Captain

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Updated 10/30/06: With a few weeks to settle in his foster home, Captain has put kennel cough behind him and can smell the world again. This allowed for his neutering to be done. He has made a good recovery and the stitches come out this week.

His energy has returned, and he is enjoying woodland walks on these nice fall days. He has visited a dog park, a pet store that welcomes doggie shoppers and has spent a day in the busyness of a city. Cap is comfortable with both town and country life. Nothing seems to worry him. He has become quite playful with the resident Springer and the two engage in at least one good wrestling match a day. It always ends in a tie!

Captain’s coat has softened and begun to shine with regular meals and brushing. He seems new to grooming but has accepted all in stride. He has a beautiful wave on his back and modest feathering. He can easily be kept sharp with home grooming. He’s almost ready to meet his forever family and hopes that they may be more receptive to sharing their couch than his foster mom is. He is not demanding of human affection, but he is very receptive when it is offered, and gets a bit dreamy eyed when the tummy rubs are just right!

Original: Captain has settled into his foster home as if indoor life is something he is totally accustomed to. He isn’t afraid of a thing, navigates steps with ease, and has an appreciation of simple comforts, including sofas and beds. Of course, he is being taught that, in his foster home, these pleasures are reserved for people. Having come into a shelter in central West Virginia as a stray, there is nothing known of his past, but he surely has lived in a home along the way.

When Captain was vetted, he was suffering from a runny nose and a nasty cough. An antibiotic and cough suppressor were started. Otherwise, he is in very good health. At 42 pounds and 21 inches, he is lanky. He could easily carry another 3-4 pounds which would round his hips and cover his ribs better for winter. He has a very good appetite and putting on a little weight is already underway. His coat has a bit of sun bleaching and is a bit dry, but his skin is in good condition. Regular nutrition, brushing, and a daily supplement will put a shine on this boy in a few weeks.

A close eye is kept on Captain, but he seems to be reliable with his housetraining. He will counter surf and is learning “off.” He hasn’t shown interest in the lidded trash can but will stand up against a shelf where replacement squeakers for dog toys are kept, he likes chewing them in their fleece pouches. He also likes Kong toys and will retrieve a ball indoors. Captain is very comfortable in a crate and spends his time there when his foster family is at work. He is sleeping in a crate with the door open in the bedroom with the rest of the crew at night.

With his friendly, wiggly back end, Captain is a people magnet. He has been polite with everyone he has met and may lay down for a belly rub within a minute of making an acquaintance. He is comfortable in parks and with meeting school age children. He has traveled long distance with his foster mom and camped for a night and was quite mannerly. Captain will alert to someone coming to the house and bark, but he is unruffled by anything he’s experienced so far.

There is one male Springer in Captain’s foster home and the two get along well. Cap will sit alongside the resident Springer to get his bedtime treat in turn. He is beginning to learn basic commands, starting with “sit” and “wait.” He may be more of a hand full once his cold is history, but for now, he will settle quietly for an evening, with or without an outing, when his foster mom gets home. What he does need are ear rubs and cuddling every day. More on Captain as his personality unfolds further.