Sammy Heesom

LATEST NEWS FROM SAMMY HIMSELF (2.4.2019)

I am still an extremely handsome mid gold Golden Retriever but, three years on, I am now 5yrs old. I have instructed Dad to send some recent photos of me and my crazy sister.

I hope he remembered to attach them to this message ‘cus, if he fails, Siabh says she will dig even bigger holes in the garden to teach him a lesson!

Lots of love,

Sammy (and naughty Siabh) xxxx

The first couple of pics are us looking gorgeous:-

She was staying with Aunty Lynn In Scotland while Mum and Dad went to Italy.

SAMMY’S EARLY HISTORY

In 2016, Sammy was a 2year old, extremely handsome if a bit portly, neutered Golden Retriever. This beautiful boy was clearly loved from a puppy but his owners could no longer give him the time and attention he deserved so, through no fault of his own, he ended up in rescue.    

Sammy was fostered near Bath with Pauline and Steve and their “gang”. He fitted into the pack easily and was much missed when he was adopted.

FOSTER ASSESSMENT

This boy is a typical, happy, friendly Golden Retriever. He is confident without being cocky, very loving and can be best described as a bundle of fun and joy.  

HEALTH: He is in good health, has been microchipped and was fully health checked for his Pet Passport.

He is overweight because of lack of exercise (32” at the ribs) but this doesn’t stop him having boundless energy so, with a good diet and appropriate exercise, the pounds should soon drop off him.  

SOCIAL LEARNING  

Housetraining:  He appears to be fully housetrained and goes to the door asking to go out.  

Leadwalking: Sammy is very strong on the lead due to over enthusiasm as he had been unable to have his regular walks recently but this will, no doubt, be easily overcome.

Already, after just a few days in foster, he is walking much better. He comes complete with his own brand new Mekuti harness, leads and matching collar kindly donated by two very generous IRR supporters.

General obedience: Sammy already understands sit and down and will shake paws. He responds to “Sammy come” in the house and garden but a proper recall will need work before he could be let off the long line. He will “settle” when told. He is very quick to learn and has taken to clicker training like a duck to water.

Food: Despite his size, Sammy is not a greedy dog. He will wait for his food and eats at a very reasonable pace. He will also wait for treats, sitting quietly, when with all the other dogs.  

Children: He has not, so far, been tested with children but there is nothing to suggest he would be anything other than good with them. Due to his size, he would probably be better suited to over 5s.  

Dogs: Sammy adores other dogs. He will play endlessly with them but he may be a little too much for an older dog. Endless full on play, although seemingly OTT, with one of the fosterer’s younger dogs (Rhani) was easily controlled and Sammy would then lie quietly and soon be snoozing.

Cats:  Apparently, he was not good when tested with cats in a kennel situation so this was going to be tested again as soon as possible to make sure. His fosterer suspected, because of Sammy’s lovely nature, with the right cat, he would probably be fine.  

SAMMY’S DREAM HOME

Sammy needs a home where he will be loved to bits, played with, fully exercised and given a nice healthy diet. He would enjoy a home with other active dogs or as an only dog with people who have plenty of time to spend with him and who would meet up with other dogs when out on walks so he can get his fix of play.

With a little more training, Sammy is going to make a wonderful addition to someone’s family.

GREAT NEWS MARCH 2016

After his prospective adopters made the long journey down to Somerset to meet him, Sammy went off happily to his forever home with Mike and Janette.

UPDATE FROM HIS FOREVER HOME (12.3.2016)

Mike tells us “Sammy is settling into a bit of a routine now. He is having three walks every day at consistent times and although he is still very strong on the lead we are confident that with time this will come good. He gets quite excited when he sees another dog (perhaps he is looking out for Gizmo and the gang) and whenever he goes somewhere new his little nose is working overtime!

The photos are of Sammy just after his walk this morning.

On Monday, Janette took him to the barbers so he is now looking even more handsome than before.

On Wednesday evening, he went for his first visit to the local dog training group. He has started in the first class (for puppies etc.) so that he can learn everything from scratch. He loved being with the other dogs and we are sure that he will make some good doggy friends there.

We have found a secure paddock near to our house (just like Gizmo’s field but not as big). It is owned by the local Greyhound Rescue Centre and they let us use it on Thursday so that Sammy could have a good run round on his own and also practice his recall. All of the people there really loved him and couldn’t believe that he was also a rescue boy! He is going there again tomorrow to let off some steam (hopefully with Arthur, one of our friend’s dogs). Arthur is a similar aged playful black Retriever and he will give Sammy ‘as good as he gets’ if it comes to rough and tumble!

He has been back on the scales again today. We didn’t believe them last week so we went for a second opinion only to find that he is now 32.5kg so he has lost another kilo since last week.

He is getting more confident and is starting to play on his own a bit more now with toys/bone and he is not following us around so much. He has been left a few times for very short periods and we are so pleased as there haven’t been any little accidents or incidents.

I am actually wondering if he really is a dog as I still haven’t heard him bark yet but Janette says he does, mainly when he sees a bird!

He is truly a gorgeous boy and I am sure that is mainly due to how Gizmo and co: trained him when he was staying at their house!!!!!

Sammy sends his love to all at IRR”