Douglas Clarke
Sad News, 20 August 2020
Thank you to IRR and to my old boy Douglas who gave me much love and so many cuddles in his senior years. He is now in heaven leaving me, Tyler and his best mate Daisy with a massive hole in our lives. I tried to love him better but unfortunately, I couldn’t. He is now at rest with Izzy and Barney.
History
Jan and her mate Doug came from a home with a very elderly owner who was was going into a nursing home and, of course, couldn’t take them with him.
IRR was contacted to see if we could help. They have been together all their lives and have a strong bond with each other.
After receiving the necessary inoculations to travel to the UK they were kept in owner foster for a month before being fostered for a few days by Cathleen, one of our very experienced Irish IRR fosters.
They are being fostered by David and Alison in the UK.
FUN AND GAMES IN IRELAND
They had no collars or leads so some had to be quickly purchased before travelling. Poor Doug tried to get out of the car when being put in it initially as he didn’t want to be separated from his owner but they both made the 4 hour journey back to Dublin with Kathryn and their fosterer, Cathleen who was going to be making them feel very welcome in her home.
They needed a serious groom as they stank and were matted so, the following day, Jan and Doug were both treated to a feast of suds and cologne to bring back their coats to their former glory, as both Cathleen and Kathryn went to work on grooming them.
After being thoroughly washed and dried Doug decided that he wanted to get into the bathtub again and repeat the experience as he had enjoyed it so much. When being washed, Cathleen noticed his eyes rolled back in pleasure as the warm water washed the smell and dirt from his coat. He then decided to lie on Kathryn’s legs as if to say ‘dry me, I am ready to be pampered.’ It made both Cathleen and Kathryn roar with laughter.
Jan was less relaxed and was stressed by the dryer so she had to be towel dried. Shortly after her groom and after putting her in the car Jan’s new collar snapped and she took off running. Only with the help of friends were we able to get her back – what a scare!
Doug on the other hand, had no intention of going anywhere and just looked and flopped back on the soft bed in the car.
History
Doug is a neutered 9 year old cream coloured Golden Retriever with a mischievous personality, and like most Goldens, he is very affectionate. He and Jan received all the necessary inoculations and veterinary treatment to travel to the UK. Doug is a real flirt and once you have won his heart, you will be besieged with “cuddle me I lurve to be cuddled, petted and pampered”.
He is supremely confident provided he realizes you want to be his friend and are kind (that doesn’t take him long to figure) then he is just a dream! David describes Doug as “ a super boy, great fun, very affectionate, likes company and attention but is well behaved. A real sweetie, with a happy smile and waggy tail. A people dog. He has the most endearing face and purrs when stroked.
He is a little on the slim side and has poor muscle development especially on his rear end. We are hoping increased rations (he likes his food) and slow build-up of exercise will improve this.
Doug very quickly settled into our household routine. He is happy to settle but will whinge a little to be with you. He is a lovely calm boy but with a cheeky playful side. He adores fuss and likes to sit right next to you but he is not pushy and he likes his food”.
After 10 days in foster, David said “Someone is going to be so lucky to have this wonderful boy who will bring a smile to your face at each moment of the day. A wonderful lad, gentle but spirited. Well behaved but with a sense of humour. He is very affectionate”.
SOCIAL LEARNING
TRAVEL: He is happy and content travelling in a vehicle
HOUSETRAINED & BASIC TRAINING: Doug is housetrained has good manners and basic training (sit, recall). He is food orientated and would probably counter steal given the opportunity. He likes to check the fridge out with you. RESOURCE GUARDING: There has been absolutely no evidence of resource guarding
SEPARATION ANXIETY: He is happy to be left and settles quickly but would much prefer to be with you so he will push barriers to follow you around and he does whinge a little.
GROOMING and HEALTH: Doug is a gentle boy who is happy to be brushed. He came to us clipped around his back end but the fur is growing well and his coat is good where not clipped.
Doug is still underweight and lacking muscle tone but he is happy to go for hour long walks and is equally happy to lie in the garden all day.
His ears were extremely dirty with black wax, not itchy but quite tender, but Doug was still happy to have them cleaned even though it must be a little painful. His ears are still producing black wax but they are not inflamed and not causing scratching.
LEADWALKING and RECALL: He loves going for walks as he is a real ‘meeter and greeter’ of both dogs and people. We now use a harness for walking as he can pull a little on a collar especially to meet people and dogs. We have been to a secure field and he has shown good recall to a whistle.
ADULTS and CHILDREN: Doug is very friendly with adults but untested with children.
DOGS: Doug accepts other dogs, is very friendly towards them and will play but he much prefers human company.
CATS: He is untested with cats
JAN and DOUG’S DREAM HOME
Jan and Doug need to be rehomed together as, although Doug is outgoing and full of joie de vivre, the much shyer Jan gains her confidence from having her best friend close by. Although Jan and Doug have been with an elderly person, there is no reason why a family with older teenagers wouldn’t suit them provided they have plenty of interaction with people and they feel reassured that life is good.
We at IRR are determined that only kindness and lots of love will be showered on them for the rest of their lives and that a magical ending is in store for this wonderful pair.
September 2017
Jan and Doug have gone to their Forever Home