Winslow

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Update 09/19/08:

Over the last few weeks, Winslow has been placed on a canine anti-anxiety drug to calm his separation anxiety. It is working well. His foster mom has been working with him using a Gentle Leader head collar and walking him is a much improved experience. Winslow would still be better off living in a more rural setting where he could get his exercise off lea, but he is getting better with his leash aggression every single day.

What is most evident about Winslow is his sweet personality. Every visitor to his foster home has absolutely fallen in love with his sweet and loving demeanor. His foster mom nervously awaited houseguests recently that included an 18-month-old little boy and another dog. Her anxieties were assuaged when Winslow and the visiting dog met, sniffed and walked away from one another. Mealtime was without incident and the dogs got along very well for the entire three days. Winslow was most interested in befriending the little boy. He allowed the boy to pet him and snuggle up to him. Winslow very much wanted to be near the little boy whenever possible. This makes sense because Winslow came from a family that had two young children. What is most impressive about Winslow is that when the house became fuller, louder and busier, Winslow did not exhibit any anxiety. In fact, he seemed to enjoy all of the chaos that tucking 4 extra people and a dog into a small house brings. Perhaps even more so than his foster mom!

Winslow’s foster mom went out of town recently for a few days. Because he has had so much change recently, she arranged for someone to stay at the house to care for him rather than send him to a kennel. Winslow’s caretaker found Winslow to be an easy companion. When Winslow’s foster mom returned, he looked somewhat surprised but nevertheless happy. Perhaps he thinks he owns the house now?

Remember when you were in school and you met the boy who always seemed to be doing something stupid to get your attention? Later you realized the boy was just nervous and, when he finally relaxed a bit, he turned out to be the nicest boy in school. Winslow is just like that boy. He has such a big heart and is so sweet; however, when he first meets you, he might bark too much or be a bit too clingy just because he is nervous. If you give Winslow a few weeks to settle in, you will find Winslow to be the sweetest Springer you have ever met. 

Don’t be fooled, though, by this sweet hunk of burning love. Winslow has a sense of humor, too. He loves to drag his toys around the house and will trot them out for all newcomers. Recently he has taken to trolling the kitchen counters. He managed to get an artisan bread that his mom bought for company and just looked around like he had no idea what happened to the entire loaf!

Over the summer Winslow was invited to swim in a neighbor’s pool. He seemed a bit perplexed at this very large water bowl until his foster mom pulled him in with her. The look of surprise on his face when he realized he could swim was priceless. On subsequent visits to the pool, Winslow enjoyed swimming back and forth and catching balls. Some days it was difficult to get him out of the pool.

Winslow would do well with a single person, a couple or a family. He gets along well with children. Winslow gets along well with docile dogs that are smaller than him and his foster mom thinks he would really enjoy the companionship of another dog or a very dog savvy cat. He does not do as well with big dogs. It would be great if Winslow could have a yard to play fetch and run around as he is happiest off leash. 

Do you have room in your heart and home for the “class nerd”? If so, Winslow will reveal his sweet sensitive side in short order and provide you with unconditional love.

Update 08/14/08:

When Winslow first came to MAESSR, he stayed in his current foster home for a few days, awaiting transport to another foster family. He was subsequently adopted and then rejected because he and the family cat could not reach a peace accord. He is now back in his very first foster home and is really struggling to accept all of the change he has been faced with this year.

Winslow thinks he is a human and here’s the kicker, his foster mom thinks he is afraid of dogs. If you have ever dated (or married) someone who works in law enforcement, you know what she is talking about when she says that, when out in public, their eyes dart around constantly looking for danger. Likewise, when she is out with Winslow, he is constantly looking for danger and anything that might be a threat. If he sees a new person across the street, he stops and stares. If he sees (or even hears) a dog, he begins to bark. And forget about approaching the dog because you are asking for trouble. His foster mom feels this leash aggression is fear-based.

He does get on with other dogs at home but is aggressive about his food (only with other dogs, not with humans.) And, contrary to his experience with the cats in his adoptive home, he gets on well with the neighborhood cats at his foster home. In fact, he lived with a cat in Alabama. Winslow may just need to find the right cat, which is to say, he may need to find a cat that is familiar with dogs.

At home, Winslow is a sweet lovable guy. He loves to play fetch in the yard. He carries a variety of toys around the house and snuggles with them. He loves to sit on the sofa if you will let him. Ideally he would like to sleep in your bed but will get off if you say off. He has these great soulful eyes and he makes you believe he understands exactly what you are saying.

He has developed a bit of separation anxiety and is now crated when his foster mom leaves the house. He was fine in his former foster home, so this is definitely a new behavior. His current foster mom believes this can be overcome with time or living with a companion pet, maybe even a really nice dog-friendly cat.

The best home for Winslow would be one located in a more rural area where he can get his exercise by playing in the yard rather than by walking on a leash. It would be great if there was a very dog-savy cat to keep him company and maybe even a person or family who works from home, part time or retired/semi-retired. Winslow would not thrive in an environment where he spent eight to ten hours alone every day.

Winslow’s original owner gave him to MAESSR to give him a better life. So far that has not been the case. Are you the person who can turn this around for Winslow? If so, please ask about meeting him so he can tell you what you need to do to make him a part of your family.

