I have already mentioned Arcos, in my last report, so now he is on the move again. I brought him back from Auvillers on the 3rd of August after less than a week with his 2nd owner.
Now it is the 21st of September and there is another brave soul who, having full knowledge of his history, is willing to take him on.
I know this man from previous journeys, and, was at first understandably dubious about this new attempt. My first encounter with him in the village of Veigne, near Tours, was when I collected a female Dobie from him back in April 2015. See the story above 'Elsa Died Today'.
She was reputed to be a biter and indeed I was warned of this as the man carefully guided her to my cage. Then in September of that year I collected her from near Bordeaux, where she had been in pension and received some behavioural training, and delivered her to her new home near Bergerac. A reformed character, she became a much loved pet but then sadly died after a stomach operation, less than 3 years later.
So, I was dubious. However, bit by bit I discovered more of the situation and changed my mind, or at least, hopes. This man near Tours had taken Elsa on knowing she had failed once and only had to let her go because she bit, on more than one occasion, not him but his elderly male Dobermann. Training wasn't going to be quick enough to avoid serious injury so the die was cast.
Later, in February of 2017, I delivered a very sick male Dobie to him, rescued from a refuge in the Alps. This was after his original male had died. Sadly that dog, Jimmy, didn't last the night and succumbed to his cancer before I was back home the next day.
Here we are again, and I am wondering why Arcos has been chosen when there are always around 9 or so Dobies awaiting adoption at Sharon's. Nevertheless. I begin to see a pattern. Perhaps this man chooses 'hopeless' cases in order to turn them around and at the same time gain a lovable pet. This view was strengthened when I met him this 3rd time. He told me that, after the first male, Appollon, had died he had enquired if, in the event that Elsa was still in pension, he could have her back. This was not possible as she was already re-homed, so he took on Jimmy. Now it was Arcos' turn. But this time he would be going to a spacious house, in a secure, large garden and with no other humans, young or old, or animals to divert his attention from his rehabilitation. Not quite true, there was a sheep in a separate enclosure, and chickens in a supposedly secure coop. I say 'supposedly', because one of them managed to escape and Arcos did what came naturally. His owner took this philosophically, the chicken was to blame, not Arcos.
Now it is the 21st of September and there is another brave soul who, having full knowledge of his history, is willing to take him on.
I know this man from previous journeys, and, was at first understandably dubious about this new attempt. My first encounter with him in the village of Veigne, near Tours, was when I collected a female Dobie from him back in April 2015. See the story above 'Elsa Died Today'.
She was reputed to be a biter and indeed I was warned of this as the man carefully guided her to my cage. Then in September of that year I collected her from near Bordeaux, where she had been in pension and received some behavioural training, and delivered her to her new home near Bergerac. A reformed character, she became a much loved pet but then sadly died after a stomach operation, less than 3 years later.
So, I was dubious. However, bit by bit I discovered more of the situation and changed my mind, or at least, hopes. This man near Tours had taken Elsa on knowing she had failed once and only had to let her go because she bit, on more than one occasion, not him but his elderly male Dobermann. Training wasn't going to be quick enough to avoid serious injury so the die was cast.
Later, in February of 2017, I delivered a very sick male Dobie to him, rescued from a refuge in the Alps. This was after his original male had died. Sadly that dog, Jimmy, didn't last the night and succumbed to his cancer before I was back home the next day.
Here we are again, and I am wondering why Arcos has been chosen when there are always around 9 or so Dobies awaiting adoption at Sharon's. Nevertheless. I begin to see a pattern. Perhaps this man chooses 'hopeless' cases in order to turn them around and at the same time gain a lovable pet. This view was strengthened when I met him this 3rd time. He told me that, after the first male, Appollon, had died he had enquired if, in the event that Elsa was still in pension, he could have her back. This was not possible as she was already re-homed, so he took on Jimmy. Now it was Arcos' turn. But this time he would be going to a spacious house, in a secure, large garden and with no other humans, young or old, or animals to divert his attention from his rehabilitation. Not quite true, there was a sheep in a separate enclosure, and chickens in a supposedly secure coop. I say 'supposedly', because one of them managed to escape and Arcos did what came naturally. His owner took this philosophically, the chicken was to blame, not Arcos.
As always, Arcos wore his 'man in the iron mask' muzzle for loading, but which was immediately removed and we set off. I had given 2pm as our arrival time but was asked to phone half an hour beforehand as, if the man was outside of the house he wouldn't hear the gate bell. This I did and we parked outside the gate and high walls 10 minutes early. I unloaded Arcos and we had a short walk back and forth in the quiet lane outside. He was very calm and even lay down for a short period. Then the gates opened to reveal his new owner. We walked in and he allowed himself to be quietly caressed as we entered and the large gate closed behind us. No fuss, no excitement so that 2 minutes later the muzzle was off and, after another 2 minutes, the lead also. We chatted quietly as Arcos was left to roam and explore and then we moved into the house. Arcos followed and continued his roaming inside. Throughout the man made no fuss and treated the situation as if Arcos had lived there all his life. Exactly the right approach. He went to make coffee as I watched and filmed Arcos discovering his new surroundings. He saw his bed, and then a toy, which he claimed and trotted with it in his mouth. I had already warned the man of the only method to safely take a toy from Arcos, and this was observed, after all, with him as the only dog, why need to anyway?
As I waited, Arcos demonstrated his intelligence and ability to learn. He headed for the outside but mistook the floor to ceiling glass pane for the door next to it and suffered a minor bang on the forehead. Less than 2 minutes later he nearly did the same thing, but halted in time and diverted to the true opening.
As I waited, Arcos demonstrated his intelligence and ability to learn. He headed for the outside but mistook the floor to ceiling glass pane for the door next to it and suffered a minor bang on the forehead. Less than 2 minutes later he nearly did the same thing, but halted in time and diverted to the true opening.
I took my leave, and at the time of writing, some 3 weeks later, despite some days when he is less than 'sage', his owner is persevering with his education. I am not counting chickens, definitely not doing that, but I really do have a good feeling about this. If Arcos messes up this golden chance, there may not be another one for him.
And on the way home – his fame is spreading ;-)
And on the way home – his fame is spreading ;-)
I have developed a really fond feeling for this complicated dog, he has never menaced me in any way, not even the slightest nip, and he is truly one of the best travelling companions I have ever had. Quiet and clean. What more could I hope for?
Total distance 546 kms
Total distance 546 kms