Credit where credit is due ...

[lindseyp]

......for Elaine & Louis  

(but I just hope she will forgive me for saying so       )

I met up with Elaine (& Maria) on Monday for a little walk, while Ruby was having a new hair furdo done.
 and I have to say, the transformation in Louis was a real delight to see & so remarkable it warrants mentioning  

Many of us know Louis, either meeting him personally, or from threads posted by Elaine, mentioning the difficulties she has had or asking advice - I think it's OK for me to say, Louis wasn't an easy pup/dog in many ways & was a complex, troubled little soul  
On meet ups, personally I would avoid too much close contact with Louis, as his being uncomfortable among other dogs & people, was quite clear to see & didn't want to add to his unease.

However yesterday, after not seeing him for sometime, it was an absolute joy to see a confident, playful, happy little dog interact perfectly with Tinker & Purdey. He tried to instigated play with Tinker, shared Purdeys balls, having great fun running side by side retrieving & did the happiest 'woo woo woo's ' I've seen ....fair to say Elaine, Louis was a perfect example of a 'merry cocker' yesterday  & have to say so well done to you    

You've been totally committed to Louis & not giving upon him, despite it being quite hard at times    
You both are a wonderful example of what such dedication can achieve & Louis was so lucky to land on his paws when he came to you  

I hope you don't mind me mentioning it Elaine but I thought it might just give hope to others in the same boat as you once were & also because you always take the time to give such good advice in your replies to people who need it - I thought it time you get a very much deserved pat on the back yourself  

& a big bunch of cyber flowers just for you After years of such hard work & dedication, I hope you are getting as much pleasure & happiness back from your little man, as I saw in his face on Monday - well done you Elaine  


here's some for Maria too I know her help & support has been a rock for you at times & I just adore the way Maria just loves Louis so unconditionally through the good times & not so good too    

Lindsey x    

[Helen]

I'm really pleased Louis has come on so well as I know it's not been an easy ride 

I think Elaine is a perfect example of an understanding cocker owner - she knows her dogs inside and out and understands their quirks and limitations and works hard at making their lives as happy as possible    .... and everyone should have a sidekick as fantastic as Maria 

[bluegirl]

Well done to Elaine.

[MaggieR]

I'm really pleased Louis has come on so well as I know it's not been an easy ride  

I think Elaine is a perfect example of an understanding cocker owner - she knows her dogs inside and out and understands their quirks and limitations and works hard at making their lives as happy as possible    .... and everyone should have a sidekick as fantastic as Maria  

Couldn't put it better myself.... am so so pleased to hear how Louis has come on.   for you Elaine (and your sidekick   )

[lindseyp]

I'm really pleased Louis has come on so well as I know it's not been an easy ride 

I think Elaine is a perfect example of an understanding cocker owner - she knows her dogs inside and out and understands their quirks and limitations and works hard at making their lives as happy as possible    .... and everyone should have a sidekick as fantastic as Maria 

you word it so well Helen 

[Pop-Star]

What a lovely post Lindsey   

Well done to Elaine and Louis

I especially agree with this, Elaine always gives such good advise.

I hope you don't mind me mentioning it Elaine but I thought it might just give hope to others in the same boat as you once were & also because you always take the time to give such good advice in your replies to people who need it - I thought it time you get a very much deserved pat on the back yourself  

[LottieLu]

Ditto from me 

[elaine.e]

Ermm, don't know what to say really. Thank you Lindsey and everyone else for such nice words and thoughts

Louis was amazing on Monday, definitely helped by Purdey and Tinker being so relaxed with him and by Maria being there (he thinks the world of her). I don't think I've ever seen him be so joyful around other dogs. I wasn't taking any chances though and put him back on lead when a little working Cocker puppy ran towards us. I don't think I'll ever be able to trust him not to pin down young puppies

I've been a Cocker owner for 25 years, a COL member for 4 years and owned by Louis for 3 years. The first 22 years of Cocker ownership were pretty easy, especially after joining COL and learning so much on here. Louis and all his problems came as a massive shock and I wouldn't have got through these 3 years without support and advice from COLers and all the help I get from Maria and Ruby the Retriever, Louis's best friends. Maria is always there for me and I've lost count of the times she's had Louis at her house for a few hours to give me and William a break.

Louis has been a real challenge, still is sometimes, and has changed a lot of my ideas about how dogs behave and why they behave like they do. I've had days when I really didn't want to know him and let him down by doing nothing positive, not exactly ignoring him, but just going through the motions of dog ownership rather than helping him. But I know I have to keep on helping him and it's becoming easier and more rewarding as he becomes more confident in me and less fearful of other dogs, people he doesn't know, sudden noises etc.

There's a really sweet, joyful and exuberant Cocker lurking inside Louis   and on days like Monday I get glimpses of him and that makes all the tough times worth it.

[ebony girl]

Awww how lovely, this has made my eyes leak....well done Elaine, Louis is clearly lucky to own you..

[luckypenny]

Aww - lovely all round! 

[MacTavish Boys]

Such a lovely post from Lindsey and well done to you Elaine, your little boy is lucky to have such a caring Mum 
Stephanie, George and Hamish xxx

[Lily Freya]

What a lovely post Elaine.  You must have felt so happy when you read it. 

Nice to have had hard work and input acknowledged.      xxx

[lindseyp]

There's a really sweet, joyful and exuberant Cocker lurking inside Louis   and on days like Monday I get glimpses of him and that makes all the tough times worth it.

indeed    but never underestimate your input Elaine 
 it is easy to be complacent when you have an 'normal' dog on your hands & the difficulties faced when having one with major issues, whatever they may be, can sometimes be understated

You are a valuable member of the forum Elaine, contributing excellent, sound advice, given in a caring manner & with the feeling you sincerely care ...... your experience with Louis just makes you all the more valuable IMO 

You also follow up threads where you have commented/helped & are always one of the first to praise when one of us makes progress...no matter how small ........ so it's just your turn now     

[minimoo]

What a lovely post Elaine.  You must have felt so happy when you read it. 

Nice to have had hard work and input acknowledged.      xxx

Totally agree , and also Elaine is always on here with with great advice and help, well done 

[Jenna]

Well done Elaine. Your advice has helped me often, too.

Your posts always come across as caring and sincere.