Alex

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Updated 1/10/06: Alex continues to share his calm, gentle nature with all. Daily walks and the exercise that he gets by following all the family members around the house seem to have helped his arthritis. The vet recommended giving him enteric-coated aspirin on an “as needed” basis. He has only needed a couple in the two months since being in his foster home, and he now goes up and down stairs with relative ease.

At night, Alex looks longingly, but when told “no,” he understands he’s not to get up on the bed.  It would be a dream come true for Alex if his family allowed him up on the bed!  He sleeps on a pillow, either next to the bed or next to the children, who have taken to sleeping on the floor so they can be beside Alex. What a tender sight…

Alex is ALWAYS a gentleman but not always quiet. He now barks when he wants a snack, like a chewy, in between meals. The rest of the time he is a wonderfully quiet, content companion. He loves to carry a squishy pool toy around in his mouth while going on his afternoon walks. He thinks he looks pretty “cool” with a goofy toy hanging out of his mouth. He will go the entire walk with the toy.

Alex is comfortable going into a crate, but his family has discovered a better arrangement for him when everyone is out for the day. He stays in the laundry room with an article of clothing that has his foster mom’s scent on it. He is comfortable there and sleeps most of the time right by the door she will come through. If given the run of the house, he gets worried when he cannot find anyone and has had an occasional accident. Keeping him in a small, comfortable area where he feels secure has entirely eliminated the accidents.

On a recent walk, a mean dog with its hair raised came racing up to Alex. Alex just stood still and looked at him as if to say, “Hey, what’s your problem? We can be friends.” After some sniffing, Alex trotted away. He handles annoying dogs and people better than most people do!

Alex is such a sweet dog that his family has finally designated one chair as the “Alex chair.” Whenever someone sits there, Alex is allowed to crawl up. He LOVES being a lap dog. His foster mom now finds herself reading the paper, grading tests, and talking with friends with Alex on her lap. He does wait for an invitation, but by now he kind of knows that if he looks up with his beautiful eyes, he’ll be allowed up. It will be a very lucky family who gets to give this guy his forever home.

Original: Alex is a wonderful, gentle-natured Springer. He came to MAESSR from a shelter in Pennsylvania where his owner had turned him in, saying simply that he could no longer care for him. Alex does not have an aggressive bone in his body. All he wants is to be near his loved ones all the time. He does not show anxiety in any situation. When he first arrived in his foster home, he was greeted by many neighborhood children. In his daily walks to the elementary school, he is routinely welcomed by other children, adults, and dogs. He remains calm and gentle throughout all encounters. It appears Alex was trained to walk on the sidewalk, and he walks without straining right alongside his master, with or without the leash. He enjoys a slow jog from time to time but is content to walk if jogging is not in the picture.

During his checkup, the vet announced that Alex was the best Springer he had ever seen. Alex was friendly and comfortable throughout the exam and calmly accepted his rather large microchip injection. His overall health is good. His coat is soft and shiny. There is just one issue to follow-up on. Alex does well on walks, but going up and down stairs is a bit difficult for him. The vet felt that some arthritis was present and suggested several options for effective relief. Something as simple as continuing regular exercise may be most helpful. His foster family will work with him to determine what brings the most benefit. The vet also noticed a cloudiness in one eye. That may be a very early manifestation of cataracts but does not impair his daily life in any way or require treatment.

Alex is well-behaved both inside and outside the house. He is housebroken and easily sleeps through the night without mishap. He has had an occasional accident but as he becomes more adjusted to his family’s schedule, that is expected to cease. He does not jump on people or furniture. At times, he rests his head on the couch, waiting for an invitation to jump up. Such a gentleman!!! He sleeps next to the bed unless the children are in their sleeping bags. Then he sleeps with them. Alex is deaf and responds to hand signals such as “come,” “sit,” and “lay.” It is apparent to his foster parents that he understands the signal for “stay” too, but does not obey so that he can be close to everyone.

One curious talent Alex displays is an ability to open doors. He does not like being left on the “other” side of any door. He knows how to work a doorknob until it turns and then he pushes the door open! He prefers to eat or drink with company and is most often going to partake when someone is standing next to his bowls. He’s not the least protective or defensive of his food or treats. He’s gentle when it’s time for grooming, too, and quietly allows people to clean his ears and clip his toenails.

Alex loves to go for car rides and loves his walks, but of course, these activities are shared with his family, too. If you are looking for a bundle of love, who thinks being around you is the best thing ever, Alex is the dog for you!