Ichabod

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Update 05/12/03:

Ichabod has been adopted! 

Update 04/21/03:

Ichabod is a great family dog, excellent with people of all ages. He is docile and eager to please. He rides well in the car, is housetrained, and is learning basic obedience. He is quiet in the house but has a big watchdog bark. He likes the occasional sofa or bed nap. Ichabod has been exposed to a wide variety of experiences from a high-spirited adult party to walking with 12-year-old boys. He is a pack animal and adores canine companionship, including two 12-pound West Highland Terriers. Ichabod is friendly with the resident cat, who pretty much ignores him.

Ichabod was thin, timid and shy when we pulled him from the animal shelter in early March. He is now happy, confident and playful. His health is good. He has been neutered and treated for HW. The vet attests that Ichabod is now HW- but the final HW blood test is due in July. We would not place him if we felt the test result would be negative. MAESSR will cover the last heartworm checkup and if by remote chance he still tests positive, any follow-up treatment. Ichabod came through the HW treatment with no complications and is on preventative. He is being treated (but improving rapidly) with medications for an allergic dermatitis on his feet. He is fed a high quality kibble and raw diet with fatty acid supplements.  

And our, my sweet, gentle foster boy is ready for adoption. Ichabod is a very special dog that deserves a very special home. Ichabod is an absolute gem, adored by the vet, neighborhood children, and adult friends. Ichabod would do best in a household with another dog, a fenced yard, and lots of human interaction. We will miss him sorely. 

Update 03/21/03:

Sweet ichabod came thru heartworm treatment ok. He is sore on his hips from the injection and a bit weak, but his appetite is coming back, so he’s doing well.

Originial:

Ichabod is an adorable boy who was pulled from the Shenandoah County Animal Shelter. He had been in the shelter for 2-3 weeks. We know little about his history, except that he probably came from the Winchester area. Sometime in February, he was adopted by a teenage boy in Shenandoah County who named him Big Foot and kept him in the garage. The boy’s family turned him into the shelter after a few weeks because he “wasn’t an indoor dog and didn’t like little dogs.” Nonsense! This dog is a sweetheart who clearly is used to being inside and is friendly with other dogs (cats too).

Ichabod is a large-boned teddy-bear of an ESS–he is stocky, about 18 inches tall. He weighs about 50 pounds, but his ribs need a bit more flesh on them. Because of his cuddly, sweet face, his foster mom’s baby name for him is “panda bear.” It seems that Ichabod’s heritage may have a bit of some other breed (the blue eye and coat texture). But, he is all Springer in temperament.

Ichabod is an absolute jewel of a dog. He is calm, sweet-tempered and loving. He is mellow and docile with children and other dogs. Ichabod loves belly rubs and ear scratches. He let his foster mom clean his ears, check his teeth, and trim his nails. He is a little fussy about handling his feet, but he just whines and squirms.

Ichabod is curious about the resident cat but in a friendly way. Ichabod loves everyone he meets and gives sweet little kisses. He has been tested with a rowdy pair of 11-12 year old boys and has done fine. He tends to be quiet but has a big bark when he thinks he needs to be a watchdog. He will countersurf if not watched.

Ichabod is a smart, playful, and eager to please love-bug. He has started on some basic obedience and walking on a leash but will need more work. Ichabod is house-trained and has obviously been an indoor dog – he jumps right up on the sofas and beds. He is not crated in his foster home and has shown no inclination to chew or damage anything. Ichabod is learning not to mark inside the house – he has only done this a few times, mostly when the resident male ESS is trying to dominate him. A sharp “NO” has worked. He rides well in the car and likes to be outside in the fenced yard.

Ichabod did test positive for Heart worm, but the vet feels it is a mild infestation and there should be no problem with his treatment. He also has a slight ear infection and some minor skin problems caused by stress, poor diet and a bad environment. He will also need to be neutered.

Ichabod is a gentle “old soul” who is full of love and would do best in a household that can give him the attention he deserves.