Entered: 08/13/2008
Status: Adopted
Age: 4
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 58 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, beginning supplement/pain regime for decreased range of motion in front elbows, treatment for tick-borne diseases complete
Temperament: Good with people as young as 5, good with other dogs, not good with cats
Update 01/31/2013: “With a thorough evaluation since his return, it is believed that Ripley’s bad attitude the last few months in his previous home were the result of his being in pain. Now that the pain is subsiding, he is a very agreeable baby boy.”
Jack (now named Ripley) has returned to MAESSR because of the increasing number and severity of altercations he was having with the other dog in his adoptive home. Ripley had also growled at a couple of the family members which was out of character for him. The family felt that for everyone’s safety and peace of mind, Ripley should be returned to MAESSR.
Upon his return Ripley’s foster mom noticed that when he walked, he was slightly hunched in his spine. After a long consultation with his vet, it was determined that Ripley has significant decreased range of motion in his front elbows. Ripley had tested positive for Lyme disease a couple of years ago and had been treated. He currently was testing negative. The vet decided to treat him with a round of antibiotics just to be sure that no tick-borne diseases were cropping up and causing this joint stiffness. In addition, Ripley was put on a high quality joint supplement, pain meds, and fish oil. His foster mom has definitely noticed a difference in how he is walking and playing.
Ripley is a wonderful boy. He is a great cuddler and loves to sleep in bed with his foster parents. He is a big boy so he has to make sure he gets there early to get a spot! Ripley rides extremely well in the car and knows several commands. “Sit”, “down”, and “stay” are just a few examples. This well-behaved love would fit in great in any home that did not have a cat. Ripley has done very well with the multiple dogs in his foster home. With a thorough evaluation since his return, it is believed that Ripley’s bad attitude the last few months in his previous home were the result of his being in pain. Now that the pain is subsiding, he is a very agreeable baby boy.
This boy is a jewel and is ready for his new beginning!!
Update 08/20/2008: “When one of the adult cats came into the room, Jack simply sat down and watched the cat as it walked right by him. GOOD BOY!!!”
Jack visited the vet for one last time with his foster mom. He was neutered and is ready to go to his forever home. When introduced to the caged kittens at the vet’s office, Jack walked over, sniffed, and slowly backed away. When one of the adult cats came into the room, Jack simply sat down and watched the cat as it walked right by him. GOOD BOY!!! He is just the sweetest thing and will be a great Springer to open one’s home and heart to.
Original: “This playful pup loves to engage the resident female Great Pyrenees. They have a wonderful time chasing, wrestling, and rolling all around the property.”
Prepare to fall in love. Young Jack came into MAESSR’s care after his West Virginia owner of only two months was to move and could not take him along. Jack is a beautiful Springer with freckling on his face, sparkly green eyes and a docked wiggly tail. This sweet boy received his full complement of vaccinations, a clean bill of health and lots of compliments while at the vet. He returns for neutering and will then be ready for his forever home. Further temperament testing with the cats will occur with the next vet visit.
Jack’s excellent house manners are clearly evident in his foster home where he uses his crate willingly and seldom jumps up on people. “Sit” and “come” are known commands for Jack, and he is also quickly learning “off”, “down”, and “mine.” In the house, Jack can be found chewing on one of the many toys provided or napping on the floor near you or in his open crate. He’s not particular about toys, but anything Kong-type with a few morsels inside certainly piques his interest. Jack has not had any accidents in the house! Good boy!
One morning when his foster mom used her happy chatter voice before Jack had gotten out of the crate he had a bit of submissive urination. She’s more careful now to save greetings until everyone has gotten outside! Feeding time is also very exciting for Jack. He will bound up and down next to you or try to push his nose into the bin to help you dole out the food into the bowls. He eats in the crate and waits for you to reopen it when he is finished. Jack is given free range of the house when his foster people are at home and has proven himself very trustworthy thus far.
This playful pup loves to engage the resident female Great Pyrenees. They have a wonderful time chasing, wrestling, and rolling all around the property. Jack’s invitations to play with the male Springer have met with resistance. He’s just not interested and will let Jack know it. In the forgiving nature of puppies, Jack always checks again each day to see if the male Springer has changed his mind. Jack also likes chasing Frisbees and will need more work with giving up toys so you can throw them again. He is not much of a barker and takes his cues from the resident dogs, barking when a visitor’s car approaches the house.
Jack does enjoy children. The resident 8 year-old and 5 year-old will be sad to see Jack go as they enjoy trying to teach him skills so they can give treats, walk him, and curl up with him on the floor!
Outings with Jack have been very enjoyable. He loves the attention he receives from adults and children, sitting patiently or rolling over for belly rubs. He is a willing car rider with no signs of carsickness on rides of up to two hours. On a regular leash he does pull but he is learning to use a Gentle Leader and he does a terrific job with the head collar.
Jack’s forever family will need to take him to an obedience class to round out his great personality and make him a cherished life-long friend. This young boy is ready for family fun and adoration. Are you ready to be loved?