Reuben

REUBEN’S HISTORY

Reuben is 10 months old and he was surrendered to IRR with Holly, who is also in foster.

FOSTERER’S INITIAL ASSESSMENT: UK – APRIL 2012

Reuben is a handsome boy who is very friendly, well natured and loving. He likes to follow you around the house and likes to lie where ever you are. Reuben loves people and he has been great with the kids. He seems used to living indoors – he is not startled at all by household noises, and when people come into the house he gets excited but greets them by sitting at their side. We have seen no sign of food or toy possessiveness and Reuben will happily allow you to take things from him. He eats well but he is not obsessed with food. He is housetrained and we have had no accidents so far.

Reuben loves to be groomed , cuddled and fussed and will often come up to you and put his head on your lap and put his paw up and lean into you. He is a big softie.

He will chew wood etc. in the garden but has not been destructive in the house at all. So far he has not dug or attempted to destroy the garden in any way. Reuben has not been cat tested in the home environment and we haven’t yet come across any cats while out walking. We do have Rabbits, and he is showing interest in them: he barks at them and likes to watch them, but he has not attempted to try to get in to them. While out walking Reuben does pull on the lead quite a bit at first, but he does seem to have had some training as he can walk nicely at times. Traffic noises don’t bother him.

Reuben has been friendly towards other dogs on our walks. If we take Reuben out in the car he hasn’t worked out how to jump into the back of the car yet, so we have to lift him in. He doesn’t mind this, so he doesn’t appear to be reluctant to get into the car, it seems to be more to do with not understanding what to do yet.

FOSTERER’S 2ND REPORT – UK: APRIL 2012

Reuben remains the most affectionate and loving dog, instantly rolling over to have a fuss or tummy tickles. He is always happy. He has also become more boisterous in his play and has accidentally knocked Lily our 5 year old over in the garden. He didn’t hurt her, but with this in mind he may be more suited to older children perhaps, as my son who’s 9yrs gets on brilliantly with him, playing ball etc. He does love children, adults and other dogs and is always eager to go and say hello. Reuben is still learning house rules and he does sometimes pick things up in the house, e.g. the kids’ toys, and if given the chance will chew or take them out to the garden. If told “No” he will stop and look at you with his big lovable eyes.

He does seem quite interested in our rabbits, so maybe a home without small furries would suit him.

Rueben’s walking is improving using a harness, which he seems to like. He doesn’t pull much now and often he has been tagging behind. He is a pleasure to walk with. He loves to play with other dogs and he plays brilliantly with our 7year old dog, who is helping to guide him.

Reuben has been left for up to 3 hours in the house with our own dog, although they have been separated, and all has been well. He does whimper a little but soon settles.

25th April 2012- REUBEN has gone to his forever home

Today Reuben has gone to his new home. He is pictured here with Irene and his new companion Tetley. He snuggled up and had a snooze and seemed quite settled.

Update from REUBEN’s forever home: June 2012

We feel so fortunate to have given Reuben a home as he is such an adorable boy. We lost our lovely bitch Clemmie in September who was a month off of 13. Our 14 year old boy Tetley was devastated and seemed very depressed. Reuben has really made a difference to him and he is now taking much more interest in life. Reuben settled in with us immediately after being fostered by my lovely friend Pauline and her husband. Within a week of him coming we took him on holiday to our caravan with Tetley and our two Westies and again he took it all in his stride and loved running in the New Forest. He is very respectful of Tetley and loves to snuggle up to him.
Reuben is not at all greedy for food but eats well. He loves our bin and we constantly hear the lid go plop when he sticks his head in it!!!!!!!! He is such a loving dog and loves to get on our bed in the morning and have a cuddle. Reuben is my 6th Retriever and we are besotted with him and his wonderful disposition and I think he loves us too!!!! On Friday we will all be going to the caravan again so he will swap Wendover Woods and the Chiltern Hills for the New Forest.

Thank you all so much for the wonderful work that you do and for making people like us sooooooo happy.
Love Irene and John xxx

Update from Reuben’s Forever Home – July 2012

We still continue to be so grateful that you allowed us to give Reuben a home. He is such an adorable boy and fits in with our family so well. He loves to be let off the lead and runs like crazy and it looks so funny with our two Westies following him!!!

He still loves Tetley our 14 year old Retriever and lies with his head resting on him which looks so cute. He is totally adaptable and settles wherever we take him. Auntie Pauline has looked after him twice for us and he can’t get through her door quickly enough!!!!

Here are some cheeky photos of Reuben with his head in the bin and dishwasher, and one with my two Grandsons Zack and Joel who also love him.

Thanks again for your wonderful work.