Boots

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Update 07/07/08:

Boots’ foster family has had him for six weeks. He is the same lively boy, a real athlete, which he was when he arrived. He is a fine dog and is fine-tuning his manners. He does jump up when excited and, since he is lab-sized, catching someone’s attention with all four feet on the ground is the gentlemanly thing to do. 

Boots is a real looker and gets lots of attention at dog parks. He is impassioned with a ball. He will do really well with a second dog to play with in an adopting home or with owners who can put aside plenty of play time with him each day.

Original:

Boots was relinquished to MAESSR because the owners did not have adequate time for him and felt he would be better off in a new family where they did. 

Handsome, energetic, playful, and athletic, Boots is a big Springer who weighs over sixty pounds. He has a very sweet disposition and has never shown any aggression towards animals or people. In his original home, he had regular children visitors aged one to thirteen with whom he loved to play. Because of his size, he may accidentally knock over a really young child, though. In his foster family, he gets along well with the resident alpha female Springer and respects her dominance. Boots also plays well with other dogs, but he wants to lick them if they are not engaged in play. His original owner reported that when Boots was a young pup, he used to try to chase cats, but in the past year or so, he chooses not to be bothered with them. He has only shown mild curiosity about cats in his foster home.

Boots is housebroken, crate-trained, and sleeps in his open crate. He signals his need to go outside with a bark. Although he was restricted to living in the basement of his original home, in his foster home he has had full run of house with the resident Springer and has been fine. Getting a good run and play the first thing in the morning and at dinnertime, plus a short bedtime walk seems to keep him calm in the house. His foster mom has seen how athletic Boots is first-hand. She has observed him scale and/or jump repeatedly over a three-foot rail fence with turkey wire lining with ease! His forever home will have to contain this high jumper with a bit more of a fence! Boots rides well in the backseat of the car with a harness on for safety or in a crate. When his foster family leaves the house and he stays behind, he has shown no separation anxiety. He is reported to be afraid of thunder, but his foster family has not experienced any storms with him first-hand. 

Since he had not been exposed to all aspects of home life previously, Boots will counter-surf a little, but responds to “No!” and “Back Off!” He does not beg or get on furniture though. Never having any formal obedience training, Boots does not seem to know basic commands. His foster family is working with him on those. He is heeling pretty well with an Easy-Walk harness. Boots is passionate about playing fetch with tennis balls in the yard and playing soccer balls. His foster mom took him for his first swim and, although he was a bit hesitant, it will just be a matter of time before he’ll be fetching his tennis balls in the water too! 

The relinquishing owner said Boots generally is good at the groomer and he had a special, sweet, daily ritual. The man of the house would take a wet washcloth, and wipe down Boots’ eyes, ears, and entire face every morning. Boots absolutely LOVES to have his face washed with a moist cloth every day! 

Boots is a great boy and he has made many admirers at his foster home and in the neighborhood. Boots would love to come and play ball with you forever in your backyard. He is ready to be a thoroughly integrated member of your family!