Stormy Knight

October 2020

Storm Knight has followed his Mum (Shelley) and doggy sister Maisie Moo to Rainbow Bridge.

2019 WAS A VERY SAD YEAR FOR STORMY

First there was the loss of Stormy’s sister, Maisie Moo, who went to be with Big Bear Barney at Rainbow Bridge on 10th February.

Then his beloved mum, Shelley, lost her own battle and went to Heaven on 8th July to be with all the four dogs that she so adored.

HISTORY

Storm is a neutered, light gold coloured , Golden Retriever who was 5 years old in 2017.  He is very healthy and has been microchipped and inoculated. He has got his passport and everything needed to travel to the UK. He is slightly overweight but will soon slim down with exercise.

This beautiful boy came from a wonderful family who had him from a pup.  He had a friend who was a Collie who was 16. Unfortunately, due to circumstances completely beyond the family’s control, they could not keep both dogs and were truly heartbroken about letting him go.

They wanted the assurance that Storm would get the most fantastic home possible and that is what IRR promised.  Storm had been taught to be gentle amongst children and has learned lots of tricks. He is a truly stunning dog.

He loves apples and gets one every day. He is gentle with cats and with other dogs, although he seems to frighten small dogs but only because of his size. He went to the UK to be fostered by Louise who described him as “Absolutely gorgeous in every way!!”

PERSONALITY

Storm is the most gentle, delightful boy. He really is a sweetheart!  He’s funny, cuddly and very handsome. He has settled very quickly into our routines here and hasn’t shown any difficulties with family and pack life. He is starting to show his real personality and so he is becoming even lovelier by the day!

He is happiest when surrounded by our family and dogs, usually in the kitchen, he never takes himself away and he can always be found curled up by someone’s feet or sharing a bed with one of our dogs.

Storm has a lovely temperament. He has met lots of dogs and different people of all ages and has got on with everyone. He is mostly confident but he does get frightened easily and already draws comfort from me and expects me to ‘protect’ him..

His default expression is a smile and his tail rarely stops wagging. He’s inquisitive and gets up to the usual mischief you’d expect from a GR. He loves toys, especially teddies and balls but he isn’t at all destructive.

SOCIAL LEARNING

TRAVEL: He didn’t initially travel particularly well in the car, whining and getting stressed, but this was, clearly, due to the trauma of the recent split from his family . We were sure this would lessen in time and, already, he is much happier and content travelling in a vehicle. He has picked up our routines very quickly so he waits at the door before going out, can get in and out of the car without fuss and on command.

BASIC TRAINING: He is well socialized, has very good recall and understands several basic commands – spoken and hand signals. He is a real credit to his original owners.  

He is always eager to get out for a walk and behaves beautifully when we are out. He’s picked up the habits of my pack very quickly and can sit and wait patiently while I put harnesses on all 5 or as I’m weighing their food out to feed.

HOUSETRAINING: He is fully house trained.

SEPARATION ANXIETY: Storm shows some separation anxiety. He whines and searches, running from door to door (but eventually stops)  if I leave the house and even if someone else is in. He barks if I leave with any of the other dogs and he thinks he is ‘humanless’. He seems ok when left alone with all the dogs as they are contained in the kitchen but I haven’t left him without another dog as yet.

RESOURCE GUARDING: There has been absolutely no evidence of resource guarding. On the contrary, Storm is fed with my other dogs and is happy to wait for his turn to get his bowl. He’s is very, very gentle and will not take or beg for food. He also happily gives up whatever he has in his mouth to people and other dogs if they touch it. He is ‘learning’ how to play and gets quite excited. He is still incredibly gentle but will now play tug games and pick up toys and present them to us for play.

LEADWALKING: He is always excited to go out for a walk and behaves impeccably when we are out. He’s loves water and seeks out streams,  rock pools and muddy puddles. Today, he discovered the art of digging in the sand – he’s achieved expert level already!

ADULTS and CHILDREN: He adores people, children especially. He isn’t phased by babies crying,  teenagers gaming or the constant flow of delivery people knocking at the door at this time of year. . He likes to be near humans and is very affectionate but never demanding or pushy.

DOGS and CATS: Storm is very friendly with cats and with other dogs. He gets quite anxious if he can’t be around them. He also gets very, very anxious if he can’t see a human. I have left him alone with different combinations of my dogs for short periods but he gets quite upset as I prepare to leave the house.

He has really come out of his shell this week and plays confidently with both dogs and people. He is still sometimes worried by other dogs movements, especially fast movement towards him. He is quite worried by unpredictable/skittish dogs. I think he could be quite easily ‘bullied’. He’s fine with my grumpy Millie – he even chooses to sleep with her and ignores her growling protests. But he does run to me for reassurance if he is around dogs that run towards him in a dominant manner or play very boisterously. He has started to play bitey face, chasing and tug games with my dogs but almost needs reassurance it’s ok to do it.

He is quite vocal and barks (nicely) at other dogs (and occasionally people) to get them to play or let him join in. He is especially keen on young dogs and is almost having a second puppyhood racing round and chasing youngsters he meets but he is gentle and never overly boisterous. He’s happy round older dogs but doesn’t have the confidence to join in their play yet. He is absolutely delightful and he is always happy!

STORM’S DREAM HOME

This boy could fit in almost anywhere due to the loving family that he came from and the time invested in him. As Storm has been used to a pal, he is best suited with another resident large, gentle dog, whether a male or female makes little difference.

Storm loves to be surrounded by other dogs and we don’t think he would thrive as an only dog. Storm is going to be a wonderful dog provided he is given the time to blossom and is not rushed too much after the huge trauma of leaving the family he adored. 

FANTASTIC NEWS (FEBRUARY 2017)

Storm went off to live in a wonderful Forever Home with another IRR dog, Maisie, where he fitted in immediately and enjoyed a wonderful life of long walks and exciting holidays.