Entered: 09/24/2011
Status: Adopted
Age: 9
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 6 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for ear infections and Lyme disease complete, benefiting from a supplement to support joint health
Temperament: Good with people as young as 6 (younger unknown), good with other dogs, will chase cats
Update 08/19/2014: “Beyond those simple needs, Henry would love a family to take him swimming and do some clicker training with him for he loves to learn.“
After happy years in his adopting home, Henry came back to MAESSR when his owner passed away. Henry walked back into his original foster home like he had never left. He is just as sweet and as much fun as he was when he first came to MAESSR.
Soon after coming back, Henry went to the vet for the customary check-up. He tested positive for Lyme disease and was immediately started on the appropriate antibiotic. He was also treated for a dual ear infection that the vet detected. Sad for Henry and his family, he did have several bouts of wicked diarrhea shortly after arrival and was treated with medication and provided a bland diet. It was not clear whether the diarrhea was the result of something physical or the stress of transitioning back to his foster home. The good news is that it has completely cleared now. An added health gain for Henry since returning……….his joints were mildly stiff so he was started on a supplement that supports joint health. He is now bouncing around like he is a puppy!! Yeah for Henry!!
While Henry was with his adopting family, he wasn’t around any children, so he may be a bit out of touch with little people. In his foster home, he is meeting adults and remains a very social boy; he needs to say “hi’ to everyone. He is OK with strangers coming into the house and, in excitement, will bark his “hello” at first and may jump on folks. Like most Springers, Henry is food-motivated so his family has done some clicker training with him, which he loves. With clicker and treats in hand, it may take only a short time for Mr. Henry to put a shine on his manners when visitors arrive.
Handsome Henry is OK for grooming at home on a table. He’s OK if a nail grinder is used to tidy up his feet, but he’s better if that step is done on the floor. When he’s had enough of all the primping, he’ll signal that he’s ready to move on.
What Henry loves over grooming is time outdoors. He has lots of energy that can turn off once inside, but he really benefits from daily exercise. A fenced yard is a must for Henry, or a dog park perhaps, as Henry is not trustworthy off leash. At present, this boy has no recall. He does love a spot to dig in the cool soil and will paw through water in a little pond in hopes of bagging a toad. He LOVES to play ball. He will chase all critters. When Henry’s out on leash, his family fits him with a Gentle Leader or walking harness. This helps him to rethink pulling and makes him a much better companion to walk with.
Between outdoor ventures, Henry loves to play with toys. He will carry them around and act very proud. When his family is away, he will crate when asked to do so and is ok in it, though it’s not his favorite thing. He does crate really well in a car for travel. And a lucky boy…….at night, Henry is sleeping in the bed with his foster parents.
The short of it on Henry is that he’s a very nice dog who’s perfect for an active, dog-savvy adopter. Having a nice-sized fenced yard to run in and someone to play ball with are at the top of his wish list. Beyond those simple needs, Henry would love a family to take him swimming and do some clicker training with him for he loves to learn. Just look at this boy’s pictures. It’s as if he’s saying “come meet me.” If this brings a smile, maybe you should do just that………. :)).
Original: “He adores shredding tissue paper! Go figure!”
Henry started life with a North Carolina family who loved him, but quickly became too busy to care for him properly. He lived outside for about four years until a dog-loving neighbor decided that he needed to help Henry. Henry came to live with the neighbor and his wife until he got healthy and re-acclimated to living in a house. This loving couple then turned him over to MAESSR to ensure Henry would find a loving forever home.
When he went to be checked out by the vet, Henry tested heartworm positive. There is currently a massive shortage of the immiticide used in the heartworm treatment process. This means that MAESSR can no longer get the medication needed for the treatment. We have decided to use the “slow kill” method for heartworm treatment. The slow kill method involves giving the dog a Heartgard (heartworm preventative) every month. This slowly kills the adult heartworms. Most dogs will totally clear the heartworms within a year; some take up to two years to do so. MAESSR will supply the adopter with one year’s worth of Heartgard. The adopter will be responsible for ENSURING that Henry gets his “pill” every month. MAESSR will pay for the heartworm test at the end of one year. If Henry is then heartworm free, everything will be fantastic! If Henry is NOT heartworm free, MAESSR will provide the adopting family with another year’s supply of Heartgard and will pay for the heartworm test at the end of the second year.
Henry is housetrained and will go into a crate, but prefers to not be crated. He has free roam of the house when his foster family is out and he has been great. He does not get into anything but tissue paper. He adores shredding tissue paper! Go figure!
Since Henry does pull on the leash when being walked, his foster parents have started using a Gentle Leader on him. Now he walks fairly well on leash. His recall off leash is still a work in progress. Rather than responding immediately when recalled, Henry continues to check things out. His foster parents have tried finger snaps to keep Henry’s attention before he gets out of range. Smart and quick to learn, Henry is a good student who loves learning new things. He now knows “sit” and “come” along with a few other commands. Additional obedience lessons will definitely help both Henry and his forever family. Henry has now been on several short car rides and has done very well. He will readily sit in the backseat and likes the open window. Throughout the drive he is content to lie down.
Henry has been groomed by his foster family and has done very well with hair trimming and nails being cut. He has been fine having his ears, teeth, and feet being handled, too. The ear cleaning isn’t his favorite thing, but he tolerates it. He loves to get baths, though.
When it comes to play, Henry likes to fetch, chase a soccer ball, and go for walks. He has never been swimming, but since he loves water, it is surmised that he will like to swim.
Henry is a lover and a lot of fun. Don’t let the heartworm issue stop you from adopting this SWEET boy.