Entered: 12/14/2014
Status: Rainbow Bridge
Age: 5
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 75 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Locust Grove, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, receiving medication for epilepsy
Temperament: Good with adults, reportedly good with children, good with other dogs, cats unknown
Update 01/03/2015: “When attempts to bring his seizures under control were not successful, Hemi’s foster mom helped this wonderful Springer pass over the Rainbow Bridge.”
In some dogs medication may successfully manage epilepsy and enable long life with good quality; in others, not.After thriving in foster care for two and a half weeks, Hemi had a series of seizures on New Year’s Eve day. He was admitted to emergency hospital care. When attempts to bring his seizures under control were not successful, Hemi’s foster mom helped this wonderful Springer pass over the Rainbow Bridge. He leaves behind many memories of a happy, mischievous dog who brought a lot of joy to those he met…
Original: “This beautiful Springer is a big cuddly guy!”
A much-loved and well-cared-for Springer, Hemi spent his whole life with his original Pennsylvania owner whose circumstances changed to the point where she felt she could no longer give him the time and attention he deserved to thrive. With Hemi’s best interests as the highest priority, his person therefore made the decision to have MAESSR find him a new home.
Since coming into foster care, Hemi has adapted well to the household routines and to sharing his space with the resident Springer. He has quickly found a place in the hearts of the adult humans in the house. He hasn’t met any children since he came into foster care, but is reported by his owner to be great with kids. He’s not yet known with cats.
Hemi was diagnosed with epilepsy slightly after his first birthday. He currently is on a regimen of Keppra tablets 3 times a day and potassium bromide liquid once a day. His recent history of seizures averages 2 a month. The owner has worked closely with her vets to provide Hemi with an optimum level of medication to manage his seizures while protecting him from the side effects of the medicines. Hemi has no other medical issues except for a reported skin sensitivity after he’s been swimming, which he dearly loves to do.
This beautiful Springer is a big cuddly guy! He follows his foster mom around and loves nothing more than putting his head in her lap when couch time rolls around. He’s a bit of a ham and likes to “perform” when his foster mom comes in from outside by grabbing the nearest object in his mouth and racing around joyfully to everyone’s applause. He does his cute Springer dances and does not jump up on people.
Hemi knows “sit” and “stay.” He walks well on a leash except for pulling when he sees something he wants to explore. He rides well in the car but needs to be restrained or he will try to get in the front seat. His medicines make him hungry and he is an accomplished counter-surfer and food-stealer. He is learning to stay out of the kitchen when meals are being prepared. He doesn’t resource guard his food and has exhibited no unusual fears. He barks at the door but does not jump on people when they come in. He is housetrained and will stand at the door to signal he wants to go out. He does not seem to care for the crate at his foster mom’s; however, he was crated for short periods of time when he was with his owner. He was used to sleeping with his owner in the bed, and that’s where he’s gotten comfortable at his foster home. Hemi came to MAESSR immaculately groomed. He is reported to do very well at the groomers and has not minded having his ears and paws handled. He is a very handsome fellow!
Hemi is a playful, cuddly and affectionate Springer. His perfect new home could be in a family with older children where someone is home during the day. (His current medication schedule calls for a dose of Keppra in the early afternoon.) It won’t take him long to become an important member of your family as he quickly finds a place in your hearts too.