Entered: 03/09/2019
Status: Adopted
Age: 5; born 12/14/2013
Color: Black/White/Tan
Weight: 66 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Springfield, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for a UTI and ear infection completed, losing to a healthy weight, dental cleaning to remove deep tartar completed
Temperament: Good with adults, successfully met a seven year old child, good with dogs, good with cats
Original: “Kitty has a very pleasant disposition and is eager to learn the nuances of the indoor dog life by constantly observing the resident senior male.”
Wonderful MAESSR volunteers brought Kitty out of a breeding kennel situation in Virginia. The girl with the unlikely name seems aware that her life outlook has received a major upgrade and she rewards all around her with constant attention and a wagging tail.
Kitty is an easygoing Springer that absolutely loves meeting people, dogs, and cats. When she met a seven year old child, Kitty readily allowed herself to be cuddled. She peacefully shares her foster home with a senior male dog and a cat. Kitty has a very pleasant disposition and is eager to learn the nuances of the indoor dog life by constantly observing the resident senior male.
The transition to indoor life has gone well for Kitty. She knows to follow her canine foster brother out to the fenced backyard and follows his lead for bathroom duty. Her foster parents have not tried crate training yet, since Kitty does not like to be away from their side. She sleeps soundly on the various dog beds or on the floor by her people’s feet, although there may be some loud snores.
With everything so new to her during Kitty’s first week in foster care, she would jump at loud noises like the garbage can rolling or even the sound of a rake on concrete. She is much calmer with all the new outside noises and sees the resident male is not bothered, which helps. The house, with stairs and furniture, were very challenging for Kitty the first couple of days, but she has mastered the stairs and will get off the sofa when told a firm “no.” Kitty responds to her name and “no,” but she does not seem to know any other commands. She will go into a nice sit before she is leashed at the front door and is always ready for a good walk. She does not pull on the leash and paces with her brother while walking.
While she was hesitant about food the first couple of days, Kitty now relishes her own food. She seems very food motivated, so this is used as an encouragement in learning some initial commands. Kitty is adapting to a controlled food intake in order to help her shed a few extra pounds she’s carrying. She does not beg for more food after meal time.
Kitty and the resident Springer and cat walk by each other with no reaction. The resident Springer is very respectful of her food, but Kitty will try to get over to his area for leftovers. A firm “no” will redirect her. When her foster mom leaves the house, Kitty will seek out her foster brother and stay close by him. She does not appear to have separation anxiety and has been left for up to four hours.
Kitty thoroughly enjoys attention, including grooming, nail trims, foot fur cleanings, ear cleaning and anything else to be by her person’s side. She easily shares her foster mom with the resident dog and cat; happily, there are no guarding issues. She has a soft toy but does not seem interested in it. Kitty seems okay with car rides but must be secured in the back; otherwise she will try to get into the front seat. Again, she will figure out how to be as close as possible to her person…good girl!
Kitty is an overall happy Springer that loves her new inside home and companions. She would easily adapt to any family that could lavish her with the attention she savors.