Entered: 09/01/2016
Status: Adopted
Age: 8, Born 03/14/2008
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 41 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Richmond, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for a hotspot under chin complete, receiving weekly medicated baths for skin yeast, benefiting from OTC solution for ear yeast, benefiting from quality kibble and supplements to improve coat, receiving supplement for some arthritis in rear legs
Temperament: Good with adults, shy when meeting children, good with other dogs, unknown with cats but regularly barked at a neighbor’s cat
Original: “Dini has impeccable house manners. She does not counter-surf, get into trash, or beg.”
Dini’s owner in Virginia was facing a quick move to a new home with a pet weight-restriction. She was very anguished at parting with “the perfect dog” which she had adopted seven years ago from a shelter. She sought out some Springer-loving neighbors for help who just happened to have a MAESSR connection.
Dini has a history of skin issues and has one large hotspot under her chin where her collar touched her skin. She’s now receiving an antibiotic to clear up this staph infection and it’s looking much better. Her coat is thin in spots and dry. It was felt that she had a yeast infection, so weekly medicated baths have begun. She’s now being fed a different kibble with fish oil and coconut oil added to help her coat. Her itchy ears had a yeasty smell and her foster mom is applying a simple over the counter solution which has stopped the itching. Some minor hearing loss might be regained as her ears clear. The slight stiffness that Dini occasionally displays appears to be the beginning of some age-related arthritis. She’s begun a supplement that will help with her joint health. This girl still has plenty of pep in her step!
For much of the past year Dini had spent the majority of the day outdoors due to her owner’s schedule change. She had continuous-feeding food and water bowls and a small Yorkie as a companion. This petite girl was a little confused by her new situation for just a couple of days. She’s now an inside dog and meals are served twice daily. Once Dini became comfortable, her appetite returned and she was very content to be a part of a new household. While she previously enjoyed the company of another dog, she has been fine as a solo canine. Dini is mostly a quiet little girl…but if the doorbell rings or she spots someone coming to the house, she’s quite the guard dog with her “big dog” bark! It didn’t take her long to establish it as “her” home to protect!
Housetrained, Dini can “hold it” for quite a while; even when let outdoors for a potty break she doesn’t usually relieve herself right away. She’s only once indicated a need to go out, which was demonstrated by an alert pacing in front of her foster parents. So far, she has not pooped in her fenced yard – she reserves that for her afternoon walk.
Reportedly Dini does not enjoy being crated. There has been no reason to do so in her foster home. When her parents are gone she quietly waits by the door without getting on furniture or disturbing a thing. Dini slept or lounged in her former home anywhere on the floor. In her foster home she has several dog beds in different rooms and she loves them all. At night she might sleep in her foster parents’ room but often she chooses a dog bed in the living room. She does not have a constant need to be in the same room as her people, but likes to know where they are.
Dini has impeccable house manners. She does not counter-surf, get into trash, or beg. She was not allowed in the dining area when her former owner ate and she respects that boundary in her new home. Even though she’s been invited into the dining room to sit quietly during a meal, she usually sticks her head in shyly and lies down by the doorway sometimes with just her paws crossing the threshold – what a good girl! She knows her meal comes next and she’s very patient waiting for it. She’s a dainty eater and she does not guard her food. She walks away and returns while eating, sometimes leaving a little in her bowl for later. Treats are taken oh so gently by Dini. Because she appears to know no commands, her foster parents are trying to teach her “sit.” Withholding treats until she sits seems to get the message across although she isn’t particularly food motivated.
Dini loves her daily walk and is excited to see the leash. Her collar has been removed due to the hot spot and she’s now using a harness. She enjoys a fairly brisk walk with the occasional pause to sniff something intriguing. She has met other dogs and is interested in them, never aggressive. She has alerted in the direction of a cat but was otherwise disinterested and moved on.
When traveling in the car, Dini is quiet and relaxed attached to her harness. She was great at the vet where the staff deemed her sweet. Reportedly she was excellent at the groomer. While not pleased by her first medicated bath, she was very cooperative throughout.
Dini enjoys stuffed squeaky toys the best, and will chew out the squeaker in the less challenging ones. A rope chew toy with real bones attached is also a favorite. While Dini is a low-key gal, she has moments of playfulness and likes her foster parents to toss or play tug with her toys.
One small quirk of Dini’s is her total distain for cameras. Large camera or cell phone, she avoids them by turning her head or slinking away. She must have had a bad experience with paparazzi in the past! Her foster parents have stalked her like National Geographic photographers in order to get some photos!
Reportedly Dini is a bit nervous around children. When she met a family with young children she shyly sat and allowed them to gently pet her but was not comfortable with the experience.
Ideally Dini would do best in a home where her family would not leave her alone most of the day. Another doggie companion with an agreeable personality could be in the mix as well. True to her former owner’s description, Dini comes very close to being a perfect dog. Sweet and well-behaved, this petite Springer girl would make an ideal pet for some lucky family.