Fred is a 9-year-old Bichon Frise who came into the Oldies Club rescue as he wasn’t tolerating the children in his home. Fred is in an Oldies Club foster home near Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders, waiting for someone to offer him a permanent home.
Summary: Fun-loving Fred loves to be with his people, preferably *on* his people, and being a part of whatever they’re doing. This is why his foster carer calls him FOMO (fear of missing out) Fred! He’s good with dogs, could live with teenagers, but is unknown with cats. Fred loves a trip out in the car and a good walk, then it’s back home to settle down on someone special.
Settling gradually: His foster carer thinks it will take a while for Fred to fully settle and trust. He is a happy boy, but he feels the need to keep a close eye on his people in case anyone leaves him.
Can be left, but prefers to be with you: Fred is generally OK about being left, in the company of the resident dog at his foster home. He may complain a little, but will settle and he isn’t destructive and doesn’t make a mess. He isn’t happy being shut in another room though, or being inside when he can hear you outside. He sees no reason why he can’t be included in everything his people are doing. Hence FOMO Fred! If one person leaves the house, he will whinge just a little, even if another person is there. Fred will need some time to relax in a new space, and time to bond. He has lost two families already and needs to be sure that you won’t leave him too. For this reason, we are looking for a home where Fred will spend most of the time with you and where he will be included in your activities.
Good with dogs: Fred is fine with other dogs and he can live with them, but he doesn’t want to share his food, his chews, nor the toy he is playing with.
Unknown with cats: Fred has not lived with cats before, so we are seeking a cat-free home for him.
Could live with teenagers: Fred is said to have been stressed by the children in his previous home, so he cannot live with young ones, and any visiting small children must be supervised. Fred could live with sensible teenagers though.
Loves walks: Fred is super when meeting people and dogs on a walk and he likes to say Hello. He sets off on a walk like a rocket, can pull and might be stubborn, therefore he isn’t suitable for anyone frail or unsteady on their feet. Once he’s settled down on a walk, he walks at a good pace, but he likes stopping for sniffs and he will pull towards something interesting. A busy high street is a very exciting place for Fred and he needs more practice at this so that he doesn’t get over stimulated. He probably hasn’t had much experience of different environments. Fred knows his name and will recall off lead, but he is easily distracted so it must be a safe area, with a bag of treats ready. It’s well worth putting the time in though as Fred loves a good run and is very joyful off lead. He’s currently having an hour’s walk in the morning and then a 15-minute walk later. Getting ready to go out is a very thrilling time for Fred and he can get barky.
Travels well: Fred is good in the car, but when you arrive somewhere, he will bark loudly until he is out of the car. It’s just ssoooooo exciting! You have to be careful as he will rush to get out and try to jump down; this is a very thrilling time for Fred!
Fred’s favourite pastimes: His walks, his food, and sitting on top of you. Visitors to get fuss from, and then sit on top of. His favourite game is when Fred has a toy and you chase him. He does growl if you get close, so his fosterers have not tried to take the toy. He doesn’t grab things he can’t have, and he will give up a toy for a treat. It’s the chasing he likes.
Fred’s dislikes: At the vets he is very wriggly so he can be difficult to examine. He isn’t frightened exactly, his tail is wagging, but he doesn’t like his movements restricted.
Fred’s ideal home: He could live with a single person, a couple, or a family with teenagers. He could live as an only dog or in a small pack. He doesn’t mind lots of visitors and he will be excited and then want to sit on their knee. Fred’s foster carer has had people and dogs visit, and has visited people with dogs. He has been in a pub and a cafe, just for about 30 minutes each. He has had lots of attention, met lots of dogs and is enjoying life. He is a sociable dog and wants plenty of things going on. Fred should be highly trainable as he looks at you and listens, and is food driven. He might like to spend some time learning new tricks.
Sleeping arrangements Fred will prefer to sleep in your bedroom, in a crate with a soft bed, which he loves. He is quiet and will not stir until you get up.
Health notes: Fred is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and has been wormed and flea treated. Fred has a good vet history and has never been poorly. He has small warty lumps and a large fatty lump on his chest with a smaller one a little further back. He has had these for a while, and the large one is unsightly, but it is not painful and does not restrict his movement, so our vet advised that it’s not in Fred’s best interest to have it removed. His face has some tear staining, which is not attractive, but is not a problem at all for Fred and he does not mind his eyes being gently wiped. He will need regular visits to a professional groomer.
Fred’s foster carer told us: Fred is excitable, bouncy, alert, interested and engaging. He’s such a happy, fun-loving, sociable and energetic dog. He has been 100% clean in the house and has never chewed or damaged anything. Fred can get overexcited, and will jump up. His overexcitement needs to be stopped, as Fred can start getting silly and may start barking, or might hump. He can completely understand he isn’t allowed on the dining chairs, but may occasionally jump up to get a reaction. He isn’t generally naughty, but will occasionally give it a whirl.
If you would like to offer Fred a permanent home, please read our Adoption Procedures for information about the adoption process. You can then contact the Oldies Club rehoming team as follows:
Email: rehome@oldies.org.uk for an application form.
Or phone 0844 586 8656, leaving a message including your email address, and we’ll email an application form.
Fred can be rehomed anywhere on the UK mainland – the closer to his foster home the better – subject to a satisfactory home visit. Note that you will be required to travel to the foster home to collect him.
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.