Entered: 05/18/2013
Status: Adopted
Age: 8
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 53 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Altoona, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, Lyme-, treatment complete for hook and whip worms and ear infections, needs to lose several pounds to achieve a healthy weight
Temperament: Good with adults, reportedly good with children, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “Oh, how much more active she has become!”
If dogs could sing, undoubtedly Ginger’s theme song would be “Oh, How Happy You Have Made Me.” For over half of her life this sweetheart had been living outdoors in Pennsylvania. Thanks to MAESSR it is the start of a new day for this gal who is already enjoying life with improved health and appearance. With her initial visit to the vet, she is up to date with her immunizations and receiving medications for intestinal worms and ear infections. Ginger was so dirty when she arrived at her foster home that she was given two baths. She was a trooper with getting her matted hair detangled in the days leading up to her professional grooming. Following her “girl’s day out” she is looking spiffy and feeling pretty darn fine. What a happy, happy, grateful girl!
This sweetie has been a marvelous houseguest and has displayed no bad habits since her arrival (unless you consider jumping up on the couch a bad habit.) No refresher courses needed, as this girl is still housetrained; she will scratch at the door or whimper to go out if needed. There has not been a single accident. Ginger is crated while her foster mom works, with a break at lunchtime. Sometimes in the evening she will briefly lie down in her crate just to hang out. Very soon Ginger’s foster mom will allow her more freedom, since she has been trustworthy and is getting along well with the resident dogs. At night Ginger sleeps on a dog pillow or the bare floor of her foster mom’s bedroom. Except for some occasional snoring, she does not make a sound during the night.
This quiet girl does not join in when the resident dogs bark at passers-by on the street. In fact, not a single bark was heard from Ginger until after her grooming when she was feeling like a million bucks. Occasionally Ginger will jump up on her foster mom to get attention, as she is affectionate and wants to cuddle. She follows her foster mom everywhere, just wanting to be near her human.
Currently Ginger demonstrates “sit” and “shake” commands. She quickly learned that sitting is required to be let out of her crate and before receiving treats or a meal. It is possible that she has slight hearing loss, as she sometimes appears to ignore her foster mom. She startles easily on occasion, especially if she is sleeping. She does, however, respond to whistling and she has good recall.
Well-behaved with both the vet and the groomer, Ginger also is easy-going about taking oral and ear medicines. She has only been on the leash while visiting the vet and groomer and she handled it well. Her foster mom will start her on a gradual walking regimen, as she is a bit overweight and out of shape. She will be assessed by the vet at her next visit because her hind end is stiff, but her foster mom is seeing a daily improvement there. Oh, how much more active she has become! Ginger is now enjoying a good roll on the floor and chasing a ball; she’s even hopping with happiness! Initially Ginger managed to get up on the couch by pulling herself up one leg at a time. She now takes a running leap! She doesn’t stay on the couch for long, but rather likes the idea of being allowed up there. Ginger still needs a little help and gets a boost into the back seat of the car. She is a good traveler and will quietly sit or sleep during transport.
Ginger gets along well with the resident senior male and female dogs in her foster home, and there has been no evidence of resource guarding. She has made attempts to engage the resident male in play but she is barking up the wrong tree there, as he is a stick-in-the-mud. Her foster mom is hoping in the next week Ginger will engage the female resident who enjoys a good romp.
Miss Ginger is eagerly looking forward to a brighter future. Her only requirement is a loving and attentive family who will provide her with indoor life as a family member and regular health care for the rest of her days. Oh, happy day!