Moon 2

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Update 11/12/12:

Moon has made amazing progress in the 2 months he’s been in foster care. Trust has been his biggest issue and the one he’s been concentrating on. Trust in his people has progressed for Moon to the point that he has decided he likes to sleep on the people bed. Recently he has begun to serenade his family at night; he’ll start the night under the bed, and, if someone gets up during the night, he remains under the bed, but when that someone returns, Moon sighs very loudly and draws it out into a really cute sound ’til he’s told it’s okay to come up on the bed. Definite progress!!

Beyond his nighttime preferences, his foster family feels Moon would live best in an “adults only” home or at least with children who are old enough to understand his need for a safe place and personal space. He remains timid but seems equally bonded to both his foster mom and dad now. He does bark a bit when his foster parents first leave home but it seems to be his reminder to them that they forgot to take him along and that he’d really like to go. With the company of the resident dogs, he does settle down; he could also be an only dog.

Moon absolutely LOVES his daily walks. If he feels that it’s getting late in the day without one, he will go to the front door to indicate that he’s ready to head for the park. A “gentle leader” has worked miracles to help guide him and his enthusiasm when beginning an outing.

In 2 months Moon has not only readied for an adopting family but has also totally won over his foster family. They know heâ’ll bond well with loving people of his own but also want him to know that, if his new home is in their area, he has lifetime visiting and vacation privileges with them!

Update 09/24/12:

With a month in foster care, Moon has made tremendous progress. A spectacular personality is emerging as he learns it’s safe to trust people. He’s a wonderful little guy and, aside from his occasional “grumble” which his foster parents know is just his way of expressing fear, he’s been pronounced “perfect!” In fact, Moon has exhibited no inappropriate behavior at all. Good boy!

Because he’s so trustworthy, Moon has full run of the house. Although he was offered a crate for his comfort, he has chosen not to use it because his favorite place to sleep is under the bed! He also likes a little “safe” place in the family room under a table or someplace sheltered. While he would prefer the comfort of the “people bed,” he jumps down immediately when told. There have never been any indoor accidents or marking incidents, and Moon does not chew anything inappropriate or dig in the yard. This super boy is not a counter-surfer or trash-snooper. While he wouldn’t dream of begging at the table, he will sit close by in case his people are willing to share a little something after their meal. He does not resource guard food or toys. It’s just fine with him if his bowl is moved while he’s eating; he knows it will be returned.

Extremely thin on arrival, Moon has put on 8 pounds during the past month. Although he ate ravenously for the first few days, he has slowed down and eats until he’s full, occasionally leaving a few bites of food. He knows there will be more at the next meal! Moon continues to be fed separately from the other dogs as the resident male has food guarding issues.

Moon met the family vet recently and was brought UTD on shots. He grumbled a bit to let his people know he was afraid but, once he realized that it wouldn’t hurt, he settled right down. Even the dreaded ear cleaning went well after he found out how good the results felt! Moon is now fine with handling, and enjoys being brushed and having his ears scratched. Wonderful in the bath, he even gave a kiss or two….. he likes being clean! 

While walking on leash, Moon is reactive to dogs he sees and will bark and pull. Distraction and soothing conversation seem to help, as well as heading in the opposite direction. Otherwise he walks very well on the leash with minimal pulling. Lately Moon has shown a fascination with babies and very small toddlers on daily walks to the park. He will sit and watch them very intently and turn back to look at them as the walk continues. He has been good with children, allowing those as young as five years old to pet him.

Moon made a “road trip” recently to see how he’d react to new places and situations. He was excellent on a 2.5 hour ride, alternating between watching out the window and snoozing. He spent three nights with his foster mom and grandma and was the perfect houseguest, handling all the changes beautifully! He took long walks with the housekeeper every day and met new people well, pausing for a quick petting. Moon also visited a house with cats. Although he didn’t try to engage in play, he did not seem to mind them. The cats were not as receptive, so Moon decided to join his foster mom for company. While out walking, Moon did go up to a cat to say hello; he also sat and watched a wild rabbit but did not try to give chase. Squirrels are fair game but it’s obvious that he just wants to run them off, not catch them. 

Moon is a very quiet, laid back little guy who just wants to be loved. He’s not big on “Springer kisses” but does enjoy sitting close by his people and will occasionally move in and lie across a lap. He only jumps up in greeting when his foster parents return after they have been gone for awhile. Still very timid around the resident dogs, Moon has not joined in any play sessions with them, preferring to watch from a distance. Once in awhile, in a “one on one” with his people, he will play with a stuffed toy but seems to get bored easily. 

