Entered: 04/17/2015
Status: Adopted
Age: 6
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 45 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Dumfries, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, overall good health
Temperament: Good with people of all ages, good with other dogs, playful with dog-savvy cats
Update 02/20/2016:“Often he stands in front or behind someone, so closely that you have to be careful not to trip over him or step on paws.“
Zeus is a beautiful, sweet boy who has had a lot of changes in the last year. Now through no fault of his own, he is in foster care again; shortly after Zeus’s adoption nine months ago, his owner’s allergies increased which ultimately led to the difficult decision to return him to MAESSR.
Fortunately, Zeus adapts well. There were only a few accidents on arriving at his foster home, as he adjusted to the family’s schedule. He continues to do well with people, including children, and dogs. He is a Velcro boy and follows his people everywhere. Often he stands in front or behind someone, so closely that you have to be careful not to trip over him or step on paws. He is easy to bath and groom and is a gentleman when visiting the vet.
In his previous home, he spent a lot of time outdoors during the day and sleeping on the enclosed porch. At his foster home, he is inside more due to the cold weather and sleeps in the bedroom on a doggie bed. When he is out in the snow, though, he’s a head-turner with his acrobatics; he can jump in the air and almost do a 360 in the air! His family’s never seen such maneuvers. Calmer indoors, he does not get on furniture but is a master counter-surfer. Nothing can be left on the edge of a counter or it will end up on the floor. He enjoys his own food and treats too.
Zeus is good off lead and comes when you call. His foster home does not have a fenced yard, so Zeus is either walked or allowed to wander, under a watchful eye, around the yard off lead. When on leash, he walks nicely. He is taken to a family farm to run and play in the field and the creek. He does well with car rides but is one who travels best when not fed close to departure time. His one quirk…if you leave him where he can’t see you, but he knows you are in the vicinity, he will bark until you return. He likes to keep his people close!
Zeus prefers not to be left alone. He does well with another dog in the house. He has not played with toys nor enjoyed chewing raw hide bones. An exceedingly handsome boy, Zeus has the perfect stance for a show dog. He is sweet and needs a home where he can be with his own family furever. Except for some understandable anxiety and counter-surfing, he is a perfect boy. Welcome him home and you’ll quickly have a “shadow!”
Update 04/22/2015: “They range in age from 18 months to 10 years; he is careful not to knock over the little ones, but does get anxious when the big ones take off on their bikes.“
With a little more time in foster care, Zeus has passed the “honeymoon” stage and his true personality is emerging. Especially when little is known about a dog’s past, it’s like a little mystery is unfolding daily before the eyes of a foster family….can be fun!
With Zeus there comes a better understanding of his interaction with cats. His foster family has a very dog-savvy cat that has no fear of dogs and likes to play “chase.” Seizing opportunity in a spirit of playfulness, Zeus can give the cat a good run around the back yard. This isn’t an aggressive thing, even when the cat jumps down from a perch and chases Zeus back into the house. The two are just fine indoors…absolutely amazing!
Zeus has opportunity to play off leash with a neighbor’s dog too and does well. He is obedient when off leash and responds to a whistle, immediately returning to his foster mom’s side, regardless of distractions.
Some basic obedience work has started for this handsome gent. Zeus has learned to “sit” and wait patiently for his treats; there’s no more guarding. He understands “no” and is learning manners but may have had to defend himself in the past. One evening Zeus was sound asleep when the 13 year-old resident yellow lab startled him awake; responding to the surprise, Zeus jumped up and bit him. Zeus only got a mouth full of fur, but it was as if he forgot where he was. He quickly apologized to the lab by licking his face…good boy!
Zeus’s family includes two teenagers and there are lots of kids on all sides of his home that play in his family’s yard. He shows no aggression but does display a herding instinct and, from the first day, he’s been fascinated with the neighbor’s kids. They range in age from 18 months to 10 years; he is careful not to knock over the little ones, but does get anxious when the big ones take off on their bikes. It seems he wants all his people to stay close. He continues his quick attachment to his foster mom and shows distress when she leaves the house, even if others are home with him. Now that he’s more settled and healthy, work will begin to modify this behavior.
With a mild case of kennel cough behind him and worming almost done, Zeus is becoming ever more energetic. Check back for progress. With a solid start, the best is yet to come…
Original: “Zeus would love to join a family with kids, dogs and maybe even a cat!”
Zeus came to MAESSR from a shelter in Virginia. Little is known of his past, but the shelter folks felt, given the condition of his thick matted fur, he had spent much of his time outdoors. He is now a happy, affectionate Velcro-like Springer in a warm, safe foster home.
Handsome is good with other dogs although he does seem to have some guarding issues with treats (after all he is king of the gods!). He is curious about the cat but shows no aggression toward him. Zeus does not respond to any of the usual commands and does not have experience on the leash. So far, he has shown no interest in toys or ball chasing.
The new guy in town is housetrained and whimpers at the door when he needs to go out. The king is well behaved but will counter-surf if food is left within reach; he does not jump on furniture or people; he is not crate trained, but has no problem being given free range of his foster house. Although he is friendly with others in his new home, he has attached himself to his foster mom and is content to sleep by her feet.
Zeus was very well behaved with the vet and showed no anxiety despite getting his shots. He tolerated his initial grooming well–fortunately, as regular groomings will need to be part of his life. He does not mind getting his ears cleaned and nails trimmed. This fellow loves to ride in the car and will tolerate a crate for trips although he prefers riding next to the driver with a harness and an open window.
MAESSR’s new boy loves to be near people, but will need some patience and training to learn to be an indoor dog. Obedience training will be a wonderful way for his forever family to bond with him also! Zeus would love to join a family with kids, dogs and maybe even a cat! What a great outdoor summer playmate he’ll be for some lucky folks!!