Rascal

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Update 4/7/05:

Rascal continues to be a rascal. He is completely trustworthy from a housebreaking standpoint. However, he can’t be trusted loose in the house without supervision. He looks for entertainment. Papers, pens, and bags containing items, are a major source of entertainment. That said, he is doing a lot better about jumping up on people. He still fights going into the crate, but once in, is settling down faster. Rascal will bark once he hears his family return and lets them know that letting him out should be their priority. He does not always bark when they leave him.

This is a boy who needs a job and needs to be kept tired. Rascal is good with cats based on reports, and he’s also good with rabbits! He and Big Guy, the resident rabbit in his foster home, play with each other through the pen. It’s definitely play and a lot of fun to watch!

Original:

Each MAESSR dog has a story. Rascal’s story has more twists and turns than usual. Rascal scratched at a door. A man opened the door. Rascal strolled in and went up to the cat. The cat whacked him on the nose. Rascal ignored the cat, jumped up on the sofa, and proceeded to take a nap. He was tired. Enchanted with his new house guest, the man was going to keep him, but a neighbor turned him in to the landlord for no dogs were allowed. Unable to find Rascal’s owner, the man took Rascal to his vet and asked for help. The vet does work for a local boxer rescue and contacted them. Rascal became an honorary boxer for a few weeks while he was being vetted. They then contacted MAESSR.

Rascal is a beautiful field bred springer. He has his full tail and all his dew claws. Rascal is housebroken and a major lovebug. He craves attention and just melts when he’s being brushed. He gets along with his 12 1/2- and 3-year-old foster brothers and is not toy or food possessive. He enjoys having the 6-year-old son in his foster home as a playmate. Rascal loves to run, play with toys, and has a moderate to high energy level. He is on the small size for a springer, weighing in the mid to high thirties.

Rascal is very smart. He figured out the doggy door in no time. Although he is just learning his name, Rascal knows “sit,” “shake,” and begs for treats. He hates being crated. It is a major battle to crate him and he barks constantly when he’s first left. Although it feels like alligator-wrestling to get him into a crate, Rascal is not mean when fighting to stay out. He did just fine when left uncrated last night, so his foster parents are starting to test him uncrated during the day.

Rascal has obviously been an indoor dog in his past. He flies up and down stairs and isn’t concerned about the vacuum cleaner. He wants to get on the sofa and bed to be with people. His foster family is trying to stop this behavior. Rascal also loves to jump up on people, another habit being discouraged. Rascal will counter surf and sniff the garbage, but he hasn’t gone into the garbage so far. When his family eats, he’s right there to clean up anything that falls off a plate.

Rascal is a rascal. He’s full of energy, too smart for his own good at times, and totally lovable! He needs a family who will continue to encourage good manners while enjoying the loving enthusiasm this boy has for the people in his world. He is a friendly and loving boy and needs a FOREVER home that can supply him with all the love he deserves.