Walker 2

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Update 01/12/12:

Incontinence is seen more often in spayed females but can occur in male dogs and is often treated the same in both genders. It was detected in Walker just as his foster family thought, once again, that he was ready for his own family. With a small but persistent leakage at night, a vet visit and additional testing led to the diagnosis and ruled out potential underlying issues as well. An otherwise healthy boy, Walker began an inexpensive daily medication and is now dry round the clock.

In the house Walker continues to be an outwardly laid-back gent, undemanding and quiet. He will bring a ball back repeatedly indoors, and then opt to take it to his basket for a good long chew. He’s not above countersurfing for entertainment, either, and bagged himself a fine supper of bay scallops recently. This boy’s reach is not to be underestimated! 

The holiday season for Walker included what he likes best…….off leash time in the woods! When the leash unsnaps, his nose goes into overdrive and he covers a lot of ground. He also does look over his shoulder to keep track of where his foster mom is and will recall when asked. Walker is emerging as a wonderful fieldie in a very handsome bench suit!

Walker has an incredibly steady temperament. He leans toward the serious side but is unflappable. He’s also loving. As he has in foster care, he will bond with his adopting family in a short time. He will soon be looking over his shoulder for them and his new beginning will be complete!

Update 12/06/11:

Walker breezed through his tooth extraction and was almost “available” when he developed a hot spot on his rump. It enlarged quickly because, not only was Walker able to reach and lick it, his resident buddy was following him around to get his licks in too….:((. A visit to the vet for meds, an inflatable collar and separation from other dogs resolved the first spot. A second one is healing nicely as well. 

A new foster gal arrived at Walker’s home and is as sweet as he is. The two get along well, though, Walker seems a little less attentive than when there was one less dog to share his family with. He continues to enjoy his outdoor time by sniffing through the woodlot on a long line. He just looks great there and is making some progress with his leash training too. 

This big boy has a very long reach and, after a particularly messy (but, not doubt, fun for him) raid on the kitchen trash, his foster mom opted to begin crating all dogs when they are home alone. Walker eagerly enters his crate when ever asked and is fine with the change. Most days he enjoys a “lunch break” but, if no one gets home mid-day, his crate is dry and he is calm at day’s end. He has run of the house when a human is home and sleeps in the bedroom with the rest of the pack at night. Only when the alarm goes off does he jump on the bed for a little snuggle time!

While minor health issues have kept him in foster care a little longer than expected, Walker remains a steady, loving boy. Santa will surely have something special for him, no matter where Walker’s stocking hangs for the holidays!!

Update 10/27/11:

Poor Walker felt pretty crumby for most of 3 weeks. With pneumonia and a nasty nasal infection, even his vet felt he was unusually stoic for a Springer. Finally, Week 4 and an additional med brought a decided turnabout for him. His lungs cleared, his nose dried up and his eyes began to sparkle as they should. The only health issue remaining is removal of an extra incisor on his top row of teeth. While not a problem now, there is minor inflammation and his vet recommended correcting this with an extraction. 

As soon as Walker began to feel better, his interest in all things “doggie” sparked. He has become eager for walks when his foster family comes home from work and increasingly uses his nose to check the fall air and leaf-covered ground. He was spotted checking kitchen counters too! He checks out the toy basket regularly now, plays a little tug with the resident ESS, and fetches a tennis ball when playing with his foster mom……….all great to see happening!

Walker is proving to be a confident boy who is comfortable and laid-back when out in public. He’s taken in a very busy NPS visitor center, strolled the streets of his quiet little town, checked out the local dog park, and shopped every aisle in a dog-friendly pet store. With all people and all dogs, he’s showing very nice manners. He does not demand attention, but gets quite a bit by calmly stepping up to the people he’d most like to meet. He does the same with dogs. Squirrels and the hamsters at the pet store are the only creatures to overly excite Walker, but he does go over the top with them………must be the Springer coming out in him!!

With better health his family is working on some training with Walker. Loose leash walking is at the top of the list with a Gentle Leader head harness being a useful aid for now. He has learned to “wait” at doors and for his food bowl to be put down. Though not trusted off leash yet, his recall is becoming consistent when at the dog park or out on his 50′ line. He’s learning “give it” and “take it” with toys and is skilled at taking his meds in a dollop of wet food from a spoon.

Walker’s energy and endurance will likely continue to increase as he distances from his illness, but he remains very quiet in the house and does well with moderate daily exercise. When his family is away, he is gated in the kitchen with the resident ESS and at night he sleeps in a basket alongside his family’s bed. He’s very easy to live with and is increasingly affectionate……no kisses yet, but maybe soon! More to come on this gentle giant…..

Original:

Walker found himself “on hold” in a central West Virginia shelter. He had arrived as a stray and, surely, the shelter staff thought, someone would be looking for this sweet boy. Sadly, no one showed up to reclaim him but he did catch the attention of a MAESSR volunteer who was in and out of the shelter on behalf of another Springer who was coming to MAESSR. The volunteer recognized Walker’s deterioration and became his advocate, working with the shelter staff and 2 different veterinary groups to treat his pneumonia. Though potentially fatal, Walker’s case was caught in time and he’s making headway in a foster home. His temperature is down and his appetite is slowly returning. His coughing and sneezing are productive. Indeed, this boy should own stock in the Kleenex company….:)). With treatment, his eyes are clearing too.

At 60 pounds and 20 inches Walker is not at all overweight. He’s simply a nicely-built big boy. The longer hair in his coat is quite sun-bleached and is slowly being trimmed away. Underneath is shiny, dark wavy fur! He’s accepted several baths and snoozes through home grooming or sits for brief sessions on a grooming table while ears, feet and his feathers are tidied up. He’s comfortable with all touch and is becoming more handsome every day.

Walker must have been someone’s housemate in his earlier life. With his illness he does sleep a lot, but when awake, he’s completely at ease in a home. He’s crate-trained and rode home quietly in a car. He’s house-trained and quickly learned which door to go out for potty stops. His few accidents have been related to the meds he’s on. He is living with another male ESS and is quite accepting of him. Walker has even shared a large doggie basket with him! He will “sit” beside the resident dog for treats and offers to “down” if his treat is not handed out quickly enough. His gentle temperament extends to all adults he has met. 

Mild exercise is part of his therapy, so Walker has been out for short daily walks on leash. So far, he’s been easy to stroll with but as he recovers, his leash manners may need some tuning. For now, Walker is headed in the right direction. Please keep fingers crossed that nothing slows his progress…….