Entered: 06/30/2012
Status: Adopted
Age: 8
Color: Black/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for an ear infection and hookworms complete, overall good health
Temperament: Good with people of all ages, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original:
A change in her family’s living circumstances has Miss Ellie looking for a new home with MAESSR’s help. She had lived with her owners on a large property in West Virginia, being a loving friend to the eight children in the family. When her owners had to move into a rental property that does not allow pets, Ellie went to live outside at the home of one of the daughters. Knowing this was not an ideal living situation for this lovely Springer, the family contacted MAESSR to find her a wonderful new forever home.
During her time in foster care, Miss Ellie has been, indeed, a real sweetheart. She is superb around people of all ages. If a toddler shows too much attention, Ellie just backs away without displaying any aggression. She wants everyone to pet her and rub her belly, and the only place she wants to sleep at night is in her nine-year-old human sister’s bedroom. Ellie has grown very attached to her, following her around, protecting her, and working to please her. The daughter had three friends come for a sleep-over and Miss Ellie did not want to miss a moment with all the kids!
Ellie is fine around other dogs, but does not show interest in playing with them or being with them for extended periods of time. People, instead, are her focus! Her foster family has not observed her around cats and she shows no interest in birds in the park; however, squirrels and rabbits are in for a chase! Miss Ellie does not play with toys much. It is difficult to interest her in tennis balls or toys, but she does love a nice, small bone to chew.
A trip to the vet last week confirmed that Ellie had a mild ear infection, which her foster family continues to treat, and hookworms, for which treatment has already been completed. The vet would like to see Miss Ellie lose about 10 pounds, but she already lost one pound with more attentive exercising and swimming. She was an excellent patient at the vet’s, never complaining or showing any aggression while being poked or prodded. (Miss Ellie does snore, but the vet confirmed there is no respiratory infection or problem.)
Miss Ellie has extremely good manners. Although she attempted to go up on the furniture, with a few reminders she has stayed off now for days. Completely housebroken and reliable, Miss Ellie does not need to be crated. She has been left alone in the house for brief periods of time, and, although she clearly misses her foster family, she has not damaged or soiled anything during their absence. Miss Ellie loves car rides. This pup actually begs for time in the car! Overall, she is good on a leash and does not pull; also, she keeps pace when a family member runs with her for short distances.
Her foster family has been working with Ellie on sitting consistently on command, staying on command, and coming on command – three important things for dogs of all ages to know. She seems to be a quick learner and knows that improving on these three things means more treats and 20 seconds of “party time” for her! Woo woo, good girl!
Since she is used to an active household with lots of children, Miss Ellie will need a home where she can get lots of attention and love. Having children in her forever home would delight her! Her forever family needs to give her the exercise she needs to maintain a healthy weight as she heads into her senior years. Having Miss Ellie living with your family will be a blessing!