Entered: 07/24/2009
Status: adopted
Age: 8
Color: Black/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, Lyme-, treatment for ear infections complete, awaiting results on thyroid panel
Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with children, good with cats, tends to guard her person from other dogs so should be the only dog in the house
Original: Pretty Precious was the loving companion and best friend to her senior owner since she was a puppy. Unfortunately, due to declining health, Precious’s mom had to go into a nursing home and had to say a tearful goodbye to her best friend and devoted companion. A friend of the family tried to keep Precious, but she did not get along well with the new family’s demanding puppy, so they called MAESSR to find Precious a new forever home.
She was an excellent patient at the vet’s office and let the doctor examine her thoroughly and cut her nails without complaint. If the previous vet records were correct, Precious has lost about 7 pounds in the last 3 weeks and yet she is still slightly overweight. Just to be sure there are no underlying health issues, a thyroid panel was ordered; the test results are pending. It was also suggested that Precious’s owner may have been feeding her people food or overdosing her on treats; her foster mom just doesn’t know.
She has a great appetite and is food motivated to learn basic commands. Her foster mom is working with her on sit, down, and paw. Due to her high intelligence, desire to please, and treat motivation, she is learning quickly. Precious is also learning to walk like a lady on a leash. Reportedly, she was only on a leash for vet visits or trips to the groomer, so leash walking is pretty new to her. She is also making progress on that front. She loves being petted and having her ears rubbed.
Now that Precious is in MAESSR’s care, she is experiencing all the best that life as a Springer can offer – long walks, car rides, love, attention and training. Precious is a really good car rider and jumps in when the door is opened. Once in, she sits and looks out the window and then lies down. She is a little timid at first when she experiences new things, like the sound of the electric garage door opener or a truck driving down the road when she is on her walk, but she responds quickly when given positive reinforcement that she is okay. She is also a little shy about meeting new people at first but warms up quickly with a nice Springer wet kiss for new people. She does not jump on people, beg for food, trash pick or counter surf. She also likes coming and going from her crate. When it is time for a nap or evening bedtime, Precious likes to go in the crate. She is completely housetrained and takes treats very gently. Her black and white coat is very silky and shiny! It is not unusual for her foster mom to get complements while they are out and about experiencing what life outside a house and fenced yard has to offer.
In her prior, temporary foster home, Precious grew very attached to the female of the household and started to guard the female human when other dogs would come near. Having been an only dog all her life and devoted to the previous owner, she would probably do best as an only dog in her new home. In her original home, she reportedly was used to visits from young grandchildren but has not been exposed to children in her foster home. She ignored the cat in her previous home.
Precious is just that, precious. Precious deserves a loving home and a family that will continue to develop her confidence, love and treat her like a true family member. Will it be yours?