SAMMY AB#18-018 – M, 11 Years

SAMMY AB#18-018 – M, 11 Years

Foster dog name:  Sammy  

Gender:  Male

Age:  11 approximately

Size/Weight:  Medium, 28 pounds   

Color: Mostly white with caramel highlights

Breed: “Pocket sized” English Setter

Socialization/training:  Loves other dogs. Initiates play. Loves to chase! Takes treats “nicely.” Seems to know the command “sit.” More than willing to “Come” to you!  Loves to chase birdies flying overhead. Loves to watch my cat that I keep in a high rise cage…mesmerized!!

 Good with Children:  10+ years old. He would probably knock a toddler down just with his excitement and somewhat poor vision.

Good with Dogs:  Yes.

Good with Cats:  No.

House trained:  Yes with a doggie door.  But Sammy does have dribble accidents during deep sleep.  I put a doggie diaper on him at night…if I remember to pick up the water supply around 6:00, the diaper is ‘usually’ dry in the morning.  

Crate trained:  Yes and goes in on command.  He is quiet in his kennel for the most part.  Sammy happily sleeps in his kennel at night, but “prefers” to be out of the kennel when owner(s) are home.

Leash trained:  He pulls but not uncontrollably. Because of my job and the number of dogs I have, for exercise I rely on playing outside in the backyard with the other dogs.  When we go to the vet he is a curious puller and wants to go say “HI” to the other dogs…”Mr. Social.” When it is his day for a walk he thoroughly enjoys his time.      

Activity Level:  This elderly dog is more like a puppy than a senior. He loves to play/roughhouse with the younger dogs. Always go-go-going when outside = “So much to see, so much to smell.”  Once inside he will continue playing if anyone is willing. If not, he will grab a bone and lie down for a peace filled chewing experience.  Sammy would benefit greatly from two walks a day and a big picture window to look out from when at home!

Fence:   Sammy likes to play outside with the other dogs (whether they want to play or not). A 4 foot chain link fence would be more than appropriate for him.  I think he would enjoy being able to watch what is happening on the other side of the fence. (Currently he is living behind a privacy fence.)  

Behavior:  He is a lover. Prefers to be near you if not on top of you!  He has roll-over “buttons” on both sides of his neck. If you start scratching his neck he leans right into your hand and eventually does a half roll onto the floor, belly up!!  He is a great sleeping buddy…not a bed hog, but wants to be leaning/touching some part of your body. As I sit at the computer writing this biography Sammy is on my right side sitting and watching me…happy if I simply reach down and rub his head every once in a while!

Medical History: Healthy body/muscle mass; Good range of motion in hips; “innocent” heart murmur present; No heart arrhythmias; Normal for his age he has lenticular sclerosis in both eyes – hard seeing things close up; left eye seems to have better vision than right eye – thus I walk him on my right side; hard to notice right lower eye lid mass that does not seem to be growing; currently he has a sore back paw (a cut in the pad) and has been favoring his right back leg…but the cut is healing. 

Foster Mom Comments:   You probably do NOT want this dog…so I guess I will just have to keep fostering him…your loss, MY GAIN!!  : )  LOL!  Sammy is fun and quirky.  He makes me feel very much loved by his attentiveness, and he makes me laugh daily by his antics.  I think he would love to be in a house with another dog – playful or not.  But I also think he would be fine as an only dog – with an owner who appreciates his attentiveness and reciprocates.  I think you would have a couple of healthy years left with this kooky little guy!!  I know adopting a senior is a risk, but Sammy is worth that risk!  I am grateful for every day that he has been with me!  I have loved having Sammy in my life.  So will you!!  

Foster Location:  Southeastern Minnesota.

Adoption Fee: $200.00

Volunteer transport can be arranged in the Continental US within a 1,000 mile distance between adopters & foster home. Typically, we are able to transport your adopted dog to within 2 hours of your home. *Dogs can be adopted outside the 1000 mile transport distance; however, adopters must be willing to either fly their adopted dog, drive to a location within the 1000 mile transport range, or make independent transport arrangements for their adopted dog

SAMMY AB#18-018 – M, 11 Years