Entered: 05/10/2021
Status: Permanent Foster; Rainbow Bridge
Age: 9
Color: Black and White Boston Terrier
Weight: 23 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Girard, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, receiving medication for Cushing’s disease with skin and hair loss improving, blind in one eye
Temperament: Good with adults, not good with children, mostly tolerant of dogs but would be best as an only dog, ignores cats unless they get too close to his things
Update 10/26/2022: “[Buddy’s] temperament had become increasingly aggressive to the resident dogs and cats as well has to his foster mom.”
Aggression is a symptom sometimes shown in dogs with advanced Cushing’s Disease. Buddy was afflicted with this illness and his temperament had become increasingly aggressive to the resident dogs and cats as well has to his foster mom. Since he was becoming a danger to all of those in his foster home, it was decided to send him humanely to the Rainbow Bridge.
Run free and whole again, Buddy!
Update 07/30/2022: “Now a permanent foster, Buddy will enjoy being a MAESSR boy during his golden years.”
Since Buddy began his treatment for Cushing’s disease his skin is improving, and his hair is growing back. He still has not gained weight, but he’s not losing it either, which is a plus.
Now a permanent foster, Buddy will enjoy being a pampered MAESSR boy during his golden years.
Update 03/31/2022: “After testing and bloodwork, Buddy was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease.”
Since he has come into foster care, Buddy has been struggling to put weight; he is always hungry but food goes right through him. When a solution to this problem was not forthcoming, his foster mom decided to take him to a different vet.
After testing and bloodwork, Buddy was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease or hyperadrenocorticism. The adrenal gland of dogs with this condition produces too much of the stress hormone cortisol. Buddy has begun taking medications to treat this disease.
Watch for more on Buddy as his treatment progresses.
Update 11/15/2021: “Buddy has learned to live with other dogs. He now ignores the grumpy male foster and walks away from him without getting into fights.”
The good news for Buddy is that lab work did not indicate any problems that would affect his weight gain. He has put on some weight and is still on the supplement for this. His foster mom puts green beans and lots of pumpkin in his food to increase his fiber intake. This has helped him to have well-formed poop, and likely the weight gain. His foster mom isn’t sure that the supplement is now necessary and will discontinue it when she runs out, just to see how it goes. She suspects that his problems could have been due to nerves since his owner was ill and he had so many changes in his world.
Buddy has learned to live with other dogs. He now ignores the grumpy male foster and walks away from him without getting into fights. Good boy, Buddy!
Buddy still has odd quirks that probably won’t change. He will snap at his foster mom when she tries to put him in his crate if he isn’t in the mood to go into it. He does need his crate when alone. This smart little Houdini can get through baby gates and is obsessed with cat litter, so a cat-free home would be best. But he does love car rides!
If you are willing to learn about Buddy’s little quirks, ask about this little cutie!
Update 08/19/2021: “Buddy continues to ‘run the show’ in his foster home. He is definitely used to being an only dog and having his own way!”
Buddy continues to “run the show” in his foster home. He is definitely used to being an only dog and having his own way!
He also continues to need his digestion supplement to control the consistency of his stools. He is unable to maintain his weight in spite of a good appetite and normal lab results and will be seeing the vet to determine if he has a deficiency that prevents him from gaining the needed pounds.
Keep an eye out for Buddy’s progress as MAESSR helps this Springer wannabe regain his weight and health.
Original: “Despite his senior status, Buddy’s foster mom says that he is full of energy and spunk and likes affection from people.”
Buddy the Boston terrier is MAESSR’s honorary Springer, a true one-eyed wonder! He came to MAESSR because his Pennsylvania owner fell ill and entered hospice care, leaving no one to care for him. Buddy just turned 9 years old at the beginning of May, weighing in at about 23 pounds. Despite his senior status, Buddy’s foster mom says that he is full of energy and spunk and likes affection from adults.
Buddy is on a supplement for a digestive issue, which seems to come and go, and he has a hard time gaining weight, despite his big appetite. This condition will need ongoing monitoring. When he has a digestive bout, he has watery stools.
Although Buddy likes people, his foster mom thinks he would do best as an only dog and without any children in his new household. As an overly indulged only child with his previous owner, he likes to run the show, so he will need a strong person to guide him. He enjoys his space and will let other dogs and cats know if they have gotten too close to something he views as his. Hey, Buddy’s a terrier, a scrappy little guy!
Buddy prefers to be inside, barking at anyone or anything that passes while he is on guard. His bark is low and muffled, so his foster mom says it really isn’t bothersome. Although he likes being indoors, Buddy does enjoy going for walks and meeting and greeting people.
If you like quirky senior dogs, Buddy may be the guy for you!