Melvin

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Update 06/09/2026: “When the back door is open, Melvin loves resting in the warm sun and will bring himself in when he gets too warm.”

Melvin recovered from dental work but has been waiting three months for additional dental work to be performed. He is getting acupressure with vitamin D injections every 4 to 6 weeks to help with joint issues.  

Due to those joints, Melvin needs a one-story home. He cannot manage a two-story home, and he will whine and bark if his people are upstairs without him.

Melvin has a very regular schedule, waking at 5:45 to 6:00 am with an urgent bathroom trip; then will easily go back to bed till 7:00 or 7:30. In the early evening, he needs a short walk to get his evening business done and then he will put himself to bed about 9:00 pm.

He loves going to work with his foster mom and has made a bean bag chair in the office next to hers his comfy spot to rest and visit with her colleagues. Melvin gets rather perturbed when his foster sisters get to go and he is left behind, but rotation is part of his routine. 

When the back door is open, Melvin loves resting in the warm sun and will bring himself in when he gets too warm.

A sociable boy, Melvin has been good when meeting new dogs. He had a great time visiting at the MAESSR picnic.

This sweet senior boy would love a soft landing spot for his golden years. He would make a treasured companion.

Update 04/16/2026: “Melvin would make a great companion to someone who’s home more than away and who wants to enjoy the attention and regular routine of a sweet old gentleman.”

Melvin is turning out to be a very easy-going gentleman. He recently had major dental work including some extractions and has progressed nicely with his recovery. His foster mom has been good at washing his food and water dish after use, as that has helped his mouth heal.

This boy has a very set routine that he enjoys – up at 6am for a bathroom break and preferably breakfast before 7am. Next comes some sunshine either by a sliding glass door or lounging on the back deck or yard. Melvin does love his stuffies but does not tear them apart; however, he appreciates his toys getting a bath once or twice a month.  

Mel loves a nice walk and he is great on a leash, but don’t forget the poop bag. He had been going to his foster mom’s work since moving in. He is sure to announce to everyone that its almost 5pm and he needs to get home so dinner is served to him and his foster sisters!  Unfortunately, everyone at the office has been told firmly no more midday chicken nuggets or pup cups because even with his new haircut, the vet says he’s gained a pound. Guess that means more walks for him and his mom.

Melvin would make a great companion to someone who’s home more than away and who wants to enjoy the attention and regular routine of a sweet old gentleman.  

Update 03/17/2026: “Melvin arrived a bit confused and anxious. For this poor guy it was his second loss in two years, but he seemed to take his new situation and foster sisters in stride.”

Melvin’s owner passed and he found his way back to MAESSR’s care because once a MAESSR dog always a MAESSR dog.

Melvin arrived a bit confused and anxious. For this poor guy it was his second loss in two years, but he seemed to take his new situation and foster sisters in stride. Melvin settled in and let his foster family know his schedule: Up between 6:30 and 7, straight outside, then in for breakfast and back out for business. If the weather is nice out and the door is open, he will lie on the porch before coming in for a morning nap.

Melvin is very interested in any human food or possible treats.   Dinner is to be at  5:00 pm sharp please; he has had to wait till 6:00 or 6:30 on occasion, but this is certainly not his preference!  After dinner Melvin wants to play a bit with toys and then settles in next to his human for some belly rubs. When he feels it’s time to go to sleep for the night Melvin will go down the hall and tuck himself in bed.

With his foster mom, Melvin has been going to work and loves meeting new people. Sometimes he will give a few loud barks to say hello. Once in the office, he takes off to the back room where he is greeted by a room full of social workers ready to give hugs and Melvin-approved treats. He recently discovered a beanbag chair in one of the offices and he has been making himself quite comfortable on it each day.  

Melvin enjoys a nice walk and while he can be a bit of a leash puller he will slow down nicely on his mom’s bungee leash.

At Melvin’s vet visit he was found to be 61 lbs. of solid Springer boy, and he is up to date on all shots. He is soon getting a dental cleaning and a small growth taken off the inside of his gums. After his recovery he will be ready to find his forever companions.

