Entered: 11/30/2014
Status: Adopted
Age: 11
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 45 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Hellertown, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, reportedly developed hot spots in the springtime, a few skin cysts requiring no treatment, overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults and teens, reportedly good with children as young as 7, good with dogs, might view cats and small animals (including very small dogs) as prey due to a hunting background
Update 12/16/2014:“I have a long list of toys that I want and I don’t want Santa to leave them at the wrong place!”
Remember: You’re only as old as you feel – just listen to Crockett:
Dear MAESSR friends,
It has been brought to my attention that I am the oldest Springer listed on the MAESSR Available Dogs page. I do NOT want to be overlooked simply because I may seem “old.” I am not “old.” I am now walking a mile and a half most days, could most likely walk five miles, and could probably JOG that far! I LOVE to play. I love to fetch my ball, chew my bones, and toss around my Kong. I am handsome – not a gray hair on me (not that there’s anything wrong with gray hair!) My hearing and sight are good and I am as agile as anyone could want. I am also very loveable, happy, sweet, and an excellent all around boy (my foster mom can confirm this.)
I am looking for someone who needs a companion. We can hang out, go for walks, toss my tennis ball, visit the pet store, go for rides and enjoy life. There are no promises that any of us will be around forever, but I can promise that I will love you and be your best friend. Now, fill out that application and bring me home for the holidays! I have a long list of toys that I want and I don’t want Santa to leave them at the wrong place!
MAESSR’s Oldest but Young-at-Heart Boy,
Crockett
Original: “The most amazing thing about Crockett is that he is 11 years old. It simply cannot be possible! He is more agile than all the other dogs in his foster home put together.”
Crockett is an adorable field Springer who came to MAESSR from Massachusetts after an injury to his owner prevented them from hunting any longer. Kept outside as a pheasant hunter, Crockett derived all of his socialization and exercise through the process of hunting. He spent his days in an outdoor pen and his nights inside in a crate, only getting out when hunting. This fine looking boy was purchased from a gun dog breeder as a puppy and reportedly has champions in his pedigree.
Crockett is settling into life as a family pet, living with human teens and three other Springer Spaniels ages 5, 8 and 11. He was somewhat anxious his first few days but settles in more each day. His foster family doesn’t know the first thing about hunting and, interestingly enough, it doesn’t seem to bother Crockett one bit. His life is different now but rich – interesting, fun, and varied. He has proven to be a very Velcro boy and loves to be very close to his foster mom. He is taken out into the fenced yard every hour or so to run around, relieve himself, and explore. Sniffing around the yard is an activity he seems to enjoy the most. Crockett’s foster mom is following a “puppy schedule” until he learns puppies “go” outside. He is doing really well but a food brand switch gave him a little set back. His foster family watches him very closely in the house to catch any marking attempts; his upcoming neuter should lessen the desire to mark, as well.
Although Crockett did not have much leash walking experience he does not pull as much as expected. The main issue in walking him is that he spins around, tangling the leash around the walker’s legs. His foster mom found it helped to shorten up the leash! Crockett will be happiest with a fenced yard so he can safely smell all of those glorious smells. He shouldn’t be trusted off leash outside of the hunting venue, as his previous owner reported that Crockett followed his nose on several occasions and was once gone for two days!
Crockett’s back yard is one big mud pit at the moment so he currently plays “fetch” indoors. His foster mom tosses the ball and he retrieves it; then she says “drop it” and he drops it! He knows quite a few other commands including “stay,” “drop,” “come,” “fetch,” “paw,” “stop,” “lie down,” “retrieve pheasants,” “hunt,” “rollover” and “crate up.” Wow! Although his previous owner sent along a list of this smart boy’s vocabulary, his foster mom isn’t quite sure how to use some of the commands.
One might wonder how a field boy who excelled at flushing pheasant can move indoors and settle into a family pet lifestyle. Crockett is resilient and adaptable and smart – so he is making progress daily. He is learning which way the doors open, that household appliances are not harmful, steps are just fine, and so much more. He has three good teachers in the resident dogs, too. Crockett watches them and learns he has to sit for a treat and to wait his turn. Initially he was overly excited around the dogs, but that has settled and his behavior is appropriate.
Several trips to drop off or pick up kids have become part of Crockett’s daily schedule. He is very well behaved and sits tethered in the back seat. Sometimes he stops at the local fast food drive-through for a burger. He also made a trip to a pet store to check out toys and treats. He enjoyed this new experience and was very well-behaved and friendly toward other shoppers.
The most amazing thing about Crockett is that he is 11 years old. It simply cannot be possible! He is more agile than all the other dogs in his foster home put together. He races up and down the steps with ease. He doesn’t seem to have any hearing or sight issues. In fact, he looks and acts about four years old. His previous owner felt he was VERY high energy, but his foster mom feels that living as a family pet in a home where things are going on throughout the day satisfies him just fine. He is not behaving like a high energy dog. Although Crockett was very wound up his first few days in foster care, he just needed time to settle. When he gets wound up or anxious, he spins around – very fast. Crockett spends no time crated in his foster home. What freedom! He stays close by his foster mom, even sleeping on a dog bed next to her bed at night. When everyone goes out, he and the other dogs have a gate that confines them to the kitchen area.
During a review of Crockett’s vet records, it was noted that he has gotten some spring hot spots over the years that were treated with antibiotics. He has a few skin cysts that the vet aspirated and said were not worrisome. Crockett was a very good boy at the vet and also a good boy at the groomer. He can be touched all over with no issues. His fur is soft and he loves to be petted!
Crockett is a friendly, happy boy that any family would be blessed to call their own. He likes to play ball and will bring it back nicely. It was reported that he is afraid of thunder and lightning and will cry during a storm. If a stranger comes into the house, he will alert bark and seems to quiet down with the “stop” command.
This intelligent, lovable boy is in need of a new home later in life and doesn’t want to be overlooked because he is older! Life is about quality not quantity. While he could be happy in most any household, Crockett would be an ideal dog for a family that might want to dabble in scent work, agility, or tracking. Very attentive and eager to please, Crockett just wants to be loved and be around the action. Do not miss the opportunity to be owned by such a great boy!