Bracken

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Update 5/11/05: Before coming to MAESSR, Bracken had minimal interaction with humans and had never lived in a house. His first foster family got him accustomed to indoor living with people. He is making even more progress in his second foster home, where he is getting more one-on-one attention.

Bracken is a sweet, gentle soul. He is friendly but reserved with people. He takes some time to adjust to new situations. After a week in his new foster home, he follows his foster mom everywhere. Although he wants to keep her in sight, he is likely to settle a few feet away. He readily accepts attention and will snuggle if someone sits on the floor next to him. He seldom initiates contact, although that is gradually changing as the days go by. Bracken is a mellow boy but shows glimpses of an emerging Springer enthusiasm. He now wags his tail and looks happily at this foster mom. He has discovered toys, particularly a hard plastic ball he uses for “soccer” and plush squeaky toys. He quickly tore a hole in his stuffed raccoon and killed the squeaker. And, he did a little doggie happy dance in the yard this morning!

Bracken is well-mannered in general and good on a leash, partly due to his mellow nature. He has apparently not had any formal training and is still too insecure for anything but the most basic instruction. He has learned a few things, though, and should be a quick study when he gets more comfortable. He is still not reliably housebroken when left alone in the house, so he is currently crated when his foster mom is away and does well with that.

Bracken is an excellent dog who needs a family with the patience and love to make him blossom. He’ll probably come along even faster if he has another dog to show him the ropes and play with him. He may not ever be the overly affectionate guy who wants to climb into a lap, but he promises to be a good and loyal companion.

Update 2/4/05: Bracken remains a very shy fellow but comes around easily and will show his sweet nature to his foster mom and others who are kind to him. His foster mom has tried to take more flattering pictures of him, but he is camera shy too and looks the other way every time she puts the camera between him and herself. So much for getting this boy into the “06 MAESSR calendar!

He has made good progress with his house training and still needs some guidance but is getting close to being reliable. Bracken had apparently lived outside for most of his life with limited contact with people. He is still learning to live with people and to trust them. He has the potential to be a loving companion, but doesn’t fully understand yet how to completely relax with a person. When he is adopted, he will do best with a family who lives a quieter lifestyle and has the gentle patience to help him learn how to be affectionate. Maybe then he will also smile for the camera!!

Original: Bracken is one of 5 dogs surrendered to MAESSR when their owner developed some health problems and could no longer physically or financially care for the dogs. The group had been kenneled outside and had limited experience inside the home. They all appeared healthy when first visited by a MAESSR volunteer, but were in need of better living conditions and basic grooming. None were UTD or on heartworm preventative.

Bracken had been used for breeding purposes and reportedly for some hunting in the past.

In his foster home, Bracken is a shy boy when first meeting people, but he then warms up to anyone who is kind to him. He has not met children yet nor is it known how he would be with cats. He is not good with dogs he is unfamiliar with at this time. Like the other 4 dogs in this group, Bracken is not housetrained and does not know any basic obedience.

He has not had an easy life, but his very experienced foster mom sees the potential in this fellow. She also knows Bracken deserves a chance to be loved and feels he is ready to go to just the right adopting family. He will require someone who has a real love for the English springer spaniel breed and really wants to help a dog that is in need of a family. With a tiny bit of patience and work, this boy can be a loving companion for someone.