Entered: 02/09/2025
Status: On Hold
Age: 8; born 06/17/2016
Color: Black/White/Tan
Weight: 52.5 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Severna Park, MD
Health: UTD, HW-, fatty growth on chest recommended for removal which is pending
Temperament: Good with known adults and children although younger ones might make her nervous, becoming more confident meeting new people, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Update 03/17/2025: “Previously a chunky girl, Darby is slimming down to her ideal weight with long walks and managed feeding.”
Darby continues to settle in and feel comfortable in her foster home. Previously a chunky girl, Darby is slimming down to her ideal weight with long walks and managed feeding. She’s looking good and feeling good!
One health item will soon be addressed. The fatty growth on her chest was concerning, so this will be removed later this month. Darby will need to be quiet, which isn’t an issue for her, for 10 to 14 days to makes sure she heals properly and no infections set in.
Not a kitchen counter-surfer, Darby jumped up once to look at the counter and see what was happening but quickly got down when told. It didn’t appear that she was actually looking for food.
Previously Darby seemed disinterested in toys. She has recently picked up a toy, carried it for a while, then dropped it. She has also picked up a sock to carry around. Just cleaning up, here!
A very good girl on walks, Darby is becoming more confident every day and now will approach (cautiously) dogs and people. In the home, where she is comfortable, she will approach people asking for pets. As Darby has gained confidence in her environment, she seems much more comfortable with all the people around her, begging for attention. Young children might be a bit too active for her.
Darby is a Velcro girl and will follow her humans around the house to be close. She feels comfortable with other dogs and the resident dog, but they don’t play. She needs her pack even if they are human. Darby is not alpha but will follow and fit well with a family. She should be fine left alone from time to time as long as she gets attention, love, and a nice walk during the day.
Post surgery recovery, sweet Darby will be ready for her forever home.
Original: “When her people stop to talk to friends or other dogs they meet on a walk, Darby simply stands behind her people and then gradually makes her way up to sniff and meet the guests.”
Darby lived her entire life with her elderly female owner in New York. Recently the owner was hospitalized and had to move to a health care facility. Family members contacted MAESSR to find a new home for this wonderful, much-loved dog.
This sweetheart has adapted well to living with her foster family. She is housetrained but does not signal to go out other than pacing. Her foster parents keep her on a schedule taking her outside every 4 hours but she has been left at home for longer periods without issue. Darby is not crate trained and it is not needed since she is well-behaved and wants to be with the people, generally settling close to them. At night she is with the family dog in the master bedroom. Darby has always slept on her owner’s bed and her foster parents have not tried to change her behavior.
Darby is very good in the house although she does sit on the furniture. It’s actually rare to find Darby not on a chair or sofa which is not her foster parents’ preference but it calms her. Darby has not done any counter-surfing but she is not food motivated. She has lately started to jump up when her people come home after being away for a while. She is quick to “sit” and “rollover” and loves to have her belly rubbed. Darby does not chew on toys or furniture.
Darby is a bit chunky so her foster parents are making sure she gets lots of long walks. She is very good walking on a leash and loves sniffing everything. She passes people and dogs with little interest. When her people stop to talk to friends or other dogs they meet on a walk, Darby simply stands behind her people and then gradually makes her way up to sniff and meet the guests. Both Darby and the resident dog are taken outside for bathroom breaks without a leash and Darby is good staying in the yard and coming when called. If her leash is dropped on a walk, she won’t wander. Darby is uncomfortable in a car but does alright; she would just prefer to walk.
Darby has not shown any interest in toys even after watching the resident dog pick one up and play. She is very content to get her pets and rest quietly on a chair. She will occasionally follow the resident dog and sniff him but she is not aggressive. Darby does not guard food, but the dogs are supervised while eating as Darby will walk away and the resident will eat the remainder of her food. Darby is a slow eater but has generally been good eating. The dogs are fed either in the kitchen or laundry room keeping some distance between them. Darby has good energy for an 8-year-old. She runs up and down stairs and in the yard. She walks up to 3 miles without a problem.
Darby has not been to the groomer while in foster care but she has been groomed in the past and reportedly was fine. Her foster parents have not tried to cut her nails; she didn’t like them to touch her paws initially but seems better now. She was very nervous at the vet so she was muzzled for her exam as she has a history of biting while at the vet. When muzzled, she was very calm/submissive letting the vet do the physical exam.
Her foster parents feel Darby will do well with an adult couple with no children. Although she would probably be fine with children, their sudden movements seem to put her on edge. It is important to allow Darby time to get to know people before they approach; this gives her confidence. Children may not understand that she sometimes needs space. Darby is not a flight risk, and while her foster parents always walk her on a leash, she can be trusted in a safe space to wander and do her business. Darby will return when called usually not wanting to go too far from her people. Darby needs a family that understands it is going to take her a few days to acclimate but she will then be a very loving companion. Darby wants daily walks but does not require a lot of attention. She does not enjoy being alone and does like the companionship of another dog. A home with two working adults where she would spend the majority of her day alone would not be a good match for this sweet girl. Does your family meet these check marks for adopting Darby? Inquire about her today!