Topper

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Entered: 11/30/2014

Status: Adopted

Age: 10

Color: Black/White

Weight: 50 lbs.

Gender: Altered Male

Location: Goochland, VA

Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for a UTI complete, receiving supplements to alleviate arthritis,

Health Cont.: responding well to an inexpensive medication to regulate thyroid, large lipoma under right front

Health Contd.: leg, fractured tooth requiring no treatment at this time, treatment for skin and ear infections

Health Conts.: complete

Temperament: Good with people as young as 12, generally good with other dogs, unknown withdogs, unknown with cats

Temp. Cont.: cats

Topper's Story . . .

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Update 01/14/2015: “He is feeling great and has fit into his new environment like he always lived there.”

Topper moved to a new foster home and visited a new vet. This is what she had to say: “Topper did very well today. He is a sweet boy who did great for his exam. His skin has really improved and his ear infection has resolved. He appears to be responding well to the thyroid supplement. He does appear to have bilateral cruciate ligament injuries with significant arthritis but doesn’t appear significantly bothered by them. He also has a fractured RU PM4 tooth but it appears asymptomatic at this point. His urine showed bacteria and crystals.”

This sweet guy has done very well in his new foster home where he displays his fantastic house manners. He is feeling great and has fit into his new environment like he always lived there. There are many other dogs in his foster home and Topper has gotten along very well with all of them. At night he’s content to sleep on a dog bed at the foot of his foster parent’s bed.

Topper is a wonderful boy who is ready for his forever home to spend his golden years. He has much love to share with his forever family. Please consider the benefits and joys of adopting seasoned Springers like Topper!

Update 12/31/2014: “Now that he’s feeling better, Topper has become a playful, happy boy. His tail is always wagging!”

Topper’s medical issues look like they are largely behind him! His hair is growing back and he is a very happy boy. He will continue to be on a low dose of medication to control his thyroid and he’s currently being weaned off of the medication that controls itching and discomfort. However, if additional skin flare-ups occur, Topper could possibly resume the medication. His medicated baths have been reduced to every two weeks. His ears feel so much better, too. Twice weekly cleaning should keep ear infections at bay. A grain-free diet is helping Topper’s skin issues. It will be important for him to stay on limited ingredient food to keep him feeling well and looking good.

This boy is a huge love bug who wants his human’s attention and affection. While he has experience with both male and female dogs, he does attempt to dominate males by mounting them. His foster mom thinks that he might prefer to be an only dog in his forever home.

Now that he’s feeling better, Topper has become a playful, happy boy. His tail is always wagging! Squeaky toys and tennis balls are fun for him to play with. He loves running, too, and has been allowed off-leash because he is trustworthy about staying near and coming when called.

This wonderful guy is looking for a family to give him lots of head rubs and back scratches. Topper will be on top of the world when he joins his forever home!

Original: “Topper loves his walks and enjoys playing by holding his leash in his mouth as he saunters along.”

When his Maryland owners could not afford to care for him any longer, they relinquished Topper to a shelter and soon thereafter, he became a MAESSR boy.

Topper arrived in foster care in rough shape, suffering from loss of hair and scabbing on his hind quarters and rear legs. This condition is improving with daily medicated baths. The vet feels that this skin condition may be caused by chronic allergies. His bilateral ear infections are also improving with daily ear medication and with ear cleanings every other day. With his foster parents’ meticulous care, Topper is feeling much better. He has age related warts, lipomas, and some arthritis, but none of these things are slowing him down. Due to prior inactivity, Topper’s hindquarters had atrophied, but his foster parents are trying to build up his muscle mass with daily walks.

A funny, quirky, affectionate senior, Topper LOVES to have his hind quarters scratched and to be the recipient of his foster family’s affection. He enjoys playing with toys, chewing on bones, running and playing with the resident Springers, and relaxing on his bed. This Springer is very vocal about needing to be let out for a bathroom break and when it’s time to be fed. He enjoys howling along with his foster brother much to the chagrin of his foster family.

Topper is still learning his doggy manners and tends to jump up when he's feeling playful. He eats with his foster brothers and sister, but he does not take kindly if the other dogs get too close to his bowl. This object possessiveness is sometimes shown with toys as well. He is not a counter-surfer, but has shown a desire to get up on the couch and snuggle; however, his foster family does not allow dogs on the couch and he obeys the verbal command to "hop off" well.

Quite obedient, Topper comes when called and is very responsive to his name. He loves his walks and enjoys playing by holding his leash in his mouth as he saunters along. He is usually very excited at the beginning of his walks and tends to have very poor leash skills then as a result; however, by the end when some of his excess energy has been worn off, he is much better behaved on the leash. His foster family is working on his leash skills daily.

Watch for more on Topper as his health improves and as his personality further unfolds in his foster home.