Mia 2

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Updated 1/07/07: Miss Mia has had a minor setback on her way to a new home. A small tag in the corner of one eye was noted during a vet check. It was rubbing her cornea and over a few weeks, growth was noticeable. Though not bothering her now but to protect the eye, removal was appropriate. While she was under sedation, a larger tag on one flank was also removed. Her pre-surgery bloodwork was all very good and she came through with flying colors. She is continuing on her incontinence medication and takes it eagerly in cheese whiz. She is very well house-trained and the inexpensive med allows her to be completely reliable.

During the holiday season Mia joined her family on some adventures. With the mild weather, she hiked a lot in the woods and her nose never stopped. She camped out and was a very good girl, settling right down beside her foster mom’s sleeping bag at night. She proved to be a very good watch dog and barked to announce the occasional passersby. She would quiet with a gentle touch and word from her foster mom after they were gone.

Mia shopped in a large pet store and spent one morning with the groomers there, impressing everyone with how at ease she was with the pampering. Later that day she visited a dog park where she first checked out the perimeter and then went to splash around in the doggie pool. Though her foster mom attempted to discourage pool time, Mia kept returning, seemingly determined to rid herself of that nice, freshly-bathed salon smell. It can be hard to dissuade a determined gal and Mia was having so much fun, anyway!

At home Mia met overnight house guests with trust and confidence. She was eager but polite when seeking their attention and settled quietly on her doggie bed when they had had enough kisses. Mia is a classic, middle age springer who has half a lifetime yet to share with a loving family. During her time in foster care, it’s become clear she will give her whole heart to anyone who will ask her to be theirs. Would that be you?

Updated 11/30/06: Miss Mia has settled down so well. She is feeling much better with the busyness of shelter life behind her and the itch of what was likely a major flea infestation also dispatched. Her skin has healed and, with improved nutrition and a fish oil capsule daily, there is already noticeable softening of her fur. The medication that she started to assist with incontinence costs about $15.00 a month and is helping. She is dry now for an 8-hour night.

Mia is a mellow housemate. She can relax on her dog bed or alongside on the couch, if invited, for an entire evening. She will groan with contentment when getting ear massages. Toys are not an attraction. However, the marrow bone she finds in her crate every day is a big hit.

Her foster mom’s theory is that Mia saves all her energy for outdoor adventures. She has been on several hikes in the woods and can keep up with the 2-year-old springer easily. Her nose is keen and her interest in following it is typical “springer,” so off leash opportunities are reserved for the dog park.

There have been no children for Mia to meet since in her foster home, but there was a “youngster” who spent the night recently. The guest was a 3-month-old lab puppy, quite a lively one when he wasn’t sleeping. Knowing no limits, he was not afraid to put his face right in Mia’s when he wanted to play. She wasn’t willing and gently but firmly let him know with a snap that stopped about an inch short of his nose, just as she intended. Mia and the resident springer continue to be great buddies. She could be an excellent companion for a similar laid-back dog– just not a puppy! She’s a good rider and will bark with enthusiasm to announce visitors.

Mia has a heart of gold. She can be a wonderful companion for someone who has a similar pace to hers: quiet indoors, appreciative of the outdoors, and into the simple pleasures of living close with your best friend. She’d love to start the new year with a family whose resolution is to give her ear rubs every single day!!!

Original: Like many springers who enter the safety of shelters as strays, Miss Mia was quickly deemed adoptable but had clearly been without someone to care for her for too long. At 42 pounds she was at a good weight, but her skin was dry and much of her fur was sun-bleached and stained from living in marginal conditions. She was carrying fleas and ticks. She was treated at the shelter for a urinary tract infection and passed her behavioral assessment with flying colors. When a MAESSR volunteer arrived, Mia was eager to move on and has continued to improve in her foster home.

Once in foster care, Mia had another vet visit and is working on other treatable health concerns. One is Lyme disease. Although she shows no symptoms, she tested quite positive for the disease and is undergoing treatment. She was also itching badly and had a lot of broken skin on her rump. The shelter had rid her of fleas but an allergy shot has relieved her of most of the remaining irritation which should allow the skin to heal. The vet noted that Mia has cataracts at an intermediate stage. In low light conditions she may be a little cautious as she moves about, but it doesn’t compromise her ability to do anything she wants. This doesn’t bother her in any way, and no treatment was recommended. Mia also has started an inexpensive daily medication to assist her with female incontinence. It will be a few days until the benefit is confirmed.

Mia has settled into her foster home like an experienced, indoor house guest. She is house-trained, crate trained, and comfy with the sounds and activities of a moderately, busy home. She lives with a 2-year-old male springer and gets along great with him. When he teases for more play than she is interested in, she gently lets him know. She will sit alongside him for treats, taking her turn, and shares his water bowl and large doggie beds. At night she sleeps bedside with the rest of the family.

As one might expect of a gal contemplating her “senior” years, Mia is mellow and can settle quietly with the family for an evening. She is not insistent but will accept an invitation to the couch and loves just laying alongside for petting. She loves being outdoors and shows a very active interest in all the smells of woods and meadow. She just lights up on a long line, a 40′ footer, so that she can explore at her own pace, but she will also settle on a leash when asked. She rides well in a crate or behind the seat on long or short trips and is always eager to go.

Mia has been terrific with home grooming, so her sun-burned fur is mostly gone. She accepts nail trimming and ear cleaning with the greatest of ease. She is a charming and cheerful girl who, in a sense, is getting a tune-up. She has a steady, mature springer temperament and is very easy to live with. She could easily be a second, or third, canine companion in a home, and will share her kisses with caring humans or canines alike. She’s such a sweetheart and has surely had some good quality to her life in the past. Won’t you be the one to be sure she has it for the rest of her life?