Rufus 7 years old at MT

[1sttimecockermum]

 



Rufus is a lovely boy who doesn't have much sight, but manages to get around our house very well.  He is more interested in humans than his fellow canines, and in the right home, could possibly go as an only dog.  He would not suit a busy household, but one where somebody is home all the time if possible.  He does get quite upset if he hears loud noises and will rush and hide back in his crate, which he sees as his safe place.  He will tell other dogs off if they startle him and this has to be watched as he will nip them and sometimes results in little nip injuries.  He absolutely adores being brushed, being cuddled and being fussed over.  He knows his name and will come when called.  He won't however, walk far still on his lead & harness as he just freezes with fright.  We have taken him to a lovely quiet field, with lovely smells etc, but we just stood for ages until he decided to walk (he's heavy to carry too often!).  He is housetrained and sleeps all night quietly in his crate with the door open - he panics if the door is shut on him.  Please give this lovely boy the chance of being the centre of attention for somebody!

[LottieLu]

There's a little update on Rufus, bless him 

From the MT website:

06-11-12 UPDATE
Rufus is continuing to make slow progress, but progress it is! He now loves coming in the car when we go for walks over Ashdown Forest where once he realises what we're doing, he walks very nicely on his harness. We have now been able to let him off lead to run or walk with our other dogs, however, he does need watching ALL the time when off lead, and needs to be reminded where you are - by calling his name. He still doesn't like walking on pavements and when he refuses to walk, nothing will change his mind! We have ended up carrying him to our local park when he refuses to walk, however he isn't a light weight!!! He has the occasional accident overnight, however is nearly there and sleeps soundly all night either in his crate with the door open, or beside it on his blanket. He does seem to like having other dogs around, although he doesn't particularly interact with them. He will still nip if he feels threatened or cornered, however this appears to becoming less often now. He does seem to get a bit crotchety if he hasn't been out for at least an hours walk. He loves his cuddles and tries to play with me and my husband and adores being brushed - especially his lovey Spaniel ears! Please give this lovely boy a home he so deserves.

[1sttimecockermum]

26-12-12 UPDATE
Rufus is such a handsome boy who gets lots of admirers when we are out walking.  He doesn't appear to like walking on concrete or tarmac, but will walk for over an hour on Ashdown Forest, which is only 5 minutes away from where we live.  He loves going through as much mud and as many puddles as he can find, which is lovely to watch, considering he doesn't have much sight at all.  He is very good at having his eye drops in every day which he requires for his dry eye condition.  The ideal home for Rufus would be somebody who is home more often than not, that has another quiet or older dog, but most importantly, somebody who has a large garden or perhaps a paddock/land where he can run around safely which he loves to do.  Please do not apply for this lovely boy if you do not have experience or have not read up on blind dogs. 

[Cockertime Blues]

Many thanks for the update.  So hope someone perfect for him comes along soon.

[revis]

Many tears are desperate to find Rufus a home or a new foster home as the small dogs where he is being fostered are bothering him . Wish I could help him but there are lots of steps in DD home where we visit frequently .

[1sttimecockermum]

 
  

....Here is a story to make your heart break. Rufus lived his life as a stud dog until 5 months ago. No one noticed or cared that he was blind, so he lived in darkness, on his own in a world where serving a bitch and getting food was all he had.  He then was given to Many Tears to find a home. We sent him to a temporary fosterer while a specialist looked at his  eyes, but sadly nothing could be done. He waited for another foster home as the one he had so many dogs that he found it too hard, but no one offered a home.  Eventually he snapped at a dog that was in his space and worrying him and it caught her under the eye, so he had to come back. He waits now for he knows not what, and it's very tough watching this.
......We have given him two quiet westies to snuggle with, but if you say his name he clearly wants to come and be loved. He would be perfect for a home that had a nice garden but maybe could not walk too much but wanted a good companion. However if someone put time into teaching him to walk on the lead he would love that too .On tarmac he froze but on sand we were able to start his lesson very successfully. PLEASE don't make him stay in kennels, a quiet foster home or forever home is desperately needed.

So sad  I so wish he could find his forever home -

[Countrygirl]

If it was just up to me I would have him in a heartbeat.  I hope someone comes along for him very soon.

[penguins87]

Oh I pray for rufous and his forever home 

[revis]

It's so sad I am reading his story in tears. Poor dear Rufus just hope that someone takes him soon.

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I do love this little boy, if he wasn't a 12 hour round trip to visit I'd have him

[DeeDee]

I do love this little boy, if he wasn't a 12 hour round trip to visit I'd have him

I love Rufus too and I'd love to have him. I want to cry when I see his little face and think of his previous life.  Sadly, I don't have a large garden and live in an urban environment. I hope desperately someone adopts him soon.

[AndyB]

 

Aaah this is so sad - I have tears in my eyes as I type this post.  Poor Rufus what an absolutely awful life he must have had.  Its so heartbreaking what these dogs have to suffer.  I just pray someone will take him soon and love him like he so deserves. 

[Ninasmum]

What a heartbreaking story    Poor, poor Rufus 
There must be the perfect home for him somewhere soon    no more than he deserve's 

[Countrygirl]

I do hope Rufus finds a wonderful home soon.  He is really troubling me.  I can't have him though as Ellie would be so unhappy having another dog living here, but I want him to find the most wonderful home as I feel so upset for him.

[Poppypuppy09]

Poor Rufus  ...wish I could help this fella but I don't think Poppy would do him any good...she is a full on kind of girlie    praying that the right forever home comes along and soon for this special gent