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Alfie
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Alfie
aged 12
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Alfie came to us in 2003 because the owners wanted to rehome him due
to concerns about his attitude towards their new baby. Alfie was
grossly
overweight weighing in at over 70 kg and could hardly walk. Three
or four steps at a time was all he could manage without feeling severe
distress,
but after a year of a revised diet and regular exercise we managed to
halve
his weight and a year after that he was down to a manageable 34
kg
and now is beginning to enjoy his walks and even on occasion has
managed
to break into a trot. On the first occasion of noticing this
burst
of energy there was an inward cheer of delight that at last this poor
chap
is now beginning to enjoy a better quality of life than he had done so
for
some time.
He is a loveable character who enjoys nothing more than stretching
himself out on the settee at every opportunity but is one of the first
at the door when he knows its time for a walk. We question his
motives here as his favourite pastime is eating pooh and this is one
disgusting trait we
have failed to correct. Needless to say his cuddles are many but
his
kisses are few?!! There is no doubt that the care he has
received
has increased his life expectancy and although he sometimes has a
struggle
to get to his feet he is otherwise a very happy and contented dog.
For his age one of his favourite past times is playing with the
youngsters of the pack all be it from a prone position but there is no
doubting the pleasure he derives from these activities. We have a
heinz 57? terrier come whippet cross come to stay with us for regular
periods throughout the year, his name is Charlie and when he
enters the house he is like
a whirlwind bringing everyone to life and no-one more so than
Alfie.
Alfie will always be the first to remind you when it is time for a
meal, and when it is time for a walk. These are obviously two of
his favourite past times after the nasty habit we mentioned earlier.
