Entered: 08/23/2010
Status: Adopted
Age: 7
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, benefiting from a thyroid supplement, benefiting from a daily medication to assist with anxiety
Temperament: Good with people older than 10, good with other dogs, good with cats,
Update 01/22/11:
Fudge recently settled with another foster family because of some upcoming travel plans in his original foster home. When he arrived and his new foster mom had some time to get to know him, it was felt he would do better on a medication to assist with anxiety. Starting one has made a big improvement in Fudge’s ability to not be so worried all the time. It also helps that there are other dogs in the new foster home to keep Fudge company. Fudge now runs and plays with the other dogs like he has known them forever. He will rumble and grumble at the other dogs if he feels they are too close, but he does not do anything about it. His foster mom definitely feels that Fudge will be happiest with a comforting canine companion in his forever home.
When Fudge originally came to MAESSR he was fighting a skin infection. His thyroid levels were checked at that time and found to be borderline low. His vet wanted to wait until Fudge had completely recovered from his skin issues to test him again before recommending medication. When retesting was done, it was found that his thyroid levels were still low, so Fudge has been started on an inexpensive thyroid supplement.
When his foster parents go to work Fudge has full run of the house. He has been crated at night a few times, just so he remembers what a crate is for.
Fudge is one very vocal boy. He will woo-woo if he feels his foster mom is not moving fast enough to get him a treat. He “talks” a lot too and his forever family will have a great time learning to speak “Fudge.” This boy is as sweet as the candy he is named after and would love to be someone’s new beau for Valentine’s Day!!!
Update 10/11/10:
One of the coolest aspects of fostering is seeing a dog’s real personality surface as it settles in with its family. Fudge has been with his foster parents and their resident dogs for almost 2 months. He’s adapted to their routine and is comfy with it. So comfy it seems that he has begun to weigh in on daily life with his own voice!
Over the last few weeks Fudge has become quite vocal! He will signal to go out with a quiet woo-hoo before his regular morning and evening walks. He will woo-woo when he is excited. He also vocally greets his foster mom’s arrival home with a louder who-hoo and a dance. Fudge will “talk” for attention when his foster mom is working on the computer or while waiting for his meals. Each of the resident and foster dogs have their own eating spots and Fudge goes to his immediately after his foster mom finishes her coffee as that is feeding time!
With huge, soulful eyes that follow you from room to room and his expressive nature, Fudge is ready to melt your heart. This sweet boy deserves a wonderful forever home – could it be with you?
Original:
Although the shelter to which Fudge had been relinquished by his Pennsylvania owner was told that Fudge had anxiety issues, he has not exhibited any such behaviors since he has been in MAESSR’s care. Fudge has been left for up to five hours with the resident Springers in his foster home with no problems. He is housetrained but does not signal his need to go outside so his foster family walks him on a regular schedule which has kept him accident free. His increased activity and a better diet will help him trim down a bit, too.
Good with the resident dogs, Fudge walks well with them on a gentle leader or a no-pull harness. He is also good off leash in an unfenced yard responding when called – except when there are critters around! Sit, lie down, wait, and come make up his repertoire of commands. Before he is allowed to eat, Fudge is asked to sit and wait for his food until given the release signal – okay. He has exhibited some guarding behavior with his foster mom, but that is being worked on. There is no counter-surfing for this boy nor does he get into the trash. Good boy, Fudge!
A boy who enjoys comfort, Fudge loves to recline on the wicker loveseat on the porch of his foster home. Inside, he has been known to get up on the sofa but will get down when told, Off! He will get up on his foster mom’s bed during the night too, but she is working on that. When it comes to riding nicely in the car, Fudge gets an A+ as he hops in, curls up on the back seat, and snoozes.
Fudge’s foster family thinks that he would be happiest in a forever home where he would be among other dogs or his adoptive family was home most of the time. He is a true Velcro Springer who loves his humans!