Entered: 06/07/2014
Status: Adopted
Age: 2
Color: Blue Roan English Cocker
Weight: 18 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Medford, NJ
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for intestinal worms and ear infections complete
Temperament: Shy when meeting adults, has met and played ball with children as young as 5, afraid of other dogs, unknown with cats
Update 07/11/2014: “One child at a time was introduced to her and, after a little fear on her part, each played ball with her and was running with her and all had fun.”
Tosca was very much a Pitiful Pearl on the day of her spaying but she’s doing good now. Her ear infections have cleared, she’s completing meds to be rid on intestinal worms, and shortly her heartworm status will be confirmed…………all nice progress for this little beauty!
She is still sweet and her energy level has increased and increased, as has her ‘puppyness.’ Living the life she missed, her foster family is now careful to close closet doors and with slippers and shoes left on the floor If you catch Tosca checking out something that‘s not for doggies, she will walk away. It’s that quick minute when you don’t see her get something that’s the problem……….like her foster mom’s glasses……….ruined in a second. Oh, dear, oh, dear!
Fortunately, Tosca learns quickly. She’s still fearful of many things but she gets better with each new experience. One recent delight was acquainting her with children. She now has spent time with two grandchildren, ages 5 and 8. One child at a time was introduced to her and, after a little worry on her part, each played ball with her and was running with her and all had fun. Wouldn’t you just have loved to see that?!
Going forward Tosca is ready for an active and happy life. She will bring much joy to a family who loves her and continually widens her world. She’s a lucky girl with a bright future!
Original: “Every day Tosca does something new, is now comfortable with her foster parents and is growing in curiosity about her new life. She has become a bundle of energy—go for it, Tosca!!”
Tosca lived in a kennel in Maryland that was closing; MAESSR was asked to help find homes for its dogs, and lucky Tosca, an English Cocker, became a MAESSR girl living in a secure home, receiving pats, love, and training from a wonderful foster family.
This little girl is being exposed to many new experiences while learning to live with a family in a home environment. Shy towards humans, she is in the process of learning that people can be trusted but is a bit overwhelmed by all the new things and new people she has been encountering. Her foster mom is introducing her to new experiences as slowly as possible, and, so far, she is doing very well. She seems to be more comfortable with human attention when her people get down on her level on the floor. Kids and other dogs terrify her, and she initially reacted by barking and growling and not getting out of her crate. Little by little she has been venturing out, still frightened, but going up to these new critters cautiously. Every day she does something new, is now comfortable with her foster parents and is growing in curiosity about her new life. She has become a bundle of energy—go for it, Tosca!!
Tosca learned housetraining very quickly. She signals her need by going to the back door, but likes her privacy and goes into the woods inside the fenced yard. Tosca knew no commands, but is now responding to “come,” “out,” “no,” and “bed time.” And, speaking of bedtime, she sleeps in a top open crate next to her foster mom’s bed. Tosca obeys house furniture rules and doesn’t counter-surf or trash dive at this point because of her size—but, given the opportunity, her foster mom thinks she’d make the most of it. She is beginning to understand that toys are a good thing and that all that stuff that may be lying around on the floor is not necessarily for her. She’s still so much a puppy!
This lovely young lady was well behaved while being groomed and at the vet. She also rides well in her crate in the car and stays in the crate when her family is not home.
What a love this little one is!! She has a very sweet temperament and is beginning to show the lovely personality that a comfortable home and consistent treatment will develop. Watch for continuing progress reports as Tosca shows us her wonderful “music.”