Entered: 05/02/2009
Status: adopted
Age: 1
Color: Black/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, faint HW+, treatment for an ear infection complete, moderate dysplasia in his left hip
Temperament: Not suitable for adoption, returned to the surrendering shelter
Original: Oscar was thrown off a bridge and abandoned in rural North Carolina. A good Samaritan saw him hit the water and rescued him, taking him to the local shelter. Oscar was extremely anxious and scared. The shelter staff worked with him and called MAESSR.
Oscar has done very well in his foster home with people and other dogs. He did have a high level of anxiety, so his foster mom started him on an inexpensive medication to ease his stress. It has been working very well and Oscar should remain on it for a minimum of six months. Oscar is being treated for a yeast infection in his left ear and is allowing the drops to be put in without much of a fuss. Oscar showed up as a very mild positive on his heartworm test. The vet recommended that he just be put on monthly heartworm preventative which would allow the heartworms to clear in less than a year. The vet felt that this was the easiest treatment for Oscar. This in no way provides a risk for other dogs, people or Oscar. Oscar will occasionally hold up his left rear leg when running, but this in no way slows him up. After an x-ray was taken to find the problem, it was determined that he had moderate hip dysplasia in his left hip. He was started on a glucosamine supplement that should help his motion in the future.
Oscar LOVES to play ball and play with toys. He will let you throw the ball for him until your arm falls off. He is very cute. If he drops the ball at your feet and you do not respond, he will keep picking it up and dropping it on your feet until you decide to play with him. Oscar rides very well in the car and does well on a leash. He does not like to be crated, though, but is well behaved outside the crate so it is not an issue.
Oscar is a great boy and is going to make a lucky family very happy.
Update 06/03/09:
With a month in foster care and some hurdles behind him, others began to surface for Oscar. After a full and careful evaluation by a very experienced foster family, it was decided he would not be suitable for adoption and will be returned to the shelter that surrendered him to MAESSR.