Dot

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Update 05/15/12:

With a month in foster care, Miss Dot has earned the admiration of not one but two foster families! As she settled into her first foster home and relaxed, she melted hearts with those beautiful eyes of hers. Her confident and gentle manner made her a delightful houseguest. 

When her family traveled to the Richmond Springerfest, Dot packed her things and crated for the long ride without a peep. She met lots of new people and other springers at the picnic with complete ease. And, when the picnic was over, she stayed with a new foster family in the area so her vetting could be done. 

Overall Dot checked out well during her initial vet visit but several things were noticed that required follow-up. A urinary tract infection was diagnosed and treatment began. To address some residual leakage, this gal was started on a low dose of an inexpensive daily medication. A mass that filled her left ear canal was deemed operable and, during that surgery, several lumps were removed as well. Dot has made a good recovery; healing from all is complete. Though her ear mass could reoccur, it’s not likely that it will and her several lumps were all non-cancerous…..yeah!!!!!

With improved health and a great temperament, it’s not hard to see why 2 foster families say Miss Dot is a “great girl.” Shortly, one very lucky adopting family will surely feel the same!

Original:

Miss Dot is a lovely fieldie who, along with one brother, lived with her owner from the time she was 6 weeks old until her owner’s recent passing. A Good Samaritan in southern West Virginia intervened on Dot’s behalf and contacted MAESSR to assure she would have one more loving family in her life and continuing good care.

Dot is living with 3 other springers in her foster home. She’s at ease with them and sits alongside them for treats. Though Dot doesn’t usually initiate play, she often joins in. Despite her senior status, Dot is a good match for the 7-year-old and 13-month-old. The younger dogs have the edge on endurance, but Dot is a skilled wrestler and seems to enjoy the daily bouts. She steps out of the mix as easily as she steps in when she’s had enough. Dot gets along fine with the 3rd ESS too but has the savvy to understand and respect that he prefers couch time to wrestling. 

At mealtime, on the road, and when her foster family is away from home, Dot has been crated. With a little encouragement, she goes in willingly but prefers to be out as soon as her food bowl is clean or when her family walks in the door. If there’s a delay in that crate door opening, Dot will prompt her people to hurry along with good old-fashioned barking. She has just spent her first afternoon gated in the kitchen along with the resident ESS and that went well. Nothing disturbed….no accidents…and no barking….good girl!!!

Outdoors Dot’s nose works the ground constantly. She’s not the best walking partner if exercise is the goal, but watching her do what she was bred to do with such enthusiasm can be a real pleasure……it just works best if you let her take the lead! 

Dot has a few signs of aging but must have been well cared for throughout her life. She’s a gentle, confident, well-nourished gal with the finest pearly whites her foster mom has ever seen in a senior! Her eyes are beautiful too and make reaching out to her irresistible when she comes so politely for attention. When Dot visited the local dog wash, she walked right up the ramp into the tub and nearly fell asleep while she was being dried. She’s surely had such pampering before!

More to come as this gal visits her vet and travels to an upcoming MAESSR picnic…