The Scoop On Harry

Hello all,

Thank you all for giving Harry such a great welcome. I thought I'd tell you a little more about him and how he came into our life.

We heard about him last week via Planet Airedale. After talking it through we called and said we would like to know more with a view to offering him a new home. We were told he was in good health, had grown up with cats and other dogs, and lived with children all his life. These were all essential to us really. We would not want Flakes to have a dog around that was aggressive or rough with her. She is 15 herself and enjoys the quiet life. We need a dog that is used to children so that E & J are safe and happy when they are here, and knowing he was good with other dogs, both in his family and out and about was important to us too. When we met him he certainly did seem to tick all these boxes as well as being the HUGEST cuddle monster. We had a good talk with his previous owner and learnt more about him. His health has always been good, and the only real issue he has is with fireworks, leading to him needing meds around bonfire night and other times when there are likely to be lots going off such as New Year. We had another chat and decided we were happy and more than willing to give him a home.

He came to us on Saturday. He enjoyed having a good old nosy around the house and garden, then met Flakes. He was a perfect gent, standing a little away from her so she was not crowded. As you saw from the photos in the last post, he then lay close, but with his head away as if to say "it's OK, I'm a nice guy". He has continued to be lovely with her, apart from eating her dinner on two occasions!

The first night he was unsettled, as expected. I ended up taking a blanket and sleeping on the couch and he soon settled. Since then he has slept soundly until the alarm goes off in the morning.

He has met E & J and our neighbours little boy and loved all the attention. He isn't phased at all by children shrieking and playing, and just took himself off for a nap when he'd had enough. We have explained to the girls that he's old and to leave him be if he's sleeping. They also have a ten year old dog at home, so they understand this well.

As Harry has never been off lead, we won't let him either, especially as everything is very new and interesting at the moment. We have bought him a long, strong flexi lead and he loves the freedom that gives him. He has met lots of dogs out and about, including several of Oscar's friends and loves meeting them all and having a good old sniff.

We took him to our vet for a look over and he said he's in great shape. All he recommended was a big juicy bone to clean his teeth up, and some cod liver oil for his joints.

He has brought a lot of happiness back into our house already. As I said, he adores fuss, cuddles, tickles and scratches. He is so easy to live with. All he asks of us is food, walkies and lots of love, and we have lots of love to lavish on him.

I am so sure that Oscar did have a paw in it and that we were destined to help Harry out. He keeps going out to sit or lie by Oscar's plant pot and it really is like he's out there paying his respects and thanking him.

His previous owner and the rescue coordinator think that we should still get Cassidy, and we of course are happy with that. Harry is used to the company of 2 dogs, one of whom is still very young, so he is used to puppy ways. We will make sure he has plenty of time out so he does not get over tired. He is so calm and well behaved, I'm sure he will show a new pup his wise old Airedale ways.

We know we have potentially set ourselves up for more heartache in the future by adopting an older boy, but we thought this through, and sad as it will be, it will be easier to accept the shock of Oscar's untimely death. We will make sure Harry enjoys every day of his new life to the full. I think he's having a blast already!

They're be some more puppy news and photos over the weekend.

Katy and Martin x