Light at the end of the tunnel??

kathryn · Post by **kathryn** » 31 Jan 2008, 22:31

Received this email to day from Ric & Carole who adopted Jasper from us last year.
Here is their latest update, which goes to prove that sometimes you just have to hang on in there with the dog.So many people of late I have to admit have been quick to return the dog, as it isnt "Perfect", of course many of you I am sure will relate to this story I have to say after the month we have had it made me smile and in truth made me beleive in the human race again...

Hi Kathryn,

It's about 12 months ago since we first got your call.

Are we interested in a 7 year old chocolate male? was the question. Well yes but could it wait until Monday as the next two days would be almost impossible. Sorry was the reply it’s now or he might be gone. We made time on Saturday to rush over to MKF to adopt him and dashed back again. Sunday morning Carole had a preaching engagement at our local church and we had a lunch appointment with some friends in Cheshire. We took Jasper with us. Our friends of over 30 years standing live in a very posh bungalow with fields around etc. The whirl of activity was just too much for Jasper in his first weekend with us and he decided to pee in their kitchen. Like the good animal lovers that they are they blamed us and not Jasper. They still speak to us but we have never been invited back........

And so started our relationship with Jasper…….

Two weeks later we discovered that Jasper was finding a way through the hedges into next doors garden and leaving his calling card. Result one very angry neighbour, clearing up the mess in a torrential downpour and a £1000.00 bill to replace the hedge with a fence. We made sure it was 6’ high!

Here we are then 12 months later and would we swap him …. Not likely. Jasper is full of character and somewhat eccentric, just like his owners. The vet thinks he is about three years older than we thought but it matters not. He has grey around his jowls with similar patches on his chest legs and around the eyes. He looks very handsome. We go for our walks to Moses Gate Country Park where Jasper is well known. Every day, without fail people stop to talk or ask about him, especially his glistening fur coat. Jasper of course already knows he is handsome and flirts with everyone, especially the female adults. Like all Labs he loves playing ball, mooching around and going for a swim. This nearly did for me in September when he found a broken fence and dived straight into the river, eight foot below and 2m deep. He could not get out and became trapped under a waterside bush. One of the Park Wardens had to go into the water to rescue him... It nearly caused me to add to my tally of 2 heart attacks. Of course once out of the water Jasper behaved as though nothing had happened and what was all this fuss about anyway!

Somewhere in his previous life Jasper acquired a shoe fetish. He has a big box of toys but his favourites are a pair of my old slippers and his mum’s old shoes. He always brings these to you as a first present. Jasper has a habit of sneaking into the bedroom and bringing you a shoe or slipper. (We live in a bungalow) and it’s a big joke to him with lots of tail wagging etc. He never chews anything and is incredibly gentle in the way he picks up shoes. He has even worked out how to take them of a revolving shoe rack without pulling it over.

For a Labrador jasper is a civilised eater, amazingly he takes his time and even stops for a break sometimes. Also he is choosey in what he eats, not just anything will do for him oh no. Ideally he wants all his meals with gravy which he licks up first.

So where are we after one year…. Well we have a very happy contented and characterful member of the pack, one who is a fully integrated family member and give us great pleasure to see him so content. Another bonus …..We have never laughed so much in years.

One last thing. We discovered Jasper + us + luggage + a Skoda = squash so in October we invested in a Zafira. Now everyone has plenty of room. Thanks to Labrador rescue for thinking of us for jasper. All three of us are very happy.

Ric & Carole

Marley & Me eat your heart out... :D

Gemma T · Post by **Gemma T** » 31 Jan 2008, 22:35

Sounds like Jasper's found heaven!!!

Brilliant to hear such a lovely success story!!
Gemma x

Flinty · Post by **Flinty** » 31 Jan 2008, 22:55

See another happy ending... :)

as you say Kath so many people just don't give their new dog time.

andrea · Post by **andrea** » 31 Jan 2008, 23:13

A lovely couple..(I did their homecheck) Jasper has certainly landed on his feet...lovely update... love to all xxxx

Glenys · Post by **Glenys** » 31 Jan 2008, 23:14

What a great bit of news ,people are so good sticking it out with the problems hope we get someone like that for poor Jakey

Glenys x

jackiem · Post by **jackiem** » 01 Feb 2008, 00:30

Just to prove that everything that Glenys and Co do is worthwhile. What a lovely tale. Thank you.
Jackie

bessiebunches · Post by **bessiebunches** » 01 Feb 2008, 20:15

glad to here you are all happy, doing well, and having fun
big hugs all round.
Gail

nicky181 · Post by **nicky181** » 07 Feb 2008, 23:11

:) What a lovely happy ending, just goes to show if you put the time and effort in you will reap the rewards!!! You don't get anything for nothing, and plenty of patience with a Lab is definatley needed!

Nicky x

Odie Dog · Post by **Odie Dog** » 14 Aug 2008, 22:26

Well done to Ric and Carole for hanging on in there. I've recently posted a one year update on Odie and like many rescue dogs he wasn't perfect, but then :

1, we never expected him to be;
2, we were willing to invest the time, love, effort and perseverance to change unhelpful behaviours and
3, that is why we now have such a perfect, fantastic addition to the family.

Neil

Glenys · Post by **Glenys** » 14 Aug 2008, 22:29

Odie Dog wrote:Well done to Ric and Carole for hanging on in there. I've recently posted a one year update on Odie and like many rescue dogs he wasn't perfect, but then :

1, we never expected him to be;
2, we were willing to invest the time, love, effort and perseverance to change unhelpful behaviours and
3, that is why we now have such a perfect, fantastic addition to the family.

Neil

Thank goodness we have such wonderful people for these dogs

Thank you xx