Pet tips

Had another wonderful matchmaking opportunity a few weeks ago. Longtime family friends mentioned they were interested in adopting a dog and gave me their wish list: female; older than a puppy, but not a senior; not a Paris Hilton "purse” dog or a big, muscular breed that will pull them to the ground. That, I can work with! They were surprised to hear from me a few days later with a candidate: a 2-year-old, female Spaniel-something. Maybe a Spaniel/Papillon, a "Snappy,” the new designer breed we get by accident at the shelter. They were even more surprised when they met her the following day and decided she was the one. April, their new addition, has been terrific. Keep in mind, this couple raised eight kids and at least a few dogs; they’ve seen it all! April is a real love. She goes all over with them. She’s great in the car and has interacted beautifully with their grandchildren. She sleeps at the foot of their bed and knows not to sneak up top until one person has left! What can I say — we train them well. April’s only issue is that she becomes overly excited when she sees other dogs during her daily outings along some of our popular strolls like Burlingame Avenue and University Avenue in Palo Alto. Not a problem. They can and should allow April to "meet” other dogs like this, as long as it’s controlled (both dogs on-leash). They should also practice getting April’s attention when she spots another dog and does her bark and pull routine. Call her name in a voice that’s more interesting than the other dog and offer her a treat when she focuses her attention on them instead of the other dog. All in all, I’d say all three of us — the shelter, April and her new owners — scored.