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Entered: 10/26/2022
Status: Adopted
Age: 7; born 09/15/2015
Color: Black/White
Weight: 50 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Fayetteville, WV
Health: UTD, HW-, idiopathic head tremors requiring no treatment, excellent bloodwork, overall good condition
Temperament: Good with active adults, lived with youth in the past, excites around new dogs but settles with most in short order, lived with cats in the past
Update 03/16/23: “It’s been weeks since his most recent tremoring, and, that lasted less than a minute.“
With each passing week, it’s easier to see that George is not the “special needs” guy of some months back. His journey in foster care has led to better understanding of his health and how to care for him. He has no extraordinary needs but may be trending well, in part, because steps to minimize stress and over-the-top excitement have become part of his lifestyle.
A close look at George’s seizure presentation led to a change in his diagnosis. Similar in ways but not the same, George was assessed as having idiopathic head tremors. In contrast to seizures, he would remain fully conscious, alert, and responsive to commands while tremoring. The cause of IHT is not known, nor is treatment indicated. It’s not a painful experience for the dog and may be viewed as a benign condition. Triggers for tremors vary; stress shows up in literature. Distraction, as an approach to stopping a tremor episode, is advanced. For George, offering his beloved red ball during an episode is stopping the tremors immediately. The faster his foster mom hands him a ball, the shorter the episode. His last 3 episodes have been under 3 minutes … what a joy to see!
Crating is basic in many foster homes. A crate can give a dog a sense of his own space and a place to nap if couches are not fair game. For George his crate offers a measure of routine. His meals are served there. He is asked to “go to kennel” when his people leave home. He always goes in quickly and eagerly. The only time his family left him uncrated for an errand was telling. George detected a red ball behind a closet door and made short work of taking possession. Despite clawing and chewing, George didn’t get hurt but he did get the ball. Had he been crated, he would have been spared some stress. To George’s credit, he has run-of-the-house when his family is home and never touches a thing but his toys.
Shortly after George’s arrival, he began visiting dog parks. Sometimes he had a whole park to himself. Sometimes there was another dog or two to meet. Care was taken to ensure appropriate introductions. Unfortunately, George frequently seemed stressed or in emotional overload with new encounters. His outings were shifted to lesser-used trails, securely fenced home space and a peaceful farm for long line walking. In these settings, even in hunt mode, George looked more relaxed and was better exercised. Over the next 2 months, his tremor episodes diminished. Going forward, George may benefit from visiting a dog park again. For now, a fenced space at home for ball playing, running, and squirrel patrol would be a plus for him…likely stress-free, except for the squirrels.
George is becoming a good companion when one walks for health. He sets a nice pace. His Halti reminds him to stay beside his partner. He’s done nicely on the exercise loop at the town park … again, at quieter times of day. He impressed his foster mom the last time with his interest in the kids on skate boards. He calmly stopped to observe them…maybe a first for him.
A steady, mellow lifestyle suits many middle-age Springers and their families. Such a life may be helping George to minimize his head tremors. It’s been weeks since his most recent tremoring, and, that lasted less than a minute. Yes, his family does make sure a red ball is always close … If George seems a comfortable fit for your family, consider him. He’ll bring his own balls!
Update 02/27/23: “He makes being on the end of his leash or line on a bright winter day such fun!“
A friend who occasionally plays ball with George sums him up as bench-bred on the outside and field-bred on the inside. That’s a fair assessment for many ESSs that fits George particularly well. His bench-bred coat is roughly half grown out and is the thickest his foster mom has combed. With the help of a Halti, George walks exercise loops in the town park with nice manners. But he shines in a meadow or woods. His nose work is classic. He’s beautiful, both inside and out.
Two weeks ago George hiked with friends. He greeted them with excitement and then explored a new trail in well-mannered form. He remained steady, even when his buddy, the Pyrenees, was allowed off leash and ran huge laps around him. Good boy! Last week he had his own first off-leash opportunity. The setting was a small farm, safely beyond the end of a gravel road and surrounded by miles of woodland. Hot dog slices and praise kept George close for an encouraging time. Then, after many successful recalls, the allure of the meadow took over and he was out-of-sight for a bit. It seemed like forever, but the joyful expression when he returned was priceless. With energy to spare, he leashed up next and spent an hour on a trail, strolling in relaxed fashion. He makes being on the end of his leash or line on a bright winter day such fun!
What keeps George in MAESSR’s care is continuing assessment of his neurologic issue. The earlier adjustment of his medication did not bring benefit. After reviewing options, his vet provided guidance for safe weaning from the current medication. In addition, distraction began during episodes using his beloved red ball. In recent weeks both frequency and length of episode have diminished … all good to see.
Going forward, a steady, somewhat quiet lifestyle may contribute most to George being the active, happy dog he has become over recent months. He will do best with dog-savvy people who have ample time to play ball with him and who would enjoy exploring the woods as much as he does. Someone working from home could be a good match for him. A fenced yard is always a plus for Springers. He has a half-acre of mixed cover that’s fenced at his foster home and will work it in earnest for an hour at a time. There is optimism for George’s future. He can bring boundless joy to the family who offers heart and home to him. If he seems a good match for you, please follow his story.
