Entered: 08/05/2012
Status: Rainbow Bridge
Age: 7
Color: Black/White
Weight: 53 lbs.
Gender: Intact Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, some loss of fur due to flea infestation, underweight, missing all teeth on both top and bottom between his canines, deaf
Temperament: Unsuitable for adoption
Update 08/26/12:
Dogs invariably change as they settle into foster care and are continually being evaluated as their full personalities emerge. Unfortunately, as Butch was observed by 2 very experienced foster families, it became clear he could not be offered for adoption.
Original:
Butch’s lucky day came when a Good Samaritan found him wandering around the streets in a West Virginia town. She opened her car door, Butch jumped in, and so his new life began. People in the neighborhood had said that Butch had been wandering around by himself for a few weeks. This poor boy was severely flea infested and emaciated. The Good Samaritan who also volunteers for a large breed rescue took Butch home with her and contacted MAESSR for help. While in her care, Butch was seen by a vet and taken to the groomer. This boy was full of worms, fleas, and mats and so his treatment for all of this was immediately started.
While in his temporary MAESSR foster home, Butch was taken to the vet for a follow up exam and to have a growth on his neck further examined. Although the tests results of the growth on his neck were inconclusive, the vet feels it is best to have this removed as to prevent further growth and discomfort due to its location. This will be done at the same time of neutering. Butch was a very good boy at the vet and just wanted his belly rubbed — his favorite thing! It was also determined that this boy is deaf. Since he is very thin through his hind quarters, the vet would like him to gain about five pounds. Getting ample quality food should solve that problem! His prior hard life caused some dental problems since he is missing all teeth on both top and bottom between his canines.
Butch has displayed fairly good house-manners. He does not get on the furniture and has not had any accidents in the house. Housetrained and crate-trained, Butch remains in his crate when his foster mom is at work. This boy will counter-surf and he loves to drink water from the kitchen sink! Due to his lack of hearing, Butch is going to need some patient training to learn that all four paws belong on the floor.
Currently, Butch is residing with five other dogs and two cats; the funny thing is he much prefers the company of the cats verses the dogs. For this reason, Butch is crated to keep him safe while his foster mom is out. She tried just gating him from the other dogs, but he just knocked the gate down. Butch is very much a Velcro boy and as long as he can see his human he is okay in the crate; otherwise, he will fuss for a bit but then settles down.
Very good on the leash and in the car, Butch is just a social guy with his people. Although he would prefer to help you drive, he will settle in the back seat of the car after just a short time. He loves car rides! He also loves treats and takes them very gently from your hand. Good boy, Butch!
Watch for more on this handsome boy as he gets back to good health and transitions into his long-term foster home.