Pal

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Updated 08/01/2023:   “He is young and if he sees a bird, he will run to chase it.  He comes back right away but one cannot stop him from getting his run in.”

Pal has been in foster care for a month and a lot has changed.  He is still a wonderful boy.  He is a field Spinger who likes to run and run and run. His foster family live on a farm so he runs himself all over.  He has picked up a bad habit of running next to cars who come into the long driveway or running down the driveway when he sees a car pass.  He does this just to run and knows to stay on the property.  He plays with the old resident black lab, who entices him to run around the yard while she stays still.  

Pal lets his foster mom trim his hair, cut his nails, and clean his ears. Suspicious that he may have a UTI since he urinates a lot, his foster mom has had two urine tests done and both came back negative.  Interestingly, Pal will not poop while he is leashed.  As soon as he is off leash, he will hurry to some grass to do his business. 

Pal does not lick his foster mom but puts his face right up to her face. He wakes up at 6:30 and will wait for her to take him out. Sometimes she gets to sleep until 7 am.  He sleeps on the floor next to his foster parents’ bed.

Pal is still not in total command of his basic commands “sit,” “come,” and “stay” so he will benefit from the mandatory obedience training that MAESSR will require. Nevertheless, he is a very good dog and would do well in a fenced yard. He is young and if he sees a bird, he will run to chase it.  He comes back right away but one cannot stop him from getting his run in.

Good with his housetraining, he can stay in the house all day when his people are gone without making a mess.  If he needs attention, he will find a shoe and bring it to his foster mom and if she does not acknowledge him, he will sit next to her and chew on it.

This medium-sized field Springer will make someone a great pet.  His tri-color is mostly on his face; otherwise, he is liver and white.  He will make a great family dog for kids who want to play with him. He has a gentle mouth and just wants to be loved.   He’ll be a Pal for life!

Original: “He is happy to meet all people of all ages, even infants and toddlers, and wags his tail uncontrollably.”  

Picked up as a stray in rural Maryland, Pal was taken to a county shelter.  No one came looking for him and since the shelter setting made him nervous, the shelter rescue coordinator contacted MAESSR thinking Pal would be much more comfortable in a foster home.  So, this sweet tri-colored boy became a MAESSR dog.   

Pal has proved to be a friend to all he meets—two-legged and four.  He is happy to meet all people of all ages, even infants and toddlers, and wags his tail uncontrollably.  When neighbors brought their toddler over for a visit, Pal shared his dog toys with the youngster!  He puts his face up to his person’s face but does not lick. 

Pal is good with other animals, too, including the resident lab, cats, and even cows in the front pasture.  Although the cows are much bigger than Pal, he is not afraid of the them and will put his nose up to their noses!  Pal likes to bark at them to see if they will play.  He wishes the cows would cooperate with him!  

With his foster mom, Pal can fetch a ball and bring it back to her.  When outside with his foster mom, Pal is off lead and he will come when called.  This young Springer exercises himself by running around.  There is nothing like the zoomies for wearing out a pup!  Pal is also learning to walk on a leash and he is improving each time he goes on a leash walk.  He is a bit skittish and does not seem to have ridden in a car many times. He is afraid to get in but once inside, Pal rides well.   

Since Pal only “sort of” obeys basic commands, he will be a good prospect for the mandatory series of obedience training that MAESSR requires of puppies—even older puppies like Pal– within 90 days of adoption.  MAESSR only places pups in homes that are committed to training and bonding with the pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience.  MAESSR believes the decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment.  

Pal is housetrained and he will come to his mom and pester her when he has to go out.  Since Pal is dependable, he has the run of the house and has not been crated.  Pal likes his toys to chew on and does not chew furniture or anything else.  At night he sleeps in the bedroom by his parents’ bed. This former stray has great house manners and does not counter-surf or trash dive. He was good at the vet, too. 

Pal is fed a little more than a cup of kibble two times a day.  He is a slow eater and will walk around until he finally finishes his food.   

Pal is a happy boy with lots of energy.  He would make a great pet for someone who is home during the day since he goes out several times a day and exercises and then sleeps.   

He is a sweet boy who would love to be your Pal.