Hugh 2

<< Previous in Adopted Dogs 2015

Next in Adopted Dogs 2015 >>

Entered: 06/20/2015

Status: Rainbow Bridge

Age: 10

Color: Liver/White

Weight: 40 lbs.

Gender: Altered Male

Location: Mastic, NY

Health: UTD, HW-, weakness in all legs with muscle loss and symptoms of neurological impairment in rear

Health Cont.: legs, benefiting from medication and joint supplements for severe arthritis, benefiting from

Health Contd.: treatment for low thyroid levels, hearing loss, overall good blood work

Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with children, good with other dogs, indifferent to cats

Hugh 2's Story . . .

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Update 10/15/2015: “He passed in his bed with my arms around him feeling safe and loved. He was a grateful dog.“

When a family says “yes” to fostering a Springer, both their home and hearts open to a dog in need. As anticipated, most MAESSR dogs join adopting families, and, the foster family is generously rewarded with knowing another Springer has the love and life-long commitment it deserves. When working with those few dogs whose outcome is not adoption, a different yet equally tangible return is part of the fostering experience. This is reflected in the last update for Hugh, as received from his foster family...

“Hugh arrived about 4 months ago. Seeing him in his debilitated condition took my breath away. What was worse was that his spirit was gone, and before me stood the shell of a dog. I am sharing these details not to upset anyone but to share his story and what he went through. Once taken in by MAESSR he quickly realized that his life had taken a turn for the better. I can attest that MAESSR held nothing back.

Hugh 2, who I called Sheldon, was a funny dog with a personality that blossomed as soon as he found the kindness that MAESSR offered him.

He always had to be the first dog out the back door. He liked a bed with sides on it, so instead of squeezing into a cat bed, we searched for a bed big enough for him with sides......he refused to sleep anywhere else. If one of my other dogs was sleeping in "his" bed, he would bark and poke me until I got up to clear his bed for him. He didn’t care about toys and never begged except for when Italian food was in the house; then we were in trouble.

I wish all of you could have met this wonderful dog. He passed in his bed with my arms around him feeling safe and loved. He was a grateful dog. He loved unconditionally and knew he was loved. He touched all that had the benefit of getting to know him. He embraced whatever he was given and didn’t have a mean bone in his entire body.

A warm Thank You to the MAESSR Team...thank you for saving this dog.”

Update 08/03/2015: “…I have the good life and love all these people who are helping me.”

Hi all!! Hugh here…

…What’s that? You need to speak up because I am definitely hard of hearing; my foster mom says she doesn’t quite know what I know since I can’t hear her give me instructions.

I’m a super good senior. I’m well-mannered and laid back. Car rides are one of my favorite things. I also walk well on a leash; in fact, now that I’m getting stronger, I even pull a little bit…yay for me!! Inside, my choice would be to hop up on the super comfortable couch my folks have, but my legs are just not strong enough to get me there…yet. I do have a neurological problem with my legs and my mom is giving me some medication to help and working with her vet to research other treatments. In the meantime, I absolutely love the comfy dog beds that are around everywhere for me to enjoy.

I was in quite a bad way when I came to MAESSR, but I have been receiving the royal treatment since these kind people pulled me from a shelter, and I’m doing so much better. I get along with the other dogs in my home and ignore the kitty. I’m adjusting to this “dog” food they insist on feeding me…don’t really like it, but I feel so much better.

While I’m housetrained, I still have some problems knowing when and where I should “go” and how to tell my family that I need to do so. They say I’m a wonderful dog who continues to need some rehabilitation. No problem there…I have the good life and love all these people who are helping me. And, I keep woofing to myself, “I can, I can, I know I can!!” Watch for my progress in future updates…and maybe one day we’ll meet!

Original: “Although Hugh first came to his foster home severely debilitated, malnourished, and withdrawn, it didn’t take him long to realize that he was safe in his new environment and he could relax.”

When a badly neglected, senior Springer stray was brought to a Maryland shelter, their rescue coordinator contacted MAESSR for help. Staff members adored this poor boy and knew that they needed to get him into a foster home environment where he could get the personal attention and medical care that he needed. So, newly christened Hugh became a MAESSR boy.

Although Hugh first came to his foster home severely debilitated, malnourished, and withdrawn, it didn’t take him long to realize that he was safe in his new environment and he could relax. His foster mom finds him to be the sweetest senior ever! He loves his foster family and is very good with the resident dogs often attempting to engage them in play even though he is not strong enough to hold his own at this point and sometimes gets pushed over inadvertently. The resident cat doesn’t have any worries with Hugh since he just ignores her. Hugh is not physically able to keep the squirrels and rabbits in his yard chased away, either.

Housetrained, Hugh (nicknamed Sheldon by his foster mom) will walk to the back door when he needs to go out but has not yet learned to bark to alert his people of his needs. He is not crate trained and hates being contained in a crate; instead, he loves the freedom of being loose in the house and has proved himself to be trustworthy. Hugh would love to jump on the couch but at this point isn't strong enough to achieve this. Since there are many dog beds throughout his foster home, Hugh snuggles into one for the night—usually one closest to his foster mom. He is the perfect guest; he is not destructive and doesn't fight over toys with his new friends.

Upon being pulled from the shelter by another MAESSR volunteer, Hugh had a preliminary vet appointment and his severely matted coat was shaved down to a summer cut and he was bathed. The vet prescribed antihistamines to stop Hugh’s itchiness and meds and supplements to help ease his severe arthritis pain. It was evident to the vet that Hugh has some neurological damage to his back legs as well which will be investigated further by his current foster family’s vet very soon. His eyesight is still good, but his hearing is not. Hugh was and is a trooper regarding his medical treatments and grooming. His foster mom reports that he takes his meds well. Good boy, Hugh!

It appears that Hugh had been fed human food for most of his life but is slowly adjusting to eating dog food-- against his wishes! If the day dictates a car ride, Hugh is very cooperative and is a good passenger. He walks well on a leash, too. Because of his poor hearing, it is unknown what commands Hugh knows. What his foster family does know is that Hugh is an all-around sweet, laid-back boy.

Please watch for updates on Hugh as he regains his health in his foster home.