Entered: 09/15/2010
Status: Adopted
Age: 7
Color: Liver/White
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for allergic reaction to flea bites complete, overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults, good with kids of any age but will jump up when playing, good with other dogs, cats unknown
Original: “He will greet you with an object in his mouth; it could be a shoe, a toy, or even a stray piece of paper he finds on the floor. (Don’t worry — his touch is so gentle that you’ll never know he had it.)”
When Guiness’s owner had to move to a place where dogs were not allowed, he took his handsome Springer to a Maryland shelter. Since the shelter was very full, the staff contacted MAESSR to find Guiness a new home.
What a transformation Guiness has undergone since he arrived in his MAESSR foster home with very little fur on his back! He has completed treatment for an allergic reaction to flea bites and his fur has filled in beautifully. To keep him from suffering through such trauma again, the vet says he only needs to be kept on a prescription flea, tick, and mosquito repellant year-round.
The lucky family who adopts Guiness will be treated to his adorable performances every time they return home. He will greet you with an object in his mouth; it could be a shoe, a toy, or even a stray piece of paper he finds on the floor. (Don’t worry — his touch is so gentle that you’ll never know he had it.) Then, he will prance all around you to let you know how excited he is to have you home! Also, he gladly gives you the prize upon request. It is a wonderful homecoming, even if you’ve only been gone a few minutes! In his excitement to see you again, he may have a little submissive urination, so you will want to minimize the physical attention you give him until he has settled down. Just praise him verbally without any contact for the first 30 seconds or so and enjoy the show!
Although Guiness is crate-trained and housetrained, his foster family has not needed to crate him when left alone since he has perfect house manners. He may prefer to have an open crate available that he can claim for his own, but crating is certainly not necessary with this boy.
Don’t leave food within Guiness’s reach, though, because it may be the empty container that he greets you with upon your return! This guy will beg for food, but he is learning that he must lie down during meals. He rarely barks– only if a stranger comes to the door and then, he stops immediately when you tell him to. His bark is surprisingly loud and deep!
Guiness is wonderful on a leash and loves his walks. He doesn’t like storms, though, even those without thunder. He thinks that the best thing to do is to hide under a bed or possibly huddle in his crate when the storm clouds gather. His foster home is located near Quantico, so when the Marines are having training exercises, Guiness stresses from the occasional bombing.
Quite the MAESSR ambassador, Guiness made many new friends, both human and canine, at a recent dog fair. He hopes that he made a good enough impression that he will be adopted by one of those lovely families or any other who will give him as much love as he will offer to them.