Peppy

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Update 12/08/08:

Deteriorating health, without hope of a turnaround, caught up with this unique little Springer. Peppy left the loving care of his foster family with the promise that at the Rainbow Bridge, he could run and play once more.

Update 11/09/08:

Peppy continues to have his cough, despite additional rounds of antibiotics. The vets have now found a heart murmur, and, the belief is that the cough could be related to a heart condition. Peppy continues to be underweight. He recently completed a ten-day deworming treatment to ensure that he has no parasites, despite negative fecal samples. Peppy’s bloodwork is closer to normal now as well. 

Unfortunately, over the last two weeks, Peppy appears to be having episodes of dementia. His foster family is keeping a close eye on this old guy to see if his health status can be turned around. Peppy continues to enjoy his daily walks, although he is starting to tire towards the end of the routine 1 mile evening outing. Dogs and humans alike, age takes its toll. Continue to watch for Peppy’s progress……………..

Update 09/29/08:

Peppy has moved to a new foster home and is adapting there as well as he did with his first family. At his new foster home, Peppy is living with three dogs and a 10-year-old human child. Peppy mainly ignores the other dogs and loves getting attention from the resident boy. Upon arrival, Peppy started off being aloof, but he now comes over and solicits attention. He especially loves having his ears and back scratched!!

Unfortunately, Peppy has some health concerns. He has not been gaining weight and has developed a dry cough. There is concern that Peppy may have a chronic condition and additional testing will be done to provide some answers over the next several weeks. 

When pictures of this senior are added, you may feel he is not an English Springer Spaniel and possibly not even a mix. Occasionally this happens. Once a MAESSR boy, always a MAESSR boy, so MAESSR will remain committed to Peppy’s care as well. Keep him in your thoughts. More coming soon…

Original:

Peppy was an owner relinquishment to a Pennsylvania shelter along with two small terrier siblings. The owners had to move and couldn’t take their canine babies into their new home. Then, MAESSR was contacted and Peppy came into foster care to begin a new phase of his life.

Peppy, true to his name, had been bored in his kennel at the shelter. He would dump over his water bowl and food bowl and carry them around in his mouth. Shelter staff had to devise a way to make his bowls too hard to lift. Luckily, Peppy’s foster family has not seen this behavior from him while he has been with them. Peppy’s name suits him in that he is very active for a 13 year old Springer and acts more like he is eight! He is in great health. When he was neutered, he had some much-needed dental work done. Peppy is very hard of hearing and does not respond to verbal commands. He is quick at figuring out the hand signals his foster family is using to communicate with him, though. 

When he arrived at his foster home, Peppy really needed a good grooming session to take care dirty ears and coat. He did not like having his private parts shaved so the groomer put a muzzle on him for her safety. He has never shown any of this grumbling in his foster home. Grooming accomplished, he looks like a new boy – truly handsome! He gets along well with the other senior foster Springer in his home and is good with cats. His former owner reported that he was great with her grandchildren, the youngest of whom was five years old. Peppy loves the attention his foster family lavishes on him. 

Peppy really enjoys his walks and getting outside, but he is not good off leash. He does come back, but only when he is ready. If he sees something that really interests him when he is being walked on a leash, he will tug. He is housebroken, but not crate-trained. When his foster parents are out of the house, he is given free reign and has proven to be trustworthy. Peppy is crated in the car since he tends to move around considerably before he finally settles down. Inside the house, Peppy will counter-surf if given the opportunity and he will investigate the trash unless it is contained out of his reach. His foster family is working with him on these issues. He likes to get up on furniture too. At night, though he sleeps on the carpeted floor in the hall or in his human foster brother’s room.

Peppy will bring some sparkle and fun to some lucky family’s life. Is yours that lucky family?