Entered: 06/06/2015
Status: Adopted
Age: 10
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 53 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Bethesda, MD
Health: UTD, HW-, benefitting from OTC antihistamines for skin irritation, benefitting from medication to regulate thyroid, some limitations to mobility due to prior ACL surgery on back legs, some clouding in eyes possibly affecting night vision, a few lipomas
Temperament: Good with adults, would be best with teens due to nervousness around small children, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original:“He is one of the sweetest dogs his foster mom has ever encountered and one of the best trained.”
Parker lived his entire life in a loving home in Maryland. When children came along, the addition of toddlers was unnerving to Parker, who nipped at a little one when he became startled. With concern for both the children and Parker, a very difficult decision was made to relinquish him to MAESSR where he could find a calmer environment.
At his former home, Parker was placed on medication to deal with the stress of an active household with toddlers. His foster mom has found no need to continue him on the medication in his new home where he has adapted wonderfully to the adult-only environment. Due to past ACL surgeries on both rear legs, Parker’s mobility is hampered a bit and he prefers to stay on one level of the house. He’d rather not use the stairs much but, if it means staying close to his foster mom, he’ll take on the task. Despite the surgical repair, Parker can go on longer walks; he should be discouraged from activities that put pressure on his legs, such as climbing over rocks. Parker currently takes antihistamines to quell skin irritation and a medication to properly regulate his thyroid. He is benefitting from this medication as his current weight is a good one for this boy.
An extremely sweet and well-trained senior, Parker has excellent house manners. He does not get up on furniture (unless invited on his foster mom’s bed at night), does not counter-surf, get into trash, or inappropriately chew. His foster mom currently works from home and lets him out frequently; there have been no accidents in the house, even when Parker has been left alone. He is not crated and has free-roam of the house when alone. When his foster mom is home he spends much of the time following her room to room or settling into his doggie bed. He is so well-trained, when given the command “place!,” he heads straight to his dog bed.
Parker has no food aggression and his foster mom can pet him while he’s eating. He has started to beg for human food a little – very subtly – so this is behavior his foster family is working on curbing. Parker also rides well in the car, preferring the front seat. Compliant, he will ride in the back if asked. He has a hard time getting into the car due to his mobility, but manages if given time.
Although a playful guy, Parker doesn’t play with toys. He will gently “mouth” someone when playing but is not interested in fetching an object, balls, or toys of any form. This boy loves other dogs and plays well with them, although his ACL surgery means that he has some limitations when roughhousing. He greatly enjoys his walks and he is friendly to the canines he meets along the way. A pleasure to have on the leash, Parker will “heel” when asked and does not pull on the leash. He has yet to meet a cat in his new home; it is unclear how he would react to the kitties.
Parker is very friendly, very quiet, and a wonderful companion. He will bark at the ringing of the doorbell and is very friendly upon introduction to the visitor. He is one of the sweetest dogs his foster mom has ever encountered and one of the best trained. In fact, Parker could be the poster boy for the “super senior Springer.” His needs are simple: a home with older children or adults only, love, and companionship. Don’t miss the opportunity to include this super sweet boy in your life!