15/9/2019 Patch is very happy to report that his foster carer has fallen in love with him and he has been adopted!
Patch is a 10 year old Patterdale Terrier X Labrador who came into the Oldies Club rescue as his owner was unable to look after him. He’s now in a foster home in Witney, Oxfordshire while he waits to be offered a permanent home.
A busy boy in foster: Patch started to get the feel of his new surroundings as soon as he moved into his foster home. It took about two weeks for him to completely relax. There was a resident dog to get used to, plus he had to test the boundaries of the garden very thoroughly for potential escape routes, to start new adventures!
Loves company: Patch needs someone to be with most of the time. His foster carer has left him for up to 2 hours but it’s obvious he really wants to be a near constant companion, with time alone kept to a bare minimum. Bless him!
Wants to be your only pet: Patch is sharing his foster home with the resident female Lab. He’s doing OK but he’d clearly rather be the only dog. He hasn’t got the hang of sharing the love and attention… or space on the sofa.
Out and about Patch can be selective with other dogs when he’s on the lead. He must have missed doggy etiquette classes as a pup, as he sometimes grumbles if another dog tries to make his acquaintance by sniffing his bottom. Off lead it’s a different story – he loves to play with other dogs and have a good run around. As for cats, his Terrier nature makes him a bit too interested in them.
Prefers grownups at home: Patch hasn’t been around children since being in foster and his carer thinks he’d be happiest in an adult only home. We were told he was fine with visiting youngsters in his previous home but cautious supervision is best. His nap times must be respected, of course!
Loves his walkies: Patch gets very excited when he starts out on a walk and is strong on the lead initially. One of his walks every day is on lead to practice this and he’s improved a lot during the time he’s been in foster. He needs fit owners who can manage this enthusiasm to explore. At the moment he has two or three walks of at least 30 minutes a day but he would happily do more if you wanted to!
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He does have good recall when not distracted but in typical Terrier fashion he often finds too many interesting smells to concentrate on such trivia. He loves to follow his nose and look for squirrels, rabbits and the like. Some daily off lead time is important for Patch’s happiness and wellbeing BUT it needs to be in a safe, secure area. He loves to learn and would benefit from an owner who was willing to work with him on giving his recall a little brush up. In the home & garden his recall is 100% and he stops what he’s doing immediately to run to anyone calling him – it’s easy where there are no distractions!
A back seat driver: Patch doesn’t hold with car journeys and will sing you a sad song about it the whole time he’s on one. He’s slightly better if someone can sit on the back seat with him (with a safety harness for him). However, this is one activity he’s set his face against and doesn’t mind telling you!
Patch’s favourite pastimes: Being with his people, cuddling on the sofa, walks, playing and pottering around in the garden. Oh, and eating!
Patch’s dislikes: The Hoover, it seems, requires subduing by barking. Patch’s foster carer puts him in his crate when it’s on, for the sake of everyone’s nerves. He’s not keen on going out in the rain and any vets can just jolly well stop it!
Patch’s ideal home: One where he’ll get plenty of exercise, have a steady routine and at least one person to follow around and assist with whatever they’re doing, all day. He does need active owners and requires sofa snuggles of an evening. He really wants to be able to sleep in his owner’s bedroom too. He’s very good and stays in his own bed all night but company and feeling safe are very important to him.
Health notes: Patch is neutered, microchipped, flea/worm treated and will be fully vaccinated very soon. On his vet check he needed his anal glands emptying, which might need doing again in future. He had a slightly enlarged prostate but the vet decided no treatment was needed and gave him a clean bill of health.
Patch’s foster carer said: “Patch isn’t a typical oldie. He may be 10 and a half years old but he looks and acts like a younger dog. Once he bonds with you, you will have a loyal friend for life. He loves snuggling up on the sofa in the evening and will regularly come to you for a fuss and a cuddle. He needs a home with someone around most of the time, who is happy for him to want to be with them all the time. He sleeps in his bed in my room. He’s super good, stays in his bed all night, no mooching about, no attempt to get on my bed and no noise except a bit of gentle snoring! He needs to be allowed to share a bedroom with his people. He’s busy, clever, loyal and loving. He would love to be the centre of your world!”
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If you would like to offer Patch a permanent home, please read our Adoption Procedures for information about the adoption process. You can then contact an Oldies Club rehoming co-ordinator as follows:
Email: rehome@oldies.org.uk
Telephone: 0844 586 8656
Patch can be rehomed anywhere on the UK mainland, subject to a satisfactory home visit, but note that you will be required to travel to the foster home to meet him.
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If you would love to offer a home to an oldie but your circumstances aren’t suitable, perhaps you would be kind enough to sponsor one of the special oldies we are caring for that, due to health problems, are unlikely to be offered a permanent home.
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