Yoko

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Updated 3/8/06:
Yoko has made a full recovery from her bout with parvo. In the 4 weeks that she has been in her foster home, she has made a very healthy weight gain. Nothing can stop her now. She is a happy, playful puppy who has two speeds, full throttle and off!

There are still a few accidents, but Yoko is progressing very well with her house training. She will go to the door but sometimes just doesn’t give her foster mom enough time to let her out. It is never a problem to get her into her crate. She will scramble right in when her foster mom gives the command. She will even wander in and out on her own, often “sitting pretty” in the crate if she wants a treat. She sleeps in her crate through the night without a peep.

Yoko can be a little timid at first when she hears the resident springer barking or when the vacuum cleaner is turned on. But, after a little reassurance from her foster mom, she’ll jump right in and become part of the action. She has a big brother to follow around in the yard, but try as she might, she can’t quite keep up with him yet. Rawhides and tennis balls are favorites to chew on and with an ample supply in the toy box at all times, she hasn’t chewed on a single thing that she is off limit to puppies.

Basic obedience training is starting to click for Yoko. She is learning to walk on a leash and does a very nice job of it for one so young. Of course, she still wants to wander and explore everything in the yard. She is learning to recall, to go outside, to come in the house, and all on command. She is eager to please and learns quickly, as long as a treat is involved. She will soon be spayed and then ready to meet her forever family. What a wonderful outcome for this lucky pup!!!

Original: Yoko and her 2 sisters became dangerously ill with parvo while still with a breeder in western Pennsylvania. When the breeder could not afford their medical expenses, MAESSR was able to take over their care. The vets worked very hard to help them get well. When they were ready to leave the veterinary hospital, each puppy went into a foster home that made a special commitment to finish its recovery. Thankfully, Yoko is a puppy who is now healthy and full of life.

Yoko’s off all her meds now and is constantly exploring her environment. Yoko is having lots of fun and recovering well. She doesn’t yet have that puppy plumpness due to her illness, but her ravenous appetite will soon take care of that.

Exercise is already an important part of her daily life. Her foster family continues to hope that she will learn the concept of outside elimination by observing her counterparts, but understand that, at her age, that still is a bit of a dream. At nighttime, she’s confined in her crate to keep her out of mischief and to assist with the house training. She takes to the crate very nicely, sleeping all night long and doesn’t start to cry until 7-8 AM. This is great for such a little one!!!

All-in-all, this has been a great recovery for a spunky puppy. She will soon be ready to reign in someone’s home and heart forever.