Hugo Mackenzie

HE WAS TAKEN FAR TOO SOON

Jenny and Julie say: It’s with the deepest shock and sadness that I have to tell you all that our dear Hugo collapsed suddenly this morning and died.

Hugo had been seeing the vet this week because of a diarrhoea and vomiting bug. He had an early vet appointment this morning and collapsed unexpectedly while being treated. The team tried for a long time to resuscitate him, but it wasn’t successful. They’re in shock, we are devastated.

He brought a special light to our lives. God bless you Hugo The-Boss. Such a lovely, happy boy.

Hugo died very suddenly on 23rd of February 2013. In his ten months in IRR’s care he had a massive influence: sealing the marriage of one of the IRR team; transforming peoples’ beliefs about how, with the right support and understanding, quality of life is always possible; giving hope to people he never actually met, but who joined him on his own Facebook page; raising vital funds for IRR to enable more lives to be saved, and deciding to swim to Holland during an IRR reunion in Norfolk, enticing fosterers into the sea, fully clothed, to coax him back to the beach.

Hugo was born a dog on 25th October 2009 and died an IRR hero on 23rd February 2013.

HUGO’S STORY

When he came into IRR care, Hugo was two and a half years old. He has been a much-loved family pet who was surrendered by his previous owners because they were moving overseas and were unable to take him with them.

PREVIOUS OWNER’S REPORT – IRELAND: MARCH 2012

We are broken-hearted at losing Hugo and cherish every photograph, but knowing he will be happy helps us.

Hugo loves being stroked and cuddled. He also loves to run after a ball, in fact that’s his favourite game.

He has always been a healthy boy. He has a slight birth defect affecting the appearance of one eye which could be corrected if necessary with a small cosmetic surgical procedure. The vet did confirm though that this was only cosmetic and that Hugo has good vision in both of his eyes.

Every dog who comes under the care of IRR is special.

Hugo was not “more special’, but in his short life he became both a symbol of, and an ambassador for, IRR dogs present and future who need IRR’s ongoing support with treatment.

Hugo was surrendered to IRR’s care in April 2012. He was two and a half years old, a happy, bouncy dog, born with a head deformity which affected the way his brain developed and caused him to have some disabilities, but this never stopped him living life to the full.

Hugo’s physical appearance, the way he managed his disabilities and his charming and mischievous character drew people to him. He touched people’s hearts, raising awareness of IRR with every encounter.

Because he took medication and needed regular monitoring, Hugo became a much loved client at the vets. Even now he is still remembered. Only recently one of the team presented IRR with hand made products to sell on IRR’s auction page.

One of the reasons Hugo is still remembered at the vets is that, as well as his influence on people, he had an amazingly calming influence on other animals, small and large.

At home Hugo loved being part of a pack, and became a great teacher. He couldn’t hold a ball in his mouth for very long, so he taught himself to bounce the ball. This meant he could breathe in when he dropped the ball and then pick it up and run with it while he breathed out. The rest of the pack followed suit, and although Hugo has been gone for a long time in dog years, the bouncing ball game lives on. The sound of one of the dogs bouncing a ball will always remind us of Hugo – as if we could ever forget him!

FOSTER’S INITIAL REPORT – UK: APRIL 2012

Hugo is a lovely, bouncy, playful boy. He travels well in the car, is clean in the house and adores kids.

He has a healthy appetite; he seems to prefer eating meat to biscuits and he loves chews as a treat.

Hugo enjoys going out for walks, and is trying hard to master loose lead walking.

In summary, Hugo loves company and he would love being part of an active family with children and other dogs. He’s a laid back happy chappie.

FOSTERER’S 2ND REPORT – UK: APRIL 2012

Well, here we are some 9 days on from Hugo arriving with us. Let’s us first approach his face, yep it’s disfigured but that does not in any way detract from the fact that he’s a great dog and it does get him loads of attention when out, which he laps up.

He continues to do well and is very affectionate. He is a lovely, lively boy who loves playing, his favourite toy being a big teddy that has pully arms and legs. He’s also discovered that it doubles as a rather comfy cushion to rest his head on in the evenings. His lead work is continuing and he improves with every walk, though he is still strong on the lead and will need patience and understanding as he masters walking to heal. His recall is really good, especially if you have his ball on a rope, always a winner.

Hugo is happy around other dogs (currently trying to get our old 10 stone St Bernard to play with him), children and people. He hasn’t been cat tested, as we don’t have a cat, but he isn’t drawn to them when he sees one outside. He has a good appetite and although he does sit with you when eating his table manners are excellent and he enjoys a daily dental chew.

Hugo doesn’t attempt to climb on furniture but he will happily snuggle on the bed if you let him. His favourite is tucking up with our 8yr old son, Alex.

Hugo would make a fantastic addition to any active home which has children another dog (dogs) or both. He has a few party tricks up his sleeve, one being he loves popping his head between your legs from the rear and he likes to ‘sing’ and will join in with you if you get the right pitch, which is hilarious.

He is great when welcoming visitors as he is not a jumpy or pushy boy, he’s happy to say hello once they’ve come in. He doesn’t bark apart from when he’s asking you to play with him.

All in all a truly wonderful boy who will give you a giggle EVERY day.

