Fleurs dada update

[eurobich]

I first saw the advert for Fleur on the internet and made contact with Karen via email and then by phone. The process of getting Fleur was good; I was really impressed by the way that Karen wanted to ensure that Fleur was going to a good home. Karen and I were in contact for a while before I came up to see Fleur and this really only happened once I have convinced Karen that we could offer fleur a fore ever home. When I first came to see Fleur in Oct 08 I took some photographs to show Rachael’s mum (Mandy) as she had owned a Bichon for 17 years before her Bichon (Trixie) died, and getting Fleur was a surprise for Rachael, when Mandy saw the pictures of Fleur the first thing she said was “Oh my god it’s a monster Bichon”. I don’t think Mandy had ever seen a Bichon that looked so big!

When I collected Fleur she had been washed and groomed close because Karen said she was very matted and hadnt been groomed by her previous owner for many months but to me looked absolutely beautiful (however I had never owned a Bichon and therefore was a bit unsure as to what she should look like) Fleur just seemed like a normal dog to me. My attitude soon changed after my first trip to the vets with Fleur, I was told in no uncertain terms by the vet that I had a “Fat dog” who obviously wasnt cared for by her previous owner(the Vets words, not mine). Karen had told us this but we didnt really think it was so important but It became clear that Fleur was well extremely obese and overweight and that we needed to do something about it, by now Fleur was coming every where with me, I started to walk Fleur to work with me which was not far but must have seemed like a marathon everyday to Fleur (sometimes I had to pick her up and carry her!!!) I also started to monitor what she had to eat and how much. It was really good to see her go from what I would class as a couch potato dog (at first I thought that’s all she did!!) to a healthier looking and acting dog. As Fleur started to lose weight (checked regularly by the vet) she started to run around in the fields that we were walking through, she even started to chase rabbits (never caught any though).

By the time that Fleur moved over to Germany with Rachael she had lost nearly 4.5 kilos and was looking healthier and happier, she has now been in Germany with both Rachael and I for over a year and a half and neither of us would be without her. Rachael walks her to work everyday and takes her everywhere with her, we are both lucky to be in jobs that allow us to have Fleur with us all the time. Fleurs weight has now levelled out after losing 12kg and according to the vet she is well within an acceptable range, she has lost her big belly and looks great, we are always being stopped in the street by people who just want to stroke her.

I can honestly say that getting Fleur was one of the best things Rachael and I have ever done, she has so much character and is such a loving dog, we will definitely be looking to get her a companion when we get back to UK next year.




Karen I hope I have not gone on to much! I have tried to keep it brief but when talking about Fleur it is really difficult to not go on an on. As always thank you for your help and we hope to come and see you next year (with Fleur)

Paul

[Sarah L]

That is lovely to hear. xxx

[smartiepants9]

Ahhh how lovely.

[suecj]

Big thanks to Paul and Rachael for all they have done in giving her such a loving
forever home.

[dingoesatemybaby]

Wonderful and heart warming.

[chrismc]

Great to hear. xx

[HazelM]

A happy ever after x

[CJxxBuster]

This is so good to hear, thanks for keeping us all updated, Fleur is not loved by just you but by us all that have followed her story xxx

[eurobich]

not forgetting she is granny to many pups here xx

[laraine]

So happy for Fluer & it's all thanks to you Karen for finding those lovely people to give her what she deserves.