CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Rescue Cockers => Topic started by: *jean* on December 09, 2009, 03:52:25 PM
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(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/workingcockerspaniels/DSCF2769.jpg)
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/workingcockerspaniels/DSCF2766.jpg)
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/workingcockerspaniels/DSCF2768.jpg)
Cora
Working Cocker Spaniel bitch.
Liver and White D.O.B. 06/08/06
Wormed and Vaccinated. Not Microchipped.
Unspayed at present,
Cora will be up for rehoming soon but anyone who is interested in potentially applying to adopt her is welcome to speak to me now and come forward for homechecking etc.
Sadly her owner died very suddenly, and his mother in her 90's was eventually admitted into a care home and the younger brother was struggling a lot. she was totally unsocialised, had lived on an isolated croft for all her life, seen no one but the family and the postie. she hadnt even been on a lead or out of the garden, since her owner died when she was around a year old. shes over 3 now. Was not used to being handled by strangers at all. and if she got away would run off in a panic and would be very difficult to get a hold of as she wouldn't approach humans.
Cora is very timid until she gets to know and trust you, she is afraid of strangers, , but is getting better as she meets more people. Cora will try and hide in corners until she has learned to trust you , once you have gained her trust she wont leave your side indoors. She becomes a different dog entirely loving and wanting to please. At present, She requires a fair bit of basic training and must have a reliable recall before being allowed off lead.
I use a long line, as that gives Cora the ability to run around and can aid in her recalls. She can and will take fright and run away so it is vital she does not get loose and that the garden she is let out in is secure. Ensure that fences have no holes in them where she can escape from.
she has now been off lead with me and her recall is good for treats but this is ongoing training.. she is now answering a lot better to her name..
Cora is not afraid of the hoover , washing machine or cars, or horses or trains.
She is not a naturally nervous dog, just an unsocialised one with little training. She recently met an equally inquisitive shetland pony and licked his nose!
She is unafraid of the hoover, the washing machine , cars ,trains, lorries, loud noises and now appears to be fine meeting people and dogs on walks. She has a quick bark, I call her back to me ( long line v handy here) and I give whoever a treat to give her.. as she is very food motivated its a great training tool . ( as long as its part of her daily diet dont want to undo my good work!)
She has met my mothers cat who is a big boy and wont run from dogs,, she was a bit wary of him . my daughter is coming up for new year with her 2 housecats who are skittish so that will be a big learning curve for her.
Cora alarm barks to let you know someone is passing or at the door. This is not always a bad thing. To start with she was very subdued but as she has become more confident she has found her voice. She playbows and barks to get you to play with her, throw a toy or just give her attention, this is a happy bark and easily hushed.
She also barks at strangers. That’s down to fear once she gets less stressed and more socialised, that should hopefully stop.
She now barks when in the house at sudden noises. To get her to stop I redirect her with a toy or a treat which has to be part of her daily diet as Cora is overweight. Her previous owners used a spray collar on her It wasnt effective. Retraining will be of more use using positive methods. Teach her to “be quiet” and use that instead. Shouting at Cora just makes her bark louder she thinks you are joining in! her owners were deaf and all shouted at once so she pays no heed to that!
So far Im working towards trying to stop Cora from barking in the house by calling her to me and getting her to do something else. and rewarding the quiet.
Also when she runs out into the garden with my 3 she is so excited she was beginning to bark just out of excitement, I put her on her long line and she went out quietly ( handy at 6 am).
I have sent away for mekuti calming bands to see if they will help reduce her barking.
Cora is on a diet, her waist is now 17.5 inches. It was 23 when I got her 1st.
she will try and scrounge food from your plate. She has also learned to jump from furniture onto worktops to steal food. She cant do this in my house but did it on a visit to a friends.! She is a bit of a thief and a scrounge.. Cora will eat anything she finds dropped on the ground. Any training treats given should be part of her diet or she will gain weight. However for training recall I use something like livercake cut into tiny pieces as the smell and taste to Cora is a great incentive to come back to you. And the extra exercise will burn up calories as well.
She isnt food aggressive at all, in fact she will easily be put out of her bowl by another dog. Initailly I had to feed her separately as she was too nervous to eat in front of the others, now she eats her meals with the rest.
Cora’s claws were very overgrown , to the point of digging into her pads and her fur was matted especially around the ears and feathering of legs and feet.
