www.maessr.org

SSpprriinnggeerr TTaaiillss Mid-Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue

THE PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

By Linda Johnston, Vice-President

Home for the Holidays…doesn't this just make you feel all warm inside? Have you heard? MAESSR is celebrating the season with

a gift for you, a gift that needs little more than some love

and will return it tenfold. What you ask could this be? A

small hint – it‟s soft and cuddly, will keep you warm this

winter, makes a perfect foot warmer, will keep you from

being lonely, and just make you feel good for doing

something wonderful. The gift? MAESSR is waiving the

adoption fee for any senior dog adopted by December

31st.

Do you know there is little to no waiting time for a senior?

MAESSR has taken in 45 senior dogs this year. Last

month we had 17 in foster care and since starting our

Home for the Holiday campaign, we have placed 10

seniors!

Our senior intake through October 31st is:

9 YO – 10 dogs

10 YO – 10 dogs

11 YO - 9 dogs

12 YO – 7 dogs

13 YO – 7 dogs

15 YO – 1 dog

16 YO – 1 dog

I think that is pretty amazing. It shows the love and

devotion of such a wonderful organization.

Even though I am a senior and own two senior dogs, we

are young at heart and have a whole lot of love to give.

We can keep up with the young ones most of the time, we

just need a little nap here and there.

Senior dogs have the right amount of energy. They are

content to just cuddle when all you want is a nice quiet

evening. Just think about the cold winter nights ahead of

us and having your own built-in foot warmer.

Many people consider a puppy or younger dog when they

apply to adopt. Puppies are warm and cuddly but so are

the seniors. Older dogs, however can be just as cute and

lovable. They come with so many wonderful qualities

which takes years for the younger ones to attain.

Maybe you are reluctant to adopt a senior because you

fear the time will be too short. It is not the length of time

but the quality and most important, it is the time that

senior dogs need us the most. They do not understand

what happened to them or why they have no one to love

them. They require very little and just want a nice cozy

bed and someone to tell them they are good dogs. The

privilege of loving a senior dog makes every single day

special. You share love, friendship, and a special bond

that grows deeper each day and you realize that you have

given this wonderful old dog a second chance at life.

These rewards far outweigh the feeling of loss when the

time comes for them to cross the bridge.

So spread the word. Adopting a senior is a wonderful

experience for you and your new dog. You will certainly

gain a faithful companion. Most importantly, you will

SAVE a LIFE. Don't forget - senior dogs and senior

people bring out the best in each other, old dogs make

great friends!

4th Quarter

2009

www.maessr.org

Bobby Dazevedo with Patches and Reno at the Suffolk Mutt Strutt

Event in late September

Lisa Roth and Beau (left) join Jamie Eaton and foster dog

Dakota at the Reston Home for the Holidays event in early

November

Need a holiday gift for someone?

Consider donating to MAESSR in their name. MAESSR

will acknowledge the donation with a special card. See

the back page for the form.

________________________________________________________________________________

How You Can Help MAESSR

Igive.com – Register MAESSR as your charity and shop through the Igive.com website

Employer Matching Gifts – Will you employer match donations to non-profit organizations? Ask at the Human

Resources Department. If so, your donation to MAESSR will be matched by your employer or doubled!

Goodsearch.com - Search the Internet by using www.Goodsearch.com – designate MAESSR (spell out words to

find us!) and we will get money every time you use this search engine.

Donate to MAESSR to honor a friend‟s birthday, wedding anniversary or special occasion. Don‟t need any more

“stuff”? Ask your friends to donate to MAESSR in your name. Their gift will be acknowledged and you will

receive notification as well.

Shop at www.Goodshop.com – designate Mid-Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue as your charity. Target,

Expedia, Nike are just a few of the stores at this site. Your shopping will help MAESSR.

Buy merchandise from the MAESSR Marketplace – Need a gift for a friend? Lots of wonderful items that help

the dogs when you buy!

