Keeper

Updated 9/15/11

With his last web update way back in June, I thought Keeper deserved a little more attention! Actually, there is not much to report as nothing much has changed. He has been in respite twice, with two different providers, and both reported they thought he was just an easy-breezy, great-to-have-around, go-with-the-flow guy.

Both respite volunteers commented on Keeper's great leash-walking skills.  His natural gait is a steady jog, but he accelerates and decelerates right along with his “walker.” On our nightly walk, about half the time we pass a stoic white cat who stares him down. This cat drives him nuts—Keeper thinks cats are only good for chasing and this one won't budge. Whether the cat is there or not he fixates on the house. I swear he looks forward to seeing that cat all day.

Keeper’s ears still require continual maintenance and he needs weekly baths to keep his itching under control. It's a snap, because he steps right into the shower, holds still while getting lathered up, and even enjoys the follow-up fluffing with the blow dryer.

That's all for now, along with two new photos.

Update 6/8/11:

Keeper the Comeback Kid

Keeper was dropped off at the San Antonio shelter after a Good Samaritan found him wandering, wearing an invisible fence collar that had become one with his fur and had to be cut off.  His seriously infected ears were permanently thickened with scar tissue. On intake, it looked like Keeper might not make it. His case of heartworms was massive and obviously long-term, his kidney and liver values were in the cellar, and he could barely lift his head. “He needs a quiet place where he can just be kept comfortable,”  said the vet.

Within two weeks he was kicking up his heels and eating like a champ.  Looking sturdy, 15 pounds heavier, with miraculously improved blood levels, he was deemed able to withstand heartworm treatment. Well, that was optimistic... after his first treatment he hit the depths again,  and it was decided not to follow up on his treatment. Just keep him quiet and comfortable.

Fast forward a YEAR, and Keeper is full of zip and vigor, testing heartworm negative (!). His bloodwork all looks excellent—and he looks very ADOPTABLE.

Great on a leash, Keeper loves to walk, run, and jump in the air to catch things. He is full of it!  His ear problems are chronic and his diet has to be watched closely or he gets the itchies, but darned if he hasn’t become a great house dog. He loves his Golden foster brother, but he’s mostly people-focused and a bit of an attention hog. He is a pain around cats; they might as well be squirrels, he thinks, made to be chased.

Long story short ... while Keeper  isn’t perfect, who is? It’s those little imperfections that give us character & personality—and he’s a great guy!

Update 4/6/10:

Keeper wants everyone to see his lovely new photos! Other than that, there’s really nothing new to report about him; he will undergo his second HW treatment next week and continues to be a fun, loving goofball of a foster dog.

Update: 03/19/10

The March report: Major improvements in Keeper's health and habits. He has adapted so well to indoor living and is happy, happy, happy! He is trustworthy in the house, either baby-gated or free to roam. He gets along well with other dogs and walks very well on his leash, though he sometimes tries to surge ahead to check things out. His house manners are much improved—not as much mooching, though he’ll still do a little counter “shopping” if you are not looking. He ALWAYS has a toy or ball in his mouth! Just likes to carry them around; lets you take them out with no problem.

Keeper  sleeps soundly at night – even if there’s a storm. He loves to be groomed and is easy to bathe.

Keeper  went to vet March 10 to get his lungs checked out, and he was pronounced healthy enough to have his first heartworm treatment—which he did, and he’s doing great! His ears will always require attention, though they are better than they were. We’re treating occasionally with Mometamax (an antifungal/antibiotic/steroid combination) and doing regular cleaning. The scar tissue in one ear is 1 inch thick and I'm not exaggerating. Keeper’s new owners will need to realize that ear care is going to be a lifetime commitment for this guy.

Keeper is  outgoing and energetic in bursts, but can hang out with the best of them. He’s very people-oriented. He just needs someone who appreciates an older guy with big, beautiful expressive eyes!   

Update: 02/15/2010

A quick update on Keeper’s ears. Like many a neglected Golden, he has apparently been living with ear infections for years… poor guy. His foster mom says he’s got the thickest ears she’s ever seen! He’s on a course of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and ear drops to try to get the problem under control. Other than that…he had some chest films done last week (we’re trying to figure out when he’ll be ready for HW treatment), and “the radiologist said his lungs have improved, and I swear he's just not that bothered and not coughing much at all any more.  I've been walking him and he has more energy than Clyde!”

Update 02/14/09

Keeper is acting like a new dog! He’s finished his antibiotics and is acting real peppy and is always disappointed when I make him come right back inside rather than taking him for walks. He’s very outgoing; and if this is how he acts when ill (heartworms, erlichiosis) he must be pretty high energy by nature. He's very people  focused and doesn’t interact much with our dog Clyde at all.

Keeper’s house manners are still a work in progress. He is quite the counter surfer and blatantly swiped a ham sandwich right from under my nose. (! ) He paws you for attention but is getting better about this already. He knows “shake” but doesn't seem to know SIT, DOWN, STAY, or COME. He is fine during storms, and he sleeps through the night—but howls if he hears that someone is up.  That’s one funny thing about him – instead of barking, he wails like a coyote!

Keeper loves to tote things in his mouth; constantly has a ball or something. He’ll give it up easily though. He loves to be groomed. He did try to avoid his bath, but  was good once he realized resistance was futile.

All in all, he’s doing really well in a short period of time; he is learning and obeying the rules of the house pretty quickly. More updates on this nice guy coming soon

With his wavy dark red coat, open smile, and busy, friendly personality, this 8-year-old is definitely a keeper—hence the name. “He is adorable!  He was behind the counter at the pound, standing up like a person waiting to help.  The staff loves him.  He still has plenty of energy & does a cute little bouncy dance. Good in the car, very responsive, just a fun guy.” Unfortunately, Keeper has heartworms… and at the vet for his check-up, he suddenly became feverish, then started to have trouble breathing.  X-rays showed serious lung congestion, and blood tests revealed the problem: ehrlichia, a tick-borne disease. With anti-inflammatories and antibiotics, though, he’s feeling better, and he’ll be continuing his meds for a while. His badly swollen and infected ears also need help. Right now he’s enjoying  rest and recuperation at a nice quiet foster home, and we hope to report soon that this wonderful  Golden is back in the pink!

Adoption Procedures