Tubby

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Update 06/08/10:

Tubby’s in need of MAESSR care for the second time in his life.

In 2003, MAESSR got a call about 3 springers and 4 other dogs that the SPCA was seizing. Tubby was one of the other dogs. His name was completely ironic because he was underweight at the time. He gained weight in foster care the first time around and was adopted. With a new family, he became Bonz and received some significant training. When his family had to move to a smaller house with no yard, he was no longer able to get the exercise he needs. The family also was traveling a lot and Bonz spent a lot of time in a boarding kennel. Even though it’s been 6 years, his bio still sounds like the description his surrendering family provided.

In his foster home Bonz has done very well. He is completely housetrained and has not had an accident at all. He is trusted in his foster home when his foster mom goes to work. He does not get in the trash or counter surf. When his foster mom comes home from work, Bonz will look for a toy to pick up– and sometimes this toy may be a shoe. He never chews it, though, and always drops it when told.

At 7 years old, Bonz has a lot of spunk in him. The resident 2 year old male ESS and Bonz have gotten along fine. They have been trying to figure out who is the boss but go about it in a friendly way! There are two cats in his foster home and there have been no issues with the kitties! Good boy!!

Bonz’s foster mom has a 10 year old son who Bonz really enjoys. Bonz is strong though and would do best in a house without children under ten. He tends to get very excited when going for a walk and pulls on the leash. This is something his foster mom is working on with him. As for training, Bonz knows “sit,” “down,” “left Paw,” and “right paw.” If he gets on the furniture, he will jump off when told “off.” At night Bonz is happy to sleep on his dog bed next to his foster mom’s bed. In the morning he will try and jump on the bed but, as with the furniture, will quickly get down when told “off.”

This gent has been taken to the groomer and did fine. He was nervous when his foster mom dropped him off but she thinks he just wants to make sure you are coming back for him! When his foster mom picked him up, he was all wiggles and even more handsome!

Bonz did go to the vet since returning to foster care and the vet said he looked great. All of his lab results came back fine. He’s a healthy, happy and energetic boy who adapts quickly to those around him. He is a sweet, freckle-faced pup who needs a home where he will be loved!! Got love for the Bonz?

Update 1/13/04: Tubby has found a family to adore him.

Original: Tubby (who is not at all tubby) came into rescue with his housemate’s Charity and Duke from an owner relinquish situation in Woodbury, NJ. These three dogs (and 4 others which are being rescued by other groups) had been living in a home without utilities or running water. The owner had been going back a couple times a day to give them food and water and to the let them inside at night. All of the dogs are extremely thin. All were covered in fleas and mats, but are now safe, in foster care with MAESSR and loving every minute of it. Tubby has been shaved down and is now mat & flea free.

Tubby is ALL PUPPY and full of energy. He hasn’t had any obedience training and is very mouthy. The foster family is working on teaching him sit & to come and not to be so mouthy. He has the idea of what sit is but it is very hard for him to sit for long because he wants to go do something more fun! Tubby is improving nicely while walking on leash. He was not totally housebroken but seems to have gotten the idea and has had no accidents in the house for the past two days.

The foster family has seen no signs of aggression although he will occasionally bark at family members who make a lot of noise running around the house. He is good with the children in the foster home (ages 8, 13, 17) and the 3-year-old female Springer. He does jump on the furniture but will get down when told. He also puts his paws on the counters to see what is up there and gets VERY excited whenever food is around. Tubby will try to eat his Springer sister’s food if given the chance but has shown no signs of aggression when taken away from it. He will also beg and jump if the humans are snacking. The foster family is working to get some weight on him and is feeding him 3 times a day. At about 23 pounds he is all skin and bones.

It does not appear that Tubby has ever played with toys before but he is starting to play with squeaky toys & likes to play with the resident Springer. He loves rawhides and bones to chew on. He follows the foster family around everywhere and does not like to be outside without his people. He loves to lie at his foster mom’s feet whenever she is sitting down. He is fine in the crate at night but is ready to get up and go as soon as he hears someone stirring. He will go into the crate willingly to get his treat.

Tubby is a very sweet young boy. He seems to have a little adventurous streak in him that the foster mom thinks will show itself more and more as he gets comfortable in his situation. Tubby does jump on people and could knock a toddler down in his excitement so it will be recommended that he not go to a home with toddlers. Tubby will need an obedience class when he is adopted.

Are you ready for a little adventure in your life?