Entered: 10/25/2015
Status: Adopted
Age: 7, Born 01/20/2008
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 44 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Little Silver, NJ
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for Lyme disease and dental work with extractions complete, additional mammary tumors removed
Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with children, good with other dogs, good with cats
Update 12/10/2015: “This little Energizer Bunny loves to run and sniff along the bushes and trees at the periphery of her yard, hunting for birds, squirrels, rabbits, and voles.”
Three main health issues have been taken care of for Sparkles in the past month. She has completed her course of antibiotics for Lyme disease. The additional mammary tumors found by the vet have been removed and biopsied as lobular hyperplasia meaning they were pre-cancerous. The vet thought that the removal of these tumors would give her a clean bill of health. Yeah, Sparkles! Finally, she had a much needed dental cleaning at the same time her tumor surgery was performed. Seven badly decayed teeth were extracted. Now, Miss Sparkles’ teeth are also gleaming, thanks to MAESSR.
Sparkles continues to enjoy her off-leash walks (or runs) in a huge forested county park. She responds quickly to her foster parents calling her name or whistling for her if she briefly goes out of sight. She happily lopes back to them to check in and receive praise for being so good. On one of these park jaunts, she and her foster brother met a horse and rider. The Springers went into a “sit” and met their horse friend without a woof. They were totally unfazed by the horse. Joggers, bike riders, and other hikers with dogs are not bothered by Sparkles and her foster brother when they meet them in the park. Interestingly, if someone passes in front of their home or if someone comes to the door, both are more reactive, but come back upon recall. Sparkles’ foster parents are working on correcting this behavior.
This little Energizer Bunny loves to run and sniff along the bushes and trees at the periphery of her yard, hunting for birds, squirrels, rabbits, and voles. She enjoys digging when she thinks a critter is hiding from her below ground. Her foster mom was not too pleased with her digging up plants in the flower garden, though. Hey, a girl has to follow a scent! She now eagerly jumps into the car for a ride; no longer does she quiver when she rides.
Some lucky family will get a gem when they adopt Sparkles! She is an active, loving, intelligent little girl.
Original: “A loving fieldie with a full tail that wags constantly, Sparkles has a wonderful personality.”
Sparkles and her Dobe housemate were relinquished to a Pennsylvania shelter by their owner who could no longer afford to care for them. Doberman rescue took the housemate and Sparkles began her new life as a MAESSR girl.
It is obvious that Sparkles had had a litter of puppies in the near past. She was spayed at the shelter and three mammary tumors were removed at that time. Biopsies of the tumors had not been done, so her future vet and owner should check her regularly. Although Sparkles was heartworm negative, her blood test showed that she was Lyme+. She is not showing symptoms of Lyme disease, but to be on the safe side, she is being given a long course of antibiotics. She takes her pills very nicely in a pill pocket. Once two weeks have passed since her spay surgery, Sparkles will receive her vaccinations and she will be able to be bathed. She was very cooperative during her vet appointment.
Having been a lactating mom and not getting sufficient food left Sparkles’ body depleted. Receiving plenty of quality food has already made a difference and her back quarters are filling in. She is a very enthusiastic eater and will check out the other dogs’ bowls to see if they have left anything for her. Sparkles does not resource guard her food and bones, though. Good girl!
Sparkles gets along well with the resident male ESS and with the other foster Springer in the house. The resident cat knew right away that she did not have to be afraid of Sparkles who generally just ignores her. She has visited the dog park and responded appropriately to the dogs she met there. Sparkles loves being around people and getting loving from them. She hasn’t had the opportunity of meeting any children yet, but given her friendly nature, her foster mom thinks Sparkles would be fine with them.
Although her foster family’s yard is not fenced, this has not been a problem for Sparkles. She likes to stay near her people and she is not outside unsupervised. On leashed walks, Sparkles does pull a bit. She is very good unleashed on walks in the wooded parks near her foster home. It is wonderful to watch her running and following scents, doing what hunting Springers are supposed to do. She knows her name, “come,” “sit,” and “wait.” She listens well and responds enthusiastically to praise. When people come to the door, Sparkles leads the barking to alert her foster parents. Despite initial barking, Sparkles warms up quickly to the newcomers.
Sparkles must not have ridden in the car much in her previous life since she quivered most of the way home from the shelter. This is improving, however, as she takes short car trips to the park and other fun places. She’s not restless in the car, though; instead, she sits quietly in the back seat with the other dogs.
Housetrained, Sparkles goes to the door to let her foster parents know she needs to go outside. She likes to hop up on the couch for a snooze which is allowed in her foster home. At night she likes to sleep on a dog bed next to her foster parents’ bed. She is not interested in toys but enjoys chewing on a beef bone. She doesn’t counter-surf or chew inappropriately. She really has nice house manners.
A loving fieldie with a full tail that wags constantly, Sparkles has a wonderful personality. She is a true wiggle butt who is delighted with any attention she receives. She even smiles!
Watch for more news about Sparkles as her health improves.