STAR AB#18-059 – F, 11 Years

Name:  Star

Age: 11

Gender:  Female/Spayed

Weight:  55 lbs.  

Color:  Tri- color.  Mostly B/W

Breed:  English Setter

Good with Dogs:  Yes!   Star found her place in my household with absolutely no difficulty.   I have 3 dogs and 1 cat.   Since being here other dogs have visited us and Star just goes with the flow.

Good with Cats:  Yes.   I have a cat.  Some days Star will pay attention to my cat and other days she pays no attention.    If the cat runs then Star will chase.   Not aggressively, it’s just the nature of the breed.    My cat has learned to ignore her and not run, but then again he is dog savvy, having 3 canine brothers.  There has been an occasional hiss and arched back, but nothing even close to claws because Star means no harm and backs off.   If you have a dog savvy or super chill cat then they will do just fine with Star.  

House Trained: Yes.  Star asks to go out.   At first she sits by the door but if she goes unnoticed she will vocally ask to go out.   She has a history of incontinence due to her diabetes being untreated.   See medical history.

Crate Trained:  Unknown

Leash Trained:  She walks ok on a leash.  Not perfect but not even close to being a problem.   She gets better with every walk we take.  I think she has never really been walked much and just needed to figure it out. SHE LOVES GOING FOR WALKS

Activity Level:  Moderate.   She has a great spring in her step for an 11-year-old girl, but she will do well with daily walking and a yard.  She is great at entertaining herself.  One of her favorite things to do is to sit on the back steps and just watch the world.

Training /Behavior:  Star is responsive to what you tell her for basic commands such as “sit”.  She will come when called inside from the yard, but her training doesn’t extend to off leash behavior.  If she gets out of the house she will not come if called.  (She is not a “runner” per se, more like an “avid explorer”)

Medical History:

Star came to us with untreated diabetes.    During her time in foster care we have been working closely with a vet to find on finding the best protocol to manage her diabetes.   It seems to be a very mild case of diabetes (if there is such a thing) because there are days that she doesn’t require any insulin at all.    She is very accustomed to getting poked so that you can test her blood sugar and sits quietly for it.    She also doesn’t mind getting the shots when needed.   One vial of insulin costs $60.   Based on her current protocol that vial should last about 3 or 4 months.   Syringes are also very affordable.  And if you or someone you know already has diabetes you already have access to test strips and a glucose monitor  ☺

Her foster mom has seen such a dramatic improvement on all fronts just as a result of being fed a very high quality grain free diet and increased exercise that she is hopeful that continuing along this path will show even more benefit to Star’s health.

Foster Comments:  The word that comes to mind when thinking about Star is that she is a very happy girl!    She has such a spring in her step and appreciates everything.   Sometimes she just sits on my back steps and watches the world.   Who knows what she sees but she loves it.    She loves to walk.   She loves to cuddle.  She is easy.    

Her surrendering owner did complain that Star could not hold her bladder and had accidents in the house.   I won’t claim that Star has a bladder of steel (you know those dogs that seemingly can hold it FORever).    However the treatment of her diabetes has greatly improved her ability to hold it.   Her water consumption has decreased to normal levels.  She holds her bladder overnight, but if your idea of “overnight” is 12 hours then she won’t make it.    Our last time out at night is 9 or 10 and she goes out at 6 am.   She will tell you when she needs to go.    If you work 10 or 12 hours a day she won’t be the girl for you unless she has access to a doggie door or somewhere appropriate to potty.

Don’t let her age or diabetes discourage you from considering Star as a new addition to your household.   She is an easy going,  HAPPY setter who loves to be loved.   

Adoption Fee: 250.00 

Foster Location: Natick, MA

Volunteer transport can be arranged in the Continental US within a 1,000 mile distance between adopters & foster home. Typically, we are able to transport your adopted dog to within 2 hours of your home. *Dogs can be adopted outside the 1000 mile transport distance; however, adopters must be willing to either fly their adopted dog, drive to a location within the 1000 mile transport range, or make independent transport arrangements for their adopted dog