“Where to start?! I had previously adopted a dog called Pocket from Pointers In Need just before the pandemic. She is very loving but has hyper-arousal, which makes her challenging at times. To help her, I sought out behaviourists and even did a training course with IMDT. I put a lot of time and effort into getting her where she is today, with the help of a fantastic lady who had a canine behaviour degree and specialised in hunting dogs – she listened to me at all hours of the day and night and I am so grateful for her support. Despite Pocket’s quirks, I wanted to support a rescue organisation and help another dog in need. I knew that Pointers In Need was looking for fosterers, so I thought I could help that way instead of adopting another dog myself.
Then Popsicle arrived! The week I was meant to pick him up, I became unwell with shingles and last-minute arrangements had to be put in place. The Pointers In Need team kindly stepped in and looked after him until I was well enough to pick him up from their house. I was apprehensive about fostering Popsicle, especially since I worried about how he would get along with Pocket. However, the dogs met outside and seemed happy enough. Inside the house, Pocket tolerated him but growled if he came too near her. Nevertheless, this lessened with each day and he gradually started coming out of his shell.
Popsicle was nervous and reserved, especially since he had come from a situation where food was scarce. In the first week he managed to eat half a carrot cake, which had me panicking. However, with the help of Pointers In Need and a call to the animal poison line I was assured that the worst he could have was an upset stomach. I started to take him to an enclosed field nearby and he would run but always come back to me to check in. He was great with other dogs and people, and lots of people commented on how lovely he was on walks, I made sure to tell them he was a rescue and promote the charity. At this point, I thought I would do whatever training I could with him and then let him go to an adopter. But by the 5th or 6th week I had already fallen in love with him, and he was part of our lives.
Popsicle and Pocket were playing together every day and he followed her everywhere. It wasn’t an easy decision to keep him but I felt that he was special and that I had formed a bond with him already. I called my good friend who asked me if I loved him, how would I feel if I let him go, and could I ensure that all his needs as a Pointer were met. This was the reassurance I needed that I was enough for him and that I could provide him with a safe, loving home whilst considering his and Pocket’s own needs. It was one of the best decisions I ever made! Popsicle and Pocket sleep, play together, and groom each other. The progress they have made in a short time is amazing and a testament to this amazing breed. So, if you are thinking about adopting or fostering, what are you waiting for?!”
Adopter: Jo Mitchelson