Sparky 4

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Update 01/04/08:

When Sparky arrived at his foster home, it was quickly clear that he had two distinct personalities. One was the sweet, little boy who needed hugs and loving and wanted to just sit by his people. The other was the barking, demanding little man. During his time in foster care, he has made major strides and no longer feels the need to bark at every person who walks by. He has learned what it is like to get what he needs in a calm and controlled manner. He is good on a leash and loves to go for long walks, nose to the ground in the Springer fashion.

As his calm sweet personality takes over, it is clear that Sparky is very smart. He has learned sit, speak, and has even picked up on some of his deaf foster brother’s hand signals. He is fine at home when his foster mom is at work and is generally a very easy house guest. Two square meals a day, three or four trips outside, with one being a nice long walk and this boy is in heaven!

Sparky still is very uneasy if you move to grab him too quickly and will need continued work with that. He remains uncomfortable around dogs that are strangers but snuggles with his foster brothers at nap time. He presented with seizures a couple of weeks after arriving at his foster home. He is now on an inexpensive medication and has not had a seizure in over a month. He will always need to be on this med and should visit his vet twice a year.

With a new view on making the most of life with loving humans, Sparky is ready for a family of his own. He’s still quite young, has much to learn and will make a wonderful companion. He needs folks who will work with him and enjoy seeing his confidence grow as he moves into adulthood. If you’re ready for a little more Spark in your days, give this youngster your best.

Update 10/30/07:

In the time Sparky has been in foster care, he has learned to trust and has really come out of his shell. With more time to get acquainted, his foster family feels he may have been treated or trained rather roughly in the past. He will still become submissive when you attempt to put a leash on him, but once it is on, he knows what to do next. While good at walking on his leash, Sparky barks at adults who pass by and has a really soulful cry when he passes children. He barks in the house at times, too. To help him past this, his foster family is working to build his self confidence and his trust in them, and, this effort will need to continue in his adopting home. 

Sparky is proving to be very smart and may be able to tell time. Well, that may be a stretch, but at 10 minutes before 6, every evening, he will go into the kitchen and remind his family that it is almost supper time by pushing his bowl around. His every demand isn’t met immediately, but it’s cute to see him try! He remains 100% housebroken and asks to go out. He remains fine at home alone without being crated which suits his preferences quite well. The resident cat may not be sorry to see Sparky join his adopting family as he occasionally gives chase, but more often than not, he ignores her. 

This little guy’s size makes him an absolutely perfect lap dog and that is what Sparky wants most to be. Sparky is a very small fellow, weighing in at 20 pounds. MAESSR does see a full range of sizes above and below the standard for the breed, but it’s more likely that Sparky is not a purebred ESS. Judging from his heart, though, you’d never know. 

He wants to hang out with his person more than anything else in his world – more than playing with toys, other dogs, or games. He can be a great companion for a person who will love him, nurture his trust, and help him to see the rest of the world as a less scary place. In return, he will warm your lap and heart on the chilly, long nights ahead…

Original:

Sparky wandered into someone’s backyard early in September and when all efforts to find his home failed, he was turned over to MAESSR. 

This small, young Springer has good house manners. He is completely housebroken and will ask to go out and has no bad manners in the house. Sparky does not like being crated, though, and when he is placed in the crate, he shakes and cries. When his foster mom comes home he is always glad to see her and comes for hugs and petting. He has learned to sit with both verbal and hand commands. Attaching his leash to his collar causes a fear reaction in Sparky, but once the leash is on, he walks well leashed. Sparky is hesitant around strangers as if he is fearful of their intentions with him. So, on walks he barks at people and dogs walking by. His foster family is working with him on these issues and they see real progress being made. In the car, Sparky just sits and enjoys the ride, looking happily out the windows. 

Sparky does not play with either of the resident dogs but has not shown food or toy aggression towards them. He did not like his visit to the vet when the shots were being given to him, so he was muzzled during this part of the exam. His foster mom feels that Sparky clearly was not socialized with people or other dogs when he was younger. She thinks Sparky wants to be a good trusting boy and just needs training and time to gain confidence. Do you have the time and love to give this boy the love and training he needs?