Lottie

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Update 10/09/12:

This drop-dead gorgeous beauty has put minor, short-term health concerns behind her since coming into foster care. When Lottie tested positive for whipworms, she was quickly treated. A clean test for urinary tract infection was good news and led to the elimination of medication she had been using for mild incontinence. With 3 weeks of being off the med, Lottie has not had any nighttime accidents. Yeah for this girl!!! 

Lottie is as playful as ever. Her new favorite pastime is catching falling leaves (we all knew there had to be a reason for falling leaves!). She expends high energy while in the yard and she loves to bury her toys. In the house she will raise a ruckus with the resident Springer but then loves to cuddle on the couch with her foster mom. 

When left alone, Lottie and the resident Springer are given run of half of the house. Because Lottie is still in puppy stage, she will chew whatever is left out within her reach. She even chewed her foster mom’s flip flop while they were watching TV together!! As Lottie matures into full adulthood, this too shall pass, but in the meantime, she’ll need continuing safe zones when alone and limited access to temptations when she has spare time.

Lottie is ready to meet a loving family who can give her the time, attention and guidance that she deserves. If you’re looking for a youthful springer with great potential, consider Miss Lottie!

Original:

The combination of an 18-month-old baby, a three-year-old toddler, and a one-year-old Springer Spaniel puppy can be daunting even for the most well-intentioned adults. When her Maryland owners found this blend too much to handle, they knew that they needed to find a new home for their four legged baby. Although Lottie was good with the little children, she was so active that she had a tendency to knock them down. She also was not getting enough exercise and was digging under the fence to find more action. So, Lottie’s owners relinquished her to MAESSR knowing we could find her a loving new family who has the time and patience to deal with an active ESS puppy.

Lottie is all that a one-year-old Springer could be; she is super active, loves to chew, adores people, runs like a bullet in the yard, and is as funny and sweet as they come! This little beauty is basically liver and white but has some soft caramel color around her eyes mouth and derriere making her a tri-colored baby. 

In her foster home, Lottie loves to heckle the seven-year-old resident Springer, but they are actually best buddies. The dynamic duo gets wild and crazy in the yard and in the house, racing and playing. Give them a ball or toy and they will play for hours. Her favorite toys are Ted the bear, Duck Duck, and her ball. She also thinks the resident Springer is her toy and eating companion! Fed in the same room, they will often eat from each other’s bowls. In addition to enjoying this play time and eating time, Lottie needs personal time for lots of hugs and kisses; she just wants to know that she is loved.

Lottie has met several other dogs on her walks and enjoys their company. She is still very busy on her leash as can be expected with any puppy learning to walk like a lady on a leash. Seeing cats and squirrels while on a walk guarantees that Lottie will try to give chase so hang onto that leash! 

In her original home, her owners noticed that Lottie would urinate a bit when asleep. Their vet started Lottie on medication for this which has helped tremendously. So far, she has not had an issue with this urinary leakage at the foster home. Taking her out right before bedtime and then getting her out early in the morning does the trick giving Lottie a solid night’s sleep. In the morning she needs at least twenty minutes outside since it is so exciting being in the yard that she must explore first before relieving herself. Lottie is so inquisitive that she forgets why she is outside! During the day she goes out about every four hours and she has only had one accident in the house.

Lottie is not crate-trained so her foster parents tried leaving her alone once with full run of the house. Although her foster mom thought she had everything put away, Lottie found an old garden shoe and that was the end of that. Puppies certainly do chew! In the kitchen Lottie checks out the trash and she counter-surfs but gets down when given the “off” command. She understands “sit,” does not always understand “come,” and will offer her paw when asked for it. Her foster mom is working on improving Lottie’s house manners and command response, but it is imperative that her new family continue with obedience training. MAESSR only places puppies in homes that are committed to training and bonding with the pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience, and they do chew on things! The decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment. To reinforce this commitment, MAESSR requires all adopters of dogs one year old and younger to enroll their puppy in an obedience class within 60 days of adoption.

To help in her socialization, Lottie gets to go to work with her foster mom! She enjoys the ride there, sitting nicely in the back seat. When the back car door is opened, she is learning to stay put until told to jump out of the car. Good girl, Lottie! Since she is a “working girl,” Lottie has to look her best and that means getting a bath. She seems to enjoy bath time, but is just figuring out how to shake off the water……….a very funny sight! So many things to learn in life!

Lottie’s ideal new home would have a fenced yard where she could run, a dog companion to help her expend her energy, and/or young children who could take her outdoors and play with her. Having someone around to leave her out every four or five hours would great too because of her bladder issue. Her new family’s commitment to training Lottie will bond them together and give them all the safety that a well-trained dog brings.

Watch for more about Lottie as she continues to prosper in her foster home!