Spike6-4-05


	Age & Sex: 4 yr. old Male


UTD: No


	Weight: 65 lbs.


Other Dogs: Yes


	Color: Flashy Fawn


Cats: Unknown


	Ears: Cropped


Children under 5: Yes


	Tail: Docked


Children over 5: Yes


	Neutered/Spayed: No


Microchipped: No


	Shelter Surrender


Location: `Mastic Beach, NY`

Adoption Donation $250

12/6/06 - For all the great folks at BAR, Our wonderful boy, Spike, passed away Monday. He had been experiencing seizures since early this year. He had been on several medications for them and had been going to the vet regularly as a result. He began to have problems recently with his left side. The vet suggested the possibility of a brain tumor, and he was scheduled to have an MRI. They were unable to stop his seizures a few days ago. We loved him dearly. He meant everything to us. Thank you to all the folks at BAR that made our life with him possible. We were able to give him a safe, secure, loving home. We like to think that the past year and a half were the best of his life. Thank you.

9/30/05 - Hello! We wanted to give everyone an update on Spike's transition now that he has been home for a few weeks. He is a wonderful dog! We can't say enough about how much we love him and how happy we are to have him. We took him to get neutered, get a full check up, and have his nails trimmed by our vet. He did wonderful and was back to full speed within of couple of days! The vet said he is healthy and has no problems. Spike's day consists of only about 3 hours in his crate in the morning, until I come home from work. He gets in a walk in the neighborhood around mid-day, and then another after dinner. He loves going for walks! He also LOVEs sitting in front of our two big bay windows that face the front yard and street and watching EVERYTHING that goes by! His favorite toys continue to be tennis balls and rubber balls that he bats around. He has been a great boy, for us. We can't say enough about him. We look forward to many many years! Thanks for all of work done in getting him to us by all in your organization.

9/4/05 - We picked Spike up at Bob's home in Long Island yesterday. Thanks to Bob and Heather - and of course Ace! - for taking such great care of him.
Spike was great for the whole way home - including a trip on the ferry. He was a bit anxious on the boat, but he behaved excellent - although we did have trouble coaxing him up the stairs. He was restless at first last night, but he eventually settled down and slept pretty soundly. We took him for his first walk around the neighborhood this morning, and he staked his claim on just about every tree and telephone pole he could find. He's very, very strong on the leash - especially if he sees another dog, so we need to work on that a bit!
He's been following me around the house all morning, checking out his surroundings and investigating every little noise. We have two big windows in the front of our house, and if we're in one of those rooms - Spike stands at the window and watches people and pets walk by. He's an impressive sight - lots of people have stopped to stare right back at him!
Spike's so very handsome and an absolute love. I think he understood he was going home with us for good, because he seems to have taken to us both right away. He likes to stand or sit as close as possible. He gives lots of kisses and when Josh talks to him, Spike gazes adoringly at him.
Thank you so much to everyone for your help bringing Spike into our family. We will keep you all posted.
Josh & Jessica

8/28/05 - OK first off I would like to apologize for being a terrible foster and not updating like I should. Sorry to everyone involved, now on to Spike. Spike came to us as a shelter surrender, he was a little under weight and a little skiddish. Well let me tell you neither of these is true anymore. He is an absolute joy, he has filled out and now weighs approximately 65 pounds. He knows his basic commands, sit, down, off, come, leave it. We are still working on stay as I don't think this was ever in his vocabulary. But he has proven to be very smart and a quick learner.
As for his personality, he is a mush. He just wants someone to love him. All he asks is to be petted and touched pretty much 24 hours a day!!!!! Once he is comfortable with you he will not leave your side, he is a great companion. He is very good with children, he has spent time with my three nephews (ages 1,5,and 9) and has had no problems with typical child behavior and seems to want to protect them from harm. He sleeps next to my daughters crib and guards her. It is very cute. He has no food or toy aggression and seems to be very happy being the submissive one. My forever boy, Ace, has taken the dominant role in the house and Spike is fine with being number two. He has been around other dogs as well, my neighbors Staffordshire's, my sister's Rottweiller and my parents golden retriever with no incidents. He just wants to run and play. He has no problem with being crated. He wasn't so happy with it in the beginning, but now readily runs in it when told to do so. In fact knows my morning routine so well that he knows that after the second trip outside in the morning that I am leaving for work and runs into the crate without being told. He just knows it is time. He eats readily and will eat anything put in front of him. He also has no problem getting his nails cut and his feet handled.
I will say that he needs room to run, I have a relatively long backyard and he uses every inch of it when he gets going. I don't think he was used to having room to open up and go. When he first came here he stayed in a 20X20 area right outside the door. But once Ace showed him how much fun it is to run and chase each other, he runs around chasing leaves if nothing else!!! As far as medically, he has to be neutered still. He also has worms but has had his first treatment and I will be picking up his second treatment next week. Then a week after that we do another fecal and if that is clear he can be scheduled for his neuter. Other than that he is in very sound medical condition. His coat is great, nice and soft. He has no ear or teeth problems, he's in good shape.
He is a great dog with a great temperament. He will readily allow visitors in once he knows it is OK and is protective of his home. He will bark if someone is in the yard or at the door. But is no problem once he knows it is OK.
He will make an excellent addition to any home, and will make the perfect family member.

7/4/05 - "Spike", as my nephews named him, is actually a terrific dog. All play and kisses. He has shown no aggression at all, no problem with his ears, tail, mouth, no food aggression, nothing. He knows sit, down, come, and "cookie". I am working with stay for now, he has a tendency to try and rush out the door from a sit. He really is terrific. The only negative has been the marking but that has diminished, now that the pecking order has been established. He is good with other dogs, Ace and my neighbors 3 Staffordshire's have been introduced and he has had no issues with any of them. He has met my nephews and seems to know right away that they are higher in the ranks then he is and has been perfect with them too. All in all he is a pleasure and has put on about 8-10lbs. No more ribs and vertebrae, his hip bones are still a little pronounced but he is putting on the weight thanks to a combo of regular and puppy food.