Leanon

---

Update 04/09/10:

“The longer I have him, the more I get to know him” — a great reminder from Leanon’s foster mom that, whether a foster dog is with his family for many weeks or many months, there are always new things coming to light. As with people, longer relationships bring deepening understanding of the little things that make one an individual!

For Leanon, these are a few of the little things his family is seeing of late. While in general Leanon remains good with other dogs, he does not like young, jumpy dogs. He actually will make a “growl” face at a few young dogs he has met. He does not make any noises, like a growl or bark at them; he just gives them an expressive look that must say, “Not in my face, youngsters!”

Leanon also does not like the heat. He walks very slowly when out in the hot sun. Early morning or evening walks are more to his liking, with morning walks being the best. That’s when he finds sniffing in the grass to be most rewarding! Also, given a choice, Lee would surely pick a forever home with air conditioning to keep him the comfiest when summer arrives!

With most of his health issues behind him or well managed, one little one has popped up. A problem with urine leakage has been remedied with one vet visit and an inexpensive daily med.

The resilience of this senior is almost inspiring. In a safe, steady home and with attention to his health, Leanon’s life has vastly improved. He enjoys the best of each day– morning freshness on the grass, a cool retreat during hot mid-days, soft surroundings and the stature to tell the kids to “bug off!”  If these are pleasures that match your own, please ask about meeting Leanon. He could easily share his life with a like-minded family.

Update 03/02/10:

Lee is doing well. He has healed from the surgery to remove an anal mass, a cyst, and two sebaceous glands. He does not wiggle his tail. His foster mom has seen it move a little a few times, but he has to be feeling better with the mass removed!

He has not gained any weight and is still steady at 40 pounds. He eats with no issues; he has a great appetite and gobbles his food. Part of the reason he enjoys mealtime so much may be the dental work his vet did for him. Lee had 2 teeth removed and the rest of his teeth cleaned. His teeth look like he chewed on something for quite a long time, thus grinding them down but, with cleaning and removal of decay, eating is one of his favorite things to do now.

Recently he was also treated for a bladder or kidney infection. Lee has recovered from that and is finishing out antibiotics.

Lee’s health is better now than it has been for some time. Thankfully, the health issues he’s faced have been somewhat common ones and very treatable, all leading to a greatly improved quality of life and comfort for Lee. His biggest need now is to have a family of his own, one that will never let him fall victim to neglect again. A family with time to dote on him and with sweetness just like Lee’s would be a perfect match. Lee is doing well. Settled quietly on his dog bed at the feet of “his” people, Leanon could be doing great!

Update 01/19/10:

Lee had surgery this week. In addition to neutering, he had an anal mass, a cyst, and 2 sores removed. He is wearing an Elizabethan collar to protect him from himself until the stitches come out. A dental was done at the same time which cleaned his teeth and removed 3 that could not be saved. His vet has prescribed a specific diet for kidney support, feeling that one of Leanon’s does not look so well. The only noise Lee makes is a low hum with eating, as if saying, “This is really good.”  He is on a medication to assist with balance, stemming from vestibular symptoms. He is going great!

Leanon walks well on a leash. It’s best to get out with him in daylight hours as he doesn’t see so well in the dark. Regular, low level exercise and a supplement for joint support ease his way and are the best to help him keep up strength in his back legs. His foster mom and he are out on short walks around the block about 3 times a day. Going up steps has been OK for a while but he has figured out how to go down the steps in his home now too. He still must be careful but his overall mobility has improved with the help of his family and vet.

Occasionally Lee wags his tail. Time will tell but, with the anal mass and cyst gone, it should be much easier for him to flirt with it. Because of some hearing loss, this sweetie need not apply to be a watch dog, as if he needed another job. He’s devoted to following his foster mom around the house and is always at her side. He knows his one toy and picks it up and carries it along occasionally too. When he does decide to nap, he may circle for a few minutes before going down; he must want to find just the perfect spot. His foster mom is teaching Leanon the hand signals for “come” and “stay” and he is beginning to respond. He wants to obey but he just has not been trained.

