Rhett 2

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Update 11/13/12:

Now is your chance to “Fall in LOVE with a Senior!” MAESSR has a new program to match up our senior and special needs Springers with new, loving families. This is a wonderful opportunity to Fall in LOVE all over again with a dog that really needs you. 

Adoption fees are being waived for all seniors (age 9 and older) and for special needs dogs through the end of December. Keep your eyes open for that special one who would fit perfectly into your life! It could be Rhett II; it may be another. Let your heart guide the decision and all else will fall into place! 

The little man is back in his original foster home after a 3 week stay with his vacation foster family. Not surprising but great to hear that family found Rhett to be an absolute delight to have as a house guest. He got along with everyone in his temporary home, both two- and four-legged, and was a perfect gentleman. A perfect example was meal time. Rhett would stand by his bowl and watch to make sure everyone had their meals and then he would eat. Even if he finished first, he would not move until the slowest pup was done. Is that not a gentleman!!!

Rhett was always up for helping his vacation mom with chores. He liked to supervise and he loved spending time out in the big yard, along with walking in the fields with the other fosters. Being the gentleman he is, he helped keep track of the blind foster in the home while on these walks, making sure she didn’t get into trouble.

He also was very good with the cats in the home and outside. Although the cats in this foster home are not all that thrilled with dogs, they felt Rhett was okay in their book and would touch noses with him when he came into their space. He even had no objection to rubbing shoulders with the baby goat next door.

When the 4 year-old great-granddaughter came to visit, Rhett never failed to greet her with his kind, gentle attitude, even one time bringing her a toy. This produced a flurry of activity on her part which he patiently endured for a while, until she realized she was to play with the toys! Happy with his success, Rhett retired to his bed to watch.

Everyone on the farm during his vacation stay fell in love with this handsome boy and was sorry to see him go. Rhett will be the perfect addition to any family. He’s a sweet boy who has a lot of love to give and will be a devoted companion for anyone who shares his gentle nature.

Update 09/27/12:

With cooler weather Rhett has been enjoying more time out in his yard every day. He strolls on his own or settles close to where ever his foster mom sits down. When the other dogs run circles, literally around him, he notices but usually lets them blast by without comment. Fall is such a great time of year for dogs, regardless of how it’s enjoyed, and Rhett is making the most of it. 

The little man has been great to travel with since he first came into foster care. So, recently, he eagerly loaded up again for a road trip, this time to visit another foster family while his original family is away on vacation. Before leaving home, he visited the groomer for “the works.” As fur fell to the floor, Rhett’s koala bear-look did too. He’s as soft now as a Dakin toy. When done, he seemed to know how sharp he looked in his fresh pet clip. The groomer commented that he got a little sleepy on the table but would be welcome back anytime, always good to hear! 

At his vacation home, Rhett met other fosters and the resident dog well and quickly got down to picking out a dog bed. With the move, he didn’t miss a meal, a good sign of his adaptability. With this start, Rhett is settled for the next few weeks. The only worry is he may not want to come home!

Rhett could just as easily have settled into an adopting home as he has into his “vacation” home. He’s an incredibly gentle and sweet little guy. If you and your resident dog have space in your home and hearts to give Rhett the gift of adoption, please ask about meeting him. He’d quickly pick a dog bed in your home and bring peaceful companionship to all around him.

Update 08/29/12:

The “little man” continues to be a steady, quiet, and content member of the pack in his foster home. With each passing month of heartworm treatment, he’s a step closer to whipping that disease. With this month’s dose of medication, he added a recurring cycle of daily antibiotic to counter worms dying off in his system. Fortunately, the additional med has posed no problem. It just brings a little larger dollop of peanut butter his way with each meal!

Rhett is the senior of 5 male springers in his foster home right now. When every one sits awaiting treats, Rhett is right there. When all retire to the bedroom for the night, Rhett is right there. He takes the stairs in the house ever more carefully but will not be left behind. 

He’s funny at mealtime. Rhett enjoys a leisurely dining pace so he’s fed separately, dining literally in the dining room. He eats well but, of late, has developed a curious habit. He leaves a few nuggets of each meal in his elevated bowl. When his foster mom comes along to check on him, he will readily finish and lick the bowl clean if she picks it up and holds it at muzzle-level. Maybe his way of getting a little extra attention? Really quite endearing!

The newest foster in Rhett’s home is a large, lively springer who occasionally bounces right into Rhett’s space. Rhett’s reaction is appropriate. He snarls right into the big boy’s face which typically sends him off in another direction. That’s the end of such exchanges. No fights or lingering animosity; simply a senior correcting one another’s behavior.

