Bosco 3

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Update 07/07/10:

It’s always saddening to lose a sweetie, especially one as loved as Bosco. His foster parents wept with the realization that old age had at last overcome their boy and held his head in lap as he passed to the Rainbow Bridge this week.

They can see Bosco running and playing now as he did years ago with his best pal, Brinksley. Surely as the two catch up, Bosco is telling Brinksley how blessed he was in his last year of life to be a MAESSR boy in a home where seniors are so very cherished. God speed, Bosco.

Update 05/24/10:

One really has to admire the undemanding steadiness of senior dogs. And, though not a Springer on the outside, Bosco surely has the soul of one. He has been with his foster family for almost a year now. During that time, he has adjusted to his new home, the loss of a life-time canine buddy, several foster ESSs coming and going through the home, decidedly better health, and the most love any dog could receive from his people. This senior is doing well and is planning to take in MAESSR’s upcoming Springerfest picnic in Richmond. He may not be a party animal but he won’t pass up a great gathering!!

Over recent months there hasn’t been any change in Bosco. His health is good so there has been no change in his meds. He has a little trouble negotiating the outside deck stairs at his foster home. It’s arthritis in his hips that can make it a little difficult for him to get up and under way. He accepts this quite well, knowing it will just take a little more time to get where he’s going. Between short trips around the house, he spends lots of time in his comfy orthopedic bed.

Bosco is very quiet and timid with other dogs. He and a female in the home do a little interacting; when they look at each other, ears perk up, but that’s about as far as it goes. He gets along with 2 other seniors by just ignoring them. The playfulness he had with his life-time buddy, Brinksley, has been lost and Bosco could likely live quite contentedly in a home where he was the only dog.

Bosco’s love of people has filled the void in his life since Brinksley left. He gets plenty of love from his foster mom and dad, and, when he’s up and about, he goes around to them looking for more. Of course, he gets more. Who could resist this sweetheart?

Beyond the need for a home with minimal steps and people who would dote on him, Bosco really has no special needs. He would warm to the love of a new family as he did to his foster family. If you have thought of opening your home and heart to a senior companion, please consider Bosco. Or, better yet, make a reservation for the Richmond picnic and let him introduce himself!

Update 04/08/10:

Bosco is still doing very good in his foster home. He enjoyed the winter, getting out into the snow when it was low enough to play in and then coming in totally covered in white. Now that it is spring, he is enjoying the cool, green grass. He still enjoys playing fetch with his toys, and, sometimes he just carries them around the house. His foster mom thinks he likes his resident sister; he follows her around the yard, standing close by. Then, when she takes off in a run, as if to tease him and leaves him behind, Bosco walks to the house. He just can’t keep up with that lass. He still has some trouble on stairs and hesitates but does negotiate the few steps he has to use.

After a month of fearfulness in regards to his table and bowl, Bosco is back to eating very good again. You see, his other resident sister fell into him and his table one day at supper time. It made an awful racket which scared Bosco. Bosco has always been a very timid boy, so his foster family figured out a way to help him get past this little impasse. He now eats quietly in another room without any distractions.

Bosco’s health remains good. His hypothyroidism is still under control with an inexpensive daily medication. He has maintained a healthy weight and, according to recent blood tests, he is also within normal range on everything else. Yeah, Bosco!!! He has arthritis in his hips which bothers him on occasion and benefits from a pain medication and a supplement for this. He still gets flair ups with his skin allergies on occasion and is treated as needed.

Bosco does very good at the vet’s office and with the groomer. He rides quietly in the car and does not bark at anything. He gets along with every one he meets including the 2 year old grandson who visits in his foster home. He has adapted well to living with the resident springers. When they walk into his area now, he just gets up and moves to another spot.

Bosco is a fine, sweet boy that just wants to be loved and, of course, to sleep in his comfy orthopedic bed. He has a sterling, mature outlook on life and is very laid back with a heart of gold. It won’t take a pot of gold to provide for Bosco’s modest needs but welcoming him into your home will leave you feeling that you have a priceless treasure. Go ahead! Ask to meet Bosco!!

