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Sparks |
Sparks is VERY LOVING towards human adults. He loves to be with to be with CoCo, Princess of Quite-Alot, who determines which dogs are acceptable company. Their friendship made it easy for the other dogs. Sparks seems to be extremely intelligent and lives to please. So far, its been all positive. Those truly intelligent BCs are sometimes more work, trying to stay one step ahead of them! Yesterday, CoCo caught & killed a mole. Sparks was beside her with the live mole. He made no attempt to hurt it, nor was he interested in finding it. He would be good with small animals. He likes cats, doesn't chase them, hurt them, or fear them.
| Sparks was surrendered to a shelter by his owner. There was no reason given, but his job was to herd goats. Maybe he wasn't trained properly, maybe he did not have the instinct to do the job, or maybe the owner expected too much from such a young pup. A vet tech working with the animal shelter noticed Sparks. A Golden retriever was placed in a kennel next to Sparks. The Golden would bark and growl at him. Sparks would also, growl, but shake with fear. The vet tech grew close to Sparks, knowing he did not belong caged in such a frightening place. He was so loving towards people, but know one could witness his affection for humans behind bars. |
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The vet tech spoke with a friend who rescues Siamese cats, hoping to find a special home for Sparks and Tthe cat rescuer contacted GLBCR for help. After getting the go ahead, Sparks was taken to the vet's where the vet tech worked. She spent time with him every day.
His fears subsided. She taught him to walk on a leash and to go "potty". He learned so quickly, she recognized his aptitude to become a wonderful companion. Even the vet saw his potential and made this recommendation on his Examination Report, "Give him lots of love and reassurance". During the week Sparks spent at the vet's, the vet tech and the cat rescuer communicated daily, relaying Sparks' antics and progress.
After recovering from neutering, The cat rescuer volunteered to help transport Sparks to his foster. She and her husband drove this bundle of nerves, to meet the lady who will help him through his transition and find a forever, loving home. Sparks greeted his foster mom with hugs and kisses. This boy knows no fear of human adults, which expresses a willingness to please.
Within minutes, Sparks was performing a couple of new simple commands. Giving his transporters kisses of appreciation, Sparks said goodbye to start his new life. He felt uneasy getting in the foster's vehicle, but once in his crate a sense of security surrounded him. The drive home was completely, unusually quiet. Not a bark, growl, whimper, or whine was heard. By the time they arrived home, it was evening and soon to be too dark for introductions to the other dogs. So Sparks stayed in a pole barn, away from his foster family, all alone. The following day was gloomy, stormy day with continuous drizzle. It was not the best day to introduce a fearful dog to an established pack.
A friend's BC mix, Chancey, who is quite mellow and no threat, was brought to the barn. Sparks was on a tight lead as the door opened slowly. Sparks saw Chancey and began to growl -- the hair along his spine stood up, ears back -- yet he was trembling with fear. The door was closed, some reassurance given, then reopened the door. This time I positioned myself next to Sparks, at his level and stroked his chest. Chancey came a little closer. Sparks still growled but less posturing. We crossed the threshold to begin our walk. Chancey stayed in front and at a distance. The space between the dogs shortened and after a good deal of sniffing Chancey's markings, no success.
That afternoon, CoCo, leader and most social dog, was introduced with only slight success. CoCo did her best "let's play" dance, yet Sparks reacted with growls, then quieted and became curious. As we walked (Sparks on flexi, CoCo free), Sparks kept sight of CoCo -- doesn't like another dog behind him or out of view. For the evening walk, CoCo accompanied me. Sparks was probably wondering who would be on the other side of the door this time. He looked in every direction, saw CoCo at a distance, and trembled as he carefully stepped out.
By the end of the walk, they were friends. Now, he looks for CoCo with tail wagging.
E-mail excerpt from vet tech, Gina to foster:
I would just like to say, that he is a wonderful dog, which you know, but he is SO LOVING, like you said too! :) I could not get over how he would hug me and just want to be held. It is like he is a person who understands that we are trying to help him. Claudia told me that his rescue has been the most rewarding thing to her because after he met you and she was sitting there, he came to her and licked or kissed her all over her face. She said it was like he was telling her "thank you for saving me". I don't know exactly how I would describe him, but I think he is one of the most personable, charming dogs I have ever met and I have met a lot! :) Also, when you talk to him, I know that he knows exactly what you are saying and he wants to be able to talk back to you so bad! :) He just deserves a second chance. He never had a first chance to show how he could be such an important part of a family.