Shop MAESSR Affiliates found on the MAESSR website – MAESSR will get a percentage of your purchase

Recycle Your Ink printing Cartridge with MAESSR – Contact Ilonka (raregirl@hotmail.com) or mail your

cartridges to the MAESSR PO Box. MAESSR will receive money for every cartridge recycled!

Gift of stock- Similar to a cash donation…..please contact us further if interested in donating stock.

Tell everyone about Rescue….many volunteers and adoptive families find us through word of mouth.

Benevolink – Register MAESSR as your charity and shop Benevolink partners through the Benevolink website.

www.Benevolink.com

www.maessr.org

ON CHRISTMAS MORNING...

I wish,

For every dog

searching trash cans for breakfast,

a filled bowl with his name printed in bright letters.

For every dog

who slept fitfully last night, chained in a frozen yard,

a soft, warm bed with a person snoring gently nearby.

For every shelter dog,

spending Christmas morning in a soiled run,

a forever home, filled with sounds and smells of family.

For every "Christmas" puppy given today,

a tolerant, caring owner who won't abandon you

as you grow into a real dog.

For every ailing pet,

enough money for your owner

to pay the bills to make you well.

For every lost dog,

a clear, safe road, and well marked path,

to lead you home.

For every old and tired friend,

a warm fire, and a soft bed,

to ease your aches and pains.

and

For every Heart Dog at the Bridge,

a moment when you know that you

are remembered today,

missed again,

and loved forever.

Author Unknown

WHO'S THAT VOLUNTEER? By Linda Johnston

Growing up with a father who spent a great deal of time

hunting with a Springer, Debbie Brookfield grew up with the

breed. When she married and had a home of her own, she

finally got her very own Springer – Cheyenne, who she

adopted in 1996 at 8 months old from the Lehigh County

Humane Society. In 1998, Debbie‟s brother passed away and

she adopted his Pointer, Milwaukee. Cheyenne and

Milwaukee became best of friends. They provided much

comfort to Debbie when her husband passed away at a very

young age. They came to her at a time she needed them most.

Cheyenne crossed the bridge in 2008. Like so many of us,

Debbie swore that she would never get another dog. That

lasted all of two weeks….as Debbie decided that she needed

another Springer. While Debbie considered rescue, she ended

up with a puppy who she named Madison. Shortly after

getting Madison, Debbie attended an event where MAESSR

had a booth set up and she spent a great deal of time speaking

with the volunteers there about MAESSR and rescue in

general. Upon her return home, she completed a volunteer

application and began her association with MAESSR in

September, 2008. Initially, she started with interviews but,

as happens with many, she became addicted and decided to

try fostering. The following month, she welcomed her first

foster - a wonderful male who was with her a month before

going to his forever home. The week after he left Debbie's

home, she got her next foster, Lilly. This time Debbie failed

“Fostering 101” and adopted Lilly!

In addition to conducting interviews and fostering, Debbie

also works with the owner relinquishment team, foster home

training and does post adoption interviews. Debbie believes

that MAESSR is such a wonderful organization and seeing

the willingness of all the volunteers to go above and beyond

for the Springers has always impressed her. Debbie enjoys

volunteering for MAESSR very much and feels that helping

the dogs on their journey to a great forever home is very

rewarding, and in the process, has met some wonderful

people. Debbie is proud to tell people that she volunteers for

MAESSR.

This is how it all starts and Debbie is an example of why

MAESSR is such a wonderful organization. It is the sum of

all those wonderful volunteers who give their heart and soul

to rescue.

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TRAINING TRIUMPHS! Compiled by Barb Bennett

Donovan (Class of ‟05) finished his AKC Novice

Jumpers with Weaves, FAST, and Standard agility

titles this fall. As he has hip dysplasia, he jumps

preferred class, so his agility titles earned are NAP,

NFP and NJP. We are now exploring tracking and

going back to class for Rally!