Update 03/03/10:

Sometimes the best news is that nothing has really changed. Such is the story of Bosco’s wintering in foster care. He had made significant health gains on treatable issues by Christmas and has maintained well through the cold temperatures and deep snows of the last months. Of course, aside from going out for necessities, he didn’t spend too much time outside. The days of catching snowflakes and sharing a sled ride with his people are behind him. Now he definitely prefers to watch winter go by from inside where it is warm and cozy.

Bosco isn’t complaining about having cabin fever. Being indoors much of the time suits him well as it means more attention, more ear scratches, and lots of petting from his family. It also gives him the chance to do what a senior does best– and that is to be a laid-back, loyal, and ever steady companion and comfort to his people. When spring arrives, Bosco will enjoy basking himself in the warm sunshine but he will be happiest if his people are close by then too.

If winter has been a little too quiet in your home, and, the pace of spring leaves time for a new friend, ask about meeting Bosco. He would really love to have a family of his very own and, with a dog in the family, one is never, ever really home alone!

Update 12/07/09:

Bosco is still doing very well in his foster home. His health is good and the meds are helping him. Every once in a while, he will get a skin lesion. When one appears, it is treated and heals up, but they are reoccurring. His coat has become thick and shiny and the skinny tail he arrived with has fluffed up into a big soft, downy one.

As with all MAESSR dogs Bosco is loved and treated like a member of his foster family. The little bit of hearing loss he has doesn’t in any way limit him from being an engaging and personable companion and a very good boy. Anybody who would like a big laid back teddy bear would find that in Bosco. He is a wonderful dog and would love more than anything else this holiday season to have a furever family ask him to be their very own.

Update 09/11/09:

The time of grieving for his lost buddy, Brinksley, is behind Bosco and he is doing well. There has been little change in his interaction with the resident springers. He likes having their canine companionship and gets along with them but there is no playfulness with them and he is wary of the resident cat. Most of Bosco’s interaction is with his foster mom; his foster dad runs a close second. Bosco adores lots of attention and love, lots of petting and ear scratches. He still likes to play fetch with his toys and is finally resigned and happy to just play with his foster parents. At times he is very content to lay in his orthopedic bed for comfort. He also, sometimes of his own accord, will get in his crate and sleep. He is totally trustworthy in the house.

Bosco’s health has improved to a stable level now. His arthritis is under control with daily medication and a daily supplement, though, it is evident he has a hard time navigating stairs. His hypothyroidism is under control with a daily thyroid pill. Bosco’s appetite is still good. He eats two meals a day and gets plenty of “good boy” treats. He recently picked up a dermatitis infection in the folds of his neck and chest. He has been to the vet, got a steroid shot and is taking antibiotics for it. There is also a daily cleaning of the infected area. He has a fluid-filled cyst by his left ear which doesn’t bother him and will be left alone– no need to remove it.

Bosco is a very sweet boy that has gotten along with everyone he has met. Do you have the kind of home that a totally laid back senior would like? One with few stairs, a comfy bed, and people who enjoy quiet, steady companionship? Maybe you’re the perfect match for Bosco!

Update 08/06/09:

After his buddy Brinksley’s passing, Bosco was grieving for him but, with the help of his foster mommy and daddy and the resident springers, he has come through it and is doing well. He still likes to play with his Frisbee and ball but he quits after a few tosses. Then he goes to an area in the yard he has chosen to put the toys and lays down. He will occasionally bring one in the house, so his family will gently play in the house with him for a few minutes before he calls it quits.

Bosco’s health issues are under control. His hips prevent him from a lot of running, but that doesn’t stop him from trying. He has recently been treated for 2 lesions which were not healing; he will finish a course of antibiotics for this shortly. He has a good appetite and is at a good weight. He is partially deaf so, as with many seniors, hand signals help him understand what is being asked of him. His hair is getting shiny and is so soft. He looks wonderful!!!!

There has been a lot of noisy construction going on in his foster home. There are workers coming and going all the time. Being his good-natured self, Bosco just disregards the noise and looks for a pat or two from the workers. His family also had house guests for a week. Bosco did wonderfully with them, including the nine and fourteen year olds, and with all the extra activity that company brings.

Bosco also impressed a lady he met at the vet’s office so much that, after learning of his story, she wanted to adopt him. His foster mom explained about MAESSR’s adoption process and Bosco is surely hoping she will apply and ask for him. He is ready to settle into a forever home that can give him everything he needs. Actually his needs are modest– a comfy orthopedic bed would be especially nice and, of course, lots and lots of special love to put a smile on his face!!

