Scout 5

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Update 10/20/11:

Evaluation of a dog’s temperament is a very important part of the fostering experience. Given the gift of time, most foster dogs are able to resolve undesirable behaviors with love, patience, and a steady routine. Despite the best efforts of the MAESSR family to work with Scout, it became painfully clear that he exhibited personality traits that made him unsuitable for placement. May Scout find peace over the Rainbow Bridge.

Update 05/22/11:

All news for this freckle-faced Springer is good! On the health front, Scout visited the vet and was a very good boy. A bladder infection was discovered and is being treated with a round of antibiotics. He weighed in at 71.5 pounds, which he knew was a little high; the vet set a goal of about a 7 pound loss for him which he’ll continue working on!

Regular walking is helping Scout trim his extra pounds. He uses a Gentle Leader harness and now walks like a complete gentleman. While he loves to walk, he also loves to play and roam in the yard. His counter surfing and jumping up have improved too. 

Scout is a great dog and ready for his furever home. He greets everyone like you were his long lost friend, so some lucky family will feel the love immediately when Scout adopts them!!

Original:

When Scout’s New Jersey family experienced financial difficulties and had to move to a different house, they had no additional funds to put up a fence which is necessary for Scout since he loves to romp in the yard. Wanting the best for Scout, they contacted MAESSR to help him find a new family.

When he first came to his foster home, Scout needed to learn how to walk on leash, and now he is doing very well. He gets three walks per day, which is also helping with his weight issue. (He has a few pounds to lose!) Housetrained and crate-trained, Scout is reliable in the house with the exception of counter-surfing. His foster family is working on this habit, and Scout has gotten much better. He is a very smart boy who just needs direction.

Although Scout doesn’t seem to pay much attention to the squirrels and cats that he encounters on walks, he is not keen on dogs he meets on the street or the resident Springers either. Due to his general dislike for the resident dogs, Scout is gated in the kitchen when his foster parents are home. At night and when his foster parents are out, Scout is crated. He may be happiest in a forever home where he is the only dog. 

In contrast, Scout LOVES people of all ages; he looks for petting and attention from everyone. He has met people of all ages including toddlers. He loves them but, due to his size and overly friendly personality, he may knock the little ones over. He also wants to get in every car that he sees with an open door. Scout loves car rides!

Another interest of Scout’s is TOYS! He loves to play with his toys. Ball and tug games are his favorites! When he first arrived in his foster home, his foster mom put a towel in his crate and now it has become a security blanket. He pulls it out in the morning walks around with it proudly to show it off! What a good boy you are, Scout!

He may be nine in years, but Scout is a puppy at heart. He will make a very nice family dog. He’s just looking for someone to love!