It has taken a while but her coat is smooth and silky now and she likes being brushed while lying beside you relaxed. It has taken 2 weeks for her to trust me fully to groom her all over. I just did little bits while she was lying beside me on the couch!
She hates having her feet touched and will react at the sight of scissors near her toes. A reminder of painful feet. she is capable of growling and snapping ( as all dogs are ) if pushed into defending herself from something she finds scary.
she is better than she was as I stroke her feet and paws as she lies beside me to de sensitise her..
However she has allowed me to clip the hair around her feet with nail scissors and regular walks on hard ground will keep her nails short. None of my spaniels has ever required a nail trim.
She had never been walked so wasn’t used to the lead but is much better now and loves her walks. She does flatten herself to the floor when the lead is being put on but again is slowly getting better at this as well.
If Cora finds something like a sock, and goes under a chair with it. I do not follow her to get it back. That will trigger her anxiety and she likes to hang on to her “stuff”, Rather, I get her to swop it with a higher valued item such as a favourite toy or a treat.
I try not to put Cora in a position where she becomes defensive.
She is much better about this now but she still loves socks and it turns out her previous owner played tug of war with her. Thats why she hangs on to stuff!
Small children should be supervised around Cora . As with all dogs she may be unpredictable around them, and they with her. She isn’t used to children but has been very good with my friend’s child who is very dog savvy, and was quiet around Cora. In fact now a few weeks on she absolutely loves my friends granddaughter but still will be wary of strange children until she feels secure with them.
A lot of this is common sense which unfortunately isnt very common.
Initially on rehoming, she may benefit from being left on her lead for the first while, both outside and when running loose in the house, so you can catch that easily and avoid confrontational situations. Such as Cora has hidden somewhere and its less stressful for her for you to lead her out than go towards her when she feels cornered. until she has bonded with her new family. It took me 6 weeks to let her off lead outside in an unenclosed space.
Cora is very sweet tempered, she loves her cuddles. Wants nothing more than to lie beside you on the couch, having her tummy tickled.
Cora absolutely loves old plastic bottles, I put some of her kibble in and let her play for hours trying to get it out.
she prefers the couch or chairs to the floor.. unless the fire is on then theres a Cocker mountain in front of it!
She sleeps in a crate here but is never keen at going in although is getting better. tho funnily enough she leaps into the car crate..she associates it with lovely dog walks.. She is very quick on the uptake.. would rather sleep on the couch overnight, I think than go into the crate. But go into the crate she does.. I still pop her on the lead and walk her in, to avoid fuss. She was used to sleeping wherever she chose before.
I think she likes human company, she appears more fearful of men but once she’s made a friend she doesn’t forget them.
Cora has started basic training with me and is learning to do sits and stays for rewards. I think she has learned to ignore someone shouting her name but she is improving and Im starting to teach her to answer to a whistle.
Her recall is already improving on a long line for smoked sausage treats/ livercake. ( tiny bits at a time)
I have a 15 foot line for in the garden and around the house and I also have a 50 foot line which I also used to train the croft collie. Its best in open spaces, eg beaches, fields, where she can chase a ball but still be on the end of a long line, so not in danger of running away or not answering.
She is left alone while Im at work, the others go up to my mothers croft.... I have friends who let her out and walk her.. she curls up on a chair and goes to sleep , she does not chew the furniture. I keep doors shut of rooms she shouldnt be in as she will raid bins , steal socks etc. I leave different toys for her to play with. She has the run of the hall the stairs living room and kitchen. I put tin foil on top of tables to stop her climbing on them. she has and the tinfoils away now.
Cora has learned to live with other dogs and has bonded with mine ..
she has been on multiple dog walks with up to 13 other dogs and coped well..
Id love to see her go to somewhere in the country, not a town as she isnt used to or suitable for town life. .
If anyone is interested in finding out more about Cora and the adoption process for her please contact me either via this thread or by PM and we can talk in more detail about her, what you're looking for and the kind of home you're offering.
http://www.spanieltrust.co.uk/
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Is this ok to crosspost?
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Is this ok to crosspost?
yes thanks. :D
shes under spaniel trust which is a registered charity.
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Love the photo on the bench :blink: Are you not tempted to keep her yourself :luv:
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Gosh Jean, I bet you'll find it a bit of a wrench to part with this girl - she really tugs at the heart strings :luv: You've done absolutely brilliant with her and I so hope that whoever gives her a forever home, can continue the excellent work you've done.
