Bethany

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Update 11/26/08: Bethany is a great girl and is about as perfect as one could wish. She is steadily but slowly gaining weight and the last time she was checked; she had gained about 6 pounds from her original weigh-in.

This gal would be a perfect pet for a family without small children. She likes children but is occasionally unsteady on her legs, due to arthritis, and would be easily knocked down. She gets along well with everyone – people, dogs, and cats. She has no bad habits of any kind. She eats together with another foster dog in perfect peace. Her foster mom can even hand feed them at the same time. Bethany is trustworthy off leash in the yard but, since there is no fence, her foster mom does have to keep an eye on her.

Bethany has complete freedom in the house and is so well-behaved. As with all the resident dogs, she finds being “imprisoned” in the 50 x 50 pen an insult and will bark, but not so vociferously as the rag-mannered residents.

Bethany and another foster have mastered synchronized peeing. What a hoot! She likes to play with a spoiled rotten cocker spaniel, to roll in the grass or dead leaves, and just to be wherever her foster mom is. She comes when called and, when it is time to get back in the house, she will return on her own to the door. The end-of-day routine includes a special bone for bedtime, a good night from her foster mom, and then quiet abounds throughout the house until 6 A.M. when the resident dogs wake up. Bethany now understands that when her foster mom goes to sleep, she is not being left alone and she sleeps quietly through the night.

At her age, Bethany does need to go out more frequently than a younger dog, so a home with people in it throughout the day or at least available to take her out would be best. Maybe even her own doggie door!

Bethany enjoys attention and is ready for new arms to hug her, to give her that special bedtime treat, and to tell her what a pretty girl she is. With just one look from her face, you will know she loves you back.

Original: This sweet old girl came to MAESSR when her elderly owner’s diminishing abilities prevented her from being able to care for Bethany properly. She wanted her beloved companion of thirteen years to spend her final years in a home where she would be safe and loved. MAESSR was glad to help her out and find a wonderful forever home for Bethany.

Bethany is a gentle soul with a great temperament. When she is taken outside, she never pulls on the leash, and she can be trusted off-leash if attended. Bethany will just walk until she comes to a barrier, so if there is no fence, she would have to have someone with her at all times. She is very well-behaved with both the resident dogs and cats. Her former owner’s daughter says she is good with children, too, but she has not met any while in her foster home.

At mealtime, Bethany drops food when she eats, and this will be checked at the scheduled vet visit to make sure she does not have any problems with her teeth or mouth. She is very thin currently which could be due to her original owner’s increasing forgetfulness in feeding Bethany adequately. Bethany is not at all food aggressive, and she will allow her foster mom to sit next to her picking up what has been dropped and putting it back in the dish. Bethany’s coat is healthy and shiny, and her eyes are clear and bright. Except for being underweight, she appears to be healthy for her age. She will be 14 in early January.

Bethany is not crate trained, but her good house manners do not necessitate this. She sometimes needs a bathroom break during the night, but this could be due partly to her age, her previous owner’s inability to remember to take her out, and her foster family’s unfamiliarity with her personal schedule. She has only had two accidents while in foster care.

Arthritis makes it difficult for Bethany to get in and out of the car, but once inside, she enjoys the ride. Stairs are also hard for her to negotiate. She would prefer if her foster mom would stay on the ground floor! To protest being left behind when her family goes upstairs, Bethany will whimper and complain especially if they are too long at the computer. Like most Springers, Bethany is a Velcro girl and even rests on the bathmat when the shower is in use! There is no such thing as privacy when there’s a Springer in the house!

Bethany would do very well in a quiet forever home where someone was present most of the time. This senior has lots of love to give!