For a few weeks now I’ve been lurking in the local dog rehoming sites, testing the feelings about the possibility of a new dog. A couple have caught my eye but nothing really grabbed me until about 2 weeks ago I spotted this guy…

He’s called Cooper and is a 4 year old Springer Spaniel. He was bought by a family at the beginning of Covid and they are no longer able to give him the attention or the activity that he needs. He’s a typical Springer, a bundle of pure energy and exactly what we love in a dog. He’s like a male version of much loved Rosie and perfect for our house.

We put in our adoption application straight away but as he was being neutered we had to wait until this weekend to see him once his stitches were out.

First of all though, a home check was completed on Thursday evening. I was nervous about this as our garden isn’t fully enclosed. I had trained Rosie to stay in our garden and I’m convinced we could do the same again but would they? Thankfully, it wasn’t an issue and the lady was very sensible agreeing with us that behavioural training is best as any dog will get out if it really wants to!

This evening was the big day and we finally got to meet him. The minute I got out of the car I knew he was for us! However, it was important for all of us to be comfortable, to see what he was like and make sure that he was happy with us too. A while in the outdoor pen with him and it was like he was always a part of us. He was very excited but not mental, running and jumping but not jumping up, begging to be played with and rolling over to get his belly rubbed. He was just the perfect blend of excitable and energetic yet submissive enough to behave himself.

The lady offered us to take him for a short walk up the road to get a chance to be alone with him. He’s OK but not great on a lead as the previous family didn’t walk him and it was only when he came to the Rescue Centre that he started this training. Even with that short time though he was pretty good and I know he’ll get better very quickly with daily walks. We all got a chance to walk him and it was a very easy decision to make.

Back at the centre we finalised the arrangements and we’re to collect him on Saturday morning to give us a full weekend to get him settled in. It’s a long weekend for St. Patrick’s Day and I’ve booked the Tuesday off as well so I’ll have 4 full days to work with him before he has to be left alone during the day. I can’t wait and we’re all looking forward to welcoming this wee man into the house ♥️

It’ll never be possible to replace Rosie and she’ll always hold a special place in our memories but our house feels empty without a dog and we want to have another special friend that we can give all our love to and give him a new forever home. At the centre the lady said that maybe Rosie sent this wee man to us. I’m not sure how I feel about that but it’s certainly a lovely thought…