It's great that you've put so much effort into writing about her too, anyone taking her will have such a wealth of information to help them make the decision.
I think she should stay with you though ;)
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She's gorgeous. :luv: If my boy was a bit older I'd take her in a heartbeat.
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Ah Jean she looks like a wee dote and she's coming on in leaps and bounds with you :luv: I'll check if that couple I mentioned to you got sorted, I think they did but with being away on holiday I'm not 100% sure, I'll let you know. I'd definitely contact the other one I told you about too, could be a good match...
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Ah Jean she looks like a wee dote and she's coming on in leaps and bounds with you :luv: I'll check if that couple I mentioned to you got sorted, I think they did but with being away on holiday I'm not 100% sure, I'll let you know. I'd definitely contact the other one I told you about too, could be a good match...
thanks nic. ;)
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Ah Jean she looks like a wee dote and she's coming on in leaps and bounds with you :luv: I'll check if that couple I mentioned to you got sorted, I think they did but with being away on holiday I'm not 100% sure, I'll let you know. I'd definitely contact the other one I told you about too, could be a good match...
thanks nic. ;)
Working on this too Jean, but nothing yet. Hope somebody can take her on...or you'll just have to keep her :lol2:
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Ah Jean she looks like a wee dote and she's coming on in leaps and bounds with you :luv: I'll check if that couple I mentioned to you got sorted, I think they did but with being away on holiday I'm not 100% sure, I'll let you know. I'd definitely contact the other one I told you about too, could be a good match...
thanks nic. ;)
Working on this too Jean, but nothing yet. Hope somebody can take her on...or you'll just have to keep her :lol2:
That is what my daughter was just saying. :005: I swear if I had less dogs this is one I would keep. She is just a cuddly wee thing.
I think in her previous home when she barked they must have rewarded it somehow by throwing a toy or whatever as she will grab a tug toy and come over drop it and bark her head off wanting me to throw it. Im refusing to do it until she is sitting quietly. Im ignoring the bark and rewarding the quiet but Im just not used to a gobby cocker. mine are quiet in comparison. she even barked to let me know there were birds on the bird table!
eejit! :luv:
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Hi Jean - I pm'd you on another forum ;) didn't realise you lived so close to me! :lol:
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Hi Jean - I pm'd you on another forum ;) didn't realise you lived so close to me! :lol:
hello there pmed you back on the other place. xx
glad you found COL. this is an excellent forum for all things cocker. I cant recommend it highly enough. You will get expert advice, laughs and get to meet some great folks.. wait til you come for a meetup and meet theresa.. she takes you for a short stroll and 5 hours later.. or was it 6!! :005: we got lost!! good craic tho.
xx jean
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Just to say Cora is still looking for her forever home.
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Hi Jean - I pm'd you on another forum ;) didn't realise you lived so close to me!
hello there pmed you back on the other place. xx
glad you found COL. this is an excellent forum for all things cocker. I cant recommend it highly enough. You will get expert advice, laughs and get to meet some great folks.. wait til you come for a meetup and meet theresa.. she takes you for a short stroll and 5 hours later.. or was it 6!! :005: we got lost!! good craic tho.
xx jean
HEY Stop blaming me...you were lost too :lol2: :lol2:
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Hi Jean - I pm'd you on another forum ;) didn't realise you lived so close to me!
hello there pmed you back on the other place. xx
glad you found COL. this is an excellent forum for all things cocker. I cant recommend it highly enough. You will get expert advice, laughs and get to meet some great folks.. wait til you come for a meetup and meet theresa.. she takes you for a short stroll and 5 hours later.. or was it 6!! :005: we got lost!! good craic tho.
xx jean
HEY Stop blaming me...you were lost too :lol2: :lol2:
yes and you are the one heading off to peru...wait and see you will end up in canada! :011: :011: :rofl1: :rofl1: :011:
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you are the one heading off to Peru...wait and see you will end up in Canada! :011: :011: :rofl1: :rofl1: :011:
yeah, I can it see it now....I'll be obediently and trustingly trotting behind her all the way :005:
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Just seen this, aint she gorgeous :luv: Jean i think you must have the world record for the most in-depth info on a foster dog! :shades:
Goodluck Cora, you deserve a great life after the start you've had. What a lucky girl you are that auntie Jean helped you.
