Rory

Finn and Rory are both big, golden coloured, six year old, Golden Retrievers. They have received their vaccinations to go to the UK and were neutered and groomed.                

HISTORY

Finn and Rory came through Ennis Pound, one of the Pounds we deal with on a regular basis, and Martina in Babydog Rescue who was able to facilitate them getting to IRR. Their owner decided to leave Finn and his brother Rory in the Pound before emigrating. He asked that they be kept together as they have been together since they were very small. Little is known about their backgrounds other than they have lived outside together all their lives.

Finn and Rory are so tuned into each other that, if one is around, the other isn’t far behind, so much so that Kathryn, had to take them out of the car together. The bond shared is incredibly close and they cannot be split but IRR do not expect to have any problem rehoming Rory and Finn to the best home possible. We know a fabulous forever home will be waiting for these stunning brothers. They are being fostered in the UK by Marion and David.                  

HEALTH

Marion tells us “Both dogs are very healthy but Finn’s eyes do weep a bit. He doesn’t like having the drops administered but they have reacted well to the ongoing drops and the right eye has cleared up although the left, so far, has not.  We will keep giving him the drops”. 

PERSONALITY

Finn and Rory are boys with sweet personalities. They are both gorgeous Goldens who have a lot of love to give. They are always happy provided, of course, their brother is allowed to tag along.

Finn is a big, beautiful boy who is gentle and more laid back than his needier brother. He is mostly top dog but he does fade into the background a little when Rory pushes to the front of the queue. He does occasionally assert himself over his brother when he wants a cuddle on the couch.  

Rory is a lovely boy but he always pushes in when the petting is being handed out and often growls (not aggressively) and barks if he thinks he is being ignored.  He has a mischievous side as well and when I left all the dogs in my conservatory, while I was cleaning the house, he was chewing my laces, the handles of brushes etc just to try and get my attention.  Nevertheless, overall, he is a great family pet.     

SOCIAL LEARNING

They do seem to have had some basic training possibly when they were a lot younger.

Marion says “Since they have been living in my home, I have not had to change my routine at all.  They toilet, eat and walk with my two in the morning and then are happy to chill out whilst I am out the house for a few hours either working, at the gym or shopping.  They have shown no signs of destructive behaviour at all, just a little attention ‘nibbling’.

Rory is happy to play fight with Finn all day.  They have a little mad half hour when I come into the room first thing in the morning.  They can be quite boisterous, just because of their size, but, equally, they are very calm and laid back when it’s time to chill out. The heating oil delivery man said that, when he was in my garden, filling the tank up, the dogs just lay there and watched him. They didn’t even bark, so I wouldn’t say that either of them are guard dog material!”.

TRAVEL: They both travel well and are happy and content in a vehicle

HOUSETRAINING: Not surprisingly, they weren’t house-trained initially but, after a couple of weeks in foster, they are.

LEADWALKING: Finn has taken to the Halti like a duck to water.  Any time we stop, usually to pick up poo or chat to our neighbours, he instantly sits down without being told. Even when walking with a child in charge of him, was extremely good.

Rory pulls a bit on a slip lead but is better on the size 3 halti which he is getting used to.  Neither dog has been tested on a body harness

RESOURCE GUARDING:  There has been no evidence of resource guarding. They are not food or toy possessive.

SEPARATION ANXIETY: There have been no signs of separation anxiety from either dog although, of course, they are pretty much always together.

ADULTS and CHILDREN : Finn and Rory are very friendly with both.

Rory has been in contact with a large 3 year old toddler who is used to dogs.  She pushed him out the way and told him to “gerroff” which he did without reacting.  He also behaved well in the company of older children and loved the extra attention he was getting from them.

Rory is very friendly although he did try once have a go at Cid who just ignored the behaviour and didn’t react to it. He has shown himself to be a lot more ‘needy’ when it comes to being petted.  Rory will always jump on to the couch when you are inviting another dog to sit up and will also push in when I’m cuddling one of the others.  He does the GR growling chat and will do this if he thinks he’s being ignored. CATS: Neither dog has been tested with cats but, despite not barking, typical of dogs who have lived outdoors, they are very animated when they see them in the street. 

THE DREAM HOME FOR FINN and RORY

They simply need a nice gentle house with people who will spend time with them and who will show them that, just because they have a new life, it doesn’t mean the two brothers are not going to be loved.

Marion says “I would say that this pair would be well suited to a family with a large enclosed garden so that Finn and Rory can play fight without getting in the way indoors.  They are good with children of all ages and have settled quickly into life in our household.  There are many good points about these boys.  The only ‘bad points’ are things that are easily remedied and will just take a bit of time, like Rory responding to his name and getting used to the halti”.

April 2017

Finn and Rory have gone to their Forever Home.