1/7/12 Mabel has finally found a new home. We are so pleased for our special girl.

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This is Freckly Mabel! Mabel is an 8 year old Border Collie who came into our care, via the pound, after being tied to a lamppost and abandoned. She is in an Oldies Club foster home near Southampton, Hampshire, waiting for someone to offer her a permanent home.

Mabel was very overweight when she first arrived, but after a few months at her foster home she has lost lots of weight and is looking absolutely wonderful. What great work by her foster carer!

When she first appeared on our website, Mabel had lots of home offers, but the offer we pursued for her didn’t work out (through absolutely no fault of Mabel’s) and by that time, the other interested parties had gone elsewhere. And now, Mabel is no longer getting noticed, despite being a fabulous girl. So we decided to put her in the spotlight once again, with these lovely new photos of the minimised Mabel.

Below are Mabel’s details:
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Summary of Mabel: Mabel is a gorgeous girl who is energetic and loves playing ball. She’s an obedient, intelligent girl and loves cuddles and attention.

This very short video was taken when Mabel first came into our care, but it demonstrates that she loves running:

Settled quickly; Clean in the house: Mabel settled into her new routine very quickly and soon learnt her new name. She barks when she needs to use the garden and only had one accident in the house – this was on the second day and now she is settled into the routine she is completely clean.

Can be left: Mabel is fine to be left for up to 4 hours, possibly more. Mabel will happily stay in one room while her fosterer does chores, but she likes to check what’s going on now and then and insists on a cuddle!

Could live with a part-time worker: Mabel likes having someone around but could cope with living with a part-time worker, but probably not full-time.

Dog-friendly, but needs to be the only dog: Mabel is good with dogs she meets out and about but she is jealous of the other dogs in her foster home getting attention and can be snappy with them, so Mabel needs to be the only dog in her new home.

Unknown with cats: Mabel has not been tested with cats or small furries. Her fosterer has chickens which Mabel loves to sit and watch – she is fascinated and likes to slowly stalk them but has made no attempt to enter their enclosure or chase them.

Likes children aged 8+ : Mabel should be fine to live with considerate child of around 8 years plus, and she would be delighted to play ball for as many hours as possible! Mabel can be quite insistent about getting attention so wouldn’t be suitable for a family with very young, time-demanding children. Mabel loves to be cuddled, stroked, fussed and brushed by her fosterer’s 11 year old son. She likes to be with him when he is on the floor, playing on his PlayStation.

Loves walks: Mabel gets very excited when she sees a lead. She walks happily by your side and doesn’t pull. Off lead she walks ahead but never out of sight. She loves to explore and she checks her companions haven’t wandered too far! Her recall is good – she stops instantly when called and comes back when you call again. She sits and stays on command too. She loves to find a fir cone and when it’s thrown will search and bring back the same one. She likes to carry a small stick but this has been controlled by her fosterer because of the danger of injury. Mabel is having one walk a day but also spends about 30 minutes a day playing ball.

Good in the car: Mabel is happy to travel in the car and is quiet and settles well. She might need assistance getting in a high car.

Mabel’s favourite pastimes: Mabel is full of energy and loves to chase balls and pounce on them to stop them. She brings the ball back, drops it just out of reach then picks it up and throws it. Indoors she likes to carry a soft toy, and also loves to mouth a squeaky ball, but doesn’t bite it — when the squeaking becomes annoying she doesn’t mind it being taken away. And she will have as much stroking and fuss as you’re willing to give!

Mabel’s dislikes: Mabel is a little hand shy – she closes her eyes and puts her head down towards the floor. She sometimes misreads an attempt to stroke her head or fuss her, but when she realises the intention she is very appreciative. She is a little timid of raised voices.

Mabel’s perfect home: Mabel would be happy in most homes, as long as she gets time and attention. She would love to live with children who are old enough to play ball with her and be her friend! Although she is good with other dogs when she’s out, she would prefer to be the only dog in her new home. Her family will need to be careful with her diet and give her the exercise she needs.

Health notes: Mabel is vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and flea treated. We do not know for sure whether she is spayed (the vet found a promising scar though); if she comes into season in her new home, her adopters will need to have her spayed, at the Oldies Club’s expense. Her eyes are clear and her ears and teeth are unusually clean. She has a very slight heart murmur but she doesn’t need medication for it. She arrived considerably overweight but after a sensible diet and plenty of exercsie she is now very trim.

Foster carer’s summary of Mabel: “It seems that Mabel has been starved of attention for a while, although it is evident she was once well cared for, loved and trained. She is so appreciative of any attention she can get, even if only a stroke in passing. She listens intently when you talk to her. Mabel will add fun and happiness to any home. She is fluffy, gentle, lively and loving.”

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If you can offer Mabel a permanent home, please refer to our Adoption Procedures for information about the adoption process. You can then contact an Oldies Club rehoming co-ordinator as follows:

Email: rehome@oldies.org.uk
Telephone: 0844 586 8656

Mabel can be rehomed anywhere in the UK, subject to a satisfactory home visit, but note that you will be required to travel to the foster home to meet her.

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If you would love to offer a home to an oldie but your circumstances aren’t suitable, perhaps you would be kind enough to sponsor one of the special oldies we are caring for that, due to health problems, are unlikely to be offered a permanent home.

This entry replaces Mabel’s original entry dated 10 February 2012.