Bruce

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Update 03/25/10:

Due to changes in his owner’s life, resulting in long work hours with very little time at home, Bruce has been returned to MAESSR. The 10 to 11 hours a day alone was beginning to be too much for this people dog and the strain was beginning to tell. Bruce returned with some mobility issues from arthritis but, with new medications and pain management, he is doing much better. He is a happy boy and settling into his foster home as if he has always been there.

Still a typical Velcro Springer this boy is loaded with personality. He is always ready to go for a walk, ride in the car or what ever he can come up with on his own. Bruce keeps his foster mom laughing all day with his antics, following her around with a toy in his mouth. He loves to be out in the yard and will settle on the porch to watch the world pass.

Bruce has full run of the house and sleeps on a big fluffy dog bed at night, with his moose toy, of course. Bruce’s house manners are excellent and he is very respectful of the other dogs in the home. There are cats in his foster home but, so far, he has been completely indifferent to them. His foster mom has trouble remembering Bruce is hearing impaired as he responds to everything around him. It is definitely not a problem.

This sweet guy is a pleasure to be around. He is loving and kind. Bruce would be a wonderful companion as he just wants to spread love and joy to the world.

Update 06/25/08:

Bruce is progressing very nicely in his foster home. He is gaining weight, his endurance is increasing and his “shelter cut” fieldie coat is growing in nicely. Bruce has earned full run of the house day and night, as his house training is complete. He does not counter-surf, jump on people, chew anything inappropriate, or trash pick. Good Boy!!!! He loves to play with balls or latex toys and likes to carry them around. Bruce will make himself comfortable on the dog beds throughout the house or on a blanket placed on the floor.

This boy is deaf, but his foster mom talks to him as she teaches him hand signals to “sit,” “give paw” and “lie down.”  He is learning “come” but that is coming slowly. Therefore, Bruce should never be allowed off leash in an unfenced area. He has a habit of barking when he wants something– a toy that he can’t reach, a dog that is across the room, waiting for his dinner or initially when left alone. His foster mom is working on modifying that behavior, but his deafness makes that a little difficult.

Bruce is a wonderful car rider. On his first long trip to the Richmond Springerfest, he perched himself in the back of the SUV on top of the suitcases and dozed off. He is great with other dogs and children and still untested with cats. Bruce is crate trained and mostly will relax in a crate but, when he wants to get out, he lets you know with the voice of his.

There is some arthritis in Bruce’s elbows but he has begun taking fish oil and will soon start on a supplement to help lubricate his joints. Being with people is Bruce’s first love. He is a very sweet, gentle Springer. Once Bruce gains a few more pounds, he will be ready to go to his forever home. Will it be your special home?

Original:

Bruce was found as a stray and taken in at a rural Pennsylvania shelter. Once that shelter filled up, Bruce was transferred to another shelter. But, the MAESSR detectives found him, got him out, and took him to a much needed vet examination.

On the vet’s scales, Bruce weighed in at just 38 pounds which is very much underweight; however, his health is improving every day in his foster home. He is on a medication to stop his diarrhea and it is working, so he should start gaining necessary weight. Bruce is deaf, but has learned hand signals to “sit” and “give paw” and he is learning more. He has some arthritis in his elbows which causes him to limp when he first gets up. His foster mom will start giving him joint supplements once his digestive system adjusts to a quality diet. Bruce has some broken and worn teeth, but that does not inhibit his eating at all.

Bruce seems to be pretty well housetrained, but his foster mom has him on a puppy schedule of going out every hour. He does not counter-surf or chew anything inappropriate. Tending to be on the submissive side, Bruce is very good with the two resident Springers. He has low to moderate energy, but that may have to do with his health. Each day there are improvements as he is now wagging his tail and building up to a slight run to fetch his ball. His underweight condition likely is contributing to his diminished energy level, so it is expected to pick up. Bruce loves to carry around any kind of ball and has demonstrated his ability to catch them in mid-air. He likes chasing and returning the ball for his foster mom to throw again.

Bruce walks well on a leash, pulling a little when he sees a bird, squirrel or other wildlife. He loves sniffing around in the woods on his daily walks. At night, he is sleeping in a crate and although he whines a little when he first goes in, he settles down after a short while. If a night light or television is on, it helps him so he can see that someone is in the room with him since he can’t hear you. Whenever his foster mom is out of his sight or when he is left alone in his crate, Bruce will bark, showing some signs of separation anxiety. His foster mom is working on developing trust within Bruce so that he will understand that his humans won’t abandon him again.

Bruce is truly a Velcro dog, following his foster mom everywhere she goes. Although he has the run of the house when someone is home, he is always in the same room with people. His temperament is good and he enjoys being petted. He was even great with the vet poking, prodding, and microchipping him. Bruce is one sweet dog!