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Entered: 06/09/2020
Status: Adopted
Age: 7
Color: Red/White
Weight: 85 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Dumfries, VA
Health: UTD, HW+, Lyme+, receiving treatment for low thyroid levels, treatment for heart worms continuing, treatment for Lyme disease and worms complete
Temperament: Good with adults, good with children 15 and older (activity of younger children can make him nervous), good with other dogs, cats unknown (probably too large to chase!)
Update 01/13/2021: “Willie was started on a thyroid supplement and the difference in him over the last few weeks has been fantastic.”
Willie was adopted by a MAESSR family. Unfortunately, he was returned due to his grouchy behavior. When he returned to his foster home, the decision was made to test his thyroid levels. It was determined that these levels were low which contributed to his grouchy behavior and his weight. Willie was started on a thyroid supplement and the difference in him over the last few weeks has been fantastic. He is much more active, and his eyes are brighter. In three weeks, Willie lost five pounds! His grouchiness has almost totally disappeared.
Willie’s foster mom feels that his perfect forever home would not have a resident male dog. He does not attack them but grumbles at them. This can get nerve-wracking, so it is best if he is not put in that situation. Additionally, he would do best with family members 15 and older. Sometimes the activity levels of younger children make him nervous.
Willie does get carsick sometimes and his forever family will need to be aware of this.
Willie is a very sweet Velcro boy that is looking for a family of his own.
Original: “He is just a laid back dude who rides well in the car and lets his family hug and kiss him.”
Willie came from Virginia where he had been living as an outside dog in an at home kennel with an older female Springer. Because of a divorce, he and several other Springers were given to MAESSR.
Due to his heart worm positive status, Willie is benefiting from the “Slow Kill” method of treatment. The “slow-kill” method means that he will receive monthly Heartgard tabs over the course of a year. (Doxyclycline therapy is sometimes done as part of the treatment as well.) At the end of the year, Willie will be re-tested for heartworms. MAESSR will supply the medication to his adoptive family and will pay for the follow-up vet visit and heartworm test. Although most dogs are heartworm-free after one year, MAESSR will pay for another year of treatment for Willie if necessary.
Willie, who now sports a shaved haircut due to matting, fleas and ticks, lives with his foster mom and another older female. He has put himself on a diet and is losing weight due to his many short walks and exercise. His muscle tone has improved, and he now can lift his leg to mark areas. By the size of his feet, he will always be a big boy but not an overweight guy. The kids and dogs in the neighborhood love him. They run up and hug him. The neighbor dogs’ names are Hank and Waylon, so Willie fits in with this group of boys—wonder if they howl in harmony!!
This middle aged gent makes himself cool by lying with his hind legs stretched out back. He will chase a ball a few feet and bring it back but not for long. His day is spent sleeping and having a walk. Willie can climb stairs but has not come up to the main bedroom to sleep. He sleeps in the family room on his doggie bed. He has the run of the house and is housetrained. He is a perfect boy with no bad habits although he might help himself to food if it were to be left unattended. He is fine when left in his house—isn’t even aware when mom leaves. When he was on an overnight visit, however, he did become agitated when his folks left him for dinner, pushed a window screen out and jumped out the window. He did not leave the property and stayed happily with neighbors until his family returned.
Willie knows his name and stays around the house off lead when watched. He does not pull on the leash and likes to slow walk, sniff and pee. When he meets new people or dogs he may become nervous and will signal with a low grumble. Sometimes he will even give a soft howl if bothered but does not bark. He loves to give his paw, and this can hit the recipient like a 5 pound weight!
With all his meds and his trying to lose weight, Willie is just not very energetic. Maybe in a few weeks he will decide it is time for play. This was his first week in foster care and so much was new for him. But, this well-mannered gentle giant seems as if he would fit in anywhere. Summertime, and the living will be easy for Willie and his new family!