Sheldon

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Update 02/10/2021:  “Although in her care just a short while, his foster mom found him to be just the ideal Springer – smart, well-behaved and possessing a terrific personality.”

It is with great sadness that Sheldon’s foster mom informs us that he went to the Bridge. He was rushed to the hospital in distress, and a cancerous tumor was discovered in his abdomen which was causing him great pain. It is possible that his diabetes was just a side-effect of the tumor.

What a wonderful dog was Sheldon. Although in her care just a short while, his foster mom found him to be just the ideal Springer – smart, well-behaved and possessing a terrific personality. She and MAESSR gave Sheldon much love and a wonderful home for his final days. He is in peace now. Run free, Sheldon!

Update 01/06/2021:  “His foster mom finds herself talking to him because he is such good company.”

🎶What a difference a day makes
Twenty-four little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers
Where there used to be rain🎶

Sheldon wrote to you the last time; this time his foster mom has shared her impressions of him as Sheldon was much too modest. She thought that the famous song by Dinah Washington, “What a Difference a Day Makes” applies to Sheldon. It is that plus what a difference a week makes, a month makes. She cannot wait to see more from him because it is all good!

His foster mom feels blessed to have Sheldon as a foster. He is more than a good dog…perhaps a gentleman dog? He came to MAESSR as he had diabetes that was not addressed. His parents have been working with a vet to find the right dosage of insulin and the right food. Once that is determined he will be in top shape and is almost there.

Each day Sheldon surprises his foster parents in good ways. For example:

·         Initially he had accidents due to his untreated diabetes. With the first insulin injection, that changed. He has had no accidents in the house. Although he is taken out quite frequently, Sheldon does not expect a walk every time. He does his business and back inside. He will signal a need by sitting by the door or a gentle noise. His foster parents take him out every hour or two even if he does not signal. His water intake is cut back before bedtime and he is allowed to sleep six hours. He is taken out and then returns to finish his sleep. His foster parents are just being cautious with this routine and believe he will be able to sleep uninterrupted once his medication is adjusted perfectly.

·         Sheldon is a shy dog but each day his terrific personality shows more of himself. He likes kids, teenagers, and other adults. He is a bit shy walking to other adults but if introduced, will come right to them.

·         Sheldon has a place to walk off leash where he chases a ball. He never leaves his parent’s sight. If other people or dogs are walking that is fine; he keeps his attention on his foster parent. When walking on leash there is no pulling…except if he hears the word “PARK” and he sees the car keys come out!

·         He does not chase after animals. When a huge buck was spotted in the park, Sheldon looked at it. He was told that the buck was a “tick magnet,” and Sheldon walked off. Good boy!

·         When told that a bath was inevitable, he didn’t mind a bit. Now when told it is bath time, Sheldon walks into the bathroom. He wasn’t thrilled with the blow dryer but did not complain. He sat down when told it was necessary. Afterwards, to his foster mom’s shock, Sheldon picked up his collar to remind her to put it back on. Wow. Is this one smart pup?

·         Sheldon has met one cat and tried to sniff it. The cat wanted nothing to do with him, but he was just interested in what that specie was.

·         He will shy away from dogs the first couple of times he meets them. But a neighbor’s Cocker was at the park and came charging at Sheldon to play. Sheldon barked and charged to him for some rollicking playtime. The Cocker’s mom had previously met Sheldon and was shocked he was the same dog, no longer so shy and timid. Sheldon will not do that with every dog, just those he’s been introduced to. He just tends to keep his distance from dogs he does not know.

·         Sheldon seems to have a bit of a hearing loss and cannot hear his foster mom from a different floor in the house. He is not deaf and listens well. He was diagnosed with a yeast infection in his ears so this might be the reason.

·         Sheldon knows the house rules and follows them. No counter-surfing, no trash diving, no hopping on furniture, no begging. He arrived with good house manners.

·         Commands that Sheldon already knew upon arrival are “sit,” “lie down,” “shake,” “wait,” and “stop.” He is a mannered, respectful dog.

·         Sheldon is not really a toy dog. He loves his tennis ball and nothing else really catches his attention. On a trip to the pet store nothing interested him other than pig ears, but that isn’t on his menu card.

