(ADOPTED!) We estimate that Sherman is 4-5 months old, and he currently weighs 21 lbs. This is one of the most loving and joyful dogs we have ever met; he LOVES everyone and everything - all people, dogs, and tries to make friends with the cats, who don't understand his play bows to them. Some adjectives that describe Sherman are…Happy, Social, Sweet, Playful, Friendly, Loving, Cuddly, Submissive, Smart, and very Attentive -- an all around special guy!
Sherman is pretty much house trained. He has not yet learned to let you know when he has to go, but he will do his best NOT to go inside, which is age appropriate. He is just learning about the joys of puppy life having just discovered the joys of a ball and chewing on a marrow bone. Sherman is all puppy and needs an active family who will play with him and teach him. He needs a special home -- we have him listed as a special needs dog, not because he is sick or blind etc., but due to his current physical limitations. He needs a home with a family who will allow him supervised, safe exploration. He would do best in a house with other dogs, and possibly children, who are old enough to play appropriately with him, as he definitely needs playmates. However, other dogs would need to be gentle with him as he is still delicate.
This great little personality needed rescue or would be put to sleep, because he “walked oddly," taking only tiny, mincing steps with his hind legs, and only able to walk a few steps before laying down to rest. We have observed over the past several weeks, that with with good nutrition and exercise, Sherman's legs and stance have greatly improved. He has gone from barely walking a few yards at a time, to being able to walk completely around the block without stopping, and jumping into the car (a much celebrated event last weekend).
Although we know nothing about his life before rescue, the consensus is that he likely spent his few short months of life in a cage (possibly a puppy mill), as the muscles and bones in his legs are underdeveloped. On the day we got Sherman, he was not walking upright on his feet, but almost flat on his hocks (seen in the photo of him standing, on the day we got him). We took him straight to the vet, who viewed x-rays and said his bones looked exactly as they should be. The vet recommended that we see how he improves with well balanced nutrition and exercise, and this seems to be working beautifully.
It may be that Sherman will always “walk oddly,” but at the rate he is going and growing up in the right family, he should be an active dog, who runs and plays the same as any other young pup!