Charleston

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Update 12/21/10:

The news on Charleston is very good these days, and just in time for the holidays! His hips are responding very well to a new medication and light but increased exercise. He is now trotting around the farm, off leash, with his foster mom and the other dogs and is, at last, enjoying life. His urinary problems are finally clearing up and he was finally able to be neutered. This too has made him feel even better.

Charleston loves to cuddle up next to his foster mom and his little dog friend on the sofa at night. To show his pleasure with this, he makes little happy sounds. Indeed, he has become quite the talker. He’s starting to express himself in other ways too, all the better to let people know what he wants. His best yet – if his mom forgets to give him his slice of bread after pill time, he will walk back and forth from her to the kitchen, grumbling and pointing to the bread cabinet. He is becoming a real character and one who will keep you smiling!!

Charleston continues to have perfect house manners – as long as you don’t count leaving toys all over the house. He loves to ride in the car and, though he does need a little help with getting in, he is always up for a trip. 

This is a sweet, gentle, kind, loving boy who just wants a person of his own to love and share life’s simple joys with. Charleston would love a home with people who are around most of the time. The home could include regular visits by little people as Charleston is good with them but, for his overall well-being, his home would probably work best for him if small children were not part of his daily experience.

Charleston or Charlie, he answers to both – has resolved a number of significant issues since becoming a MAESSR boy. Through all, his steady and sterling temperament has not waived one bit. With ever improving health and seasonal cheer, he’s hoping the New Year will bring him a furever family to share leisurely walks with and cuddle time on the couch and, from his selfless spirit comes the wish that needy dogs everywhere will be blessed with the New Year they deserve!!

Update 10/23/10:

Charleston is settling in with a new foster family. The family has picked up right where his original foster family left off in an effort to provide Charleston the best help with his health issues. With the assistance of their vet, his new family has put him on a medication for pain in his hip and is trying to figure out his urinary issues. More should be known in a couple of weeks.

As in his original foster home, Charleston impresses every one with his sterling temperament. He is one of the sweetest springers his new family as ever met. They sum him up easily – What a great boy! 

Please keep Charleston and his family in your most positive thoughts as they work together to bring better health his way’

Update 09/23/10:

Charlie continues to do well in foster care. Work continues to get to the bottom of his urinary issues, and, his hip dysplasia will soon be addressed surgically. While he still has these health problems that require attention, he remains a wonderful, sweet boy for his foster family. 

Keep your fingers crossed that modern medicine will work its magic for Charlie and he will be up to chasing bunnies in no time!

Update 07/26/10:

Charlie is doing well and continues to progress. Only one new concern has popped up. Upon his foster family’s return to the house, Charlie has been peeing a tiny bit. Not wanting to just brush it off as typical spaniel excitement, a urine sample was taken to the vet to rule out an infection and the results are pending.

Charlie’s hip will be evaluated by a specialist. While he seems to want to be a little more active, Charlie still hops like a bunny when he tries to run, indicating that he still has pain issues even with medication and joint supplements. 

His foster family is getting to know Charlie better and has observed that he is not an affectionate boy in the sloppy licker/kisser sort of way. He is however very gentle, happy to see his foster family, and follows them around the house. He wants to stay very close and is, according to his family, always under foot, but in a good way! 

Charlie does not play much, which could be due to the pain in his hip. He is not a big fan of the crate, although he will go in and is crate-trained. He spends a lot of time under the kitchen table which seems to provide him the security of the crate without actually being in it. Perhaps in his past life Charlie spent too much time in a crate and simply avoids one now that he has a choice. 

The good news is that this gentle, sweet boy is now getting the medical attention and love he needs. More to come on this one.

Update 06/11/10:

Charlie is doing great. He has finished his heart worm treatment and antibiotics for his Lyme disease. Next up is to deal with his troublesome hip. He is doing better at getting around with the warmer weather but will have an evaluation to see what else might ease his way.

