Boscoe

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Update 01/21/2005: Boscoe recently spent a day at the VA-MD Veterinary Teaching Hospital for an assessment of his hip dysplasia by specialists. The outcome was very good news. While surgical treatment could be pursued, conservative medical management is an appropriate choice for him and may serve him for the rest of his life. To give him an edge, he will need an adoptive family who will ensure that he maintains a healthy weight, gets regular low-impact exercise, and is not allowed to jump on furniture, beds, or off of tailgates. This boy will never be an agility dog, but could remain quietly active and be a wonderful companion on daily walks with similarly active people. Should discomfort occur, he could benefit from rimadyl, an “as needed” doggie drug available from vets.

His family will also need to provide simple, daily attention to his eyes. They don’t produce enough tears to keep his eyes healthy, but drops or an ointment should keep them clear and sparkling.

Another springer has been in Boscoe’s home for the last few weeks. The new boy is one year old and a persistently playful puppy. Boscoe has been exceedingly tolerant as the pup has tried to get him to play. Though the pup hasn’t been very successful at this, Boscoe’s tolerant behavior and steady nature have calmed the pup. They share toys, beds, and time with their foster mom now very well.

Boscoe’s ideal home would be one without too many stairs, with or without other dogs, and, oh, yes, a swimming opportunity would be great! He is well mannered and knows basic commands, but could still benefit from an obedience class with his new family to quicken their bond. His “new beginning” began when he entered MAESSR’s program and he is ready for an adoptive family who will make his new lifestyle permanent. He deserves nothing less and will return all the love he receives.

Update 12/14/2004: Boscoe is scheduled for his hip evaluation at VA-MD Veterinary School in January. His local vet comments that he still can’t believe how bad his hips look in the x-rays. For now, Boscoe is on a joint supplement. He has gained needed weight, part of which is muscle amassed from getting adequate exercise. He climbs steps daily, skips, and is pain free. He recently had his first off leash experience on a trail and trotted along for almost an hour. It’s a true and simple pleasure to see this dog, who could barely walk 3 months ago, enjoy doing what dogs do best.

Boscoe had a second eye repair in November. The first “cherry eye” repair attempted to save the gland and was unsuccessful. Eye lashes were also rubbing the cornea. In the second surgery, the gland was removed and the outer eyelid was corrected. This resulted in an eye that works properly and has relieved Boscoe of much discomfort.

With extended time in his foster home, Boscoe has become a “Velcro” dog. He has run of the house when his family is home, but he is always where his foster mom is, only occasionally leaving the room. He will literally sleep on her feet. What a treat in winter months! He is learning more basic commands and “gives paw” so well now. Boscoe would like to be topdog, but the 12-year-old resident beagle retains that place, reaffirming Boscoe’s good nature. He continues to eagerly meet new people and is quite a gentleman in public.

Were it not for Boscoe’s serious hip dysplasia, he would be ready to offer now. He is totally adoptable in every other way. The ortho specialists will make a recommendation on how best to preserve his normal activity. This could include a total hip replacement, costing several thousand dollars. His foster family is much appreciative to MAESSR and its supporters who are making this level of care possible. Without it, Boscoe’s bright future would be quite dim and likely much shortened.

Update 10/18/2004: With 6 weeks of MAESSR care, Boscoe is now beginning to feel really good and look like a healthy springer. His coat is growing out and feathers are appearing. He has gained several pounds. His “cherry eye” condition has been repaired and, of course, he is now neutered.

When Boscoe arrived at his foster home, he was so stiff in his hindquarters that climbing stairs and, even sitting, were impossible. Daily massages began to loosen his hips and hind legs. It took several weeks of strengthening and practice to do a full flight of stairs. He is still cautious and misses steps on occasion, but won’t be left behind when his foster family moves around the house. It took him a month to limber enough to be able to “sit”. Because of this difficulty, when Bos was neutered, he was also x-rayed. Hip dysplasia was identified, moderate in one hip and severe in the other. His vet found no signs of arthritis, but was adamant that it will occur within the next few years. He also advised that, at best, the bad hip would need replacement in 3-4 years and possibly sooner. In a young and otherwise healthy dog, this was a very unsettling prognosis.

Walking actually improved for Boscoe sooner than sitting. When he first arrived, his pads were so tender that walking on mowed grass seemed a labor for him. He has been on lengthening hikes with his foster family, the last one being over an hour. Now he can slowly jog uphill as well as down on a trail. Boscoe handles beautifully on a long leash and enjoys exploring the out of doors. He has learned that stepping into tall grass is Ok! and that there is a whole new world of smells to sniff there.

