Ozzie
It is just over 6 months since our ‘gotcha’ day with Ozzie – and what a wonderful 6 months its been! Before Ozzie came into our lives we had been considering finding a companion for our 2 year old chocolate lab Oreo – to give her some company and also to make her behave more dog like if anything (that hasn’t quite worked as she is still a princess!) When considering a friend for Oreo, it was most important that she would accept any new addition. We then stumbled on Ozzie’s pic on Linbee and he instantly melted our hearts. It was clear that Ozzie was an older boy and we were determined to see if he would fit into our family. We arranged to see him, along with Oreo, and Linbee kindly allowed us to walk him.
I will never forget seeing him as he bounded towards us outside the kennels. Again our hearts melted and we were hoping that Oreo would like him! We needn’t have worried – if anything, Oreo didn’t seem that bothered. After a short walk, we left Ozzie back in the caring hands of Linbee. It was at this point that we found out that this was Ozzie’s second time in Linbee’s care and that he was left this last time on his 10th birthday. This news was very upsetting and made us more determined to help.
We then went home to discuss the next steps! We arranged another two walks with Ozzie and Oreo and after the last walk, introduced them off the lead in a controlled manner. None of us wanted any drama to affect us potentially adopting him! Happy to report no drama and we then arranged a weeks foster, following a successful home visit.
I got the lucky task (or short straw depending on how you look at it!) of collecting Ozzie from the kennels. We both seemed fairly nervous – and it became clear that Ozzie didn’t seem that used to travelling by car as he clambered straight into the drivers seat! When I finally got him on the back seat I drove off completely forgetting his food! The short drive to our village seemed to stress poor Ozzie and I did what I could to get him to his new home as quickly and as safely as possible.
We arranged for Ozzie and Oreo to meet outside the house, and took them on a long walk. They seemed genuinely pleased to see each other! And, 6 months on, their relationship, and our love for Ozzie (or Oswald as our friends and family have taken to naming him!) has gone from strength to strength. It’s not been completely plain sailing! Within days, Ozzie’s ‘Dew Claw’ became twisted and had to be removed by the vet, followed a couple of weeks later by the same claw on his other paw, resulting in another vet visit! It’s also become clear that he is really scared of cars and trains, and he makes it very clear if he isn’t best pleased with a new walking route by plonking himself on the ground and not moving! Like many dogs, Ozzie is really scared of thunderstorms and hides underneath anything he can. He also decided to sleep under the bed for a week for some reason – not that we mind.
Ozzie has also had loads of adventures! We spent a lovely week in the Dales, with lots of walking and swimming (the dogs, not us!) and Ozzie also seems to have a penchant for pubs – however he wasn’t keen on the world cup and ended up behind the bar during one match!
Ozzie is a much loved part of our wider family and it has been amazing to see how he has developed into the handsome, gentle, sometimes cheeky boy that he is. His health and mobility have come on leaps and bounds (literally!) and he appears to be a lot younger than the old man we initially walked 6 months ago. We all love him to bits and will make his twilight years as comfortable, fun, and loving as we possibly can.