Entered: 12/01/2009
Status: Adopted
Age: 1
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, good in all areas
Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with children, does best with male canines, unknown with cats
Update 01/04/10:
With more time to get to know Bella better, her foster family has some updated info on her to share.
She’s a typical 1-2 year old Springer. She still has a LOT of energy and puppy in her; “bouncing off all of the walls and anything else” comes to mind when watching her at times. Certainly this youngster will do best in a house with active people. Plush toys and “squeakies” should be plentiful in her adopting home. They are so much fun for her and she can’t imagine having too many! Bella has absolutely no human aggression whatsoever. She really does LOVE being with her people and will “Velcro” herself with anyone nearby. She keeps tabs on everyone too. She is a great gal and, when she does finally tire herself out, she will rag dog herself on your lap and sleep like–like a puppy, until it is time to go “into the house” (her crate) for bedtime. She may whine for a few minutes, but eventually she settles fast asleep. When she comes out of “her house” in the morning, she’s raring to begin all over again with another day.
With canines, Bella does best with male companions. Her family feels she will not do well in a home with another female, especially an alpha. Having a laid back but playful male at home or close enough for frequent play dates would be to her liking and a great way to burn off some of her youthful energy.
Bella has a great start in life and lots of potential. Her love of people and playful nature make her easy to work with and, with ample daily exercise, easy to live with too. Got toys?
Original:
Bella’s original owner was a senior citizen from New Jersey who started to develop health issues and could not keep up with this puppy that her daughter had given to her. So, MAESSR was contacted to find her a new home.
Housetrained and crate trained, Bella has adjusted very quickly to her foster family’s household routine. She feels most comfortable in her crate at night and when the family leaves the house. Entering on command, Bella settles down within a few minutes. Her foster parents are still trying to discern her signal for going out, though. Once outside in the yard, Bella takes care of business and quickly returns when called. This sweet pup has a general curiosity in the kitchen and will counter-surf or pick trash from the top; she has not been guilty of any serious trash diving. She loves to be a lap dog but does not jump on furniture uninvited.
Bella is the springiest Springer her foster family has ever met! She is FULL of energy, but shows nothing but love toward people. Family members and visitors are all there for one reason: to love Bella! She takes her treats VERY GENTLY and is patient when she is waiting for her leash. She’s a baby doll. Due to her age and general temperament, however, she may not be good with very small children. Her greetings and play involve a lot of full body contact and she still likes to use her mouth when she gets excited. As for commands, Bella knows “sit” and, when bedtime rolls around, she responds to “in the house” for going into her crate. Before going for a walk, Bella will sit for her collar and leash to be put on. She does get a little excited but settles into the walk after a few moments. Because of her small size, she is easy to manage. According to her previous owner, she attended obedience class, but would obviously benefit with additional schooling when she is adopted. MAESSR Springers that are a year and younger are required to attend at least one set of obedience classes. This helps in bonding and it helps to make the Springer pup an obedient, safe member of the family.
Bella engages in play often with the resident dogs, but is not yet queued in on when to stop. Playfully antagonizing the resident alpha female terrier, she tries to get attention, taking toys from her and jumping and barking just for fun. She has not been aggressive towards either of the resident dogs but will bark back and jump around when her elder foster-sister terrier gets frustrated with her. Although Bella helps herself to all of the resident dog’s toys, she does not get aggressive or protective when it’s time to give them up or take a break.
Still quite the puppy, Bella has some high level puppy moments but for the most part is a medium in her energy level. She can go from 0 to 60 in seconds during the day, but when she’s tired at night, she’ll just collapse like a rag doll on your lap. Bella enjoys fetch, chewies, ropes and plush toys. She even entertains herself when hands are not available for a toss or tug. Beware of squeaky toys, though! She can get fixated and although she does not get aggressive, she will try to recover them wherever they may be stowed. Her foster parents say you haven’t lived until you have tried to watch a football game with a high-pitched “Squeaky, Squeaky, Squeaky . . .” drowning out the announcer! Bella is quite willing to go on car rides and is calm; however, has a tendency to get nauseous on both short and long trips.
Bella would love to be adopted by a physically active family who may have some laid back dog buddies for her to befriend.