Here is how Frank and Sam are getting on at their forever home:
“26 September 2024; Frank and me had love at first sight. Described as a Collie, it was only when Frank met and played with a Boxer was it apparent what he is crossed with. There was a moment that sealed Frank coming home with me. I took Frank for a short walk at the Centre. I was warned that Frank pulls. I declined a harness because I used to handle a Belgian Shepheard. I wanted to see how Frank responded to just a lead.
He followed my every stop and turn, accompanied by lots of praise and fuss from me. Having stopped yet again, Frank sat, put his head against my thigh and looked up at me with his tail wagging. It was a look of ‘That was fun, more please’. That was the moment. Frank didn’t pull once. I was also advised that Frank doesn’t give up a toy once he has it. More about that later.
At home, showing Frank to the yard and waiting patiently for him to do his business, combined with lots of encouragement and fuss after he did, meant that Frank quickly learned which door lead to where he was expected to ‘go’. Frank showed his Collie savvy. He came home on a Thursday afternoon and by Friday evening had learned his house training. Standing by the door tells me what Frank needs, then it’s down to me. Frank built up his trust in me very quickly. He plays with every dog we meet, such is Frank’s confidence and trust. Frank learned ‘fetch’, ‘stay’, ‘sit’ and ‘come’ in a short time. Four months later I was confident that it was time for Frank’s very own playmate.
18 January 2025; enter Sam (Formally known as Zorro), a Border Collie. At the Centre visit, Sam and Frank were an immediate hit. Sam came home that same Saturday. Coming home the same day is unusual, but I had just recently been through all the necessary vetting procedure. Sam settled in immediately. He also proved to be a very quick learner; picking up lots from me and Frank; house trained inside 24 hours (stand at the door), walking calmly on the lead immediately, and recall when they are in the free running, all by copying Frank.
The first evening home together; I was amazed when Frank brought over toys for Sam to play with; dropping a ball within reach, and later offering the knotted rope to Sam’s nose gently, to show him the tug-of-war game. Now they share all the toys. People frequently ask if Frank and Sam are brothers. Not only do they look similar, they behave as if they have been together forever. And they shall be.”
