Entered: 09/29/2013
Status: Adopted
Age: 8 months
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 36 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Salem, NJ
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for yeast infection in her ears complete
Temperament: Good with adults and children of all ages, good with other dogs, good with cats as long as they don’t run
Original: “Because Diva is a quick study and listens so well, she is a welcomed guest in her foster home.”
First-time Maryland dog owners purchased Diva and her littermate Hero as pups. Unfortunately, the puppies proved to be too much for the novice owners to handle and the pair spent long hours crated. Realizing that the pups needed more attention, training, and time that they could give them, the owners decided that the pair would be better off in MAESSR’s capable hands.
As typical of puppies Diva is learning how to walk on a leash and master house manners. She is nearly housetrained and will wait by the door to signal her need to go out. As any diva expects, she believes she belongs on the furniture with her foster family therefore the “off” command is being used often but effectively. She is also learning that counter-surfing is not a sport. In typical diva form, she has found a way around this. She now stands on her back legs away from the counter to see what is going on! For fun, Diva likes to steal shoes or socks just for a game of chase with their owner. She has no access to trash but will nibble on the stolen shoe, although little damage has been done. She of course is learning to enjoy a rawhide instead.
As with most divas, she has admiring fans, but her lack of socialization as a pup has left her a little shy when greeting someone new. Foster mom is working on building those social skills and Diva is learning to love all those she meets. Once over her shyness, she is overly eager and is learning not to jump on those same fans. To help Diva learn about new people and situations, her foster mom took her to work during her first days in foster care. This allowed this growing girl to stretch her social skills and eliminate the use of a crate when her foster parents were away. She is now staying home with the resident dogs a few hours at a time un-crated with no problems. At night Diva has found a comfy spot in her foster parents’ bed. Would you expect anything else from a diva?
This bright girl is learning very quickly and her repertoire of commands now includes “sit,” “down,” and “off.” Please note that MAESSR only places puppies in homes that are committed to training andbonding with the pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience, and they do chew on things! 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 to enroll their puppy in obedience classes within 60 days of adoption. This girl will be a star pupil!
A favorite with the resident dogs, a nine year-old female and 13 year-old male, Diva eats nicely with them on the porch or in the kitchen and shows no tendencies to guard her food or toys. The resident dogs love to give her kisses but don’t really play with this young pup. The resident cats have learned not to run from her since that sets the game on; instead, they have begun rolling on their backs encouraging her to play nicely. She of course has typical puppy energy but is learning to mellow out like her foster siblings.
Diva did well at the vet, even though she was a little scared. When undergoing her beauty regiment, she tolerated her bath, brushing, and ear cleaning; however, she has not yet experienced her first manicure. Being chauffeured is the life of this diva, she enjoys riding in the car and will lie down and take a nap on longer rides.
Diva lives up to her name and is beloved by her foster family. She loves to be the center of attention and sit on her throne, their lap. She does, of course, return their love. Because she is a quick study and listens so well, she is a welcomed guest in her foster home.
Even though Diva is still young, and she has some growing to do, her foster mom believes her wonderful temperament and easy ability to learn would allow her to live with adults and children of any age. Having a dog companion to play with in her forever home would delight Diva, too, and burn off some of her puppy energy! If you have room as fan for this glowing star, consider adding Diva to your home!