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Adopting a Pet: Baxter's New Life
By Laura Gooderham
Our family had only ever owned dogs from being puppies and had reared them from a young age. The thought of bringing a rescue dog into our family home was a scary prospect. Why? I'll never know...
We fell head over heels with the mischievous eyed black Labrador we could see on the screen before we’d even seen him in person. After making several 6 hour all round trips to Milton Keynes from our village of New Waltham, we were finally able to bring Baxter to his new forever home.
Baxter had a neglected start in life. He was left for 12-14 hours on his own almost every day and was shut in the same room day in day out for them lengthy time periods. He was never walked for more than 5 minutes on an evening (if he was lucky) and never had the opportunity to socialise with other dogs. His collar was on so tight around his neck it took months for the imprint to go and he had bald patches on his fur from where he’d gnawed himself when he felt upset or scared.
His neglect led to him having some behaviour problems: he didn’t know how to behave whilst on a lead, he didn’t know how to channel his energy and excitement and he also developed a possessive streak in him over food and toys. Baxter is one of the larger breeds of Labrador, he features the big paws, the big head, long legs and a broad neck and shoulders. Weighing in at roughly 6 stone, calming him down when excited and teaching him how to walk on a lead without pulling was crucial. Not just for our own safety but more so for his.
His previous owners decided to take him to Hula Animal Rescue in Apsley Guise, Milton Keynes at the age of 6. Most dogs at this age are already set in their ways and changing their behaviours can be a challenge. We were advised by various people to reconsider adopting a rescue dog due to the difficulties that may come with it however once we’d seen an image of him on the rescue centre website we couldn’t get him out of our heads.
The best thing we ever did was not listen to those telling us not to adopt a dog from a rescue centre. Bringing Baxter into our family has been the most fun and rewarding experience you could ever imagine. Seeing him progress, not only just behaviour wise, but within his personality as well has been so wonderful to watch. He always was a lovely dog, he just never had the opportunity to showcase his true colours and now he can.
He has the full run of the house all day every day, including his own bed (and bedroom) upstairs and his own bed downstairs so he can choose where he wants to be. Naturally though, being a comfort loving Labrador, he chooses the human beds to sleep on. He has a full, secure garden to play in with lots of grass and lots of plants to pull out (we’ve learnt he likes to help out with the gardening). He goes on at least one walk a day and has made many doggy friends in the village. His skills of behaving when on a lead have improved more than we thought they could and he’s brilliant with other dogs.
Not only has he gained a loving home and his own group of friends, Baxter now has a huge family full of adults, children and other pets, who all love him very dearly and who he loves just as much back.
If you are considering adopting any rescue animal, please go with your heart and not with the negative comments people may say. Visit the animal a couple of times before you make your decision and get to know them on a personal level. It may just be the best thing you ever do!
If you would like more advice on adopting a pet from Hula Animal Rescue visit their website: www.hularescue.org
This was the moment Baxter arrived at his new home with us
Baxter didn't used to like having his picture taken. Now he loves it
Baxter joins in at all of our parties, including this 60's/70's themed one