Adoption Complete! Handsome Boy Lew has a happy loving new home!
Lew has been adopted!!!
In early March, just as the coronavirus was impacting how we all communicated, networked, and conducted dog rescue, KBTF rescue coordinator Rhonda MacDonald was contacted about Lew, a 7-yo purebred Kerry in need of a new home. His mom was anticipating having major back surgery, and would not be able to care for Lew any longer.
Few rescues and adoptions are easy, even for a stunningly handsome, good-with-kids, walk-loving, neutered male like Lew. Lew was described as a super sweet boy who loves playing ball more than almost anything. However, when he was temperament tested at a local doggie daycare, it became clear that daycare and dog parks were just not going to be Lew's thing Lew needed a home where he was the only dog, with a stay at home person and plenty of exercise.
Placing a dog just as non-essential services were shutting down and people were starting to self-quarantine was going to take some work. An initial potential candidate fell through; the prospective owner worked long hours and lived in an apartment building and had planned to send Lew to doggy daycare; between Lew's "being a barker" and doggie daycare being a no-go, the home was not a fit.
Enter Patricia and Joe Carleton, former Kerry owners already experienced in rescuing the challenging Kerry. After losing their previous rescue girl, Kylie, Pat began to consider another rescued Kerry. Maybe this dog over here? No, not quite right. Maybe that one over there? No; just not a match. But Lew? Something about Lew spoke to Pat, and within a few weeks, Lew had a new home -- albeit a thousand miles away.
Naturally, Lew's ride to his new home was anything but dull. Lew got to get in touch with his inner long-distance hauler and hitched a ride with TWD transport, a company that provides affordable transportation for rescue dogs throughout the Midwest and Northeast. Before you could say 10-4soon met his new parents at a truck stop on the New Hampshire state border.
The next major change in Lew's life? A new name! Pat describes the dog that stepped off the transport van the way anyone would describe a lot of rescue dogs: "a trembling skinny mess!" Deciding that her new Kerry looked like a shaved-down teddy bear, the name "Teddy" was born, and stuck. For the first few days, Teddy was, as Pat recalls, constantly hungry, afraid of his own shadow, afraid of boxes, doors, noises, not really housebroken, and "no matter where I am, every time I stop short his nose hits the back of my knees! He is quite athletic and obsessed with his ball! Rides well in the car, has a "big boy" bark that almost lifts him off his feet." But within a few weeks, Teddy began to settle down, and settle into his new parents' hearts. Writes Pat: "He does make us laugh and when he is tired we will indulge me with an on-lap cuddle (as long as I keep scratching the good parts) and gives the deep sigh! He is the most vocal dog I have ever known (grumbles, moans, harumps, and growls.) He has his big-boy bark and uses it freely (strange noises, the door, Joe's office door, getting my attention). People talk about Velcro dogs.... this guy is crazy glue!" And what does Ted seem to say about his new life? Well, we can't speak Kerry as well as they can understand us, but Pat thinks Ted is pretty satisfied with his lot. Per Pat, if Teddy could speak English, it might be something like this: "Hi, my name is Ted! My new mummy calls me Teddy and sometimes my dad calls me Tedzo. I haven't had a dad before.... it's kinda cool. He can throw my ball pretty far and he plays a good Game of tug... I try not to let him win but I let mummy win all the time. I'm kind of a "show me what's in it for me" guy. I am a great hunter and watch for the groundhog who lives under the deck... he is toast! I like being brushed on my back and under my chin and I make sounds mummy calls groans and moans! I hate having my eyes or beard cleaned. My mum tries to be clever but I know what's up. I have a bunch of toys but I like my squeaky Lamby best. I also love my stuffed Kongs! Mum does something called lap time! She picks me up, holds me like a baby, talks to me and scratches me. I'm learning to like it!" Thank you, Pat and Joe, and good luck in your new life, Teddy!
