Amazing what one finds on the beach…and I am not talking about seashells, fossils or driftwood. I am talking about dogs and their owners and their back stories. On a beautiful autumn day, I walked with Rosy, a 3-year-old Golden Retriever and her owner, Cath. Rosy has been with Cath just one year, and they were celebrating their first anniversary together this week.
15 months ago, Cath lost her 14-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, Kasha, another regular beach walker and Cath felt the loss so much that she had to find another to take her place. Not another GSP, as she did not want comparisons being made. I suggested a Golden Retriever, as my family own one and she is the most marvellous family companion; they are a truly wonderful breed. Cath did not want a puppy, as she is retired from work and had to think about the future. She contacted one of the Golden Retriever breed club rescues and, by complete chance, they had a 2-year-old on their books who had been with two owners and now needed a new home, potentially a rather sad story. Having fully checked the suitability of Cath to become the new owner, without seeing her, Cath agreed to have Rosy, with the assurance of support from the breed rescue in case they were not compatible. Cath freely admits that she had a very unsettled 24 hours mulling over what might have been a rash decision, taking on an unseen dog who had been in two previous homes and was still only two years old. What had she let herself in for?
Well, she found out the next day. Rosy the Golden (a pale one) bounced out of the car, ran round the garden and settled into the home as if she had lived there forever. She had fallen on her feet, with Cath, a very sensible owner and dog lover, enjoying walking every day and always with the needs of her dog at heart. Cath, too, could not believe her good fortune to be the owner of this beautiful dog with a most amazing character and temperament. Rosy loves her food, loves her walks, loves making new friends in the park (human and canine), swiftly settling into her new routine, even coming back when Cath blows the whistle. A success story and a happy ending…a forever home.
It is worth commenting that the words breed rescue” conjure up images of saving dogs from cruelty or with welfare issues when, in reality, they also offer assistance and reassurance to owners who love their dogs, but who, for a variety of reasons, have to make the decision to say goodbye as their personal circumstances have changed and the dog must be rehomed through no fault of its own.
One of the benefits of owning a pedigree dog from a responsible breeder is the lifetime support offered by the breeder and the support of breed clubs who offer the rescue service through the passion of their members who care for their breed and put in time and effort to ensure their welfare. Sadly, there is rarely such support given by many breeders of rare colours or designer cross breeds, whose main passion is for money.
Personally, I think all responsible breeders should give their puppy buyers a year’s membership of a breed club to get them under the umbrella of support and information that a good breed club can offer.
Amazing what memories a walk on the beach can bring up, and I am reminded of my family’s Golden, Heidi, now 8 years old and a canine saint. She has tolerated the adoration and sometimes rough play of three children growing up, and has converted their daddy to love her despite his early pre-purchase question about my recommendation of the breed. “They don’t cast their coat, do they, Frank?” I told him the truth: ” Only occasionally”, and he believed me! During COVID times, she sat daily with him in his office, head on his knee, and of course he is now her number one fan. His wife, who was the keen one from the start, took her regularly to the nursing home where her father was a patient, and Heidi became a highlight of the day for all the residents. What a dog, what a breed!
And seeing Rosy on the beach with her affability to everyone suggests that she is following in the same footsteps. Another benefit of buying a pedigree breed…temperament! What can be more important?