Ode to Cole

Posted on Pamela ShevlinPosted in Our Dogs

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On 13th April 2016, a completely shut-down older collie boy who we named Cole was saved from the Louth County Pound by DDR. He had been a stray that was never reclaimed. He was such a pitiful sight at the kennels – that within a couple of days our crew made it a priority to get Cole into foster. Up stepped Emma who immediately offered him a safe haven, before he finally made his way to foster with Laura, her family and her “muttley” crew.

Cole needed a lot of work ..  and it is so hard to put into words how over the days, weeks and months that Cole spent in foster with Laura, that he completely transformed .. he made a friend with the sheep .. he began to enjoy the company of the other dogs .. he began to trust humans … he had his first bath … he revelled in the company of the children in the family … he learned how to be a dog again and what it felt like to be loved ….

Saturday 17th December 2016, 8 months after being saved from the Pound, Cole was on his travels .. we all waited anxiously this morning for news that he had arrived safe with our amazing friends in Heathlands Animal Sanctuary, after they offered Cole a rescue place. Cole is now settling into his new environment and we will look forward to updates of how he enjoys his first Christmas.

It was a bittersweet moment for Laura and her family saying goodbye to Cole – heartbroken that he would be leaving them, while at the same time delighted that he would have the opportunity to embrace a forever home he could call his own. Cole has been one of those rare, unique dogs who ended up spending a very long time in foster ..  It is never easy saying goodbye to a foster dog – whether you foster for a day, a week, a month…. foster homes provide that magic that prepares these pooches for the next big adventure in their lives xxx

On behalf of all the team here at DDR, we cannot put into words how grateful we are to Laura and her family for everything they did for Cole – every single day he spent with them was filled with companionship and love. None of which costs a thing! Lasting memories x

Feel free to get in touch with rehoming@dundalkdogrescue.ie to join our foster team – it is the most rewarding thing you can do – and you truly can save a life and make a real difference x