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Entered: 10/14/2008
Status: Adopted
Age: 0
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Woodbury, NJ
Health: UTD, HW-, completed treatment for coccidia and kennel cough
Temperament: Good with people as young as seven, good with dogs, good with cats,
Original:
Belle became a MAESSR puppy at twelve weeks of age following a short stay in the Philadelphia SPCA after being rescued from a horrific puppy mill along with four other Springer puppies and her Springer dad. Testing positive for both coccidia and kennel cough, little Belle was a very sick puppy when she entered foster care. The kennel cough racked her little body with coughs to the point that she would whimper after long coughing spells. She was started on an antibiotics as well as cough medicine to ease the especially tough mornings of coughing. Her tiny ears were nearly packed with sludge that took repeated careful cleanings to get to a healthy state. Even her paws and legs, stained brown from living in filth, have returned to a snowy white. After nearly fourteen days of treatment, she is cough-free and full of life. She is due shortly for a second round of vaccinations and screening to ensure she is as healthy as she appears.
Belle is the perfect little Springer package. She is adorable, playful, lovable, and totally enjoys mealtime in true Springer fashion. Belle’s legs seem to be fitted with little springs; she bounces and jumps on everything so her foster family is working on staying down a lot! She knows the command for sit, will go to her bed when told, and will drop a toy when asked. Retrieving a toy is a great fun for her and chewing makes her, oh, so happy! Shoes are her first choice to chew on, with socks as a close second; however, she accepts a toy as a replacement without a struggle. Belle can be an energy-packed little pup, but if offered a chance to cuddle on a warm lap, she snuggles right in and relaxes. She is quick to offer her belly for a rub and doesn’t mind her ears or feet touched. Brushing is enjoyed by her and kisses are given in return. Everyone who meets her can’t resist scooping her up to love her and she is perfectly fine with that!
Kennel cough has prevented her from the chance to meet a lot of other dogs yet. However, she completely enjoys the resident Springer and they will wrestle, play and tumble outside in the backyard until they are both exhausted. The cat she lives with gets curious sniffs and an occasional nudge as an offer to play, but otherwise is accepted as a buddy to curl up next to. Belle has been on walks on a leash and quickly learned what is expected and tolerates the leash wonderfully. For car rides she has been crated or held on a lap and she is at ease both ways.
For a puppy so young, there are great signs of Belle being a laid back dog. She rarely whines or barks and she is doing very well with housebreaking. Of course, there are still puppy accidents while she is mastering potty training. Until then, frequent visits to the backyard are keeping her on the right track and earning her lots of praise. Using a crate in the house while housebreaking has confused Belle, since in her original circumstances apparently her crate was where she went potty. So, for now, she is confined in the kitchen by a baby gate. She is learning to stay off the gate and remain in the kitchen while her foster family is out of the house and at nighttime. Belle is very quick to learn and so happy to be involved in whatever her people are doing. This beautiful little puppy just loves to be loved!