Samantha 4

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Update 12/30/04:

The sutures from Samantha’s eye surgery are out and she is such a pretty girl now. After 4 1/2 months in her foster home, her foster dad feels that she continues to be more alert, intuitive, and active each day. She is very comfort-loving, easy-going, does not pull on a leash, and is not rough in any way. She is very jealous and attention seeking though, in part, because of much neglect in her past. She remains good with the resident cat in her foster home, although, a spooky kitty might elicit a chase-response in Samantha.

Her foster dad feels Samantha would be ideal as the only dog in a household for an older person or couple. She has grown into her new beginning incredibly well and is ready for an adopting family who will love her, care for her, and make her a cherished part of their life.

Update 11/12/04:

With good veterinary care, a loving foster family, and the continuing company of Ms. Maggie, Samantha has made heartwarming progress since coming into foster care. She has been spayed and had a lump removed from her neck at the same time. She is scheduled for an eye surgery, which should complete her physical needs, and will be available for adoption after that recovery.

Her foster home has given Samantha the chance to become much better socialized, and, she has grown with the opportunity. She has met visiting grandchildren ranging from ages 14 months up to about 10 years and has done very well with all of them. When meeting cats, she has chosen to ignore them and is good with the resident feline in her foster home. Samantha also has discovered the joy of counter surfing, as most self-respecting springers do sooner or later! She sleeps alongside Ms. Maggie and would probably enjoy the companionship of a resident dog in her forever home as well.

Samantha has learned in 3 short months much about what life in a loving and caring home can be for a springer. All she needs now is a family to make that a permanent experience for her…………

Original:

Samantha is one of the Maryland 7, having been surrendered to MAESSR by an owner who was not in compliance with local dog ordinances. Her physical needs and socialization had apparently been long neglected, as had those needs of the other dogs in this group.

As was necessary with the other dogs in the Maryland 7, Samantha was shaved down to remove heavy matting and was given several baths. She visited the vet and, fortunately, was found to be in good health overall upon examination. Samantha was brought up to date on her vaccinations. She tested negative for heartworm and was put on preventative. When she first arrived in her foster home, she was a pretty good and quiet girl. Her foster family felt, however, that she had never been properly socialized, trained, or played with much at all.

In the weeks since, Samantha has made much progress. However, it is slow going with her, as she was absolutely the “low dog” in the pecking order in her previous home. She and Ms. Maggie, one of the resident springers in her foster home, get along very well, as Maggie is easy going and secure. Samantha often noses Maggie’s muzzle and ears and gives her “kisses.” Samantha is now reliable in her housetraining, so, she and Ms. Maggie can be left loose in the house for 5 hours or more with no problems.

At her foster home, Samantha is learning about the out of doors. She is enjoying the field there. Gradually, she is venturing further away from her foster dad, and is running and “busy bodying” with Ms. Maggie. When the two stop to look and check on “dad,” they will come running together to him– a very pretty sight!