Beau Moore

BEAU WAS TAKEN FAR TOO SOON (21.7.2018)

On Monday, 23 July, Sharon wrote and told us “It is with great sadness and tears in my eyes that I am typing this email. After 10 short months, I had to have my beloved Beau put to sleep on Saturday 21 July 2018.

It seems no time ago at all that I collected this waggy tailed boy from Amber’s House and thought I would enjoy a long and happy time with him but it was not to be.

Ever since I had him, he had a problem with regurgitating his food but the vet couldn’t find anything wrong and I put it down to his anxious nature. I fed him small portions often, on which he seemed to thrive, developing the most glossy luscious coat I have ever seen on a Goldie.

Last Wednesday, Beau started deteriorating rapidly, developing a cough and he couldn’t keep any food down. Despite the vet’s best effort, Beau didn’t respond to the treatment and, at the end, he couldn’t keep food and water down and his breathing was very laboured.

Beau was stoic until the end. Even when I took him to the vets for the last time, he managed a little wag for the receptionist.

I am bereft and having difficulty coming to terms with it all, I had so little time with him and I feel cheated.

At peace now Beau, with your sister Lady. I will remember you always”.

MY MESSAGE TO BEAU

Three weeks after his passing, Sharon remembered her special boy with these words: “I have been devastated by losing Beau. This is my message to him. 

Beau, in many ways you were a typical Goldie, kind, loving and generous in spirit but you had a sadness in your eyes I couldn’t explain. I always had this feeling I wouldn’t have you for long but, little did I know, our time together would be so short and your final hours so traumatic.

You were a sensitive boy, loving everything and everybody, never a growl or a grumble. I always loved the little dance you did for your dinner and the way you fetched your lead and insisted in holding my Labrador’s lead when we were going for a walk.

The end came quickly and unexpectedly and I prayed you would respond to the treatment but it was all too much for you and you were tired.

I had to make the terrible decision to stop you suffering any further. You were stoic to the end, wagging your tail when we walked into the vets together.

Goodbye sweet boy, run free with your sister Lady. I will never forget you and you will forever be in my heart”.

HISTORY

In 2017, Beau was an 8 year old cream coloured Golden Retriever with a mischievous personality, and like most Goldens, he was very affectionate. 

This wonderful boy was neutered, and received all the necessary inoculations and veterinary treatment to travel to the UK. Unlike, his mate Lady, Beau was only slightly matted but still needed to be thoroughly groomed.  Lady and Beau had come from a kind home and belonged originally to the owner’s mother who had died. Her son was in a wheelchair and, despite doing his best, he found he simply couldn’t cope. That was when Kathryn, our Ireland Co-ordinator, was contacted. IRR is called to help in all circumstances and neglect is very difficult to deal with but, in this case, it was the owner’s disability and financial situation which meant that Lady couldn’t be groomed.

Unfortunately, friends, who were supposed to help, hadn’t.  Kathryn could hardly contain her tears, giving their distraught owner the biggest hug as he said “I’m sorry that she isn’t clean”. She reassured him “Don’t worry about that we will have her looking a million dollars when she is done. We will look after her, never fear. I will send you pictures and you will see how wonderful she looks”. The owner was extremely upset as was Lady who didn’t want to be parted from him, so close was the bond between them.

In the end, Kathryn lifted her from the house to the car as she whimpered, clearly frightened of what lay ahead.  The situation was heartbreaking for both dogs and their owner.  Beau danced around his master, as if to reassure him that he knew everything was going to be all right.

However, Beau also seemed worried about going to be with his ‘lady love’ in the car as he didn’t want to be left behind. As soon as Beau got in, Lady calmed down, realizing that Beau was going on the same journey and they would still be together forever. Both dogs were very clearly loved and the agreement was that Lady would be adopted with her mate Beau.

IRR always keeps its promises and this was one promise we intended to keep. They went into foster in the UK with Amber and Alex where Beau thrived but, sadly, poor lady was found to be seriously ill and she passed peacefully over Rainbow Bridge on 1.9.2017.

FOSTER ASSESSMENT

CHARACTER & TEMPERAMENT According to Amber “Beau is very affectionate but he can be quite demanding as he likes to try and get your attention and he will physically push other dogs away to get to you. However, he is also very eager to please. He is the more confident of the pair, he loves a cuddle and he already greets his walks with enthusiasm. He’s very laid back in the house but I have noticed he’s already getting happier to trot around the garden. Beau is a happy dog, just held back by the weight he needs to lose. He does need to work on his manners around food as he will snatch treats or attempt to knock his food from your hands. However, in just a few days we have seen an improvement in this. He’s a very easy dog to have around, his only vices being his food manners and pulling on the lead. We are working on him not snatching food and not diving into his food bowl but, on the bright side, his food motivation should make him easy to train!

HEALTH : His health is generally good but Beau’s teeth aren’t great and he is very over weight so this makes his walking look a little laboured. However, we have seen him get more energetic and, already, he wants to chase about the garden. His fitness levels are holding him back at the moment but I think, as he starts to lose weight, he’ll look a lot lighter on his feet and will, eventually, really enjoy longer walks

SOCIAL LEARNING

After two weeks in foster, Amber said ” Beau will need some work to make sure he doesn’t continue to try to steal food! He thinks, if there is food about, it is probably for him. This has included him trying to grab a full bag of bread from my husband’s hands. Apart from refusing to let go, he is actually very good natured about food, showing no aggression, but he does not seem to understand why he can’t have it! We are working on him not snatching treats or trying to knock his food bowl out of your hands and have seen some progress.

Beau is much more mobile and active already. We have seen him lose weight (weigh in on Friday). He’s very friendly with our dogs and he likes to potter around the garden with them and lounge on the sofa.”

TRAVEL: Beau is happy and content travelling in a vehicle

HOUSETRAINING: He is almost completely house trained 

BASIC TRAINING: Beau is well socialized and trained in basic commands

LEADWALKING: At the moment, Beau does pull on the lead

RESOURCE GUARDING: He shows no evidence of resource guarding

SEPARATION ANXIETY: Beau shows no signs of separation anxiety

ADULTS:   Beau is exceptionally friendly and very laid back with adults. He greets everyone with enthusiasm.

CHILDREN: He is very friendly with children

DOGS: Beau is very friendly  and polite when being introduced to other dogs and loves playing with ours. He likes the company of people and other dogs. Fortunately for Beau, as Lady had become increasingly poorly and has no longer wanted his attentions, he has distanced himself from her in favour of our dogs.

CATS:  He is very friendly with cats

BEAU’S DREAM HOME

It was planned that Lady and Beau would remain together but, sadly, that was not meant to be. Fortunately, we know Beau will be happy as long as he has another dog or dogs to play with. This boy will make a wonderful addition to a home where someone is prepared to spend time and patience on helping him adjust to his new life. His ideal forever folks would probably be an older retired couple who have plenty of time and lots of love to lavish on him. We can envisage him in a home where he will be able to enjoy a nice leisurely pace of life and where he can look forward to the many long and happy Autumn years that are ahead of him.

THE BEST NEWS (October 2017)

Beau went to live in his Forever Home