Again, I’ve been somewhat distracted by my COAPE coursework, and sorry for the lack of updates. I will endeavour to go back to prioritising my blog. I have so much to share as Zeke is 22 months now, and we’re back on developing him as he enters adulthood.
I’ve submitted my COAPE Case study 1 for assessment. I can’t share too much about him as he’s not my dog. But if you have Husky experience and can meet a shelter’s rehoming criteria, send me a message. He is an amazing boy. He can’t be rehomed with other animals, or small children. He would love space to run and access to water (a paddling pool is fine) ? A large garden, or access to Paw Paddocks you can rent to let off some steam are a dream in this scenario.
I find it sad that shelters, or rescue centres, get a lot of grief for rehoming criteria. There are many reasons why there is a rehoming process. In my experience a good shelter will have spent time understanding the dog from the way they arrived at the centre, and through their own day-to-day interaction. The criterion improves the prospects of the dog going to their forever home. For a dog to go to and from the shelter is traumatic, and that’s before you take on board everything that happened before they landed there. Being in a shelter is not a bed of roses. They receive the best love and care when there, but it’s not where anyone wants a dog to be. This is why you are asked about your lifestyle too, there’s no point having a herding type dog living in a fourth floor flat, leaving it home alone to bark and stress at every noise, with little access to green spaces, for example.
As for Zeke, early August I managed to break a bone preventing me from walking him. I am blessed with fab friends and neighbours who helped in so many ways with shopping, welfare checks, and one in particular who walked Zeke every day.
Zeke is a sensitive little bunny though, and while he loves people, he found the change in routine difficult to comprehend. We’ve had to go back a few steps with training, reinforcing ‘look’ with treats to help him stay focused when there are other dogs around. Other dogs still mean play, and that is totally my fault! I was so desperate to socialise him when he was a puppy, I didn’t give him enough calm time with other dogs in sight.
We have some time before case study 2 is due in. He’s a lovely affectionate lurcher btw, he’s just not at all keen on other dogs.
Until next time
Jen
