Spanky
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***Spanky is not a CDR dog and has not been evaluated by CDR. This is a courtesy posting for Spanky’s parents, who will make all decisions about Spanky’s placement. To apply for Spanky, fill out an online adoption application and the rescue folks will forward it to my parents, who will be in touch!***
Hi! My name is Spanky! I am a 2-3 year old, super adorable, neutered, male Spaniel mix that just wants a friend to love me! My freckles on my nose say it all--cute, cute, cute!
- Quick Fact Sheet:
- Age: 2-3 yrs old
- Breed: Spaniel mix
- Weight: 45 pounds (guesstimate)
- Neutered: Yes
- Good with dogs? If introduced slowly and if they are nice, friendly, and respectful dogs.
- Good with cats? Yes!
- Good with children? 12 years old and older only
- Special Notes? Was seized in a hoarding case in June 2013, see story below.
Background:
Well…I'm sorry to say, I did not have a happy or safe early life. I was one of 43 dogs that were kept by a hoarder in a rural town in TN. Lucky for us, the animal control officers found out about the terrible conditions in which we were being kept, and took us all away to the shelter to find new, much better homes. That was back in June of 2013.
As if that wasn’t a terrible enough experience, then the building next to the animal shelter exploded! Seriously! The shelter was in danger of catching fire as well so all of us had to be evacuated. It was a scary day, as you can imagine. I was taken to a nice lady’s house for the day, and then she decided to foster me for a while. I needed a lot of emotional help…I was utterly terrified to be approached by people, was terrified to be touched or petted, and was terrified of other dogs. I am so lucky though because the nice lady hired a terrific positive trainer to start working with me and things have been looking up ever since.
Slowly the trainer got me used to walking on a leash, and I began to get walks twice a day. Within a month, I looked forward to these walks and began to really enjoy them--I can’t tell you what a change that was for me! In January, another milestone--I took treats from her hand!! Major breakthrough (I heard her say)! A month after that, I took treats from a stranger! Holy cow… who was this brave dog?! Then we were off to the races…I learned “sit,” “sit pretty,” and “touch,” and began to really come out of my shell.
The trainer then began to work with me around other dogs, and after a while I was able to walk beside other dogs and I even played with a few of them in my yard! They said I was finally ready to move inside into a house at that point. Until then I lived in a fenced-in yard with a luxury little “doggy house” because I was too terrified to live inside with people.
I went to a new foster home, where I lived indoors and learned to be crate trained and house trained. Not too hard at all I must say! I got my first bath there even! Ok, I didn’t love it, but I tolerated it and that’s pretty awesome! I am now ready for my forever home!!
Personality:
I am such a cute boy!! Who can resist me with that face? I take a little time to warm up to people for sure, but if you take your time, you will earn my trust and we can be best buddies. Once I get to know you, I love, love, love belly rubs! And ear rubs! Sometimes I will jump in your lap for attention, which I am told is very endearing. I really like to lay on the bed if you have one. I won’t take up too much room, promise!
You always have to keep in mind though that I do not like to be hugged or snuggled or encircled. Anything that sort of restrains me or where I feel like you are too close around me makes me very nervous and unhappy. So, when I jump in your lap, I would love it if you petted my chest and belly and butt, but don’t lean over and snuggle me close because that will feel very threatening and hurt my trust, ok?
My current foster mom is a groomer, and now that I am used to the grooming shop and the people coming and going, I am comfortable going to say hi to all of the customers! I greet them and let them pet me! My foster mom makes sure none of them try to pick me up or get too all over me, which I really appreciate.
I like to play, and I love to fetch balls, sticks--whatever you want to throw! It is hard for me to bring it back to you all the way, but I will bring it close enough for you to reach it and throw it again.
I have a playful, rascally part of me at times…if I think playtime is going to end, or if it’s time to do something that I would prefer not to do, I play a great game of “Keep away/You can’t catch me!” This used to work really well, but now my foster mom has smartened up and she leaves a leash on me so I’m much more easily catchable. Score one for the humans! J
Cohabitation:
I used to be utterly terrified of other dogs, but have come a very long way since then. I am still a bit fearful around new dogs, but if you introduce us correctly and slowly, I do want to be their friend. It’s just scary for me, so everything has to be nice and slow and at my pace.
I play a lot with the 2 dogs in my foster home and once I get started playing, I can really go-go-go! You would want to keep in mind that meeting new dogs is a bit stressful at first, so I should only have to meet 1 dog at a time, and nice and slow is the way to go to help me feel comfortable and bring out my playful self. If I get scared, I do growl at the other dog, but they can tell that I’m just nervous, and nice dogs will just respect that. Definitely no dog parks for a dog like me (probably ever)…that would be traumatic.
Medical:
I’m as fit as a fiddle. Only 2 or 3 years old, and doing great. I’m up to date on all my shots as well.
Ideal Home:
My ideal home has a person who is very loving, patient, and who understands the trauma I have been through and the fears that linger for me. The person would be committed to helping me continue to gain confidence and trust through positive training and positive, thoughtful interactions and experiences with other people and dogs, and should have some prior experience with dogs. I’m not the right dog for a first time dog owner.
I would love to have a fenced in yard since I do like to play outside and am not the kind of dog who should ever be off-leash. If you enjoyed throwing the ball or sticks for me in the yard, that would be great! I love leashed walks very much now, and would love to continue with them once or twice a day. Until I trust you, you need to consider me a “flight risk” and take good care to hold tightly to the leash, and be careful when opening doors. I can still panic at times. When I panic, I just bolt--I don’t want to bite or anything, but I could get myself lost for sure.
I would love to be an only dog, but if it was the right brother or sister dog, that could possibly work out too. I am learning how to play with others, and really like playing with other friendly, nice dogs once I get to know them. I deeply want a big comfy bed to sleep on at night, please!! I am happy in a crate when you aren’t home.
Summary:
I am ready to find my forever home! I have a ride from TN if you decide you would like me to be part of your family!! Just fill out an online adoption application and the rescue folks will forward it to my TN guardians! Thanks!