FOSTERER’S 3RD REPORT – UK: JUNE 2012

Hugo is certainly a very special boy who loves life. He especially adores being with and playing with other dogs and he is such a loving chap.

Hugo is so keen to learn. I think in time he would enjoy an activity such as agility as he loves to please and to play.

FOSTERER’S 4TH REPORT – UK: JUNE 2012

Hugo has been in foster since April and it is hard to know why. He is such an affectionate boy who just loves a cuddle and will put his head either on your lap or your feet when he’s resting. He enjoys being with our other dog, who’s a St Bernard, and he likes to snuggle with her at every opportunity.

When meeting other dogs Hugo barks at times, but this is simply because he’s so excited.

Things Hugo likes to do: – Well he really enjoys lying on the trampoline whilst Alex, our 8 year old, bounces him.

His favourite game is to play pulley and will happily bring you his ball on a rope or teddy late into the night to play.

He has some funny tricks, the funniest being that when he meets somebody new he goes behind them and pops up in between their legs, he’ll also do this if he’s a bit nervous.

All in all Huggy Bear (that’s his nickname and he seems to like it) is a wonderful, happy and loving boy who loves life. With a little guidance from his humans and perhaps a doggy companion he will get the most out of life, and he really does deserve the best because he is a very special boy.

A CHANGE OF FOSTER HOME

Hugo is now 3 yrs old. Owing to a change in his previous fosterers’ family circumstances, he is in a new foster placement now with Jenny and Julie.

NEW FOSTERER’S FIRST REPORT (28.11.2012)

Hugo arrived yesterday afternoon and met our dogs outside after a good walk. Introductions went well and he very quickly joined in with a few games in the garden.

Hugo is eating and drinking well and he settled and slept in the kitchen with 2 of our dogs last night. He did grumble when we left him at first but very quickly settled to sleep.

Health wise, Hugo does seem to be a little overweight so we will take him to have him weighed.

FOSTERER’S SECOND REPORT (1.12.2012)

Hugo has been with us a few days now and has settled well. He has been accepted by all of our dogs, and he enjoys their company. They all share toys without any difficulty and they all play well together. Hugo has not shown any possessive behaviour with food or with toys.

It would be hard to say whether Hugo prefers human or canine company as he seems to be equally happy when alone with us, or with the other dogs around him.

One of the striking things about Hugo is his charming gentle character. He also has a lovely twinkle in his eye and the biggest smile. He’s often the first to greet us in the mornings; his favourite way to say hello is to bring one of his toys and hand it over as a gift.

We took Hugo to the nurse led clinic where he weighed in at just under 39k, so he is now on a diet and we are building up his exercise.

Hugo has been coming to work with me as my office is on a farm, so he gets some varied walks during my breaks and has become firm friends with 2 donkeys.

At the moment, when out walking, I am using a figure of eight lead with Hugo as he did pull a lot on a lead and flat collar. He’s not too happy with this at first, but soon gets interested in the walk and forgets he’s wearing it, which makes walking a much more positive experience for both of us as there’s no pulling.

Hugo is a wonderful, laid back dog, but he does have some underlying anxieties which he expresses through hiding behind our legs in new situations. Although it’s quite endearing, we’re trying to stop him feeling worried enough to do this by encouraging him to come forward by using firm positive reassurance to build up his confidence.

A few things Hugo really enjoys:

Cuddles – he loves physical contact, both with us and with the dogs.

Playing ball – he plays a good game of fetch’ as long as he can see which direction the ball is thrown in. He also enjoys bouncing a ball –he likes to take a ball to a clear area of the floor, drop it gently and watch it bounce. Travelling in the car – he gets excited and hops into the back of the car, then spends much of the journey looking out of the window, taking everything in. He’s curious if people approach the car, but doesn’t bark or get upset. He likes totalk’. It sounds like a low pitched growl, but it’s part of his way of communicating. He especially `talks’ when he’s sitting with us being stroked or having his head massaged. Head massage….. Oh he loves a gentle head massage!

In summary, Hugo is a loving and loyal dog and a delightful house guest. He seems to be comfortable with people and other animals and is at his happiest being close and feeling included.

FOSTERER’S THIRD REPORT (8/1/2013)

Hugo has been staying with us for 6 weeks. In that time he has become more playful and confident by the day.

He has been steadily losing weight and is now within the ideal range. His coat is shiny and soft and he has a wiggle in his walk and a keen zest for life. I’m pleased to say he’s progressed from the figure of eight lead and is now walking very nicely on a body harness, on his own and with our other dogs. He’s also built up enough confidence to greet new situations without hiding behind our legs, which is a big step for him. He has been with us to visit friends and has also been to our local pub.

Hugo is a lovely dog who needs to take medication for a medical condition, but this doesn’t stop him enjoying a normal happy life. He would be suited to a home with or without another dog as long as he is not left for long periods as he is a very sociable boy.

FOREVER FOSTER DOG 22/1/2013

After discussion with the team it was felt that due to his ongoing medical problems and, as Hugo has settled so well over the last 2 months and is enjoying being part of our family, that it would be unfair to move him. Therefore, it has been agreed that he should stay with us as a forever foster dog.

We’re delighted to have Hugo as a new member of the family and, as you can see from the photographs, Hugo seems pretty pleased with the arrangement too.