Entered: 03/04/2016
Status: Adopted
Age: 13
Color: Black/White
Gender: Intact Male
Location: Fayetteville, WV
Health: UTD, HW-, Lyme-, x-rays confirm large mass in chest, benefiting from supplements for joint support, treatment for an ulcerated adenoma and ear infection complete, treatment for eye irritation and tapeworms complete, dental with 4 extractions and recovery from a laceration complete, very limited vision and major hearing loss
Temperament: Good with people as young as 5, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Update 12/19/2016: “He’ll always be indebted to MAESSR for saying “yes” to receiving him almost a year ago as well as for unexpected opportunity now.”
“Permanent Foster” status is conveyed to a small number of Springers on a case by case basis as their needs emerge in foster care. MAESSR’s pledge is to keep these dogs safe, comfortable, and loved for the remainder of their lives. Indeed, an awesome commitment.
For some permanent fosters, time is inherently short. For others, the benefit of stable home life, supportive vetting and steadfast foster families may greatly extend good quality of life to those who would otherwise be released to the Bridge before their time.
MAESSR does not seek to place its permanent fosters but will consider one’s adoption should a suitable request be made. Thus it is that Hero is being “adopted.” He’ll always be indebted to MAESSR for saying “yes” to receiving him almost a year ago as well as for unexpected opportunity now.
Congratulations, little man! May your next chapter be happy and long…
Update 09/27/2016: “His favorite crunchy treats are sprinkled over the top of each meal; he’s indulged with them between meals too and will awake from a dead sleep when one is placed at his nose!“
The length of Hero’s Health line is rivaling a large family’s weekly shopping list, but is he complaining? No. He didn’t even complain about a minor cough that started in late August. It did concern his foster family, though, so he visited his vet. After a good exam and discussion, it seemed plausible that seasonal allergy might be at play, so appropriate treatment began. With no improvement over the coming days, it was back to the vet again.
X-rays during that visit revealed a large mass in Hero’s chest. The x-rays also fairly much ruled out less sinister problems, so a new medication that might affect the tumor was started. The cough went away but that is not to say that the tumor did. Since it is inoperable, bringing comfort to Hero has become the priority. He has returned to peacefully snoozing away most of his days. He has a good appetite and especially likes his kibble when it’s softened with home-cooked chicken broth. His favorite crunchy treats are sprinkled over the top of each meal; he’s indulged with them between meals too and will awake from a dead sleep when one is placed at his nose!
Hero still enjoys time in the yard where he may sit with his face to the sun or slowly tootle around. He may bless his foster mom with lap time in the evenings but often opts for stretching out on the wood floor at her feet…his call. He’s also done some traveling with his family in recent weeks and did well when visiting a home with many other dogs. He knew many were there…his nose tells him everything…but he showed no alarm or anxiety in their midst.
When the little man’s ready to move on, he’ll let his family know. Until then, his family is very thankful that MAESSR said “yes” to him and that he landed in their home. Enjoy fall, little man…it’s a best time of the year!!
Update 07/04/2016: “Down for the count, he had her nicely ‘captured’ so his foster mom could fill her in on how MAESSR works with shelters. Nicely done, Little Man!”
The “little man” has been cruising since the busyness of MAESSR’s spring Springerfest season. He strolls around his yard daily for up to an hour while his foster mom gardens. He’s proving to be a wonderful little ambassador for MAESSR too, both on the road and at home. On a recent visit to the vet’s office, he was being admired by all in the lobby. Most folks spot the cloudiness in his eyes and quickly recognize he is blind. That he doesn’t hear becomes quickly evident when he seems oblivious to conversations around him. What impresses, though, is how calmly he is amidst all. That particular afternoon, he laid down at the feet of the new rescue coordinator for our local shelter and was quickly in dream land. Down for the count, he had her nicely “captured” so his foster mom could fill her in on how MAESSR works with shelters. Nicely done, Little Man!
Now about the reason for that vet visit…that morning there was blood on the little man’s bedding…a first. A quick check revealed its source and led to seeking help. What happened was that a small ulcer had developed on the adenoma under Hero’s tail. The vet provided a quick remedy to stop the oozy discharge and to promote healing. Thankfully over coming days, the treatment was effective, no infection developed and Hero was removed from the “worry” list. Because this type of development may recur (though hopefully not), MAESSR has chosen to remove Hero from availability for adoption, making him a permanent foster. He’ll remain in his current foster home for as long as he’s comfortable with his cruising and ambassador work. He’s already looking forward to the fall Springerfest lineup of road trips and hopes to see you then!
Update 05/15/2016: “On the way home, he stayed in his first motel and visited a civil war battlefield and the towpath of the C & O canal. Such a good travel companion he is!“
With 3 months in MAESSR’s care, the “little man” has whipped his fixable health problems and is living with the ones he can’t change with dignity and inspiring acceptance. No wonder he goes by “Hero!”
After a 5-star visit to the groomer, Hero traveled to both spring Springerfests. Snoozing the miles away in his crate, he accepted a lift out for pit stops and promptly did his duty. Then, with a boost back in, he was on the road again. In Richmond he overnighted with another foster family. With the same confidence gained in his foster home, he navigated many steps there (guided, of course) and slept through the night on a cushy ortho doggy bed. At the picnic a volunteer offered to take his leash and walked with him all the way around the lake…a loop he did with steadiness and determination. He, in turn, slept through afternoon festivities!
