Winston 15

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Updated 3/27/07: Winston is doing great! He went in for his one-month check-up since starting thyroid medication and got an extra treat for excellent results. The dosage is correct, so he can now go 3 months before being checked again. After that, it will be twice a year for this guy. Winston’s skin is doing so much better. The little bald spot on his tail is gone and his skin is no longer flaky or scaly.

The downside is that Winston is starting to show that springer-orneriness! Garbage can diving is on the increase, but only for food wrappers. He is playing so much more with the resident 2-year-old English cocker spaniel and his foster home has muddy floors to prove it. He crates beautifully when left for the day. His foster family is leaving him out for short trips, up to two hours, without incident as long as the garbage can is out of reach. At night, Winston spends most of the time in his crate with the door open, but towards morning, he moves to a dog bed near the bed. He seems to like the security of a crate during the night. Winston continues to be very vocal, using loud barks to communicate. No springer woo-hoos from this boy, just barks. Winston is ready to go! He’ll delight in becoming part of an active household that will talk to him as much as he enjoys talking to those around him!!

Updated 3/12/07: After a couple of weeks on thyroid medication, Winston is a new dog. His spring is back and he is moving so much better. His twice-weekly baths have addressed his skin issues, and his coat is much softer and shinier. Winston has trimmed down a few pounds and, while you can’t feel his ribs yet, you can see the start of a waist. His foster family has kept him on the Natural Balance allergy diet that his original owner started. They aren’t certain he has food allergies though and think a “regular” diet might be successful once his thyroid is lined out.

Winston is one vocal boy. He makes it very clear when he wants to go out, when he wants a treat, when he wants attention, etc. He is very demanding. He loves to play fetch now and is playing with the resident 2-year-old English cocker spaniel. He continues to do well with the 8 year old son in the home. Winston has allowed his foster family to do everything to him, although he looks very apprehensive when they do some parts of his grooming, such as trimming nails, cleaning ears, bathing, etc. Winston isn’t keen on the vet’s attention either. He isn’t aggressive about it, but he does not like the vet to handle him and will try to escape. He will occasionally garbage can dive for the delectable food wrapper or tissue, but other than these minor indiscretions, his house manners are excellent. Winston also does very nicely on the leash which is important for a big boy. Whether strolling around the neighborhood on evening walks with his people, or playing ball in the back yard, Winston will thrive with a family who keeps him active and loves his overall good nature.

Original: The combination of an active two-year-old toddler in the house and a springer with health issues proved too much for Winston’s original family to handle, so Winston came to MAESSR. His surrendering family reported that Winston was great with their two-year-old and he has been doing well with the active eight-year-old boy in his foster home. This friendly springer was very playful with the beagle in his original home and he is doing well with the resident dogs in his foster home.

This gentle giant is a beautiful boy who is a bit on the plump side. In part, Winston is simply a big boy and will remain so even after he loses some extra weight, but treating his hypothyroidism will likely help with weight loss for him. Potential adopters should not worry about his hypothyroid condition since it can be managed with a daily, inexpensive pill. Winston is crate trained and housebroken. He has good house manners with just a minimal amount of counter surfing and garbage diving when he sees opportunity.

Winston knows the basic commands “paw,” “sit,” “down.” He is also good on the leash. His foster family travels with their springers in the back of their car behind a safety barrier. This is new for Winston who had been used to riding shotgun in the front seat. So, he is getting used to riding in the back; currently, he paws and chews at the bars, occasionally barking his disapproval. Just as safety issues prevent springers from always having their way, so do those issues dealing with beauty. A handsome boy, Winston came to his foster family very nicely groomed. All his foster mom needed to do was trim his nails but she found while doing the deed that it made Winston very nervous.

Winston is very vocal and can be demanding at times for attention, even stomping his feet when he wants something. With a bark, he lets his foster family know when he wants to go out or he alerts them if he sees strangers when he’s outside in the yard. Winston has picked up tennis balls, bones, and other toys, but he hasn’t played much with them yet. His original family reported that he loves to play fetch. His foster family will give it a try once their backyard thaws. Winston is not a digger or a chewer and he accepts the fact that fences are for keeping springers inside their yards rather than being obstacles for jumping over.

Gentleman Winston would love to play with you, your dogs, and your children. He will be your faithful guardian and companion, giving you years of love and devotion. How about bringing Winston into your life?