Walter wasn’t receptive but Sarah wasn’t going to give up. Walks, supervised play time, eating, lead walking and recall were some of the many activities also done with him.

He was utterly respectful of Sarah’s family. Five weeks flew by and soon it was Walter’s chance to try and see if he could make it without them.  Only time would tell. A lot of tears, hugs and goodbyes were said and the possibility of “if Walter doesn’t suit, we would like to give him a home”.

WALTER’S DREAM HOME

He is a wonderful friendly happy boy who just needed a family, especially one with little children, who he loves. He needed space to run about safely and where he could feel wanted and loved. He deserved a fabulous home for the rest of his days, a home where he would be loved, spoiled and cared for, so that his faith in humanity could be restored.

Walter’s dream family applied and he went for his two week trial. Even before the two week trial was over, the family contacted Kathryn, our Ireland Co-ordinator and asked if they could adopt him as soon as possible.

This is no doubt due to the time and effort put in first, by Mollies Animal Rescue who saved him and then by Sarah, his wonderful fosterer.

IRR has made a great match, once again, a new beginning of a wonderful life of new smells and great discoveries.

Good luck Walter, welcome to your new life.