We'd lost our rescue lurcher Blue a month previous aged 15. I was heartbroken. The house without a lurcher wasn't a home at all. I was a little in two minds about getting another dog. Was it too soon? I think in the end I had to conclude that I still had a lot of love to offer and Leo might fit the bill.
Leo was a stray who'd been hit by a car and suffered the most horrendous break to his leg. He'd been taken to Shepley Vets, but obviously as nobody's dog, they were reluctant to perform much in the way of surgery and Leo was nearly put to sleep. Thankfully the vet pinned Leo's leg and handed care of him to the Dogs Trust who continued his treatment. Leo was such a wriggly pup that he actually managed to pop the pin that was holding him together so it was taken out two weeks early.
We visited him again on Sunday 12th August (the day before my dad's 70th Birthday) and took him for a short walk onto the grass. I have to say he was a total gent, not bad on the lead considering he'd been on strict rest for so long and history as a stray.
Here he is looking proud as punch to be out on the grass:
The following Tuesday we attended an adoption talk with Debbie, the Dogs Trust Leeds manager, who gave us all the lowdown on rescue dogs and we were given a bag of the biscuits they had been feeding the dogs in the rescue centre and a few other leaflets and goodies. We were kindly given a copy of Leo's medical records (which were a bit of an eye opener I can tell you!) which I gave to our vet at Calder Vets Huddersfield. Here is Leo just before we went into the training room at Dogs Trust for the pre-adoption talk - this boy's a nutter lol! All the other dogs were laying there all quiet and lovely and Leo was desperately trying to wrestle his tag off!
Leo came home with us straight after the adoption talk. The first thing we noticed was how flippin' wonderful he was in the car! Considering the fact that he had been hit by one he was very keen to be in one!
Here he is looking quite relaxed in the back of the car:
Leo's first night went ALOT better than we thought it would - Leo slept soundly at the bottom of the bed, only waking at 1.30am - Stuart took him out for a tinkle just in case ;)
The best part of Leo is that he seems to be pretty much toilet trained. He's had a couple of accidents but that was to be expected. Otherwise, if he stands in the doorway and nudges the door we've a pretty good idea that he needs out.
So, what else have we learnt this week?
- Leo nibbles like a puppy!! Usually when you are least expecting it! Must get a handle on that QUICK!
- He likes chunks in jelly - NOT chunks in gravy.
- He does not like eggs.
- He likes horse poo, but it doesn't like him,
- Leo will offer to play with every dog he meets, regardless of size, breed or age - fortunately so far this seems to be serving him well.
- Kong Toys are our saviour!!
More next week :)
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