Cash (above - Class of „06) earned his AKC Novice

Standard and Jumpers with Weaves agility titles (NA,

NAJ) this fall ~ Kim Bolster

Molly (Class of ‟06) earned three AKC titles this past

summer: NJP (Agility - Novice Jumpers Preferred)

and RA (Rally Advanced), NAP (Novice Agility

Preferred). ~ Beth & Tom Anderson

Nash (Class of ‟09) passed Advanced Beginner and

Intermediate Obedience at PetSmart. His instructor

was Diana Chaffee. He earned his Canine Good

Citizen last May. Currently Nash is learning the

basics for tracking and search work. ~ Nancy Lewis

Winnie (Class of ‟08) has FINALLY voiced a

Springer WOOWOO, in the form of socialization

triumphs. She‟s very adept at fetching sticks, is very

fast and a very high prey drive. She‟s always had

beautiful recall off-leash, but is getting better with

her recall on-leash. ~ Julie Brangers

Max (Class of ‟06), has completely overcome his

shyness of humans, and is the social butterfly of the

neighborhood. ~ Julie Brangers

Xuxa (Class of ‟05), was a parvo pup and last one

out of the vet so she was already behind on potty

training when she came into Rescue. I finally got her

potty free in the crate at about a year but still had

accidents at night. I have had her on a very rigid

schedule on eating and drinking and can now predict

potty habits. She is getting better at giving vocal

signals. She even sits by the window if we're upstairs

vs. the door because she knows the window goes

outside and the bedroom door doesn't! We are not

crating her anymore when we leave, she has free rein

of the bedroom with Bo and no accidents! She has

come a long way! ~ Jacqueline Hasting

Rocky (Class of „06) and I just passed the Delta

Society Pet Partners skills and aptitude examinations

to qualify us for Animal-Assisted Activities and

Animal-Assisted Therapy! We plan to start working

in an elementary school with a reading program and

also in a hospital oncology unit. I'm very proud of

Rocky Dune who was one of the Springer Six-pack

and had no social skills whatsoever! He's come a long

way, and I believe he will thoroughly enjoy his new

roles in society (as long as he still gets lots of

naptime and plenty treats)!! ~ Mary Beach

www.maessr.org

DO YOU REMEMBER? By Mary Beach

Suzy IV

Then…Maryland…January, 2009

An adorable little

dog and her litter of

mixed breed puppies

are found tied to a

dumpster. A kind

soul finds them and

takes them to a local

shelter. The puppies

are adopted, and the

shelter contacts MAESSR to take the sweet, tiny mother.

She is transported to her foster home in Goochland, VA, and

she makes a very favorable impression on the people there.

She looks like a Springer in every way except her legs are

only about eight inches long and she weighs about 22

pounds. Her foster mom believes she is a Springer

indeed…..just very short and small. She is called Suzy.

Suzy loves people and has a fun-loving outlook that is

contagious. She is house-broken and crate-trained, and she

has nice house manners. Her only health issue is that she

tests mildly Lyme positive, but she shows no symptoms.

Suzy loves to ride in a car and go for walks, and she seems

ready to go to a forever home within weeks of her arrival to

MAESSR!

Lucky Suzy is adopted in February and is taken to her

forever home in Williamsburg, VA.

Now…Williamsburg, VA…December,

2009 What a

difference a

year makes!

Suzy‟s name

is now

Maggie.

(That‟s

because her

mom’s name

is Susie!)

Maggie is a charmer and about 3 years old now. Her

year has been full of new and exciting experiences.

It‟s reported that she is totally spoiled, loves playing

tug-of-war and riding all around town in her mom‟s

Jeep. She looks great and is a big hit at MAEESR‟s

outings such as the Bark in the Park in

Williamsburg.

Maggie enjoys the company of a rabbit sibling,

Benji, who plays in a pen in a bedroom of the

house. They sometimes play together! Recently

Benji and Maggie were joined by a Springer

Spaniel brother, Huey (Lance ‟09). Huey keeps

things lively around the house, and it took Miss

Maggie about 4-5 days to acknowledge his

presence. They are a big, happy family now, and

Maggie has gained a lot of confidence since she

first arrived.

In mid-November Maggie suddenly lost motion in

her hind legs. Her mom was very quick to get her to

the proper specialists to have surgery. Maggie had

suffered a spinal stroke. She is home now, and she

and her devoted mom are patiently and

painstakingly undertaking all the rehabilitation and

treatments that will help her reach the maximum

recovery. All the MAESSR community wishes

them the best of luck.