·         The feeding schedule for Sheldon is 7:30am and 7:30pm with an appetizer at 5:30. His insulin shot is given at 8am and 8pm. These times can be changed as long as it is every 12 hours. Insulin must take place on a full stomach. This has not been a problem.

Sheldon’s foster mom declares that he is close to the perfect dog. He gives her positive surprises every day. She thinks that Sheldon’s ideal home would be where he is the only pet to someone who has the time to give him attention. It is attention well deserved. His foster mom finds herself talking to him because he is such good company.

Sheldon is a 5-star dog. 🎶 What a difference Sheldon will make in your life. 🎶

Original:  “I am good at catch; when I bring the ball back, I drop it so we can play some more.“

Sheldon came to MAESSR after his diabetes diagnosis as his New Jersey family was unwilling to deal with the treatment necessary for a diabetic dog.  In his foster home, he is receiving insulin and seems to feel so much better.  

As he put it: 

Hi, I am Sheldon.  Am I one lucky dog to find my way to MAESSR?  MAESSR saved me.   I was diagnosed with diabetes but never treated for it.  But at my foster home, they give me insulin.  I don’t mind because I feel so much better.  I came with a crate and a bag of toys that I don’t like—the hardest chew toys.  Now why would I want to play with them?  My foster home doesn’t make me use them.  I am glad.  My foster mom throws a tennis ball for me in the park and we can play for a long time with just that.  I love to run, but never away from my keeper.  I am good at catch, when I bring the ball back, I drop it so we can play some more. 

I also brought my impeccable manners!  Yep, who can say they brought all of that?   I am housetrained—except an occasional accident which my mom says may be due to an infection I have. I whine a little when I need to go out or I stand by the door and whine.  I stay in the kitchen when my foster mom goes out.  I have only been here two weeks so she wants me to feel safe and secure.  At night, I sleep in a dog bed in her bedroom or on the floor.

So when I say I brought my manners…..well, let me give you some examples.  I don’t counter-surf, don’t get in the trash, don’t jump up on furniture and don’t chew anything except my food.  I know how to “sit,” “shake hands/paws,” “wait” before I cross the street, and I never run off.  We go to a park where I can be off leash, but I never leave my foster mom’s sight and I always come back when called.  I still need to show my foster mom more of what I can do………but it has only been two weeks!

This very handsome boy does walk well on a leash, but pulls a little when he sees another dog or people.  He doesn’t pull toward them, but wants to go the other way.   Sheldon is very timid and does not want to meet other children, dogs or cats.  He does not growl or become aggressive.  He just wants to walk away.  But, he is coming around.  He met a two year old and, after mom assured him it was okay, he approached the child and was petted.  

He is super in the car.  His place is in the back seat and he’s quite comfortable there.  In his old life, he was only in the car to go to the vet and kennel, so he still is a bit shaky.  But, he just takes a nice nap until he and his mom arrive at the park.  He was good at the vet and his “spa day” is coming.  He has let his foster mom clean his ears with no fuss, no whine—isn’t that just what a Springer male would do?

And, once more, according to Sheldon:

I think it is a bit early to say the type of forever home I need, but perhaps one with no other pets and not a lot of children.  But that could change.  I am adaptable.  I need a home that will work with me on how to be an even better Springer.  I am embarrassed to say, but I have never been swimming.  I know I won’t be a hunting dog.  I don’t like loud noises.  Last night I saw a deer and just stared.  I saw another one today and started to take chase.  But my foster mom thinks my good manners made me stop and turn back.  Maybe that deer was just running too fast and I was a bit tuckered from playing ball.  I know I won’t like a home that uses a crate.  You see my old home used to make me sleep, eat, and do time out in a crate.  So I don’t like it.  My foster mom thinks I only “needed” time out because my diabetes was out of control and sometimes I could not hold it for as long as my old family wanted.  Now, I am focusing on my good manners.  When I meet people on the street (it is COVID, we keep our social distance) people just say so many nice compliments about me.  My bag of manners is bringing me good things and good vibes……..I am just going to keep it up.

Keep an eye out for more from Sheldon and watch for his progress as he does become the best Springer he can be.