Brooklyn

---

Updated 9/14/06: When it comes to playing, Brooklyn is a little powerhouse. Her spaying surgery slowed her down for a day or two and then she was back 100%. She now lies down while eating, just so she can give her best to a rough and tumble round with the resident dogs. She has become much gentler with her mouth when playing with people but shows little mercy on her soft toys. Her stuffed kitty is now headless but is still preferred to balls and Kong’s.

Brooklyn got to visit for a long weekend in another MAESSR foster home. There she met yet another Springer, a female this time, whom she loved. There were also 3 dog-savvy cats and Brooklyn was apparently just a bit intimidated by them. She did enjoy sneaking off quietly to check out their litter box until her new foster parents caught on to her interest and nipped the opportunity.

Brooklyn has become reliable with her house training but still uses a crate when her family is away and at night. There are just too many things she could get into with her youthful curiosity to leave her unsupervised. She is beginning loose leash walking, waits in her crate for her food bowl to arrive, and will “sit” alongside the resident dogs for a bedtime treat. She loves to go for ride in the car and will ride in a crate, or behind the front seat.

Brooklyn is simply fun to have in the house and a very sweet, easy girl. She accepts all petting from the people around her and is generous with kisses in return. She is often too busy to sit and cuddle but will grow into that as she grows up. She’s just the right size now to sit alongside in an oversized, comfy chair. She’ll make a perfect little companion both for her new family and their resident dogs, as long as everyone has time in their day and hearts for a lively spirit.

Original: Brooklyn is a little sweetheart from southern West Virginia. She was picked up with a group of dogs by an animal control officer and spent just enough days in a shelter to give an owner time to locate and reclaim her. When no one came forward, a MAESSR volunteer took her into foster care. She’s a happy, healthy, 30-pound wiggle butt who has 2 speeds – all out and napping!

Actually, at her vet visit, Brooklyn managed a middle speed. After eagerly greeting everyone in the lobby, she became very calm and cooperative during her exam. She has 2 minor problems and should have both of them behind her in a week. One is intestinal worms and the other is ear mites. Neither issue seems to bother her at all and she is eating very well. When she is spayed, she will receive her rabies vaccine.

Back at home, Brooklyn became wiggly again but didn’t escape during her bath and nail trimming. She loves treats and was willing to overlook the sound of clippers as long as there was a reward to hold her attention. Her coat is in good condition, so all she needed was a little tidying up to look her best.

Brooklyn has hit it off well with the 2 Springers in her foster home. Both are young adult males. She likes to pester them into play by bowing right in their faces and she’s very successful with the one. He towers over her, as he’s a little tall and she’s a little short, but she’s not at all intimidated by his size. The other Springer is a little jealous and grumbles at times, but she’s not put off by him and either persists or goes to find other amusement.

It doesn’t seem that anyone has taught Brooklyn basic commands but she’s bright and willing to learn. She’s working on “sit” and “wait.” She has the right instincts when it comes to house training but needs a little more time to adjust to a new routine. She is accepting her crate as a safe haven when her foster family works and spends her nights bedside in a crate too, at least until she’s reliable.

When Brooklyn plays with her foster mom, she nips fingers just like she does Springer ears, so she would need to be supervised with young children. Her foster mom is working with her on this, and Brooklyn is starting to understand that “ouch” ends the play. It shouldn’t be long until she is a little gentler with people. Like most youngsters, Brooklyn likes to explore things with her mouth. She is discovering toys and the soft ones are more to her liking than Kongs. She also has a good size marrow bone that she works on in her crate.

With only a few days in her foster home, Brooklyn has already impressed her family as a great pup. She’s got a good little mind and an endearing personality. All she needs in life is a loving family who will step forward and make her their very own.