Entered: 11/26/2005
Status: Adopted
Age: 6
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Germantown, MD
Health:
Temperament:
Original: With children away for school and both parents working, Toby was not getting the attention he needed. As a result, his family chose to relinquish him to MAESSR. He has settled into his foster home and enjoys free run of the house, snoozing much of the day or keeping track of outside activity at the windows. He doesn’t care for a crate nor does he need one since he is housebroke and not at all destructive. This mannerly boy hasn’t even been caught countersurfing. At night, he sleeps on the floor beside his foster mom’s bed.
Toby is well trained and knows “sit”, “shake”, and “fetch.” He loves to chase a ball and will bring it back. Other toys don’t catch his attention too much, but he really likes to chew on his rawhides and can whittle them down quite quickly. He gets along well with other dogs, including a springer in his foster home. He doesn’t live with cats but quietly retreated from a kitten that he met while out on a walk.
Like all springers, Toby loves the time he gets to spend outside. He’ll sniff and explore but doesn’t chase birds or squirrels. Like almost all springers, he loves to swim. Going for long walks are great with him. In his enthusiasm to move along, Toby tends to pull a bit, so his foster mom is using a harness-type leash and finds it’s a very good choice. A harness is also helpful when he is riding in a car. Toby loves to ride but may opt for the navigator’s seat if given a choice.
Toby is an easy dog to love and loves being loved. He gets wildly excited when his foster mom comes in from work. He doesn’t jump up but runs around and around to show how glad he is that she’s back. He also gets excited when meeting new people who come to visit. He will throw up his paws and bark at times but usually calms down quickly after a few sniffs. His foster mom is working with him on this but feels that Toby could overwhelm small children with his enthusiasm. A forever home where any children would be over 6 years might be best for him.
The only thing that Toby seems to be afraid of since being with his foster family is a thunderstorm, and that he really hates. During a storm he will either seek out a “safe” place or want to be close to his people. He seems to want a little space or reassurance, or a little bit of both, until the thunder and lightning are over.
Toby is a totally sweet and loving dog. He graciously accepts grooming from his foster mom. She says he bears an uncanny likeness to a panda when he is freshly done which only makes him more huggable. More on this little “bear” as he winters without hibernating…