Happy ending!

Rufus has found his second forever home!

Rufus as a young dog

I am thrilled and delighted that 9.5-year old Rufus, a.k.a. CH(ampion) Blackbullets Varazs Grof Rufus, a grand-dog to our beloved foundation bitch, Nekah, has been successfully placed in a new home following the death of his human dad.  Initially, my concern was whether he had an issue with human males because of his negative reaction to my husband and step-son but I was given assurances he had never had problems before with males although I later learned he did try to bite one of the police officers who was in attendance at the home where his owner had died. (If only dogs could talk and tell us what they are thinking and feeling!)  

Here are a few more pictures of Rufus while he hung out at my place for a week.

Getting sleepy

Cuddling up with Tyro (at the top)

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Rufus and I saying farewell.

 

Rufus met his new potential 'dad' two weeks ago and took to him immediately so that was exceedingly good news! 

After being taken to what was to become his second forever home, Rufus met Molly and got along well with her although the play was a little rough at first.  

And then there was the resident cat.  That was another concern but after about a week to 10 days of distant 'getting to know you', it appears Rufus has accepted the cat and vice versa.

Rufus with his new animal family

Thanks to Ray Murdoch, Rufus' new dad for some of these photos and the two videos which show Rufus pretty happy.

I love happy endings!

Rufus Reunion

Rufus (CH Blackbullets Varazs Grof Rufus), a senior Vizsla born February 2, 2004 whose owners are now both dead, came to stay with me for several days this past week while I assessed him and helped the breeders find his new forever home.

I am pleased to say he is a wonderful dog! He's in great shape - perhaps a mere 1-2 pounds overweight (I wish I was so lucky!!) and from his records, he seems to be very healthy.  Part of one toe - to just above the nail - was amputated, there is one small fatty lipoma on his chest and he has some black spots on his eyelids. I will discuss these with his vet as they can be malignant, but not always.  Rufus was wearing an anti-bark collar when I picked him up. Rufus was, understandably, stressed to have his owner die as he was living alone with him at the time of the owners death.  I hadn't seen him in about 7 years and doubt that he remembered me at all.  His owners always brought him to the dog shows when I showed him so he never stayed with me.

Day 1 -  At my place, he was introduced to his slightly older cousin, Miska and our other two Vizslas.  Miska and Rufus share the same maternal grandmother (Am/Can Ch Maritza of Kezdet Nekah Am/Can CD CGC) which makes them cousins. Miska is 7 months older than Rufus; Rufus is now 9.5 yr.  I wasn't sure about Rufus' recalls so I kept him firmly and safely on a Flexi to ensure he didn't run away. He didn't really respond well to his name or to a recall command but I chalk that up to too many distractions and stress.  Rufus DOES love treats and does love to eat and his appetite certainly wasn't affected.  A dog after my own heart!!

Day 2 - Rufus cried a couple of times in his crate overnight. Strange place, still strange smells but he quickly settled until about 8 AM. He was much more relaxed today.  Rufus was an only dog so it's taking him a little time to get used to 3 other Vizslas, all similar in size.  Rufus was friends with a Cocker Spaniel but Vizslas, as we know, are different.  He's had to tell my dogs to give him some space and that's OK.

Day 3 and beyond  - Rufus is settling in better with me and my dogs. His only problem is, he does not seem to like my husband very much.  This is causing some concern, especially for my husband.  From all the reports we received from his family and an acquaintance of mine who owns Vizslas and who occasionally met up with Rufus and his owner at a local dog park, Rufus has always been good with other people, males and females. and dogs.  So at this point, I am chalking up this behaviour towards my husband as something that isn't ingrained in him (likely due to the sudden death of his owner and the stress and grief he's going through) and hopefully, he will become positive towards males again.  He's a very smart Vizsla (already learning self-control and other new behaviours) so I am very confident his faith in men will be restored.

Here are some photos and videos of Rufus.

Rufus at the back, with Diva (L) and Tyro (R)

Rufus with his relatives: cousin Miska, Tyro, Diva

Tyro, Miska, Diva and Rufus

Senior Vizsla needs new "forever" home

Rufus is a 9.5 year old neutered male Vizsla in search of a new forever home due to the deaths of his owners.  A few years ago, he lost his hu-mom and this past Sunday, his beloved hu-dad  died unexpectedly at the age of 74.  Rufus is presently located in Ontario, Canada.  He is out of my lines and goes back to CH Varazs On Point at Blackbullet "Amber" whom I bred in 1998 and placed with Sherryanne Farr and Wes Daniels in Alberta, Canada who bred Rufus.

The photo below was taken of Rufus in 2004.  I don't have any recent pics of Rufus but most likely he has white on him now due to natural aging.  As far as we know, Rufus has had no health issues.

If you are interested in adopting Rufus as a family companion and giving him his second forever home, please contact Sherryanne Farr directly.  Her contact information can be found on her website at: http://www.freewebs.com/blackbulletsdogs/contactinformation.htm

Post Script (Sept. 6/13). We believe we have found a new forever home for Rufus but I still need to get Rufus and then introduce him to his potential new family.