Entered: 10/14/2008
Status: Adopted
Age: 7
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Yardley, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, good health, treatment for a UTI complete
Temperament: Good with people older than five, good with other dogs, chases cats
Original:
A North Carolina stray with no home of her own or family to love, Annie was picked up by animal control and was eventually transferred to MAESSR’s care. This little, forty-pound girl has lots of love to give! Her long tail has not stopped wagging since she met her foster family, which includes a resident Springer sister. Annie is one happy girl now and loves to give kisses and cuddle any chance she gets.
It is apparent through her nice house manners that Annie had lived inside and had received training in the past. She is housetrained and does not beg for food, counter surf, or bark. Annie is not fond of being crated. She was okay for the first few days, but once she had the taste of freedom and all that entailed, she prefers being as close to her people as possible. So for now, her foster family has not pressed the crate issue, as she is very good in the house with some supervision. At night she gets to sleep in the bedroom on a favorite blanket beside the bed, and she does fine until the morning.
While her foster mom gets dinner ready, Annie especially likes to lie on the rug in the kitchen. When it’s time for her own meals, she shows her enthusiasm by spinning around. Sometimes she gets so excited that her foster mom has to give her a command to sit, then down and stay to get her to calm down before eating. Food is a good motivator when learning commands and Annie learned very quickly. She is still learning her name, but she always comes when given the “Come, Annie” command.
Leash training is another matter, though. Annie needs lots of work on her leash walking. Right now she is more into leash “running” and easily pulls her foster mom down the block. With the use of a Gentle Leader, Annie is doing better in this regard. She tries to wiggle it off with her paw – and sometimes does- but with consistent work, she will enjoy a leisurely walk with a family member.
Annie’s favorite activity is to go outside and run around the fenced backyard, sniffing out any squirrels that might be lurking there. If she could figure out how to climb a tree, she would follow them right up the trunk! In her mind, squirrels are Public Enemy Number One and it’s her job to chase them at all costs. So, don’t let her age fool you; this playful girl has plenty of energy and can run faster than the four year-old, resident Springer. When she isn’t chasing squirrels, Annie enjoys chewing on a rawhide bone when given to her. She does not chew destructively on inappropriate objects and she rarely barks.
During the workday, Annie has started going to doggie daycare where her foster mom is employed and that has been a positive step for Annie. She does not jump up on people or bark around strangers. At daycare, she has made new human and dog friends, although she does not understand how to play with them yet. Driving to daycare or anywhere is a big treat for Annie. She loves to ride in the car, watching everything go by outside the window. If the car is going slow or stopped for a light, Annie’s eyesight is so good that she can spot a squirrel in the street or going up a tree. Then, she is motionless and fixed on the squirrel’s progress. You know exactly what is going through her mind. Her foster mom makes sure the window on Annie’s side is safely up so she won’t try to make an escape. Thank goodness for electric car windows.
Annie is very smart and eager to please. She’s become very relaxed in her new surroundings in a short time and her foster family is quite pleased with Annie’s progress. She is a real “lovebug” and wants nothing more than to sit next to you and cuddle. If a belly rub is offered, all the better. Her foster mom says that Annie is the best dog she has ever fostered!
If you’re looking for a special Springer girl, then Annie might be the one for you!