At Langhorne he overnighted with an adopting family. There he met the resident ESS and 2 other canine visitors…both rescued greyhounds. With 4 dogs, including another foster, and 3 humans to share the home with, Hero was relaxed and strolled in the fenced yard along with everyone else. At the picnic a senior-friendly couple met and guided the little man through morning activities. And, as at Richmond, he stretched out in his crate in the warm sun to pass the afternoon. On the way home, he stayed in his first motel and visited a civil war battlefield and the towpath of the C & O canal. Such a good travel companion he is!
Something else that is likely a first for the little man…he’s been invited to sleep in a people bed with his family. He’s accepted the chance to snuggle and settles right down but usually stirs after an hour or so; whether he gets too warm, or, just prefers floors for the night isn’t clear. He tends to do the same thing with lap time in the evenings; about an hour and he’s ready to slip to the floor. It may simply be that some life-long habits will just take a bit more time to change.
Despite his limited hearing and sight, Hero is very much in touch with the world around him. He’s cautious as he moves about (and yes, he bumps his nose gently into immovable objects when off-leash) but is amazingly unafraid of his surroundings. His senses of smell, taste, and touch, along with guidance from his people enable his days to be good ones. He’s a joy to live with and could easily make the move to an adopting family. Love is a wonderful gift to give and is what Hero needs most. If you have an extravagantly generous heart for seniors, please ask about meeting the little man. He won’t disappoint.
Update 04/13/2016: “His foster mom is beginning to think of him as ‘the little man,’ a parallel to the miniature pony on TV right now that gets a “dog” door from its person when she notices the big horses aren’t including him in their group on the pasture.”
Seniors are so special and Hero is no exception. He’s transitioned nicely to a new foster home where there are fewer dogs to share time and space with. His “crate” is the gated kitchen where he has a cushy basket to snooze in, elevated water and food bowls and minimal stairs to navigate for pit stops. He’s comfortable in the kitchen and in the middle of busyness several times a day. Increasingly, he seems to detect vibrations from foot traffic around him; though not responding with a classic wiggling butt, he doesn’t seem afraid on his surroundings…as it should be.
Through all, Hero has remained completely trustworthy with his housetraining and is good for an 8-hour night…good boy!
Hero shares this home with 3 other dogs. Understandably, with limited hearing and vision, a new floor plan was a challenge; initially he moved erratically like the energizer bunny as he tried to get his bearings. A surprise bump into one of the dogs led to a snap that connected, so Hero met a new vet. Fortunately, a round of antibiotics to guard this senior from infection is all it took to put this behind him. Healing has happened quickly and is almost complete. As Hero has mapped the new home, he has certainly relaxed but, to be sure everyone is safe, he is limited to the kitchen unless his foster mom is right at hand.
This may be the gentlest dog his foster mom has ever met. His senses of smell and touch define the world around him. As with many seniors, he enjoys snoozing and seems at peace with doing a lot of it. When roused with fingertips on his side and a belly rub, though, he steps outdoors daily with his foster mom for a half hour or so of sniffing and strolling. He also can be swayed into lap time in the evenings.
His foster mom is beginning to think of him as “the little man,” a parallel to the miniature pony on TV right now that gets a “dog” door from its person when she notices the big horses aren’t including him in their group on the pasture. The closing scene in the commercial is “the little man” at his lady’s side, receiving her reassuring touch. Much of the time Hero and the pony seem to have much in common. In the interest of full disclosure, though, when Hero is outside his kitchen and senses he’s alone, he can bellow a 10-star woohoo, making his foster family glad they don’t have neighbors on the lot next door…. J).
Hero anticipates traveling for the upcoming Springerfests in Richmond and Langhorne. If you’re there too, please be sure to meet him. Offer your touch and take his leash for a bit. The little man’s as sweet as Springers come and may steal your heart on the spot!
Original: “He has started barking (what a good sign that is for this guy!!) and running around the yard with his foster siblings.”
Hero was a victim of neglect and taken to a Pennsylvania SPCA. When MAESSR was contacted, a volunteer quickly responded to help this blind, deaf senior who had lived outside for most of his life.
This love was rescued along with his sister who sadly has passed; he was dependent upon her and very scared to be alone. While the vet feels he can see some shadows with his left eye, he is essentially totally blind and deaf. He also has some fatty tumors and a growth on his “bum” which the vet feels are all o.k. for his age. Hero, named on the spot by his MAESSR foster mom, is intact and will probably not be altered due to his age.
Hero is housetrained and, in just a few days, has learned to maneuver around the first floor of his foster home. He goes to the door and cries to ask to go out. He has a crate but has been fine without using it in his new digs. He has started barking (what a good sign that is for this guy!!) and running around the yard with his foster siblings. He is fabulous with them and is being tether-trained to his golden doodle sister. She leads him around the pasture and fields and he is learning what is what.
This happiest of all fellas loves attention and his now regular meals. He is able to find the water bowl on his own. His tail wags when he feels his foster mom’s or dad’s touch.
Hero, the sweetest dog ever and an easy guy to love, is now in an absolutely safe, warm, loving environment. Watch for updates on this “rags to riches” story and send 1001 hugs to those who saved MAESSR’s hero!!