Trixie 3

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Update 06/14/11:

More new opportunities continue to come Miss T’s way, all widening her world and helping with her socialization. 

One adventure was attending her first Springerfest, the one in Virginia. She tented there with her family for the weekend and settled quietly around campfires with other springers and their folks. At the picnic she was in the midst of activities all day and was such a good girl. A highlight for her was being groomed by a volunteer who had set up her table right beside the raffles. Miss T stood very still for her as the lady ever-so-gently removed undercoat, leaving Miss T smoother, softer, and shinier. Before finishing, a little clipping around her head and collar line left Miss T looking and feeling wonderful. She will likely always remember how tasty the ham sandwich was that another volunteer fed her throughout her make-over in the grooming noose. All in all, a big day and a mini-milestone for this girl!

Another opportunity for Trixie was a move to another foster family. To continue her progress, she needed a little more vetting and the chance to run, run, run, run her heart out! At her new home, Trixie is making new friends, both human and canine, and is enjoying her freedom. She runs daily in big, grassy fields, fills her nose with lots of fresh air and sleeps well at night. The more exercise she gets the more outgoing she becomes. The news couldn’t be better for her.

Update 05/23/11:

Miss T has had several new experiences in recent weeks. She has visited the small but busy town park where she lives for walks on a fitness loop. This is a little different than the woodland trails she had become accustomed to. She stills walks nicely on her leash but she’s not quite as relaxed with the activities surrounding her – basket ball courts, soft ball fields, other walkers with strollers, etc. and children. She remains shy with these encounters but does not try to flee. When doggy-savvy folks, either adults or children, give her time to approach them for treats, she will often take one very gently – good girl!

She also stayed at a small boarding facility for several days while her family was out of town. Not a surprise – ¦she did well with the other dogs but was very shy around her caregiver. Trixie ate well during her stay and used the doggie door in her indoor/outdoor run, keeping her indoor space nice and clean. Once back home, she slipped into her normal routine easily.

Another mini-milestone – one weekend morning, her foster mom lifted Trixie onto the bed for some cuddling; this had been tried before but Trixie was much too uncomfortable with the closeness to stay. This time she chose to stay for petting. She thrilled her mom by stretching out on the bed and stayed even after the petting ended!!!! Trixie hadn’t been out yet that morning, which seemed somewhat risky, but only contributed to her accomplishment….such a small act that brought smiles around!

When loading into the family Jeep, Trixie will now put her paws up on the deck and stand to be lifted in. She also likes to offer her paw now but only the right one – maybe the left one next week!

Trixie’s a good girl. Her progress inches forward. At times she’s a very tired girl at day’s end but, with each new experience, the next time around is easier. More to come!

Update 04/07/11:

Progress for Trixie continues. With more time to settle, she is certainly an increasingly relaxed girl. She now stretches out fully on the floor or a dog bed to snooze and is rarely seen curled into the tight little ball that was so common when she first arrived. A very slow weight gain has put some needed cover on her ribs and spine and, with overall better health, she has more energy. She’s benefiting from an inexpensive daily medication to assist her with all the change in her life and is quite particular about taking it. The usual pill-masking favorites – PB, cheese, and hot dogs don’t work for this girl, but a dollop of wet dog food is irresistible to her. She licks the spoon clean every time!

A mini-milestone for her this month, Trixie had her first visit to a dog park and did nicely. Upon arrival the scene was quite quiet. There was a well-socialized adult boxer, a 3 month GSD, and one dog-savvy human to meet. Within an hour she was mixing with up to 10 other dogs, including pits, more boxers, a standard Airedale, another GSD, 2 Staffordshire terriers and a couple of mid-size all American mixes. Trixie didn’t seek attention from the dogs or their humans and was wary of all but not overwhelmed. She accepted greetings from the other dogs in good doggie fashion and was unruffled by the street traffic alongside this urban park – great to see! 

While she fell into the daily routine of her foster home some time back, Trixie had been taking her cues largely from the steady resident Springer. In just the last week or two, her foster mom feels Trixie is beginning to see her foster mom as having something to offer, and so, some basic obedience training can begin. Trixie has learned to sit for treats and when getting her leash on and off. She’s working on paw now.

Despite all that has frightened Trixie since she’s come into foster care, she’s never so much as lifted a lip to anyone. She is a good girl. More on her to come as her world widens.

Update 03/06/11:

The Incredible Miss T is what her foster family is calling this gal these days. Trixie’s entire back end wiggles an invitation to scoop her up and hug her; she enjoys ear rubs, petting and paw holds for short times now. Though still a little uneasy about it, she lets her foster mom lift her for cuddle time on the couch. There are other signs of her increasing trust.

Doorway, stairwells, entering or exiting a crate…any narrow passage had been very scary for Trixie. She has gotten past much of that and will pass her foster mom in a stairwell or go through a door ahead of her. Trixie still stalls out at time and needs encouragement, but the trend is in the right direction.

Trixie hears or smells her foster family’s approach when they return. home now and barks an excited welcome – yeah!

She’s beginning to sit for treats, though she may be mimicking the resident ESS more than responding to training efforts…not all bad!

She’s brave enough to countersurf now so all counter are kept disappointedly clear…:))

Trixie’s been out for a few hikes with her family. She was at ease in the woods and did nicely on a loose leash; she calmly passed a lunging GSD and his person and later a jogger. She has a nice jog herself and, with increasing energy, she’ll be out on more trails.

Trixie spent about 10 minutes shipping in a doggie-friendly pet store. It was surely her first such venture and, though wary, stayed right at her foster mom’s side on a loose leash – very brave!

Trixie has gotten good news on the health front, too. A suspicious mammary mass turned out to be an inguinal hernia which was repaired at the time of her spaying. Her recovery went smoothly, and, no follow-up will be needed. With this behind her, her appetite is improving and should help her gain to an ideal weight.

Miss T is incredible and watching her progress is too. More to come as she launches her new life.

Original:

When Trixie’s owner become very ill and was no longer able to provide care, Trixie and her 2 male Springer buddies were taken to a shelter in central West Virginia. From there all 3 quickly moved into MAESSR foster homes. In Trixie’s home there are 2 resident male springers so the change in canine companionship for her has been modest. She’s not playful with the younger resident yet but wanted to share his doggie bed the first night! The other dog is a senior that prefers human company, and Trixie is fine with passing him by.

Trixie’s owner had a very hard time giving her up and it seems Trixie may be experiencing some normal feelings of loss, too. She is very shy with the adults she has met since coming into foster care. Though completely comfortable with being indoors and trustworthy with her housetraining, she retreats to corners or takes refuge in her crate. When she pottied outdoors the first time, her foster mom gave her a big cheer, only to see Trixie melt to the ground. No more cheerleading around this gal. Instead, a calm, quiet, and patient effort is underway to gain her trust. Her docked tail is a little longer than those of many springers so it’s particularly noticeable when it wags and hers seems to flutter continuously. With just a little more time to embrace her new surroundings, all bets are on Trixie for adding a whole body wiggle to her wag.

At her vet check Trixie was very brave. It was a less busy evening for the vet so everyone in the office took time to say gentle hellos to her. At 38 pounds Trixie is a little thin so when whipworms were detected, it was not a surprise. Worming should enable her to round out and feel better quickly. A lump was also found in one mammary gland which will warrant further attention. Beyond these two issues, she’s a healthy and pretty gal.

Trixie rode well on the long journey to her foster home; the trip was reportedly her first car ride. There will be more firsts for her as she starts a new beginning but with each one, she’ll be a step closer to a new family and happiness again. More on Trixie to come.