Entered: 06/09/2015
Status: Adopted
Age: 5
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 42.6 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Fayetteville, WV
Health: UTD, HW-, benefiting from inexpensive daily mediation for spay incontinence, responding well to OTC treatment for seasonal allergy, treatment for hookworms complete
Temperament: Good with adults, at ease when meeting an 8 year old, comfortable with other dogs, ignores cats
Update 06/28/2015: “What’s not to love about Miss Mary Kate? She’s a sweetie who excels at draping herself across one’s lap for the evening.“
With three weeks in foster care, the list of unknowns about Mary Kate has shortened. When wet spots on her bedding began to appear during naps, her vet solved that little mystery. He suspected spay incontinence and started her on an inexpensive daily medication. In less than 48 hours, the spotting disappeared! She’s continuing a daily OTC treatment to assist with seasonal allergies because it’s helping her so much. She takes it, along with her prescription, in a dollop of peanut butter as an appetizer at mealtime….so easy, this girl!
Mary’s been out and about in the last week to dispatch other unknowns about her. She visited a large pet store early one morning and had almost the entire place to herself. Aisle by aisle, she sniffed everything on bottom rows but didn’t touch a thing. She spotted the birds when walking in but was willing to head off in another direction. When she finally came around to them again, she was captivated but didn’t pull or fuss. While in the shelter she had ignored cats; in the store she seemed oblivious to the beauties in their cages too. Being only 2 feet way, she must have been able to smell and see them but showed no interest whatsoever.
One afternoon Mary walked the fitness trail in a nearby town park, actually in search of some children. There were no kids to be found but she did spot a 4-some she wanted to meet. Two guys and 2 gals were swinging on a “big people” gondola that requires a ramp to access. The young people welcomed Mary up and lavished her with petting. She made sure she got around to each one of them, and all the time they kept the swing gently moving…which didn’t bother Mary a bit.
The biggest unknown, Mary’s reaction to children, was partially resolved during another dog park visit. While mingling there with 3 other Springers, Mary spotted a young bicyclist who also spotted her about the same time. Initially they met through the fence. Then, Mary’s gentle approach encouraged the 8 year old and her caregiver to come through the gate and become better acquainted. There was a relaxed sharing among the dogs as this youngster met and loved on each one. All were as at ease and sated as Mary when they parted ways an hour later.
What’s not to love about Miss Mary Kate? She’s a sweetie who excels at draping herself across one’s lap for the evening. She’s easy to live with and a pleasure to take to town……a perfect companion and ready for someone to love on.
Original: “Mellow…patient…loving…gentle…well-mannered…happy…adept at selecting the cushiest bed in any room…wiggles begin at her tail only to ripple forward to her nose in a flash… brings smiles to all around her…a wonderful gal, this one!“
“Mellow…patient…loving…gentle…well-mannered…happy…adept at selecting the cushiest bed in any room…wiggles begin at her tail only to ripple forward to her nose in a flash… brings smiles to all around her…a wonderful gal, this one!
Mary Kate was named by the staff at a West Virginia shelter after an animal control officer picked her up as a stray. Folks in her neighborhood reported that she had been roaming for some time and no one knew who owned her. She immediately won over her caregivers in the shelter and, when her mandatory “hold” was up, MAESSR was contacted to assist with finding her a home.
This gal surely has been someone’s sweetie and must have enjoyed indoor living in her previous life. On Day 1 at her foster home, Mary Kate was more interested in checking out the house than the fenced yard, the other dogs, or the woodland path and bunny trails. Definitely not a runner, Mary Kate surprised her foster mom on Day 3 by stepping through an open gate from the fenced dog yard to open lawn beside the house. Not to worry…Mary didn’t recall but did amble directly to the kitchen door where she waited for her foster mom catch up and let her in. That singular move really sums up Miss Mary.
A visual mess when she arrived, Mary Kate had been on her own long enough for fist-size chunks of tight mats to tangle her fur, right down to skin. Starting at home on the grooming table and without need for a noose, she was completely at ease during hours of trimming. After 3 baths and a trip to the professional groomer, her transformation is complete. She feels awesomely better and, over coming months, will regrow beautiful classic feathering.
When it came time for her vet check, Mary Kate was at ease there too and got a clean bill of health. She’s using an OTC item to relieve some daily discharge from her eyes and some sneezing. The vet felt this was likely a seasonal allergy or a reaction to dirt she’d been carrying around in her matted fur. Her eyes are looking much better already and her sneezing has stopped. That and treatment for intestinal worms are making her feel much better!
Mary Kate is sharing her foster home with 2 resident male Springers. They are not a playful trio but are settling well as they get acquainted. When directly confronted by the one resident who is sometimes less than welcoming to new fosters, Mary steps back, rather than stepping into his space. Occasionally she’ll grumble if she’s being petted and the softer of the resident dogs approaches. A quiet reminder that there’s enough love to go around stops this, and, in the last few days, Mary has been able to sit alongside that resident while her foster mom pets both at once…good girl! She ignores the toy basket and is learning that it’s OK to line up with the resident dogs at snack time; she’s not a snatcher and takes hers, in turn, like a lady. Another “good girl” goes to Mary in that she seemed indifferent to cats while at the shelter.
Mary’s basic skills are nicely in place, making her very easy to live with. She’s quiet and rarely barks at anything. Walking with her on leash is a leisurely but forward-moving experience. She’s crate-trained and eagerly hops in one when the truck leaves home. She’s proven to be a good traveler for up to an hour or two at a time with no tummy upset on curvy mountainous roads. At home she may pick a crate to nap in and is comfy while gated in the kitchen if her family is away for a few hours. She’s trustworthy with her housetraining, doesn’t look for trash, and stood down quickly when caught counter-surfing once. Mary Kate doesn’t seem to know many commands, but may be a bit disadvantaged in that she’s still learning her name. She will “sit” and enjoys training treats so, if a family wished to teach her more, she would likely be a cooperative student.
Since in foster care, Mary Kate has met a variety of adults…men and women, young and older. She’s trusting and friendly to everyone. She has not met children yet but anticipates that when out in public in the coming week. At this point, she hasn’t shown fear of a thing, not even thunder storms; she’s confident but not in the least aggressive.
Mary Kate seems an uncomplicated gal who’s ready to move on…without looking back…to what life can be with loving people who will never let her become a stray again. If you’re on the lookout for an instant canine buddy who has no special needs, ask about meeting her. It won’t take long for her to find her match. An end-to-end wiggle is her way of saying “hi” and will endear her to any Springer-loving family…………:)).