Clyde 2

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Updated 2/5/06: With three weeks to unleash his energy and adapt to new opportunities, Clyde is putting his best paw forward. He enjoys and really needs to be outside for an hour a day. There is no fenced yard at his foster home, but he is very manageable on a long flex leash. His hunting instinct is strong, and though apparently untrained, it is awesome to watch him do what he was so well bred to do. He even notices the birds overhead and has stood up against trees to get a better sniff. His foster mom now understands that the length of his docked tail, which was a bit of a mystery to her at first, is classic for field bred springers. How appropriate for Clyde!!!

Clyde’s softer side is starting to emerge. He visited a dog park and mingled well with a dozen dogs and their people. Some of the people were as young as nine years. He also met a three-year-old girl at the vet’s office and was unruffled as she reached her hand right into his face to greet him. He is starting to come to his foster mom and sit at her side, asking for ear massages. He’ll do his best to nose out the resident Springer for attention. When he’s had good exercise during the day, he can settle in a corner for the entire evening.

Clyde has now completed the last of his vetting. The results of the retest on his urine were normal. He also had a routine check on his right/good eye which is monitored annually for glaucoma. This is a very easy test, modest in cost, and takes just minutes. At that time, the vet also examined the left/blind eye, commenting that tear formation (lubrication) appeared normal and that no on-going care for it was necessary.

Clyde is active, attentive, smart, and very quick to learn things.  He has a wonderfully steady and positive temperament.  He crates well, travels well, and would love to have a family who would make the most of his talent.

Original: Clyde came into MAESSR’s care as an owner relinquishment. With other commitments, his owner no longer had time for him and was concerned because Clyde was spending most of his time in a crate in the basement. Expecting the worst, it was quite a nice surprise to meet Clyde. He is a very fit fellow, at an ideal weight, and when asked, will go to his crate as quickly as he can get there.

At 53 pounds, Clyde is a big boy and handsome with lots of freckles. He has either a short, full tail or a very long, docked tail. Either way, there’s plenty to wag, making it easy to see Clyde moving through tall grasses when he’s hunting. There’s no information from his owner about training Clyde to hunt. What his foster family sees may simply be natural talent, but he seems to cast as if he has had some coaching along the way and will work every inch of ground before moving on. He’s a treat to watch. He loves to flat out run, too. Clyde is blind in one eye but it doesn’t hinder any of his activity in the least, nor does that eye require special care.

In his foster home, Clyde lives with 2 dogs. He’s a vigorous playboy and a good match for the young resident Springer. He overwhelms the elderly Beagle but will back off immediately when the Beagle snarls at him. Clyde knows a few commands, including “sit”, “down”, and “off.” He’s learned to take his treats in turn and politely. He is bright and learns quickly.

Clyde’s manners are good. He’s perfectly housebroken, doesn’t counter surf, check out trash, or try for any furniture. He hasn’t touched anything in the house except dog toys. Tug toys are good. Shredding the soft ones is a favorite evening pastime. He sleeps through the night in a crate at the foot of the bed. He’s a good rider in the truck when crated. Soon his family will try him in the back seat for a local run.

Clyde has a tremendous amount of energy. He is looking for a family with a large, fenced yard, or a dog park close by so that he can have daily runs. Having another dog, of similar size and energy, to buddy with would be great. His natural talent could be developed by folks who hunt or have an interest in tracking. He is a quiet, friendly dog, who enjoys belly rubs. More on Clyde soon.