Save Our Setters, Inc.
MARSHALL
Hi, my name is MARSHALL and I turned three years old in January. I was born in a puppymill and was sold to a Petland store where some nice folks found me, and they bought me (in their own words, a "huge mistake"). They now know better than to buy a petstore puppy, and said NEVER again!!
Did they think that they were saving money as compared to buying a healthy dog from a reputable breeder? HA! Little did they know that I would cost a LOT more than a puppy from a reputable breeder, cuz puppymills don't do health checks and get health clearances on both parents. Many genetic disorders are preventable, but are perpetuated because only some breeders are doing the testing!!
I am apparently healthy now, but when they first got me, they ended up spending over TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS making me well. I got really, really sick, and was diagnosed with IMHA at only five months of age. I had a miraculous recovery, thank goodness!! All my health records will be provided to my new forever family. I haven't had any problems in well over a year and half now, no meds, and the cost of testing my blood every six months isn't a big expense. Besides, my new family will save money because I am not allowed to get vaccinated anymore!
I could use some manners, as I like to get in the trash and I do jump on people when I get really excited. Oh, and I can be irritating when folks hug, 'cuz I don't like to be left out, and will bark until they pay attention to ME!!!! I get along well with other dogs and am fine with cats, too. I like older kids, but am probably just a little too active for a family with youngsters.
As is the case with most puppymill dogs, I am petite, and will fit in most any size lap!!!
UPDATE 7/20/08: MARSHALL is coming along with the leash and crate training. He has been officially cat tested with elderly cats, young cats and kittens and he does well with all kinds and ages of cats.
There have been no troubles at all in the elimination department, no accidents or even close calls. He also gets along with big and small, young and old dogs.
He does not like motorcycles when he is walking along on the leash, and he will throw his whole body into a lunge for the bike. He is inquisitive and wants to watch out of the windows at all times. He has a lot of birddog in him!! He has more good qualities than bad, and he is a very good listener to "come", "sit", "stay", and "down". He also enjoys sleeping on the bed.
All-in-all, he is VERY loving and wants to be with you at all times. He likes to be brushed and he definitely likes car rides (although he still acts like the Tasmanian Devil in the back seat when things go by or when he sees birds)! He is very sensitive to human emotions, and does not like it when people cry - he gets upset, too.
He is best suited for a home with no young children, and with adults who have experience with Setters. Sensible owners who understand dog body language would be best, as he definitely has issues with being reprimanded and becomes very still and starts low growling, but has not offered to take it any further. Avoiding creating circumstances that would incent a response is ideal, but it must be balanced with enforcement of the house rules.
UPDATE 10/20/08: MARSHALL continues to make us laugh each day. He also makes us stop and remember to take time for the simple things. He has gone from personally saying 'hello' to every grasshopper in the yard to making sure that every leaf falling is monitored as it heads toward the ground. He is quite silly that way. He walks much better on a lead and if a no-pull harness is used you could walk all day with him. He has alot of energy and loves to bring you toys and set them in your lap if he feels it is time to play....fetch is by far one of his favorite games and he is tireless at it.
He allows you free access to his food and his toys. He still has protective tendencies when it comes to certain places, like the bed. If you ask him to get down, he won't do so willingly if he doesn't want to. If you try to coax him down with a gentle pull on the collar he will still refuse and grumble about it. He is spectacular at sit and stay. If he is busy with other things (like leaves, or his forest friends), he has some attention deficits but is easily redirected. The dog behaviorist gave us some tips about the environmental protectiveness issue and we are working on that right now.
We have come to lovingly refer to MARSHALL as a big "silly-head". He is athletic, beautiful, and loving, and those big brown eyes of his are lethal. Watch out for this one - he will steal your heart!!