With improved health has come the ability to counter-surf! His foster mom was actually delighted the first time he tried it, viewing it as definite progress! Fortunately, Boscoe has made no effort to unlid the trash can, nor does he chew on anything except a stuffed bear. He is now house broken and sleeps in an open crate in a bedroom with the rest of the family. Though he has not experienced “car sickness,” riding made Boscoe very anxious at first. He rides behind the front seat and, with more experience, is becoming calmer.

Boscoe is a very mellow fellow and content to be wherever his foster mom is. He can settle for hours at her feet and makes no attempts at the furniture. He will whine at predictable times, ie, meal time, “waking in the morning” time, and, if he is not let out of his crate immediately upon the family’s arrival home. He rarely barks, but can howl like a hound!

Through all of his recent challenges, Boscoe’s temperament has remained rock solid. He is confident when meeting new people and dogs. He will approach strangers now, nuzzling for attention and petting. Despite his growing strength, he remains gentle with the small senior dogs in his foster home. He has learned about treats, now loving peanut butter and broccoli, so teaching him basic commands will move along. Boscoe is so easy to live with. His foster mom feels he will bond easily with an adoptive family and be a loving and loyal companion.

Before Boscoe can go to his forever home, a further assessment of his hips is needed, so that appropriate care can be planned. To see an ortho surgeon and consider the possibility of a hip replacement is a costly commitment, but MAESSR feels it should be his next step. Please consider sponsoring Bosco. With his good mind and overall good health, Boscoe has already made a great new beginning. With proper care it is hoped he can live the active and pain free life that a well-cared for springer should enjoy.

Original: At 21 inches and 44 pounds Boscoe has the handsome look of a bench-bred springer. He arrived at his foster home with a very short haircut.  His foster family has not seen his feathers, but imagines they will grow out nicely with his coat.  He has a few freckles on his nose and front legs.  Boscoe was surrendered to MAESSR by a man who needed to reduce the number of dogs he owned.  The trip to his foster home was a long one, but Boscoe traveled well, both in and out of crates, on the various legs of the journey.

Boscoe is just now learning his name.  He doesn’t seem to know  basic commands, but is starting that in his foster home.  He is beginning to “come” with encouragement and when he’s not distracted.  He walks very gently on a leash for short outings and was a true pleasure on his first woodland walk.  Boscoe either isn’t housebroken, or, the recent upheaval in his life has made him unreliable.  He can keep a clean crate overnight, but has had numerous accidents while getting from his crate to the back door.  His foster family is working with him on this, and, he is beginning to understand “out.”  His neutering procedure will help with this too.

In his foster home, Boscoe is living with two small, senior canines.  He is most interested in the 12 pound female, but, is so gentle that she has not snarled or fled from him.  He eats in his crate and allows his foster mom to remove his food bowl mid-meal.  He is just now learning about dog “treats” and will stand along side the residents when it is his turn.

Boscoe met cats at the local animal shelter and showed little interest in them.  The resident “grump” was in her open floor cage when he visited, and, he wouldn’t go close to her!

Boscoe likely lived in a setting where he got little exercise.  When he arrived at his foster home, he was stiff in his hind quarters and could not go up or down stairs.  He is limbering daily, and, his foster family expects to see a normal gait in the next few weeks.  Limbering will also allow him to learn “sit.”  He tires easily, but his stamina should become normal as he gets increasing exercise.

What has impressed his foster family the most in meeting Boscoe is his positive attitude and good mind.  He has let his foster mom and the vet touch him all over with no grumbling. He has accepted petting and attention from everyone he has met.  He doesn’t seek people out, but is calm and unruffled when approached.  The youngest person he has met was a 2 1/2-year-old boy who was almost eyeball to eyeball with him before the little boy’s mom or Boscoe’s foster mom could intervene. The two got along like good buddies immediately. Boscoe will continue to “unfold” in the coming weeks.  He is still getting used to many things about living in a home.  He watched a “springer” in the window for 20 minutes one evening who stared right back at him.  The “springer” in the window grumbled at Boscoe exactly like Boscoe grumbled at him!  Boscoe may need to learn respect for trash cans and kitchen counters as he becomes able to reach them.  His forever family will need to complete much that he will not have mastered while in foster care, but, they can expect to have a willing learner and a great companion in this fellow.