Bruno

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Update 10/25/07: Foster families are ever mindful that love is not always enough to ensure the success of a dog in their care. Such was the case with Bruno. During his months in foster care, he achieved some health gains and surely must have felt better. He spent lots of time with his foster family and met other volunteers who follow the progress of all foster dogs and their families. Unfortunately, as Bruno’s personality emerged, it became clear to those around him that he would not be suitable for adoption.

Updated 8/29/07: With vetting complete, Bruno is feeling much better and ready to go to his forever home. His thyroid value was low when tested so he is on an inexpensive daily medication for correction. This plus a diet to control his weight has resulted in 6 pounds lost! Yeah! He has a small bald spot on his back that was caused by being hypothyroid. This and a bit of dry hair should clear up with a little more time. He has arthritis in his knees and is on a med to assist with that as well. There are also a couple of lumps which are not of immediate concern but may warrant a further look by his adoptive family.

Bruno’s previous owners were seniors who reported that he was regularly visited by children from infant age to preteens and was fine with them. His foster family, however, has not had the opportunity to see this as he has not been around children while with them. In part because of this, and, in part because of his arthritis, Bruno will be looking for a home without young children.

His house manners remain good but Bruno will still sit right next to you and beg while his family is eating. They are working on this with him and he is starting to catch on that he has to lie down when it’s meal time. He knows all his basic commands, including “sit,” “stay,” “lie down,” “give paw,” “outside,” “no,” “quiet,” and “leave it” and obeys them on occasion. At other times Bruno seems to listen selectively. He still pulls on his leash and could use more work on this too. He will bark when someone knocks on the door and sometimes at other strange noises.

With more time in his foster home, Bruno’s dominant personality is showing itself with other dogs. He has made it clear that he does not like to share his space with them. Before he came into his MAESSR home, he was an only dog and seems set in his senior ways. When the resident dogs are not around him, Bruno’s behavior is very good, so he will be seeking another situation where he can shine as an only dog. Bruno is still curious about the cat but will not hurt it and often looses interest in him.

Bruno is a very sweet, loving boy as long as he is a solo act. He wants all the attention from the people around him. He also loves his stuffed toys and carries them around the house. He is a beautiful young senior with a pretty face, lots of freckles and expressive eyes. There a special home for Bruno where he can give his love and be doted on by the humans in his life forever. Try sharing the lengthening nights in the company of a warm, adoring companion like Bruno and see how quickly winter flies by!   

Original: Life as he knew it abruptly changed for Bruno when his elderly owners put him a shelter when they had to move. Needless to say, he came to his MAESSR foster home very stressed.

Bruno is a good boy who is very sweet. He is good with all of the people he has met, including the vet! This big boy does not jump on people, keeping all four on the floor so that he can receive their greetings. He has not had the opportunity to meet any children yet, but his foster mom recommends older children with him because of his size– 63 lbs.! Bruno seems to have trouble with arthritis in his hips and knees when he gets up. He sometimes cries, circles, and paces. Despite all of his, his tail is always wagging.

Bruno has relatively good house manners. He is housebroken and does not counter surf. When his foster family is eating, Bruno will beg for food, though. Those big, loose lips on this Springer boy make him a sloppy eater and some of his food ends up on the floor. No problem, though! The resident Springers just walk around him and vacuum up what Bruno leaves behind! Bruno has no objections to this canine cleanup crew helping him out. When dog treats are being passed out, Bruno is willing to share and shows no food or treat aggression.

Bruno wants to be friends with the resident Springers, but got off on the wrong foot by being a little too forward. However, his foster family knows that these Springers will be friends in no time. Bruno was the only dog in his former home, so he needs to learn how to be a member of a multiple dog household. On the feline side, Bruno is curious about the resident cat who is not too friendly and the cat puts him in his place.

Bruno likes to carry soft toys around, but does not play fetch with the balls available to him. He is not toy aggressive and neither are the resident Springers. At night, Bruno comes upstairs with his foster parents, sleeping in their bedroom. He seems to prefer the floor to a comfy dog bed, and has not tried to get on the furniture. He is not crate trained, yet. When someone comes knocking on the door, Bruno barks, but he is good to anyone who enters the home. Bruno likes his walks, but he doesn’t understand that he would be taken on longer walks if he did not pull so hard on the leash. His foster parents are working with him on improving his leash manners. If they take him in the car, he does very well as a cooperative passenger.

All in all, Bruno is a very friendly, loving boy who needs a family to return his love and keep him forever. He’s ready for this commitment. Are you?