Dogs looking for new homes
What a comforting thought this is — once an ElderDog, always an ElderDog — to those who have adopted an older dog from ElderDog Canada.
This means ElderDog makes a commitment to their re-homed dogs for the rest of their lives. If, for any reason, an adopted dog cannot continue in your home, ElderDog will make immediate arrangements to take the dog back into its care.
ElderDog Canada also has another wonderful program for residents who already have a dog and have that same concern about what will happen to him or her should something happen to you. You can register for ElderDog’s Long-term Care Registration Program, in which ElderDog Canada commits, in advance, to care for your dog if anything should happen. For more information, email info@elderdog.ca
What if you don’t have a dog, but you love dogs, and you’d like to help? You can still join ElderDog Canada. Foster homes are always needed, but if that’s not something you can do, there are plenty of other ways to help. Dog care support for seniors; professional, artistic, and technical opportunities; education and outreach; and even a wool and woodworking program are among some of the ways to take part. Visit www.elderdog.ca for more information on ways to help.
Speaking of helping, our feature dogs for this month are two handsome brothers, Caesar and Baby Boy, who need to find new homes. These two border collie/labrador (with a touch of doberman) mixed-breed dogs were born Christmas Eve, 12 years ago. They were raised in, and have lived their whole lives with, the same loving family. Through no fault of their own, Caesar and Baby Boy now find themselves looking for new forever homes.
They do not appear to be what is known as a “bonded pair”, so even though it would be lovely for them to go together, they can be re-homed individually. Both dogs are neutered, up-to-date on their wellness and core vaccinations and both have received clean bills of health.
Caesar and Baby Boy are house trained, and crate trained, but would prefer to sleep on the floor or in bed with you. They can be left alone for a while if there is nothing interesting to get into. However, all bets are off if there are any paper products, from tissues to cardboard boxes within reach.
Did someone say car? For people who like to take your dogs with you, these two love car rides.
Even though they are senior dogs, they do not act it. They are intelligent, sensitive, energetic, friendly, trusting, kind, affectionate and loving.
They sound perfect, don’t they? Well, almost, but not quite. Caesar, at 59 pounds, and Baby Boy at 52 pounds, will need you to know neither dog has been properly leash trained, so they would need someone with patience and ability to work on that skill. Smart dogs such as these could and would learn. They would require at least one good walk a day with lots of bathroom breaks. Also, neither dog has experience with children and a home with smaller pets might not be a good fit either.
The ideal home for one, or both, of these guys would include a sturdy fence over four feet high because they are both jumpers. To hold Baby Boy’s interest, hiding objects in the yard for him to find will keep his explorer’s heart content. Caesar loves to play catch and he will run for hours if you let him.
A favourite indoor activity for Caesar is counter surfing. He is just the right height and can clear one off in a jiffy. Baby Boy is a bit shorter at the shoulder, but he will do his best to follow suit.
Thunder and lightning storms will turn both boys into scaredy-dogs and they will run and hide.
Selective hearing may be employed if they don’t wish to come right away when called. With kindness, patience and love, these behaviours can be corrected.
Are you the special home for one or both of these dogs? If so, contact Cheryl at elderdogcentralnovarhc@gmail.com