Entered: 04/09/2011
Status: Adopted
Age: 7
Color: Black/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Altoona, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for whipworms, roundworms, and kennel cough complete
Temperament: Good with adults, reportedly good with children, good with other dogs, reportedly good with cats
Original:
Diesel came to MAESSR after he and a Weimaraner companion were relinquished to a Pennsylvania shelter because their family could no longer afford to keep them. In the noisy, stressful environment of the full shelter, he and his brother got into a tiff while sharing a small run. So, they had to be held a longer time since the boys had no proof of rabies vaccination. When their mandatory hold period was up, Diesel became a MAESSR boy.
A truly sweet, gentle Velcro Springer, Diesel always follows his foster mom wherever she goes. He is getting along and plays with the resident male Springer, but the resident female beardie mix ignores him. There are no cats or kids in his foster home, but reportedly he got along well with both in his former home. This handsome boy loves the spa treatments that his foster family lavishes on him. Due to matting, Diesel’s ears were partially shaved at the shelter and the bottoms are still scabby. He has been very patient while his foster mom untangles his ears and he loves being brushed. He was bathed before transport but not since. His nails were trimmed while under sedation for neutering.
Diesel is housetrained and is regularly taken out for potty breaks. Chewing has not been an issue with him and he has not touched any human possessions. As neat as he is when eating, Diesel tends to be a sloppy drinker so a towel or absorbent mat beneath his water bowl is a good idea. In his excitement Diesel has a tendency to jump up on his foster mom and he will also put his feet onto windowsills to see what is happening outside. Although he has not bothered the covered wastepaper cans, Diesel does try to counter-surf – a habit his foster family is discouraging. Diesel would love to sleep on the couch or in his foster mom’s bed, but will get down when prompted. Mostly, he sleeps through the night on a dog pillow next to the bed but sometimes he sneaks onto the people bed with other members of his foster family.
When it comes to commands, Diesel knows sit and down and he will come when called. Before he gets his treats, he always sits nicely. He needs little work on the leash, but he is generally well-mannered and cooperative. A keen wildlife enthusiast, Diesel gets very excited when he sees squirrels, bunnies, and birds along the route. Although he has shown little interest in toys or tennis balls, Diesel occasionally fetches a fleece bone a couple times before losing interest. Diesel has been on a couple car rides and was a good passenger.
Diesel’s foster mom is working with him on crate-training so he can feel at home there and be safe when she is gone at work. To help him along in this process, Diesel started medication to assist him in being crated without fussing. His foster mom thinks this sweetheart has a lot of potential.