You can’t teach an old dog new tricks…

One of our local fosters (our secretary in-fact) said for the vets to bring him over as soon as possible and Rita welcomed this old boy into her home that very same evening. The vets had called him Cass, not that he responded to that at all, but his tail wagged frantically whenever he heard the name ‘Chris’(which was Rita’s colleagues name) – it was clear that he loved that name, so, that was that – he was to be called Chris!

We had been told he wasn’t good with other dogs, especially smaller ones, but he soon settled in with his new siblings and became particularly close to Esmeralda (Rita’s old girl). Chris suffered with separation anxiety and barked consistently, but he always stopped the second he was with someone, anyone, as long as he wasn’t on his own. It turns out that this gorgeous lad had been passed from pillar to post over the previous year, so it was no wonder he was nervous and barked constantly whenever he was left on his own, even if you were in the next room!

After his assessment, it was clear that he’d benefit from a home with someone who would be home during the day, and possibly one where there was another dog in the home too, as he was so fond of being with Esmeralda. Chris was an adorable old gentleman, who adored his early morning walks, he followed Rita around all day and couldn’t wait for the evening when he could snuggle up on the sofa.

Rita wanted to keep Chris forever, but, having an entire male at home already, we knew that wasn’t an option; Chris needed a home where he’s be completely spoilt with a hareem of ladies all around him – then along came his guardian angel, Naomi!

A seasoned rescuer, Naomi has already rescued a Bull Terrier from us a few years before; the beautiful, Lizzie! Another Golden Oldie, who was lucky enough to have found her forever home with Naomi. Naomi also has 2 rescue Border Terriers and it all seemed a perfect match, although we were a little cautious as we were told Chris wasn’t good with smaller dogs (in his assessment he showed no interest in small dogs at all).

It was agreed that Chris would go and have a trial with Naomi and her girls, so she made the long journey to come and collect Chris. Chris loved Naomi instantly, and off he went to live in his new home. Rita shed many a tear as she waved them all off, but she knew it was the absolute best outcome for Chris, and that was more important than anything else. Chris settled in quickly with Naomi, who took it introducing Chris to the ladies of the house very slowly, doing everything within her power to introduce them all considerately and carefully – ensuring that all of the dogs were happy and comfortable, every step of the way. After a short time, it was clear that Chris adored his new family and felt more and more at peace with life and his separation anxiety started to fade away gradually over time.

Naomi shares regular pictures with us all and our hearts melt at every single one of them. As for Chris not being good with smaller dogs, well, it just goes to show that an ol’dog can be taught new tricks!! Chris adores his small terrier sisters and has no separation anxiety at all now!

This gorgeous ‘Golden Oldie’ is extremely happy with his new life and we couldn’t be happier for him! If you feel you could give a Bull Terrier in need, whether you’re looking for a younger dog or a Golden Oldie, their forever home then please do contact us and we’ll do our best to ensure a perfect match is found for you, and for the Bull Terriers that The Bull Terrier Club (UK) Welfare Trust care for. 

Adopting Golden Oldies – written by Naomi Kerans My love for bull terriers took off in the early 80’s when I was working in America and I lived near the well-known breeder Winkie Mackay-Smith. I decided to get my own Bullie and that’s when ‘Samson’ came into my life, he was a red Bullie pup with a soft temperament. He went on to become a great traveller as he would accompany me to horse shows out there, then in Europe & then later back in the UK. Samson had to come through quarantine back in those days! I had him together with a sweet, but very nutty little Bullie – Emma. After losing them both in the same year at 13 & 11, I got in touch with Bull Terrier Welfare – run by the Kenways back then.

I adopted a little white girl believed to be 15, she was picked up as a city stray. She looked ancient and was full of battle scars – they said I should not be surprised if in fact she died anytime soon. (!) However, I hated to go home leaving her in kennels, so off we went to go and live life together. I think she conned us all as to her real age, because she lived on for another happy four years! Topsy was the first of several who came through Bull Terrier Welfare – the next couple were young but I always felt bad about the older dogs who end up in rescue.

As I was getting older myself, I then opted for oldies who have, without exception, all been wonderful dogs. They have generally been strays – one sweet girl was with Battersea Dogs Home;she was found on an underground platform in London. Another old lad that I fostered for Welfare was found in a field, laying amongst with the cows- he was lying on their pile of trodden hay (for the warmth I guess). The Welfare Trust had named him Tiger, as he was a survivor! The weather that January was perishing & they thought he had been out wandering for some weeks! They had to carry him off that field, poor old chap, he stayed for a few weeks in a local kennels being fed many little meals a day and was lavished with love to help build him back up again. Another old lad was dumped in forest and so on and so on; I am always left heartbroken by how anyone could do that sort of thing to animals… I read all about Chris when friends, who know my weaknesses – both for reds & oldies, pointed out Rita’s posts and my pages were full of the charming photos she posted up daily.

We talked about the dogs I already had here, but I thought he might fit in well. My Bull Terrier Lizzie, who I adopted from The Bull Terrier (UK) Welfare Trust 2 years ago, is now 13 & my two Border Terrier girls, Chilli and Foxy (10 & 12) are all gentle, with lovely temperaments. They were all very accepting of Chris & he seemed pleased to be with them. He did tend to bark a bit when he was new, but I hoped as he settled in that would stop – as indeed it has. We have a good choice of quiet forestry walks and he enjoys those – he likes to be ‘the big man’ up front with his hareem following on behind him!