Entered: 10/18/2014
Status: Adopted
Age: 6
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 57 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, being treated for Addison’s disease, receiving a supplement for thyroid adjustment
Temperament: Good with people as young as 12 (younger unknown), good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “Mugsy is low-key and relaxed around other dogs and greets them appropriately.”
Mugsy became a MAESSR boy when his Pennsylvania owner had to move into an apartment that did not allow her to have a dog of his size.
This friendly, easy-going Springer is fully housetrained and has full run of the house. At night he will either sleep downstairs on the sofa or with his foster parents in their bed. He is not crate trained and hates to be confined. Neither a beggar nor a counter-surfer, Mugsy does not guard his food or his toys. He does not chew inappropriately and only barks as an alert. Such a good boy!
Mugsy is a moderate energy Springer who loves to swim and chase squirrels, birds, and rabbits. He is not interested in playing with balls or Frisbees; Mugsy just enjoys being outside in the yard. His original home did not have a fenced yard, but he did not wander.
Mugsy had informal obedience training with his original owner and can do basic commands including “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” He is trusted off leash and walks well on or off a leash. He also rides well in a car.
Friendly around new people, Mugsy does not jump on strangers. He has no experience with children or with cats. Mugsy is low-key and relaxed around other dogs and greets them appropriately. Fine with grooming, Mugsy has no problem having his ears or feet handled.
When he came into foster care, Mugsy had a significant bacterial infection with significant inflammation in both his ears and on his skin. His ears were treated and he is on antibiotics for his skin. There has been much improvement since he came to his foster home. Although he tested positive for anaplasma (a tick borne disease), he is asymptomatic so the vet saw no need for treatment.
Mugsy has been diagnosed with canine Addison’s disease. This affliction affects the endocrine system and is treatable. He has to get a Percorten shot every 28 days—something his adoptive family could easily give him. A bottle of Percorten V costs approximately $160. and it lasts for 4 shots. Mugsy is also on a low dose of prednisone. This is an inexpensive medication and he gets a pill every day. The total average cost of his medications per month is about $55. As long as Mugsy is maintained on his medications, he should have a normal life and normal life expectancy.
Please don’t let the Addison’s diagnosis keep you from adopting a WONDERFUL dog! He is a loving devoted companion dog who is not demanding.