Entered: 03/31/2013
Status: Adopted
Age: 1
Color: Black/White
Weight: 43 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Gainesville, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, overall good health
Temperament: Good with people as young as nine, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “Cherokee is a loving, smart, sweet softie who wants your love and attention.”
Cherokee and his litter mates Sweet Sioux, Cheyenne, and Pocahantas were four of five dogs surrendered by a Good Samaritan who had cared for them for four months after finding them dumped on his property. They were in an Ohio shelter for a month before coming to MAESSR.
The shelter experience really frightened Cherokee who would have to be carried outside by staff members since he was too scared to walk. When he first came to foster care, he would just stay in one corner of the kitchen, too afraid and timid to venture elsewhere in the house. After a week of being in foster care, though, Cherokee has overcome some of his initial shyness and is moving around the home without prompting. He is even beginning to trust his foster mom enough to accept treats! Loud noises and the sudden appearance of people still startle him, though.
Cherokee’s house manners are stellar! No counter-surfing for this boy nor does he dig in the trash or get up on the furniture. He has never chewed on anything inappropriate, either. Cherokee is housetrained and will go to the back door when he needs to relieve himself. When his foster family is out of the house, he has free run inside and has behaved like a perfect gentleman!
Although walking on a leash was totally foreign to Cherokee when he arrived at his foster home, after a week he walks like a pro; he does not pull and walks at your side. What a smart Springer boy! Upon meeting other dogs and people on walks, he does scare easily, but his fear manifests as complete submission¯ never any aggression. Cherokee rides well in the car without wandering around; he just lies down in the back for the whole ride. Good boy!
Since he is just a year old, Cherokee’s adopting family will have to adhere to MAESSR’s rule of taking him to obedience training. MAESSR only places puppies in homes that are committed to training and bonding with the pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience. The decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment. To reinforce this commitment, MAESSR requires all adopters of dogs under 1 year old and younger to enroll their puppy in obedience classes within 60 days of adoption. Cherokee has already demonstrated that he will be a star pupil!
Cherokee (also known as Chandler to his foster family) loves toys and is starting to play with them. From the first day, he knew what was a toy and what wasn’t. Getting along well with dogs he knows, he is more than happy to initiate play with the resident Springer and he does not guard his toys or his food. Cherokee does prefer to eat when the house is quiet, though.
Some of the new things Cherokee is experiencing he finds a bit traumatic¯ like getting a haircut! He will be going back to the groomers again in a few weeks so that the grooming experience will be a more positive, comfortable event. Oh, the price of being handsome! Cherokee is a loving, smart, sweet softie who wants your love and attention. He brightens his foster family’s day when they see his tail wag. He is coming out of his shell and showing himself to be a lovable, devoted dog. He will make a good addition to some lucky family. If you have room in your heart for a dog that wants a family to love, please consider Cherokee!