He continues to be a well-behaved Springer and is completely house trained. He is a very needy boy in a good way – he loves attention and wants to be greeted whenever his family comes home. He is great with the 4 year old boys in his home, is good with infants, and is simply a very gentle boy. One thing his family has noticed is that Charlie does not like to go upstairs in their home. It could be he was never allowed upstairs before, or, that he’s more comfortable right now without doing steps.

Charlie is sporting a new haircut and looks very handsome, thanks to grooming by another MAESSR volunteer. He is an awesome dog and represents the breed well. More on this sweetheart to come.

Update 04/06/10:

Step by step Charlie is headed toward better health and feeling better. He has completed his round of antibiotics for Lyme disease and the blood in his urine has also cleared up. He has begun his first course of treatment for heartworm. Fingers crossed for completion without any complications!

Unfortunately Charlie has had a little setback with his hip and was limping badly. A trip to the vet and additional pain meds have brought him some relief. It is obvious Charlie has significant and constant pain. X-rays revealed the worst case of hip dysplasia his vet has ever seen but offered the hope of a full recovery if replacement can be done. Once his heartworm treatment is complete, his next and biggest gain may be through surgery.

At home Charlie continues to fit like a favorite pair of jeans. He gets along with the resident dog like they have been best friends forever. Charlie’s on good terms with all the neighborhood dogs and looks forward to every walk, though they are kept short. 

Charlie is an angel and spends his days with run of the house. No problems, no issues. The three boys in his foster home love Charlie and he loves the attention from them. Charlie has a few toys he likes and he seems to want to play, but the hip is limiting right now. 

Charlie’s voracious appetite has tapered off now that he has been away from the shelter for a month. He has put on about 6 pounds and weighs in at a healthier 52 pounds. Last 2 items – Charlie is not fond of car rides and does seem to be OK with cats. More on this sweet, sweet boy to come.

Original:

Charleston or Charlie, as he is affectionately known, was rescued from a New Jersey shelter so not much is known about his background. What his foster family is sure of is that he is a wonderful dog! In the short time he has been in foster care, Charlie has adjusted to life in his new environment effortlessly.

This sweetheart came to MAESSR with many health problems that are being addressed. Charlie is responding well to antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease and will begin treatment for heartworm in the near future. Hip dysplasia is another of Charlie’s ailments for which he is receiving anti-inflammatory meds which seem to be working. His limp is less noticeable, he is moving more freely, and he even runs a little on his walks. With the meds, a good diet, and lots of love, Charlie is already feeling like a new dog! 

Charlie has great house manners! Housetrained, he has had no accidents and he will stand at the back door to indicate when he needs to go out. When the family is out or at work, Charlie is crated. At night he enjoys sleeping on his doggie bed. Charlie must have been allowed on the furniture in his old home, since the couch is his favorite place to be; however, when told to get down, he listens and is just as content on the floor.

Responsive to basic commands like sit, lie down, no, and drop it, Charlie is a well-behaved boy. A pleasure to walk, he is great on the leash. No pulling for Charlie! He has quickly made friends with his new sister, a twelve year old Pug. Charlie also seems to be fine around other dogs he meets when out and about. Charlie hasn’t met any cats yet, but his foster parents suspect it won’t be a friendly meeting based on observed interactions with crated cats at the shelter.

Charlie gets along will with the youngsters in his foster family. He is very tolerant and restrained with kids as young as five, in general. Charlie is good when the kids are eating snacks and doesn’t steal food from them. He is very interested in what they are eating, though. Charlie may have been feed from the table in his previous home, but not in his new one! He seems to be learning quickly. Charlie is a hungry boy and will tell you when it is time for his meals. He never barks, but will talk until he gets what he wants. Another good thing with Charlie and kids is that he will pick up some toys, but quickly drops them if asked.

Charlie is a well-trained and well-behaved Springer with a sweet disposition. Watch for more on him as he progresses with his health treatments. MAESSR is going to get him all fixed up so Charlie can continue to live the life he deserves!