Boy

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Update 09/29/2015:  “He is verbally expressive when he wants something and will bark at her.  All she has to do is point her finger at him and say “no” and he quiets.“

With several weeks to settle under the observant eyes of his foster mom, Boy’s emerging as a memorable dog that you have to love.  He wants to “Velcro” to his people.  His “come” is always good because he doesn’t want to be alone.  He’s one who never leaves the unfenced area around his house, even following his foster mom along when she mows the lawn.   That said, it can become a bit of a game to get him to do what is asked when he has other plans.  After one recent mowing, he did not want to go inside, so his foster mom left him out.  She waited a minute or so and then he came right in…a winning outcome for all!  He is verbally expressive when he wants something and will bark at her.  All she has to do is point her finger at him and say “no” and he quiets.

The minor limp he arrived with has been evaluated, and, with treatment for Lyme disease behind him, requires no further treatment.  The limp does recur after miles of running which he loves, before he gets warmed up during a run or when he first rises from a rest.  Perhaps Boy sees this as small compensation for the euphoria that follows these adventures.   While exercise will always be vital to his well-being, his realizing he’s not a puppy anymore may be on the horizon.

Still an anxious traveler, Boy is better at not barking on the road when he’s the only dog in the car.  He does whine and pace, possibly vying for the front seat, but handles short runs with the resident dogs if it means going to the family farm.  Not surprising, he is typically quiet on the way home from the farm…a tired dog is a good dog?

With continuing interest in what’s on the kitchen counter, Boy isn’t above counter-surfing.  His family is always sure he doesn’t have a chance to get any food and expect he’ll realize soon the futility of his efforts.

With settling has come greater comfort when people touch him.  He lets them touch him all over now, including his feet.  He’s become quite a happy guy.  He has turned out to be a sweet dog.  A fenced yard for him would be great, so he can continue to be outside and chase leaves as they blow.  He does nothing bad; rather he just wants to play.  He’s ready for a family to play with now…are you ready for him?

Original:  “Boy has been a well-mannered guest; he does not guard his resources, but when finished eating, looks at the other dog bowls to see if anything is left—he’d be happy to clean up for you!!” 

When Boy’s New Jersey owner died, her husband’s long work hours did not permit him to take care of this handsome guy and MAESSR was asked for help.

Mama’s Boy has been well loved and is quite a baby.  He is housetrained and barks or becomes agitated when he needs to go out.  Although his owner said he will go into a crate to sleep with the door open, he does not like the crate at his foster home.  However, this guy can be left at home for long periods without a problem and has free roam in his foster home.  He does not get on furniture, and while he likes to jump on the bed, he sleeps under it at night. 

Boy has been a well-mannered guest; he does not guard his resources, but when finished eating, looks at the other dog bowls to see if anything is left—he’d be happy to clean up for you!!  While he will jump up to see what is on the counter, he has not been seen courter-surfing.  Boy does not chew inappropriately, but will carry a shoe or slipper in his mouth.

Commands, so far, are a foreign language to this fellow—or maybe, like a baby, he wants his way!  He looks at his foster mom when she asks him to come, but will follow when she walks up to him.  He stays close to the house when off lead.   His favorite toy is a ball, but while he likes to have it thrown, bringing it back is not his style!   He does enjoy doggie day care and a dog park.

 Boy likes walks and does not pull on his leash.  He barks when his family leaves, but quiets down once they are gone.  Similarly, in the car, he will bark and be agitated, but settle down quickly.  He was good at the groomer’s and vet’s although a muzzle was used when work was done on his feet and his neck was shaved—he didn’t like those procedures.

This is truly a “boy” who has been treated like a baby, loves attention and wants to be with his people.  His only bad habit is jumping on his people when they come home.  After that, he just wants to follow his family.  Boy would appreciate a fenced in yard and would also enjoy a swim now and then.   Follow up boosters are still due during September for the Leptospirosis vaccine series. Boy will need continued monitoring because of having had Lyme disease.  Watch for this character to be available in October.