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well wait for this.... cora has lost 5.5 lbs!! Im so chuffed. and she walked into the vets no fuss. was fed training treats by everyone in there and she was brilliant. we met up with nicky from spaniel trust in there ( small world or what?) and she was fair taken with cora. And a man who cora had never met came in, cora immediately went over to say hello. chuffed to pieces I am.. and she didnt bark once! the vet was so pleased with her. said she was a different dog.. couldnt believe the improvement in her and in such a short time. I mean 8 weeks really isnt that long a time to a dog whos had 3 and a half years of not so good homelife. By golly shes a bright spark.
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well wait for this.... cora has lost 5.5 lbs!! Im so chuffed. and she walked into the vets no fuss. was fed training treats by everyone in there and she was brilliant. we met up with nicky from spaniel trust in there ( small world or what?) and she was fair taken with cora. And a man who cora had never met came in, cora immediately went over to say hello. chuffed to pieces I am.. and she didnt bark once! the vet was so pleased with her. said she was a different dog.. couldnt believe the improvement in her and in such a short time. I mean 8 weeks really isnt that long a time to a dog whos had 3 and a half years of not so good homelife. By golly shes a bright spark.
Aww Jean that's fantastic, what a brilliant job you've done with Cora :luv: You've every reason to feel so chuffed :D I hope she's rehomed in our neck of the woods, it would be brilliant to meet her. Well done you :clapping:
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Big pat on the back for you!!! Thats fab :D
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Brilliant Jean. Now we just need to get the wee darling a forever home... :luv: :luv:
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her recall is fantastic now..
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/workingcockerspaniels/P1000145.jpg)
here she comes top speed!
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/workingcockerspaniels/P1000146.jpg)
with my 3
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/workingcockerspaniels/P1000190-1.jpg)
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(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/workingcockerspaniels/P1000190-1.jpg)
Just mentioned this pic on your other thread, I love it! She looks very much part of the family ;) ;) ;)
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(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/workingcockerspaniels/P1000190-1.jpg)
Just mentioned this pic on your other thread, I love it! She looks very much part of the family ;) ;) ;)
you stop that winking now!! you are as bad as my DD! :005:
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(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/workingcockerspaniels/P1000190-1.jpg)
Just mentioned this pic on your other thread, I love it! She looks very much part of the family ;) ;) ;)
This has to be one of the best snowy doggy scenes I've seen so far on COL :luv: Thanks for sharing Jean, I was about to pm you, cos hadn't seen you on-line for a while ;) Hope you had a great Christmas and New Year ;)
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(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/workingcockerspaniels/P1000190-1.jpg)
Just mentioned this pic on your other thread, I love it! She looks very much part of the family ;) ;) ;)
This has to be one of the best snowy doggy scenes I've seen so far on COL :luv: Thanks for sharing Jean, I was about to pm you, cos hadn't seen you on-line for a while ;) Hope you had a great Christmas and New Year ;)
aww cheers.. just been busy keeping head above snow and working right through festive season. no rest for e wicked eh? >:D
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Only just seen this!
She's wonderful, a perfect match for the other three :D :D :D :luv: :luv: :luv:
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Only just seen this!
She's wonderful, a perfect match for the other three :D :D :D :luv: :luv: :luv:
Quite..... and even numbers are sooooo much better than odd numbers :shades: :shades: :shades:
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Only just seen this!
She's wonderful, a perfect match for the other three :D :D :D :luv: :luv: :luv:
Quite..... and even numbers are sooooo much better than odd numbers :shades: :shades: :shades:
STOPPPITT!! :005:
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Only just seen this!
She's wonderful, a perfect match for the other three :D :D :D :luv: :luv: :luv:
Quite..... and even numbers are sooooo much better than odd numbers :shades: :shades: :shades:
STOPPPITT!! :005:
You know you want to! She's obviously very happy where she is!
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Jean I LOVE her! :luv: :luv:
None of what you have posted about her as phased me at all. The only obstacle I have got is my OH! >:(
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Oh go on Jean :D Make this the first bestest rescue thread for 2010....How can anyone be a better Mum than you :luv: Cora has fitted in so well with you and I'm sure she is becoming even more settled by the day :luv:
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Stop fighting it Jean :005: :shades:
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Only just seen this!
She's wonderful, a perfect match for the other three :D :D :D :luv: :luv: :luv:
Quite..... and even numbers are sooooo much better than odd numbers :shades: :shades: :shades:
STOPPPITT!! :005:
You know you want to! She's obviously very happy where she is!
