Entered: 03/13/2021
Status: Adopted
Age: 6
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 67 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Fayetteville, WV
Health: UTD, HW-, Lyme+ and asymptomatic, lipomas requiring no treatment, continuing healthy weight loss, treatment for ear infections, skin irritations and seasonal allergy complete
Temperament: Good with adults, adoring of elementary-age children in public, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Update 07/16/2021: “Children, as young as four, with oversight by a parent, have met him; he is kind to all.”Scout is having a grand summer. Mid-afternoon most days he gets antsy; his message seems to be that he’s ready for a visit to a new dog park that’s five minutes from home. It’s fully shaded, so late afternoon through evening is a great time to trot off his energy. He’s meeting new two- and four-footed friends daily with good manners. He leaves no one overlooked, with people being of the most interest to him. Children, as young as four, with oversight by a parent, have met him; he is kind to all.
His weight loss efforts continue with measured meals and daily off-leash exercise. So, when Scout showed NO loss at his last monthly weigh-in, his family scrambled for an explanation. Rechecking thyroid confirmed it’s still good. A closer look at his overall shape offered the possibility that he’s gaining muscle mass. This can slow weight loss while being part of a healthy outcome. So, his plan remains the same for another month.
Scout has met a new foster in his home. It’s another altered male, about his age, and one who also needs to lose a few pounds. Scout’s been gracious with sharing space and his people. This welcome is helping the new guy through what can be an otherwise stressful time. Thank you, Scout.
Enough for now … off to the dog park!
Update 06/12/2021: “He’s noticeably less sloppy at the water bowl; this is being attributed to subtle but recognizable changes in his facial features as he sheds pounds.“
With time to settle, Scout has emerged as a people-lover extraordinaire. When out and about, he’s ever watchful for new faces. His skill at sizing up humans is impressive. Should a person prefer to pass him by, he politely accommodates. But, when he spots a dog-lover, Scout lavishes as much attention on them as they invite. When arms open to him, he gently rises; no, he’s not perfectly mannered but he’s always well-received. By contrast, if the person to be loved on is a child, his paws remain planted on the ground while he’s petted. It’s quite a joy to watch in action.
Recently Scout visited a unique botanical area where access is provided by a ½ mile boardwalk. With much to see, his family made a 2-hour excursion of this opportunity. Scout did so well. He patiently accepted the restriction of a 60 inch walkway as well as the snail’s pace of sight-seeing. Thank you, Scout!
With summer upon us, it’s become clear that Scout is as adept at predicting thunderstorms as the weatherman. He signals by becoming very subdued and follows up with pacing from room to room. He doesn’t hide or become destructive but does worry over such events.
Work on outdoor recall has started for this gent. When his person is loaded with very good treats and is in surroundings with little distraction, Scout can do well. He’s also learning “stand” which makes grooming easier.
Scout has come to understand that, when his foster mom asks for a paw, she will always give it back. Nothing is going to hurt. This has enabled nail trimming and pad maintenance. A deep split discovered in one nail is gradually growing out with regular care now. His feet look so much better and are likely more comfortable. He’s beginning to take initiative and will offer a paw…heartening to see!
Scout’s weight loss continues at a healthy pace with a surprise along the way. He’s noticeably less sloppy at the water bowl; this is being attributed to subtle but recognizable changes in his facial features as he sheds pounds. His waist hasn’t appeared yet. His tail remains buried by chunkiness in his rump, but he’s ever more handsome and lighter on his feet.
Some fosters require more time than others to prepare for new homes. In due season, Scout will become “available.” Please check back for progress. He’s a very good boy!
Update 05/14/2021: “With eight pounds lost, those ribs are palpable now and there’s healthy slack in the skin covering them.”
It’s delightful to observe changes in Scout as he drops pounds. When he arrived, his rib cage was buried under fat and he looked rather like a balloon that was ready to pop. With eight pounds lost, those ribs are palpable now and there’s healthy slack in the skin covering them. He has energy and takes the initiative to trot at the dog park for an hour at a time. At home he stands and stretches himself with ease now. He can step onto the couch without assistance. With improving muscle tone, he can safely navigate a flight of tricky stairs which has bagged him full run of the house. Measured meals and daily physical activity are driving Scout’s new beginning.
With two months in foster care, his foster family is comfortable with declaring Scout a “social butterfly.” He’s always on the watch for people. If he has a dog park to himself, he trots the perimeter and greets anyone on the other side of the fence with mannerly enthusiasm. When sharing the park, he’s as interested in and cordial to the humans as he is to their dogs. Recently he attracted a group of elementary-aged children who approached three to four at a time to pet him. He was ecstatic. A dog park is his happy place.
