Oscar is an exceedingly handsome 11-year-old German Shepherd Cross who came into rescue after one of his owners sadly died and the other went into care. Oscar is in an Oldies Club foster home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Settled quickly: Oscar took around two weeks to settle properly at his foster home. He is proving to be a wonderful boy to have around and his foster carer readily sings his praises.
Can be left for a few hours occasionally: Oscar is fine when left for up to 4 hours, however he does need a home where someone is around a lot of the time. He thrives with human company, especially as he was home alone for a number of weeks at his previous home, with neighbours popping in to feed him and walk him. When he arrived in foster care he was hungry for attention and for someone to be there with him, but over the weeks he has gained confidence and can now be left for a few hours, provided he has had a walk, a treat, and has the TV left on for him.
Would like to be your only dog: Oscar is fine with some dogs he meets and is happy to sniff, wag his tail and then carry on with his walk. If they bark or lunge at him though he becomes stressed and will try to retaliate, but he is controllable with the word “Leave” and a gentle pull away to continue his walk. His foster carer isn’t certain that he would settle with another dog, as his friend, a Jack Russell Terrier, came to visit the foster home and Oscar was quite unsettled. This, coupled with the fact that Oscar has previously lived as an only dog, mean that we are looking for a home for Oscar where he will be the only dog.
Might chase cats: During his time in foster, Oscar has gained confidence around the neighbour’s cat and he now wants to chase. Oscar therefore needs a home without cats.
Good with older children: Oscar adores young adults and teenagers. He is also fine around young children, but if they start to squeal or chase around he wants to get out of the way. The minimum age of child that Oscar could live with is therefore 10 years old.
Oscar meeting young people on a walk:
Very good on walks: Oscar’s foster carer tells us: “He’s wonderful on walks. He does not pull at all and he comes back to me when I call “Here Oscar, this way”. If I need him to stop for any reason I just tell him “Wait Oscar, my good boy“. Oscar has three walks per day, of between 15 minutes and an hour, depending on how Oscar is reacting. If he seems happy to continue, that’s what they do. He really loves his walks, even in the rain, with his coat on.
Oscar being a Very Good Boy on his walks:
Good in the car: Oscar hasn’t travelled much in a car, but when he has he’s travelled well.
Oscar’s favourite pastimes: Cuddles, meeting people and being fussed over. He loves going for walks. He likes being talked to in the house, and fussed! He can be a little thief, both inside and out of the house, so you do have to watch him to make sure he doesn’t have anything he shouldn’t, but he responds well to “Leave it”. He enjoys being brushed and chewing on his chew sticks.
Oscar enjoying his chew but not liking being filmed:
Oscar in the garden responding to a whistle:
Oscar’s dislikes: Oscar doesn’t like shouting or raised voices. He goes into another room when the hoover is on, but he returns as soon as it stops. He also doesn’t like having his photo taken! He will move away if he sees the mobile phone being pointed at him.
Oscar’s ideal home: He loves to be around people and he gets quite giddy when being fussed by young adults and teenagers, so a family with older children would suit him well. He would also be happy with a couple, or even a single person. As long as he can interact with people, Oscar will be content. If he receives love and cuddles he will give them back tenfold.
Sleeping arrangements: Oscar prefers to sleep in the sitting room, with the door open to the kitchen etc. He does go upstairs at times, but he doesn’t want to sleep there. Maybe he would if was living with younger people: he might want to sleep on their bed.
Health notes: Oscar is microchipped, neutered, vaccinated, wormed and flea treated. He has had a clean bill of health from the vet after having blood tests and a dental clean. He just has a little arthritis and is taking Loxicom for this, with good effects, and he will need this for the rest of his life.
More from Oscar’s foster carer: “Gentle, loving and a joy to be around, that’s Oscar. It is a pleasure to walk him. Oscar will take treats, very gently, from your hand. He comes up to you for a fuss when you’re sitting down, gently pushing his head under your arm and hand until you stroke him. He is very clean in the house and he is starting to let me know, with a bark, if there’s someone at the door. This boy is one of the most gentle dogs I have known and he thrives on loves, fuss and gentle words. He adores people, especially young people, and would stand all day receiving as much fuss as he can from them. If he gets a little wet when out, as long as you dry him gently he doesn’t complain. If you are looking for a big, gentle boy to share your life and bring you joy, then this is Oscar. He will return love to you tenfold. He gets excited when you put his lead on to take him walking, but will gently stand while you do this. He doesn’t pull on either a short or long lead; he responds to commands of Wait etc., and he loves to meander along, sniffing, and wagging his tail when he meets people. He has a wonderful shiny coat and loves to be brushed. Oh what a joy this beautiful boy is. He will melt your heart, as he does everyone’s.”
If you would like to offer Oscar 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.