It‟s hard to believe such a tiny girl could have so

much happen in a short time! A year ago precious

Maggie was left tied to a dumpster with a litter of

puppies. Now she is enjoying love and

encouragement and all good things so that she may

live out her days in comfort, warmth, and good

health.

www.maessr.org

THE GIFT OF FOSTERING - MILLIE’S STORY 2008 By Carol Mumbauer

I‟ve been a member of

MAESSR since 2002. I am

self employed and both my

husband and I work from

home. I have 2 MAESSR

Springers, a senior Cocker

Spaniel, 2 cats and 4 young

adult children still at home. I

had no intentions to foster. I

felt my home was too busy

and hectic to give a foster

proper attention. In the

summer of 2008 an alert went

out about the possibility of a

large influx of dogs from a puppy mill raid coming in and

asking for foster homes. I knew I could help so I applied to be a

foster home, figuring that it would be a one-time event. The

dogs never came to MAESSR. However, on the Monday prior

to Thanksgiving a request was sent out for a 5yr old liver/white

female in a Philadelphia shelter who only had a few days to

spare before she would be euthanized. Response was low and

no one could take her immediately due to the holiday. I took the

plunge with my first foster dog. A kind MAESSR volunteer

picked her up and brought her to my door at dinner time the

night before Thanksgiving. I had guests arriving shortly and

Millie III did not have her party attire on. I gave her a quick bath

and hair dry which she seemed to enjoy and she was ready to

go. She stayed by my side and was quite a love bug to all who

gave her attention. Millie had an assortment of medical issues.

She wasn‟t spayed, her teeth needed cleaning, she had

mammary tumors, a nasty respiratory infection and wasn‟t UTD

on shots.

Millie settled in fairly well those first few days. We did find on

the second day that crating was not an option with this girl. She

did well at the vet with some grumbling and was on her way to

feeling better once she began antibiotics. Her surgeries soon

followed and I was feeling pretty good about her progress. She

was a very smart girl learning our routine quickly and her house

manners were excellent. It became apparent that she might have

some separation issues. Through all the medical procedures and

aftercare Millie was a model patient. Wearing her protective

collar without complaint she healed nicely.

Millie was always a bit anxious never leaving my side for very

long. She was a bit jealous of my resident dogs. One afternoon

she attacked my Cocker without provocation as my Sadie came

through the door from outside. This happened a second time to

my sweet MAESSR senior Paddington. Both times she injured

their faces. After many discussions with MAESSR it was

decided that Millie would do best in a home without animals or

small children. During this time, an acquaintance of ours had

been by the house and met Millie. She made such a wonderful

impression on them that they applied to MAESSR to adopt and

requested Millie. After 3 months with me Millie was offered

and adopted by this lovely couple near my home. Millie had a

family and I made two new friends. I felt this was the perfect

match and I was so happy to see Millie get her happy ending.

Millie settled into her new home very well. Her new family was

a wonderful couple who loved her from the start. The wife

worked from home so she was able to spend quality time with

Millie. Both family and Millie seemed to flourish.

Unfortunately this honeymoon period was short lived.

Millie started having issues with situations she had not had in

her foster home. Fear of the vacuum, lightening/thunder and

loud noises. She would have episodes where she would “zone

out” for a few moments. This progressed to hard stares and

growling directed at the wife. One night Millie bit her new

owner in the face, no skin was broken but it was a frightening

experience. Millie gave no warning and seemed to want to

buddy up right after the incident. Her vet could find no physical

reason for the behaviors. Since I had been in close touch with

both Millie‟s new family and MAESSR during Millie‟s

placement I advised her family to contact MAESSR for advice

on this disturbing turn of events.

Millie went off to Debbie Lipcsey‟s “Springerfarm” to be

reevaluated. It was determined that Millie was highly anxious

and medications were prescribed to calm her down. Her

devoted family couldn‟t wait to get her back and drove 5 hours

to get her so she would not be stressed with a transport.

