westiemum

Well the little man coped with todays sheer chaos reasonably well - shed building and lots of noise this morning, more of Grandma today (an extra stranger in the house is what I mean), then 12 people to lunch complete with 3 extra dogs - so 7 in the house for most of the afternoon including a noisy boisterous schnauzer puppy and a big but chilled dalmatian who didn't seem to phase him. He did need some 'quiet time' mid afternoon in my bedroom after it all got a bit much for him. And the noise cheering on the Crows to an elimination final win tonight. Its been a very big day and apart from the boisterous young schnauzer he coped well. And like the westies he's exhausted tonight - he's been sleeping very close to Sarah on the lounge and seems pretty peaceful and content. I have four local options for him now and it going to be very very hard to let him go... at least I know now that any home for him, if they have dog(s), they need to be pretty chilled and laid back...

Well Grandma fell in love with Zac this afternoon - and if she didn't already have a cat twice his size I have no doubt he would have gone to live with her!!! But unfortunately it would never work with her cat (who was originally my cat!!)

Caz my waggle of westies are a pretty cool mob once the initial curiosity subsides and they realise they aren't going to be usurped! They are a bunch of lounge lizards and as long as their routine isn't disturbed they are fine. I've been separating Zac from the westies while I'm at work though just to be safe. And my mother was dog-sitting this afternoon and I haven't had any panicked calls so I'm assuming all is well. The westies just love their Grandma and I'm sure Zac will too. I've had another possibility for a home for this little man come up today as well - can't believe the interest in him - so I'm spoiled for choice - and so is he!!

And here's one I fluked at bedtime last night - he's such a busy little man he's hard to get a good shot of. He's incredibly low maintenance - gem of a little guy!

Thanks tons Snook - and 'night all - been a big day here for a little man and for me - so we're all off to bed. I get very busy from tomorrow morning until I come up for air on Sunday afternoon so will post again then if I don't before.

Thanks denali - and you should see him in real life - he's even more adorable!! He's such a gorgeous munchkin!

And a couple more - one with my pillow princess which shows what an adaptable little man he is... I'm sure you can tell this is going to be very hard letting him go... I'm going to keep him for a couple of days as I really want to try him at the park and with a bigger dog or two... and then go from there. My life gets insanely busy in the morning and I won't come up for air until Sunday afternoon... so that will give me a few days to get to know him a bit better...

Hi all Zac fans, Here's the gorgeous one tonight - he's snoozing next to me as I post.

Megan you're too nice!! I went with an open mind last night and was absolutely overtly non- judgemental while it was apparent his former owner is a bit of smiling assassin. Whoever said earlier (you'll get 'oh I love him' was completely correctt. Juice? ) She also said she was concerned that he would be loved as much as she loves him - but not enough to keep him and find a solution. I have absolutely no doubt he would have gone down if my friend hadn't stepped in and asked for my help. I think it was the fact that on departure it was the visitors from Sydney who were staying with the owner who were in tears and not the owner that to me said everything. Not one tear for this little man who shared her life for 12 years. I genuinely don't get it. Anyway, I absolutely understand where you are coming from - just don't think it was the case here.

Hi all, I put Zac in his own bed next to mine last night (the westies sleep on my bed) after a mega bed-time backyard weeing and pooing expedition!!! You should have seen it!!! Anyway this resilient little man stayed in his bed all night without a peep. He ate his breakfast this morning, then a wee and separated from the westies for the day just to be safe. He's doing well with my westies and I'll see how we all go tonight. But I want to try him with some other bigger dogs to see how he goes just to be sure given both re-homing options have other dogs. My gut is telling me he's been a bit of a 'home' dog and hasn't been out much, except perhaps to the vet. So a walk to the local park might be on the cards tonight when a friend drops by and can give me a hand. And yes DD I'll post photos!!!

Mrs RB I met that naughty dog briefly tonight - she was in a crate - and quick frankly it has disaster written all over it sadly. Anyway, not a lot I can do - the owner quite frankly fell in love with the wrong dog and out of love with the right one. Anyway we're all off to bed here - hoping for a fairly peaceful night - at in typical DOL fashion at least he's wee'd and poo'd before bed!!

Thank you so much Snook for your help - you know how much it means - and its through you that this little guy is going to get a home locally. You're a gem.

