Simon is an elderly Jack Russell Terrier Cross who came into Oldies Club care in June 2023 via a local authority pound. He was picked up as a stray and never claimed. As he was really struggling in kennels they asked if we could help.
Simon settled in quickly to his foster home and slept through from the first night. It became clear quickly that he is completely deaf and also partially sighted due to cataracts. A vet check discovered Simon was suffering from an ear infection which was rather painful for him so he was given painkillers, ear wash and drops. They also confirmed that he had a head tilt possibly due to a previous stroke or ruptured ear drum. Simon also suffers from some neurological issues as he often wanders aimlessly then will come to a halt and just stand staring into space and swaying. His concentration just wanders and he forgets what he is doing.
It soon became clear that Simon also has anxiety issues and does not like to be left. The first time he was left he howled and barked constantly. Even when a neighbour came to sit with him he wasn’t happy as he had quickly become very bonded to his fosterer. He likes to stick close to her when he is awake. He is like a little shadow.
Due to Simon’s anxiety and neurological issues Oldies Club made the decision to place him in our sponsor dog scheme. This means he will remain at his lovely foster home on a permanent basis, with the charity paying his vet bills for the rest of his life.
Simon is not a morning dog. The shortest walk possible will do then. He sleeps most of the day but that’s to be expected at his age. In the evening when it’s a little cooler, he can happily take his fosterer for over a mile and they are definitely ready to give in first.
When awake Simon is really sociable with both people and other animals. He goes with his fosterer when she runs a stall at the Craft Fair and is delighted with all the fuss that he receives. He has also gone away on a couple of little holidays including a visit to a farm high in the remote hills. Simon got on brilliantly with the resident cat and dog but was somewhat wary of the horses and the deer. He could however obviously make out the squirrels as he wanted to chase them.
Due to his deafness Simon cannot be let free of the leash as he has no recall and he becomes totally disorientated in wide open spaces. However he has no problems negotiating the garden and loves the fact that the open back door gives him free access to the outside world. When he’s had enough of exploring he loves to simply come and curl up for a snooze.
Simon is a good eater although very messy with it. The neurological problems have left him with severe balance issues and he tosses his food around, though he usually manages to find it. It can be comical watching him with treats as he cannot manage to hold with his paws as well as eat. It seems he is only able to manage one thing at a time.
Simon is mostly calm and he loves his cuddles. He will experience mad puppy moments with running around and jumping up on the furniture. Sometimes he’ll come running to jump up for a cuddle but as soon as he gets there he wants to get down again, only to immediately want to jump up again, again as if he can’t settle to one train of thought. He is starting to settle down for longer cuddles. 
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 Simon, or one of the other special oldies we are caring for in our sponsor dog scheme.