Duchess

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Update 01/07/09: Well, Miss Duchess is certainly a very endearing, loving and easy dog. In the words of her foster dad, ”If someone isn’t afraid to take the chance of having her for only a couple of years, they will have the most devoted and happy companion. She is just a great dog.” How Duchess must have enjoyed hearing that! She has fit in her new foster home very well. She stays mostly with the 13-year-old man, Simon, but she has been around all the resident dogs.

As for her health, she finished her antibiotics and so far there are no signs of any infection. She is rather stiff in the hips but continues to be moderately active! She climbs the stairs easily and can get onto the lower beds and sofa. Her skin needs some work as it is dry and flaky and she is a bit itchy. To help with that, her family is treating with baths and some supplements for skin. Her food was switched to a senior menu with higher protein. She loves whatever she is given to eat.

At night Duchess has learned to line up for cookies with the other dogs. She may have some dental issues as she likes the softer cookies; her family will check into that further. If someone is looking for a gentle and devoted friend, she would be a good one. She does bark but only when left outside too long or when blocked from her people! Her paperwork said she was not crate trained, but she is! Her family doesn’t crate her but for very short periods. But sometimes when they come home, she is sound asleep in the open crate.

Duchess is always happy to see her foster parents and likes being with people but in the most calm way. She loves attention but doesn’t demand it. A spot to rest and a person to love will be heaven for her.

Update 11/26/08: Miss Duchess is an absolutely great dog. She is adaptable and enjoying life in her foster home. She will be staying at her pet walker’s house while her family is away for the holidays…. where she will be spoiled for sure!!

Health-wise, she is not perfect but she’s working on it. Recurring urinary tract infections warranted a further look, so x-rays were done. No bladder stones were revealed so Duchess is trying a new diet and a new type of antibiotic. Fingers crossed that this would put her back into tiptop shape. More news coming.

Original: After being with her original family in Virginia since she was a pup, a divorce and a change in working conditions for her owner meant a move to a townhouse for Duchess and her housemate Pepper. They no longer had a yard to run in and their owner was away most of the day leaving Duchess and Pepper confined to one room and not getting much activity. Her owner realized that both dogs needed more than she was able to provide for them, so Duchess and Pepper were relinquished to MAESSR.

Her foster family has found Duchess to be a true angel. This very good, well-mannered girl is housetrained and is given free reign of the house when her foster family goes out. If you really want to find her then, look for her on her blanket or on the couch! She does get up on the furniture but listens to no. Duchess does not try to counter surf or raid the trash. Remember, she’s royalty and the royals would not stoop to show such poor manners. At bedtime she sleeps soundly on her dog bed.

Duchess politeness extends too outside as well as inside. She walks well on, or off leash and she responds well to correction. Sit and stay are commands firmly in her Springer brain. Her foster mom reports that she is good with dogs, cats and children of all ages. Although Duchess may initially grumble at a new dog, she quickly warms up to her new canine friend. This sweet girl rarely barks, is good at the vet, and with grooming. Riding around in the car, she is a great passenger who is quiet and does not try to drive. She does not need a lot of exercise but enjoys the outdoors as long as her people are with her.

Some lucky family will soon be touched by this angel and their hearts will be smitten.