Update 07/10/09:

With lots of TLC Bosco’s health is much improved. His appetite has been very good and he is on dog food now. He is eating 2 meals a day plus “good boy” cookies. There are no stomach issues any more; it seems he just had that doggie bug that was going around and he is doing fine now. He has some arthritis in his hips and is on one medication for pain and another for joint health. In combination they keep him eager to play. He is going to have his teeth cleaned soon. This will include senior blood tests to make sure he is healthy enough to go through the procedure. Keep fingers crossed!

His foster mom had Bosco groomed along with the resident springers. He did very well with only a couple of rest breaks and he looks wonderful.

Bosco is always looking out for his pal, Brinksley. Bosco will give him kisses, clean his face, and always has a watchful eye for him. Bosco is, for the most part, always close to Brinksley, laying and/or sleeping on the floor on a bed right next to him. They are true buddies and even though Brinksley is very ill, Bosco will try to keep the play game of Frisbee going with him. This delights Brinksley and brings lots of tail wags from both.

Bosco will still on rare occasions give a growl or bark at the resident Springers if they get a little to close too his space. With people he is absolutely wonderful and also very affectionate. He recently had the opportunity to meet foster parents’ 19 month old grandson and he did very well with him. Bosco is another very sweet senior boy, another of many that his foster family has had the pleasure of knowing and loving. Bosco is truly blessed to have their time and care right now and the continuing companionship of his lifelong buddy, Brinksley.

Original:

Be forewarned! Bosco’s story is a heart-breaker.

He came into MAESSR’s care, along with his lifelong pal, Brinksley, from South Carolina. His owners of 13 years were moving and did not have room for the dogs. He had been an outdoor dog and when his transport volunteer picked him up, he was dirty, shaking and seemingly in pain. In a temporary foster home, he was given a bath, went to the vet and got lots of love. When a foster home in MAESSR country became available, he and Brinksley moved to Virginia. Bosco is a lab mix and now an “honorary” ESS. He and Brinksley are a team and can not be separated. Rescuing only Brinksley was simply not an option.

Since arriving in Virginia, Bosco has visited a vet for further help with his health. Initially he may have had a little doggie bug and required a day stay at the vet’s office to receive intravenous solutions. He is doing better back at home, has resumed eating and drinking and is more like his normal self. A further look at possible stomach issues is ongoing; he is hypothyroid and has some arthritis in his hips. The arthritis makes him a little unstable so he is not allowed to go upstairs in his foster home. His family doesn’t want to chance his falling down those stairs.

Bosco has readily adapted to indoor life. He has only had 2 accidents since in his foster home and is essentially housebroken. His foster mom has not been able to pick up on signals from him when in need but, since there are 3 other seniors in the house, Bosco simply goes out often with them. His house manners are very good. He does not counter surf, does not beg, does not get into the trash, and does not get on the furniture. His foster mom has invited him for a cuddle on the couch and found he’s not interested. When his family is not home, Bosco has the run of the house and is very trustworthy.

Partial deafness is suspected with Bosco, so his family is doing some hand signaling with him. Because of this too, they are not sure of what commands he knows. He walks without pulling much on a leash but he hasn’t had much opportunity or need as he has a very big back yard to roam in. Bosco rides well in a car. His plan for travel is to lie down and go to sleep! At night he sleeps on his comfy orthopedic bed in the living room, alongside all the other dogs.

Bosco does not play much with toys, but he does like to play catch with either a ball or a Frisbee and his pal Brinksley. His energy level is low and short lived. Mostly Bosco lies around on his comfy bed. He does not engage in play with the resident dogs as they don’t play his games. Bosco has no resource guarding issues. The only thing he occasionally barks a little about is if the other dogs get a little too close to the space he is occupying. When this happens, a “no” from his foster mom stops this behavior right away.

With people, Bosco shines. His interaction with people he has met so far is very good. Bosco is a very, very sweet boy. He loves to be around his people, and although he had to stay outside at his owner’s house, he loves being in a home. Bosco has his pal Brinksley; they are a team and can not be separated. Bosco would make someone a very loving pet, if they don’t mind a little extra work. Are you the special person or family that would be willing to adopt two very special senior boys?