Brinksley

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Update 07/10/09: The news from Brinksley’s foster family is saddening. Brinksley will not be among us for very much longer. He is in kidney failure and has steadily been going downhill. His vet has done all she can do. His foster mom and dad have been keeping him as comfortable as possible. He is given a steady stream of love and affection and, many days, it seems this is what he is living on.

When they take him outside, Brinksley still wants to play. His energy is very short lived but his tail goes a mile a minute in delight. Brinksley still wants his pal, Bosco, to be close to him. Brinksley still gets along with the resident springers but it is Bosco that is comforting to him.

Brinksley recently had the opportunity to meet his foster parent’s 19-month-old grandson and his parents. Brinksley did very well with the baby, considering Brinksley was not feeling well, and he remains good with any adult that he has met.

Brinksley is one of the sweetest senior springers that his foster parents have had the great fortune to know and love. When the time comes, he will be missed terribly. Please keep Brinksley and his foster family in your thoughts as they share his last days together.

Original: Be forewarned Brinksley’s story is a heartbreaker.

He came into MAESSR’s care, along with his lifelong pal, Bosco, 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 Bosco moved to Virginia. These two are a team and cannot be separated.

Further vetting has shed more light on Brinksley’s physical health and needs. At some point in the past, Brinksley had half of his tongue surgically removed after he got it caught in a ball. He can eat regular kibble, but he doesn’t get enough for good nutrition and also creates a mess. So, his foster mom cooks his food in chunks, just large enough for him to get a hold of and swallow. He tries to chew but cannot do this well, so his foster mom is also feeding him by hand. This way he gets more and there is less mess. This may be, in part, why Brinksley is severely underweight. He has also just been diagnosed with kidney disease. A special diet and medication will be required to support him through this illness.

Brinksley is a very curious boy. He checks everything out in his new foster home. He is not allowed upstairs, only because of his arthritis. He falls sometimes when going down the few outside steps to the yard. For his safety, he is blocked from a full staircase indoors.

Adapting to indoor life has come quickly for Brinksley. He is crate trained and housebroken. His foster mom has not seen a clear signal from him when he needs to go out, but with 3 other seniors in the house, there are several potty breaks a day and no accidents. For the most part, he has not counter surfed, but he would probably like to if given the opportunity. He does not get into the trash or up on furniture. When his family is not home, he has the run of the house and is trustworthy. He likes to ride in the car, likes to watch what’s going by, and then, after a while, he lays down to snooze. At night he sleeps on a very comfy orthopedic bed. He will sleep there during the day too but also likes to lie on the floor, close to where his foster mom is.

There may be some partial deafness in Brinksley, so his foster family is not quite sure about what commands he knows. He may understand no, sit, and stay. Most of the time, he just automatically sits without command. He does not pull very much while on leash, but he has a very large yard to be in, so he has not had opportunities to go for walks yet. His energy level is good for a bit and then he has to rest. He doesn’t play for long periods of time.

Brinksley’s interaction with people is very good. He wants to be around his people to be loved and gives lots of love back. He loves everyone and gets along very well with the resident springers too. He does not have any guarding issues.

Brinksley LOVES TOYS!!! There are several he has pulled out of the box that he plays with but mostly he loves to play catch with a ball or Frisbee. In fact, when he and his pal, Bosco, play together, they make a game of it. Once the ball is thrown, Brinksley usually gets to it first, so Bosco barks in protest as if to say “How about sharing? It’s my turn already!” This is sad and a hoot, all at the same time, to watch these 2 old arthritic boys try to run and play. They fall and knock each other over; it’s sad because of the condition they are in and a hoot because they are so funny to watch. Quite a couple of characters they are.

Bosco and Brinksley have not engaged in play with the resident dogs, as the residents do not play in this way. That said, Brinksley has discovered that one resident is a female and he does like to pay attention to her.

Brinksley is one very, very sweet boy. Anybody who adopted him would not be sorry, as long as they didn’t mind a little extra work. He is loving and playful, outgoing and has a great personality. His ideal forever home would have a special bed for him to sleep in, no stairs, well, a few are OK. He mainly needs lots of TLC. Also, the family must be willing to adopt his pal, Bosco. Is your home and heart that special place for this special boy and his pal?