Buddy 45

When Buddy's elderly Pennsylvania owner passed away, he was kenneled for three weeks before the family asked MAESSR for help.  During his first few days in foster care, he was anxious and nervous, not knowing what to do.  His prior owner had him on anxiety meds, but since he hadn't had them at the kennel, the foster home didn't start them back up, and he soon settled down.

Within 36 hours or so in foster care, Buddy really started to mellow out, following the resident dogs' routine of “humans are working from home, let's flop.”   After a day or two, he stopped having to follow foster mom's every step, started self-crating in the comfy bed and just acting like one of the gang.  Crating quietly at night, being completely housetrained, having no food aggression, and loving everyone he meets-- those are Buddy's good qualities.  His leash manners are less than perfect but time and a person willing to make him “wait” before moving forward should cure that.  When travelling, a crate is a good thing for helping him settle down.  But, he does love car rides and jumps eagerly into the crate. 

Buddy doesn't seem to have the “bird gene.”  Fake birds with sound boxes, usually crushed instantly by Springer fosters, just scare him.  He likes the smell of deer and enjoys helping the resident hounds chase squirrels from the yard.  He likes to play fetch with a ball but isn't obsessive about it--4 or 5 tosses will do.

This handsome boy knows “sit” and has spent a while this week learning “come,” “touch,” and “sit” to prevent his tendency to jump up when greeting new folks.  When learning “touch” he wouldn't look at the foster mom's hand the first few times, as if fearful.  But with a few seconds hesitation, he soon learned that it was a good thing, touch and get a treat.

He is crated at night or when the humans are out but mainly just to keep him from jumping up on the counter to look out at the world.  He's polite in the house, just one of the gang.  He objects to being spoken sternly to. 

Other good Buddy things: he doesn't counter-surf, get in the trash, or chew anything he shouldn't.  He loves balls—but does not resource guard his toys. Balls are his thing; he doesn't seem to care for stuffed toys. He eats two feet away from another male dog twice a day.  Buddy loves being brushed, or any attention he can get.

Buddy would love a forever home where he could settle in without pressure and just become his best self.  Obedience training would let him show off his smart Springer brain.  He doesn't need other doggie friends but wouldn’t mind them, especially if they can show him how to be a good citizen in his new home.  He'd probably be a swimmer if that were an option as he loves his baby pool.  With the right cat, not too combative, he might be fine.  Basically he loves his humans, will go belly up for total strangers, and just wants to settle down somewhere he can be loved.  What do you think?  Your Buddy waits for you!