Entered: 03/30/2014
Status: Adopted
Age: 4
Color: Liver/White/Tan
Weight: 47 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Aston, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for ear and skin infections complete
Temperament: Good with people as young as 3, good with other dogs, not good with cats
Original: “With medium energy, Woody’s mellow indoors but willing to walk for miles with a big grin and wagging tail.”
Woody landed in a New Jersey shelter as the product of divorce. He had moved from a farm where he lived with his brother and could stalk birds to his heart’s content to a second floor apartment. All this change was too much for this handsome guy and he started licking himself. When his owner couldn’t afford meds, Woody was relinquished to a shelter with a note listing all the wonderful things known about him and saying how much he would be missed. The shelter had worked with MAESSR in the past and called right away hoping to find a home for this stunning tricolor.
Woody (formally Woodson) doesn’t seem to have the concept of ‘”stranger,” wagging and trying to greet every person and dog he meets on leash. He insists on carrying the 6 inches of leash nearest his collar in his mouth, but he knows “stop,” “whoa” (to slow down), “sit,” and “down,” as well as “shake” and “high five.” He’s decent on leash and just great in the car, staying in the back untethered. He’s always up for a ride anywhere.
Completely housetrained, this boy will stand by the door and whimper quietly when he needs to go out. He sleeps either in a dog bed, or, if he can get away with it, on the living room futon at night. He will self crate, but he was recently neutered and the cone he is wearing makes turning in the smaller crate available difficult for him.
This smart boy doesn’t beg yet, but may if he keeps getting lessons from the resident dogs. He does not counter-surf, trash dive, or even jump up unless he hears the “voice” used to get him seriously excited about life. Trusted to behave, he’s given the run of the house when his foster folks are away. Baby gates are respected and he’s mostly quiet except for initial barking when his folks get home.
After a few days in his foster home, Woody’s love of stuffed animals came out and he is usually seen carrying, but not destroying, a small stuffed grouse or a tennis ball. He can be a bit pushy if he wants a toy the resident female has, but seems to know not to mess with the resident terrier if he’s carrying a toy.
During the day while his foster mom works from home, the new guy in the house either plays with the resident female or relaxes with a toy in case anyone wants to play tug or fetch. On weekends, Woody shows his preference for men by hanging out on a different rug nearer his foster dad. With medium energy, he’s mellow indoors but willing to walk for miles with a big grin and wagging tail. At dinner, he’s under the table but quiet and unobtrusive. Fed separately from his foster sister who eats more slowly, he doesn’t seem to have food aggression; he just eats faster if she comes to eat from his bowl. He’s on a grain-free, limited ingredient food in case his allergies are food related.
Straight from the shelter this guy got a quick haircut to clean away matting and a close cut so his skin could be treated. He had no problem with the grooming and he loves being brushed. His hind hocks and neck have dry scaly skin that hopefully that will improve in the next few weeks. His ears are clearing up some already and his frequent head shaking is tapering off. He doesn’t complain about the meds being put in his ears or having to wear a cone or anything much. This is one good boy!!!
Woody’s foster dad says that Woody has a lot of personality and his foster family would love to keep him. But, they enjoy their role as foster parents and so, suggest that Woody’s forever home include a doggie companion—he really misses the companionship of his brother even though humans are his favorites. Other Woody wishes—nice long walks, birds or other critters to watch, and a loving family to appreciate what a great dog he is. This is one absolutely handsome love of a Springer! Can you open your heart and your home to him?