DEXTER - Now 17 months old. Saluki X (REHOMED)

[Mimsmum]

Dexter is up for rehoming. He was rehomed to his current owners through SLR approximately 9 months ago. They have worked wonders with him, but however much his dad tries to bond with him Dexter is scared of him! This is upsetting for dad as he is the main carer of Dexter. Dexter will do everything that he asks, is obedient, but is genuinely scared of him. They get so upset seeing Dexter in fear so much and feel that it would be better if he had a home where he felt safe and could unload his fears and learn to love.

The ideal home for Dexter would be a mum around most of the time, a quietly spoken dad, some children over the age of 11, and one or two more dogs in the home if possible to bring him out of his shell. He loves other dogs and loves to run and play with them. He has no vice in him, but when off lead is loathe to get back on it as off lead occurs very infrequently for Dexter.
Someone with secure boundaries and enough land for Dexter to run and play with other dogs would be his ideal.
.........................................................................................................................

In his owners words -

- Dexter is a 17 months male, black and tan Saluki/Lurcher. He is about 25 inches to the shoulder and weighs 18 kilos.

- Dexter has been adopted by us, Kevin and Moira, for the last nine months, having previously been fostered.

- Having been mistreated and left in a cardboard box at ten weeks, he has problems of fear, with tall men / deep voiced men. Unfortunately, Kevin has these characteristics.

- He adores Moira, after initial nervousness he gets on well with other women and is OK with smaller, quieter men.

- He is very good with other dogs and enjoys their company..

- He is very lively, a great leaper, loves to play.

- He sleeps in a crate and is always happy to be in the crate.

- He is healthy, vaccinations up to date. Eats OK on a twice daily diet of Burns and Nature Diet. Neutered

- He is not cat friendly
We can't comment on children as we don't have any

Loves to play, likes his toys, would love to run more freely

Can be good on lead but can be excitable if he sees cats or pigeons he is a chaser. Kevin is the main walker and carer and because of dexters fear there are limits to the training we can do so we can't let him off the lead. Kevin did walk him with another SLR dog Iggy pup and let him off lead and he was fine.

Needs a firm leader - definitely bright and capable of being trained fully responds to basic commands

Beautiful affectionate dog
In our view probably best suited to female or shorter man softer speaking with experience of lurchers
Would definitely like to be with other dog(s)

This has been a hard decision to make but Dexter clearly is not happy with his current situation. He is a quiet loving and gentle dog and deserves the best.





Back again

5. He adores other dogs and is really good with them, I've never witnessed any aggression to other dogs at all.
6. He is so loving and affectionate to me - hugs, cuddles etc.
7. He needs people who can train lurchers and who understand lurchers, someone with a firmer hand than I have (I am too soppy with him).
8. He is so beautiful, I'll post some photos at the weekend

I know that people have probably been thinking that perhaps we would keep him as we've not been active on the forum for a while and I think we did feel that for a while. Kevin cant bear the thought that we've failed him in some way and I have a strong emotional bond with the dog.

But, it has been over a year and it really is time to face up to the fact that we are not doing Dexter any favours by carrying on. This is so hard for both of us in different ways. This is a great dog, strong and lively with a brilliant temperament - he just needs the right owners which sadly are not us.

Please can anyone out there help us find the right home for Dexter?

Will post more at the weekend

Moira

[Mimsmum]

As you can see I have re-started Dexter's thread. His thread reads up and down all the time and it is not fair on Dexter for people to think that he is a difficult dog. He has no aggression, just submission, and fear of the unknown in men and just wants a chance to show that he is a loving and good boy.
Hopefully, more photos will follow, and we can get this little lad the home that suits him and the home that will bring him out of his fearful state and make him happy.
He has a lovely home, who are prepared to perservere to find the right forever home for him. It is out there. xx

[Mimsmum]

Out and about with Kevin




In the garden

[kevinandmoira]

Here are a few more photos of Dexter
Moira

[loosecannon]

Oh dear, that must be so hard on Kevin and Moira. Well done and respect due to them for making a hard choice.

[Deleted]

Very sad for Kevin and Moira, but respect to them both for putting Dexter first. I really hope someone comes along soon to relieve the worry they must feel about his future.

Big

[Deleted]

If I hadn't decided that I would help with fostering I think this little man would find my home and pack the sort of environment that he could handle. I just hope it's not too long before someone comes along and gives him the type of situation he can handle. I'm full of admiration for Kevin and Moira for persevering for so long and for making such a difficult decision for the sake of Dexter.

[Mimsmum]

Hopefully larger photos.

[Deleted]

he is so lovely. I really hope he can find the right home that he feels confident in.

