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Post by Mimsmum on Aug 22, 2009 15:42:30 GMT
We have been mentoring Suzanna who had adopted Cai in early August, and she has persevered with much help from Donna and myself, but we decided that it was not fair on her or Cai to keep trying to make the adoption work. Cai had separation anxiety when he first arrived with Rowan and family back in May, but with the help of Fionn and the family around him this subsided and he was content to be left for up to 3 hours on his own with the other dogs. Being adopted as an only dog has not worked; and even though Suzanna is home all day, he has become distressed even when Suzanna has gone to the bathroom. This has been a stressful few weeks for both Suzanna and Cai so the decision was made. Thanks go to Rowan and family for being there for Cai and he has now returned to them for fostering. Little horror went mad when he saw them getting out of the car. Suzanna is a wonderful lady and is now fostering for us, another SLR dog with a view to failing and keeping him. With our support and with a less stressed out dog we are sure that Suzanna is going to enjoy the experience. Just in case you all forgot what cheeky Cai looks like, here he is again Look at that face It wasn't me, I promise! It's tiring work being a lurcher We MUST emphasise that we are looking for a home for Cai with another dog around for company and a family with children that will NOT be young enough to be knocked flying. We need a home where one of the partners DOES NOT work, a family home.
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Post by rowan35 on Aug 22, 2009 21:26:49 GMT
Cai's back at the Blackmore household and so far he's doing great. In fact I'm rather suprised about how well he's doing. Well, when he met his old foster brothers Tipton and Fionn it was a happy reunion They all went crazy and were licking each other's muzzles, tails were wagging, and Fionn and Cai looked very happy to see each other again. Then a bit later he and Fionn started their usual play fighting in the garden For the first few hours Cai was quite unsettled, he kept following us around and wouldn't lie down, but then he seemed to calm down a lot and just went to his bed. He'll now sleep in it and won't get up if you leave the room, which is great I was also very proud of him when my brother and mum went out shopping, and I was upstairs, leaving Cai alone with the dogs. I didn't know my mum had left, but then I heard Tipton barking, so went downstairs to investigate. Tipton just wanted to come upstairs and was barking because the doors were shut, but I discovered that Cai had emptied half the contents of the bin onto the kitchen floor! So now something heavy has been put on the bin lid so he can't open it. But the reason I'm so pleased is that he must have been alone for around 20 mins, and not once did I hear him cry or howl! I don't think the bin raiding was because he was anxious, I think it was just because he had the opportunity to get to it whilst no-one was around to tell him off! In the afternoon we took him on a long country walk to tire him out, he was very well behaved apart from when Fionn flushed and coursed a rabbit, and in his desperation to join in the chase, Cai almost pulled my sister Hannah over. But that was to be expected as the rabbit was only a few metres away. He's also been clean in the house, hasn't chewed anything, been good out on walks, although last night he did try his best to attack a hedgehog - not such a good idea. During the night we didn't hear a peep out of him, which is excellent. He was brilliant at the Hatfield House Country Show today. There were lots of people, dogs, livestock, loud noises etc, but he was calm throughout and was extremely well behaved. We took him to the RGT's stall, and he made friends with a very pretty little black greyhound called Kaz who was also looking for a home. They took rather a shine to each other. ;D Both he and Fionn got lots of attention today, and we put him and Fionn in for "Dog the Judge Would Most Like to Take Home" and the judge was Lady Salisbury, who owns Hatfield house, and had her own lurcher with her. She thought Cai was lovely and asked about SLR, so he was a good advert for the rescue, and he was also very well behaved. So far, so good. No problems to speak of yet, he's doing really well, and I think he likes the company of the other dogs and family life. Pictures to follow when I've taken some
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Post by Mimsmum on Aug 22, 2009 22:20:29 GMT
Well done Rowan and well done Cai. Wow! a great day out as well.
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Post by rowan35 on Aug 23, 2009 10:15:32 GMT
He was also off lead on this morning's walk. As soon as the lead was unclipped he and Fionn raced off and started their lurcher racing and play fighting. But he was very responsive and came back when called, and once they had had their fun he just trotted along next to us.
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Post by BW on Aug 23, 2009 10:33:34 GMT
Great updates thank you Rowan - 'tis good to know that the lad's quickly back to his old self.
Barney x
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Post by rowan35 on Aug 24, 2009 10:06:05 GMT
Photos as promised: Sleeping in the sunshine in his new SLR collar Coming back after a run around with Fionn Racing around like lunatics Trying to squish up on the sofa with Fionn I really can't fault Cai since he's been back with us. Here are his good points: - Housetrained - Good with other dogs - Is good off lead and has good recall - Loves people - Loves playing - Hasn't shown any signs of SA so far - Hasn't chewed or been destructive - Apart from the first day he hasn't bin raided or counter surfed to my knowledge And if I was to do a list of bad points I wouldn't have anything to say. He's just a lively, playful young dog, who loves his human and dog companions, likes the hustle and bustle of a family household, LOVES cuddles and kisses, and is extremely loyal. (Plus he's gorgeous ) In the right home Cai will be the perfect dog. I hope someone will see his potential, cause he's got it by the bucketload.