Oh, go on Jean, she looks like she fits right in with your lot :luv: :luv:
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I dont know why yo persist in trying to get rid of one of your mob!!! Cora looks very settled and you know you want to keep her
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She does look perfect with your three....... :luv:.......that pic would make a brilliant Christmas Card :luv:
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You have to keep her otherwise she may not to to col'er and we won't know how she's getting on!
Plus she's as good as yours already! ;)
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she looks so much better now even if I do say it myself. :luv: shes so cuddly as well.Id still like her to get a perfect home of her very own.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/workingcockerspaniels/cusnecht.jpg)
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/workingcockerspaniels/snowydogs.jpg)
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Id still like her to get a perfect home of her very own.
Looks like she already has that ;) Definately looks like part of YOUR family to me.
Beautiful photos :luv: :luv:
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what a stunning girl :luv: :luv:
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Jean I LOVE her! :luv: :luv:
None of what you have posted about her as phased me at all. The only obstacle I have got is my OH! >:(
Ditto :'(
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Has Cora been rehomed?
Lisa
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Has Cora been rehomed?
Lisa
nope, she had a couple of enquiries but so far nothing siutable.
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she really is a little stunner :luv: :luv:
fingers crossed the right home is just around the corner
if she hasnt already found it
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she really is a little stunner :luv: :luv:
fingers crossed the right home is just around the corner
if she hasnt already found it
my fingers are still crossed. Im a clever typist arent I? :005:
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Cora is lovely & you have put so much work into helping her, hoping the right home comes along that is if she isn't in it already! :luv:
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have decided to give in and become a failed fosterer!
cora will make it no. 4 in the spaniel household!
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have decided to give in and become a failed fosterer!
cora will make it no. 4 in the spaniel household!
Yehaaaaa :D
Jean I am absolutely over the moon for you both....I was sooo hoping you would keep her :luv:
Welcome to your forever home lovely Cora, you just couldn't have done better than have Jean as a Mum.
I'm almost in tears here.....can't wait to meet her :luv:
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Yea, well done Cora in finding your forever home with Jean. (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-happy096.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
Wishing you all many happy years together. (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-love013.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-love013.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-love013.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
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Congratulations Jean and Cora :D
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Aaaaw, that is wonderful news Jean :banana: :banana: :banana:
Cora looked like she belonged with your lot from the start so I hope you have many happy years with her :luv: :luv:
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That's great news Jean - Cora looked like part of the family in all the pictures you posted :luv:
WTG Cora
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Congratulations on your latest addition to the gang :D
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It's just meant to be :luv: :luv: We all saw it Jean, what took you so long :lol2: :luv: :luv:
So happy for you and Cora, she suits your gang so well :bigarmhug:
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YAY good going Cora you wore her down :005: :005:
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:luv: I definitely think Cora is smiling in that first photo :005:
She has found her forever home. :luv:
Way to go Cora :banana: :clapping: Well done Cora :luv:
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YAY good going Cora you wore her down :005: :005:
again spot on!
cora obviously had inside info as she knew as soon as she had her paws under ( or on) the table that she was going no where. am booking her in for a spay soon. that will be the next step..
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Awwwww :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :clapping: :clapping:
Well done Jean :luv: I had a feeling this might happen as you weren't getting toooooo cross when we were egging you on to keep her ph34r :005:
I'm so thrilled for all of you, she really does fit in with your gang and can't wait to see some more pics of her soon ;) ;)
Lucky Cora :luv: :luv:
Hannah xxxx
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:luv: :luv: :luv: Wonderful news, was obviously meant to be!! :luv: :luv: :luv:
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I knew it....I just knew it :005: :005: :005:
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Thats brilliant news.... :luv: :luv:
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Didn't see that coming at all :005: That's fantastic news, wtg Jean and Cora :banana::banana: :luv: :luv:
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Just seen this thread, congratulations to you and Cora :luv: she is beautiful and looks like she fits in perfectly :luv: xxxx
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can we have some more photo's seeing as she's really truly in her forever home now? :luv: :luv: :luv:
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Yay, Congratulations Jean WTG Cora :banana: :banana:
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Congratulations Jean, lucky Cora getting such a good new home. :shades:
I'll lock this thread now, maybe you could start a new one in Gen Discuss or on the Photo Boards.