Shelbi

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Update 03/10/2016: “Her agility amazes her foster parents, who have watched Shelbi jump up to the top of a three foot retaining wall while at a standstill”   

Shelbi continues to do well in her foster home. With her UTI all clear, there was just one health issue to address. Every four to five days her tummy would grumble and be upset. Shelbi’s appetite had diminished, too. Her vet suggested that she begin a daily low-dose of an inexpensive medication that can help those dogs who experience gastrointestinal discomfort with Addison’s disease. This daily regimen seems to have done the trick. No upset tummy and Shelbi’s appetite is back…way back! This girl is interested in any and all food. In fact, she’s had some very successful raids on the counter. Her foster parents have learned to keep the counters clear, as even raw potatoes are appealing to a hungry Shelbi. A chicken carcass was also part of successful stealth mission, although it was discovered before too much damage could be done. Shelbi’s a small dog with a long reach!

It was reported that Shelbi had some accidents in her sleep. In her foster home, Shelbi had just two accidents early on, but that was it. She sleeps through the night and has no problems “holding it” for the five hours that her foster mom is at work. 

For outside time, Shelbi seems to prefer running around the back yard sniffing out critters rather than taking a walk. Some loud trucks scared her on a couple of walks so, some days, she is anxious about walking even though she begins the walk with excitement.  The return trip is no problem as she makes a beeline for home. Her personality is such that some things like loud noises and car rides are just a little scary to Shelbi. Walking on a busy street might always be a problem for her, so a quiet neighborhood or big fenced yard to run around in would be best for her.

Shelbi is a smart girl who tries to please her people. She’s learned where her beds are and stays off of most furniture in her foster home. There is one big, round papasan chair in a spare bedroom that Shelbi thought was perfect. Her foster parents conceded this one piece of people furniture and Shelbi knows it is “hers.” She is very aware of routines and will let her foster parents know when she thinks it’s time to prepare meals, have a snack, or go to bed. She rarely wakes up before the alarm but, if she does, she is willing to settle back down if it’s not time to rise yet.

Her agility amazes her foster parents, who have watched Shelbi jump up to the top of a three foot retaining wall from a standstill. She’s very good at obeying the fences in her yard, which she probably has the ability to launch herself over. For a 10 year old Springer, this girl has amazing hearing, too. Her ears stay clear with just occasional cleaning, so she doesn’t have a history of ear infections which takes a toll on many dogs’ hearing.

Shelbi had her first bath, which she tolerated well, and her first haircut performed by her foster mother.  She chose to sit or lie down for a shave, but didn’t try to wiggle away. Her compact body is easy to care for and her feathering isn’t long, so her grooming is not a chore.

Recently company came to have dinner at the foster home. Shelbi was excited to meet new people, both the adults and children who were seven and eight years old. She acted very appropriately and allowed everyone to pet her. She’s also interested in meeting new people when on a walk, so she’s definitely people-oriented. Even if her foster parents are gone from the house for 10 minutes, Shelbi reacts with total joy at their return. 

Shelbi will make a family feel very special by the love she gives; she’s just looking for a special someone to give her the love in return.  If you love wiggle butts, you’ll love Shelbi!

Original:  “Don’t tell Shelbi that she’s 10 years old since she doesn’t look or act her age. She has quite a bit of energy and agility for a ‘senior’ girl.” 

Shelbi’s North Carolina owner was experiencing a divorce, which would impact her finances significantly.  Additionally, there was a reduction in the amount of quality time that could be spent with a beloved member of the family who had been raised since puppyhood.  It was with very heavy hearts that Shelbi’s family relinquished her to MAESSR so that she would find a special forever home.

Upon meeting her foster parents, Shelbi was excited and jumped into their vehicle without hesitation. It was reported that she did not ride well in cars, which she demonstrated by whining and acting a bit restless on and off for most of the hour ride to her foster home. Once there, Shelbi was excited to check out the fenced back yard while on leash. In the house, she sprinted all over, checking out every room.

Don’t tell Shelbi that she’s 10 years old since she doesn’t look or act her age. She has quite a bit of energy and agility for a “senior” girl.  After a few days she was allowed off-leash in the fenced yard with a foster parent watching. This girl can fly!  She runs, zig-zagging across the yard with her nose to the ground. She doesn’t have the best recall when she’s in “the zone,” but if she sees her person start to go in the house, she stops and eventually runs to the door. 

