20/03/2024 – Storm has gone to a super new home!
Storm is a 9-year-old Terrier x Bichon Frise boy who came into rescue because his owners were moving and couldn’t take him with them. He is in an Oldies Club foster home in South Elmsall, West Yorkshire.
Summary: Storm walked into his foster home and settled almost immediately. He cuddled up like he was at home within the first day. Storm’s main love in life is being cuddled up to his human, but he also loves a really long walk occasionally, so at-home people who are still active are what he needs. He’s afraid of strangers, so they need to crouch and let him go to them rather than being allowed to just touch him. He needs to be your only pet but could live with teenagers who will provide cuddles but won’t manhandle him. He really doesn’t like being picked up so you need to let him jump up on things himself. He’s not keen on being left on his own so needs someone home most of the time.
Likes to have company: Storm loves cuddles and human interaction, so he’s looking for a home with someone at home to cuddle and play with him as often as possible. Although he doesn’t enjoy being left, he will settle down if you need to go out for a short time, especially if given his meal or treats as you leave.
Needs to be an only dog: Storm seems friendly with other dogs he meets, and wants to play with them. He only has a problem if the other dog is aggressive first. We were told that he’s lived with another dog in the past but in his previous foster home he didn’t get on with the resident dog. He therefore needs to be the only dog in his new home and have all the cuddles for himself!
Unknown with cats: We don’t know for sure how Storm would be with cats in the home so we are looking for a cat-free home for him.
Teenagers only: Storm has lived with children in the past, but he wouldn’t want to be pulled around. His foster carers think he would be fine about living with sensible children aged 13+ so that they’re old enough to provide cuddles but also understand that he doesn’t like to be picked up at all.
Walks aren’t his main focus: Although Storm enjoys going out for a walk, being at home with his humans and having cuddles, is almost as much fun for him. He isn’t too fussed about standard walks but enjoys them once he gets out. He pulls at the start of a walk but does settle down after a while. He is being walked on an extender lead so his recall hasn’t been thoroughly tested, but he stops when you call his name and will forget about other dogs once he passes them. As well as his regular shorter walks, he’s currently having one very long walk per week (between 2 and 4 hours). He gets muddy very easily but knows it is usually bath time after a long walk.
Good on the bus: His foster carers have taken Storm on 30-40 minute bus rides and he has travelled well. They haven’t taken him in a car, but when he was transported to them — a 90-minute car journey — he was sick.
Storm’s favourite pastimes: His foster carer told us: “He loves cuddles so much. He sometimes forgets personal space and can step on you without thinking, but only to get more cuddles! He will paw at you or bop you with his nose if he thinks he’s not had enough! He’s so, so loving. He likes to play fetch but sometimes forgets he needs to let go of the toy in order to play! He likes playing tug too. He sleeps for probably half the day and likes to steal your seat if you get up! On a walk he likes to run and walk and always wants to meet other dogs and sometimes people.”
Storm’s dislikes: He can be afraid of strangers, especially strangers entering the house, but once given reassurance, and treats, he will calm down. Storm barks when he’s afraid. Strangers should not be allowed to just touch him but instead should crouch down a few feet away and let him go up to them. He hates the vet, but a muzzle and treats can get most vet checks done. He does not like being picked up at all – he will yelp and be very upset if you try to pick him up. Instead he is very happy to jump up anywhere instead. If it is a high place, such as a vet table, he’ll happily jump onto a chair and then onto the table. He also knows to jump in the bath if told to.
Storm’s ideal home: A home with people who want a cuddly dog that will happily be petted for the whole day long. He needs people who understand his little quirks and are happy to put in the time with him. He isn’t a needy dog but loves and deserves the attention. If you are sick, he will stay by your side in bed. If you are cooking in the kitchen, he will keep you company. If you want to sit and read, he will be your little hot water bottle. He is an incredibly sweet dog who needs people that will love him for the rest of his life, and he will love you back with all he has. At night, Storm sleeps in his own bed in the bedroom. His foster carers let him hop up on the bed when they go to bed, and he will then hop off after around 30 mins to go to his bed. In the morning, once he has heard you talking and knows you’re awake, he will hop up to give you “good morning!” cuddles.
Health notes: Storm is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and worm- and flea-treated. He has a slight heart murmur that needs keeping an eye on as he gets older. At his latest check we were told he is doing great. He is prone to ear infections, so his ears will need to be cleaned periodically and be checked if they seem to be troubling him. He’s having a supplement with his food to prevent his anal glands getting blocked.
More from Storm’s foster carers: “He’s loving, cuddly and loyal, has a big personality, and really deserves to be loved. He loves going under blankets, be it to play or sleep or cuddle! He doesn’t shed unless brushed. Storm knows commands: wait, sit, go for a wee, outside, dinner, toy/ball, walk, bed, no, good boy. He also understands pointing and is quite an intelligent dog. He has only ever once peed in the house, and it was in the first 10 minutes he was there. His foster carers showed him where to go instead, praised him when he did, and he’s never had a mistake since. He will whine at you when he needs something, be it the toilet, water, food etc.”
If you would like to offer Storm a permanent home, please read our Adoption Procedures for information about the adoption process. You can then contact an Oldies Club Rehoming Coordinator as follows:
Email: rehome@oldies.org.uk
Telephone: 0844 586 8656
He can be rehomed anywhere on the UK mainland – the closer to his foster home the better – subject to a satisfactory home visit. Note that you will be required to travel to the foster home to collect 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.