Dottie Mclaughlin
Sad News December 2020
Dottie’s mum Lorraine writes, “Absolutely heartbroken. Our beautiful girl Dottie crossed over to Rainbow Bridge on Saturday 19 December leaving a big Dottie-size hole in our lives, like a lot of rescue dogs she had some issues but eventually overcame most of these and started to trust us and soon became an important member of the family.
We would like to thank IRR for letting us adopt Dottie and allowing us to be her Mummy and Daddy for eight wonderful years, run free our beautiful girl. We will love you always xx.”
Dottie’s History
Dottie was surrendered to IRR.
Fosterer’s 1st report – UK: 27th October 2012
I Think this is probably the first time I have got really upset on meeting a foster dog. The thought of what’s happened to her doesn’t bear thinking about. She is absolutely adorable.
I have found a tiny harness to put on her, as we couldn’t let her run free outside at the moment as we would never get her back.
She is very timid. She keeps coming and checking where we are and wagging her tail then scurrying off again.
Fosterer’s 2nd report – UK: 6th November 2012
Dottie has changed so much in the last week; she has come on in leaps and bounds. Her confidence is growing daily, she is obviously still very nervous, but in the house and garden she is much more relaxed and will go off up the field on her own and explore. She will go to the gate and meet people and often will jump up them for some fuss. I think she forgets she has 4 paws and not two!
Any sudden movements or noises she will run off to the security on Harvey’s (our dog’s) bed where she feels quite safe.
She is mainly house trained now with the occasional accident if we are out in the day for too long. I wonder whether this is more stress related though. She loves her food and anyone else’s. Malcolm was eating a packet of crisps and before he knew it she dived on his lap with her snout in the bag. Her teeth are very dirty so we have been giving carrots to chew on which she really enjoys.
Dottie adores Malcolm and spends most evenings fast asleep on his lap where she is now so relaxed compared with a week ago. It is wonderful to see her now enjoying life and running around like a lunatic in the field exploring all the different sights and smells. We have made several attempts to take her out for a walk but don’t think she’s quite ready for that as she lies down on the floor and will not budge, so don’t want to push it.
Fosterer’s 3rd report – UK: 22nd November 2012
Dottie has just learnt she can play, a lovely sight to see !!!
We have tried taking her out in the car twice and she is absolutely petrified and terribly sick, poor soul.
We’ve managed to take her out twice on a lead, but it’s very slow progress. As soon as she feels the lead go tense she lies down, so a 10 minute walk turns into a 30 minute walk. I’m sure we’ll get there eventually.
Fosterer’s 4th report – 2nd December
Dottie has improved tremendously when taking her out for a walk. She will amble along quite happily; if a noisy vehicle does go by she can still be quite nervous.
She does not pull on the lead but does tend to wander.
She is very nervous in the car and is dreadfully sick even on a short journey so we have been sitting her in the boot of the car to get her used to it while it is stationary, which she is quite happy with.
She has got no doggie manners and will jump over Tess and Harvey to get to us and even will stand on their backs. A good job they’re both quite chilled.
She loves chasing the ball and gives Tess a run for her money who is very fast. She will bring the ball back to you.
Basic training is very slow and she will occasionally sit when she feels like it although we haven’t pushed it too much.
Dottie is very puppy like and gets very excited when she sees you and does tend to chew on things. She takes food out of your hand very gently and doesn’t snap.
Dottie has been down to the local pub a few times, where she loves all the attention she gets. She has met a few children who she adores and will quite happily let them fuss her. She is a lap dog; if there’s a lap free she’s on it!
I am sure in time with love and patience she will be a wonderful addition to any family, maybe a not too noisy one though as she is still a little nervous of sudden movements and noises.
I think she would be fine with or without dogs as its humans she adores.
Dottie has gone to her forever home: 31st January 2013
After getting to know Danny & Lorraine over the past few weeks Dottie has gone to her new forever home.
They will dote on her and spoil her rotten and that’s just what she deserves after the awful start in life she has had. I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect home and I know they will have all the love and patience in the world and help her come out of her shell 🙂
Update from Dottie: February 2013
Here I am in my new home. I have settled in really well and love my new family very much. I am no longer afraid of doors and love to go outside to play. My family takes me for long walks every day which I really like, even though we come home exhausted!
Lots of love
Dottie