York

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Updated 12/10/06: York is a work-in-progress and with lots of TLC from his foster family, he is heading in the right direction. His skin has improved a lot. The medicated baths are continuing as part of treatment for mange and with that, he is moving from “stinky” to stunning. His ear infection is a nasty one and still requires attention daily but York doesn’t seem to mind. He is well behaved when visiting his vet, even when there are cats around. He never pays them any attention. He is also a good rider and, on a recent trip home, his foster mom noticed him curled up beside the car seat that her 5-year-old grandson was riding in. Both York and the little boy were sound asleep!

With improving health, York is more active and interested in everything. He has a very sweet personality. He very seldom barks and is eating well. He has gotten his place in the pack of resident dogs figured out and gets along well with them, both inside and out. They sit side by side, take treats and sleep next to one another on the same dog bed. Just maybe York is trying to be an extra good boy so that when his stocking is hung on the fireplace for Santa, it will be filled with toys and treats!!!

Updated 11/25/06: With a little less than a month in his foster home, York is continuing to work on his skin condition. He is patient and showing improvement but will need some continuing attention before all of his hair fills in again.

In the meantime, he is proving to be a well-trained, sweet and calm springer. As first suspected, he has surely been someone’s house dog in his earlier life. His foster family can only fault York on one persistent misbehavior: he will try to grab food from the counter. His foster parents feel this could come from his having been a stray and living for a time when he needed to get food where ever it was available. They will continue to work with him on this but keeping food off of counters may be the most successful way for his adopting family to save the home baked goodies.

York is wonderful with little children and not at all shy around strangers. Neutering and getting all of his hair back are the only things keeping this boy from adopting his new family. When he’s ready, will you be?

Original: York must have been someone’s pet at one time. He’s well-mannered, quite comfy with indoor life and very adaptable. Since in his foster home, he has been good when visiting the groomer and sat right down on the scales at the vet’s office. It is also obvious that he had been left alone for a long time when a shelter worker coaxed him out from under a porch in eastern Pennsylvania. How long he had been there is unknown but the dirt and dampness likely contributed to a nasty yeast infection on his skin and ear infections. He is receiving treatment for both in his foster home.

York was clipped right down because he had such big mats and bald spots, but his family left a little piece on top of his head so they can pet him there and give him kisses. He takes his medication in cream cheese or liverwurst and doesn’t mind having his ears cleaned at all. Twice-weekly medicated baths are already diminishing crusty skin and allowing his hair to return.

Like many dogs who have been on their own for too long, York will grumble when the resident dogs in his foster home approach his food dish. To diminish his worry, his foster family is feeding him in his crate and away from the other dogs. It’s only at mealtime when York wants his own space. The rest of the time he will drink from the same bowl, sit for treats next to the resident dogs and go outside with them to hang out.

York is calm, quiet and seems to be happy with the new people around him. He actually has been awesome with a 5-year-old grandson who visits in his foster home. Several times the two have been out walking in the yard with York on a leash. Sometimes they run together too. York is very careful with the little boy. He also sits like a gentleman for his treat when the youngster offers one to him. Since Day One York has been reliable in the house. He’ll go to the door and stand when he wants to go out, if the other dogs haven’t thought of it first. When everyone is gone from home, York is loose in the house with his two buddies. He sleeps either on a quilt on the bedroom floor or on a dog bed. He and the resident Brittany seem to switch bed sites each night.

York rides well in a car and seldom barks; however, if left in the house alone while the other dogs go out with his foster mom, he will cry. He really wants to be around people. He’s only been in his foster home for a week, but he has fit right in like he’s been there for a long time. He’s friendly and smart. His foster mom jokingly can say that York is not much to look at now, but with a little time and TLC, he will not only be ready for his glamour shots but he will make someone a wonderful companion as well. Keep your eye on York.