Sassy

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Update: 09/29/04:

Sassy is back in rescue through no fault of her own. When Sassy first came into rescue, she was only 5 months old and appeared to be a springer. As she has grown, it has become obvious that she is a springer/setter or springer/border collie mix. She weights 55 pounds and stands very tall at 23 inches. She has a very lush coat, feathering in all the right springer places, and a gorgeous full tail. Sassy had a spa day at doggie daycare where she did very well with her bath and grooming.

Sassy is doing great in her foster home, playing with the 2 resident springers and getting lots of attention from her foster mom. She has been curious about the 3 cats, but like the resident springers, she only barks at the white fluffy one.

Sassy loves the dog park. She swims in the pond and will put her entire head underwater, looking for the dog staring up at her (her reflection). Sassy will smack the water when she swims, as if she were treading through ocean waves. She gets into a play bow and talks to the other dogs, as if to say “come on, chase me….life is beautiful.”

In Sassy’s last home, she was kept outside alone and slept in the garage at night, so she is joyous and grateful for all the human and canine attention she is now receiving. She has soulful eyes and will tilt her head to gaze into the eyes of someone speaking to her. She is not clingy or pushy, but will gently put her head on a leg for some affection. Sassy lived with a 6 year old boy in her first foster home and did wonderfully.

Sassy is housebroken, crate trained, does not counter surf or trash pick. She needs work on her leash skills, as she will pull like a sled dog without her halti head collar. Sassy needs to be restrained for car rides, as she will try to assist the driver with her navigation skills. She will jump right into a shower or tub, so it’s best to keep the door closed, unless one likes to shower with a friend! She has shown no toy or food aggression and very rarely jumps up on people. She eats her meals like a lady and loves frozen marrow bones, blueberries and green beans for treats.

Sassy will chase tennis balls and knows “sit”. She is very smart and obedient. When told to do or not to do something, she responds immediately in the most pleasant and mannerly way. She will be required to attend obedience training, as this will ensure a bond with her new family.

Sassy is a beautiful, loving and friendly puppy with much to offer. She would do best in a home with another young dog, or a home which will give her a great deal of exposure to other dogs. Sassy LOVES the companionship of other dogs!

Update: 06/09/04

Sassy is up to 46 pounds, does great with our 5 yr old son (although she can get overly excited and mouthy, but responds to correction), is housebroken, and gets along great with our other dogs. Don’t know about cats, but she would probably chase them since she tries to chase the house rabbits.

Sassy is a bundle of springer energy with a beautiful full tail. Sassy was turned into the shelter because she was “too hyper.” What self-respecting springer puppy isn’t? It does not appear that Sassy’s owners worked with her very much. She was housebroken, but that was it. In just a few days, Sassy already knows the command “sit,” and to sit before the leash is put on and the door opened. She is also responding to her name more, and we’re working on “come.”

Sassy gets along great with her foster brothers – two seniors and one ~2 yr old, all neutered males. She loves having a playmate, and harasses the old men trying to get them to play. She is learning to fetch – she will chase a ball or toy and bring it back, and even lets go half the time! Sassy is very intelligent. She has shown no signs of being toy or food possessive. She loves to play with her 5 yr old human foster brother, although she can get carried away and get mouthy at times. She will respond to a sharp “no,” and is much improved already. Sassy will jump up on people (a habit we’re working on), and thinks she should be able to get up on the furniture (hasn’t tried yet today, so she’s learning). She will occasionally check out the counter, but is not a true “counter-surfer” like many springers. She hasn’t bothered the garbage at all, nor begs while we’re eating. Sassy is very vocal. We are trying to quiet her down. She barks at anything new, and is convinced that vacuum cleaners eat dogs.

Sassy would benefit from obedience training, both for bonding and to learn boundaries. She is very smart and is picking things up very quickly. She is very willing, and a real sweetheart.

Are you ready for a great playmate?