Annabelle 4

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Update 02/27/12:

Annabelle first met MAESSR as puppy. Now just a little over 2, she began crossing the line from serious playing into fighting with the male Springer housemate in her adopting home and was returned to find a more appropriate situation. As she settles into her foster home, she seems fine with smaller dogs and, so far, she’s done nothing more than play happily with her Springer foster sister. 

At 50 pounds Annabelle is a happy girl. She’s completely housetrained and though, there was some concern about possible incontinence in her surrendering home, her foster mom has seen no sign of this at all. As for commands, she knows “sit”, “give paw” and “down.” Her leash manners could use some work, especially when deer scent is around, but she soon calms down. During her first day in foster care, Annabelle walked/trotted for 2 hours in a state park, meeting and greeting people and other dogs alike with a wagging tail. She loves water and will flop down midstream to wallow and drink. When back at home and it’s time to clean up, Annabelle is good with getting a bath, with ear cleaning and with grooming in general…….good girl!!

Annabelle has made several trips in the car with her foster family. She enjoys being where she can see out and has ridden along quietly without issue. After a busy day, she sleeps on her dog bed under the breakfast nook table, though she would prefer to go upstairs and sleep in the bedroom with her people. She’ll hang out quietly in a crate if need be but, since she’s not a problem in the house, she’s just been crated twice for an hour at a time to see the reaction. A puppy gate limits her to downstairs or keeps her out of anywhere her foster parents don’t want her to be. She doesn’t countersurf and, other than picking a biscuit container off the top of an open trash can on her first day, there hasn’t been trash diving. 

This young girl loves running around her fenced yard, preferably with canine company. She’ll bark in excitement during a game of tag. She’s got a medium prey drive and gained field experience with her adoptive dad. He felt she would definitely make a good hunting dog and said she did very well when grouse hunting with him. She had good recall and would return promptly if she got on the scent of deer. 

At home outside critters turn on Annabelle’s hunting instincts as well; she’s already brought a live baby bunny into the house!!! She’s willing to calmly wait at the kitchen window, in case any squirrels or chipmunks dare try to eat from the bird feeders. Indoors, unless she’s playing with her foster sister or when the mailman comes to the door, she’s fairly quiet and an easy girl to have around. She likes being near her humans and exudes joyfulness at her family coming home. 

This happy, healthy girl settled in quickly at her foster home and is almost ready to meet her new forever family. Asked to summarize her, her foster dad said, “She’s just a good solid Springer. The only thing different is that happy, full tail is her extra way of grinning.” Like many springers, Annabelle grins from end to end and can bring out the best of grins in those around her too. If you’re ready to bring a little additional daily cheer into your life, consider sharing your home and time in the woods with this gorgeous fieldie!!!

Update 03/02/10:

Annabelle is just puppy PERFECT! She has mastered stairs. She is walking well on leash. Her potty training is coming along great with few accidents. She is excellent with her crate-training. Her foster family has one in the kitchen which they keep the door open on most of the time, only asking her to stay in during meal time and short breaks during the day. She eats in the crate and likes to go in for naps too. She travels well in the car crate. Annabelle has a crate next to her foster mom’s bed for sleeping. She goes in without complaint and is sleeping from 9:30 PM until 6 AM. If she needs to go out, she will whine but will go right back in to sleep after a potty break. No accidents in her crate. Good Girl! 

Annabelle is learning “no”, “off”, “sit”, and “wait” but it is a process after all. She’s a girl with toys to play with so her puppy attention span is limited. There has been no inappropriate chewing except an occasional shoe if left in her reach.

When out visiting Annabelle has done great with new environments and introductions and played very well with her new dog friends. She is cautious but warms up quickly to new experiences. Playing with toys and romping in the snow are her favorite things. She sometimes needs extra time for potty breaks because she is having too much fun playing before she gets her business done. Her foster mom feels Annabelle will be fine with children who know how to handle young puppies. 

Annabelle had a perfect visit at the vet and took her shots without notice. She will be spayed shortly and, once recovered, will be ready to join her new forever home. Her foster mom has clipped her nails, trimmed her paw pad fur and wiped ears out, all without any problems. Obedience classes are required with all MAESSR dogs under 1 year old. Since Annabelle loves to learn new things, classes should be super fun with her!!

This is a smart little girl who will be a great addition to any family looking for a willing, energetic and fun Springer puppy.

Original:

Once again, a litter of needy puppies has come into MAESSR’s care, this time from Maryland. These wee ones, born on December 1, were surrendered by the family that bred them in an effort to assure Springer-loving homes for each pup. Over the next few weeks, their foster families will oversee completion of their vetting. They will also start the puppies on some basic obedience and house-training. Socialization with people and other pets is underway, and yes, a generous measure of cuddle time and spoiling will be lavished on each warm, little bundle of fur! 

There are 3 females and 2 males in this litter, all are liver and white, and, each is absolutely adorable. Like her brothers and sisters, Annabelle is off to a great start. She is a bundle of Springer-puppy joy. Her potty training is coming along fine with a consistent routine. This puppy is all about play, toys and fun. She retrieves balls, plays tug and her favorite game is keep-away with a toy with the resident shepherd. She is sharing her foster home with 4 dogs and 2 cats, and everyone is getting along very well. Annabelle is a definite snow bunny. She loves jumping, running and sliding down the big snow hills in the yard. 

More news will come as unique personalities emerge and each puppy makes progress. To set each puppy up for a lifetime of good manners and a deep bond with its adopting family, adopters will be required to take puppies to obedience classes. Bragging rights when your pup gets the hang of a loose leash walk are guaranteed! 

Laughs along the way are guaranteed too! Wet puppy kisses – a sure thing! An occasional wet puddle – likely! A comforting sense that the puppy started this spring is growing into a best buddy – that’s called a perfect match! If you’re perfect for a puppy, watch for updates. Once they’re ready, placing them won’t take long!