Beau 9

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Update 03/05/12:

News of Beau’s passing is best shared in the words of his foster family………………

“It is with a heavy heart that I want to share with you all that MAESSR has lost another very special senior. Beau …… lost a battle with “father time” early this afternoon. While his first couple of months with us showed such promise, the aches and pains of being almost 16 years old finally got the best of him the last couple of weeks. He started losing that “spunk” that used to make us laugh so hard, was sleeping more, and finally (this week) didn’t really even enjoy his meals or his treats. We knew it was time to send him to the bridge to join our other special friends who have left before him. Even though he was with us just three short months, he did touch our hearts deep enough to last a lifetime………Good speed Baby Bear.”

All of MAESSR extends its deepest gratitude to Beau’s foster family for assuring this senior the brightest of golden days……………

Update 02/10/12:

Sweet Beau, just a few months away from his 16th birthday, continues to do well in his foster home. His antics never cease to amaze his foster mom and dad. While he does spend a good portion of his day sleeping, they have discovered that it’s really because he likes to do “indoor laps” in the house whenever he IS awake!! Sometimes he takes a walk around the dining room or kitchen table for an hour or more. Could it be that he’s just working up an appetite for dinner? Well, Beau is a senior, so perhaps it’s his equivalent of a “mall walk!” Either way, Beau won’t sit down until he’s good and ready!

Beau has discovered a new “favorite” spot in front of the hearth of the wood burning insert. Quite often one of his parents can be found lying on the doggy bed with him for some warm cuddling. Beau occasionally shares his special place with one of his canine pals, as well.

His parents believe that Beau might have experienced snow for the very first time in his life this winter. He expresses such joy to be outside in the snow and will often break out into a very fast romp through the fluffy white stuff. When he gets this excited, it’s tough for his humans to keep up with him!

Beau’s love for life is evident. Through MAESSR, he has been given the gift of a loving home. Likewise, he is giving his new family so much in return. They are thrilled to be able to share such wonderful news about this special boy’s continued good health and happiness.

Update 12/02/11:

Due to his age and special needs, handsome Beau has recently earned the status of being a permanent MAESSR foster. With the change in status came a change of foster homes. Beau now resides in a foster home with an affinity for loving and caring for special needs dogs. He is living with a canine pack ranging from 8 to 14 years old and is getting along great with all of them. A 14-year-old kitty in the mix sparks Beau’s interest, too!

Beau traveled very well on his long journey to upstate New York and wanted to check out his new place as soon as the sun rose the next morning. He is now living in a country setting on a little alpaca farm and sharing his foster parents’ lives as well as their home, and most importantly, their hearts. Be assured that this foster boy will want for nothing, and his foster parents will strive to keep him as healthy and happy as they possibly can. 

While Beau is completely deaf and somewhat vision impaired, he knows hand signals well, and likes to keep track of where his foster family is most of the time. He has a new orthopedic bed that he just adores, and his foster parents just love seeing him so content and adjusting so well so quickly. 

Beau loves the outdoors. When it’s time to come in, he literally jumps up onto the porch and into the house and proceeds to hop around in the foyer like a rabbit! In the past couple of days, his foster parents have noticed a new “glimmer” in his eyes and a funny little spunky attitude! He’s especially cute when he “gets his spunk on.” His new family is enjoying his sweet demeanor and comic character. It seems Mr. Beau has gotten his holiday wish early! May he and his family have wonderful holidays and a “spunk-filled” winter!!!!!

Update 10/12/11:

Beau continues to do well in his foster home. He is enjoying good health, engaging companionship and leisurely outings around the farm. He seems to have more energy every day.

Recently, when an 8-year-old female foster arrived, Beau showed his true colors. He is a lady’s man, for sure. He welcomed this newcomer in true gentlemanly fashion, showing her around and even offering to share his big dog bed. These two dogs have become great friends, and Beau follows his lady everywhere. So cute!

Since the cool weather has arrived, Beau has really perked up. He has become more playful. Occasionally, he is carrying around a stuffed toy or trots along on his daily walks. 

Ever sweeter if that’s possible,Beau now comes to his foster mom a couple of times a day for hugs and ear scratches, showing his pleasure with little moaning sounds. He even let out a bark one day which surprised everyone, both human and canine! He is a kind boy who has a lot of love to give. He shares it freely in his foster home and would extend his best to all in an adopting family too. Beau has been waiting patiently for a family to ask for him and would love nothing better than to be truly “home for the holidays.”

Update 09/13/11:

Beau continues to do well in foster care. He has settled into a routine and seems very content with life. His little playful spells, although short, are becoming more frequent.

His foster home was in the epicenter of the earthquake, but Beau was not fazed at the time; however, after getting up from his nap an hour after the quake, and having to walk around all that stuff on the floor, he found a way to express his displeasure. How inconvenient!!! On the other hand, Beau did not mind the hurricane. In fact, he had no problem going out in the rain. 

Steady as a rock, nothing seems to faze Beau. He is a wonderful house guest who continues to be very easy to live with. 

Looking for a special Beau? This sweet senior would love to spend his golden years with you!

Update 08/16/11:

Beau has completely settled into his foster home and is benefitting greatly from a supplement for his arthritis. He still has difficulty with the three stairs to the outdoors from time to time, but needs no assistance even then. He will now come in the doggie door when he is finished outside, proving you CAN teach old dogs new tricks. Beau is a very willing learner and a smart boy.

With improving health, Beau’s morning and evening walks are getting longer and he is beginning to trot with the other dogs. He even occasionally breaks into a slow run for a short distance. He is completely trusted off leash and he makes it his responsibility to keep check on his foster mom, so he doesn’t miss a hand signal.

Beau is sleeping less and less, choosing rather to follow the other dogs around or to come to people, any people, for lots of loving. Although he is not yet ready to play, his foster mom has caught him checking out a toy here and there.

His foster family hosted several people and dogs over the weekend of MAESSR’s Pig Roast and Beau was the perfect host. He greeted all the dogs with respect and enjoyed the attention from everyone there; he even shared his bed with the other visiting senior dog. How gracious!!

More to come on this sweet, loving boy as he enjoys his senior years!

Original:

When Beau’s Virginia owner’s health declined, they were taken in by family members who suddenly faced military relocation. They felt it was best to find a better situation for Beau, as they didn’t feel he could handle the long move. Although Beau’s overall health is good for a 15 year old, he has trouble handling stairs and he does not travel well, preferring to stay at home.

At this point in his life, Beau spends most of his time asleep on his dog bed and he sleeps soundly since he is totally deaf. He is housetrained and, due to the arthritis in his hips, there is no counter-surfing or getting up on furniture. After his little short walk in the morning and evening, he will get a little frisky for a few minutes and interact with the other dogs; then, it is back to his bed until nature calls.

Beau responds to hand signals and is a very easy boy to get along with in every respect. He has taken his relocation well, settling in to his new routine within just a few days. Now, if his foster mom is any good at teaching an old dog a new trick, he will learn to use the doggie door. Then, life will be perfect for sweet Beau.

This very sweet boy just needs a quiet place to spend his remaining years. Is there room in your home and heart for Beau?