We adopted Willie (then named Sparky) in late November of last year. We chose him because we had had another Cocker Spaniel, Mickey, for many years. Mickey was a great dog and good companion for our other dog at the time, a chocolate lab named Kalvin. We lost them both in the same year a couple years ago (they were both 12 years old). Eventually we got a new dog - Riley, a Golden Irish. Riley is a good dog, but really hates to be alone. He is not destructive or anything, but we could tell he was lonely when we were gone.

 

So we decided Riley needed a buddy, and our first thought was a Cocker Spaniel. We saw Willie's picture on the website. It said that he was shy. Not only did this remind us of our Mickey, who was also shy (and rescued), but we thought he and Riley could help each other! Willie could help Riley not be lonely and Riley could help Willie not be shy.Willie was very, very nervous when we brought him home. Especially around the boys (ages 11 and 8, who can be loud!). He basically stayed in one room, under one of two chairs. He liked (and still likes) his pet carrier with a bed in it, and was (and is) very interested in toys. In the 5+ months we have had him, he has really come out of his shell! Now he goes all over the house, sometimes even running around. Before he used to be scared of every single noise, and now he tentatively investigates the source of the noise.

 

This dog LOVES to eat. He likes to sit under the table when we eat meals. He knows where we keep the treats, and you can find him hanging out in front of the cabinet (that is where he is in the attached picture). He runs and plays with Riley outside. He loves his bones and the balls the Easter Bunny brought him. My older son and I run a lot with Riley. We have started bringing Willie on the shorter runs. He was nervous at first, mainly because of all the noises. But once we get going, he likes it. He likes to be right by Riley. If Riley gets ahead, he really pulls until he can get right beside him. Since Willie is smaller and easier to handle (and because, unlike Riley, he doesn't throw up in the car!) he gets to go places with us. He seems to like to ride in the car. He sticks pretty close to us in new places, but he is not terrified like he was before.He is a really sweet dog. He has been a great addition to the family and a good friend for Riley.

 

-Willie's family 

 

 

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