A privilege usually reserved for resident dogs, Rhett’s earned himself a boost onto the bed with his people most every night. His family resisted the first time he stood bedside and looked up longingly. The next time when there was a pat on the mattress, he responded by ever-so-gently putting his paws up, awaiting a boost. The rest is history. While he wouldn’t need to continue this in an adopting home, he likely would ask there too!

All else remains the same. Rhett still gets excited when the leash comes out for him. He sniffs his way around the yard and often his foster mom drops his leash and lets him stroll at will. He could be a wonderful companion to another dog, who like himself, needs a canine buddy. If you’ve an easy-going, people-sharing resident dog who would like to meet Rhett, please email MAESSR’s adoption coordinators. Rhett’s a gentle, gentle little guy and is a real pleasure to have in one’s home.

Update 07/18/12:

Rhett remains an undemanding and genteel senior. His heartworm treatment is progressing with minimal bother to him. Occasionally he has a little cough as if he’s clearing his throat, or, some unexplained panting. He went for a checkup recently to be sure he was still on track and checked out very well. As the vet listened carefully with the stethoscope, she heard clear lungs and a steady, strong heart rhythm……yeah!! She also noticed Rhett’s episodic dry skin. There is no itchiness, infection, or broken skin, so Rhett doesn’t seem to notice this, yet when petted or brushed, flaky dandruff falls away. The vet recommended a special shampoo and weekly or bi-weekly baths to manage this for him, something the “little man” won’t mind at all! 

After supper when the heat of the day is past, Rhett enjoys a stroll around the yard with his foster mom. His whole expression brightens when the leash comes out! He prefers not to leave the sidewalk or mowed lawn and finds enough critter scents to work his nose without any brushpopping. 

His family has worked with Rhett in two areas since his return………his discomfort with being home alone and his finicky appetite. With a little experimentation, his family discovered what it takes to entice Rhett to clean his bowl at every meal. When a dollop of wet food or a little water and peanut butter or pumpkin is mixed into his kibble and served in an elevated bowl, Rhett will chow down! This has led to his gaining a pound or two and is really very easy to do for him. 

His other need, a solution to discomfort when his humans are away, is more fully understood now. Rhett’s anxiety is consistently and successfully abated when another dog shares a safe space with him. In his foster home, that space is a gated kitchen. The other dog can be the second senior in the home, the middle-ager, or the 15 month old pup. Any one of these dogs is steady, laid-back, and respectful of Rhett’s space. None expect him to be a playmate, though at times he will share a dog bed with one of them. 

Now when his family leaves for work, it’s a non-event for Rhett; when they return, the same. Medication may be helping Rhett as well and will need to continue through his placement, but having a mellow canine companion in his adopting home will be a condition of his placement. 

Rhett’s work is almost done. He’s a soft little bundle of love and will bring smiles, warmth and joy to a family whose hearts go out to senior springers……….:)).

Update 06/05/12:

The “little man” is once again in MAESSR’s care. He was adored by his adopting family and did wonderfully in most respects. Rhett crated for travel well and was quiet as a church mouse on road trips. He was loved on by visiting grandchildren and gracious when dinner guests were in the home. He attended the Richmond Springerfest, enjoyed the pampering that went with a day at the grooming salon and walked regularly on leash with his family. It seemed he had everything a gentle senior could want or need.

Unfortunately, Rhett could not tolerate being left alone. During the short times when his family was out of the house, Rhett would become very upset. His family took many steps to help him overcome his insecurity but ultimately felt what he needed was the companionship of another dog. Since adding a second one was not an option, they opted in Rhett’s best interest to return him to MAESSR.

Back in his original foster home, Rhett has resettled well. With 2 resident springers and another foster ESS, Rhett is never completely alone. His foster mom works full-time out of the house and pairs Rhett with one of the other dogs in a gated kitchen while away. He’s calm when she leaves and is normally snoozing when she returns. The presence of any one of the other dogs seems to be an effective comfort. 

In a short time Rhett should be ready for another family to love on. He could be a wonderful addition to a home that has a steady, easy-going dog………maybe even one that would benefit from companionship itself. He remains a sweetie in every respect. Like many humans, it seems Rhett simply needs a canine buddy in his life.

Update 03/07/12:

Treatment for Rhett’s heartworm disease has started and is going well. For him it will be long-term, using what is known as the “slow kill” method. Before beginning the treatment, however, he was retested to rule out the chance of a false positive from the initial test. Dog-gone! The second test was positive too………:((. 

