Woody Cuff

THE SADDEST NEWS (21 July 2014)

A devastated Lynne wrote to say “It is with deep regret and sadness that I am sending this email its to let you know that our precious Woody passed away last night.

He had been unwell for about 6 weeks with a chronic hacking cough. We have had numerous trips to the vets during this time, but they could not tell what was wrong with him. He was prescribed various tablets and antibiotics but to no avail. After a traumatic weekend with him my husband took him to the vets again yesterday morning. The vet spent 45 minutes checking him over and came up with same prognosis. He prescribed steroid tablets this time. When he came home he went straight down the garden to sit under his favourite apple tree. He spent all day down there. and would not have anything to eat or drink. We stayed by his side all the time.

Early evening his breathing became more laboured. We called the emergency vet, but by the time he came he had passed away. To say we were distraught does not come close.

We had three precious years with our boy and were proud to be called his mum and dad. Woody was such a laid back contented boy, a couch potato we used to call him. He was a pure gentleman in the house and with everyone that he met.

Thank you so much Irish Retriever Rescue for the gift of our beautiful boy and the joy he brought to us. I would also like to praise all the sterling work your team does.”

WOODY’S STORY

When he came into IRR care, Woody was a 5yr old very big male Golden Retriever who was fostered by Jackie in Norfolk for 3 weeks. She said. “During that time Woody was a total dote. He loved all the attention he could get, and would happily sit there for hours whilst being groomed. Woody pulled like a train on the lead, but was a lot better on a harness. He got on well with Bridie my GR, and they would play for ages.

Unfortunately due to family commitments, it was necessary to move Woody to continue his fostering with David & his family in Derbyshire. The photos are of David and his son when they arrived to collect Woody.

REPORT FROM DAVID

It was a hot sunny day when my son and I left Matlock to drive down and collect Woody from Jackie & Ron’s home in the depths of Norfolk. We had on board our fluffy dog Zoey who incidentally was re-homed to us only a few weeks earlier. After many pit stops not only for Zoey but also for my son, we arrived hot and bothered.

We were greeted by Jackie and a walking carpet!! Jackie had said on the telephone that Woody was a big boy, but boy, what a big boy he was. After the initial welcoming of a sniff and a wet tongue, a grateful drink was received with copious cakes. It was soon time to make tracks, but where do I put such a large dog with mine? Woody went into the cage and Zoey was strapped in the rear seats looking like a queen in a royal carriage. 4 pit stops for the lot of us later we arrived back in Matlock.

Over the next 2 days Woody made our house his home, until he came face to face with Harry, my oldest cat! Harry must have thought it was Zoey (I’ll get him some glasses from Specsavers) both looked at one another from 2 inches apart and both jumped. Woody up onto the table and Harry on to the work surface. Then it started!!! But let’s leave it like this: Harry went out and Woody did not.

Over the 5 weeks Woody was with us, he began to tolerate Harry but not my small cat Honey.

On one walk we learnt that Woody adores swimming, so we attached a 200 yd rope to him and he went for a swim nearly daily in the river Derwent with Zoey acting as life guard. On some occasions 2 springer spaniels would join in from my brother-in-law and it would be WHO will wash the cow poo off or the duck poo of the 4 of them!

The time came. A call from Jackie and a home visit to Woody’s new home seemed to be on the cards. What a lovely couple they are. They were making their rear garden into a dog proof escape nature reserve (it’s that big) suitable for small elephants and walking carpets. The day came and we took him across to Chesterfield, a few tears were cast by my son but, that was the way things should be. When we went around the rear we let Woody off his lead so he could walk around. Except Woody did not walk but floated as he ran across the garden. He is very happy there.

A happy ending to a shaggy Woodster ( as my son called him).

WOODY IN HIS NEW HOME

Woody is now living with Lynne and Lindsay. Lynne said. “It does not only seem like a week since Woody came to live with us. I cannot believe how quickly he has settled in. It seems like he has been with us forever. When I first saw his picture I knew that he would be a lovely dog.

Credit due to his fosterers, Jackie and David as he was in remarkable condition when David brought him to live with Lindsay and myself. The afternoon that David came with him, he just ran down the garden as though he had not got a care in the world. He has made friends with my next door neighbours spaniel, they have a few words over the garden fence first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

When he first arrived I had a little trouble handling him on the lead, we have got a halter but are trying to persevere with him on the lead although Lindsay does not have a problem with him. He still has a tendency to lurch forward if he sees another dog that he does not like the look of. On the second day that we had him I took him a walk and he took an instant dislike to an alsatian, I am afraid I could not hold him and fell on my knees.

My two grandsons adore him, they are down the garden playing football with him at the moment. Woody seems to be getting to know their names. I said to him today Cameron and Tyler are coming and his little tail started wagging. Last night he slept in their bedroom with them and gave them a big lick when they woke up. I am afraid their supply of cuddly toys they had on their dressing table at our house is slowly disappearing, he has taken them all down the garden to play with.

On Monday Lindsay took him to Pets at Home to be bathed and groomed he came back looking such a handsome boy, they had made a really good job on him. It did not last long after he had spent half the afternoon rolling on the grass. We are having no problems with his food, I have found a supplier of the Champs dog food who only lives about a mile from us, so that is really handy.

I have found he can be a stubborn character, for example this morning I was trying to sweep the kitchen floor, and he would not move, so I had to sweep and mop up around him. He loves a ride in the car, we have taken him to visit a few relatives and friends, and he sits on the back seat like a king. This is a pleasure for us to be able to take him out because my last dog Lady was sick in the car, so it meant that we could not go out with her for the day. We are hoping this weekend, weather permitting to take him to Chatsworth Park. I am informed by David that he likes swimming, and there is a river that dogs love to swim in there. Do not worry we will have him on a long piece of rope. David said he could not get him out when he took him he loved it that much, so it should be fun, the children are looking forward to it.

Finally I would like to thank the Irish Retriever Rescue and Jackie and David for bringing this wonderful character into our lives.”