We live in Madison, Wisconsin with the most hyper Springer ever named Woodie (liver and white male).  We got Woodie in July of 2002 as a puppy.  So we decided Woodie needed a playmate.  I looked on the internet and found out about ESRA.  I put in my application for one dog but it didn’t work out.  Then Lisa called me from Ohio and said she had a match but I would have to drive to Judy Manley’s home in Warren, Ohio.  I wasn’t so sure I wanted to do that until she emailed me a picture of Indie (black and white female).  I had a black and white Springer mix as a little girl so of course it was love at first site. 

I took the following week off of work and drove with my friend, who is allergic to dogs, to get our family addition.  We drove there and back in two days at eleven hours each way and I have no regrets.  Indie joined us in August of 2004. 

She is however not really into the whole “playing thing.”  She would rather just sit on your lap and have you hug and squeeze her all the time.  She sure loves walk time though.  That gets her all wound up.  Each morning and night they get all excited for their walks.

This past spring I took her to get her summer cut and our groomer found a tiny little bump on her hip.  We had it tested and it was cancer.  In a matter of a week Woodie had knee surgery and Indie had a total of 5 bumps removed. Our kennel was filled with a couple of cone heads while they recovered.  Our Drama Queen is now back to her normal laid back self.  You would never guess that she is a year younger than Woodie because she is more of the mother hen kind but that is just fine by me.  You will often look in our back yard and see me or my husband tossing the ball for Woodie while Indie just sits next to us getting her ears rubbed.  All the while she is just staring into our eyes with such love.  

Over the summer I took her to a Pet Fest and had her represent the ESRA stand.  Now she and I are looking into visiting people at nursing homes or hospitals.  She is a true blessing.  Thanks ESRA for all you have done. 

Kris L. Specht

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