Entered: 11/11/2018
Status: Adopted
Age: 7; born 09/14/2011
Color: White/Tan (Parti) Cocker Spaniel
Weight: 38 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, blind due to glaucoma and receiving daily eye drops for this condition, benefiting from twice weekly eardrops
Temperament: Good with people as young as 4, good with other dogs and cats
Update 01/10/2019: “He has become very attached to his ‘mom’ and sleeps under her when she works from home and in her closet when she’s away.”
The cuddly, beautiful Walter (aka Bailey) is doing very well. He seems quite content and has become familiar with the layout of his foster family’s house and yard. He does not beg to go out, so his family stays mindful of that. He has become very attached to his “mom” and sleeps under her when she works from home and in her closet when she’s away.
This honorary Springer has been to the vet twice specifically for his eyes and does have an appointment with a specialist in January for a thorough check, diagnosis and plan of action. The ear drops he receives seem to be restoring a slight bit of his hearing as he appears to pick up on certain frequencies from time to time.
Walter loves his walks and any attention he receives. His foster family really enjoys having him and loves him very much. Keep this love bug in mind as he goes through more evaluations.
Original: “As well as making his way into the MAESSR family, Walter has made his way into the hearts of everyone who meets him!”
When Walter’s North Carolina owner died in a motor vehicle accident, relatives took this sweet Cocker in. Then, because of their own health issues, his current owners could no longer care for Walter. MAESSR heard about his plight and now Walter is an honorary Springer and MAESSR boy.
As well as making his way into the MAESSR family, Walter has made his way into the hearts of everyone who meets him! His foster family is smitten by him. Walter’s a very laid back boy, whose personality definitely fits his name. He gets along with other animals – cats and dogs both – as well as children. He actually seems to barely notice the resident animals in the house, and they quickly learned that he is harmless and have completely accepted him. At least the cat and dog have; the guinea pigs don’t get to meet him!
Blind due to glaucoma, Walter needs daily drops in his eyes and he’s great about receiving them – even
the ones that make his eyes itch a bit. With his stereotypical Cocker Spaniel ears, regular cleaning with ear wash is a must to keep the nasty infections away. For the most part, Walter is not crazy about having his ears cleaned but doesn’t do anything significant to make his foster mom stop. His foster mom will know soon how he is with having his nails clipped since he’s clicking on the wooden floors in his foster home! Although he has not been groomed yet, Walter is very tolerant of being petted and stroked.
Walter is housetrained and will crate up when directed, which generally is only when his foster family is not at home. The one time he was not crated, Walter’s family found him hanging out in the kitchen after he’d pushed his way through a few minor barriers. He’s restricted to a smaller portion of the house currently in order to keep him safe, but he has learned that area pretty well and will soon be allowed greater freedom in the house. Walter is taken out on a leash to potty and has learned how to navigate the stairs quite well provided he’s kept on a short leash. He walks well on the leash, ambling along at a cautious pace. The foster family has not heard him whine or bark at this time.
With good house manners, Walter does not get up on furniture. At night Walter sleeps in the living room since it is small and is able to be blocked off so Walter doesn’t wander the house. The dog bed that came with him is in the extra crate and Walter will sometimes go in there to sleep.
At mealtime, Walter is fed next to his crate since the resident dog would steal Walter’s food if given the opportunity. The bowl is placed next to his crate for consistency: he knows it’s there and it keeps him from walking over it blindly. His foster mom has not observed him doing any resource guarding with his food.
Walter rides like a dream in the car, settling down quickly and sleeping pretty much the whole time. In fact, when his transporter’s car broke down during the ride to his intended foster home, Walter rode in the tow truck home with his transporter (which is how she ended up as his foster mom) and slept the entire 90 minute drive home! Needless to say, the tow truck driver and his helper, who’d been a bit hesitant about allowing him in the cab, were super impressed with Walter’s good behavior.
Walter will do well in a home where the owner has time to give this sweet boy lots of love and will get the simple medical care – eyes and ears – that he’ll need for the rest of his life. Are you ready to let Walter into your heart?