Entered: 03/07/2011
Status: Adopted
Age: 3
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, beginning meds to correct low thyroid levels, losing to a healthy weight
Temperament: Good with people as young as 12, good with other dogs, ignores cats
Update 07/07/11:
Churchill was returned to MAESSR for grumbling at a young child who was holding an ice cream cone. Upon his return, he was moved to a different foster home for further assessment.
At this time, Churchill’s grumbling appears to be just his way of “talking” and letting you know what he does not like. It has not escalated beyond that. For example, he grumbles a lot at his foster mom when she tries to get in bed. She ignores him and gets in anyway. Churchill immediately wants her to play with him and love on him.
Previously, Churchill’s thyroid levels were on the low side of normal, but a recent workup found them to be low. He has begun taking a supplement to correct this with the full benefit to come over upcoming weeks.
While his attitude and behavior seem to be improving, Churchill’s foster mom feels it is important for him to spend a little more time with her. This will give her the opportunity to further understand him and to work with him on his communication skills. More to come on this handsome boy!
Original:
Churchill came to MAESSR from a shelter on the New Jersey shore. He was relinquished after reportedly grumbling at the family’s 7 year old when he tried to move him off the couch. He was apparently fine with the 15 year old in the family.
So far this handsome guy has been a really easy foster. He gets along well with the resident dogs, and others he meets on walks and does his business quickly on leash after signaling that he needs to go out by standing near the back door. Churchill seems to have decent recall off leash and loves to go for walks. At night, he sleeps on a rug in the kitchen, or in the dog chair in the den. He openly hopes for a chance to nap on the comfy futon, but gets down when told off in the stern voice his foster mom uses for inappropriate behavior. He doesn’t like to be crated, but since he’s trustworthy in the house, generally just hanging out and not counter- or trash-surfing, he’s given free roam of the house. He doesn’t show any signs of separation anxiety. In the car, he’s happiest where he can see out, and will fuss a bit if tethered. This is most likely because most of his car trips have ending in arrival at the vet’s office.
Churchill knows sit, down, and give paw. His intelligence will be further accented by his good looks after he drops a few pounds. The vet tested for thyroid issues and found none, so it looks like it’s good old fashioned diet and exercise for this boy. Since he loves walks and is very good on leash (much better than the resident duo), it will be fairly easy for Churchill to get the exercise he needs. He has started to play a few times with the resident Springer but stopped when the resident terrier barked at them. He rarely barks himself, although if deer are in the backyard or the UPS guy is out front, he’ll let you know.
Ideally, Churchill should go to a forever home without children, where he’ll get the necessary exercise and diet to help him lose weight. He’s an easy companion who is quiet and learns well. He loves his humans and co-exists well with other dogs. If you’re searching for a walking buddy, ask about Churchill today.