Harry's possible new Labradoodle friend/rescue - help please!
 

Good afternoon everyone! :)

My daughter Anna has just driven 100+ miles to rescue an 18 month old labradoodle little boy.

His 'skin-mummy' died yesterday, and none of the family were able, or wanted, to cope with him. He was going to be put to sleep tonight. She is taking him home, to her house, right now.

Anna is taking him to her vet tomorrow morning (he's very thin) - and then to the groomers, as he is very badly matted (underneath all that fur!). She's stopping at a pet store on the way home to buy absolutely everything he needs (or she likes! :D). We've had labradors - and we've had poodles - but never the mix!


Anna works full time (although a certain amount of it can be done from her home). She also has 2 Persian 'house cats' - but a lot of support from her family/friends. What I please need to ask you is - any advice/tips for both her and me?

Thank you! :) Sally + Harry x

I have no experience with rescues or labradoodles, but I did want to say how amazing you guys are! That is just so wonderful that you are rescuing him. I know he will be so happy! I hope all goes well!

Good luck Sally and Anna..i have no knowledge of labs except my DD has one and they adore him, i have had poodles and love them but no not mixes..

Thank you both! It's the interaction with the cats I'm worried about for her too....plus the working....:) Plus everything else! :D

I have experience with rescues and and Lab mixes, and know two Labradoodles. They are gorgeous dogs and very smart. The two I know are trained service dogs.

Obviously, a trip to the vet will put your mind at ease regarding health issues, and I encourage you to do that.

I do not know how bad the new baby is, nutritionally, but my worst was so bad she was very emaciated, dehydrated, almost dead and couldn't hold food down. I gave her very small amounts of concentrated eggnog at first, smearing it on her mouth so she'd lick it off, and when she could hold food down, gradually increasing the amount, then adjusting her food both in volume, type, and substantial-ness. That's a new word I just made up, but I seem to recall the next step was really soft barely cooked scrambled eggs for the natural EFA's, etc., then stuff like gently baked/boiled chicken, then adding a high protein dog food, etc. to get her energy levels up and build her muscles etc. She recovered nicely and was a great dog, loved little boys, and we found her a wonderful family with two little boys...boys and dog bonded immediately.

As far as the cats are concerned, I had Shep/Labs and 'inherited' the feral cat who 'owned' the house when I bought it. Take no aggression toward the cats in stride...always intercede...no" is a great word! My Shep/Labs were natural hunters, but also naturally sweet, and naturally people pleasers...they learned very quickly what I wanted and obliged me...even going against their natural instincts. I cannot promise that will happen though. Depending on how bad the dog is now, you may not have any issue at all...my last rescue was a Shep/Lab and he never had any issues with the kitties even though he was also a great natural hunter, and I have photos of how much the kitties loved him. They would snuggle with him until he had to leave 'cuz he wanted to sleep and they wanted to nuzzle and kiss.

You can do this...and bless you all for taking this project on. Good luck! Take care!

Thank you Cat, for all your wonderful, sound advice :)

Apparently the new little boy 'Luka' travelled home brilliantly to my daughter's house, all snuggled up in his new bed and blankets, as good as gold in the boot (trunk?!!?) of her car....we shall see. The poor little boy's probably in shock...wondering what on earth's going to happen to him next....God bless him :) Thank you. Sally + Harry x

That's wonderful! Sounds like he's settled in and already believes he is in a better place! One thing's for certain, whatever happens to him now has an excellent chance of being better than what he's just come from! Take care! :)

It's great that your daughter is helping this poor dog. If you and she know how to teach basic obedience then you have a good sound foundation on which to start. Sit, stay and down are basic and help so much when dealing with any dog. It sounds like this guy has been neglected badly for a while so he may need all kinds of help.

Hope things go well for all of you.

That's wonderful of your daughter. I'm sure he'll be very, very happy in his new home.

Louie is a rescue, and we have only had him for 5 days, but he's already started to settle in well. I think with rescues it all takes time. Their experiences in life have all been tinged with uncertainty or fear, so they need some extra love and spoiling to realize that they have finally found there "fur-ever" home. Good luck to your daughter and God bless her for saving the life of an innocent!

What an awesome daughter you have for saving this pup! It souns like he has been through alot and not taken care of as he should have been. A friend of mine has a goldendoodle and she is an absolute doll....easy to train also - I think that is the poodle part! Best of luck to her and her new furbaby!

That's great that your daughter went to rescue him. Sounds like he will settle in to his new home quickly.

How great that your DD would take this young dog in:D. I had standard poodles prior to Yorkies and they were super dogs. Hope this one has a good disposition and is easy to love!

I am guessing that Luka is a very lucky big boy :D:D:D

Good morning everyone! :)

Firstly, thank you all for your wonderful comments and input, which I've passed onto Anna.

Just a quick update - apparently it ended up with Luka and the 2 cats all asleep in Anna's room! She had put Luka all cosied up in her kitchen - but at midnight the cries were so pitiful that she brought him into her room, in his own bed though, he's too big to share! And then there was peace until 7 a.m.!! :D

Ted (the more outgoing cat) apparently woke Luka with a swipe of his paw on his nose - but I've said to Anna it's early days yet, and Ted's probably establishing the pecking order?!!

He has the vet appointment in half an hour, then straight to the groomers (poor boy - he must wonder what on earth's hit him!!) and then I'm popping over to meet him - but not Harry, not this time! :)

So it seems to be going as well as it can for less than 24 hours - thanks again everyone - will keep you posted! Sally + Harry x