Tibetan Terrier

George – 15 year old male Tibetan Terrier

George is a 15 year old Tibetan Terrier who is in an Oldies Club foster home in Sittingbourne, Kent, waiting to find a permanent home.

Settled gradually: George took about a week to settle at his foster home. He slept quite a bit when he first arrived, and was a little aloof, but he still enjoyed his dinners and walks. After a week he had slotted into the routine very well, found his place on the sofa in the evenings right next to his foster carer and was found rolling upside down with a toy in his mouth the other day – an awww moment.

OK when left: George is currently left 4 hours twice a week. He barks about 20 barks as you leave, then settles down to sleep. Although he is good when left, we think that George has been left an awful lot in the past and would like to be around people more now. He therefore wouldn’t be happy in a home of full time workers. He is a little shadow and sleeps wherever you are or wherever you have put his quilt bed near you.

Good with dogs: George is great with dogs and likes to lie near to them when he’s asleep. He doesn’t bother dogs at all and likes to be part of the gang.

Good with cats: George has lived with cats in the past and has no malice in him.

Could live with older children: We have been told George has been around children throughout his life, but as he sleeps heavily and has poor sight and hearing he would be better with older children.

Enjoys slow walks: George is a plodder and only does about 15 minutes very slow walking. He is OK off lead in a safe area, he just potters about sniffing, but he needs to be directed pysically if he is going the wrong way. He will recall if he is near enough to hear you.

Good in the car: George is great in the car and just settles down for the journey.

George’s favourite pastimes: Sleeping; Following you about for a dropped crumb when awake!; Sitting next to you watching telly in the evenings.

George’s dislikes: Being groomed, or having his feet or ears looked at — he is not too bad but will wriggle away and avoid it if possible. He is never aggressive.

George’s perfect home: His foster carer says: “George would like to have doggy company, and someone around most of the day who will have the patience to try to understand him. He can be demanding at meal times, which some people finding endearing, but it may annoy another person. At about 6 pm, George will stand in the kitchen by the dog food cupboard and let out one bark every minute or so until he gets his dinner. He also does one bark at the back door when he wants to go out for a wee, and again to come back in. Other than that he is not a barker. If you do what George asks of you promptly he is a quiet little boy on the whole! ”

Health notes: George is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and flea-treated. At his vet check, George was said to be in good condition for his age. He has good teeth, a good heart, and he had a blood test and all levels were fine for his age, except for a slightly raised liver enzyme – this is being double checked and if required he may need a liver supplement such as Milk Thistle. He has had some treatment for itchy ears. The red patch on George’s neck, in one of the photos, is where they shaved him at the vets for a blood sample. It isn’t bothering him and his foster carer is putting cream on it.

Behavioural notes: George will need trimming a couple of times a year, and his new owner will need to spend time grooming him in a rewarding way, so that he learns to enjoy it. His new owner will need to learn his little ways, for example he sometimes has a real panting session in the evenings. His foster carer worried about this at first, and got it checked with the vet, but thinks it is a behavoural anxiety habit he has developed from being left. It only lasts about an hour and then he settles down to sleep. He also chews his nails sometimes!

Foster carer’s summary of George: “Cute, sociable, perfect lap warmer, full of character. George will be a great addition to a calm and loving household. He is such a sweet boy considering he has had lots of changes in his life the last few weeks. I love to see him have a little chase round with a toy in his mouth – he still has a lust for life in there“.