POE – A1063625

A volunteer writes:

Poe could be a model for a precious china figurine. He is so elegant and delicate looking, although oh so much too thin. He would blend with the snow if it was not  for his lovely chocolate cap, chestnut almond eyes and the lucky spot marking his forehead.  He  was so timid, even scared when he arrived at the care center, flanked by Duncan, his huge and well built housemate as their owners were evicted. Poe, a very young boy, tried his best to stay afloat , come out of his shell and has made immense progresses. He is so happy to be in company, loves food(he will search my goodies bag), can sit at one when requested, walks on his hinds when he is curious about something he is trying to locate, enjoys seeing other dogs although he is a little shy in playgroup with his peers. I like to hold his “hand’ and dance a little in a pen…A strange couple you would say… When he knows you well, he will come on your lap for caresses and kisses. Poe walks well on the leash, does his business on the way(no marking) and has absolutely no handling issues, like taking a toy away from his mouth or caressing him when he eats. As a matter of fact, gentle Poe aced his behavioral evaluation. In understanding and loving hands, if not those of his prior masters, Poe will make a wonderful forever best friend.

MEDICAL RE-EXAM :

01/27/16 : BARH mm pink friendly. mild dental tartar; CV/L wnl; GU MI; INT full clean coat, mild yellow discoloration of caudal fur; BCS 3/9–mildly thin reasonable muscling; LN wnl; ABD: wnl; A: underweight otherwise healthy; P: TID feeding, px good

01/27/16 : a lot of loose stool. A: Diarrhea; P:Metronidazole BID x 5d

2/04  : VC – CHECK FOR CIRDC SIGNS. S/O: Dog is QAR/depressed, wags tail but will not come to front of kennel; Huffing; Bilateral serous to mucoid nasal discharge; Food mostly eaten, a few dry kibbles left in tray.  A: CIRDC ; P: Move to ISO and start on doxycycline; recheck day 7 and 10

Behavior:

Poe came into our center along with another large dog on 1/26/2016. He was tense and nervous during his initial medical exam. Poe walked well on leash for his relief walk, no pulling. Upon entering the SAFER assessment room Poe was nervous, tail tucked, but warmed up to handler and allowed petting. He allowed his head to be cupped in assessor’s hands, tail slightly tucked. Poe stood still and accepted the touch during Sensitivity item, tail tucked, mouth closed. Poe was uncomfortable at each pass of Tag game, spinning away quickly on second pass, tail tucked but slightly wagging. During positioning of Squeeze item, Poe licked lips. He did not pull his paw back on both Squeeze attempts, tail down. Poe showed no interest in Toy. When off leash with other dogs, Poe displays submissive body language during greeting, but remains interested in sniffing the helper. He eventually approaches the gate to seek attention from a handler outside the pen and offers a growl when other dogs approach. Due to Poe’s nervousness, the Behavior Team feels he would do best with an experienced adopter that does not have young children. Poe would benefit from a slow approach/slow introduction and initially going home to a calm, quiet, structured environment so he can relax and know what to expect.

Look: 2. Dog’s eyes are averted. His body posture is tense, his tail is slightly tucked. He allows head to be held loosely in Assessor’s cupped hands.

Sensitivity: 2. Dog stands still and accepts the touch, his eyes are averted, his tail is between his legs, body tense, mouth closed.

Tag  3 . Dog quickly spins toward the touch, tail is tucked and slightly wagging, body stiff.

Squeeze 2: 1. Dog does not pull back paw, lip lick, tail down.

Toy 1: No interest.

Dog-dog: When off leash with other dogs, Poe displays submissive body language during greeting, but remains interested in sniffing the helper. He eventually approaches the gate to seek attention from a handler outside the pen and offers a growl when other dogs approach.

Group Behavior:

When off leash with other dogs, Poe displays submissive body language during greeting, but remains interested in sniffing the helper.

1/28 update: Poe offers a few bows before mounting the male dog. He eventually approaches the gate to seek attention from a handler outside the pen and offers a growl when other dogs approach.