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Post by Mimsmum on Aug 25, 2009 11:13:10 GMT
Fantastic Rowan ;D He looks so happy running with Fionn again.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2009 13:57:43 GMT
He's just gorgeous
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Post by PawTrax (Pete) on Aug 29, 2009 8:41:33 GMT
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suzanna
Newborn Lurcher
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Post by suzanna on Aug 30, 2009 19:28:33 GMT
And here's that aesthetically pleasing curl Barney mentioned. Attachments:
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Post by rowan35 on Sept 4, 2009 18:23:01 GMT
Haven't updated for a bit as I don't feel there's much more I can add, but thought I'd write a bit about Cai's progress here. Firstly and foremost, I think what's putting people off is Cai's SA. Since he's arrived here Cai has had someone at home practically 24/7, as we are quite a full household and there's always someone around. So in a way, I suppose he's been a bit "spoilt" with this privilage. But the holidays are over now, so most of the family are going back to school/work, and it was inevitable that Cai was going to be left alone at some point. Today he was left alone (but with our two other dogs) for about 3 hours, and he was very good. No crying/barking/howling, he didn't poo or wee anywhere, and he hasn't destroyed anything. So a very postive sign in my opinion. I think once he's settled down in a new home, and he has other dogs around he would be fine to be left, but in a new home the amount he could be left would have to be built up, so he gets used to you leaving. Other things we've encountered are slight food aggression with the other dogs, so we're feeding him seperately and he's already getting better. And just to add this is only at feeding times and with chews, not when they are being given treats on walks. Also, he has been a bit growly with our springer spaniel, Tipton. I think this is because Cai is quite dominant, and is challenging Tipton's authority. But this has only happened a couple of times, and he is perfect 98% of the time. He's never done this with Fionn, but Tipton is the dominant one of the two. Please remember he's living with two other males, so would probably be great with a female companion. Other than that, I could only repeat what I've previously said. No other problems to speak of, and the ones we've encountered have happened very rarely, and aren't a common occurance. If you are wanting to adopt a dog, PLEASE consider Cai. His SA has improved incredibly, his food aggression can be avoided if he is fed in another room away from the others, and with the right doggy companion, he'd be fine. He just needs a family who will work on these things, but after he has settled, and if handled correctly, Cai will be a perfect dog. Please don't pass him by He's been waiting so long
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Post by Andrew/ on Sept 5, 2009 7:18:10 GMT
Hi,
Having had Cai here for a couple of weeks before Suzanna, I'm surprised to hear about the food agression - he showed no sign of it here, although when I feed the dogs here I do make sure there is a good amount of separation between their food bowls (different corners of the kitchen).
Also, I found that Cai seemed to drop into the pack order behind both Max and Maisie. But that may have been because my two were both much faster that Cai.
HOwever, you are right. He is a great dog and will greaty add to a home with a pack. I was so sorry to hear that he did not like being lonely and, thus, caused trouble. With others around he was a happy bunny - so to speak.
Andrew/
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Post by rowan35 on Sept 5, 2009 9:26:02 GMT
Hi Andrew, I was suprised to see it as well, as he showed no signs of it when he was with us before. He will start growling if the other dogs get too close, which is understandable, and I fed them a fair distance away from each other anyway, but he seems much happier when he's eating alone. Most of the time there seems to be no dominence issues between the two of them, it's just sometimes he will have a grumble if Tipton walks past. This has only happened about twice. He is much happier now with the others here. He loves playing with Fionn, and they will race around when out on walks and wrestle and play fight when they're at home. It also seems he is good with being left if they are with him. Hopefully someone will see what a great dog he is very soon
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Post by Mimsmum on Sept 5, 2009 13:42:46 GMT
It is such a shame that such a beautiful and faithful young dog is still with SLR. It is not for want of trying on your part Rowan. You always give all the fosters such great coverage. Out there is just the perfect home for him. They just haven't logged on yet.
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Post by rowan35 on Sept 7, 2009 19:27:55 GMT
Some recent pictures: Being book ends: Cuddled up with Fionn. I think Cai would do well with a playful, female companion. He loves to play (when he's not sleeping) Now, he's either looking to see where his foster family have gone, or wondering when his new family are coming to get him
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Post by oreste on Sept 7, 2009 19:38:46 GMT
...if you looking for a dog please consider CAi as HE IS SO BEAUTIFUL! all dogs have minor problems but as they drive you mad at least you'll be thinking: "Cai is by far the most beautiful dog of the area, has got the most amazing eyes and sweet back muzzle...who cares if he IS A PAIN!!?" There...at least that's what I'd be thinking...
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Post by Mimsmum on Sept 7, 2009 19:51:01 GMT
Well said Simona.
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Post by keith1 on Sept 7, 2009 21:45:35 GMT
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jude
Newborn Lurcher
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Post by jude on Sept 8, 2009 20:21:24 GMT
What a gorgeous boy! I would be very interested to find out more about this lovely little chap, I already have one lurcher (who came to me as a staff x and turned out to be something totally different...!), a 3yr old called Arthur and would love nothing more than another little fellow to keep him company. I'm home pretty much all the time, work part time from home and study the rest so I could do with another companion too! Reading through all the above he sounds like a complete charmer and just what we are looking for...
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Post by rowan35 on Sept 8, 2009 20:33:07 GMT
Hi Jude, If you contact Jenny (Mimsmum) for an application form, and get a homecheck done, then we'll see if Cai could be the dog for you
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