Jess Update

[parker ink]

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We took Jess in out of pity (her owner has now died) as when her owner became ill and she was passed from home to home and she ended up in the pound so we wnet to get her.

I was so prepared for months of difficulty, crating, keeping dogs seperate, worrying about her adjusting to family life and children etc.

She and Cody have had a couple of arguements (scary noise, no blood and over in a second) but are happy together in the main. She is terrified of the cats but they are mainly in a seprate part of the house so its no problem really.

Although not a trained service dog she kind of trained herself to be for Ian (who had MS) and remains a very quiet and steady dog.

But now.... She loves to play and play and play with Cody. Its like she is rediscovering her puppy side and she whizzes aroud like a loon, rounding Cody up if she can get to him in time. They do that whole play bow, feint to the side and whizz off thing and it really does look like they are laughing.

Cody has stopped chewing his blankets and is much less nervous with her around.

Jess is very clingy and when we are in the living room in the evening she likes to have her head on your foot, or if you are sitting on the floor she is ecstatic and lies with as much of her body touching you as possible. She is used to sleeping with her old ower so this is understandable.

My duaghter has just had a heartbreak and could do with a bit of unconditional love. And this is a bereaved dog. So, yes, they have bonded hugely.

She was very down yesterday (weeping a lot - in private but evidenced by reddened eyes etc) but in the evening we settled with the dogs and within half an hour of receiving Jess's love she had cheered up completely.

So, we took Jess in to help her but it turns out that she is helping us.

 

[wilfred]

That is a really heartwarming story and I am so glad things are working out for Jess and your family. I hope everything is OK for your daughter as well.

Best wishes

Gill

 

[jinnyfizz]

I have a tear in my eye ...... what a beautiful post to read

I'm so happy that Jess has a lovely home and that all your lives are enriched because of this!! Fantastic :thumbsup:

 

[FeeFee]

That's lovely to hear, bless her it sounds as though Jess has got a whole new lease of life :wub: :wub:

Older dogs often give back more than they take in so many ways! Lots of good wishes and I hope all continues to go well :luck:

 

[Hula]

I have a tear in my eye too .

What a lovely story

 

[TTT]

So good to hear it is working out. You put yourself out for her and she is paying you back already.

 

[parker ink]

Yeah, am so glad we got her. I am not the sort of person who goes round rescuing animals - i generally consider that to be the place of people wealthier abd better with animals than me. The nearest i come to rescuing is chucking one can of every multipack of cat food i buy into the feline protection bin at the co-op.

Now i would wholeheartedly recommend taking on an 'oldie'. You get the wise, steady dog you pray your puppy will grow into.

I have just found out that service dogs, even home trained ones, are trained to lie with their head or paw on the owners foot when at rest so that the owner can easily cue them when needed. So maybe that's why she does it.

 

[Rae]

How wonderful. Jess is so lucky to have found herself as part of your family, she has definately started the new decade with luck on her side.

We've taken in 3 'oldies' in all, and never regretted it for a second. After 6 weeks we noticed a new confidence in 2 of them, which continued until a whole new personality developed. It was a real priviledge to watch. (What ever happened to the clingy & quiet 8 year old collie/lurcher cross... she mutated in to a chimpanzee at walk times and would try to go off with anyone that had a better frisbee than I did)

 

[parker ink]

I am really impressed with 'oldies' now. We r quite busy people and our lifestyle has changed. We used to live idylic country life and now we run a hotel and diner. When our first dog, Milo, died when Cody was only 6 months old it was very sad but there is no way we could have contemplated taking on another puppy. But Jess has just fit right in and is no trouble at all. i would now definately recommend an oldie to anyone. All the pleasure of dog comapny without the hassel and worry of a puppy.

People prefer to buy older horses rather than yearlings, I think some of the same benefits apply to older dogs. And you do get the same love from an older dog. Jess has bonded with us very quickly and it's like she's been here forever.

 

[wishbone]

So wonderful story of another unconditional love. Jess's late owner might help her to be that way of moving on and showing affections.

 

[meddling]

A perfect outcome for all, well done x

 

[parker ink]

Totally. Iain was not only a shepherd but a very good 'dog man' who was kind but insisted on good manners. Jess and Iain were very close. She was his last dog and did everything with him and even slept with him.

The more I get to knpw her the more I lke her.

She is continuing to enjoy herslef here - I have given up on trying to introduce her to the cats thoough ..

She has gone a bit lame over the past rfew days. I think she has sprained something running after Cody so its restricted excercise for a few days and if it dopesnt get any better I might have to get the vet have a look at her. Am pretty certain it's just a sprain.