Carmen

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Update 09/21/08:

In the month since Carmen has been with his foster family, he has gained confidence and a handsome, healthy appearance. Carmen still has a relaxed demeanor in the house but has a happy exuberance outside in the yard. He is a natural swimmer and can be relied on when taken on off-leash walks at a nearby lake. 

He no longer jumps on the furniture, unless he has been invited by his teenage foster sister to snuggle on the couch to watch TV. Carmen has excellent manners and is completely trusted throughout the house. He has also developed a perfectly normal bark. It is thought that he may have been just too weak to produce a bark when first brought to foster care. He speaks sparingly though, usually just to express delight at the sight of his dinner bowl or leash. His confidence is lovely, yet he knows the rules and respects requests made of him. Visitors are welcomed easily, both inside and outside his foster home with no worries. He has gained a little weight but is still a slim guy. His coat has grown into nice thick waves.

Carmen has embraced his new beginning and is ready for a forever family to make him their own. He is a dog that can fit quickly and easily into almost any home – one with children, one with other dogs, one with cats, and one that would welcome his maturity and be tickled to bypass the commitment of training a younger dog. If this sounds like your home – please ask about meeting Carmen!

Original:

Carmen was a stray and became a MAESSR dog after being in a shelter in West Virginia. His coat was so full of mats that he was shaved but they neglected to groom his feet or ears. When his foster family took him to the groomers, he did very well and did not mind having his feet or ears trimmed and oh!! How handsome he looks now. His joyful personality keeps unfolding at his foster home as he gains a little weight and muscle to go along with confidence.

What a gentle, laid back guy. Carmen is truly at peace with cats. He had some previous experience living with barn cats and it shows. His foster family’s cat elicits little reaction. Though Carmen has tried to initiate play with him with no luck, the two sometimes lay side by side, sunning on the backyard deck. Carmen loves to run through the yard sniffing constantly for rabbits. He thoroughly enjoys walks and is a pleasant leash walker with a busy nose. He is always sniffing for rabbits and squirrels but doesn’t tug to chase them while on a leash. What an awesome Springer! 

Carmen watches intently while food is being prepared but does not beg. He has not counter surfed although that nose is constantly working, but from an acceptable distance from the table or counter. Carmen also has not gone near the trash can but he has helped himself to the cat’s bowl – he is learning that is off limits. Carmen likes to meet people, is very polite and does not jump. He has been equally easy going with children and adults.

This fellow wants to be with people, just to be quiet company or ready for action when you are. Carmen is the handsome silent type – all good looks and very little bark. His foster family has heard him bark only once at a visitor in a neighboring yard. He does not bark at other dogs or when the doorbell rings. His eyes say volumes and he does the cutest dance with fancy footwork and little circles to let you know how happy he is. This boy is good at playing fetch and, at times, likes to carry a soft toy around in his mouth. In the evening when it is time to relax, he will nuzzle under anyone’s hand for a head rub or an earnest, loving talking to. He has been found curled up on the couch a few times but he listens immediately when told to get down. Carmen sits nicely to the command down, although not to sit and is perfecting stay. He comes like a champ when called. He waits to be told to eat from his bowl, usually checking with eye contact twice to make sure it is ok to start eating. He doesn’t care for hard biscuits or bones, preferring chewier treats.

Carmen enjoys a car ride, jumping in happily and would rather look out the window than miss anything while lying down. He is completely house-trained and has had no slip-ups. At night or when left alone for long periods of time, he is confined by a baby gate in the kitchen where he sleeps soundly on a dog bed next to the resident Springer. He has stood up on the gate to greet people but has not jumped over it. Nor has he jumped the 4-foot fence in the yard. He has not been crated at his foster home; however, he was fine in the crate with the groomer.

Just being with Carmen is rewarding. He has a way of letting you know how much he appreciates your attention with little happy leans on your hand with his big-boy head. Carmen would do well as an only dog or with dogs or cats. He has simple Springer wishes – play with me a little, walk me and show me love.