Curley Sue

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Updated 6/20/07: Curly Sue remains in good health and is fully active now that her spaying stitches are out. She made up for lost time during a recent visit to the dog park. It was a mild, balmy day with half a dozen dogs and their people to share the park with at any one time. Curly Sue approached all comers with her ball and would return it to their feet without exception. She did slow down but was still fetching after hours and after having worn out half a dozen human playmates. When fetching at home, she is asked to “sit” before handing the ball to her foster mom and is still working on this.  But the folks in the dog park were simply impressed that she brought it back to them every time. Clearly, her adopting family will have to play ball!

Curly will also do best with a family who is patient and willing to work with her on basic obedience. She is completely comfortable with indoor life but her foster mom thinks she has possibly not spent too much of her 3 years as an inside gal. She still needs a bit of guidance with her housekeeping but is now sleeping bedside on a doggie bed, having moved beyond being crated through the nights. She doesn’t chew, counter-surf, or notice the trash can but did check out the kitchen table when her mom asked one evening if she was ready for dinner!

The nicest change to see in Curly Sue is that she has become comfortable and at ease with cuddling. When she first arrived, she was stiff as a board when her family sat on the floor to pet and cuddle with her. She has softened as Springers do and is ready for a family who will take her into their arms— and also throw balls.

Original
Curly Sue was surrendered to central West Virginia shelter with three other dogs. Her owner had recently acquired the group and, unfortunately, found that having four springers under the age of three years was too much for them. Curly Sue is in very good overall health and is making a nice recovery from her spay procedure since coming into rescue.

Upon arrival at her foster home, Curly Sue got a bath and was very patient with having her ears cleaned, her nails trimmed and with the start of some clipping. This gal has apparently spent a lot of time outdoors. Her coat is very sun bleached, but the deep, rich, liver color is there under the lighter locks and will be beautiful when her coat grows out or she gets a full clipping! Her name is perfect for her. Curly Sue has the curliest top knot her foster mom has ever seen and, with a little tidying up, it will blend right into her long wavy ears.

There is a resident male springer in her foster home who has offered play bows to Curly Sue, but so far, she has opted for playing with every toy in the house instead of him. She LOVES to play fetch and is quite good at it. Often she will catch a throw in the air. When she returns, she plops the toy right at one’s feet and is poised to go again. Until her stitches come out, her play is being kept quite low key, but once she’s past that, there may be no end to what this girl can do. Trying her with a Frisbee is eagerly anticipated.

Treats play second fiddle to toys right now, but they are being used to begin obedience training. It doesn’t seem that Curly Sue knows any commands but as she settles, her foster family is beginning to teach “sit.” She pulls somewhat on a leash and could benefit from some training in this area, too. She is comfortable with normal household sounds and with the adults she has met when out in public. She has not met any children, yet.

Curly Sue is comfortable in a crate and spends her time there when her foster family is away. She is sleeping through the night bedside in another crate for now. With new food and a new routine, she is still adjusting and there have been a few accidents, but she seems to have the right instincts and should be reliable very soon. She has been corrected only once for counter surfing and has not even glanced at the trash can. She is also a very good traveler. She has been on a day long road trip with her foster family and did great. Most of the time she rides in a crate, but on shorter local runs, she has ridden calmly in the extra cab space of a pickup.

If part of a pack, Curly Sue would be the one with a toy in her mouth. She is rarely without one and will cast insistent glances when she’s ready to play. Her tail is always wiggling. She has lots of potential and needs active people to reach her potential. In equal measure, this girl needs a family who will shape her understanding of humans as ones who can love her as well as be her playmates. She’s looking now!  Got toys?