Uno

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Update 05/06/08:

Uno’s wait for neutering was not been time lost. He’s had several new adventures, likely all firsts for him, and he has handled each with the promise of getting even better with more experience.

With heartworm treatment complete, Uno has gotten to be outdoors on a long line a lot. He loves sniffing through tall grass. No thorny thicket slows him down. If his line gets caught on something, he simply sits down and waits for his foster mom to crawl in after him! He has been allowed in the creek with warmer weather. He loves jumping it and, since it’s not deep enough to swim in, he will walk up and down midstream, sniffing all the way.

One day Uno made a trip to a dog park. The weather wasn’t great so he had the entire place to himself :((. Rather than running around as was anxiously anticipated, Uno spent most of his time following his foster mom as she visited with people at the fence. He was a bit shyer with strangers than expected but did fine. On the way home he shopped at a pet store and was consumed with all the smells on the dog food aisle. He met several dogs there too and was a gentleman but preferred sniffing to being social. 

Once Uno gets acquainted, he can’t be too close to his people. He isn’t a licker but will nose right into his human’s space. Wiping nose prints off eyeglasses can be a daily affair with Uno around. He gets along well with the resident dogs and a new arrival and would likely enjoy the companionship of a canine sibling in his adopting home. If there is already a resident dog, though, it will need to be one that will share its family easily. 

Uno likely has never had formal education and is ripe for such a chance. He would love the time spent working closely with his people and could only gain in his self confidence and ease when out and about. At last, this boy is ready to stretch his paws and resettle in the midst of a forever family. If you’re ready to live close and share a lifetime of firsts with an adoring dog, don’t miss this one!

Update 03/26/08:

One month after his initial heartworm treatment, Uno spent a day with the vet for observation when his first monthly dose of heartworm preventative was administered. He did great and is now gradually resuming normal activity. He has tolerated being limited to leashed outings with amazing grace but will surely love his first chance to run wide open and wrestle with the resident Springer. His appetite has not slowed since his arrival so he has gained to a good weight. He is typically lean for his age and will fill out with maturity and exercise.

Uno continues to meet every human coming his way with enthusiasm. His manners are improving and it’s easier for him to keep all four feet on the floor while he gazes into faces for attention. He has begun to play with a variety of toys, most of them the Kong type, and likes to keep one close by. He will nibble on stuffed toys and compromises the plush covers quickly. He doesn’t consume the fill but they don’t last long either!

The kitchen counter is still of interest to Uno and he has an amazing reach! He has made progress but the best way to dissuade his surfing is to make ventures unproductive. Clean counters are vital. His biggest take so far has been a fully cooked chicken that was to be Sunday dinner. When his foster mom caught him, he had his paws wrapped around it on the floor and was quietly savoring every bite, like one would a course in a 5-star restaurant. Were it not for the bones, he probably could have pulled off the entire meal, but when asked for what remained, he politely gave it up. What a boy!! 

The only thing between Uno and his forever family is neutering which is still weeks away. Keep an eye on this one. He’s a true sweetie dog!!!

Update 03/07/08:

Uno sailed through his first heartworm treatment with great ease. During his first few days back home, he continued to be a largely sedate fellow. Keeping him quiet was very easy. In the last few days, he has shown his first interest in playing with the young male ESS in the home. It looks as if these two could really have some fun rough housing together but for now, an “easy, boys” curtails activity. Leashed walks around the yard, lots of sniffing, and short basic training sessions each day are suitable activities for Uno and fun to do with him. He just loves to watch me for a treat!!

Uno’s appetite is nothing short of ravenous so he has already put on enough weight to cover his hip bones. When increased exercise is possible, he will muscle up and be even more handsome than he is now. With a few more road trips, he is proving to be a good rider and settles quietly in a crate for travel – no more tummy upsets! He is learning to greet people without rising to a nose-to-nose position with them, but it’s still hard for him. He just doesn’t want anyone to overlook him!

More on Uno’s progress coming…

Original:

Uno came into MAESSR’s care from a shelter in western West Virginia. He was picked up as a stray and, when the shelter located his owner, the owner said to keep him and find him a home. The family didn’t even offer his name, so his foster family got to name him. They chose Uno actually 2 days before the now famous beagle named Uno made the name a household word. Uno means one in Spanish. MAESSR’s Uno got his name because his family thinks he’s Number One too! 

Though very thin, Uno is in good overall condition. His hip bones are easily noticed, despite his thick, long coat. He skipped his first meal after arrival but has eaten with gusto ever since. That and worming should help him fill out nicely to around 50 pounds. He tested positive for heartworm disease and is hoping for an uncomplicated recovery. He was a perfect gentleman at the vet’s office and will be easy to take back for his treatment.

Uno was patient on the grooming table for combing the first day and accepts all touching. This is a very mellow young adult. He is living with two resident Springers. One is a young neutered male adult. The two are not playing together yet but there is no tension between them either. The second resident ESS is an elderly female, who prefers people to most dogs. She has accepted Uno easily. He has not met cats in foster care, but the shelter staff reported he was good with their cats.

Living in a home suits Uno perfectly. He is relaxed with the sounds and activities that go on in a small household. He will quietly settle on the sofa or any chair with a cushion until his family notices. Then a dog bed will do. He doesn’t know “off” but he is learning. He is housebroken, though there have been some accidents as he adjusts to a new schedule and new food. When his family is away, Uno is crated alongside the resident male. At night he zips right into a bedside crate, knowing it is his place, and he is good for an 8 hour night. He has traveled in a crate and experienced an upset tummy, but that may have had more to do with a curvy mountain road than the crate. More travels will pin that down. 

Uno immediately trusts every human he meets. Though being dissuaded, he will stand up quickly and lay his front paws ever so gently on adults to say “Hi.” He just knows they will return his love. With heartworm treatment and then neutering, Uno will be in foster care for many, many weeks. Having him around is shaping up to be quite a pleasure. More news as he moves ahead.