Update 01/16/2023: “He’s been seizure-free for weeks now. That could change any day but, as shared at the beginning, we celebrate small successes and hope this one will be lasting.”
As with most fosters, George has been a work-in-progress since his arrival. Gains have been modest and steady, and all are celebrated.
An almost-daily entertainment in recent weeks has been good-spirited wrestling between George and the younger resident dog. Both dogs had been living peacefully together but neither seemed to have the skill set to bring about playful interaction with the other. Then, one day there was tenuous outreach; in another day or two, both seemed to figure out that this could be fun. These two are well-matched physically. Neither comes out the clear winner of a match; neither squeals “uncle” or runs away. They roll over top of one another, mouth one another’s legs and ears, and settle down for a nap afterwards … good dogs!
George remains a serious ball boy, whether indoors or out. The sight of a tennis ball or a red Kong ball lights him up immediately. He never missed a return to his foster mom but considered his part done with tossing it at her from afar, then dancing around as if to say “Get it! I’m ready. Let’s go.” His foster mom saw a training opportunity in the game and began teaching George not only to return but to drop the ball in outreached hands. His reward was a huge “good boy” followed by another toss. George is a smart boy and has become fairly consistent with gentlemanly returns these days.
Like any healthy ESS, George benefits from regular exercise. As he’s settled in foster care, he’s calmed and tolerates rainy indoor days quite well. That said, he shines outdoors. Off leash, either the dog park or the fenced acreage at home is best but, to vary the routine, he’s been introduced to trails on a 25 foot line. In such settings, he “casts” like a hunter, thoroughly working from one side of the trail or old road to the other and back again. If he noses into brush, an “ah ah” frequently brings him back before he wraps around a tree. He enjoys himself and makes being on the other end of the line a pleasure for his handler. He sets a comfortable, steady pace. George lacks on-leash skills and is working on it but, given space, gets a good workout with an hour on his long line.
Lastly, in the midst of George’s gains, the frequency of his seizures increased as did their length. He revisited his vet who ordered bloodwork. The report showed every element in the normal range, so tweaking the dose and schedule of meds in current use was recommended. George has adjusted well. He sits politely to receive a dose three times daily and likes it best with peanut butter. He’s been seizure-free for weeks now. That could change any day but, as shared at the beginning, we celebrate small successes and hope this one will be lasting. To be continued …
Original: “How he lands his 50-pound frame without waking anyone remains a mystery, but he gets a ‘good morning’ for it and then the ‘off’ command.”
George “adopted” his foster mom on the day they met. He arrived highly energized, confident, and with nary a worry about the newness surrounding him. Over weeks he’s adapted a new household routine with widening opportunities and with few bumps along the way. He’s a very handsome bench-type Springer that delights in field work. He’s smart, biddable, and enjoys cuddle time.
Settling into foster care takes time. George is no exception and is making nice progress. His house-training skills are reliable. He quickly learned which was the “dog door” and that dancing in front of his foster mom results in that door opening. Initially he was guided to his crate at mealtime, for travel and nights, and when the dogs were home alone. The rest of the time he had run of the house; that has expanded to include nighttime. He bothers nothing. He does take advantage of opportunity in one respect. He’s never been invited onto the people bed; indeed, he’s frequently heard “off” and responds correctly. Being resourceful, however, he is now sacked out upon the foot of the bed when his family wakes. How he lands his 50-pound frame without waking anyone remains a mystery, but he gets a “good morning” for it and then the “off” command.
Other commands George knows include “sit” and “load up,” “come,” “OK,” and “go.” He’s working on leash manners and trains in a harness.
George is a huge lover of balls. Tennis balls or basketball-size balls…he beams when one appears, will run flat out to grab a toss and drops it back at his person’s feet. He begs to go again and can keep this up longer than most people. By contrast he passes up red and black Kong balls in the basket beside his crate.
George shares his quiet foster home with two dogs, one elderly ESS and one 2-year-old Border Collie mix. Initially George came on a bit strong to suit them. Quickly the ESS retreated to a distant dog bed and scowled when George side-swiped her while dashing around the house. The young gent took issue with such behavior and let George know on Day three. No blood was lost and all three commonly sleep side by side now. The young resident and George are beginning to exchange play bows and wrestle together…nice to see.
The ”fieldie” enthusiasm that George displays when out off-leash or on a long line is a joy to witness. He doesn’t cast like a trained hunter but works a mixed meadow of grasses, brush and briers as if he has experience. He’s thorough, diligent and looks up at times to see if he’s being noticed. An hour working such cover on a long line suits him well. A couple of hours off-leash working the ground is good for him too. He’s happy and sleeps well when he comes in.
OK.. now for George’s back story. His relinquishing family in West Virginia had had him since puppyhood. They simply wanted a better life for him than they felt they could provide going forward. Under their vet’s direction, treatment for seizures had been in place for two years. George arrived to foster care with his meds and a supply of pill pockets; he downs the tablets like treats. The veterinarian doing his exam for MAESSR reviewed his records and foster home observations. George has had several small break-through seizures in the last month. George isn’t in pain during such events, isn’t fearful and is back to normal in minutes. Adjustment in his med schedule was ordered to see if frequency can be reduced. Beyond this issue, George is a wonderfully healthy boy.
To be continued…