Entered: 06/11/2018
Status: Adopted
Age: 4
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 46 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, Lyme+ and asymptomatic, benefiting from an inexpensive anxiety medication, receiving pain meds for lumbosacral stenosis, benefitted from laser treatments for stenosis, treatment for ear infection and skin irritation complete
Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with children but has successfully met some while on leash, can be reactive to other dogs on leash, good with cats
Update 02/07/2019: “He loves to play with toys and he frequently carries them around or sleeps with one.”
Kendrick was with a foster family that we were sure was going to adopt him. They had worked extensively with him. Unfortunately, they had some unexpected news and that made adopting him not a viable option. So, he was moved to a new foster home and was made available for adoption again.
Kendrick was started on an inexpensive anxiety medication. This has made a major difference in his personality. He has been able to calm down and enjoy the world around him much more. He had consistently had soft stools since he came into foster care. When he moved to his new foster home, the vet recommended adding two tablespoons of pumpkin to his food each day. Additionally, she changed his pain medication to one that was felt would not upset it stomach as much. This, combined with calming his anxiety, has been a wonderful change for Kendrick. The soft stools and straining to poop have been practically eliminated.
Surgery had been considered as a solution to Kendrick’s lumbosacral stenosis. It was extremely expensive and also very invasive, with no benefit guaranteed. MAESSR worked with the vet to look at other treatment options. It was decided to try Diode Laser Therapy along with changing his pain medications. He received six laser treatments which made him feel so much better. His gait in the rear improved; still not perfect but much better. His constant chewing at his tail and hips has almost totally disappeared. A side note: the vet felt that he was chewing at his tail and hips because he would get twinges from the narrowing in his spinal column and was chewing at them to try to make them go away. The skin under his tail and on his hips has cleared now. It is not known at this time if Kendrick will need further laser treatments as time goes on.
Kendrick is a sweetheart. He is a real cuddle bug that loves to sleep in the bed with his foster parents. He loves to play with toys and he frequently carries them around or sleeps with one. Kendrick has been a really good boy with all of the other dogs in his foster home. Because he has not really been around children, MAESSR recommends a forever home with no children under 12.
This cutie pie will take a little more work from his new family and will be a little more expensive than some other dogs, but he will definitely make it all worth their efforts!
Original: “Kendrick is absolutely one of the sweetest dogs you will ever meet.”
Kendrick came to MAESSR after being rescued from a locked car in New York City. He is estimated to be around two to three years old. This lucky boy is settling in to the country life in Maryland very well. Nothing gets his energy up more than seeing a squirrel or smelling where the deer have been walking! At 40 pounds, he is a strong fellow when he wants to chase that bird or rabbit! For a former city boy, this must be such a joyful experience for Kendrick.
All of Kendrick’s vaccinations are up to date. His blood test did show some evidence of past Lyme disease but he displays no symptoms. He had been treated for an ear infection, but that has resolved nicely. He has a few other concerns, however. The underside of his tail was very raw from chewing. He is being treated with an antibacterial mousse and has to wear an e-collar at night to prevent further irritation. He also started on an antihistamine to lessen his licking of his paws and tail. Since he came to MAESSR, he has had a soft stool. His foster parents are hoping a probiotic and consistent diet and home life will solve that problem. Finally, Kendrick’s vet detected limited range of motion in his rear legs and recommends x-rays to determine if there is a more serious problem.
Kendrick is absolutely one of the sweetest dogs you will ever meet. Yes, he is a Velcro Springer and does not like to be left behind. He has the best house manners! He does not counter-surf or chew on things he shouldn’t. He does like to sleep on his foster parents’ bed but gets down right away when told. Most important to them, he gets along with all of the resident cats, pretty much ignoring them. Housetrained, Kendrick has never had an accident inside. When he wants to go out he will start pacing and give a bark to signal. Kendrick can be a vocal fellow when excited. When his humans leave, he has one bark to say he is unhappy. When they return, there is another bark to say he is overjoyed! He does fine when left unattended in the house, although the longest so far has only been about four hours. Kendrick does not do well in a crate. He will go in, but becomes frantic when left for a longer period of time. At night he sleeps in his foster parents’ bedroom, often under their bed rather than on his own bed.
Kendrick knows basic commands: “sit,” “paw,” “down,” “roll over.” On a leash he almost has two personalities. When in a grassy area where there has been wildlife, his nose is to the ground. His entire being is dedicated to tracking whatever he smells, and he will pull strenuously. In town, he is much better on a leash. It’s like he knows there are different rules and doesn’t pull nearly as much. His foster parents will continue to work on leash manners. Kendrick does not like to encounter other dogs when walking, however. He will bark menacingly at them if they get too close. More experience with other dogs is needed to see how social he may be. He loves the beach, chasing the seagulls and swimming. Surprisingly, he was more tolerant with the dogs he met on the beach, but he let them know if they overstepped their welcome.
Kendrick is unknown with children, but was fine when he met kids on town walks. He has not been to the groomer yet, but he calmly lets his foster dad bathe and brush him and does not mind his paws being touched. While he didn’t want the vet to take his temperature or look at his teeth, he was fine with everything else. Finally, Kendrick loves to ride in the car and is a wonderful passenger, other than wanting to be in the front seat.
Look for further updates on Kendrick as he settles into his new life. Everything is a new adventure to him and this sweet guy is soaking it up!