During her absence her owners installed a beautiful fenced play

yard for her. Committed to her care and well being, Millie was

taken to a trainer for obedience and behavior modification. She

was a stellar student. However, her behaviors seemed to

regress quickly and her aggressive actions were increasing daily.

Finally the decision to help Millie cross the bridge was reached.

Her new family was devastated beyond words. I have never

witnessed such selflessness as I did from Millie‟s owners. They

placed Millie‟s need for peace above any feeling of loss they

were facing. As I visited with them that last evening, it was

hard to believe all this had happened. Millie lovingly

remembered me and was so sweet to all that night. Millie went

to the bridge the following day. Sometimes doing the right thing

is not the easy thing.

You may ask what I learned from this sad foster story. I learned

that MAESSR is an extraordinary organization with a multitude

of devoted and knowledgeable people all selflessly working for

the well being of this breed. I have no regrets in taking Millie as

a foster despite the outcome. While she was with MAESSR and

her adoptive family, she only knew love and kindness. We will

never know why this well behaved and smart girl experienced

these aggressive episodes. Millie was not your typical foster

and, as a first, not an easy experience to go through but I have

no regrets and would foster again. It is worth the effort to

protect and rescue this breed, even the dogs that only get a

chance to be loved for a little while. Millie has left a paw print

on my heart forever.

www.maessr.org

THANK YOU

Gifts in Honor

Kathryn Allen - Toby Robert & Maureen Berry – Zeke Pamela Blittersdorf & Michael Lonetta – Pilot (formerly

Kramer) Randolph & Lois Boyer – Lois & Randy’s 40

th anniversary

Martine & Stuart Eisenberg – Suzanne Buckley of Bark Busters

Fran Fisher - Remi Richard & Sharon Fox – Pierot & Herc Elizabeth Gibson – Ken Knipmeyer Carol Hails – Chico & Gypsy Elizabeth Hulcher – Stevie, Clyde & other senior Springers Linda & Terry Johnston – Samantha & Reggie’s birthday Lucy Kaufman – Fritz Kaufman Paula & Sam Knutson – Teddy Bear & Patch VI Dale Lenahan – Cont’d thanks for rehoming Freckles (2007)

& all the great work MAESSR does David & Nancy Lesser – Brutus Robert & Marsha Lonergan – Dude (2008) Leslie Palmer – Sarge Genevieve & Melvin Race – Pat Race’s birthday Pat Race – Debbie Lipcsey’s birthday Amy Savarese - Georgie III & those who helped with his

intake Barbara & Jerry Sedam - Hershey Deborah & Steven Straw – Bill & Gerry Tracz Martha Stillman – Georgie III & those who helped with his

intake Mary Donnell Tilghman – Jason & grandson Wm. S. Gordon,

Jr. Patricia & Henry Weber – Brutus & memory of Carly Weber Gifts in Memory Jan G. F. Barnett - Casey Susan Chapman - Sadie Composite Engineering c/o Edward Dunston – June

Campbell Donna Conti - Millie Cooper, Sophie & Sandy c/o Susan & William Henn – Dr.

Wilbur Scott Joan Cromwell – Art Sutter Kim Raymond Edinger & Deborah Abbott – Millie III Richard & Sharon Fox – Windsor Cindy Grace – June Campbell Carol Hails – Max Hails Linda & Terry Johnston – Benny & Chipper Lipcsey, Art

Sutter, Milwaukee Polly & John McWilliams – Meg Kretchmar Geri Mackarevich - Earl Dee Piccinini - Bailey Tom & Kay Strickler & Walker (2003) – Max Perkins General Gifts Susan & James Adamovitz Elaine Anderson & Mark Ginsberg – Adoption of Thor Betsy Arnold – Adoption of Marion

