Entered: 06/06/2009
Status: adopted
Age: 6
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Fayetteville, WV
Health: UTD, HW-, at an ideal weight, good in all areas
Temperament: Good with adults, children unknown, good with other dogs, cats unknown
Update 06/19/09: Brinkley has been a busy boy. His big road trip was to MAESSR’s Springerfest in Richmond. There he met lots of other springers and their families. It was an all-day event, complete with a lake to swim in and Brinkley didn’t miss a thing. He was offered a chance to snooze part of the day in a comfy crate but preferred to be out on leash. He did well but was a very tired pup at day’s end. He overnighted with another MAESSR family that weekend and got to use a brand-new doggie door. He liked coming in better than going out but was willing to go both ways when he saw the other dogs having so much fun!
A full grooming session took up another day for Brinkley. All went well, except he was afraid of the clippers. Despite that, the groomer managed to remove his sun-bleached coat. He was a little wide-eyed when his foster mom looked in on him mid-day, but Brinkley was standing for the groomer on a table with no noose, so her patience must have won him over. He is a bit itchy in places from the close clip but there were no skin lesions when the last mats fell away, and he looks fantastic. He is truly liver, white and tan now!
Brinkley also visited the vet for a general exam. He behaved quite nicely in the lobby and in the hands of the vet. He checked out perfectly. His neutering is scheduled and is the only thing between him and being ready for a new family.
At home Brinkley remains flawless with his housekeeping. He dines in his crate and spends work mornings there alongside a resident ESS. Midday he is out for a stretch and during afternoons, he is limited to the kitchen with 2 ESSs. (Note: an enticing smell will bring out the counter surfing ability in this boy and topping a crate for a better view out a window is not beyond him either – He’s a curious one). Brinkley declines the playful overtures of the livelier ESS and largely ignores the other. He can live well with dogs who will share their humans, but Brinkley’s life could probably be complete without a canine companion.
Moderate exercise satisfies but Brinkley is always eager and bouncy when opportunity comes along. He likes to play ball and will drop one at your feet. He is a true pleasure to be with in the woods; he is not real nosy and looks up at his human as much as at what’s around him. At night he sleeps bedside on his own bed and, though he will cast longing eyes upward, he will not invite himself up.
Brinkley has demonstrated very nice versatility. He is confident when out amongst crowds, though he should not be expected to be the life of the block party. He could be a wonderful companion in the hands of dog savvy people who enjoy a responsive dog that focuses on them as Brinkley loves to do. In less experienced hands, a great way to get started with him would be to take an obedience class together. Brinkley would love it and it would help his people establish confidence to match his. He is easily trained and has learned “down”, “wait”, “outside”, “load up”, and to be polite for treats and meals with very little effort in his foster home.
Brinkley has worked very hard to get his foster family to like him. He will do the same with the lucky folks who adopt him. If you are looking for intelligence and devotion in your dog, Brinkley may be a perfect match for you.
Original: Brinkley came to MAESSR from a shelter in Kentucky where he had been relinquished. He was a bit of mess and the shelter put a lot of work into him before putting him on a plane. Yes, a plane piloted by a MAESSR volunteer flew him to West Virginia. Upon arrival at the little airport, Mr. B trotted through Gate 4 into the lobby like a seasoned traveler. His pilot must have made sure his passenger got an extra smooth ride!
Once in his foster home, work on Brinkley continued. His coat was so sun-bleached that it would be easy to miss the tan markings of this tri-color boy. He has been very patient as mats very close to the skin were trimmed away, thankfully revealing healthy skin. Most of his classic feathering is gone but it will grow out again. He will be gorgeous when the liver in his coat returns.
Brinkley had been living outdoors in his former home and is thrilled to be back inside. His leash manners are very good; the only time he pulls is when returning from a walk. He can’t wait to get back in the house! He will sit, is crate trained, and has had no accidents in the house. He is living with 2 male ESS and gets along with both. He is not playful with them, but he is at ease with them and they with him.
It seems to be people that catch Brinkley’s attention the most. He has only met adults since in foster care and greets strangers easily. He loves attention and will engage with a confident eye contact. He gets excited about offering his paw and does need a little guidance about not scratching at the same time. Brinkley’s only vice so far is that he will dig, when left on his own, in the outdoor pen. If his foster family could only harness that energy and get him to till the garden, he would have the job!
While waiting for his vet visit, Brinkley will get out and about to see how he does with other opportunities. More on this one to come.