Abbey Rose

Abbey Rose was relinquished to MAESSR after it was discovered that a new puppy bought was blind. The breeder offered to take Abbey back, but the family, realizing life in New York City would be tough for a blind puppy, felt her future would be happier with MAESSR.

This sweet puppy is very brave and when seen running in the backyard, it is hard to believe she is without sight. Once she was too big to carry, her foster mom coached her to learn the stairs up to bed.  Now she sails up and down the stairs without a concern. Her nose is in overdrive looking for her people, one of her special toys or that random scrap that may have fallen from the counter.

Abbey loves her toys and spends much of the day going to the box to choose the next thing with which to entertain herself.  Her toys include balls with bells, balls that make sound on the hard floors, squeak toys and benebones in all sizes.  She loves her Kong knot bear especially when one of her foster siblings will indulge her in a rough game of tug.  Since she cannot see the typical dog warnings signs, she needs a home with dogs who are patient with her walking into and over them. Fortunately, her foster pack is learning to give verbal cues when they have had enough.

Her potty training has been a challenge for her foster family who installed the faithful poochie bells which she quickly learned--step one: hit bell; step two: door opens and  I potty; step three: enjoy a treat.  Within two days she tried eliminating step two and just began ringing the bell for a treat.  Smart puppy but then her family changed it up and did not reward every time. 

Abbey knows "sit" and "come" but has not mastered "stay."  She believes any movement means she must follow, and it is amazing how her foster mom can be steps away and in a flash Abbey will scoot between her legs while she is mid stride.  Her new family must understand she is an extreme trip hazard and for that reason is best not in the kitchen when one is carrying hot food or cooking. 

This sweet girl loves to wrestle but becomes way too rough.  Her foster siblings are all teaching her the safe limits.  She does take their correction and backs down, but twice a day she has about an hour of zoomies when she needs to walk or run to wear herself out.  She sleeps in her bed next to her foster family’s bed but will wake up in the middle of the night and want to get up on the bed.  She loves an afternoon nap lying across anyone willing to hold her.  As she grows this will become more and more challenging!

Note that MAESSR only places puppies in homes that are committed to training and bonding with the pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience.  MAESSR believes the decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment and will require the adoptive family to take Abbey Rose to two series of obedience classes within 90 days of adoption.  Finding a trainer who knows how to work with dogs without sight will be critical.