Star 4

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Update 11/14/2016:  “This pretty lady is Springer-smart and would enjoy having a family who appreciates that in her.”

Over her months in foster care, Miss Star has completed MAESSR’s basic vetting requirements and has had care for some minor health needs.  Her early skin condition responded well to medication and hasn’t recurred.  She has experienced some seasonal allergies and may actually be looking forward to winter’s onset; in the meantime, she’s receiving an OTC treatment that keeps her comfortable.

With ample time to settle, Star’s basic personality remains much as when she became a MAESSR gal.  She is a confident and dominant dog.  That said, she has demonstrated that she can adjust to new surroundings and a new lifestyle.  She is one of 7 dogs in her foster home.  Star would be tickled if all saw her as “top dog” but, with good leadership on the part of her foster mom, Star respects the other dogs and is doing well as part of a pack.  She walks in a group of dogs regularly with ease, only pulling when a squirrel catches her attention.  Wearing a Gentle Leader harness offers an added measure of control at those moments but, most of the time, she wears her flat collar for walks and does well.

Back home Star is also sharing space with the resident kitties better; curling up alongside one is something she has learned to enjoy.

Star’s manners have shaped nicely with guidance from her family.  While she doesn’t give a sign when needing to go out, her housetraining is in place.  With normal outings with the rest of the pack, she is accident-free in the house.  She sits and takes her treats politely these days.  She is crate trained and dines there regularly.  While her foster mom is at work, Star is crated.  She does bark some protest but hasn’t earned the necessary trust to have run of the house.  At night she also crates, right alongside her foster mom’s bed.  She’s quiet through nights (good girl!) and isn’t tempted to be mischievous.

On the road Star travels quietly in a crate.  She’s been included in numerous outings with her family over the months.  Going to the beach or walking lakeside have been high points.  It seems this gal would be ready to swim but so far, her foster mom hasn’t been ready to get wet with her…something to look forward to next year!

This pretty lady is Springer-smart and would enjoy having a family who appreciates that in her.   She’s generally low energy and is content to hang out with her people.  If you are the leader of your pack and have room for an addition, seriously consider asking to meet Star.  She’s a good girl who can shine in the hands of a strong, patient and loving, no-nonsense person to call her own….

Original: “Star does not come barging out of her crate when released.  The same is true with doors; Star politely waits and goes out and comes in.”
When Star’s elderly owners became financially unable to care for her and the other two dogs in the household, they relinquished them to a Pennsylvania shelter.  MAESSR became aware of Star’s situation and stepped in to help.  Now this rising Star is a MAESSR girl. 
 
When Star came to the shelter, she had skin and ear issues. The shelter got her cleaned up, shaved down, and started on antibiotics for her skin.  Once Star has her appointment with her foster parents’ vet, she will receive the rest of her vaccinations and have her heartworm test run.  The vet will also ascertain whether she is spayed or not; the paperwork from the shelter said she was not, but a belly examination might prove otherwise.  Although she has not been groomed while in foster care, Star did not mind having her ears cleaned by her foster mom.
 
A well-mannered, polite girl, Star is housetrained and goes out with the rest of the pack when let out to potty.  Although she is not fond of staying in her crate, she is crated at night and when her humans are out of the house.  Unlike many other Springers, Star does not come barging out of her crate when released.  The same is true with doors; Star politely waits and goes out and comes in.  She will get on the furniture and wants to sleep on the bed– sorry girl, it’s the crate for now!
 
Star has had some obedience training and knows “sit,” “down,” “shake,” and “high-five!”  On walks she only pulls on the leash if something really catches her attention. The shelter staff reported that Star is reactive when meeting other dogs, but that has yet to be verified.  When it comes to car rides, Star rides nicely while crated in the car and willingly jumps in.
 
Star is a bossy, alpha girl but is not nasty about it. When she met the canine crew in her foster home, there was a lot of snarling and lip curling; however, once butts were sniffed, everything settled down. Star has tried to mount the resident females to show her dominance; they in turn promptly lay down, looking up as if to say, “Really, Mom?!”   Star likes to have her personal space, and so long as that is respected –be it dog or cat– everything is fine.   She pretty much ignores the resident cats except if they approach her or try to cuddle with her.  Then, she grumbles at them.   For the time being, she is fed separately and takes treats oh so gently!
 
Hanging around in the house or out in the yard, Star is good. She is not much of a barker but will join in when the others are barking an alert, of course!
 
Watch for more on Star as her personality continues to unfold and after she has her vet visit.