Cocker Spaniel Adoption Center Blog

Skippy's Happy Ending

Let me start by saying that Skippy has been such a delight since the day we brought him home. Sure, we've had some incidents here and there as we're all adjusting, but we could not feel better about the decision we made to adopt him. He is such a joy and makes our hearts melt. We were stumped when we heard Skippy might actually be closer to 9 years of age based on the DOB given when his microchip was implanted. But everyday Skippy refutes that label - springing and bounding around on walks, jumping from row to row and even up to the passenger seat in our SUV, energetically greeting each person he meets on the street with a sniff and sometimes even a jump up to say hello. We've decided it makes sense he's such a one-of-a-kind dog because his birthday is apparently leap day - 2/29/04. Dogs like him truly only come around once in a while!

Since the day he arrived he has been sleeping well in his crate right alongside our bed. Like clockwork, he starts making noise in his crate at 6:45 AM. He's my little alarm clock. We thought his making noise initially was his signal that he needed to go outside and was ready to eat breakfast. However, we've learned he is quite alright for at least another hour. All he wants is to get out of his crate to jump into our bed and wedge himself up between us, rolling back and forth on his back as he gives us each a million dog kisses -- his "good morning mom and dad!" routine. Then he is quite content plopping down at the foot of the bed and drifting back to sleep.

Even his habits which we're trying to train him out of make us laugh everyday. We still sometimes find our toilet paper rolled out for 20 feet in a trail that leads to his crate. How can you help but laugh when you see him nestled down on his bed with a white pouf sticking out of his mouth.  He is quite the acrobat when there's food involved too. I've never met another dog who can hop around on two hind legs with such skill!

Skippy has had a jam-packed summer full of new adventures. He's been at the beach, explored all around his new home city, gotten groomed, met his new Philly vet Dr. Jones and even rode in a plane for the first time! He's bonded with his uncles Wraggles (Alex's parents' King Charles Cavalier) and Percy (my parents' English Springer Spaniel).  All experiences he has met with excitement and, much to our surprise, relative ease and comfort. Of course, he's always happiest and most relaxed when we're both by his side!

We cannot thank you both and the great people at CSAC enough for making this little guy a part of our family. We can't imagine our lives without him now and we look forward to treasuring him and his daily antics for many years to come.

I'm attaching some pictures of Skippy from the past few months. He is such a happy dog!

Best,
Johanna & Alex