I'm posting again to bump Elmo up! Yes, he has an excellent home with me but it's important that I find a good home for him before the end of October when I'll be moving near a pueblo in Andalucia where the local shepherds have had dreadful problems with stray and escaped dogs (usually from ex-pat British) and that is why they are routinely poisoned.
I don’t actually want to give him away, just doing what I can to find a family who can care for him, love him and keep him safe. If no takers, he’ll be coming with me and I’ll do all I can to protect him. It won’t be much of a life for him. I’m moving to be with my partner and know many people there with dogs and have been horrified to hear how many they have lost. I know that Elmo will be in serious danger there. So, if you’re thinking about getting a friendly, family dog, then contact me. His welfare is paramount, so I’ll need to satisfy myself that you can give him a good home and that he will be appropriate for you. If he is rehomed and it doesn’t work out, for whatever reason and whenever that may be, I’ll take him back.
He spent his first 17 months of life attached to a chain without company of any kind. Never walked, never even spoken to. I guess his owner wanted him to become a mean guard dog. But that is just not in his nature. So his owner abandoned him and denied that he was his dog, the neighbours said otherwise! After 15 days in the Fourrière he was taken to the vet to be put to sleep. The vet refused to do this to a young dog in good health and very well-balanced and friendly, despite the deprivations of his early life. The vet knew who he belonged to, as the owner had taken him to the vet for his vaccinations but the owner denied it was his dog. In desperation, the vet called NALA, an animal rescue association in the Vendée. They immediately placed the dog with me.
Despite never having been in a house before, he was clean from the start. OK, he chewed everything - books, DVDs (très croquants!), rubber gloves, etc:, but now is older, calmer and good as gold and can be left in the house for hours without any damage whatsoever. He walks to heel, sits on command and takes titbits very gently. Visiting children, and my dog-sitters' grandson, love him and he has a special relationship with children. I couldn't afford many dog-training sessions but the dog trainer said he would be excellent for agility - he certainly seemed to take to it. Any takers for the cute, affectionate, intelligent (loves TV), playful and (generally) obedient Elmo?
For his future life and well-being, I certainly hope so!