Entered: 02/01/2015
Status: Adopted
Age: 2
Color: Black/White
Weight: 45 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for a urinary tract infection complete
Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with children, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Update 02/21/2015: “More along the lines of a 2 year-old, Waldo is just now reaching full adulthood.”
Waldo’s been a busy boy. He’s settled in with a new foster family where his basic vetting continues. A minor but important problem to treat popped up for him…a urinary tract infection. With proper medication it should be behind him shortly. Additional assessment has also led to the feeling that he’s a younger fellow than the earlier estimate of 4 years. More along the lines of a 2 year-old, Waldo is just now reaching full adulthood.
Waldo already has in mind what he’d like most in an adopting family…..a nurturing nature, energy to match his playfulness and a passion for living close to their dog. In return, he promises they’ll never need to ask “Where’s Waldo?” As a Velcro boy, he’ll always be right there!!
What a handsome one………..
Original: “His furever family won’t have to worry about finding Waldo—he’ll be right next to them! “
Waldo showed up as a stray on a farm in upper New York State. When no one claimed him, the farmer gave him to a Springer owner. When the new owner’s female Springer came in heat and his wife wanted the male dog out of the house as soon as possible, a hasty transport was arranged on a snowy Sunday afternoon.
Even though he showed up late in the day, this handsome guy had no problem with any of the resident dogs in his new foster home and slept quietly the first night on a dog bed. He’s had no marking or other housetraining issues but just goes outside, preferably with a human for company, whenever the other dogs go outside. He is crate trained but whimpers softly if left in one when no one is around. Since he’s trusted not to get into any trouble, he is not crated at night. When the humans are home, he has free roam of the house; otherwise, he’s gated in three rooms near the other dogs.
A well-mannered house guest, Waldo doesn’t counter-surf or get into the trash, but will sit and stare while his foster folks eat. He knows “sit,” “shake,” a really good “down,” “stay,” and probably other behaviors–if his humans could only figure out how to ask for them!! This love doesn’t seem to have a mean bone in his body, allowing his feet, ears and everything else to be handled or groomed. Bumping and rubbing for group petting are fine with him. He doesn’t guard toys or food, and is fed just a little ways away from the others so they don’t try to steal his food.
Waldo LOVES vehicles, making his foster mom think that he probably got to go along often in his former life. In the car, he initially fusses until given something to do and currently needs a tether or crate to keep him in one place. Coming south to his temporary home, once his foster mom figured that a “down/stay” on the passenger seat gave him a purpose, he was a good boy.
Where’s Waldo? MAESSR’s new guy is a standard Velcro Springer. He likes the other dogs and will play chase with the resident two year old female hound, but people are his main focus. While he wants to climb the stairs to the bedroom, Waldo doesn’t seem to jump on furniture; being near his humans may be more important to him than a comfortable spot. He flops on a cold stone floor to be near his foster mom rather than hang out on a dog bed four feet away while foster mom works at the computer.
Waldo apparently had not really seen a leash much before coming into foster care. He’s learning but will need leash work. He does do better when used as a running buddy with forward motion giving him focus. He did three miles at a reasonable pace his first week in his new home.
Stuffed toys, especially with squeakers, are this young man’s favorites. He will fetch them and tennis balls, but “give” as a release command is not in his vocabulary! Once he has a toy in his mouth, Waldo has a peculiar mannerism of trying to bark and squeak at the same time, making ferocious sounding grumbles while all the time wagging his tail. His foster mom was initially taken aback but realized that Waldo just plays this way.
Waldo is an active guy outside, but mellow and hangs out quietly indoors unless someone wants to play. He’s intelligent and outgoing and would probably fit best in a home where he’s given games or interactive toys. His furever family won’t have to worry about finding Waldo—he’ll be right next to them! Will they be able to find a red/white striped shirt for their new Springer??