Bones 2

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Updated 8/11/05: With more time and tender care in his foster home, Bones has completely recovered from his tumor removals. A recent concern is that he just won’t gain weight. His foster dad took him to visit the vet again and more blood work and a urinalysis was done to see if any specific cause could be found. His test results were all within normal ranges, leaving a bit of mystery for the vet and his foster family. At the same time, the results affirm the progress that Bones has made toward better health.

With the improvements, Bones has been getting out a bit more. A trip to the shore has been part of his summer activity. He does like to beach comb and can move fairly fast for an “old man.” His foster family actually has to keep an eye out for his wandering as he doesn’t always know which beach house is his. He is good with all the kids in his extended family aging from 3 to 13 years. He remains well housebroke and reliable for up to 8 hours.

Bones’ foster dad wishes he had gotten to know this dog when Bones was younger. It’s fair to guess that Bones has always been a sweet guy who simply wants loving from the people around him without being obnoxious about it. He loves to lay on the sofa and have his ears rubbed. All he wants in his old age is to be treated kindly and loved which is exactly what a senior springer deserves in his life. What a lucky dog!!

Updated 6/15/05: Bones is looking and feeling much, much better. All his open sores are healed and his coat is starting to hide the scarring. He is eating good, twice a day and has his weight up to 42 pounds now. Being on a consistent feeding schedule has also assisted him in having no accidents in the house lately. He is walking much better but still cannot navigate stairs. Slick floors are a challenge, because Bones has a hard time getting up when on them. To give him an edge, his foster parents have put throw rugs all over their hardwood so he can get a grip, and it really helps this senior out.

He is not a real playful fellow and so has no preferred toys. What he does like to do is follow his foster parents where ever they go. When they are cutting the grass, he follows the tractor around the yard until the work is done. He loves to be in someone’s lap when not snoozing in his crate and his crate door is always open now. Bones has met children as young as 3 years old and did fine. While he has not been introduced to cats, his foster dad feels that they would be a non-issue because poor Bones couldn’t catch one if he wanted.

Basically, he’s a laid-back pooch that just wants to be loved and he’s ready for a laid back family who will love him for the rest of his days. Is that you?

Updated 5/5/05: With barely a month in foster care, Bones has made some very nice health improvements. The stitches from his surgery are out, and while one biopsy diagnosed a carcinoma, the vet felt the site was localized, making it very good news for Bones. His appetite is back and he eats everything put in front of him. He sometimes even finishes his foster brother’s bowl!

With regular mealtimes and being worm-free, Bones is gaining some much-needed weight. His tummy is still adjusting to the changes, so he is being monitored weekly by his vet. His foster dad says Bones is not food aggressive but that he is quick to take a snack. Small wonder that he would be a snack-snatcher for at least a while!!

Bones was also “almost” running after his foster dad in their yard this week. He is slowly gaining some strength and could do the normal springer prance when he met the neighbor’s dog through the fence. He’s beginning to do stairs. With progress like this, Bones may soon be ready for an adopting family. Experience with senior springers may be helpful but won’t be necessary. Having a soft spot in the heart and a respect for senior springers will be. If you have both, and a bit of space in your home to share with Bones, please keep watch on his availability.

Original: Great urgency was necessary to rescue Bones from a Maryland shelter where his family had surrendered him. Not only was his time there quite limited, but he also had a number of health issues that needed immediate attention. Some of the issues are ones of aging that many senior springers live with daily. Other of his problems appear short term and may be resolved with proper nutrition, good grooming, and veterinary help.

Bones was an incredibly dirty boy when he went home with his foster dad. A bath and shearing at home got much of the matting off, with the rest being removed by his vet while Bones was under sedation for other needs. The grooming revealed several lumps and open wounds that required surgery to treat. He also needed a dental cleaning and the extraction of 4 teeth. His nails were long and curled under, making it hard for him to walk. Now that they are clipped, he’s walking much better. At only 37 pounds, this poor boy shows signs of malnourishment and worm infestation. He has good range of motion in his joints, but such weak muscles in his rear legs that he is not doing stairs at this time. With worming and a regular diet of quality food, he is expected to gain some weight and strength as well.

Bones just needs to feel better because, despite his years, he is still a very inquisitive pup. At his foster home he is constantly roaming around, smelling, and checking everything out. He is intrigued with the yard full of grass and has checked out every inch of it. He goes in his crate to sleep on his own when he is worn out. He is very friendly with people and loves attention, despite his physical problems. He’s a springer, after all! He reportedly had no issues with other dogs while at the shelter. He seems to be housetrained, and although he has had a few accidents in his home, improved health may help him with that too. He is well behaved and rides well in a car. He is totally deaf and doesn’t see well out of his left eye, but his interest in the new life surrounding him is keen.

It will be two weeks before Bones’ stitches come out, yet he has already improved significantly. At his age, the gains Bones will make are uncertain, but what is certain is that he will have responsible care and people around him who will love him for the rest of his days. His needs may turn out to be fairly simple, like those of many senior springers. The next family in Bones’ life may be the most important one of all, the one who will love him and make him comfortable in his old age. If you have that tender spot in your heart for senior springers and a small space for Bones and his crate in your home, please follow his progress as it unfolds.