[kevinandmoira]

DEXTER HAS A NEW HOME. Yes, right next to the rolling hills and woodlands of the Surrey Hills and with a great couple, Maxine (Max) and Andy and a funny little girl dog Charley. After their home check I took Dexter down to them just over a week ago and in less than a week with him they have decided to adopt. I think that this is great news for everyone, especially Dexter.
We met up for a walk with the Charley - they sniffed, rubbed noses and off we went, both well behaved. Andy took Dexter's lead and before long D seemed a little more relaxed and positive than on walks with me..so far so good. Took them back to Max and Andy's very fine house in the country, let them off their leads - still well behaved, Dexter sniffing about, exploring. Whilst we were sipping tea, there was Dexter taking pieces of chicken from Andy's hand, whilst Charley went mad playing with Dexter's toys. Still, so far so good...I drove back to London, with Dexter staying as a house guest. A few E mails and phone conversations later and a visit from me yesterday and so far so good is getting better all the time. Yes, a few barks and growls at Andy, some scary confrontations between Dexter and Charley but as time past progress on all fronts. And after less than one week Max and Andy decided to adopt.

My overwhelming feeling is one of pleasure and gratitude. Some sadness yes, mainly that all my efforts were unable to make sufficient inroads on that intangible barrier caused by his previous mistreatment but pleasure that I can see a beautiful dog beginning to enjoy having a far better time...and gratitude that Max and Andy have the care and patience to overcome the problems and to bring that enjoyment out, and all in a setting that ticks so many boxes. And gratitude that Moira has been brilliant in battling with her own emotions at losing a friend and in appreciating that this is best for Dexter.

[antoniaalfie55]

So pleased for Dexter, but sad for you and Moira, such a hard thing to do. You have my sincere sympathies. Hopefully the right pooch will come into your lives soon.

[rowlfsmum]

That is brilliant news for Dexter but sad for you letting go. X

[Socksmum]

Great..another success. Well done Kevin and Moira. All the best to this lovely boy and his new owners xx

[loosecannon]

Well done!

[maxt]

Kevin's post is extraordinarily generous, for which thanks (he was kind enough to gloss over the renovation in progress / building site tip when he referred to the gaff). I do hope we continue to improve with Dexter. We are certainly overwhelmed and surprised by Dexter's early positive attitude to Andy (not 100% confident with him yet by any means, but the hill seems to get less steep by the day). When he gives Andy a Charley greeting (leaps, spins, squeaks and turbo wagging) we will know a huge milestone and there will be an announcement if/when we get there! We could be some time, men.

Clearly Kevin and Moira care about Dexter very deeply so we can see what an awful wrench this must be. Can only thank them lots for letting us have him.

Charley has not totally accepted Dexter yet, but they have had a few lovely sofa moments and when Dexter is not trying to incite play/friendly riots he is extraordinarily gentle with her. Sad she doesn't want to join in his big games, but she gets worried when he does the bouncing invitation (she is about the size of his head), so deals with it in terrier fashion, with awful language hurled at him through her snarly teeth. I swear (ha ha) the terrier has Tourette's syndrome! She has also taken to telling him off for counter surfing (are there such things as dog prefects?) But in spite of her obvious disdain, he follows her about the house and she weaves in and out of his legs now (this would melt anyone's heart - he picks up his feet for her to walk under). If we call Charley we get both of them and won't be too proud to exploit this!

We are so looking forward to making a permanent place in our lives for Dexter. Will post a photo or two soon.

Incidentally, Charley was absolutely smitten with Kevin, gave him her very best smiles, none of the bad language and even got in the car with him. Need to refresh Charley's recall !

[rowlfsmum]

Need to borrow Charlie to our Rowlf off his counter surfing!!

[Mimsmum]

Lovely to see you on the site Max. And hopefully we will get to meet Dex again at the SLR Funday in June.

I would just like to say that the dedication to Dexter from Kevin and Moira has been second to none. My heart goes out to them, especially Moira, who Dexter clearly loved very much. And to Kevin, who loved Dexter very much and only wanted to see him happy.
Such a sad week for Kevin and Moira.
But there is just the right hound out there for you, and when you have had a breather and your hearts have recovered we will find it. xxx

[Wipuki]

Feb 12, 2014 13:42:12 GMT Mimsmum said:

Lovely to see you on the site Max. And hopefully we will get to meet Dex again at the SLR Funday in June.

I would just like to say that the dedication to Dexter from Kevin and Moira has been second to none. My heart goes out to them, especially Moira, who Dexter clearly loved very much. And to Kevin, who loved Dexter very much and only wanted to see him happy.
Such a sad week for Kevin and Moira.
But there is just the right hound out there for you, and when you have had a breather and your hearts have recovered we will find it. xxx

Wot' Jenny said.  I really feel so sad for Kevin and Moira and I can more than sympathise with how they must feel. But seeing Dexter take such huge steps in such a short time and knowing that he is in loving, safe hands, must ease the pain a little. 

It's lovely to have you on board Max. I'm looking forward to the odd walk together (odd probably being the operative word ) and to introducing you to a couple of SLR members near by. Besides, it's always good to see the SLR Surrey contingent grow a bit.

[Romi]

Wonderful news. Be happy Dexter.

Sending huge hugs to Kevin and Moira.

[Deleted]

I am so pleased to see this great news. I've been following his story throughout and always hoped that one day all the work that Kevin and Moira were doing would bring rewards for this little man. Well done to both of you for being champions when it came to helping Dexter find a new home, and very best wishes to him and his new family