Hi All Zac fans, Well he's here at home on my lap - and please forgive me but my I took a photo and my phone died - its the only camera I have in house - so as soon as I can I'll post some Zac photos. It went well. Took a little over an hour while I made absolutely sure the owner understood the change of ownership and that there would no going back. She did and almost too happily filled out the paper work - and I must admit I was really sad at how easily she handed him over - but I didn't show it of course. Anyway onward and upward for this little man. He's officially now mine for rehoming and I even guessed the right database for his microchip - so thats been signed and is ready to transfer as well. He's a lovely little boy. I'm not used to four kilo dogs! On first glance he's in very good nick, although possibly a little porky - or it might just be his coat. And blink blink please don't be too horrified but he had a bath in WoolMix today - where's that Mr Rolley eyes when you need him!. The westies all showed a little too much interest and he was a bit trembley when we first arrived home but westiemum asserted her pack leadership and all has settled - and Zac appropriately warned Sarah that she was in his face. She's now happy on her cushion and Andy and Mac have lost interest and wandered off to snooze. Zac is sitting and snuggling on my lap as I type. He has come with a truckload of gear, he's been bathed today but he still has a sore ear from the skirmish of a day or two ago - nothing major. So thanks all - I'll see how he goes overnight and go from there. I really want to thank all those interstate people who put their hand up for him - Simply Grand who jumped in so quickly, followed closely by HRH Dogmad and Snooks Melbourne friend. I'm pretty overwhelmed just thinking about your kindness. But as we have local options I think its best for Zac to try them first as that can happen fairly quickly and with the least disruption for the little guy. So I think the best thing for him will be to get him on trial as soon as possible as it minimises the disruption and dislocation for him. Thanks so much again for all your help support and encouragement. Its meant a great deal to this elderly little guy - and me. And I promise I'll get some decent photos up as soon as I can.

Couldn't agree more. Even though I'm feeling very very cross about this, for Zacs sake I'll be sweet as pie and bite my tongue. Dug out my old surrender forms and updated them last night - so they're good to go. Fingers and paws crossed.

Thanks so much Mrs RB - thats a very kind offer - and yes I entirely agree this younger dog needs some serious training by the sound of it. I'll check it out tomorrow night too, see how the owner is coping with all this and go from there. Stay tuned and I'll report back tomorrow night how we get on.

Thank you juice, happy paws and DD again. Thanks huski - yes it breaks my heart too - I can't understand how anyone can have a dog for 11 years and then dump him for a 'newer model' I could no more dump Mac than fly to the moon. Oh well - hopefully tomorrow night will be the start of a new chapter for this little man - and shortly with someone who really wants him - and the start of a great life.

Thank you Caz, DD and BL. It's a great feeling when things start to fall into place for an oldie - and as DD points out - really not so old for a little!! Puppies will usually find homes, the oldies are harder so this has been tremendous - thanks everyone. As to transport - I completely agree - when well managed a plane flight is nothing for a resilient dog. And don't worry DD - my friend has 'been working with her' this morning as well. So with us both there tomorrow... well lets just say Zac will be safer tomorrow night!

Thank you Snook and blink blink - very much. The offers of help for this little man are absolutely amazing. Krislin just so you know, I think elderly people are great for re- homing - and I've done this in the past with a Westie where we already had a back-up plan b in place. It was a match made in heaven and they had four wonderful years together. So when the elderly lady died plan b swung into place seamlessly. But in Zacs case, thanks to Snook, we now also have two local options as well as those interstate. Blink blink it's connected to FB through Snook - as I don't 'do FB' (), she kindly spread the word for me that way too. Next steps. I'm now meeting with Zac's owner tomorrow night to potentially do the surrender. He'll then most likely come to me for a couple of nights to see what he's like and while we decide the best option for him. Thanks everyone again - I'll report back tomorrow night.

You guys are amazing. We have three great options interstate for him . Thank you. We are going to try a couple of llong-shot local options today and if they fall through we'll talk to the owner about surrendering him to us ( yes I'll do the paperwork ) and get him on a flight. My iPad is playing up and having difficulty posting and phone isn't ideal either in a new job so will post an update tonight if I can't get back to you today. ????????????

Thinking of you both Jules and tomorrow is a better day for you both.

Best wishes Dudsmedog - I'm in the same boat. My old Westie Mac is still having many more good days than bad days and still eating well too. But when that all changes I'll know it's time and I'll let him go too - when that will be I have no idea. So treasure every moment, make many happy memories and we'll be here for you when the time comes.

Yes please Snook - and please pass my mobile number to anyone who responds who sounds like they might be able to help this lovely old man. Done and I've tagged someone we both know who knows the local rescue world. I'll let you know if I get any responses and have your number to pass on if needed.

Thanks soooo much BL - really appreciated. I'm going to bed now as its been a really long day here. Thank you all very much. Will check in tomorrow after I've done some further investigation.

SG bless you. No probs - we can cover the flight if it comes to that. But you're right - closer would be better. Lets see what falls out over the next few days - but sadly I don't think we have long to mobilise a solution.

Yes please Snook - and please pass my mobile number to anyone who responds who sounds like they might be able to help this lovely old man.