Our March critter is beloved by all the Campus Veterinary Clinic staff. Tyson Meyer is always stoked to come see his favorite veterinarian Dr. Margo Reid. At 9 years young, this ebullient and happy-go-lucky goofball is always a pleasure to have on our schedule.
Tyson’s humans Mike and Heather share his story:
“It was love at first sight. From the minute we first walked into Tyson’s room at the SFSPCA back in 2009, it took him less than 30 seconds to transform from a nervous, barking basket case to a submissive love sponge. He rolled right over onto his back so we could scratch his tummy and from that moment on he was part of our family.
Tyson was six years old and had been brought to the SPCA only a day or two before we met him. He wasn’t technically even available for adoption yet, because he had a lump on his chest that needed a biopsy. We put down a deposit immediately and waited three nail-biting days for the results. Thank goodness it was just a lipoma (a benign fatty tumor) and he went home with us the very next day. Having been through such a huge transition in such a short few days, Tyson was a nervous wreck during his first few days with us. We still remember how much he was shaking on the drive across the bridge to his new forever home. It only took about three days, along with lots of cuddles and treats for him to settle in to his new life with us (one of the many benefits of adopting an older dog).
Though the details are a bit fuzzy, we believe that Tyson was adopted out by the SPCA when he was a puppy. He originally went to a family that lived in San Francisco. Apparently there was a divorce, and somehow Tyson ended up back at the SPCA at age six. We really can’t imagine how anybody could have given up such a beautiful, sweet, loving dog (or any dog for that matter), but their loss was our gain! Fortunately for us, Tyson had grown up with children. Three weeks after we adopted him, we found out we were expecting. We certainly wouldn’t have planned it that way, but Tyson has been so great with our son and we feel like the luckiest doggie parents in the world.
We had wanted to adopt a dog for so many years before we actually did it. Now we know why it took us so long: We were waiting for Tyson. He is loyal, kind, gentle, affectionate, silly and very melodramatic. Tyson is still adjusting to life with his two year-old little brother (the kind with two legs, not four), but he is very patient and appreciates all the extra food he finds on the floor! Even though he’s almost nine years old, he still runs hard on the trails and in the park and keeps up with all of the younger dogs. We don’t know how we ever lived without him.”
Likes: organic raspberries, people, cuddles, chasing squirrels, Point Isabel, puddles, mud, Lisa at Campus Vet Clinic
Dislikes: cats, getting his ears cleaned, the mailman, baths
If you have questions about adopting older dogs, contact your local shelter. A lot of adoption facilities will work with adoptees to ensure these pets are healthy and in great shape. Additionally, there is a wonderful program that Berkeley Animal Care Services has that helps older people adopt older pets. It’s called the 60-6-60 program. You can find out more by clicking here or calling the shelter at 510-981-6600.
We are always looking for our next Critter of the Month. Please call us at 510-549-1252 if you think you have our next furry star!