Bones

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Update: 4/12/04:
Bones is doing fabulously at his foster home. He gets along with everyone and every dog he has come in contact with. The foster family has taken him several times to a local dog park where he can run and meet many other dogs while off leash. He loves to meet the dogs and runs to greet every new dog when they arrive. He does not seem to be interested in going in the water so far but it is just beginning to warm up and perhaps the water is still too cold for him. He loves to explore every inch of wherever he is but still won’t chase or fetch balls for his foster family. He apparently sees no point in running after the ball and bringing it back to them! The people at the dog park just love him because he lets everyone pet him and scratch his back!

He has proven that he can be stubborn at times and the foster family thinks this may have been the trouble in his previous attempts at adoption. He began to limp recently and when the foster family tried to check out his paw, he growled to let them know he wasn’t going to cooperate. He did not snap or try to bite but was very clear that he was not happy. He did allow them to muzzle him while they checked him out but it took two people to hold him down while the third checked his paw! When he was taken to the Vet, she muzzled him and while he was not happy, he endured the exam without incident! He is presently on antibiotics and a pain medication as she found he had an infection in the pad!

Bones sleeps quietly beside his foster mom and dad’s bed and does not disturb them in the morning until he sees that they are awake. He senses the difference in their breathing and will stare at them from about 6 inches away when he thinks they are awake but doesn’t actually touch them until they open their eyes. He is such a considerate dog!

Bones has gained several pounds while with his foster family and doesn’t seem to be biting at his hind quarters as much since he has been started on the Benadryl. The Vet is sure now that the biting is from allergies and feels this is probably a seasonal issue. He is very sweet natured and is well mannered. He does not jump on people when he greets them but sits down next to them, lifts his head to stare at them and waits patiently to be given attention. He very rarely barks and when he needs to go out, he sits by the door and quietly whines until he is let out. His foster family thinks he will be a wonderful companion for whomever is lucky enough to adopt him!

Original
Bones came to MAESSR as an animal cruelty case seizure. He was removed in December of 2003 from his owner who was suffering from mental illness and was no longer giving him adequate care. He was literally skin and bones, hence the name “Bones”. He was missing most of his hair due to a severe case of mange. He has responded to treatment and his fur is growing back nicely with the exception of some small scarring on his hind legs. He is up to date on all his shots, has been microchipped, weighs 51 lbs and is in excellent health with the exception of possible allergies. He seems to bite at his hind legs and rear area quite a bit and the Vet is not sure if this is allergies or habit due to the mange infection. He is presently on a medicated shampoo and daily benadryl to see if that helps.

Bones was adopted out twice by the shelter. He was returned because of supposed separation anxiety and growling. The foster family has not seen any evidence of either and has tried to provoke growling by taking away objects and food. Bones will allow the foster family to remove his food dish while he is eating and they have even gotten him to release a greenie to them. He has shown no signs of possessiveness so far but they have noticed that he doesn’t seem to know how to play with toys very well. He didn’t seem to understand tug-of-war at first and doesn’t appear to know how to play with a ball. They are working on getting him to “play” with them. He has several toys that were given to him but he seems to prefer to be with “his people” and is soaking up as much love and attention his foster family can give him.

Bones is crate trained and will go in the crate to eat his food and relax there while his foster family eats their meals as long as he can see them. He does not beg or whine for attention while they eat. He will go into his crate during the day to sleep or rest but will not sleep in his crate downstairs while his foster family is sleeping upstairs. He needs to be wherever his people are. The foster family moved a crate up to the bedroom and he slept there quite nicely although he prefers to sleep on the floor next to the bed. The foster family was concerned about possible separation anxiety but he has done well during the day while they are at work and there have been no problems. He seems to be fine as long as he knows they are gone but if they are at home, he will whine and cry to be wherever they are. This is typical of springers as they are definitely “people lovers”.

The foster family has had no incidences of destructive behavior and feels that he has had some obedience training in the past as he walks well on the leash and will sit on command. He is not quite used to his name yet and seems to respond more to the voice than his name. He does not get up on any furniture but will try to wiggle up on your lap as much as possible to get some love and attention. He gets along well with the resident dog and has been left free during the day with him without any incidents.

Bones has had a rough time of it this past year and needs to find someone to shower him with love and attention and care. Will you open your heart to him?