Entered: 09/23/2014
Status: Adopted
Age: 6
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 40 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Dumfries, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, being treated for a rare emasculatory disease called masticatory myositis
Temperament: Good with people as young as 8 (younger unknown), good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “Alfie enjoys being outside and runs with the other dogs at the family farm, but is just as happy to sleep on the deck or in the house.”
Alfie was found as a stray in Pennsylvania and taken to a shelter there. The staff had worked with MAESSR before and contacted us asking if we would take this friendly, homeless boy into our program. MAESSR gladly agreed!
Being in MAESSR’s care has literally saved this sweet Springer’s life. Alfie’s vet determined that he has a rare emasculatory disease called masticatory myositis. It involves the chewing muscles in his head. Without treatment, the muscles would continue to get tighter and tighter until he would get lock jaw. He is currently beginning treatment to help the muscles relax. After the first few months of buildup on the medication, Alfie will be weaned down to approximately one pill a week. So, MAESSR has saved his life! The disease has affected Alfie’s physical appearance in that his head is sunken around his eyes and ears and he can only open his mouth two inches.
Alfie has assimilated smoothly into his foster home which he shares with two other dogs, another foster and a resident. He has yet to meet any cats while in foster care. His foster parents’ granddaughter is a frequent visitor and Alf gets along well with this eight year old. Definitely a Velcro boy, Alfie loves his people!
Housetrained and reliable, Alfie stays all day in the house without being crated when his foster family is out. This arrangement of his having full roam of the house has worked well with no mischief or accidents occurring. His foster parents have not discerned his signal for wanting to go outside yet, but just let Alf out when the other dogs need to go out. With great house manners, Alfie does not get on furniture nor does he counter-surf. This boy knows how a GOOD Springer behaves!
Alfie does not bark and is quick to learn. He walks well on a leash and quickly figured out how to stay in his spot when walked with the other dogs. He knows to do his business on a walk or he will take care of his needs on the property. Although his foster parents have not let him off lead when walking, he seems to stay close to the other dogs and does not want to run off. He enjoys being outside and runs with the other dogs within a fenced yard at the family farm, but is just as happy to sleep on the deck or in the house. When meeting or seeing other dogs, Alfie does not get upset; he just watches them. Good boy! He also rides well in the car.
Not food possessive, Alfie eats twice a day now and takes his meds in his food. He is good about grooming, too. He stood quietly while his foster mom clipped the long hair on him.
Alfie is a perfect dog for a family with children or for a single person. He does not demand a lot of attention and is not a high energy Springer. He will need a family who understands his medical problem and will be diligent about treating it. They will get back the love they bestow on Alfie a hundred-fold.