The arrival of an additional foster dog to his home has shed some light on Scout’s willingness to share “his” home. Also an ESS, the senior lady is blind and has very good dog-dog social skills. On her first day she signaled clear and fair boundaries to Scout. Her message seemed to be “I’m not a plaything, but I’ll share my toys.” The two quickly established respect for one another, allowing peaceful co-existence.
Another tidbit to celebrate … while accepting most touch when he arrived, Scout guarded his paws. This delayed nail maintenance, normally done at home; gaining his trust and overcoming his fear took priority. Recently, for the first time, he raised a paw when asked. Of course, he was rewarded immediately. A minute later when offering again, he was jackpotted…slow but valuable progress.
Scout’s trending well and should have more good news in another month. For now, off to the dog park. Please check back if a great, middle-age Springer is on your wish list …
Original: “At this point, Scout can’t jump on a couch or counter-surf (not entirely bad, of course) or climb into a vehicle, and his foster mom has not found any ribs, though she’s confident he has a full set … 😊.“
Limited background came with Scout when he was surrendered to a central Virginia shelter. It seemed he had been outdoors for much of his life, limited by a chain, and was not shorted on food by his family. That, coupled with lack of exercise, had led to his being quite a “chunky monkey.” When assessing his temperament, the shelter staff felt he hadn’t a mean bone in his body. Steps were taken to remove serious matting, and then, the shelter reached out to MAESSR. With three weeks in foster care, he’s adapting well to a new lifestyle.
At his vet visit, Scout received a thorough evaluation which identified immediate needs and longer-term ones. Infected ears were treated that day and have responded well. For overall itchiness, most likely seasonal, an OTC was recommended as needed; that has relieved persistent paw and belly licking … yeah! Numerous lipomas were checked; since none are bothering him, they won’t need action.
Discussion included Scout’s weight. At 23 inches, his build is nice, and he will always be a big Springer. However, he will be healthier when he’s no longer obese. The vet suggested a goal of 62 pounds. At this point, Scout can’t jump on a couch or counter-surf (not entirely bad, of course) or climb into a vehicle, and his foster mom has not found any ribs, though she’s confident he has a full set … 😊. Measured meals, leashed walks and hours daily of off-leash opportunity should bring benefit over coming months.
Home grooming works well for now. He objects to having his feet handled so nail trimming is on hold until he can be desensitized; that’s part of daily work with him right now.
Housetraining is in place. He becomes antsy when it’s time to go out and has had few accidents. He makes eye contact easily and offers lots of kisses. He’s a gentle, “people” dog that is willing to do whatever he can understand is being asked of him. He will “sit,” “down,” “stay”, “come,” and knows “ok” as a release. His starting point has been in a quiet home; he’s ready for work with the distraction of new settings. He quickly learned not to side-swipe his foster mom (she squeals) and to let her go first through doors. He dines, spends nights, and time when his family’s away in a crate in the dining room. Though minor, his interest in hardback books and small needle crafts has been noted … all such items have been relocated out of reach. Mostly he bypasses comfy dog baskets to settle closest to his people. Playing tug seems new to him and of modest interest; an array of other toys is crate-side and largely ignored. He is not fearful of anything in the home.
His take on TV is funny; he becomes engrossed at times, particularly if there’s a dog in the drama. He shares his foster home with another foster, an elderly gal who is half his size. At times she appears to make him a bit anxious but an “uh-uh” makes it clear to him that she’s not to be bothered. For her part, she is unworried by him and has taught him to sit alongside her for treats.
Outdoors Scout has a secure half-acre for roaming. During his first week, lying down and barely watching the days go by was his mode. He became moderately active the 2nd week, walking at times and sampling the breezes. This third week he’s bumped up his pace. Though not appearing anxious about anything, he’s trotting a lot now and notices much around him … traffic on the lane, the livestock next door, spring smells on the ground, a dog beckoning from across the road. His Springer nature is emerging.
With no jumping ability, Scout had to learn to use a ramp to travel anywhere. That took two days and quite a few treats but, with it mastered, he readily loads into a crate and rides well. He’s not keen on jumping off a tailgate, so the ramp is used both directions. Aside from his vet visit, Scout has been on two short adventures–one to the river where he welcomed attention from four dog-savvy adults and a stop-n-go errand run to town . More travel will come as he weighs in at the vet’s office and spring wild flowers beckon on trails.
Based on his intake info, Scout’s foster family felt guarded optimism about his potential mindset. Three weeks into “the honeymoon,” it’s hard to believe he spent much of his life on a chain. There’s much to explore with him yet but he shows all the resilience of a sound-minded Springer. As the pounds come off, his future will only brighten. He’s a work-in-progress, so, to-be-continued …