Do you have a soft spot in your heart for senior dogs? So do we!

Ernie is a big tricolor boy! We can imagine what a magnificent specimen he must have been in his younger days. Now, at 12+ years old, Ernie is deaf and arthritic and has some weakness in his hind legs. He is still mobile, however, still loves his walks, and can even manage short flights of stairs.

Ernie still needs to be neutered, has a couple of sebaceous cysts, and has also been diagnosed with an infected tooth and heartworm disease. If we can, we hope to postpone any dental, or surgical procedures until after Ernie has finished his heartworm treatment. He is 5 months into his treatment and is doing great!

At 55 pounds, Ernie is thin. He has gained two pounds since June and we hope to help him gain a few more, but because of his arthritis and rear end weakness, we think he should be kept trim, so that excess weight doesn't make it harder for him to walk. Treatment of his various ailments will likely help him gain some weight and strength. He has a good appetite and was possibly quite the counter surfer in his younger days. Now that his hind legs are weak, he just stands and barks at the counter, if he knows it contains food, willing the food to come to him.

Ernie is a lovely old fellow who has lived his whole life with his previous owner and several of his doggie kin. Change is hard for us old folks, but, he is doing his best to cope with this "major reorganization" in his life. 

At his age, Ernie sleeps a lot during the daytime. He is quiet when he is content, but can be very vocal when his expectations are not being met, which is often! He lets you know his demands!

With regard to house training, Ernie is pretty good. He has had few accidents in the house. He seems to know to do his business outdoors, and will bark, or howl to be let outside. However, his control isn't the best anymore. His bladder control is better than his bowel control. He usually needs to go out for a late night potty trip. Ernie's internal alarm clock seems to be set for 6 am, and it’s surprisingly consistent!

Ernie gets along well with his doggie foster siblings, but still seems to miss his old companions. He can often be found sharing a bed with his foster brother, Bubba. Ernie just crawls right into Bubba's bed, usually uninvited. Thankfully, Bubba doesn't seem to mind. Even so, Ernie is more attached to his foster mom and dad than he is to the dogs in his foster home.  With human company, he would probably be OK as as only dog, but he has shared his space with multiple dogs during his entire lifetime. He seems to ignore cats. 

Even though Ernie is sweet and gentle, he would probably not be a good choice for very young children. He is tolerant to touch, but he doesn't hear well and he snatches at treats in the hand. He playfully nips at human feet sometimes, when he is excited, or frustrated. He would be best with adults, or a family with older children.

Ernie may be available for adoption in a few months, after his heartworm treatment is complete and he can be neutered. Watch for him to become available, if you would like to give a funny and demanding old fellow a last loving home. 

In the meantime, if you would like to help sponsor Ernie's medical treatment and supplements, just click the box that says "Sponsor this pet."