I met Rosie at her home in La Creuse. She greeted me with a double high paw and trotted off to the living room, jumping up on her part of the sofa, and turning around 3 times before settling down. (Hair by Yvonne and collar by Koko Chewnel.)
Me: So, Rosie, how did you come to be living here?
Rosie: Well, I can’t remember exactly what happened to my previous humans, but suddenly they’d disappeared. It’s all a bit of a blur but I had a ruff time of it. Unaccountably, no-one wanted me! I remember being put in a car and driving for a long time, and then my new humans took me away.
Me: Wow, that sounds unbelievably hard.
Rosie: Yes, it was. I met with the rest of the pack at their home. It’s very difficult being in unfurmiliar surroundings but they were ok once we’d had a good bottom sniff. I had a new bed, nice food and a lovely cuddle from the new humans. My skin was very irritated and I had an ear infection. So I had a trip to the – the – I’m sorry but I can’t even say the word – the V. E. T. (at this point Rosie got the shivfurs).
Me: oh dear, so what happened?
Rosie: The – the – thing I just said, she gave me an injection, some tablets and some shampoo specially for my skin. My new human cut my hair, gave me a bath, and it really helped. I felt pawsitive for the first time in ages.
Me: So you were very lucky? Your new humans knew they didn’t have to worry about medical bills as you are a Lifetime Foster and they are all taken care of by Les Amis des Animaux, apart from tick/flea stuff and vaccinations. That’s very important to people who might be put off by taking on another dog. If you don’t mind me asking – how old are you Rosie?
Rosie: I am furteen years old I think.
Me: So how is life for you now?
Rosie: At first I used to look for my previous human but I got used to these new humans and the other dogs. They love me very much and give me good food, lots of cuddles and short walks. Sometimes I struggle with a long walk but a potter around the lake is lovely. I play now too. My skin is clear, although I do have the occasional flare up with my ears, but the female human says I’m now lovely enough to be on the cover of Vanity Fur. They do remonstrate a bit when I try to attract their attention at night. But it’s the only way I can tell the time. I bark and they say Rosie! Stop barking! Its 2 o’clock in the morning. They say I have a big personality too. I have a new leash of life and I’m very happy.
If you are of a ‘certain age’, or, indeed someone who is young, where you feel that taking on a puppy/kitten, or a young dog/cat, is not really going to work for you, and you have space in your heart or, more importantly, on your sofa, to offer one, or more, oldies the chance a good life in their remaining years, then please get in touch https://lesamisdesanimaux.com/animals/ . Remember, there is no adoption fee for a lifetime foster, and all vets fees, other than annual vaccinations, and parasitical medication, are covered by Les Amis des Animaux.
