Sport

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Updated 10/10/06:

Sport continues to do well. He has been neutered and is healing very nicely. Although he rarely barks at home, he was a bit of a nuisance to the staff at the vet’s office who had him in a crate. His temporary foster mom also noted that he does not like a crate and he worked very hard to get out of it at her house. Since he does so well with free run of the house for as long as 9 hours, Sport isn’t crated in his foster home, making him a happy boy!

His personality is beginning to shine through as he becomes more comfortable with his surroundings. He has learned to fetch the tennis ball and willingly gives it back. It is so fun to watch him pounce on the ball like a cat and bat it between his paws. With familiarity has come a bit of mischief. One day he found a pair of socks that he was enjoying wrestling with until his foster mom told him “no” and the next day it was a tissue. Fortunately he gave both up right away without a fuss. He is just as happy tugging at his dog Frisbee!

With time, Sport has also become more interested in the cat. Although they have touched noses, Sport is a bit nervous and excited around the resident cat. The barking, tail wagging, and play posturing might upset a more timid cat, so Sport would probably do best in a home with a cat who will not be intimidated by a dog.

Sport is an easy going sweetheart, playful, curious about all around him, and well adapted to life with a family and other pets. He’d love to be in his new home soon so he can get a headstart at cozying up beside his people on the long, cool evenings ahead!

Original: Sport was picked up as a stray by a high kill shelter in eastern Pennsylvania. He had to be adopted immediately and so went into a temporary MAESSR foster home to save his life. He easily transferred to his permanent foster home, riding well in the back seat with no need for restraint.

This is a tall boy with an understandably large head and big feet. At his exam he weighed 67 pounds and the vet feels he could put on another 5, since he is a bit thin due to his time on the streets. In addition, he has a few minor health issues, common to strays, and is being treated to clear up a mild ear infection and worms as well as a little itchy skin, probably due to a reaction to fleas. He was a real gentleman at the vet’s office and is the first dog his foster mom ever had pull to go in the exam room and not toward the exit. He takes his pills with ease and tolerates having his ears cleaned with only a little squirming.

Although he is a big boy, Sport is a gentle giant. He loves to sit and be petted and does not jump up. Instead he gives a soft tap with his big paw to remind you to keep up the petting. Sport is always close by and loves to be with his people. Already comfortable in his foster home after one night, he tried to get into bed with his foster parents. He still can’t quite figure out why his foster mom had to take hold of his collar and give him a tug, muttering all the while about getting that “sorry mutt” off the bed. With a few repetitions, Sport got the hint that his bed is on the floor and spent the night there without complaint. Obviously the resident springer forgot to mention that the best time to be on the furniture is when no one is around.

The resident springer is a middle-aged lady, 25 pounds lighter than him but clearly the boss of the house. Sport is fine with that and also got along with the three dogs, both male and female, in his temporary home. As a perfect gentleman, he stays out of the trash and away from the counters. He is housebroken and has free run of the house and has been accident-free when left for 6 to 7 hours. Although he marks every green plant on his walks, he does not mark in the house.

Sport is a very laid-back guy, a true gentle soul. He has met children as young as four and enjoyed having them pet him. He walks well on a leash and has even been off leash a bit. Sport responds to his new name, loping up whenever called. He is very smart and has already learned to sit to get his leash on.

Sport is just that: a good sport. He has been through a lot of changes lately and just seems to shrug it off with a smile and go with the flow. A big love with a sweet and gentle nature, he will make a wonderful life-long friend.