Thatcher

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Thatcher was picked up as a stray and spent a week at a Pennsylvania shelter before becoming a MAESSR boy. His foster mom would have searched high and low for this boy if he belonged to her!

This adorable little guy is doing very well in his foster home. He is living with three other Springers, ages 7, 4 and 1. He generally prefers to play with the one year old, but tries very hard to get the two older dogs to play. They don’t always want to, and he is starting to understand that. He is living with two kids as well, ages 11 and 13. He is a smart boy and is quickly learning the household routine. 

Thatcher arrived at his foster home perfectly housebroken. He goes to the door when he needs to go out and has no problem holding his urine during the night. He does not mark in the house. Good boy, Thatcher! Right now, he is having a little tummy upset issue most likely due to changing foods, parasites, and the stress of shelter life. This should be behind him soon.

Thatcher is using a crate only during the day when his foster mom is away. He isn’t keen on going in, and isn’t touching the tasty Kong she leaves with him. He does wine and cry a little, but hopefully he will learn to settle down and enjoy his nap time. When his foster mom is home, Thatcher is allowed free run of the house. He generally stays pretty close to her and hasn’t really gotten into any trouble. He doesn’t counter-surf and isn’t trash picking. Occasionally, he will pick up a shoe that someone left on the floor, but gives it back with no issue. There are lots of bones in the dog toy basket and he likes to carry them around and chew on them. Sometimes he will take a bone outdoors into the yard and cover it up with mulch. He is still a puppy and does need the patient guidance of his owner until he learns absolutely what a dog can have and what he can’t. Thatcher will get up on the furniture, as do the resident dogs but does get down when asked. 

Initially a little reluctant to hop up into the van for a ride, Thatcher is getting better with multiple daily trips to bring kids to school. He doesn’t seem anxious but does like to be close to his foster mom. He is tethered to prevent him from helping with the driving.

At this point, Thatcher only seems to know sit. He will offer a sit when treats come out and waits patiently for his turn. He seems like a very bright boy so the MAESSR-required training classes for dogs under one will be good for Thatcher. Not only doesn’t Thatcher come when called, he seems to play a little game of keep away. His foster mom gets the impression that he must have been taken back into the house before he was ready and learned to run a little bit away from whoever was calling him. His foster mom has started keeping yummy treats in her pocket and calling Thatcher. He is staring to learn there is lots of time to play and coming to his foster mom is a good thing. Thatcher should have a fenced yard in his forever home for his safety. When on leash walks, Thatcher does pull a little, so his foster mom has been using a harness and head harness with good results. He will need continued practice.

At night, the resident dogs sleep in their mom’s bed. Thatcher sometimes jumps up to cuddle a bit but usually jumps back down and sleeps on the floor. He does not seem interested in the dog beds. In the morning, Thatcher jumps back up to give his foster mom some kisses and cuddling.

Although happy to play with any toys he finds in the toy basket, Thatcher really seems to prefer to play with the one year old Springer. He is a spirited player who likes tugging, wrestling, running, boxing, and just rolling around. Sometimes the older dogs find him a bit much, but the one year old is generally up for Thatcher’s fun. Thatcher spent a few days at doggie daycare and did just fine there playing with a whole group of new dogs. He spent a night in another foster home with cats and it was determined that cats and Thatcher don’t mix. Thatcher will run for a ball but doesn’t get that he needs to give it back to continue the fun. He could with continued training. Thatcher will needs lots and lots of exercise and activity in his forever home; another young dog would be ideal.

This young pup has a very easy-going personality. He guards nothing and is not bothered in the least if you take his bowl away, hold his bowl, or take things from his mouth. He lets the other dogs take his food as well, so his foster mom guards the food so Thatcher is the only one who gets to eat it. Thatcher can also be touched all over with no problem.

At his vet visit, Thatcher did very well. He bravely stood for his blood to be drawn and he didn’t cry or wince when microchipped. As the vet prodded and poked, Thatcher was a good boy and the vet estimated that he was about ten months old. He did test positive for Lyme disease and positive for fecal parasites. He has some medication to take for these problems and should be perfect in no time. Thatcher is very thin, weighing in at just about 30 pounds. He is being fed lots and lots of good quality dog food and should start to gain some much needed weight. Currently, his little hip bones stick out and his ribs would show if his coat wasn’t so big and fluffy. He is going to be groomed shortly to get rid of some dry and lifeless coat and to eliminate the lingering shelter smell on his fur. He also has the oddest sun bleached streaks in his ears that every one comments on.

This high energy Springer boy needs lots and lots of exercise daily so that he can be the best boy possible indoors. Ideally, he would like a young companion dog to assist in his exercise routine. But daily visits to a dog park could also wear him out. Routine walks around the neighborhood would not be enough exercise for this fine boy. 

Thatcher has met many people since becoming a MAESSR boy and does fine with everyone. He played with a five year old boy, too. He does sometimes paddle his paws as a play gesture and could scratch or hurt a little child. He should be homed with children big enough to stop him from paddling if necessary. When he met his foster mom for the first time, he paddled at her feet. If his foster mom were lying on the floor, he might paddle at her hair and then lick her face all over until she was laughing!

Thatcher is a great boy. He is sweet, bright and full of fun. He’s hoping for a family to love soon.