Leanon’s nose works very well– no issues there! At the vet’s office, he sniffs the cats and does nothing more. He is always friendly to the other dogs and sniffs in polite doggie fashion. Lee does not chew on anything but does use that nose to sniff through the trash when he has a chance. He seems to like paper, yet is so gentle that if caught in the act, his foster mom can take it right out of his mouth.

The short of Leanon’s story is that he is a very nice senior who needs a devoted companion. Living primarily on one level would be to his liking but he can do some steps. Being a second dog in a home with other mellow dogs or a cat would likely work too. What would be most beneficial are those regular strolls around the block with someone who loves him. Leanon is quite the sweetheart and would love someone to choose him for their Valentine!

Update 12/10/09:

Sweet, little Leanon is responding to love and care. With a foster family and a vet to work with him on health problems, he is looking much better and surely is feeling better too. The ear infection he arrived with is cleared up. He can sit now to be petted and have those ears rubbed, and they no longer hurt. He is doing better in terms of his vestibular symptoms and is steadier on his feet, but he still walks to the side sometimes. He has some difficulty going down steps but going up is OK. His foster mom leaves a harness on him all the time. It’s easier to guide him and help on steps this way.

When on a leash, Leanon walks without tugging but has some difficulty going straight. His foster mom has found it easier to let him off his leash in the yard. Outdoors he follows her around and does not move very fast, so it works out great.

Leanon’s appetite is improving. He is eating more, although he is still a thin boy. Treatment for the Lyme disease will be complete shortly. With that behind him, the vet will do some further testing and make a recommendation about neutering. As with many seniors, Leanon does not hear so well, but he comes if you clap hands. He also heads right for the kitchen when food is opened up! Hmmmmmm”

Check back for further news on another special senior!

Original:

Leanon was found as a stray in Pennsylvania wearing an electric fence collar around his neck. No one came looking for him at the shelter, so MAESSR was contacted to help this senior regain his health and find a new, loving home. A sweet, non-aggressive senior, Leanon is settling into the routine of life in his foster home. From his first day there, he seemed to know he was going to be safe and loved as he made himself comfortable on a dog bed in the kitchen with a stuffed toy under his head! He was very patient when his foster mom cleaned his ears and looked at his teeth, too.

Housetrained, Leanon is given complete freedom in the house when his foster parents are home. When left alone, he is confined to one room with a gate and he does just fine. When taken outside, Leanon takes care of business immediately. He has good house manners, too. He does not jump on people or bark. Because of his arthritis in his hind quarters, he does not counter-surf although he does beg for people food. Generally, he is a picky eater and his foster mom is being inventive in how to entice him to eat his dog food. At only 39 pounds, Leanon needs to gain some weight.

Going up and down steps is hard for Leanon because of his arthritis, so his forever home should have as few steps as possible. When on a leash walk, however, Leanon does some tugging. His foster mom is working with him on this and she has seen improvement with his leash manners. He does not seem to know any commands. When it comes to riding in the car, he likes to lie down on the back seat and let his human drive. Getting out of the car is difficult for him so he needs some help then.

When Leanon visited the vet, he was very well behaved. His social skills were outstanding; he just took a look and a sniff at the other dogs and cat in the waiting room. Testing found him positive for Lyme disease and another tick born disease so he is being treated with antibiotics for 30 days. He is also being treated for an ear infection. After Leanon finishes his course of antibiotics and gains some weight, he will return to the vet for more testing and for neutering. He also has a mass near his anus which will be re-evaluated at that time. The vet is treating his arthritic hips with a glucosamine combination. The vet at the shelter suggested that he may have had a stroke since he does not have full range of motion in his neck. At this point, Leanon is not too steady on his feet and falls occasionally on walks when he trips on things. He sometimes bumps into things in the house, so his eyesight is not the best.

Watch for more on Leanon as his health improves!