Earl

Summary of foster notes:Earl has been in foster for 2 weeks and has free roam of the home. He can be left alone for up to 3 hours and is described as well behaved with very little barking. Earl is friendly with unfamiliar people, approaching gently without jumping, and mostly ignores children. His responses to dogs vary; he may approach, bark, or whimper when unable to greet, but has also remained calm when approached unexpectedly and gently approached two dogs when his leash was accidentally dropped. He notices pigeons and may become somewhat tense but does not lunge. Earl knows sit and down and may pull and zigzag on leash but is easily redirected. He enjoys walks, sleeping, and fetch and will bring a ball to initiate play.

S: Dog-dog evaluation with a male and female tester dog. Tester dogs selected due to their ability to politely greet and not escalate conflict.

O: At the gate, dog was calm and non-reactive. Tail wagging rapidly as he sniffed the testers through the fence. Inside the yard, dog immediately approached the testers. Ears up, tail wagging rapidly, head held high as he sniffed them both. Testers moved away, dog started investigating the yard. When a tester approached, dog began to wag his tail, ears up and mouth open. Bounced around briefly with the male tester, body language relaxed, then engaged in gentle play with the tester.B

A: Gentle (possibly Chase), Medium Energy, Medium Contact, Neutral Social Dynamic, no Corrections or Conflict observed, Playgroup Size 2-3.

P: Recommend placement with appropriately matched dogs, or placed as a solo dog with appropriate dog friends.

Background: Brought in stray by finder who reported that dog bx00seems very sweet and trusting,bx00 and was calm/relaxed in the car. Green dot on intake. Intake staff were able to leash, walk, kennel and perform intake process without issues. Green volunteers have noted that dog is gentle and easy to handle, possibly house trained (holds it in kennel), and is treat motivated. B

Diagnosis: Cataracts

The dog you are adopting has been diagnosed with complete cataracts in both eyes and is considered blind. A cataract is an opacity of the lens, the normally clear structure inside the eye that focuses light and allows vision. Because both lenses are completely opaque, this dog has little to no functional vision. Cataracts can develop for a variety of reasons, including genetics, diabetes, trauma, nutritional deficiencies, or other eye diseases. Based on our examination, the cataracts in this dog are suspected to be longstanding and most likely related to genetics or another underlying cause that cannot be determined within the resources of the shelter. Although this dog is blind, many blind dogs adapt remarkably well and are able to live happy, fulfilling lives. They rely heavily on their sense of smell, hearing, and memory to navigate their environment. Keeping furniture in consistent locations, avoiding sudden changes to the home layout, and using verbal cues can help them adjust to their new home. In some (rare) cases, cataracts can lead to complications such as inflammation within the eye or glaucoma, which can require veterinary treatment. At this time this dog does not have glaucoma and the eyes are comfortable. Cataract surgery is available through a veterinary ophthalmologist and may restore vision in select patients, but not every dog is a candidate. If the eyes remain comfortable and free of complications, surgery is not medically required. This dog should have a general health examination with a veterinarian after adoption. Your veterinarian can monitor the eyes for any future complications and make additional recommendations for testing or treatment if needed.

Earl is an 8-year-old, 73-pound mystery mix. Playful and easygoing, this guy is young at heart and loves exploring the world with his people.

Earl has limited vision, but that certainly hasn’t slowed him down. He’s a fetch fanatic who will happily chase a ball and bring it right back to your feet, or even drop it in your lap for another round! He also enjoys playing tug, exploring on walks, and plenty of cozy naps.

His fosters report Earl is potty trained and wonderfully well-behaved, even when left alone during the day. He’s a respectful companion who gives his people plenty of space while occasionally checking in for affection.

Around other dogs, Earl has been calm and friendly. He could thrive with an appropriately matched canine companion or as your one-and-only with dog friends for social time.

If you’re looking for a sweet, low-key companion with a playful side and a zest for life, Earl would love to meet you. Follow him in foster with @thefostershow on Instagram, and click here to learn how to adopt and submit your adoption questionnaire.

 

 

 

 

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