Entered: 01/15/2012
Status: Adopted
Age: 0
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Health: UTD, treatment for worms and Giardia complete
Temperament: Good with adults, good with kids old enough to treat a puppy gently, good with other dogs, learning not to chase cats
Original:
Even for a dog-loving family, an unanticipated litter of puppies can bring equal parts excitement and worry. Hardy’s Pennsylvania owners were successful in finding homes for most of his littermates, but when they were left with him and his brothers Eddie and Wesley, they turned to MAESSR for help.
When Hardy heard, “This is the cutest, best-tempered puppy I’ve seen, and he’s smart, too!” while at the vet for his check-up, it wasn’t the first time. Everyone who meets this little guy seems to share the same opinion. In fact, his foster mom almost didn’t make it back home with him because both veterinarians wouldn’t stop holding him! Hardy is all that, but also a typical Springer puppy who explores EVERYTHING with his mouth. He’s getting the hang of potty training and will look back while he’s doing his business to see if his “cookie” is ready to reward the momentous occasion. Good boy, Hardy! Now that his issue with parasites is almost resolved, the potty training is going smoother and he’s ready to be neutered.
Hardy loves to be with his people. He’s mellow, yet very playful and active and he wants to please. He would like to chase the resident cat but will mostly listen to a firm “No!” His foster mom can play with his feet and ears, and he took to walking on a leash like a champ. Hardy is fine in his crate at night if a person is in the room. However, Hardy also thinks that is the only time he should be crated and lets everyone know his opinion very loudly. He’s learned to climb the baby gate, too – his foster mom was amazed that he was running around loose when he should have been corralled while she ran upstairs. Later that day, she watched Hardy using the holes in the gate as footholds so that he could follow the 15-year-old girl in his foster home up to her room.
This sweet guy is almost ready for his forever home. He’d like a family that is willing to spend lots of time with him and help continue his journey to being a great dog. Part of this journey will include taking Hardy to the obedience class that is a requirement for MAESSR adoptees under one year old. With the energy to spare that is a trademark of Springer pups, Hardy is ready to take on the world. If you have another dog looking for a playmate or are looking for an active companion yourself (or both!), Hardy might be just the boy for you!