Entered: 02/21/2013
Status: Rainbow Bridge
Age: 4
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 55 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Richmond, VA
Health: UTD, HW+ and beginning the “slow kill” method of treatment, overall good health
Temperament: Not suitable for adoption
Update 04/12/2013: “Although he loved people, he could also be aggressive towards them.”
As Billy’s personality continued to unfold in his foster home, his object possessiveness did not diminish as was hoped. Although he loved people, he could also be aggressive towards them. When his behavior escalated to biting, it became clear that Billy was not suitable for adoption and he was sadly sent to the Bridge.
Original: “Billy loves lying next to his foster parents and following them around, which he never seems to get tired of!”
Billy is a gorgeous boy who came to MAESSR with his brother via Tennessee where they were picked up as strays. Little is known about their past, but it appears that they were well taken care of. Billy spent his first week with a foster family who had his brother and several other Springers, where he did very well.
A visit to the vet determined that Billy is slightly heartworm positive. He is beginning the “slow kill” method of treatment which means that he will receive one Heartgard preventative on the 1st and the 15th of each month for one year. He also will take doxycycline on alternating months, taking it for six months total. MAESSR will supply the medication to Billy’s adoptive family. At the end of the year, he will need to be heartworm tested. MAESSR will pay for the vet visit and that heartworm test. Although most dogs are heartworm-free after one year, MAESSR will pay for another year of treatment if Billy is still positive.
He has been with his new foster family for a week now, and is adapting well to his surroundings. After a few minor disagreements initially, he is now getting along well with the resident Springer, who is helping him learn the rules of the house. They both are occasionally protective of their toys, so the foster parents keep an eye on them when they are playing with their stuffed animals. To avoid this behavior with people, Billy has been taught not to play tug of war with his toys when he brings them to one of his foster parents. Instead, he gently releases a toy, after which he gets it back. He is also not allowed to lie in his bed or crate with a toy to keep him from becoming overly possessive of it.
Billy loves lying next to his foster parents and following them around, which he never seems to get tired of! It is a joy walking him on a leash, as he does not overly pull, even when he spots a bird or squirrel. During his walks, his interest is not always focused on doing his business, so he often needs a few minutes in the backyard afterwards. He has not had any problems with other dogs that he has met during his walks. Billy is completely housetrained, and will whine when he needs to go outside. He is also becoming more interested in playing outside but his foster parents have put limits on the amount of this type of activity until his health issues are completely resolved. Billy is being trained to walk on a treadmill, so he can get a little extra exercise in addition to ball playing and his morning walk.
An intelligent guy with a moderate energy level, Billy loves people and wants a lot of attention. When he gets a little too pushy for this affection, he needs to be gently but firmly reminded not to get carried away. He has learned that he should sit before going outside (with a little reminder) and before his food is served. He does not show any food aggression towards people, but he and the resident ESS are fed apart to avoid any issues. Billy will bark at people or vehicles as they pass outside, and at other dogs in the neighborhood who are barking. His foster family is working to minimize this behavior. He is a bit nervous when he rides in a car but is getting better. Billy sleeps in his crate at night in the foster family’s bedroom, but has the run of the house during the day. He does not counter-surf or get into the trash, but will put his paws on the counter when he decides to greet a member of his foster family as they work in the kitchen. His foster family makes sure that they limit any temptations for him to counter-surf by keeping foods off the counter when they are gone. He recently spent a day at doggie day care with the resident ESS and did very well, according to the staff.
This is a guy who will do well with a family who can walk him at least once a day, and want a friendly, moderate-energy dog who likes being with people. They should be willing to give him a lot of attention, and not mind a sweet dog following them around. Billy would do better with someone who does not need to leave him alone all day on a regular basis. As Billy often tries to jump on people and can be a little rough when he wants to play, it is recommended that he not be placed in a family with young children. He would probably be fine with kids over ten. It won’t be long until this handsome gent is ready to move on to his forever home. If you’d like a sociable pup to keep you company, Billy could be the one for you!