POKEY's ADOPTED!

Our sweet little Pokey pup has been adopted! He will have four setter brothers and sisters (2 Irish, 2 English) and will be spoiled rotten by his totally awesome new mom and dad!  I think this is the photo that finally tipped the balance...

Pokey swims!

We joined a whole lotta other setters at Bark Til Dark Dogpark for some running and, I hoped, some swimming. This was Pokey's second visit to a dogpark and his first one with a pond. Sure enough, five minutes after we arrived, Pokey was swimming. He chased a tennis ball straight into the pond and tried to walk on water. He figured out the dog paddle immediately and was in an out of the pond for the next three hours! He had a fantastic time, running, chasing, swimming and wrestling (Frankie was also there). He greeted all the dogs beautifully. He makes me so proud. He's so well-behaved and well-adjusted. Just a completely open friendly dog.

Playdate!

Pokey had a playdate with another young English Setter being fostered by OESR, Frankie. Frankie's more than twice Pokey's age but he's a pocket setter and they were pretty evenly matched. They had a great time chasing and wrestling and chasing and resting and chasing and wrestling and... well, you get the picture. Were they both so tired that they slept the rest of the day? Nope. 30 minutes of napping and both Frankie and Pokey were back up and ready to go!

Pokey at the Dog Park

Pokey visited his first dog park at Alum Creek during Pup-a-Palooza. We were only behind the fence for a few minutes since we were actually there to volunteer but Pokey's behavior led me to believe that he'd do quite well at a dog park. So tonight we ventured out to Wheeler Park in Columbus (foster mom's old stomping grounds) to see how he'd do. He was fairly shy about meeting the other dogs but not frightened and way more excited about chasing the birds.  He did great on his recalls (if he was looking in my direction) and I even got a video of his first off-leash bird chase!  I'd say he enjoyed himself!

Pokey at Pup-a-Palooza

Alum Creek Dog Park held an event called Pup-a-Palooza. They invited rescues and vendors to set up booths and OESR volunteered. I thought Pokey might bring the rescue some attention so, Saturday morning, we headed up to the dog park. It's a long 45 minute drive but Pokey was great in the car. We spent a few minutes in the actual dog park and Pokey enjoyed saying hi to the other dogs but was ready to go after a six month old Golden rolled him. We headed to the OESR booth and spent about two hours greeting people while Pokey showed off a few tricks.

We met a new OESR foster named MacArthur. A very regal handsome boy who laid quietly and accepted the attention as it if was his due! Although it rained and we all got thoroughly damp, it was a nice event with a great turn-out. Pokey was very tired after all the excitement and slept all the way home!

Pokey at school - video

Pokey was invited to attend a local daycare's "pet day". I was a little nervous since he is a pretty active young pup and we were going to be surrounded by 2-3 year olds. I took Carter last year and he was overwhelmed by the attention. But our little boy held his own. Of course, he wanted to jump and gives hugs and kisses but he calmed down fairly well and would sit while the kids would run over and pet him with only the occasional bark of frustration. Then he discovered a toy soccer ball and couldn't care less what the kids were doing. I like this video because it illustrates one of the benefits of owning a deaf dog. How do you think a hearing dog would have reacted to the high pitched cacophony?!

Available to adopt - video

I've been a little lax in posting lately so here are a couple photos and video of our favorite little boy.

When he stops moving, he's just to die for adorable.

Here's a video of Pokey on the way home from puppy kindergarten. He's very curious and likes to help navigate. He braces himself by leaning against you and curling his head over your shoulder. Again, adorable.

Pokey is a begger, but a pretty patient one. He lays/sits very quietly next to you while you're eating, just in case you should happen to feel like giving him a bite. Sometimes, we take our sweet time eating and he just goes to sleep. Did I mention he's adorable? 

Pokey is also now available for adoption on the Ohio English Setter Rescue website. That's right folks. He's up for grabs!

Pokey's Adoption Posting