Cathy & Gideon Asher – Adoption of Lance II F. J. & Mary Barnes Melissa Campbell (multiple gifts) Sondra Cawthorne Sherry Rohn Clancy (multiple gifts) Candace Clunan Susan Davis Wanda Drake, Backwoods Country and Friends George Goldman Connie Hawley –Adoption of Angel II Mary Hennessey Dolly Hernandez –Adoption of Choco Richard Hoppe Debra Johnson Kathleen Kittrick Dr. & Mrs. C. Kulbery Nancy Laessle Tina & Jason Leck -Adoption of Paulie Annabell Minty – Adoption of Taffy III Richard Muth (multiple gifts) Lisa Nuzzacci (multiple gifts) Janet Parker Delores Piccinini Trevor Prior Genevieve Race Geoffrey Roswick Kathleen Rounds – Adoption of Sir Charles II Paul & Carol Scagnelli Jane Schimek – Adoption of Teddy IV (multiple gifts) Kathy Silliman Ronald Staiger Vernon & Geraine Stocker Donna & Bernard Thompson Donations Designated for Veterinary Expenses Carole Alderman – Choco & Taffy John Armano, Jr. – Choco & Taffy Peggy Blumenthal – Choco & Taffy Debra Brookfield – Angel II Megan Dickey – Brutus Fran Fisher – Brutus, Paulie Charles Grutzius – Joey III David & Cassandra Hoover - Buddy Ben & Wendy Johnson – Sommer Karen Martynick – Choco & Taffy Debra & Richard Paikoff - Murphy Loretta Stipa – Lucky XIII & Bonnie III Lynne Suhayda – Choco & Taffy

Non-Monetary Gifts Springtime, INC Foxfire Leather Dog Products Boomer Balls Veterinary Office Discounts Simmonds Vet Hospital – Allentown, PA

MAESSR MARKETPLACE

SHOP and HELP THE DOGS!! See many more items at the MAESSR Marketplace!!

Holiday Coasters $12.00 MAESSR 2010 Calendar Collector Ornament

Liver or Black Dog Selling fast! $17.00 Liver or Black $17.00

Holiday Plaque - $8.00 House or Garden Flag House or Garden Flag

$42.00 or $17.00 $42.00 or $17.00

Set of 12 Notecards (3 of each) 2010 Mousepad Snowflake T-shirt

$15.00 $12.00 S-XL $25.00/2X $28.00

_______ _______ _______ ________ _______ ________ ______ _______ _______ ______ ________

Name:

Address: City/State/Zip

Quantity Item Price Total

Mail to MAESSR, PO Box 15354, Richmond, VA 23227

www.maessr.org

MAESSR WELCOMES… By Linda Johnston

MAESSR volunteers come from locations that we service all

around the Mid-Atlantic region including Pennsylvania, New

Jersey, Maryland, District of Columbia, Delaware, Virginia

and West Virginia. We also have volunteers in South

Carolina, North Carolina, Arizona, Minnesota, Alabama,

Tennessee, Georgia and New York who, despite their remote

locations, are able to help the organization accomplish our

mission.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteer

opportunities, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator,

Linda Johnston at springerlove@comcast.net, or simply

complete the online volunteer application on our website.

Please join us in welcoming the following 23 new volunteers

who have recently joined the MAESSR family:

Rene Ayes – Trafford, PA

Joan Larney – Wayne,PA

Valerie Vaughn – Baltimore, MD

Cheryl Saggers – Dumfries, VA

Myra Ocasio – Belcamp, MD

Scott Mackay - Virginia Beach, VA

David Hoh – Mantua, NJ

Sarah Morghan – Richmond, VA

JoAnn Kirk – Newton, PA

Amanda Payne – Ashland, VA

Pat Carpenter – Kinzers, PA

Trisha Whelan – Raleigh, NC

Susan Frank – Quakerstown, PA

Lisa Antognoli - Scott Township, PA

Jamie Eaton – Arlington, VA

Mary Ann Turburton – Newark, DE

Lori Bandy – Easley, PA

Gail Steinweg – Lititz, PA

Michelle Bowie – Welcome, MD

Helen Mundy - Millstone Township, NJ

Robin Eddinton – Alexandria, VA

Maxine Bowman - Lansdale, PA

Stephan Clark – Mohrsville, PA

SCENES FROM SPRINGERFEST 2009