Jenna

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Update 03/28/09: Gorgeous Jenna is a sweetie to her human companions and has a personality that continues to emerge. She is starting to talk more. Also, her way of showing you she is hungry is by tipping or scooting her food bowl across the floor. Then, she looks at you as if to say “Well, it’s empty. Whatcha gonna do about it?” She rides so well in the car; on only one ride did she get an upset tummy.

Jenna has definitely been having fun exploring the acre and a half of fenced-in yard she has to roam in. She does her daily patrols of the perimeter with the rest of the pack, and she does enjoy a good squirrel chase. She has seemed to form a bond with her BFF (best female friend) in the pack, an older dog. Maybe it’s a mother/puppy type thing. Jenna will purposely go out of her way at times to lay beside her friend where they are touching. With the rest of the pack, Jenna either likes them, or she doesn’t. Placing her with a family in which she can be an only dog will ensure her success.

Jenna is smart, eager to please, and shines when her full devotion is given the people in her life. She’s ready for a loving family to love on and talk to.

Original: When she started picking on her family’s elderly Golden Retriever, Jenna’s family contacted MAESSR to find a new home for her so both dogs could live happy, tension-free lives.

Her foster parents have found Jenna to be a very sweet and calm (well, most of the time), petite little girl who wants nothing more than to snuggle up on your lap and pass the evening away. In her original home, Jenna slept with the 11-year-old daughter, and she would like to continue this practice with her foster family. Getting on furniture is not limited to the bed. One of her favorite past times, until she gets caught by her foster mom, is to lie on the back of a big sofa in front of a big window keeping watch on the world. She does a good job at alerting her foster family if anyone dares come near the property!

Jenna has gotten along well with most of the resident dogs in her foster home. There have been a couple of squabbles ranging from mild to severe with both a male and a female canine sibling, but those seem to be reducing in number as time goes by. She hasn’t dared to try her luck with the older dogs in the household. Jenna seems to be respectful of the seniority in age they have.

When the 2-1/2 year old granddaughter comes by for a visit, Jenna just loves their time together. She sits very calmly and waits for her head to be rubbed. When it is grooming time, she allows her ears, paws, and mouth to be handled, cleaned, and combed with no problems at all. She is such a gentle girl when taking food from your hand, and will readily give it back if you need to take it from her. Jenna will jump to greet you, but with her size being so petite, it really isn’t an issue. She will readily get down when told to.

Recently, Jenna had surgery to remove two mammary gland tumors, one on each side. This apparently wasn’t her first experience with this, as the vet found she had already had a total of three previously removed. Her biopsy came back with a clean bill of health; it is just something that will need to be watched in the future in case any more develop. Jenna also had her teeth cleaned during the procedure, so she has a sparkly, white smile again!

With all the “nice,” there has to be a little bit of “naughty.” Jenna just can’t resist doing a little bit of counter surfing from time to time. For this reason, and the fact she has mastered opening the cabinet that the household garbage is kept in, she is crated when her family isn’t home. She has also had a few accidents in her foster home, but this is diminishing with time also, as her foster family has learned to read her signs that she needs to go out. For this reason, being crated would also be a good idea until she becomes familiar with her forever home, and her forever mom and dad become familiar with her.

A great passenger in the car, Jenna just rests on the seat and lets the humans drive. She behaves very well on a leash, too, and she knows sit, stay, and come. This very smart little girl wants to please, so she should be a very fast learner.

Jenna will be a lovely addition to some lucky family.