Hello, my name is AARON and I just arrived at my foster home. I’ve got lots of energy and can run for hours, smelling all those wonderful scents on the ground.
I’m not birdy because when I finally spot a bird, I bark and chase it for awhile and then loose interest. Mom says I have beautiful eyes and a sweet personality. I’m very submissive and really smart.
UPDATE 5/07/07: My foster Mom is writing this, as I’m just all paws and have a hard time with the keyboard even as smart as I am. Everyone thought I was only about a year old because I act like such a puppy and pull all kinds of puppy hi-jinx. After two vets looked me over, they said I am three years old, but I really am a puppy in my head and heart. For the first time in my life, I am experiencing all the fun and human guidance I missed before becoming part of the SOS family.
I’ve had a very busy and exhausting week since I arrived. I’ve never been inside a human house before and had to learn a lot of stuff in the past week. I already have gotten the idea that going to the door to go outside is a lot better than using the rugs for grass and the furniture for trees. I still make mistakes, but for only after a week I’m doing great. Oh, and I don’t jump on the doors or onto the counters anymore. I’m trying really hard to keep my four paws on the ground and Mom says I’m learning control quickly. See, I told you I am smart!!
For the past few days Mom keeps calling me “Poco Diablo” (Little Devil). I don’t know what that means, but when I hear it, I know something is up. Maybe it's because I help Mom with the housework! In fact, I’ve saved her tons of money on household help. Heck, I can pull all the sheets and comforters off the beds, even before they need changing. I help when the towels need changing, too. I even showed Mom that she needed to buy new pillows, and you should have seen Mom’s face when I proved to her that all those feathers in my mouth needed replacing!!
I also help Mom with the laundry. I unload the dryer and test to make sure everything is nice and dry and fluffy for her. Mom says I have a soft mouth. I’m very choosy, and prefer the softer fabrics like fleece, velour, and chenille. I’ve never had such softness and I just wiggle and snuggle and have a great old time. This isn’t rescue – this is Heaven!
I’m a very active, fun loving pup and I love to run and play. Heck, unless Mom calls me in – I’ll run off the three ounces of weight I gained. I run just for the love of the freedom. Nobody knows for sure where I came from, but they all think I may have been used as a breeder. I’m probably from the Celtic lines. I hear a lot of Celtic Setters wind up in rescue because they don't always get the training and exercise they need. That sure sounds like me! With training, exercise, and patience, I will be a terrific companion for a very active family!!
I’m an all-weather pup and nothing bothers me - not even thunder! Oh, I have to tell you, I can pogo straight up into the air to a height of five and a half feet. I just get so excited when Mom comes outside with me!!
I’m not totally comfortable in mimicking my foster siblings, but I’m learning. They seem so assured of their place here and I’m still a little afraid. HANNAH plays with me and shows me the ropes. We have a really great time rough-housing. She is a bossy thing, but she sleeps with me and licks my muzzle and eyes and just snuggles with me. She will grab me on my neck when I’ve gone too far. I remember my Mom did that to all of her puppies when we were young to teach us.
I am a lucky pup. I was picked up as a stray and some kind ladies took notice of me and sent an email to SOS saying I needed help really fast. Then a really nice Angel spotted me and offered help to sponsor some of my medical care if a rescue could be found for me. I'm sure you can see why I’m a lucky pup. Not all of us make it into a rescue or new home.
Look beyond the new pictures. My hair will grow and I’ll gain weight. I’m smart and so willing to learn. Do you have the time, patience, and love for me? If you do, then you’ll have the best companion a human will ever have.
Update 5/21/07: I’m exhausted! But Mom says I’ve made great progress in the past three weeks. I’m finally understanding the “sit” command and I’ll be the master of it pretty soon. I don’t understand why humans need me to sit, but I do get plenty of ear scratching, treats, and lots of “YES – good boy!” praise, so it must be important. Mom and I have been working on my housetraining during the day, and I’ve been accident free for over a week now! Told ya I am smart! Mom keeps an eye on me and I’ve learned to signal to go out (I pace by the door), and we really have a system going now that helps me be a good boy.
I still help Mom with the laundry, but I’m really trying to keep my paws and nose out of the rest of the house cleaning and I’m working really hard on keeping my four paws on the floor. I’m okay with older children who I can play and wrestle with, but young children can scare me with their high voices and arm waving. I am crate trained at night and don’t mind taking a nap for a couple of hours in my crate during the day for errands and such. After a couple of hours of napping, I’m ready to go outside and run off some energy. I’m a very high energy pup and I keep Mom on her toes. Mom says I would be okay as an only pup if someone is home to play with me, but it would be better for my new home to have another furkid playmate to help occupy me and give the humans a rest.
While I’m very soft natured and very sensitive to raised or harsh sounding voices, I can be quite the cuddle bug at night and I love my belly rubs and ear scratches. If you will never tire of telling me that I’m a good boy, and if you are active and like to take long walks or hikes daily, have a secure outside play area and the desire to continue my obedience training, please let the SOS people know.
Aaron “a/k/a poco Diablo”
