Charlie Ludlow

JUST AS GORGEOUS AT FIFTEEN (9.4.2020)

Marianne told us in January 2009 we were fortunate to being able to adopt our wonderful Charlie. Last month, we celebrated his 15th birthday!

He’s doing great despite now being deaf and a little slower. He is the most beautiful dog, inside and out.

ON ARRIVAL INTO IRR CARE

Sam was a three year old male handed in by his previous owners as they were having a baby. He has been neutered in Ireland. Sam has a lovely character, he is always happy and loves to carry something in his mouth. He has slotted quickly into family life here with our 3 children, 2 dogs and our cats.

Even on his first night Sam went to bed and didn’t make a sound. Sam under all his fluff is quite thin. When he first arrived he wolfed his food down extremely fast and snatched hand treats. He has slowed down a bit, now he anticipates regular feeding. He isn’t allowed to snatch and will take hand food with a “nice” command. Sam already knew “sit” and “down” command. When he first arrived he’d drop onto his haunches but this has improved. Sam pulls a bit on his lead but will happily wear an Easy Leader. He is manageable on this and is encouraged to heel.

When Sam arrived his coat was very knotted and dirty. He allowed us to bath him with no fuss whatsoever. He then lay still while I combed his knots out. He had one wet eczema patch on his leg which has now healed. He will need regular grooming to keep his coat in good condition.

Sam doesn’t jump up at all, which makes him an ideal family dog. As with any dog, care would have to taken that he wouldn’t knock very little ones over when excited. He can get a little boisterous when playing with our 2 year old male golden but is very calm when alone with our 14 year old collie girl.

All in all, Sam is a lovely boy who will make an excellent pet.

FIRST REPORT FROM HIS FOREVER HOME

Marianne said, “Charlie has really settled in well. He has been very good in the house and has not been any trouble when left alone.

He has his bed downstairs and sleeps there at night (although lately he has sneaked upstairs, probably just following the cats). He has barked when the milkman brings his delivery very early in the morning, but settled down again quickly.

He wants to meet and greet anything on four legs, or two for that matter! Anybody coming to visit has been welcomed by Charlie who has to carry something in his mouth and wants to share his toys.

He has been great with our cats and has quickly worked out who is boss. Two of them are fine with him and he knows to stay well clear of Diesel, the third one although Diesel’s attitude has much improved. He loves his walks in the park and regularly goes for a jog with my son and his friend.

Charlie had a great time with four year old Ruby, my daughter’s Labrador who we went to visit during our trip to the Cotswolds. He is reluctant to jump into the car and I have to lift him in, but once in he is fine.

We will be going to some training classes to do some work on ‘being on the lead’ (if you see what I mean!). He is very strong and when we are out on a walk. He has his own ideas of where we are going. I’m using an easy leader, but that is not to Charlie’s liking; when he gets fed up he simply plays ‘dead’ and does not move. Eventually he gets bored and gets up again.

Unfortunately we have had a visit at the vet a little while ago, he had an ear infection and was given some antibiotics. He was also chipped at the same time.

I feel that we are very lucky that IRR has found Charlie for us! He is such a lovely and affectionate boy and we love him to bits!”

UPDATE MAY 2009

We have just today returned from our holiday. Robert and I went to the Far East for the week and Charlie went to stay with my daughter in the Cotswolds. The first picture is with him (on the left) and Ruby.

These two get on very well and had some great walks! (it’s very tempting to have another one, but bringing TWO dogs to my daughter is pushing my luck, as she often has a’ Springador’ staying as well!) So we just have Charlie for now. Ruby is also a rescue and also from Ireland, but not from IRR.
The other three are taken here in Leeds in Roundhay Park.

As you can see, he loves the water! He is a very sociable dog and wants to meet and greet everyone and enjoys just running about like a lunatic. Yes, he is off the lead in the park. We must work on the recall, he does come back, but only when he’s finished sniffing the fox’s trail! Joking aside, he is just wonderful. His lead work has much improved, I’ve done away with the halti (I just did not like it) and we have used an easy leader for a short time, but that just encouraged him to pull harder, so it’s just a normal collar and lead and he is doing fine.