Post by francesd on Mar 27, 2007 12:50:47 GMT -5
I first saw Fletch (then known as Chas) in September 2006 on the Lurcher Link Website in their 'other homeless hounds' section. I wasn't even a registered member on Lurcher Link then although I had been reading about lurchers on there for quite a while and looking at all the beautiful hounds that needed rehoming. At that time I hadn't ever heard of Greyhound Gap
I wouldn't even say that we were seriousley looking for another dog either but when I saw Fletch's picture and read the comments about him I was totally smitten.
We already had a 10 year old whippet x and had had another crossbreed (possible whippet x) who had died in January last year. Whilst we had talked about getting another dog the main concern was that it didn't cause any upset for Tyke. He took 3 months before he settled on a night following Taz's death and we didn't want to cause him any further anxiety.
Anyway like I said I was totally smitten with Fletch's picture and story so as soon as I saw him I showed him to Ian (OH) who imediatley agreed to me ringing up to find out more about him.
I spoke to Liz who explained about GG and how the right dog is matched to the right home. I was really impressed with how thorough the re-homing procedure was and how it was very much about the dogs needs being the priority.
Liz suggested I joined the forum and look out for info provided by Fletch's foster mum about his progress and she would set in motion the plans for us to have a home check.
The idea of a home check seemed really daunting, I guess I was worried that if we were not deemed suitable it might mean that we wern't providing a good enough home for Tyke - that would have devasted me. I needn't have worried, it went fine and we were given the go ahead to contact Sue who was fostering Fletch..
Sue and I had a long chat about what he was like and how he was settling in with her other dogs so it was great to hear that he was living happily with other dogs and that he was good with her children. We don't have children but have friends and family that visit with children so we were reasurred by this.
Fletch had come into Gaps care as a stray so no history was known. So the fact that he has stayed with Sue and her family was great, we had a much better idea of what kind of dog we would be rehoming.
We arranged to take Tyke down to Sue's the following week to meet Fletch and see how they got on, If all went well we were told we could take him home that day. Talk about nervous, I was really worried that Tyke might take a dislike to him or vice versa so when it went well and we were heading back north with Fletch stretched out on the back seat of the car we couldn't have been happier ;D
Fletch had only been with Sue a relatively short time, I think only a couple of weeks so there was obviously things about Fletch which hadn't become noticable. It became apparent that Fletch had problems with his joints and was diagnosed with arthritis. However this didn't worry us and with the right medication and sensible exercise he's made fantastic progress, he's now able to run off lead (when he's learnt to come back ) and only has off days when we have horrible damp cold days.
He's developed such a comical character, very playful now and just has us in stitches with his funny behaviour. He's a very loveable softy who adores cuddles and attention but is now confident enough to spend time on his own, e.g. relaxing in the garden without us having to be next to him all the time.
Offering Fletch a home is one of the best things we have ever done and I wouldn't hestitate to do it again and again and reccomend it to others.
Fran
x
I wouldn't even say that we were seriousley looking for another dog either but when I saw Fletch's picture and read the comments about him I was totally smitten.
We already had a 10 year old whippet x and had had another crossbreed (possible whippet x) who had died in January last year. Whilst we had talked about getting another dog the main concern was that it didn't cause any upset for Tyke. He took 3 months before he settled on a night following Taz's death and we didn't want to cause him any further anxiety.
Anyway like I said I was totally smitten with Fletch's picture and story so as soon as I saw him I showed him to Ian (OH) who imediatley agreed to me ringing up to find out more about him.
I spoke to Liz who explained about GG and how the right dog is matched to the right home. I was really impressed with how thorough the re-homing procedure was and how it was very much about the dogs needs being the priority.
Liz suggested I joined the forum and look out for info provided by Fletch's foster mum about his progress and she would set in motion the plans for us to have a home check.
The idea of a home check seemed really daunting, I guess I was worried that if we were not deemed suitable it might mean that we wern't providing a good enough home for Tyke - that would have devasted me. I needn't have worried, it went fine and we were given the go ahead to contact Sue who was fostering Fletch..
Sue and I had a long chat about what he was like and how he was settling in with her other dogs so it was great to hear that he was living happily with other dogs and that he was good with her children. We don't have children but have friends and family that visit with children so we were reasurred by this.
Fletch had come into Gaps care as a stray so no history was known. So the fact that he has stayed with Sue and her family was great, we had a much better idea of what kind of dog we would be rehoming.
We arranged to take Tyke down to Sue's the following week to meet Fletch and see how they got on, If all went well we were told we could take him home that day. Talk about nervous, I was really worried that Tyke might take a dislike to him or vice versa so when it went well and we were heading back north with Fletch stretched out on the back seat of the car we couldn't have been happier ;D
Fletch had only been with Sue a relatively short time, I think only a couple of weeks so there was obviously things about Fletch which hadn't become noticable. It became apparent that Fletch had problems with his joints and was diagnosed with arthritis. However this didn't worry us and with the right medication and sensible exercise he's made fantastic progress, he's now able to run off lead (when he's learnt to come back ) and only has off days when we have horrible damp cold days.
He's developed such a comical character, very playful now and just has us in stitches with his funny behaviour. He's a very loveable softy who adores cuddles and attention but is now confident enough to spend time on his own, e.g. relaxing in the garden without us having to be next to him all the time.
Offering Fletch a home is one of the best things we have ever done and I wouldn't hestitate to do it again and again and reccomend it to others.
Fran
x