‘OLD DOG OF THE WEEK’ FEATURES NEW PHOTOS AND A FRESH WRITE-UP FOR AN OVERLOOKED OLDIE THAT HAS BEEN ON OUR WEBSITE FOR A WHILE BUT IS STILL WAITING FOR A NEW HOME.
Please help Belle by sharing this page!
Darling Belle is an 11-year-old Schnauzer Cross in the care of Mayhew Animal Home in Kensal Green, North West London. She wants a retirement home with no other pets or children and with a human or two who are around most of the time.
Belle loves her walks! She will try to avoid contact with other dogs and can sometimes be grumpy to those that approach her, so will need an owner who will give her guidance and reassurance where needed.
Belle has some hearing loss. She isn’t completely deaf but doesn’t respond to verbal cues. She’s learnt some hand signals whilst being on foster and responds very well to them. Mayhew can provide 3 free sessions with their Animal Behaviourist to help settle Belle into her new home. She’s neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and is up to date with flea and worm treatment.
Her foster carer said, “We’ve now had Belle for over a year. She’s broken the record for our longest foster. When I tell people this when they meet Belle they find it very odd. Why has no one adopted her? She is such a sweet, intelligent, loving soul. She is very obedient and well behaved.
“Belle does have issues though which might put people off and make her less appealing or less easy to adopt. But of the dogs we’ve fostered she’s actually one of the less challenging ones. She’s quiet and peaceful, never had an accident in the house and never ever been destructive. Belle is hard of hearing. While not totally deaf, she doesn’t hear verbal commands. But she is bright and keen to engage. So she has easily learnt sign language. She responds to hand signals for stop, sit, wait, paw, other paw, No, and “all gone”. You do of course have to get her attention in order for her to see the hand signals.
“Belle is scared of being approached by strange dogs, especially larger ones. She will react and quickly let them know to back off. Once you know this you learn to be aware and try and avoid it happening. She sees a small group of dogs regularly in the park and over the months has grown to trust them and become friends. She actively seeks them out now, especially as some of the softer owners often give her treats and cuddles.
“Belle is wary and distrustful of being handled by strangers. When she first came to stay with us she would seek cuddles but tolerate it for only very a short time and then get anxious. But over time she has grown to trust us. She will come and jab your hand with her nose to get you to stroke her. If you stop before she’s had enough, it’s another jab with the nose. She’ll climb on the sofa and lie down next to you and roll over on to her back for tummy tickles and might even start ‘talking’ while you rub her belly. Belle is such a rewarding dog to look after. The right person would be so lucky to have her come and make their home her forever home too.”
If you might be the kind person Belle can rely on to keep her safe and snuggled, please contact Mayhew Animal Home as follows:
Phone: 020 8962 8000
Or complete the application to adopt on Mayhew’s website, click here.
Please say you saw Belle featured as Old Dog of the Week on the Oldies Club website.
This replaces Belle’s previous page dated 28 January 2024.