Entered: 08/28/2008
Status: Adopted
Age: 12
Color: Black/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Louisa, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, benefiting from supplements for slight arthritis in hips, overall excellent health
Temperament: Good with people as young as two, good with other dogs and cats
Update 04/14/11:
Zoe has made herself very comfortable in her foster home and she continues to be a fabulous house guest! She is responding to the supplements for her hips already, and she will even jump up on the sofa at the end of the day for a comfy nap. A polite girl, she asks her foster mom for permission first; considering her age, her mom has no objections!
She and the other foster in her home have become great friends. They wash each other’s face in the morning and sleep together at night on the big dog bed beside their foster mom. Zoe continues to be a delight to her mom; in fact, if you looked up the word sweet in the dictionary, there’s probably a picture of Zoe next to it!
Toys are now on Zoe’s radar. She enjoys playing with them and has no problem sharing them with her foster brother. Her new favorite thing is to carry them around when her mom comes home. With toy in mouth, Zoe jumps around greeting and welcoming everyone home.
Try as she might, Zoe has failed to engage the resident Min Pin in play and seems to get her feelings hurt when he rejects her friendly overtures. Even when he is mean to her, she is a good-natured girl and lets him have his way.
Zoe is that special dog who makes everyone around her break out in a smile! She’s ready to spread her joy and happiness to a loving forever family. Are you the lucky person willing to give her a chance to brighten your days?
Update 03/10/11:
Zoe returned to MAESSR when her owner, a long time MAESSR volunteer, became ill and passed away. She has settled nicely into her foster home, instantly becoming part of the family.
Although considered a senior, Zoe did not get the memo about her age! She is as active as a seven year old and is always ready for a walk or playing in the yard. A good traveler, Zoe is always up for a trip in the car. She is trustworthy off leash and, should she wander too far while following a really appealing smell, she will come as soon as she is called. Her house manners are excellent. This house trained girl will let you know when she needs to go out to take care of her business.
Zoe’s only health issue is a little arthritis in her hips, which causes her to rise slowly after napping, but it doesn’t slow her down one bit. In fact, she is usually the first one to the door. She is receiving a supplement to help with this condition and is on no other medications, as her health is excellent.
A happy girl, Zoe greets everyone with a wagging tail and Springer kisses. She is a true Velcro Springer. During the day she is at the feet of her foster mom and at night she sleeps on her dog bed beside her mom’s bed. She has not played with any toys yet, although she has tried to play with the cats! Zoe’s a good girl and does not chase them. Right now Zoe’s favorite pastime is receiving treats, any treat. Zoe is not choosy!
The one thing Zoe is not fond of is being confined, but she is so good when left alone it does not seem to be necessary to crate her.
Zoe is very good with the other dogs in her foster home and will wait her turn for scratches and pats. This beautiful seasoned Springer is a loving, sweet girl who would be a devoted companion for some lucky person.
Update 01/26/09:
Miss Zoe returned to MAESSR’s care in mid-January due to allergies in her adopting home.
She has made a nice transition to her new foster home. Her first night she was a bit restless but, by the next day, it was as if she had been there all her life! She is getting along great with the four other dogs and the resident cat. She is showing her true “bird dog” colors and is a bit obsessed with the parrot in her foster home. To avoid any potential problems, her foster parents have moved the parrot to another room.
Zoe is absolutely wonderful with children as young as 2. Zoe’s belly is rather cute……she will show it to you for belly rubs almost every time you go to pet her.
Zoe continues to be on a daily supplement for joint health and it must be working. Zoe doesn’t act her age. She must think she is still a puppy by the way she plays in the back yard, chasing squirrels and having fun with the other dogs. She is doing very well managing steps several times a day and likes to follow her foster mom everywhere. Zoe’s lovely disposition and easy going personality will make her a great addition to any family!
Update 09/15/08:
Zoe’s foster mom is very proud to report that Zoe’s cat chasing days seems to be over. Zoe and the resident cat get along just fine now and sometimes nose kiss! The resident cat even nudged Zoe on the nose affectionately! Kudos for both!
Recently Zoe went for a dental cleaning and sailed through the process. As usual, her sweet self is what everyone saw. She is a sweetheart and the vet even commented on how patient she is. Zoe’s blood work came back, showing that there may be a liver problem. She will be watched closely and given special food to see if this resolves the situation. Since there are many things that can cause a rise in liver enzymes, a diet change seems like a good place to start.
Zoe continues to wait calmly for you to get ready for a walk and even pauses to see if you are out the door before going down the steps. Her mobility is improving with a joint supplement and daily exercise. On morning walks Zoe may be a little stiff, but she makes up for it in the afternoons. Stairs have gotten much easier. Zoe’s foster mom had to assist this lovely girl into the house the first week she came into foster care. Zoe no longer needs help with the stairs and is not at risk of falling down them anymore – really heartening progress to see for this gal! More to come.
Original:
Zoe came to MAESSR from Pennsylvania when her dad tragically died and her mom could no longer take care of her due to allergies. It was immediately obvious to her foster family that this girl was loved very much.
Zoe was brought to her foster home as a companion for Slyder, another MAESSR foster dog. They immediately bonded and have gotten along very well together. Both dogs would love forever homes that have another dog present for companionship.
Zoe has shown nothing but terrific house manners. She has never tried to counter-surf or raid the trash, nor has she had an accident. She does want to sit on the couch, but her foster family will not let her. The vet recommends she has something soft to lie on, though, because of her arthritis. When her foster family eats dinner, Zoe is content to sit contentedly underneath the table. When her foster family leaves the house, both Zoe and Slyder have full reign of the house. Zoe has never been crated and her foster family sees no reason to do so since she is so trustworthy. Zoe does bark at outside noises or if someone comes to the door. She will also bark when left alone. When she has canine companionship, she is quiet. She has a husky bark, so it is not the kind that pierces your ears.
Zoe’s face is very expressive face and she melts hearts when she tilts her head and looks at you with her big brown eyes! She greets both her foster dad and mom with a toy when they come home, but because of her arthritis, she doesn’t fetch toys right now. She is taking a glucosamine supplement and baby aspirin to help with inflammation. Apparently, Zoe tore both ACL’s in her back legs a long time ago. She gets around fine, but doesn’t walk as fast as she used to. Her foster family is hoping that perhaps after a few weeks of receiving glucosamine, she will be able to enjoy short times of play. While Zoe was originally brought up in a home that contained cats, it is clear that she wants to “play” with them. She is not aggressive, but she does chase the kitties. Her foster family is working on this with her and has seen improvement.
Zoe loves to take walks, but in short distances throughout the day as it is easier on her joints. She walks very well on a leash except that she will bark at people, her tail wagging all the while. Her foster mom is working on the barking by refocusing Zoe giving her the command “look at me.” This seems to be working very well. She is very patient while her people are getting ready for her walk, too. Zoe enjoys riding in cars and settles down nicely after a few minutes. At nighttime, Zoe sleeps in the hall or in her human foster brother’s room on the carpeting.
Zoe has no food aggression and is willing share her bowl with her foster brother Slyder. Since she is not fond of taking medication in her food, her foster mom coats her arthritis supplement with peanut butter and places it in her mouth. She is very gentle and takes her treats with a gentle mouth also. She came to her foster home freshly groomed, but has had a bath and her ears cleaned. She was excellent for both.
Zoe will be a terrific addition to some lucky family, giving them lots of kisses and opportunities to give belly rubs. She would love to have a canine companion in her forever home too. Perhaps you would enjoy a nice leisurely stroll with a beautiful, sweet and loyal friend.