Rosy Hewitt

Sad News 22nd March 2024

Rosy’s mum wrote, “I can’t believe I am writing this post. We have lost our beautiful Rosy today (22nd march 2024). She was full of cancer and was very poorly. We are heartbroken that our little pocket rocket is no longer with us. If you knew Rosy you loved her she captivated you with her cute little Bob tail and her mischievous ways. Go play with Alex, Kelly, Fran and Sherry sweet girl, knowing how much you were loved and how much you are missed already.

History

HAPPY WITH HER FOREVER FRIEND, INDY

Rosie has a nice new name and a new friend in Indy, another lovely IRR girl, who was adopted in May.

HISTORY

Summer is an extremely small, light cream 7 year old female Golden Retriever. She received all the vaccinations necessary for securing a Pet Passport and was groomed but she has not yet been spayed due to the terrible condition she was found in.

Summer was found tied to a tree in the scorching heat, with no water or food of any description. She had difficulty walking but it is unclear whether this was due to some arthritis or because she was tied to a tree and unable to move for an undetermined time. She weighed just 18 kilos and was, clearly, a breeding bitch. We believe she has not fully grown due to malnutrition and being used too many times for breeding. Her tail was partly docked which must have caused her extreme pain. Summer had been burned on her hind leg, possibly with a poker or branding iron which would have caused her significant pain. The hair has not grown over it. Her coat was in a sorry state and, when found, she was caked in faeces.

Summer was found with Joy who, for days, had not left her side even though she was loose. This girl kissed her incessantly, to let Summer know she was going to be all right. When Summer was groomed, she was very scared, but her friend, Joy, licked her reassuringly.

Initially separated, Joy started to worry and fret as she was the first to get into the car but, once put together with her friend, they settled down and snoozed knowing for the first time things were going to change for the better.

Summer desperately needed IRR’s help and thankfully the Dog Pound held Summer till our Ireland Co-ordinator could get to her. She was treated for sarcoptic mange, ticks and was de-flead and de-wormed. Carlow Kilkenny Dog Pound gave her first vaccinations and microchipped her. She also was treated with Metacam to help her back legs. IRR was not charged a fee, as is normal to release a dog from the Pound, which was their way of helping Summer along her journey.

There are many dedicated people in rescue who do their utmost to help dogs and, much like Ennis and Offaly pounds, Carlow Kilkenny pound do the same. We are more than fortunate to have a wonderful relationship with these dog pounds who every year are inundated with unwanted dogs.

Summer and Joy went into long term foster in Ireland with Cathleen and her own gentle rescue dog until they were sufficiently healed and had recovered enough, mentally and physically, for their journey to start again. The two dogs slept together, ate out of the same bowl and drank out of the same water bowl. and, slowly, they made a remarkable recovery. The girls were then ready to move to the UK to two very experienced fosterers, David and Alison.

FOSTER ASSESSMENT

HEALTH: Summer has a pronounced limp on her left hind leg and often bunny hops in preference to putting full weight on it. It does not appear to cause her pain but will be investigated. She does not put full weight on the pads on this leg and the foot appears to be possibly deformed or damaged. There is a skin scar around the knee joint indicating a previous trauma which had not received veterinary attention and probably resulted in the leg problem.

PERSONALITY: She has a gentle, affectionate personality. Her size, bob tail and temperament make Summer comparable to a Golden Spaniel. She is very friendly with adults and, although she originally had no idea how to begin, she is now starting to enjoy playing with humans. It is easy to imagine her becoming quite boisterous when she gets her mojo back.

SOCIAL LEARNING

It was fully intended to keep Summer and Joy together forever but, once in foster, with their personalities fully developing, it was discovered there was actually a strange and sometimes strained relationship between the two dogs which David and Aliison felt would become more and more detrimental to both of them so Joy was moved to a fosterer where she could be happy and relaxed as an only dog and Summer stayed with her new found foster friends. This proved to be an extremely positive move for both dogs.

Travel: Summer travels well in the car and is able to settle easily.

Basic training: She had not received any basic training with no idea of her name, sit etc. She is now learning routines and should be very responsive to training with titbits. Every day she is coming out of herself and will hopefully be playing with toys and with Daisy and other dogs soon.

Without Joy around she loses her timidness and is happy to trot alongside and come for attention and titbits. As her confidence grows the difference between her behaviour with and without Joy is more pronounced each day.

Housetraining: Unsurprisingly, Summer must have been an outside dog and so was not house-trained at all initially. Now, her toilet training is going well with just an occasional accident overnight or if not watching her closely enough.

Separation anxiety: No signs of separation anxiety

Resource guarding: No evidence of resource guarding.

Leadwalking and recall: She walks well with a slip lead. She didn’t know her name but, now, Summer is beginning to come when called to a whistle.

Children: Untested with children

Cats: Untested with cats

Dogs: She is a lovely dog who is very friendly with other dogs and will soon learn to play them. We think she would benefit greatly from being with another dog to give her a proper playmate. In the garden and the house, Summer has become a much happier and confident dog now Joy has been separated from her.

SUMMER’S DREAM HOME

Summer needs a very special home where she will be happy for the rest of her life, with no fear of any further abuse or neglect. A gentle doggy companion, who could show her the ropes, would be perfect. She deserves to be the centre of someone’s universe so we believe she would probably blossom in an adult home with maybe visiting older grandchildren.

This very small Goldie, with her delightful personality, beautiful face, smashing coat and unusual bob tail, for sure, will soon become a delightful addition to her loving forever family.

THE BEST POSSIBLE NEWS (November 2016)

Summer became Rosie and went to live in her Forever Home with Indy who would be able to show her the ropes.