Billy is a gorgeous 12-year-old Patterdale x Jack Russell Terrier who came into rescue when his owner’s working hours changed. Billy is in an Oldies Club foster home in Raynes Park, SW London, waiting for someone to offer him a fun and active permanent home.
Summary: If you’re looking for an oldie to take for long, energetic walks, then ‘help’ you with a spot of gardening, and finally snuggle up with for a cuddle, Billy is your boy! Affectionate and very energetic, Billy would love to live with children (aged 8+) who will run around the garden with him.
Settled well in foster: Billy took 4 to 5 days to settle in his foster home and he is getting more comfortable by the day.
Can be left: Billy has been left for up to 5 hours and is non-destructive and clean, but he is ecstatic to welcome you home. His foster carer feels that although Billy would cope with being left for fairly long periods, he really does crave love and attention, and so we are looking for a home with a homeworker, or where he would be left for part-time hours only.
Needs to be your only dog: Billy can be unpredictable with dogs he meets on walks; some dogs he sniffs, some he ignores and some he barks at. He will be happiest living as an only dog, having fun and adventures with his family.
Needs a cat-free home: Billy will chase any cat he comes across. He is a terrier after all!
Good with children: Billy would be a great little family dog. He is friendly and gentle with children and although he is keen on their snacks, he does know GENTLE and takes treats carefully. When out on walks he will sniff prams to check for snacks! His foster carer feels that Billy could live with dog-savvy children aged around 8+ who would play with him, run around the garden with him and give him all the attention he loves.
Loves walks: Billy absolutely loves to be out and about on a walk. He is eager to have his harness on ready to go out. He loves a good sniff around, chasing scents, and is energetic and strong, especially if he finds a squirrel or fox scent. He has typical terrier prey drive and his recall is not good. His foster carer has never let him off the lead but he is happy to be walked on a long training lead so that he can have a run on the fields. He is kept on a short lead and harness when walking on pavements and near cycle routes. Billy is having two walks per day of around 45 minutes to an hour each, but he is very happy to keep walking for longer. If you love walking and are looking for a small companion, Billy could be your boy!
Limited experience of car travel: Billy hasn’t travelled by car very much and his foster carer doesn’t have a car, but on the 2-hour transport run to his foster home he was fine and no problems were reported by our transport volunteers. On the bus and train he is quite a nervous traveller – not sick or barky, just shivers and wants to sit on your lap for reassurance.
Favourite pastimes: Billy loves exploring and going on energetic walks/jogs, hunting out smells and sniffing for squirrels, foxes and mice.
He loves belly rubs and tucking himself in very tightly next to you on the sofa whenever you sit down so that he can be cuddled and petted. Billy is a real foody and is very quick to join you in the kitchen. He loves carrots, cheese, cucumber, and will be opportunistic if any food is left unattended and will help himself. He enjoys tug of war and chewy and squeaky toys, although he does destroy them.
He has been enjoying enrichment games, which involve hunting out treats inside different containers, or licky mats. He loves his bed and he loves basking in the sunshine.
He also likes sitting on the windowsill so that he can look out at the world, but he does bark at unexpected or unfamiliar sounds. He loves ‘helping’ in the garden and he loves water and will chase the water from the garden tap or watering cans.
Billy’s dislikes: He really, really dislikes cyclists. He will bark at unfamiliar or unexpected sounds – his previous owner reported that he’s scared of fireworks and thunder.
Billy’s ideal home: An active home with more than one person to give him attention, stimulation, exercise, love and to share his energy and cuddles. He would make a fabulous family dog. He needs a secure garden as he will chase interesting smells – either climbing on pots or going behind or under the shed – and he can jump quite high. He does jump up to greet his people and visitors but loves a sofa to cuddle up on with anyone who happens to sit down.
Health notes: Billy is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and has been wormed and flea treated. At his vet check, no health concerns were found. He has started scratching recently which is thought to be seasonal itchiness.
His foster carer tells us: “Billy is affectionate, energetic, entertaining and funny. Billy is loved by everyone he meets. He is a little dog of extremes – very chilled and cuddly when sitting on the sofa with someone, and happy to have a slow morning after breakfast, whilst very enthusiastic and energetic out on walks. He will make a wonderful fun addition to an active home for anyone looking for an energetic, lovable oldie and who will commit to providing lots of attention, stimulation, love and exercise so that Billy doesn’t become bored and naughty.”
If you would like to offer Billy 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.
Billy 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.