Entered: 03/16/2009
Status: adopted
Age: 6
Color: Black/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, Lyme-, good in all areas
Temperament: Good with people as young as seven, good with other dogs, good with cats
Original: Sparky was picked up as a stray in Pennsylvania and taken to a shelter. There, a kind MAESSR volunteer found him, and then more kind volunteers worked together to transport him on a very rainy, cold day to his foster home in Virginia.
Sparky has been good with all people and animals, he’s met the seven- and twelve-year-old kids, the resident cat, dogs at the vet, and even the disgruntled resident Springer. He has quickly gotten into the routine of his foster family. Sparky allows his feet and ears to be touched when he is being groomed and he gently takes treats. He loves to run around with a toy in his mouth but is reluctant to give it up unless there is something better to be had. If there is no toy in his mouth, then he will talk VERY LOUDLY about how there should be a toy! He is vocal about going out when he needs to and he will ask if he really, really needs to be crated now! Since Sparky was totally miserable being crated and since he has proved reliable in the house, he is now given free reign of the house. He sleeps on the floor next to the bed or hopes to beat out the resident Springer for the coveted loveseat on which dogs are allowed to lounge.
With his nice house manners, Sparky was evidently someone’s pet. He is housetrained and doesn’t try to counter-surf or trash pick. He probably would love to get on the furniture, but stays off with a firm no. He really does not know any other commands, though. Sparky is a quick learner and is very eager to please, so he would be great in obedience classes with his new owners. He will pull on the leash when on a walk, but he is learning to use the Gentle Leader. When it comes to riding in the car, Sparky does fine except he would like to drive. So, it is recommended that he have a doggie seatbelt.
Although Sparky has some weakness in the muscles in his back legs and an evidently old knee injury, he doesn’t let that stop him! His foster family has started him on joint supplements to help with this. He is an active guy and would love a family to play tug-of-war, go for walks, and just spend time with him.