Entered: 11/12/2012
Status: Rainbow Bridge
Age: 14
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 36 lbs.
Gender: Intact Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, testicular tumor, receiving medication for arthritis in his hips and back legs, problems with depth perception
Temperament: Reportedly does well with people as young as four, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Update 11/27/12:
Jake was such a sweetie. He reflected the love he’d enjoyed all his life. That continued as he was cared for by volunteers he met since becoming a MAESSR boy. With fragile health when he arrived in foster care, a stroke one evening this week further diminished the quality of Jake’s days. Release to the Rainbow Bridge was the right thing to do for Jake. Surely he will be there waiting for those he loved and who loved him. Another precious senior missed…
Original:
When Jake’s elderly owner from Virginia became ill and could no longer care for him, MAESSR was contacted to help this old boy find a new home. His foster parents and their vet found that Jake has his own health problems: a testicular tumor, hip problems and very little muscle mass in his back legs. He falls at times, but gets right back up and moves on. He also has a problem with depth perception and will walk into a door or wall if he is in a hurry. The arthritic discomfort that he feels is being controlled with medication now.
This affection-loving sweetheart is housetrained and barks to signal his need to go out. Once he barks, he has to go out quickly or he may have an accident. He has been asking to go out almost every two hours except at night. Jake will also drink copious amounts of water if he can get to it; however, the vet has recommended that he be limited to two liters of water per day.
Jake is crate-trained and is crated when no one is at home and at night. He grumbles a little when he first goes in, but settles down quickly. He will also go in to the crate on his own during the day if he wants to take a nap. A vocal boy, Jake will bark for food when others are eating but he does not counter-surf.
When the leash comes out, Jake gets excited because he loves going for a walk! Due to his hip problems, the walking pace is slow, but he still enjoys the outing. If he meets another dog, he interacts appropriately with it. Since he has not done well responding to any commands, though, his foster parents keep him leashed when he is outside of his fenced yard. When a car trip is in order, Jake travels best in a crate; otherwise, he gets antsy.
Jake doesn’t show a lot of interest in toys and interacts very little with the resident female Springer. He was very good at the vet and sat quietly to be examined. It’s reported that he did well at the groomer, too.
So that he can receive further medical evaluation, Jake is soon going to transfer to another foster home. So, stay turned for more on Jake.