Moon will probably do best as an only dog or with one other dog that has a temperament similar to his. A family with someone home most of the day would be ideal for him since he’s a true Velcro Springer and loves to be within sight of his people. Moon is fairly low energy but he enjoys racing around his fenced yard and LOVES his daily walks. His next goal is to learn the basic commands “sit,” “come,” “stay,” and “leave it” since the only command he currently responds to is “down.” Once accomplished, he’ll be a welcome addition to any home. Moon’s foster family makes it clear that they LOVE this little guy and know that he’ll make someone a wonderful forever companion.

Original:

Little Moon had been relinquished to a Pennsylvania shelter by his owners who were no longer able to afford his care. The shelter had him vetted, neutered, and micro-chipped and brought up to date on all shots. Then, he was adopted from the same shelter but returned after a very brief period, indicating allergies as the reason. Now, this third time, Moon is in MAESSR’s care and we will make sure he gets a forever home that is truly a perfect match.

Moon has been slowly warming up to his foster parents at his own pace. As foster dad drove home from the MAESSR volunteer’s house who had pulled Moon from the shelter, Moon put his head on his foster mom’s knee, letting her pet him as the miles rolled by. He rides well in the car, just falling asleep in the backseat. His foster parents quickly learned that Moon accepts love on his terms only; honoring that and knowing that time, gentleness, and patience are needed when fostering shy dogs, his foster family has not pushed Moon for closeness. Although Moon allows either of his people to pet, walk and handle him within his limits, he seems to prefer female attention. His foster dad has christened him Moon Shadow because he will follow them from room to room. 

Meeting the two resident MAESSR Springers went well although Moon has shown no interest in interacting with them. (The resident male and female admittedly can be a bit wild in their play!) Even after his first week in his new home, Moon still does not want to play at all, not with the dogs or with his foster parents. He seems to have no idea what a toy is, although one night a friend visited and brought each of the dogs a plastic toy and also two balls. Moon did follow the balls when they were rolled and picked one up and carried it to his “safe” place. His meeting with this female friend went well. Moon even sat next to her on the floor and put his head on her knee looking for attention. 

Moon has several “safe” places in the house. He did want to sleep on the bed, but the only house rule is no dogs on the bed. When told to get down the first night, he grumbled a bit and then retreated to the floor underneath the bed. That is where he has chosen to sleep every night since then. Note that his grumbling was not a growl and his foster parents interpreted it as “I’m scared so please back off.” 

When he wants a bit of loving, Moon curls up on the loveseat with his foster mom or in the corner of the sofa with his foster dad. When he’s had enough or gets anxious, he lies on the floor under the coffee table or end table. He also likes to go behind the loveseat which is out about a foot from the wall. His foster parents have learned that one cannot sit right next to Moon; he likes a foot of space between his person and himself and likes even more space between the resident dogs and him.

Not keen on having his feet or ears handled, Moon does chew and lick his feet, but he grumbles if his people look at them. That may have to wait for a further vet visit. Moon is extremely thin with every rib and his spine showing. He ate ravenously for the first two days but has slowed down now; he seems to realize that he will not go hungry and his foster family will not run out of food. Moon does not like to be brushed or combed, but he accepts hands combing through his coat. 

Moon appears to have had little socialization with other dogs and people. Early on, Moon did not heed the resident male’s warning to stay away from his food bowl during mealtime and Moon got nipped on the nose as a result. Moon is fine with his people handling his food. Now when he is fed, his foster mom holds his food bowl for him. Moon knows his meal is safe and when he’s finished, she can pet him and distract him from venturing too close to the resident male while he is eating. 

Daily walks to the park are something Moon really enjoys. When he sees the leashes and collars coming out, Moon races to the door and sits patiently for his collar and leash to be put on. He’s excellent on leash with very little pulling. The only time he barks is when he sees other dogs being walked. He has interacted appropriately with people he meets on these daily walks. He even allowed two little boys to pet him yesterday after his foster parents explained to their grandpa that Moon was shy and they should not touch his ears. Moon was tolerant but seemed more anxious to get on with the walk. 

Housetrained, Moon has full run of the house as the resident dogs do. He has not shown any signal for “out” yet, but since the resident dogs do, Moon goes out whenever another dog does. He does not care if he has canine company or not when he goes out, but he does want one of his foster parents with him outside. If either steps inside the door and he realizes it, he runs to the deck and waits to be let back in or will bark to have the door opened.

Right now, his foster parents are taking things very slowly with Moon, letting him set the pace for himself. Watch for more on Moon as he becomes more comfortable in his foster home.