Entered: 06/15/2014
Status: Adopted
Age: 5 Months
Color: White Spanish Water Dog
Weight: 19 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Altoona, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, Lyme-, treatment for UTI and deworming complete
Temperament: Good with people of all ages, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “Her foster mom is working on Roxie being patient when it comes to mealtime as Roxie excitedly jumps while meals are being prepared.”
A Spanish Water Dog, Roxie came to MAESSR as a result of a kennel closing in Maryland. SWDs are a rare breed in the US and are medium-sized, multipurpose dogs often used for herding sheep, cattle, and goats or as fishermen’s helpers in their native country. These particular dogs are normally not brushed; instead, their corded coats are clipped once or twice a year. Not to worry, despite these breed differences, Roxie has many Springer qualities such as lots of energy and playfulness, a love of tennis balls, and a big heart. She loves to cuddle, give kisses, and is an all-around Velcro girl.
Roxie is currently living with three seniors– two residents and one foster. She is up for playing with everyone but is especially close to the other foster dog, a male, who plays with her the most. They love to play tug-of-war or keep-away and engage in horseplay. Due to physical limitations, the senior foster is not always able to keep up with Roxie who literally runs circles around him. Sometimes Roxie can be a bit much for the seniors who show her a lot of patience, and on occasion their mom rescues them if needed. Roxie will play with a tennis ball by herself in the yard and inside the house, repeatedly tossing it so she can give chase. She also enjoys games of fetch, chew bones, and unstuffing plush dog toys. Roxie has been known to take off with her foster mom’s slippers or socks if they are accessible but quickly gives them up when chased down.
Of course, being a puppy, Roxie still has much to learn but does know “sit” and is working on “off” and ”down” as she does jump up on people and furniture like any typical puppy. She just recently grew big enough to jump up on her foster mom’s bed. Roxie is working on leash skills and keeps up with the seniors on mile long walks. She does pull somewhat on the leash but is improving. She often barks at folks encountered along the way or people walking past the house. All the dogs love when her foster mom is working with Roxie on “quiet sitting” as everybody gets treats when the newbie is rewarded. Roxie definitely wants to be a counter-surfer once she gets bigger. Her foster mom is working on Roxie being patient when it comes to mealtime as Roxie excitedly jumps while meals are being prepared. She eats hers in the crate as she would try to eat the other dogs’ meals if able to get to them. Another Springer trait – she thinks her foster mom is starving her despite plenty of dog food and treats. She has learned that she has to “sit” before receiving her treats.
Please not that MAESSR only places puppies in homes that are committed to training and bonding with the pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience, and they do chew on things! The decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment. To reinforce this commitment, MAESSR requires all adopters of dogs under 1 year old to enroll their puppy in obedience classes within 60 days of adoption. Roxie will be a good student.
Roxie is not fully housetrained yet as there are occasional accidents if the foster mom is not diligent. She just recovered from a urinary tract Infection so there were more frequent trips outside while she was being treated. There have not been any accidents in the crate since shortly after treatment began. Roxie quietly spends her nights in a crate in her foster mom’s bedroom, sometimes waking a little earlier than everyone else but (with a little persuasion) will go back to sleep. Roxie is crated up to 7.5 hours at a time and is well-behaved in the crate.
Roxie was a good girl at the vet’s office and was a big hit with everyone. She barked at all the dogs that came in during her long wait. She will be returning there for her rabies shot and to be spayed in the near future. Her foster mom has trimmed Roxie’s toenails without any issues other than her being an active puppy; a bath is pending. Roxie rides well in the car, either being crated or tethered.
Although her foster mom may be biased, she feels Roxie is an adorable, precious bundle of joy who is simply perfect just as any puppy should be.