Barney

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Updated 7/6/07: Occasionally it happens that a dog returns to MAESSR after a short time with an adopting family. In Barney’s case, he has returned because his adopting family found his activity level was higher than they could accommodate with their busy schedules. Barney also tormented the cat in his adopting home and played rough with the senior ESS.

Barney has settled nicely with his new foster family and has been your typical teenage Springer. He loves to run with the 3 resident dogs in a fenced yard and especially likes the 11-month-old puppy. They play nonstop until he gets a bit too rough for her. When she quickly gives him a face full of teeth, he gets the message and immediately backs off. Barney needs a full hour of running and play daily to help burn off his puppy energy. Once he is exhausted, he is happy to lay around with a ball or bone to chew on.

The two resident, senior cats are spending a great deal of time in hiding since Barney arrived. He loses all sense of hearing when he is in pursuit of them. He doesn’t try to hurt them but will chase and corner them. He does not discriminate and has also tried to dig up the pussy willow bush in the yard too…honestly!

Barney is crated next to the resident puppy when his foster mom is at work or running errands. He is very happy to enter, after having his usual vigorous exercise, and chew on a marrow bone filled with peanut butter. After a long day of running and playing, he settles down on a big bed and sleeps all night without a peep. Squeaky toys and tug ropes are his favorites!  He loves to have a tug with the ones that squeak the loudest. It is funny to watch him squeaking one of these toys at the puppy. Barney doesn’t understand that she is deaf and isn’t going to get excited by his behavior, but he surely must be thinking “Hey, I’m talking to you!!!!”

At the dog park Barney had a great time playing with other young dogs. He especially liked the pond and would launch himself 5 feet in the air, only to land in the middle, splashing and chasing balls. After all this activity, he was ready for a nap during the ride home. Several hours later he was ready to start all over again.   High energy is his middle name!

This silly boy needs to work on his house manners, not unusual for a young Springer. Barney counter-surfs, drinks out of the toilet and will jump up on people. He lays down on the floor and will put his entire head into the water bowl! He would like to convince his foster mom to let him get in the shower with her. While at his adoptive home, Barney had some housebreaking problems also. He is not having these problems at his foster home. He has not marked indoors or had an accident since arriving, though he does like to follow the big male Springer around the yard, marking after him. Bring out the leash or car keys and Barney gets very excited to hit the road. Once on the road, though, he will sit quietly looking out the window. He pulls like a sled dog on his leash when starting out on a walk but settles down once underway.

Barney is quite handsome with long legs and a tail that never stops wagging. His coat is very shiny and there are freckles in all the right places. At 42 pounds he is still rather thin but, with continued proper nutrition and exercise, he will fill out nicely. He has an adorable smile and his dark eyes just sparkle when he looks at you…especially when there is a biscuit in your hand! This youngster needs an active family and/or a playful canine sibling to help work off energy every day. A fenced yard to run free in and stretch those long legs is very important. Barney is a smart boy who is easily distracted at this stage by his boundless energy. Obedience classes, consistent training and a lot of patience from his new family will make him the perfect Springer. He is an overall sweet boy who will return all the love and time that is invested in him a thousand times over!  

Updated 4/8/07: Barney is thriving with his busy life in foster care. He has recovered from neutering well and is gaining weight at a steady pace. He has really filled out and become more handsome than what he already was. He does very well with being groomed, so he can always look his best.

Now that the days are getting warmer, his foster mom puts out the baby pool filled with glorious water that Barney loves to jump in and splash about. In and out he goes as his foster mom tosses his toys into the water. He and the resident springer and shepherd all herded into the pool and played one day, splashing each other and jumping on one another. The 8-year-old neighbor girl came over and played with Barney in the pool another day and he had a blast getting her wet and she getting him wetter!! Her 4-year-old sister was over and Barney was forever cleaning her face with kisses and the more she giggled, the more he kissed her!

Barney has gone on several outings and has become an accomplished “meeter and greeter!” Everyone he meets he has to greet, whether it is human or dog. He just loves everyone. He went to the MAESSR picnic in April and did well with everyone and had a great time! He also was part of a Walk for Paws event and did well. Even though his foster mom got lost enroute to that adventure, Barney was very patient in the car until they got there. He loves to go on walks and says “hello” with a very wagging tail to everyone along the way. He likes long walks best, loves sniffing everything along the way and watching the geese with wonder about how to get to them!

This youngster is a wonderful dog, very energetic, very sweet and will make a great addition to a family who will keep him busy and provide lots of love. One couldn’t ask for a better companion and friend than Barney! He will give right back all that is offered to him and more!!

Original: Barney is a young, tricolor ESS who came as a stray to the SPCA in Pottsville, PA. He is one friendly youngster who is eager to please. The shelter workers gave him his new name and Barney has learned it quickly. When he was picked up at the shelter, his tail was wagging incessantly and he eagerly jumped into the car and settled down in the backseat. He would not get out of the car until he was told to come, then he eagerly exited. Barney walks fairly well on the leash with a bit of pulling and training will help improve this.

When first coming into his foster home, Barney was shy with the other three foster dogs, but quickly adapted to the resident springer and German shepherd. He initially stayed away from the resident cocker but now he is trying to make friends with him. Barney is a very friendly dog and has quickly adjusted to his foster home. He is housebroken and will let his foster mom know when he has to go out. He knows to “sit” and “shake paw.” Barney responds well when he is told to get off the couch. He does not counter-surf and does not beg. He has no food aggression at all. He waits patiently for his food bowl or treats. When it comes to feeding time, he leaves the foster dogs’ bowls alone and goes into his crate to eat his food. He was fine with being in the crate when his foster mom went to the store. He will easily go inside the crate, while the door is open and just lay down there for his nap.

Barney loves to play and is quite friendly with everyone in the household, people and dogs included. He was introduced to the resident cats and does fine with them. If the cats don’t want to play with him and they run away, he will chase, but with no harm intended. He met the neighborhood children, ages 4 and 8, and did well with them. He likes his toys, especially the squeaky ones! Playing in the snow is great fun and Barney will run and jump over snow piles. Playing outside with the resident springers is on the top of Barney’s list of favorite things to do. They take turns chasing each other and if Barney plays too hard, the resident springer will let him know. When she doesn’t want to play anymore, Barney will bark at her, but upon being told “no,” he is learning to not bark so long. To his credit he does not bark at people passing by or just because the other dogs are barking.

Barney did quite well with being bathed when he came to his foster home. Although he was a little scared and unsure at first, with soothing talk he cooperated and loved his rub-down with the towels afterwards. When it came to the combing of his ears, he wasn’t quite sure what was going on but went along and wanted to play with the comb.

Barney loves to please and is eager to learn. He will come upon hearing his name and loves to snuggle up next to his foster mom, whom he follows everywhere. He is very inquisitive and investigates any new smells and sounds. He has settled into his new life in his foster home rather quickly and feels very comfortable. Barney will easily settle in for the night after his four or five mandatory circles on his pillow.

This amazingly happy, friendly fellow is waiting to snuggle up on your lap and then to settle in for the night on his dog bed next to yours.