Rocky Scrivener

CLEARLY AN IMPOSTER

Rocky was a 6 year old neutered Boxer boy who we were asked to help to rehome as a favour. He had lived with another dog, Piper the Golden Reriever, and cats (not that he was overly keen on them) but the owner had, reluctantly, had to give up all his animals due to his wife’s illness.

REPORT FROM MIKI

He was fostered in Ireland by Miki who said of him “I fostered him for almost a week and it was such a great pleasure. He is true to his breed, loyal, kind and very submissive once he gets to know you. He is very good in the house and is great with children.

He is brilliant on the lead, doesn’t pull or walk in front of you. Even off the lead (in a safe place) he walks right beside or behind you and will follow you wherever you go. He gets on very well with some of the dogs and enjoys chasing with them but he is not good with small animals or even small dogs as, to him, they are fun toys to play with.

He was on the dry food soaked in a chicken stock, boiled chicken and veg, but he is not a fussy eater.

I believe he lived in the garden in his original home but he adjusted very well with the new environment. He is fine with steps, lift, and wooden floors and is improving with toilet training. He is a very fast learner. He would make a great family pet and I really hope he will find the best forever home. No other dog has showed me love the way he did. He is strong and gentle and would love you with all his heart.”

ASSESSMENT FROM GILL

In the UK, Rocky went into foster with Gill in Nottinghamshire. She said “Rocky arrived via Andy on Sunday 6 th June 2010, looking very sorry for himself. Andy reported that he had travelled well. We changed cars and we took him home to meet ‘the boys’ deciding en route that we would allow them to meet in the park on neutral territory. The journey home was bliss. Rocky jumped into the back of the car, instantly laid down and that was the last we saw of him until we stopped at the park. He didn’t even try to get over the back seats.

Rocky was brilliant on the lead. My daughter took him into the local ‘Pets at Home’ whilst I fetched the boys and he was a true gent and won hearts there too.

In the park, he had a short walk alone whilst I went to collect the boys (Cisco and Ozzie). When they met there were a few sniffs all round then they all continued as if they had always walked together. He doesn’t pull at all in fact he loves to walk close to you almost to heel !!

Back at home he settled very well and within an hour or so was snoring loudly!!!!! He does seem to think that if you get up from where you are sitting that he should instantly cosy up in your place!! He soon learns though as you only have to say “no” and he will get down.

We fed him a light meal on Sunday as he had been travelling with Andy for most of the day and I have to say he has excellent manners, he doesn’t bolt his food and cleared his dish- even though it wasn’t his own. He came with nothing but a collar and lead so we have bought him a blanket which I have to say is now shared between the three of them. It’s a bit like draughts they move from one to the other but it will go with him when he finds his forever home.

I have to say that, on initial assessment, Rocky is a lovely dog. He greets you enthusiastically although does not jump up at all, he loves to lean on you and if you sit on the floor he plonks himself on your knee! He doesn’t seem to have any bad habits and gets on very well with the boys. We took him to visit another dog yesterday (Monday) and, after a little grumbling on the other dog’s part, all was well.

He doesn’t seem to be phased by anything in the house, in fact he took the vacuum in his stride so much that he just watched it happening!!

He will make someone a wonderful companion as he has tons of love to give.”

UPDATE JULY 2010

Karen said “Rocky has been with me and Mum now for about a month and has settled well into life in the Brogden household. He has taught us some lessons as well as us teaching him.

Without a doubt, he is a lovely dog and will make someone a real mate as he loves to be with humans. Rocky has been to my Dad’s a few times and he has cats. They keep well out the way but, when he has seen them, he has taken some interest and the natural dog cat thing has been apparent. I am sure if he comes face to face with a cat that stands its own ground he will soon learn as he is a very quick learner.

Rocky has adopted his best pal in Ozzie and copies pretty much everything he does apart from some of the good behaviours. We found that feeding him on a scoop full of dried food with plenty of water by the side of him has stemmed a lot of the naughty behaviour which seemed to be worse when he was hungry. He learns quickly and is eager to please but still has some anxieties about being left – the calmer it’s done the better then he will settle down. We have bought him a blanket and bowls but he has chewed a plastic bowl when he was bored. He has also been kindly donated a wicker dog basket which he is getting use to as it creaks but he does like his comfort!

He will settle quickly into a person or family routine and we will be sad to see him go but to see him happy will be a good sight too.

UPDATE ON ROCKY 12.7.2010

Gill and Karen tell us “Rocky successfully went off to his new home a short while ago. He got on well with both his new owner and her dog. He was a little unsure at the start but, once settled, did his usual trick of leaning and being Rocky.

Kate, Anne and the Boxer, George, are lovely and Rocky is going to a very loving home. It sounds like he’s in for a treat this weekend as he will be going to the beach with Anne in their caravan.”

UPDATE 13/07/2010

Gill says “I had a call last night from Kate who says Rocky settled in after the journey and was snoozing on the sofa !!! She is going to keep in touch and keep us all updated with pics”