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Our Old Dogs of the Week are Pepsi and Max who are 12-year-old, sister and brother, Labrador x Collies. They came into rescue after their owner died and they are in an Oldies Club foster home in Norfolk, between Fakenham and Dereham, waiting for a lovely new home together.
Settled well in foster: These beauties settled almost immediately at their current foster home. They had been unsettled at night at a previous foster home in a busier area though, so we’re looking for a home in a quiet location for them.
Can be left for short periods: Pepsi and Max’s foster carers have left them a few times for short periods, once for at least an hour. Upon checking footage on their web cam, they saw that Pepsi and Max settled down in the front hall looking perfectly relaxed, and they were welcoming but unstressed when their foster carers returned. That said, a home where someone is around most of the time would be the best option for this adorable twosome as they are very human-oriented.
Good with dogs: Both dogs have been perfectly behaved towards the many dogs they have met out on walks – friendly and calm.
Not used to cats: They do react slightly to cats they see on walks, and make as if to chase, but not very much. As far as we know, they have not lived with cats previously, so we are looking for a cat-free home for them.
Seem good with children: Pepsi and Max haven’t lived with children, but they have met a few aged 5+ in their foster home and been perfectly behaved and enjoyed playing with them. They would probably be tolerant of well-supervised younger children, but would be happiest if any resident children are older, so that they understand and appreciate an older dog’s need for gentle handling, and peace and quiet when they’re tired.
On walks: Pepsi walks beautifully on the lead but can be a bit reluctant if asked to separate from Max. Off lead she is perfect and stops and waits when called. She sticks close to her foster carers, occasionally runs on ahead with Max for a little bit, but always stops and waits.
Max is generally excellent on and off the lead, but when on pavements he will sometimes lunge at passing cars. It happens more at the start of a walk, or when he’s over-excited. He also reacts strongly to (mounted) horses, and occasionally bicycles. It is manageable and becoming less frequent, but can happen unexpectedly, even when he seems calm. So Max needs a secure harness and to be walked by someone fairly fit and strong. Off lead he is very good, doesn’t go far away, and has good recall. You just need to be careful on cycle tracks and bridle paths as he may lunge at or chase bicycles, or react to horses. His fosterers hold on to him when bikes go past and he’s usually fine.
Both dogs have a little chase after squirrels etc. Pepsi and Max are having two walks a day, one of around an hour, and then a 15-minute one at 6pm. They start off briskly but slow down a bit during the walk, especially Pepsi. That amount of walking is plenty for Pepsi, and Max is OK with it, but he does enjoy days when he gets a bit more excercise. Max also loves to play with a ball or squeaky toy in the garden or inside. Pepsi joins in for a bit, and fights him for it, especially if it’s a tennis ball.
Car travel: They had not had much experience of car travel, but Pepsi is very good in the car and seems to enjoy it. Max is always eager to get in the car, but he does bark sometimes – particularly at junctions if the indicator is used, and when he thinks he’s arrived at the destination. Other triggers can be seeing dogs, horses, bicycles and motorbikes. Sometimes it seems like he’s just excited, but it can escalate into him becoming agitated. His foster carers remind him to settle, and if he is able to he tries to self-soothe by licking Pepsi or his foster carers if he can reach them. Reassurance and a stroke can help. He has improved considerably, but has been prescribed a tranquiliser to help him cope with the occasional long journey.
Favourite pastimes: Max enjoys walks, playing with his favourite toys, tummy rubs and strokes, and being close to his humans and Pepsi. Pepsi enjoys going out in the car, walks, treats, tummy rubs, dozing nearby, interacting with her humans and being close to them and Max.
Their ideal home: Somewhere in a quiet, peaceful area, with a large garden. They’d like their people around most of the time, and at least one owner needs to be strong enough to restrain a largish senior dog. They sleep in the same room as their foster carers, in dog beds, but at their original home they used to sleep on a sofa, so it may be they were used to not sleeping in the same room as their owner.
Health notes: Pepsi and Max are neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and flea treated. They have no current health issues except they both have had sensitive tummies from time to time. Pepsi is having Royal Canin GI food, which suits her, and Max is doing well on Chappie – both recommended by the vet.
More from their foster carers: Pepsi is loving, intelligent, calm and cute. Max is loving, gentle and funny. Neither of them is keen on being separated from their humans or each other. We took them to stay on our boat where both were really good and well-behaved at all times, so they are flexible and adaptable. They are gorgeous!
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If you would like to offer Pepsi and Max a permanent home together, please read our Adoption Procedures for information about the adoption process. You can then contact an Oldies Club Rehoming Coordinator as follows:
Email: rehome@oldies.org.uk
Telephone: 0844 586 8656
They can be rehomed anywhere on the UK mainland – the closer to their foster home the better – subject to a satisfactory home visit. Note that you will be required to travel to the foster home to collect them.
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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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This replaces Pepsi and Max’s original page dated 7 August 2023.