Entered: 07/31/2024
Status: Adopted
Age: 7; born 11/01/2016
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 52 lbs
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Mastic, NY
Health: UTD, HW-, good overall health, no longer displays weakness in legs due to lack of exercise, hip dysplasia, degenerative disc disease
Temperament: Good with adults, fine with children he meets on walks, good with other dogs, okay with cats
Update 09/01/2024: “Starting at two blocks and being exhausted, Buzz now walks over 12,000 steps with his foster mom and the resident dogs, as well as playing and running for hours in the back yard.”
Buzz has grabbed life by the horns and is running with it!
A smart boy, Buzz learned quickly to go outside for bathroom breaks. He has worked very hard to regain his endurance. Starting at two blocks and being exhausted, Buzz now walks over 12,000 steps with his foster mom and the resident dogs, as well as playing and running for hours in the back yard. Exercise is the best way to keep those joints healthy. Way to go, Buzz!
His foster mom states that Buzz is a complete gentleman on the leash and his resilience has been a sight to see. While he loves going for walks off leash, he keeps a close eye on his foster mom so he won’t get lost. Buzz is interested in wildlife but doesn’t stray too far and comes back when called. Foster mom says he loves everything and everyone and just wants to be close to his human. What a great guy!
If you are looking for a well-mannered, fun-loving dog to be your best friend, Buzz is your boy!
Stay tuned for more updates on Buzz.
Original: “Surprisingly, for having lived in a crate for the past seven years with no walks or potty breaks, Buzz is catching on to the concept of eliminating outside on the grass quite well.”
Buzz is a retired laboratory dog from Pennsylvania. His laboratory was studying fucosidosis for which Springers carry the gene; however, Buzz was never used for any of the studies. Instead, he was a breeding male until researchers retired him due to age. Now he is a MAESSR boy who is learning to be a normal dog.
This sweet boy is learning how to live in a home setting and co-exist with the resident dogs in his foster home. Buzz has missed out on a lot of life’s basic pleasures and is slowly learning what life as a pet is all about.
Surprisingly, for having lived in a crate for the past seven years with no walks or potty breaks, Buzz is catching on to the concept of eliminating outside on the grass quite well. Even though housetraining is going well, Buzz still has not learned to signal when he needs to go out. He is taken outside frequently and the resident dogs are good models for what to do and where.
Buzz gets fed in a crate with the door open. Foster mom is doing this to show Buzz that the crate is a safe place and a positive place not just a place of perpetual confinement. He is given free run of the house along with the resident dogs when foster mom has to go out. Buzz sleeps in the bedroom on the floor at nighttime. He has not ventured onto the furniture or bed at this point but is welcome to if he so chooses.
Buzz is very well-behaved in the house and has no issues with inappropriate chewing. It is unknown if Buzz counter-surfs or gets into the trash as dogs in this foster home do not have access to the kitchen.
Buzz is learning basic commands like “sit” and “come” and he walks very nicely on a leash. From years spent crated, his legs show weakness due to the lack of exercise. Taking daily short walks will build his muscle strength. Although he likes his walks, getting outside is a bit of a concern for him. Going through doorways is overwhelming to Buzz. Initially, he would rear up and struggle so as not to pass through the doorway, but this is getting better with each walk.
Once outside Buzz meets other dogs, adults, and children with his wagging tail. When it comes to riding in a car or truck, Buzz has not learned how to jump in so foster mom lifts him in. He has learned to jump out. Once in the truck, he is extremely calm and well-behaved.
Although Buzz has engaged the resident dogs in play, he will abruptly stop and walk away. Buzz has not yet learned to play with toys and still seems overwhelmed with the concept of play. He has no guarding issues and has a medium energy level.
Foster mom doesn’t anticipate any issue with Buzz going to the vet and the groomer and having his nails cut or ears cleaned although she hasn’t had the need for any of these things yet.
Buzz’s dream home would be with someone who will keep exploring the world with him and will continue guiding him with training. Buzz is super sweet and wants to please. Do you have room in your heart and home for this sweet boy?