Bertram

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Update 08/17/08:

Bertram visited the vet and was found to be slightly positive for Lyme disease. This is easily treated so he is on a course of antibiotics. Then came the shock – the vet (and staff) estimated his age as 3-4 years old, not 18 months as earlier reported. It seems that BB has a puppy face and is an extremely high energy boy – since he isn’t a pup! More on this one coming…

Original:

Bertram was a stray taken into a Pennsylvania shelter. After being held for one month, he was turned over to MAESSR. Bertram (called BB by his foster home for Bertie Boy) is a young, energetic, field bred English Springer. His age is estimated at about 18 months. He is petite, only about 17 inches at the shoulder and weighs under 35 pounds. BB is very birdie and smart. He retrieves to hand and is happiest carrying around a tennis ball or other toy. BB’s foster family does hunt tests and took BB to a practice to see if he had any training. They thought he might be a lost hunting dog. They discovered that BB is not gun shy and, in the opinion of those at practice, has great instincts and would make a good hunting dog. 

At home Bertram is house-broken, doesn’t counter-surf or garbage-dive and is crate-trained. He gets along well with his foster sister and brothers and the resident 10-year-old human. Bertram is high energy, like any other Springer puppy, and can play fetch for hours. He also loves to run. He gets excited easily and then he truly springs. What a sight!!! He can also sometimes get mouthy like a typical pup but responds to a sharp “no.”

BB pulls on the leash but is improving with a prong collar. He also respects the 4-foot fence at his foster home. BB loves toys and will bark at strangers in the yard. 

More on this happy youngster as he settles into his foster home…