Springer seniors are the best. They still have so much love to give, so consider adding Melvin to your family.

Original: “He’s a friend to everyone he meets, sometimes giving them a kiss or a bark hello.”  

Melvin is the perfect, stereotypical Springer.  He became a MAESSR boy when his New Jersey owner’s work schedule changed and Melvin had to be alone too much of the time.  His owner felt this wasn’t fair to Melvin and he made the heartbreaking decision to relinquish him to MAESSR.   He knew that this was best for Melvin and that MAESSR would take exceptional care of him!    

Completely housetrained, Melvin has had no accidents in the house since he came into foster care.  He does poop often because of the special food that he eats, so when he needs to go out, he’ll sit by the door or he will bark to get his person’s attention.  He is also crate trained, but since he’s been in his foster home, he’s been allowed free range of the house, even when home alone with the resident Springers and he’s completely fine.   

Melvin loves to be near his person, so at night, he’ll sleep wherever that person is.  If that person isn’t available, he’ll hop in bed with the next available!  He is on a schedule and apparently lives by the motto “early to bed and early to rise makes a Springer healthy, wealthy, and wise!”  By 9 pm, he’s sacked out and by 5:15 in the morning, he’s up and ready to go potty, though he will go back to sleep afterwards, if his person gets back in bed.  

A very polite house guest, Melvin doesn’t counter-surf or dig in the trash (although he might, if something smells especially good), and he does not chew inappropriately.  He does love his stuffed babies, just to carry around in his mouth; however, he doesn’t tear them apart.  He is allowed on furniture, but he’s not rowdy.  He’ll jump up and lie right down. The poor guy is afraid of thunder and lightning, and, by default, rain because he associates the two.  He copes with this by just snuggling up with his person until it’s over.    

Melvin does not have the best leash manners, though.  He can pull very hard if he really wants to go somewhere!  He’s used to having a fenced-in backyard, so he’d do best in a house where he can go in and out at his leisure.  He’s a friend to everyone he meets, sometimes giving them a kiss or a bark hello.  He rides well in the car, just hopping in and lying down! 

Mel is an alert barker who likes to keep an eye on things.  If he thinks something is amiss, he’ll bark until his person comes and sees what’s “wrong.”   His activity level is not typical of a 7-year-old Springer boy; instead, he’ll adjust his activity level to whatever person or dog he’s with.  He’s very “birdy” and doesn’t think that chickens belong in the backyard of his foster home.  He’ll bark at them until he can’t bark anymore. 

In foster care, he’s been tested with children as young as 12, but he’s so patient that he’d no doubt be great with kids of any age.  They can lie on him and he’ll just happily be a pillow.  He gets along famously with other dogs– a true friend to all.  He does not resource guard and is fed with his three foster siblings.  He does eat out of a slow-feeder bowl because he’ll eat too quickly otherwise.  Melvin eats a special weight management food; due to his TPLO surgery in 2021, it’s important that his weight stay below 50 pounds so as to not put any added stress on his hind legs.    

Melvin loves to look his best.  Historically, he’s been groomed every 8 weeks and it shows in his silky, healthy coat.  His ears do need to cleaned out every two weeks because they get gunky and could get infected.  The big floppy Springer ears will do that to a guy!  He does not like having his front feet lifted off the floor, so whether he’s getting his nails trimmed or getting his paws dried off from being outside in the rain, he should be lying down so he’s not stressed out.  His people can touch him all over and he loves it!  

Melvin’s dream home is one that has a fenced in backyard along with someone who is home more often than not.  If you work from home, Melvin is your guy.  He’ll lie right next to you while you work!  A home either with kids or without kids would be suitable– he’s flexible like that!  He lived in a house with a Springer girl and his foster home has three foster and resident Springers, so he might like to have a canine companion.  Melvin does request a forever home with no chickens or birds, because given the opportunity, they may turn into a snack for this birdy guy! 

If you’re looking for your new BFF, look no further!  Here he is!  Melvin!