Donny 2

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Original: “He likes to lift himself up to his person and to greet people–he doesn’t jump, but just rises up on his hind legs.”  

Donny is a sweet boy who, along with his friend, a bull dog, was picked up as a stray in Virginia.  The two were originally thought to be a bonded pair but seem to be doing just fine separately.  He will complete his whip worm treatment in the next two weeks.  The “slow-kill” method for heart worms involves giving the infected dog monthly Heartgard tabs over the course of a year.  (Doxyclycline therapy is sometimes done as part of the treatment as well.)  At the end of the year, the dog is re-tested for heartworms.  MAESSR will supply the medication to the dog’s adoptive family and will pay for the follow-up vet visit and heartworm test. Although most dogs are heartworm-free after one year, MAESSR will pay for another year of treatment if the dog is still heartworm positive.

Since Donny arrived in his foster home, all the young neighbor kids have rushed up to greet him and hug him.  He is walked several times a day and is good on a walk but will lunge when he sees a squirrel—a Springer’s gotta do what a Springer’s gotta do!!  He is fine meeting other dogs, but if a dog rushes and barks at him he will defend himself with a growl and lunge back. After a walk he can be off leash and will run to the house.  Other times, if he is out off leash he will walk away down the street moving just fast enough that his foster mom has to chase after him.  So, this young man really needs a fenced in yard.  He will not stay outside without his people and will bark to ask to come in the house.

Donny is a Velcro boy.  He will always be near. He sleeps on a dog bed in the family room and at night upstairs next to the bed.  He likes to lift himself up to his person and to greet people—he doesn’t jump, but just rises up on his hind legs.  He is curious and also likes to stand on his hind legs and see what is on the kitchen counter. So far, he has shown no bad habits.  He has been left in the house for several hours and has just slept with no problems.  He is not a barker.

Donny likes to play, will run after a ball, fetch in the house and also likes to play tug on a rope toy.  He has not climbed on the furniture but does try to get into mom’s lap if she is sitting in a chair.  He has learned his place in the house, getting along well with the resident female lab and does not guard his food or toys. He does not seem to know basic commands like “sit” or “come.”  He loves people and sits and makes them pet him.

This most handsome fella with the classic markings was good at the vet and while being groomed. He does not, however like riding in a car and becomes car sick after about 30 minutes.  He will not get in the car on his own and has to be lifted in.

Donny will soon be ready for a home of his own.  He’s not at all a fussy fellow and will fit in most anywhere he can play in a fenced in yard and enjoy the company of his family.  He’s quite a guy!!