20/06/2023: Junior has been adopted! Hooray!
Junior has a sad story to tell, but he is a survivor and is now safely with Chilterns Dog Rescue Society in Tring via a local housing association. His owner had moved on leaving Junior to fend for himself. According to official sources, the flat had not been entered for at least ten days and, during this time, Junior had been on his own, without food or water. Despite best efforts, no one came forward to claim Junior and none of the usual agencies was able to offer help. It was not until CDRS was informed of Junior’s plight that action was taken and he was brought to the Rescue Centre.
Junior is a brindle and white Staffie boy and he is 14 years old. After so long alone and without food, Junior was painfully thin and deeply traumatised. It was clear he could not have survived much longer. Four weeks on, Junior is doing really well; he has settled in beautifully and is steadily gaining weight and condition. He has now been approved for rehoming.
Although Junior’s microchip showed no current keeper information, it confirms he is an older dog – it’s just that Junior doesn’t think he is! He greets staff and volunteers enthusiastically and is always keen to go for a walk and have some more fuss. He is just starting to walk with other dogs and is generally quite disinterested. Understandably, it’s the company of people he craves.
Junior has fairly specific rehoming requirements because of everything he has gone through recently. He has no known history of being with children, other dogs, cats or small animals, so an adult-only home as an only pet would suit him best.
Junior is amazingly strong and active for his advanced years, his lead work is improving but, as yet, has little recall. As daily exercise would need to be on-lead, he would also require access to a secure space where he could run, play and let off steam off-lead before finding somewhere cosy to snuggle up. Junior’s main requirement is to have someone round most of the day. He will bark (like a seal) when distressed but every day is making a difference and, as he becomes more settled and used to the kennel routine, the calmer and quieter he gets. His new owner should be prepared for him to show some initial anxiety as he adjusts to yet another new situation but this should improve once he knows he is safe again.
Junior is amazingly robust after all he has gone through. He has been thoroughly vet checked and, apart from age-related changes to his eyes and some deafness, no major health concerns have been detected. Blood tests have also been carried out but, again, nothing untoward was detected. The decision to neuter him and to have a routine scale and polish of his teeth has been deferred because he is still underweight and might not tolerate an anaesthetic particularly well.
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If you have relevant experience and feel you could offer a suitable home to Junior, please contact Chilterns Dog Rescue Society as follows:
Tel: 01296 623885
Email: enquiries@cdrs.org.uk
Please mention that you saw Junior on the Oldies Club website.