22/7/20 – Special little Spike has found a fabulous new home!
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Spike is a super little 14-year-old Cairn Terrier who came into the Oldies Club rescue because his owner was working long hours. Spike is in a foster home in Melrose, Roxburghshire, waiting for someone to offer him a permanent home.
Spike’s ideal home: Special Spike would like kind and patient owners who will give him the time and space to adapt to his new environment. He’s a lovely old boy who needs easy access to a safe garden as he likes to go out for a wee frequently, and for this reason he also needs people who are at home a lot of the time. He isn’t incontinent, but when he needs to go he does need to go straight away, so you will need to be unfazed about any accidents. He loves to toddle about and will be very happy in a home where he can potter around the garden and back inside as he pleases. He doesn’t see well, so needs an uncluttered space.
Spike at his foster home: Little Spike took a while to settle at his foster home but he is improving all the time, working things out for himself. He is deaf and has limited sight, but he doesn’t much like being helped, lifted or led. He likes to spend time pottering about, making sense of his environment. He walked into things regularly at first but is fine now. He also couldn’t manage the stairs at first, but now he bounces up them. Spike didn’t respond much to his foster carers at first but is now interested when anyone arrives or leaves. He has a waggy tail now and then, normally if he thinks there is a chance of some interesting food. He is not very interactive with people at the moment, but that will change when he has fully relaxed and feels safe.
Can be left for a short time: Spike doesn’t mind you going out for an hour or two, after he has had his walk, and he will probably just sleep. He isn’t suitable for people who go out to work though.
Good with dogs: Spike could live with any type of dog, if reasonably calm and friendly. Energetic and playful dogs do not worry him, but an old gentleman like Spike might get knocked over by very boisterous dogs, so he would prefer steadier friends. He is a slow eater so will need to be fed separately from other dogs. He loves a chew but will have them stolen by faster, cheeky dogs, if you aren’t quick to intervene.
Not used to cats: Spike has no experience with cats.
Could live with kind teenagers: Children will need to respect Spike and give him space. He wouldn’t like being petted by small children, but older children, aged 12+ would be fine.
Enjoys one walk per day: Spike walks well on an extending lead. He has not been let off lead due to his eyesight being poor, plus he is deaf and has no recall. Spike enjoys a good bit of stopping and sniffing, particularly at the beginning of the walk, then he settles into a steady pace and can walk for 30 minutes, possibly more. He definitely only likes one walk per day.
A good traveller: Spike is perfect in the car. He travels in a crate in the back and he settles straight away and is very quiet. He needs lifting in and out of a car – he currently weighs about 7kg but he is slightly underweight.
Spike’s favourite pastimes: He likes his food and chews and he loves treats. He also likes to toddle about the house and garden.
Spike’s dislikes: He isn’t usually a nervous or worried chap at all, but he doesn’t like a visit to the vets.
Health notes: Spike is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and has been wormed and flea treated. He has a slight heart murmur but this shouldn’t need any treatment. He is deaf and has limited sight, but other than this he is very healthy. He has had skin problems in the past, but these can be kept in check with one bath a week with some nice mild shampoo. Spike isn’t taking any medication. He has had blood and urine tests which showed nothing abnormal and his liver and kidneys are functioning well.
More from Spike’s foster carer: “Spike is easy-going, quiet, independent and undemanding. He has had a lot of changes to deal with for an elderly chap and has come through very well, but he will need a long settling-in period, during which he might keep his distance from his new family. Being deaf and partially sighted, he may jump if you touch him without warning, so gentle patience is needed. Spike is not a difficult dog at all. He sleeps all night, is very easy-going, and very quiet; he rarely barks. Spike should fit well into a household that is relaxed about accidents in the house, and will give him time to adjust to his new surroundings. He is good tempered, and has never been grumpy. I think he will bond with his new owners, but he will need kindness and respect.”
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If you would like to offer Spike a permanent home, please read 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
Spike can be rehomed anywhere on the UK mainland, subject to a satisfactory home visit, but note that you will be required to travel to the foster home to meet him.
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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.
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