In March 2024 when he then came into the care of Les Amis Pocket went into foster with our Caroline (and Woody who is Caroline’s Les Amis failed-foster).  Now at his foster home, Pocket has his own space and comfy couch, where he can start to feel safe and secure.

Right from  the early days, Caroline would sit with him peacefully for hours on end, just trying to get his faith back in humankind. When he left the refuge at Tarbes, they gave us the ‘top tip’ that he loves cheese, who doesn’t?  His particular cheese of choice is ‘La vache qui rit’ and he would take this from Caroline’s hand but, would not take his eyes off her!  When Pocket came to us he was very slim, so the extra calories helped him enormously to put on some much needed weight, as well as some specially high-protein food provided by Les Amis. 

Caroline set up cameras so she could observe him closely, without her being in the same room, as he was less nervous and she could see better how to improve his environment. 

The only time he would eat would be at night when everyone else was fast asleep. She could also see him enjoying his stuffed Kong and lick mat too.  He figured out where and when to sleep and he could be seen to relax slightly.  Caroline has the patience of a Saint and is going at Pocket’s pace as he needs lots of gentle encouragement to learn that he can be himself.

After Pocket had been with Caroline for a couple of months, he would patiently wait for her to come in to see him in the morning and his tail was starting to wag a little. He was also getting slightly  less skittish at different and unexpected sounds.  Towards the end of May Caroline saw a great improvement in him when he jumped up onto the couch, wanting to sit next to her but, just not ready to be touched yet. How wonderful that must’ve felt!

Getting into August and the zoomies started, with a happy wag of his tail he would charge around his little garden, just happy to be alive! Pocket also started to show off his amazing singing voice, he would howl at the top of his lungs to be let out for a toilet break. Maybe he should be renamed Sir Tom Bones!

One thing that Pocket doesn’t cope with very well is sudden change. Caroline has moved her kitchen island to make more room for Pocket and give him freer access to the kitchen.  At first, he was visibly upset at the disruption and stayed in his garden but, the sound of a shotgun shocked him back into the house, bless his heart!  A few steps forward and one step back is typical for Pocket’s journey. Another huge step in Pocket’s progress was around this time when he actually ate his dinner during the day, proving that he really is coming on leaps and bounds. It might seem like a small step but, it’s all in the right direction and Caroline was thrilled!  

Caroline’s patience and dedication to Pockets’ plight has been absolutely astounding. He has come on so well but, still has a long way to go. Pocket deserves to be loved and eventually he will be adopted into a loving home that will no doubt continue the tender, loving care that he’s been receiving with Caroline. Her mantra is ‘Observe, adjust, observe more & react’……

A huge heartfelt thank you for all Caroline has done and continues to do for Pocket. He’s a very lucky boy to have you in his life.  ❤️