Baxter 1

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Updated 1/18/06: Baxter continues to thrive in his foster home. He has found out that the trash can lid does come off and has gotten in trouble a few times for knocking the can over, but he’s learning. He’s also grown accustomed to various luxuries such as goodies and his daily walks with Ms. Heather, the dog-walker.

Baxter loves cuddling with his foster dad, and when not given attention, he paws both his foster dad and mom. He gets quite jealous of the resident Springer but not in a bad way. He just thinks that he should get ALL the attention and will gently nudge his foster parents. He’s checked out the local dog park that is close to his foster home and really likes it.  Baxter would enjoy having a forever home with cuddling people and perhaps a dog park in the neighborhood!!

Original: Due to the passing of Baxter’s owner and the inability of family members to take him in, Baxter came into MAESSR’s care.  He is just a few days short of his seventh birthday, a very energetic, and mature Springer, who is absolutely handsome in his new haircut.  He is healthy as well.  He checked out fine when his foster family took him to the vet. The only problem found was an ear infection which is being treated with a short-term medication.

Baxter had been an outdoor dog in his original home and only came in at night.  He’s adapting very quickly to his new life and is showing the potential for excellent house manners.  His foster family has found that Baxter doesn’t counter surf and really doesn’t beg “too much.”  He marked their Christmas tree on the night he arrived but has been reliable in the house since then.

He is also developing some preferences for the softer side of indoor living.  His foster mom has caught him numerous times hanging out on the couch or bed when she’s not been in the room.  Like a good boy, Baxter will get down when corrected.  He knows basic commands and will “sit”, “give paw” and generally comes when called.  He walks very well on a leash and is generally a quiet dog, barking only at the vacuum and cats.

With toys to play with, and particularly squeaky toys, Baxter doesn’t chew on inappropriate things.  And when he has people to play with, he loves to play ball.  He loves to be close to his foster parents and follows both of them around the house.  He’ll lay down but as soon as they move, he’s up again.  They have found that, for now, they actually have to walk out into the yard to get him to go out.  It seems he may be worried that they’ll leave him out there.  Baxter was included in his family’s holiday gathering and met a 15-month-old niece and other dogs in another home.  He traveled very well and got along with everyone he met, both 2 and 4-footed new friends.

Baxter’s foster family has been working with him on crating, beginning with short sessions.  It’s quite new to him and he hasn’t had enough time to see one as a safe place to call his own.  He prefers sleeping on a blanket on the floor next to the bed at night.  There is a gate at the door to keep him from wandering with good results.  He is sleeping all through the night.  He also does well when gated in the kitchen when they are away.

Baxter has turned out to be an all-around great Springer.  With the exception of vacuum cleaners and cats, he has taken all the newness that has come his way very much in stride, and he will probably even get used to vacuums with a little more time.  His foster mom feels he would do best with a family who is not gone for more than 8 hours a day, given how much he enjoys the people around him.  And while children would be fine in his new home, she feels that he might do best if they were 4 years or older, so that they could play together.  His perfect family might also let him hang out on one piece of furniture and possibly move from the floor to the bed.  He could be a great “first” Springer, a welcome companion to a lonely resident dog, a ball playing buddy to a family with children, or all of the above.  What a dog!!!