Being with her people is a priority for Shelbi.  The food that her people are fixing or eating is another one and she is very interested in what goes on it the kitchen. Even though she’s a very petite girl, she will check out the counters circus dog-style to see what’s up there. A stern “no” gets the appropriate response.  At her foster parents’ dinner time, Shelbi will wait patiently for a while, but then resort to pacing nearby and whining. Being totally ignored is the reward for this behavior, so it is improving. 

Dinnertime for Shelbi happens after their dinner is over. It was reported that Shelbi was not fed “people” food, but she is very interested in it anyway. At her foster home she is permitted a few healthy items like a taste of strawberry, orange, carrot, or lettuce…and she devours them enthusiastically.  She does not resource guard food, which can be removed while she’s eating. Reportedly Shelbi would take a pill right out of her owner’s hand.  Since this was not done consistently in her foster home, she is getting pills in a dollop of sour cream on her food or in a small amount of cream cheese. Any treat offered by hand is taken oh so gently.

Spry and agile, Shelbi was mistaken for a puppy by a neighbor. She does, however, have an illness called Addison’s disease which is a deficient production of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands. This can cause a number of symptoms like weakness, dehydration, low blood pressure, depression, vomiting, and weight loss. Shelbi’s condition has been well-monitored and she receives a monthly injection of a medication which is keeping her symptoms in check.  An adoptive family must understand that she needs to be on this medication for life.

During her vet visit Shelbi was a very good girl despite the necessary poking and prodding. MAESSR’s vet declared her in very good shape for an older girl. It was discovered that she had a urinary tract infection, and she was placed on antibiotics. A daily supplement will be part of her regimen to ward off future infections. It was recommended that she take an antihistamine for some itchiness that she was experiencing, which could be due to a change in environment. This seems to help as the episodes of scratching have subsided.  As a precaution, Shelbi receives a daily supplement to ease any anxiety due to the transition in her life. So far, she’s adapted wonderfully to her new environment.

Although very active outside, Shelbi is mostly low-key inside. She knows the commands “sit” and “down,” although she might pop back up fairly quickly when excited. Trustworthy in her foster home even when her family is out, it has not been necessary to use a crate. When they return home, Shelbi is SO EXCITED to see them and wants to jump up and give kisses. She is housetrained and will whine and pace as a signal to go out. Although she was used to getting up on furniture and sleeping in the “big” bed at her former home, this is not permitted in her foster home. While attempts are still made to hop up on a couch, Shelbi understood from day one that she has a bed right next to her foster parents’ bed. She jumps right in at bedtime and sleeps soundly through the night. What a good girl!  There’s no guarantee that she doesn’t catch a snooze on a couch when her people are out, but she has several doggie beds and she does use them.

It was reported that Shelbi did not play with toys. When introduced to a rubber bone that can contain small treats, she’s decided that certain toys are pretty interesting!  Shelbi loves her walks but she weaves back and forth as though she’s tracking prey most of the time. She pulls quite a bit, especially at the beginning of a walk, so a harness works best for her.

It was reported that Shelbi is very scared of loud noise like fireworks and gunfire (hunting occurred near her former home.) Her foster parents have seen her flinch when a metal pan was dropped in the kitchen, and she is very scared of the UPS truck and school bus while on walks. Apparently the gas fireplace, when turned on, is very scary, too. Shelbi reportedly was groomed by her former owner with no issues other than nail trimming, which upset her very much. Her foster mom decided that Shelbi needed the hair around her feet and between the pads trimmed, and she was very anxious and struggled for the entire ordeal. Her foster mom’s willpower (and grip) was stronger than Shelbi’s, and the deed was done.

This petite girl is sweet, sweet, sweet!  She’s attentive and loving to her people without being perpetually clingy. A quieter home with older children or adults would be best for her as the activity level of young ones would probably stress her. Shelbi would especially love a family that would cuddle with her on the couch…and petting this cutie is a pleasure since she has the silkiest fur!  A fenced yard would be ideal for her because she’s an active girl who loves to run and track critters. Shelbi will happily provide her new family with brisk daily walks, which are great for those New Year resolutions involving more exercise. Ten is merely a number – not a state of mind – for Shelbi.  Wouldn’t this spry senior be a great addition to your family?