Zeus the Chocolate Rottweiler Mix

We have changed his name, by the way, to Jack Bauer, calling him Jack for short. He answers to Jack now and knows his name well! Really neat how that has happened- We suspect he was hit from observing how he jumped back from the TV screen when the golfer carried through with his stroke and was skittish when the house cleaner got a mop and broom out. He greets strangers nicely and really likes people though. So amazing! Dr. Anderson at Longwood Vet Clinic put him on Simplicef 200mg daily for what was believed to be an abscess that had not completely cleared. He had a golf ball sized lump behind his knee( that lymph node) which was hot and red. He has responded well to antibiotics after two days and seems to have changed from being laid back to more lively-We realize now he simply was not feeling well-why he walked behind me instead of beside. He also had a skinned toe on the right foot, so I am presently keeping it bandaged with triple antibiotic ointment on it-changed twice a day. No more walks on pavement until that toe is well. He and Lizzy have become great friends-our brown female-they will mouth each other for long play periods in the morning and again in the evening and chase balls. They also run like lightning around the veg garden and pool in the back yard. Darcy has accepted Jack beautifully, usually just watching them play and barking, which I am trying to stop the barking. They lie down near each other but Darcy is firmly dominate. Jack is very watchful, everyone at the vet's want him, and just has such a loving disposition. He is becoming bonded now and sleeps in the den where I usually use the strip comb on his coat, getting the dry, dead hair out, and giving him rub downs. He just loves it. At first he went to his kennel to nap, but this week decided to stay in the den with us all the time. He stayed for the first complete time yesterday while I got their food instead of trying to follow! Guess that is a tough command for a herding dog! He has learned sit for his food. We are working on stay, while I get their food. He was stubborn to come when called but responded when I knelt down and used a hand signal. Now he comes more reliably, and he is learning not to nip or nudge to herd us! : ) a no with a pointed finger is the sign that is not acceptable and is working so far. The vet says a shaken can to rattle also would re-focus and stop the behavior. He runs like the wind in the yard. When he and Lizzy get going in the house, I send them outside to play. They run until tongues are hanging out. Darcy brings up the rear but runs with them, too. Jack is amazingly fast and playful teasing Lizzy and running around trees and the pump house, stopping and waiting for her to catch up. Then takes off again. Dr. Anderson thinks Jack may have Louisiana Catahoula Coon Hound in him with the Rottie mix due to his black spots in his fur. He def herds and is VERY smart as well as a bit stubborn, but walks very well on lead. If we can get that toe healed, he should be good as new! Thanks for the work you do saving these wonderful dogs from the death chamber! You have won our deepest respect, and gratitude, even moreso, after our firsthand experience! The phlebitis also has cleared in that leg as the infection has subsided. Tomorrow is his last Simplicef to complete 14 days of treatment.... Bless you for your work! We keep watch on your site.... Dr. Anderson says Jack is the type of dog that we all wish he could tell his story being he has that scar and all, but a nice dog he really has turned out to be! Thanks again! Cindy