Otto Reader-Hoer

OTTO IS LIVING WITH ALL SORTS OF ANIMALS NOW

First Otto had a short stay in foster with Bridgette, Ricky, Josh, Izzie, Max and their menagerie in Somerset. Otto passed every test apart from being a willing participant in a pillow and feather fight with naughty Max.

Tracey and Mark, of course, fell in love with Otto and he went on to live with them in his Forever Home in Devon where he joined Delphi, Rocky, cats, bunnies, ponies, sheep and chickens.

It came as no surprise when Otto and Delphi became firm friends and partners in crime!

Rocky was just a dear old boy, of course but Otto adored him and, like Delphi, he was very sad when Rocky crossed Rainbow Bridge in 2019.

HISTORY

OTTO (was Bosco) is a golden coloured, male Golden Retriever. In 2017, he was almost 2 yrs and 8 months old. This beautiful boy was neutered and received the necessary inoculations to travel to the UK.

Our good friends, Angela and Hilary of Longford Pound, asked if we could help to re-home Bosco, as they wanted him to go to a breed rescue with the expertise necessary to bring him out of his shell. 

He was depressed in the Pound and the kennel, seeming not to understand what he had “done wrong” to be discarded. Naturally, the answer was ‘of course we will help’. Angela fostered him for a short while and then he went to one of our fabulous IRR fosterers in Ireland, Sarah, before going into foster in the UK with Bridgette, Ricky and their menagerie.

FOSTER ASSESSMENT (IRELAND)

PERSONALITY Sarah said “He has the gentlest of personalities and is the sweetest, most affectionate boy. Bosco is such an endearing fellow who simply longs to please. I really cannot understand how he could have been sent to the Pound. We are going to miss him”. Bridgette’s words were “Bosco is a very gentle boy who responds to voice commands very well. He is very, very loving and responds well to hugs and kisses. He is a quick learner as he is eager to please. He is insecure at times. I’m not sure what worries him but he prefers to stay at home until he is coaxed by putting him on a slip lead then he is very happy to be outside. With patience and understanding of his occasional lack of confidence, his owner will be hugely rewarded”.

SOCIAL LEARNING Bosco blossomed whilst with Sarah, their smashing 1 year old Labrador, Rocky, her husband and their lovely 4 year old little girl. Rocky had been a bit of a handful at the time but, when Kathryn went to see him after three weeks, she couldn’t believe the positive impact Bosco had had on Rocky as they had become firm friends.

TRAVEL: Bosco is happy and content travelling in a vehicle. He needs to be secured firmly (as all dogs should be for safety) as he will try to worm his way into the front seat. If he does slip the net, he will never object to being put back. 

HOUSETRAINING: He is fully house-trained BASIC TRAINING: Sarah says “He wants to be good but is still like a typical puppy who has been given little training. He does jump up on people and on furniture, both of which need to be worked on”. Bridgette says “He has not received much basic training but he is quick to learn”.

RESOURCE GUARDING: Bosco has shown no evidence of resource guarding and is very happy to share.

SEPARATION ANXIETY: There have been no signs of separation anxiety. He has made no attempt to escape or wander.

LEADWALKING & RECALL: Kathryn says “As long as he is walked,  he is as happy as a clam.  He is strong on the lead although not overly so but his recall does need work”. Bridgette has found he will walk `loose lead’ using a slip lead. He is in very good health but his fitness needs building up a bit which will happen naturally both playing with her dogs and walking round their land. ADULTS and

CHILDREN: He is very friendly with all humans but can do a bit of gentle puppy mouthing so he would be best suited in a home without younger children.

DOGS: He loves a ball and having a canine pal to play with. Bridgette says “Bosco is displaying some puppy behaviour helped considerably by our own 1yr old puppy, Max ie they demolished a couple of feather cushions on Bosco’s first night! This only happened the once and we know the real culprit!!!!!!!!!   When he has fully matured he will be a perfect gentleman, not so sure about naughty Max” CATS: He adores Bridgette’s cats and is very gentle with them.

CHICKENS, HORSES and LAMBS:  Bosco is amazingly good with all other animals.

BOSCO’S DREAM HOME

Bosco would be best suited with someone who is very active and who has other dogs so he has canine company, male or female. Someone who is happy to continue with his training in a kind and positive way would be perfect. Kathryn says “He is nothing but a joy but has never been given the chance ‘to shine’. The family who get him will be incredibly lucky and I have promised Hilary and Angela that the home he gets will be a magical one, where he will be loved and looked after for the rest of his life”. IRR intend making sure that wish comes true and already had the perfect forever home in mind

THE PERFECT FOREVER HOME (June 2017)

Otto went off happily to live in his Forever Home in Devon with Tracey, Mark and their menagerie of rescued animals.