Rusty 14

Original: Rusty came into MAESSR’s care from a rescue group in western Pennsylvania. He had been surrendered there by his owners who left very few details about his background. He seems to be in overall good health but, as with every incoming Springer, he will visit a vet with his foster family for a checkup.

Since arriving at his foster home, Rusty has shown that he is a very, very Velcro Springer. He is a calm and very laid back boy that wants to be attached to a human at all times. He does well with being left alone for short periods of time and has free run of the house. He does very well with going out to do his business and likes to ride in the car.

There are other animals, including dogs, in Rusty’s new world and he is adjusting well to them. He is working through falling into his place in the pecking order with everyone. He would most likely do better without cats, but he will tolerate them. He tends to want to pick them up and move them if they get too close to his human. He has never hurt any of them but sometimes they are not as cooperative as he would like. Some are farm cats that have been raised with dogs and will seldom run from them. This seems to frustrate Rusty at times so he may be happiest in a cat-free forever home.

Rusty is doing well with children as young as 11; with younger ones, he is unknown. He has very deep and intense eyes. He is a seemingly wonderful friend that happens to be in need of a new beginning through no fault of his own. More on him coming soon.

Update 12/01/09: Rusty continues to be a fairly good boy. His temperament is improving as he adjusts in his foster home. He has so much love to give and is extremely loyal to humans. It follows that he is a very, very Velcro Springer. He has had a few issues with being left alone at times. His love of closeness to his people has also created a few problems as he tends to protect his humans from the other animals in the house. The cats avoid him as much as possible because he will move them by picking them up and taking them away from his people.

There have been fewer skirmishes with the resident dogs of late, but their sharing of the humans is not completely resolved. With children he has done great but, with adults, he tries to crawl inside your shirt to get close. He wants to be touching his people all the time. All in all, his foster dad feels Rusty will be best in a single pet, cat-free home and with older children rather than smaller ones.

Rusty is beginning respond to some basic training and commands. As the trust with his new family builds, they feel like he will become a wonderful companion. He will need someone who has the time to give him the love and attention he so craves. He is getting that happy, shining, and loving attitude that makes for one wonderful English springer spaniel and truly, man’s or woman’s best friend.

While adjusting to his new life, Rusty is continuing to deal with health issues. He has finished treatment for intestinal parasites and is now starting to fill out a little. He has gained about 4 pounds. He is looking much better, and his coat is actually getting some shine back to it. He is working on persistent eye and ear infections. And there is some hair loss around his eyes and irritated skin. He is being treated with antibiotics for possible infections. His family has changed some food items to see if there may be an allergy issue and thyroid levels are being evaluated. Rusty’s next checkup is in the next few days, and he will see where to go from there.

More to come as work continues with this sweet boy.