Explaining that he just ‘wants to cuddle and play’, Felicity said: ‘I was heartbroken when I saw a photo of Reuben on Facebook for the very first time. I couldn’t believe he was still alive. He had really bad mange which left him without hair and covered in scabs.
‘I donated some money towards treatment over there and offered to foster him when he arrived in the UK.’
Pictures show the starving animal in a terrible condition before he was saved by Felicity and given help by vets and he now looks healthy and in peak condition.
Celebrate Your Pet at Every Age. Everyone loves a new puppy or kitten, says Dr. Becker. “They’re wildly kinetic, and humorous. An older pet is thinner, bonier. Their coats aren’t as soft, they might have bad breath.” But, like people, a pet’s needs change with age. They may be less active, preferring a leisurely stroll to a rollicking tug-of-war. “Our old retriever, who’s blind, still wants to retrieve.” Adapting to their changing needs will ensure your old friend remains a healthy and happy member of your family.
Felicity, who lives alone, admits she would be lonely without her new pet – especially during lockdowns. She added that the ‘eternal puppy’ has kept her on her toes and given her an excuse to get out the house in tough times.
Felicity continued: ’I instantly fell in love with his deep brown eyes and couldn’t let him go.
‘I adopted him after a week and I’m so glad I did.
‘Despite everything he has been through, he is so loving and trusting. All he wants to do is cuddle and play.’
Now the pair go out for daily walks after Reuben was rescued by a UK-based dog rescue charity Rescuing European Animals in Need (REAN).
Each dog rescued from Romania costs £300, while his skin was treated in a local vets for £350. But Felicity says Reuben was worth every penny.
‘They’re looked after but the dogs abroad are on the streets and treated like vermin.
Apply house rules consistently. When your pet knows what to expect from his behavior, he will be much more inclined to do more of what you approve of and less of what you don’t.
‘It is unimaginable which is why I support the charity and foster when I can.
‘I couldn’t believe how confident Reuben was when I first got him.’
She added: ‘He is like an eternal puppy who wishes he was a lap dog.
‘He always tries to sit on me for a snuggle.
‘I wouldn’t be without him.’
The charity relies solely on donations to cover the shelter and vet costs.
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