Rosie is a 13 years old Bichon Frise who came into Oldies Club care in January 2023 with her best friend Jim after their owner could no longer care for them. They arrived dirty and matted so a groomer was sourced as quickly as possible to help both dogs feel a lot better.
Both dogs were taken to the vets where they agreed that Jim was displaying clear signs of Cushings so a blood test and ultrasound were ordered. This was later confirmed and Jim was placed on medication which he will require for the rest of his days. Rosie is blind but seemed to be in generally good health apart from being in desperate need of a dental which she received later which included 20 extractions, poor thing.
Both dogs seemed to be shell shocked with what had happened to them and displayed no signs of personalities. They would refuse to come out of the fosterer’s kitchen where their beds were and were very reluctant to go out in the garden which resulted in them toileting in the house. Their fosterer has been encouraging them out using leads and treats. It took two months of perseverance before the fosterer received a tail wag. They are incredibly bonded and although Rosie could most likely cope without Jim he could not cope without her.
Due to how shut down both dogs are Oldies Club made the decision to place both in our sponsor dog scheme which means Rosie & Jim will remain at their lovely foster home where they are beginning to feel safe on a permanent basis, with the charity paying their vet bills for the rest of their lives.
Sadly Jim passed away in September 2025 after becoming unwell leaving Rosie behind. 
Over time Rosie has slowly grown in confidence in her foster home. She still needs to be taken out the garden on lead but is now finally spending more time outside and she feels more happy to explore which is fantastic, considering how scared both dogs initially were.
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 Rosie, or one of the other special oldies we are caring for in our sponsor dog scheme.