Oscar 4

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Update 10/18/10:

What a difference a haircut makes! Oscar is looking like a star these days after his professional grooming. He has had a very exciting 10 days and his foster mom is happy to report that he continues to behave well in the house. even though he has now found his voice. Fortunately, Oscar still only barks when someone approaches the house or rings the bell..or when his foster mom’s Blackberry beeps :)). Be aware that although Oscar will warn you of an issue, he will not take the first step in exploring! He still allows his foster mom to “go first!”

Oscar went for a long walk along a busy trail recently and, while he still does not like other dogs, his foster mom noticed that he will ignore most dogs and only growl and bark at a few select ones. Size doesn’t seem to be a factor so he must sense something else. Even though he tugs a bit while barking, it only lasts seconds and he is easily managed. Of the six dogs passed that day, he took issue with two and the others seemed “invisible” to him. He also was not bothered by the joggers, baby coaches, and bikers. Good boy!

Oscar also spent a weekend at the shore. He did not run freely on the beach but was given a very long lead. His family found out that Oscar was not a big fan of the ocean but was enthralled with the seagulls! He received many compliments from everyone who could not believe he is 10 years old, including an ESS breeder who was visiting from Arizona! She whipped out her camera and started photographing him because of his unusual coloring and Oscar ate up the attention.

This personable gent loves attention from his foster mom and dad too. He prefers the company of adults to children so a house with an empty nest would suit him well. He was in the company of a 10 year old recently and Oscar made it clear that he didn’t want to be around the youth very long. This boy was not used to dogs and possibly too excitable for Oscar. However, once Oscar decides to like you (which only takes a minute), he will lean his head and then his body into you for hugs and rubs!

Oscar is now done with the medication to treat his Lyme disease and continues to take a very low dose of medicine for slightly low thyroid levels. He is a healthy boy and looks beautiful! Oscar would love a home with someone to go on walks with and to share hugs and kisses with. If you’re looking for that special walking companion and someone to share hugs and kisses with too, Oscar could be your perfect match. Arrange to meet him today!!!

Update 10/05/10:

It’s amazing how quickly attention to one’s health can make a difference. Oscar returned for his dental follow up and was given the thumbs up on his healing. His appetite came back after two teeth were removed and this boy has gained 3 pounds in 2 weeks! The medication for his Lyme disease must also be working because the limp he had when he first came into foster care is now gone. He even tugs a bit on the leash when he sees squirrels but is easily handled.

There’s all good news to report on his continuing good behavior and excellent house manners too. Oscar can be left for up to 7 hours with no accidents in the house. He is quiet most of the time, but his foster mom has seen and heard him bark at some repairmen who recently entered the home. Once told it was safe for his mom, Oscar immediately stopped and went about his business after several sniffs around the men.

When Oscar’s foster dad came home in the middle of the night from a business trip, his foster mom did not hear the door. Oscar’s excellent hearing perked him right up and he went to the top of the steps and began to growl and bark. Not knowing it was his foster dad, Oscar was the gentleman and permitted his foster mom to descend the steps first and he followed! Well, he is cute, just not a great guard dog!

Oscar’s family had a dinner party recently for a dozen adults. Oscar was so well behaved that evening. He put his best paw forward but never begged or tried to steal any food while no one was looking!

His regular teenage dog sitter continues to give good reports on Oscar. One day his foster mom was out longer than expected and had to call one of the professional dog walkers she uses to take Oscar out for a walk. Since the new walker had never met Oscar, it was understandable that he grumbled for a few minutes when she entered the house but, after a few treats and a nice walk, Oscar warmed up to her just fine too.

This gentle boy gets so excited when his foster parents wake up in the morning and when they return home from being out for a bit. He does jump up but it is easy to redirect him. He doesn’t know any commands but will come when called while walking off leash.

Not liking other dogs is Oscar’s only fault. Otherwise, he is a wonderful companion who will only come up on the furniture when invited even when no one is home!

Original:

Oscar’s owner originally contacted MAESSR when a move to an adult community was imminent and Oscar could not go along. When a foster family was not readily available, Oscar’s owner took him to the shelter instead. Fortunately for Oscar, MAESSR’s shelter team acted quickly, pulling him within two days and then bringing him into temporary foster care until a foster home could be found.

Oscar is a cute little guy weighing in at only 44 pounds. Although he is 10, he is often mistaken for a puppy due to his size and adorable face! Oscar wasn’t sure what type of Springer to be, so his face is black and white and his body is brown and white! Besides being cute, Oscar is sweet! This cuddlebug just loves to put his head in your lap as deep as he can and then begins to lean the rest of his body into you! What an adorable little boy! He is so affectionate that his foster mom refers to him as one smoochie poochie!

The morning after his arrival in foster care, Oscar woke up with a swollen cheek which expedited his first visit to the vet. It was discovered that he had two abscessed teeth. Blood work also showed that he was Lyme positive. So, Oscar started on antibiotics for both the tooth and Lyme disease. After a week on meds, Oscar was well enough to have the abscessed teeth extracted and to have a complete dental treatment. Since Oscar’s hair is thinning on his back, a T-4 panel was taken to test his thyroid level. His foster parents are awaiting the results. Despite coming into foster care with these health conditions, Oscar has been a well-behaved boy in his foster home!

With excellent house manners, Oscar does not trash pick, get up on the furniture, counter-surf, or have accidents– other than one accident on this first day. That was forgiven due to his nervousness from being recently sprung from the shelter. Oscar loves going for walks and is very gentle on the leash although he does not seem to know any commands. He has a teenage dog walker who reports that he is sweet when she gets him after school. Oscar was on a walk with his foster mom when a squirrel ran right in front of him. Being the good boy that he is, he just followed the squirrel with his eyes and didn’t lunge after it. When he first came home from the shelter, Oscar was nervous in the car, panting a lot, but now he is good in the car! He generally takes to women faster than men but is fine with his foster dad.

Oscar’s only issue is that he does not get along with other dogs and cats. He did nip at a large German shepherd while at the vet’s office and his former owner reported that he is not good with cats. His former owner also said that Oscar was jealous of the grandchildren when they were small, but he never tried to harm them. The youngest person he has met in foster care is his teenage dog walker and he is great with her.

Although Oscar doesn’t play with his toys, he does love his chew toys. He is happy walking around the house and taking naps. He is such a quiet dog and has only barked one time when he first heard the schoolchildren waiting for the bus.

Even though Oscar is 10, his hearing, eyesight and activity level do not reflect this. He does not like steps, but he is adjusting to going up and down those in his foster home. Oscar prefers that someone walk in front of him when he descends the stairs. When he is alone in the home, the stairs are blocked off to ensure his safety.

On his first full day in his foster home, Oscar was left alone for a while when his foster parents went to a neighbor’s outdoor party. While at the party, his foster mom commented on how cute the Springer was who had just wandered into the party. Then, she realized it was Oscar! This Houdini dog knocked down a gate that was just leaning against a doorway, went into the basement where he found an open door and then crawled under a soft spot in the fence, coming into the party like he had been invited! He obviously loves to be near his humans!

This sweet senior is looking for his own special family to love. You will never regret bring Oscar into your life!