Nellie 2

Original: Nellie was relinquished to a Pennsylvania shelter by her family who said they could no longer care for her due to allergies of a new baby. Although she is in very good health, she came from the shelter in serious need of grooming with long hair and lots of matting. Before she was even taken to her foster home, she was shaved by a groomer friend of her foster family. Nellie has subsequently received multiple baths and does not seem to mind them.

Even though Nellie is slightly overweight at 60 pounds, she has a lot of energy. She loves investigating outside and running after birds and squirrels. Nellie is very protective of her house and seems to have excellent hearing. She and the resident mutt love patrolling the property. The two resident dogs and Nellie get along famously; she seems really to enjoy being part of a pack! Even though she gives birds and squirrels a run for the money, Nellie seems alright with the cats that she has been around short-term.

Although Nellie is a puller on a walk with a regular leash and collar, when walked using a gentle leader, she does great! No pulling whatsoever! She knows down, come, sit, and stay, unless she is after a scent in the backyard. Nellie’s tail wags a million times a minute when she is in the yard sniffing. At these times she exudes happiness!

Nellie is housebroken but has not been in a crate. She does not counter-surf or trash pick. At night she sleeps on the floor usually in the foster parent’s bedroom. Nellie knows that furniture is for people only and she does not attempt to hop up. She loves going into the car, though, and rides very well.

Her foster mother has been experiencing some success in helping Nellie overcome some food aggression issues that have been observed. For the most part, Nellie knows when her foster mom is near her bowl, she gets good things. There has been some occasional grumbling at her food bowl, but it has never escalated beyond that. Before she eats her meals and takes a treat, Nellie sits. She takes treats very gently from the hand, also.

Since she has been in her foster home, Nellie has not been given any toys or bones as she feels all belong to her and does not like it if anyone is around her when she has these objects. As long as she does not have access to these things, she is sweet and loving. All members of the household abide by this practice – teens and adults alike. Since she has these resource guarding issues, Nellie is not to be trusted around small children.

Watch for more about Nellie as her personality unfolds in her foster home.

Update 07/29/09: Since Nellie has been with her foster family, she has lost about 3-4 pounds and has tons of energy. She loves nothing better than being outside and sniffing and following the scents of animals that have walked her turf. Nellie’s tail goes so fast; her happiness and joy are evident when she is investigating outside. She will often get very dirty when out in the yard but loves being hosed off and does not mind having her feet cleaned and dried. She also had her teeth cleaned recently along with 2 lesions on her gums so now she is just as pretty as can be.

Nellie is not purposely given any things she could resource guard. She sits for all food and treats. She is also fed separately from the resident dogs. At mealtime Nellie is given her food bowl and then left alone to eat, in order to avoid any anxiety on her part. She loves totally ripping stuffed toys apart and making sure all the stuffing is separated from the fabric. She takes a lot of pride in this activity.

She gets along fine with the dogs she lives with and is also agreeable when she meets new dogs on her daily walks. Nellie is walking very well when her Gentle Leader is used. She sits very patiently when having the leash put on her. Nellie does not go on any furniture except when her humans leave the house; she had been detected on the couch and bed when they have come home suddenly. She does get off the furniture when told to, although there is lots of grumbling, especially since 2 other dogs are on the furniture. Nellie is likely hoping that when she becomes a resident dog, she too can enjoy those much-coveted soft places that all homes have. Keep an eye on this gal.

Update 08/07/09: For a minimum of 2 weeks, each MAESSR dog in foster care is assessed for health and temperament. Many times, first impressions do represent the true dog. At other times, it takes a little longer to see a dog’s full personality emerge. Such was the case with Nellie. With ample time for assessment by her foster family and additional volunteers, it became clear that Nellie would not be suitable for adoption.