Wendy

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Description:

Updated 12/10/05:

Sadly, due to issues with her disposition that made her unsuitable for adoption, Wendy was sent to the Bridge.

Updated 12/1/05:

Very good news for Wendy!! Her last set of chest films confirmed that her pneumonia and kennel cough are gone. In fact, it has been ten days since her coughing stopped. She has put on one pound so she is just over 50 now and at an ideal weight. She will have another few weeks to really level out from her illnesses and then she will be spayed.

Now that she is feeling better, Wendy is very active, though the other dogs in her foster home don’t always appreciate her rough style of play. She likes to be at the center of activity, especially when petting is being shared around and she’s not shy about edging out the others for her foster dad’s affections. She is a very sweet, loving, and cuddly dog. She can be in a lap or stretched out on a bed and soak up hours of attention. She’d really love to have someone home with her all the time.

Wendy is riding well in the car and either sits on the seat to look out the window or curls up into a ball and goes to sleep. She is not destructive and doesn’t care about toys. She’s not above counter surfing if food is close to the edge, but stays away from the table and doesn’t beg for snacks. She allows her foster dad to pick up her food while she is eating or remove her rawhide bone while she is chewing on it. She also knows to go to the back door when it is time to go out. With good house manners and renewed health, she will soon be ready for her forever home!!

Original:

Wendy is a beautiful tri-color, field bred springer, and weighs just under 50 pounds.  She looks small, compared to the resident springer in her foster home, but only because she is very compact and muscular.  She was taken into a shelter that found her with a collar and leash but no ID.  Wendy spent 2-3 weeks in the shelter, in part because of a ringworm problem in the facility.  During that time, she was isolated from the other dogs, and after arriving at her foster home, fungal tests confirmed that she had not picked up ringworm.  She did develop kennel cough though, which turned into pneumonia.  With treatment, she is now eating well and becoming an active dog again.  Shortly, another lung x-ray will be done to make sure the pneumonia is resolved.

Wendy is about 2 years old.  Like many springers her age, she still has some puppy in her.  She will check out the cats in her foster home, possibly to see if they will play.  If the cats stay put, Wendy will walk away from them, but if they run, the chase is on!!  There have been no cat injuries, bites, or growls even.  This is probably all a game for Wendy. 

When it comes to the resident dogs, Wendy’s behavior is a bit different.  She is displaying alpha tendencies herself, and when confronting the 11 year old resident alpha, the outcome is not always benign.  Sometimes they pass each other with no problem, but not always.  Wendy gets along fine with the other resident springer, but that female easily accepts her #3 spot in the pack.  Because of Wendy’s behavior with other dogs, she will not be placed in a home with another dog, nor will she be placed with children.

When it comes to people, Wendy can be the sweetest girl possible.  There is no problem taking her food away while she is eating.  She is crate trained and snoozes there when her family is not home.  She has spent some nights in her crate and others nights on the bed or in her “den” under the bed.  She must have a soft spot for “soft” spots and will get on beds but not chairs.  Another of her good manners is that she does not chew on inappropriate items, such as furniture.  She has toys available to play with, but so far, does not show interest in them.

While she is comfortable with living in a home, Wendy seems to be a young adult with little or no obedience training.  Because of this, MAESSR will require that she attend an obedience class with her adopting family.  This will help her bond with them more quickly and fully and can teach her how to be a good girl in more ways than she can imagine!

Wendy’s personality will continue to emerge while she is regaining security and health.  She will be remain in her foster home for a bit to complete her vetting.  When that is done, she will be ready for a special forever family, who through both love and training, will bring out the best side of her for all to enjoy!