Update 07/02/08:

With time to begin feeling like he is really home in his foster home, Winnie has gotten a lot better with other dogs. He recently met two new house guests, a female cocker spaniel and a large male golden retriever. Winslow has gotten along well with both dogs, with very little grumbling. His foster mom is sure to keep an eye on him with the golden; however, they seem to keep to themselves except when food is around. Then the golden is separated from the other dogs just to be on the safe side! 

Winslow has also made great progress with kids. He’s slowly allowing children in his neighborhood to pet him and he did great on a recent meeting with his foster parents’ two nieces, ages 4 and 2. He let them rub his belly and even gave them kisses. He did such a good job. His foster mommy was sooo proud of him. 

The vet also finally figured out what’s going on with his skin. She believes that Winston has allergies, so he started a very inexpensive treatment – over the counter allergy tablets, baths with a medicated allergy shampoo and fish oil tablets everyday. What a great week Winnie’s had!

Update 06/11/08:

More news has arrived on Winslow and it’s all good. After living with one family for almost all of his life, he was asked to start over and resettle himself in MAESSR’s care. We know how truly adaptable Springers are and typically see them make their transitions over months. Winslow’s coming along great.

He continues to adjust well to his foster home. Winston gets daily walks in the morning and evening and sees Ms. Heather, his dog walker, twice a week. There are still have a few occasional spats with the resident pups but they’re quickly resolved now. Winslow recently met a cocker spaniel and did very well. He still has issues while walking on the leash and when seeing other dogs. To help him with this, his family is working with treats and having him “watch me” when they see other dogs. He’s slowly catching on………good boy!! 

Winslow’s a smart guy! He has revealed his counter-surfing and trash digging abilities. He nabbed half of a bagel one morning and was able to nudge the trashcan drawer open to feast upon rib bones (eeekk!) that he happily shared with his foster brother. Needless to say, tummies were a mess for a couple of days! To prevent repeat indulgences, his foster family is installing a kid latch. People 1, Dogs 0……:)))!!

With these for his “issues”, they’re not very big ones. As they’ve gotten to know him, Winslow’s family really doesn’t see them as issues but more like little quirks. Winslow is a sweet boy that is all about getting and giving some love. He’s got his priorities well lined out and takes good care of his people. When his foster mom comes home from work each evening, Winslow starts whining happily and brings her a toy. How much better can it be!? If you’d like to have that special treatment when you come in after a tiring day, please ask about meeting Winslow!

Update 05/13/08:

Winslow has settled into his foster home very well. He checked out well with the vet and has teeth that look great after a recent cleaning. He had some skin issues that have cleared up but routine follow-up may be necessary.

Since in his foster home, Winslow has gotten better at mixing with other dogs in general. He does well with smaller dogs and when he meets any other dogs off leash. 

With all people Winslow has met he has been the perfect gentleman. He’s affectionate but not overly so. He would love to sleep with his adopting family and consistently tries to slip in with his foster parents. He usually starts out on his dog bed but often when his foster mom wakes up in the morning, Winslow’s in the bed! He’s a true cuddler at other times and with other people too. One evening when friends were over watching movies on a Friday night, Winslow invited himself into the oversized armchair and curled right up beside one of the ladies…..even though he knows he’s not supposed to! Hey!!..it was Friday night!!

Winslow is a young at heart senior. He believes in sharing good times and soft surroundings with his people. He definitely does not act his age and, given his excellent health, will have years ahead of him to ponder “growing up.” If you have a light heart to match Winslow’s and extra popcorn on movie night, don’t miss inviting Winslow to join you!!!

Original:

After nine years of living with his original family and being very protective of his female owner, a new baby came into the picture. Winslow was not getting a lot of attention and his possessiveness did not bode well with a new baby in the house. So, Winslow was relinquished to MAESSR so he could have a new family without a baby in it.

Winslow is a very good boy but as an alpha he does try to assert his dominance. There have been a few grumbling incidents between the resident dogs and him, but these dogs are on the submissive side so they acquiesce to him. If his forever home currently has a dog, it would have to be submissive. He’s reportedly good with cats, having lived with one for eight years and they were buddies.

Winslow is a total sweetheart with people and his house manners are very good. He doesn’t counter surf, but he does get on the furniture and wants to sleep in bed with his foster parents! Winslow’s water bowl needs to be on an absorbent mat since he is a very messy drinker. A boy can’t help it with those big lips! He is very good on the leash and knows “sit” and “paw.” Winslow’s response to “come” depends what’s going on. If there’s another dog around, he’s totally oblivious to that command.

Winslow is totally housetrained and will go to the door to indicate he needs to go out. He and the resident dogs have full reign of the house when the foster family is out and they have been fine, just sleeping all day. Winslow LOVES the water. He’ll sit in the shower stall and jump into the bathtub just to snoop around. Winslow is also an awesome car rider and will try to get on your lap if you’d let him. He just needs to be reminded of who has the driver’s license.

Watch for more on Winslow after he visits the vet and settles into his foster home. This sweet gentleman is going to make a wonderful companion for some lucky family.