Gwen

---

Update 08/13/10:

Despite arriving to her foster home with a few less than desirable habits typical of an old girl who is used to getting away with things, Gwen has quickly picked up on the household do’s and don’ts. She remains the family’s self-appointed counter cleaner and trash can investigator. While she enjoys her walks, she is still quite persistent about wanting to meet everyone while she is out. Her foster parents are working on teaching her better leash manners, particularly when another dog is within sight. Gwen is typically more responsive on leash with her foster dad than her foster mom. In addition to perfecting her leash manners, Gwen’s foster family is beginning the process of training her to the Invisible Fence.

Like many Springers, Gwen appears to be cursed with troublesome ears, so her foster family has been vigilant with cleanings and treatment, something that will need to continue in her forever home. Fortunately, Gwen appears to be in good health aside from this common and easily managed concern.

Gwen has been winning over the entire foster family with her charms. Recently, her foster dad happened upon his resident Brittany taking a nap while using Gwen as a pillow! What a sweet sight. If your home could use a delightful senior Springer addition, consider adding this gal to your family.

Update 07/09/10:

Gwen continues to impress her foster family. This sweet senior, who is a bit of a “talker,” is described as very nice and very smart. So smart that she’s gotten her foster dad wrapped around her paw!

Gwen is still working on her kitchen manners as she is inclined to be a bit of a counter surfer. She’s not quite sure why this is a no-no. She’s just trying to help keep those counters clean!

When going for a walk, Gwen behaves just fine until a new dog appears and the walk grinds to a standstill. In fact, as her foster dad describes it, the walk becomes a bit like dragging a bag of cement! All of Gwen’s focus turns to the newcomer. She barks not out of aggression, but rather a need to “meet and greet.” Is it so wrong to want to check out a potential new friend?

Gwen signals her need to go out by scratching the door. She has freedom to roam throughout a kitchen, dining room and front hall when her foster family is away. They have never felt the need to crate Gwen, which is pretty unusual for them. They normally crate a foster dog for a week while they become acquainted, but they have always felt very comfortable leaving Gwen to roam free with her canine brother.

When Gwen was pulled from the shelter, she was originally identified as a Brittany, primarily because she appeared more orange and white. Thus, she went into a home that normally fosters Brittanys for another rescue group. With time and grooming, the orange appeared to be turning to liver and this gal was reevaluated. Despite her misidentification, her foster family retained her and she became a MAESSR dog as well as an ambassador for Springers.

The bottom line on Gwen is her ability to completely change her foster dad’s impression of Springers as a breed. Having had an unpleasant and regular interaction with an atypical ESS in his youth, he admits he was never a Springer person. Then along comes Miss Gwen! Her time spent living with her foster family and her wonderful personality have resulted in a complete 180º turn in her dad’s opinion of Springers.

Are you ready for a shining example of all things Springer? This social butterfly is ready to spread her wings and fly to a family who will fall in love with her special Springer inner beauty.

Original:

Gwen has made quite an impression on her foster family in a short time. They feel she’s a very nice dog and one of the best and easiest fosters they’ve ever had. This is from a family who has fostered 30 some dogs, so she’s up there! She gets along very well with the family’s 2 Brittanys. One is two years old and the other is approximately 5 years old. As an older female, Gwen keeps those boys in line at times. Both she and the boys are starting to get attached with each other too, to the point where they will put their heads on each other when they lie down on a dog bed together. And, when it comes to the family cat, she pretty much ignores it. What a girl!!

Weighing in at approximately 40 pounds, the vet doing her check up felt Gwen was a bit underweight for her size and wanted her to add 3-5 pounds. She’s added about a pound so far. Gwen came to her family with a very serious and previously untreated ear infection. She is receiving both oral meds and ear drops and is getting better. Her family can find her ear canal now! She has no other health issues but her adopting family will need to be vigilant about ear cleaning to ward off recurrence of what she is dealing with now.

In her home Gwen is very well-behaved and would probably do the best with retired people who could take her for regular walks. She is not aggressive but can be assertive when out walking and other dogs are passing. She wants to meet them so badly and will pull. She is generally good on a leash but could benefit from some training in this area and possibly use of a head harness if she is to be out in public frequently with her family.

Her foster family has not crated her, either during the day or at night since she first arrived. Gwen is fine if left for long periods, such as a standard 8 hour work day, although she will leave “presents” from time to time.

Gwen likes to be near her people but not on you. She loves to lie at your feet or be petted. She is pretty happy and wags her fanny so hard her foster dad has told her it’s going to fall off! She’s not particularly interested in toys or bones at this point but that may show up as time goes along. When out with her family, Gwen is good in the car. She combines looking out the window with napping along the way. At night she sleeps in her foster parents’ bedroom on a dog bed. She’d be happy to share their bed but, with the 2 Brittanys on it, there is no room.

A shelter in southeastern New York took Gwen in as a stray– a reminder that some of the greatest dogs pass through shelters on their way to new beginnings. Gwen is one of those. If you’re looking for an attentive and loyal companion, Gwen is the one.