Jocko

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Update 09/21/08:

Dogs in MAESSR’s care are continually being evaluated for health and temperament by their foster families. Often dogs are improving their health and showing differing behaviors as they adjust to changes in their lives. Generally, as with health, a dog’s behavior improves with time……but not always. Occasionally a personality emerges in such a way that makes placement not possible. That has been the case with Jocko.

Update 07/07/08:

Jocko is making the most of life in his foster home. He visited the family vet with his foster dad and got a clean bill of health. He weighed in at 37 pounds and could still gain a bit. The health problem that caused his owners to abandon him is now history and he has shown no issues in his foster home. 

OH! What a face this one has! You can see his love for life in all he does. Jocko enjoys running around and playing, chasing the ball, etc. He also enjoys rolling on the floor and having his ears and belly rubbed. He fell right into the household routine of regular walks and often will pick up his leash and walk to the door. 

Jocko shares his foster home with younger dogs. Their vigor in play is a bit rough for him, but he would do well in a home with another dog, just better if it was another senior. Jocko is a terrific dog and would love to be somebody’s walking friend, somebody’s ball playing friend, somebody’s well-mannered and loyal friend. Like so many wonderful senior springers, he has much to enjoy each day and is seeking a family to share his very best with…

Original:

Jocko was abandoned at an emergency veterinarian’s clinic after he had been brought in for treatment for neck and hip problems. Jocko was placed on Prednisone, and he responded well, with the issue being mitigated. However, his owners never made an effort to retrieve Jocko. Finally, the vet was forced to send a registered letter to the family to legally confirm the abandonment. In the mean time, the vet’s office contacted MAESSR.

Jocko is a lively senior who is still spry, loves walks, and loves play, though at a bit slower pace. He is cautious of the resident dogs in his foster home and doesn’t socialize much with them at this point. He has snapped at all of them, save one – a beagle. His foster dad thinks this could be part of his obvious confusion about having been abandoned. When outside, Jocko often goes to his foster dad’s truck and looks at him as if to say, ” Come on, I have to go home.” There are other times when he mingles with the dog pack, though not much play is going on yet. Jocko also will not sleep in the bedroom, preferring to go the dog bed in the office down the hall by himself. 

As frequently happens when a foster dog comes into a new home, Jocko has had several accidents in the house, but none at night when the family is sleeping. He has not been crated and his accidents sometimes happen when his humans are out of the house. His foster family is gradually learning his subtle signs that he needs to go out which are not quite as outward as the rest of the pack. For the most part Jocko is pretty good, and will only get better as communication signs are understood. 

Jocko has a good temperament. He especially enjoys when his foster dad plays with him and he loves to have his belly rubbed or to snuggle. He literally dives on you when you’re on the floor with him! Who says older Springers don’t play? Jocko knows sit, but doesn’t obey stay very well. He will bark at times when his foster parents don’t quite understand what he wants or is trying to communicate. With time these communication gaps between humans and Springer generally lessen as dog and owner really come to know each other. His foster parents are not sure if Jocko has hearing issues, if he doesn’t know his name, or if Jocko is his actual name, BUT… he doesn’t seem to respond to it unless you’re right in front of him. 

Even if a bit confused due to his abandonment and his new living situation, the bottom line is that Jocko really is a sweetie. Watch for more on him as his personality unfolds in his foster home.