Bill

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Updated 03/29/06: The last of test results are back for Bill, this one concerning a lump in his neck. A needle aspiration showed everything was normal. There is no sign of cancer and no sign of any kind of lymph node or salivary gland infection. Bill just has a lump that does not seem to pose any problem for him. Visually, it’s not noticeable at all. Rather, one just feels it when petting him. This is wonderful news because now the vet has given him a “clean bill of health!”

Bill has not had an accident in the house for several days now, so it can confidently be said that he is housetrained. He is a very clean eater and never minds if people are near his food. He takes glucosamine and Tramadol, wrapped in a little cheese, to ease symptoms of dysplasia. The medication is very beneficial and allows him to go up and down stairs fine. If he misses a step occasionally, he just pulls himself up and continues. To compensate for his hearing loss, his foster family tells Bill to “come” by using hand gestures. This works quite well, as Bill is always keeping an eye open for where his family is, trying always to stay near them.

Bill’s foster family has never heard him grumble. He adores people but does not come on too strong. He does not jump up on people, nor does he bark at anyone or anything. He will wait patiently for attention and enjoys following his “mom” around the house.

He’s the perfect pet, always nearby but never in the way, just close at hand for a hug and some loving whenever it’s given. When his foster mom sits on the floor, Bill will come up and sit really close, face-to-face with her. He seems to enjoy being told how handsome and special he is.

Bill is a beautiful creature, inside and out. The family who is blessed with adopting him will be very lucky indeed.

Updated 3/22/06: Although Bill was found as a stray, he has very smoothly transitioned into indoor family life. He is an equal-opportunity Loverboy, not overly demanding but simply appreciative of any attention his mom, dad, or children provide. He prefers to spend his time laying on a nice, cushiony sofa. However, he understood when told he could not get up on the “nice” couch. He now waits patiently for a family member to go to the basement where “Bill’s” not-so-nice couch is. And oh, how he enjoys curling up in a ball there!

Bill does not counter surf or beg. He has had some accidents in the house, but they seem to be decreasing. He is house-trained in the sense that he knows to go outside for pitstops. The difficulty lies in his communicating when he needs to go. He does not bark or whine or walk to the door, so his foster family needs to “guess” when he might need to relieve himself. As they get to know him better, of course, there is less guesswork!

While Bill does not willingly go into his crate, he goes in with a gentle nudge, and while he is in the crate, there are no accidents.

Bill’s typical day consists of a morning walk, several hours in the crate at home alone, an afternoon of “hanging around” outside with the kids or traveling in the car for kids’ activities, an evening walk, and then a night of sound sleep in his crate. He rides well in the car and is well-mannered around people of all ages. He walks very well on a leash and can be trusted to stay closeby when off leash. He does not snap or bite, even at mean, little dogs who yap at him!

With an attentive family and good veterinary care, Bill’s health is showing rapid improvement. With regular meals he has gained enough pounds to be at a normal weight. He is no longer anemic and his kidney infection has cleared up. His bloodwork looks good. Some hip dysplasia showed up in x-rays and the vet feels that use of glucosamine and a temporary pain-relief medication will increase Bill’s comfort. Some hearing loss is evident but there is no infection in his ears. And almost lastly, test results on a lump under his chin may confirm salivary gland infections or point to something else.

Bill’s laid-back nature has led both the vet and his foster mom to feel Bill may be older than his original estimate of 4 years, but with one so sweet, who’s going to count!?!

Bill’s calm approach to life is part of what makes him so endearing. That, and the fact that he LOVES having his stomach scratched and will moan with delight at times. Bill is a wonderful dog who has a lot of love to offer. Soon he will be a perfect match for a wonderful family who has a lot of love to offer too!!

Original Poor Mr. Bill. He was found as a stray at Herring Run Park in Baltimore. He is a sweet, friendly, boy who clearly has had a tough time on the street. He is underweight, anemic, and has a kidney and salivary gland infection. He will be in foster care for a while as we assess his health and put some weight on him.

Bill is such a sweet boy though, through all the poking and prodding at the vet, he only pulled away. He never growled, snapped, or even lifted a lip.

Bill was interested in the 2-year-old boy that “helped” take Bill to the vet. But the two were not allowed any time unattended or any prolonged interaction because Bill is too weak. At least we know he is not afraid of babies.

Bill will be getting lots of love and care in his foster home. We’ll have more information as his personality unfolds and his health issues clear up.