Progress is progess

Hello, Chelsae here. Rick suggested that I hop on and maybe share some thoughts about what it's been like fostering Sherman. It's been a busy few weeks at our house, so apologies for the lapse in updates! Ok, here it goes!

Things have been going great! So many milestones have been hit in the five weeks Sherman has been with us! As of yesterday, Sherman has:

• Had no less than 13 medicated baths
• Gone through half a dozen rounds of medication (and more to go!)
• Started a new medication for a urinary tract infection
• GAINED 15 POUNDS SINCE HIS ARRIVAL 
• About 85% of his body is covered in new hair, most of it thick 
• Started wearing a collar that he has finally gotten used to
• Barks at passing airplanes

Photo taken on arrival on 4/11/20

NEW hair coming in, photo taken 4/27/20

LOTS of thick hair and wound almost filled in, photo taken 5/17/20

This sweet boy is such a joy to be around. Several times I have tried filming his reaction to fresh blankets at night before bed. Not since my dog Neptune that I had when I was in my teens have I seen a dog get SO EXCITED for a blanket. We're talking full on butt wiggles, jumps, skips, he just cannot wait to hop in the kennel with the new warm blankets. Due to Sherman's leaky colon (this is where he also urinates) he does leak at night or when sleeping in his kennel. He is able to "hold it" for the most part because in the morning he definitely has to pee, but the leaking is not his fault. I do at least one load of laundry a day with just Sherman's blankets because of course he deserves to have clean, dry blankets, but he also goes through them quickly. We do hope that surgery down the road will fix his leaking problem because we so desperately want to let him come into the living room and be a couch potato with the other dogs, but I can't have pee pee puddles all over the place. Plus, I'll take washing and folding the same dozen blankets over and over versus matching socks and folding baby clothes!

Pulling fresh warm blankets off of the chair while I change out dirty ones. 

Sherman has started playing his own version of fetch... Basically, he wants his toy, he wants our other dogs to want his toy, but he also wants to just lay on the grass next to his toy and roll around making weird barking noises and barking at any passing airplanes. He's a total puppy! Madison really enjoys playing outside with him and Sherman has been doing really well playing with an active child. He doesn't seem bothered by the baby strolling around in her walker or when she has a fit and starts crying.

Sleeping near his toy... He's still figuring out how to lay like a "normal" dog!

"Please play with me George!" 

For such a young dog, he has a great temperament. He's not a crier, he hasn't destroyed anything, he's not terribly mouthy (mostly gives kisses and an aggressive sniffer) and he's mastered the art of begging! He has a little bit further to go before his next vet appointment and then we will have a better timeline of his upcoming medical needs. Until then, we will continue to keep him happy, healthy, and very well loved.

Getting lots of love and attention from Maddy

He's filling out!

I do try to post something on him daily on the Instagram account for our dogs HERE  Yes, I know, I'm that person! As always, thank you all again for sharing Sherman's story. Thank you for supporting him and Underdog Animal Rescue. They are always accepting donations on his behalf or for any of the dogs in their care. Most dogs average $500 or more in medical bills and it does add up. Donations can be made anytime at www.underdogca.com/donate 

You can also follow them on social media here: 

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you again so much!