Toward beginning treatment, Rhett was given his first monthly dose of medication in the vet’s office so he could be observed throughout the day. His day was uneventful and he was back home that evening. There was a very minor reaction once home which was easily countered with a call to the vet and OTC meds. With no reactions since, this is a very good start. A short-term antibiotic provides protection as heartworms begin dying off in his system. 

While life-saving, this treatment is also very easy. Rhett lines up at treat time alongside the other dogs and simply gets something extra in his dollop of wet food. Upon adoption, his new family will be responsible for giving the medication. MAESSR will provide the monthly medication for a year and the cost of HW testing at that time. If he is not clear in a year, MAESSR will provide a second year of monthly meds. Again, easy but oh, so important!

Between meals, short walks and cuddles on the couch, Rhett can be found snoozing peacefully on the closest dog bed. Though he rarely “sits,” he’s rising from naps and moving easily and should continue his daily joint support. This, along with his response to HW treatment, is all great to see coming together for the “little man.”

With more time to settle in his foster home, Rhett’s preferences are becoming clearer. He prefers eating from an elevated bowl and at a leisurely pace. He prefers a nice thick doggie bed in the confines of the kitchen to being crated when his family is away. He is more content in the company of another dog, though he is not playful with his canine house mates. He prefers meeting friendly strangers at the dog park to meeting new dogs. He travels well in a crate with his family on local errand running and will walk eagerly into the vet’s office, when that’s the destination. He also really likes sharing a bed with his family and diplomatically stands ready for a boost up when everyone settles for the night.

Rhett’s an engaging and genteel senior who would enjoy a quieter home with people who are close by much of the time or will take him along when out and about. The companionship of a gentle canine would be great. This one’s a cutie and young for his age. The sparkle is in his eyes and steps every morning and when the leashes come off the hook. A wonderful yet undemanding companion……………Rhett is easy for any Springer-loving family to fall for!!!

Original:

Rhett was twice blessed by one good Samaritan. When a lady found him loose as a stray the first time, she saw to it that he reached the safety of a shelter where he eventually found a family. When she found him wandering the second time and learned that his adopting family did not want him back, she contacted MAESSR and this little Tennessee gent came into foster care……a very lucky dog!!

At 38 pounds Rhett is a very handsome and compact Springer. He is lean but not underweight. The brightness of his eyes and his spirit run somewhat counter to the white rings around his eyes. He’s definitely a senior but could have fooled his foster mom had the vet not confirmed his estimated age. A few minor health issues were found during his exam, including a heart murmur, 2 small fatty tumors that do not require attention, and hints of arthritis. Rhett does lots of stairs daily in his foster home. He goes down stairs with the wisdom of a senior, placing each foot carefully to avoid tumbles. He has been observed going up stairs with the abandon of a teenager, taking 2 at a time! Given his age and some slowness upon rising from naps, he has been started on a supplement that provides joint support. This and a little fish oil daily are all he’s taking to keep up his overall good health.

One health issue does require further vetting. Rhett tested positive for heartworm disease. Additional diagnostics have been done and, when test results are in, decisions on treatment will be made. 

Rhett is a sweetie and has great house manners. He’s surely lived much of his life as an indoor pet. He’s housetrained and doesn’t counter surf or nose into trash. He isn’t keen on crating but rides in one for travel well. When his foster family is out of the house, he spends time in a crate quietly. If they arrive home and delay in getting him out, he howls his protest……fair enough! He will snuggle on the couch when invited up and will snuggle on a bed if lifted up for the night, but he doesn’t request either of these choice spots. A nice soft doggie bed suits him fine too.

There are 2 other springers in Rhett’s home, both middle-age males, one a resident and one a foster. Rhett gets along with both well. He has been kind to all adults he has met since his arrival, the most notable being a lady in the vet’s lobby who settled right down on the floor beside him to offer special hugs. Wow…….it was Valentine’s Day early for him! He’s not met any children yet but will be out in public soon to see if he can get some hugs from them too.

With nice leash manners, Rhett is an enjoyable walking partner. His energy levels are modest but he benefits from getting out of the house daily. When the afternoon sun brought 60 degrees one day this week, he was skipping through the crocuses and slept like a log all evening! Rhett is a loving, little bench boy with no bad habits and could easily fit into a quiet Springer-loving home as a second dog or one’s best and only buddy. 

More to come as he works through his heartworm issue. It’s the only thing standing between him and an adopting family……….:)).