Toby 8

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For the first six years of his life, Toby lived in the Midwest with four female Springers belonging to his owner’s father in a small family breeding program. When his owners were transferred to New Jersey, Toby was neutered and moved with them. More changes occurred to his family as their first child was born and there was less and less time for Toby. Out of boredom he was getting into trouble in the house with raiding the cupboards and having accidents. Knowing they wanted to further expand their human family and knowing they were not giving Toby the time and attention he deserved, Toby’s owners contacted MAESSR knowing that we could find a loving new home for their sweet dog. 

Since he has been in his foster home, Toby has not been raiding cupboards. Cupboards containing food are out of his reach so he has not snooped there. He only had one accident and that occurred while greeting returning foster parents. He sleeps through the night without needing to go out. When his foster parents are home, he is let out regularly especially after eating and after playing. Toby has enjoyed playing with the resident male Springer and going for walks! He has been kept very active racing after tennis balls and going to the park for running and sniffing time. By the end of the day, Toby is only too happy to nap or just hang out getting his tummy rubbed. All of this additional exercise will help him to shed some unwanted pounds he gained from his previously sedentary lifestyle. He is a spry boy who keeps up quite well with the five year old resident Springer. 

Completely housebroken, Toby has free run of the house with his canine foster brother while his foster parents are at work. He was initially agitated when his foster mom left the house but that reaction has dissipated as he has become more comfortable in his foster home and since he has canine company. Toby does not chew inappropriately on anything, but enjoys chomping on a rawhide bone. He will try to steal his foster brother’s rawhide and then some squabbles occur. Toby also loves to carry around stuffed animal toys when he greets people coming into the house. He allows his foster parents to take toys and bones from him with no complaining. When he gets really excited, Toby spins in circles like a whirling dervish! 

His original owners said that he hated to be crated, so that has not been attempted since there was no reason to do so. Although Toby’s house manners are generally good, he does counter-surf and beg. His begging is ignored by his foster family so Toby eventually stops and just lies down. The counter-surfing has not occurred often and seems to happen when his people are gone. The trash is covered so he does not bother that. He will put his front paws up on the couch to steal kisses from his foster mom, though, but does not try to hop up. At night he either sleeps on a dog bed in the bedroom or he sleeps quietly at the foot of the bed. A sweet Velcro Springer, Toby likes to be right where his people are. 

Toby responds well to come and sit and he walks well on the leash and is trusted off leash. He likes to ride in the car and is a good passenger with the exception of wanting to put his head out of the window – something that is definitely not allowed! At the vet he was a very well-behaved boy and he got an excellent health report other than his ear infection. He just needs to drop five to ten pounds which his foster family is helping him do by increasing his exercise. Toby has not been to the groomer yet, but he wasn’t too cooperative when his foster mom trimmed up his paws. The vet tech was able to trim his nails with no problem, though. 

When it comes to meeting new people and new dogs, Toby is Mr. Charming! He knows that everyone surely must love him and want to give him tummy rubs. He was ecstatic on Halloween when the little neighborhood kids came trick or treating. He would greet them wiggling his butt and offering kisses. In his original home, he got along very well with the two-year old. Unfortunately, his foster home has no children for him to play with – just attentive foster parents who are willing to throw tennis balls continuously. Toby has met many new dogs at the park and has been amiable with them also. The resident cats are very shy, so they haven’t surfaced from the basement yet to check Toby out; however, his original home had a cat, and he and Toby were friends.

Toby would love a forever home with another dog in it for companionship. His wish list would also include family members who loved to go on walks with him and play, play, play! He is a very sweet Springer who will give some lucky family a lifetime of love and companionship. How about adopting this sweetheart?