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Entered: 01/09/2021; 02/15/2022
Status: Adopted
Age: 2 Years old
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 37 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, on an inexpensive medication for anxiety
Temperament: Shy with adults but warms up, unknown with children, cautious with dogs met on walks but not aggressive, unknown with cats
Update 03/30/2022: “Louise loves to cuddle and snuggle with her people. She does not understand the meaning of too close.”
Louise was returned to MAESSR when her adopters were going through a messy divorce. This sweet girl has matured, but was still very anxious/scared in new situations.
The foster family worked very closely with the vet to get Louise started on an inexpensive medication to help with her anxiety. This has made her much more comfortable in new situations. Her adoptive family will be required to keep her on this medication for a minimum of one year after adoption. It is felt that this will allow her the time to really settle into her new life.
Louise loves to cuddle and snuggle with her people. She does not understand the meaning of too close. If you are looking for a wonderful companion that wants to be close, Louise may be the one.
Original: “One charming eccentric behavior is the collection of socks and shoes.”
Louise came into MAESSR’s care when a Springer breeder in Maryland developed serious health problems and had to rehome his dogs. This sweet girl lived in a kennel with little socialization. Now a new chapter in her life has begun through MAESSR.
Louise is enjoying foster care with a family of three adults, one of whom is a college student. This beautiful, freckled liver and white girl is a friendly and happy Velcro dog. After one week in foster care, she is housetrained and signals she need to go out by going to the back door and sitting. Her family takes her out routinely after meals and before bedtime. There has been so much progress for this little shy one.
Although she is crate trained, the crate only is used when nobody is home. Louise greatly prefers to stay close to family and has bed and furniture privileges. She likes to sit or stand up on the ottomans to see what’s going on outside the windows. She “chuffs” at the squirrels and birds, but just watches them.
A bit of a guard dog, Louise barks a few times to let her family know of a visitor at the door, or the garbage truck coming up the street, or the garage door opening. She is devoted to her foster family but shy around strangers. She needs time to warm up to new people and situations. She does not yap or bark endlessly; she has a reason.
One charming eccentric behavior is the collection of socks and shoes. Louise does not chew them; she just carries them around, makes a pile of them, or presents them to her family. Those are her favorite toys and lovies. She could probably be trained to bring slippers. She will also sit on her person’s feet under the dining table…guess she loves those shoes!
Louise is very affectionate, a real licker. She needs vigorous exercise for about two hours daily. That is about two energetic walks a day, and time to explore the property and see what’s going on in the world. On the leash walks, she pulls with excitement, wanting to run. Her family is working on that. She covers 6-7 miles a day, according to her Whistle GPS tracker. She is a high energy dog but an afternoon nap, enjoyed with a family member, is also an enjoyable part of her routine.
Louise is shy about meeting people but warms up. She still isn’t sure what to make of her disabled foster dad’s wheelchair, but she will go to him when he’s stopped and reading in the bedroom or living room. She happily follows him to the van for a ride. She enjoys car rides and does not get carsick.
Many things are new to Louise: garbage trucks, mailmen, jet planes, neighbors with dogs; but she is learning and not too timid. She can handle it, reassured by a foster family member. Louise is cautious with dogs met on walks, but not aggressive. She has had no exposure to children or cats since her arrival at her foster home.
This good girl’s house manners are excellent: no counter-surfing, no trash digging, no chewing on shoes, clothing, or furniture. She displays no resource guarding. At mealtime Louise is fed in her own corner in the kitchen – a quiet, private place.
At her first vet visit, she was shy but did well. Louise was found to be heart worm negative, received her rabies vaccine, and was found in good health. She will be brought up to date on all vaccines when she is spayed. She has not been to a groomer, but tolerates baths, nail trims, and ear cleaning very well at home.
Please note that MAESSR will require the adoptive family to take Louise through a series of obedience classes within 60 days of adoption. MAESSR only places puppies – even older ones – in homes that are committed to training and bonding with the pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience. MAESSR believes the decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment. A real people-pleaser, Louise is sure to be a star pupil.
Louise needs a forever home with an affectionate, active family, who will give her the attention and exercise she needs. She needs a quiet place to eat, and a routine, so she knows what each day will be like. She should not be crated unless necessary; she wants and needs to be with her people. Sweet, affectionate Louise is on her way to becoming a wonderful member of a very lucky family.