Stanley and Hollie
Stan the Man
Stanley is 13 years of age and has the most melting brown eyes. He’s a calmer gentleman, often overlooked due to Holly’s exuberance and forward nature. Having been a little wary of coming forward in the early days, it soon became apparent what a love bug Stanley is. His overwhelming desire is to be your bestie; whether out on a walk or if invited (he never presumes), to curl up on the sofa for snuggles. Stanley is a real companion, happy to fit into your day, whatever it is you’re doing.
Car journeys are possibly a new experience, so he is a little unsure, but travels quite well, securely fastened. He shows no sign of travel sickness and whilst he may need a little lift in, he’s not unwilling.
Stanley is dog friendly and has shown no issues with dogs he has met. He can be barky on first meeting, but this seems to be excitement. Once initial introductions via a short walk are made, it’s clear he just wants to be friends, and has settled with both a neutered male, spayed female and a recent new unspayed foster female with ease. He shows no issues meeting dogs outside the home.
People are just an opportunity for a fuss, and Stanley appears especially drawn to men, but shows no aversion to anyone. His current foster home does not have children, but those he has met on trips out he has greeted gently and calmly. However, with his age and less bouncy nature it would be sensible to seek a home with teenage or no children. As he gets older he may not appreciate the higher noise and energy levels of a busy home.
Stanley walks nicely on the lead, with just a little pull on leaving the house due to excitement. Once out he settles well into a walk that both he and his handler will enjoy. He has good fitness for an older chap and does enjoy a walk. His recall is also good, but this has not been tested in open expanses in foster.
As Border Terriers have specific dietary needs Stanley is fed twice a day on a grain free diet (currently Harrington’s) and is an ideal weight for his size/breed. It is important to maintain this as he is showing some early signs of arthritic changes in his hind end, but not sufficient to require pain relief. A new owner may wish to explore supplements with their vet, but regular exercise and a sensible weight are primary.
Stanley also has a small area of hair loss on his tail. This has been examined by the vet and ‘may’ indicate thyroid changes. As we do not have access to any veterinary history for Stanley it has been advised to monitor this loss, and should it progress or be of greater concern then blood tests may be required in time.
Stanley does have a couple of minor issues, which as a rescue we are always honest about, but we believe these are likely to improve in a new settled and long-term environment where he rebuilds trust and security.
Stanley is not always clean at night. He chooses not to go upstairs at night, despite this being permitted. He is happy to sleep in a dog bed in the lounge, and accidents have been restricted to the kitchen. This has been managed with puppy pads.
We suspect Stanley’s previous owner may have been at home a lot of the time, as Stanley does seem to struggle a little with being left. This has improved in foster, but it would be great if a home could be found where someone was at home much of the time, except perhaps for shopping and trips out. A retired couple or single person would be an ideal home for Stanley where he was the focus of all your love. Or perhaps sharing a home with an older friendly female companion who won’t boss him as much as Holly.
Holly Bobbles
Holly is an 8 year old bundle of gregarious mischief! She’ll have you grinning from ear to ear, or going grey…either way she’s somebody’s dream dog.
Holly is the dominant lady in this pair, and doesn’t Stanley know it. That’s why Holly is a good kilo overweight, and on a diet. If she can slide him out of his food dish or take his treat off him she will. There is never aggression, never a growl or lip curl. It’s obviously just become the rule with them that Holly is boss. It’s the same with dog beds. If he’s in it, she’ll sit on him.
Hence why we feel it might be time for Holly to branch out and perhaps join a more active home, perhaps with other young friendly dogs to play with, and the chance to use some of that mental energy in learning and play. She’s bright as a button, picks up new routines and rules so quickly and would love being with an owner who knows the breed and can get the best from them.
Holly is an adventurer. She loves being out and about and has already proven that if she can find an exit point from a ‘secure’ garden she will! Thankfully once she’d had a few hours of scaring her foster Mum silly, she trotted back in tired and happy like butter wouldn’t melt. For this reason, homing near a busy road or built-up area would not be advised.
Holly loves people. Really loves people. She wants to say ‘Hi’ to everyone she meet. She can get over-excited and will jump up if not corrected. However, she does learn quickly, and I don’t feel this should prevent her from being considered for a home with children of a suitable age and experience.
Other than her weight Holly is healthy and active, and long walks aren’t a problem. An active family home, or regular walkers would be ideal.
Like Stanley Holly isn’t always clean overnight, but I suspect this is unfamiliarity and change, and would settle once she feels 100% secure. It has already improved. Holly does use stairs, and made it clear on her first night that she would be sleeping on my bed, so puppy pads on the landing helped with this. As she has become more confident, she now chooses to sleep downstairs, only coming up if she is disturbed by wind or other noise in the night.
Holly does have an embarrassing quirk. She likes worn underwear. A laundry basket is a must have!! Foster Mum had undressed for a shower and dropped her worn clothes on the bathroom floor, then stepped out of the shower to find Holly gleefully rolling in her knickers! This has become a theme when sorting washing for laundry day.
At times Holly can be vocal, especially when left for periods. She has the funniest bark…more like a quack, and whilst it’s not loud it can be repetitive. She is learning that being ‘quiet’ earns fuss and praise, and hopefully this will also reduce as she settles. It is however part of her excitability and new owners need to be aware.
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Neither Holly nor Stanley seem keen on toys, although Stanley did arrive with a rope toy. He likes to know it’s to hand, and with encouragement does now interact in brief play sessions. But it seems to be more knowing it’s his and there that’s important to him than playing with it currently. Both dogs do enjoy a game of chase, a little rough and tumble, tummy tickles and thrive on praise and attention, so praise-based training has proved quite successful (obviously treats must be restricted and monitored for weight and gluten issues).
Stanley and Holly are just about the easiest dogs ever to foster. Well mannered, friendly, they know most basic commands. They really are a delight and will make any new owner delighted.
