Charlotte (Starlite 09-029)

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Starlite arrived yesterday afternoon after a long car ride from Iowa. She is adjusting to living in my house rather quickly.  In the first few hours here she met both resident dogs (one of which isn't very social), the cat, and both my grandchildren - ages 2 1/2 years and 8 months - and she did exceptionally well. So I know that she loves little kids and isn't pushy with them - she took treats from my 2 1/2 year old grandson very gently, altho she kept wanting to lick his fingers after the treats were gone.

I wouldn't say that she is house trained - but she also hasn't had any accidents in the house either. She has gone out to do her business every time - but she also doesn't go to the door to be let out.  She has shown no aggression of any sort - food, toy or attention wise. If anything she shies away from my dogs when they growl or make a noise and she is very wary of adults. She will now come up to me for attention if she thinks it's safe, so she is getting more trusting.  Starlite is crate trained, she goes in there periodically during the day just to rest and she slept in there last night without a peep.  She has been here less than 24 hours and she has already completely won my heart.

This morning she has started to act more like a puppy - running around outside, jumping up in the air and acting silly. But when she is in the house she is very calm and quiet. She seems to like chewies and but doesn't really know what toys are for - so we will work on that. What a love.

I'll let you know more about her when I discover more.

At a Glance #09-029

Mixed Breed Born: May 2008
Female 30 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

Starlite arrived yesterday afternoon after a long car ride from Iowa. She is adjusting to living in my house rather quickly.  In the first few hours here she met both resident dogs (one of which isn't very social), the cat, and both my grandchildren - ages 2 1/2 years and 8 months - and she did exceptionally well. So I know that she loves little kids and isn't pushy with them - she took treats from my 2 1/2 year old grandson very gently, altho she kept wanting to lick his fingers after the treats were gone.

I wouldn't say that she is house trained - but she also hasn't had any accidents in the house either. She has gone out to do her business every time - but she also doesn't go to the door to be let out.  She has shown no aggression of any sort - food, toy or attention wise. If anything she shies away from my dogs when they growl or make a noise and she is very wary of adults. She will now come up to me for attention if she thinks it's safe, so she is getting more trusting.  Starlite is crate trained, she goes in there periodically during the day just to rest and she slept in there last night without a peep.  She has been here less than 24 hours and she has already completely won my heart.

This morning she has started to act more like a puppy - running around outside, jumping up in the air and acting silly. But when she is in the house she is very calm and quiet. She seems to like chewies and but doesn't really know what toys are for - so we will work on that. What a love.

I'll let you know more about her when I discover more.

Updates

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Twelve years ago Charlotte joined my family. She was a busy, busy, busy 11-month-old pup who chased squirrels and rabbits, and chewed up things like flip flops and stereo cords. (Remember stereos?). She didn't like to fetch, so the only way to wear her out was long walks. I passed out on the couch after a five-mile walk once, only to wake to her busily chewing a toy and spreading it all over the living room.

She is now a grand dame in the neighborhood, approaching age 13 and still loving her walks, except now she lets me know where we're going, thank you very much. On a recent morning, a runner looked at us like we were nuts as I patiently negotiated with her to go the direction I wanted to go.

One spot she won't miss on our evening walks is neighbor Fred's house. He'll bring a treat out for her most nights if the weather is fine. When he doesn't, she plants herself firmly in his front yard and stares hard at the front door like she can summon him with sheer will. I've explained to her that we humans call this stalking. She could care less, so a nudge to her collar is in order.

It has been such a joy to watch Charlotte age from busy pup to sweet, sometimes stubborn senior. She's also gone from being one of three dogs to the only dog for the past couple years, though I'm hoping to find a younger fur sibling for her soon. Meanwhile, she's happy to let Bonnie the cat cuddle with her, although Bonnie sometimes just steals the best spot.

Starlite 09-029
Starlite 09-029
Starlite 09-029

Friday, June 28, 2013

Can you believe my mom forgot to send an update about me in 2012?!  She said she's sorry but she was so busy she forgot.  Well, you know who she didn't forget to update?  My brother Amos.  So I told her I'm doing my own update this year.

And I'm busy too!  I have to act as a pillow to my golden brother Amos 08-109 when we take a nap, like in the picture.

I have to play with my corgi brother Finnigan because he doesn't like anybody else and will only play with me.  When he gets excited and starts running behind the furniture like a crazy corgi, I nip at his heels when he passes.  Since the weather got warm, we play every morning in the yard before we come in for the day so Mom can go to work.

In the mornings I help Mom out by running out of the bedroom to collect the cat toys she leaves out overnight for my kitty siblings Bonnie and Louie.  I fit them in my mouth and run around the house so Mom has to catch me.  It's really helpful to Mom because then she doesn't have to pick them up and it wakes her up first thing by figuring out how to corner me and get those cat toys back.  I don't know why I love cat toys so much.  When Mom first got me she trained me to walk away from a bag of hot dog pieces but I just couldn't walk away from cat toys.  Maybe that's why she only leaves them out overnight?

I'm also Louie the cat's favorite dog sibling.  At night he rubs on me, grooms me, and curls up to sleep with me.  I give him kisses.  I don't like it when he kneads me though - it feels funny and I try to move away so he'll stop.

Mom made me go to somebody called a veterinary cardiologist to check out my heart because I have a murmur.  The vet said she could hear the murmur but there is nothing wrong with my heart.  You'd think Mom would want to celebrate but no!  She took me to another vet to get my teeth cleaned instead.  Even I have to admit my teeth look better and my breath smells better.

Mom finally figured out one of my secrets!  I turned 5 this year and she decided it was time to find out what mix of dog breeds I was with something called a DNA test.  It turns out on one side I'm a mixture of beagle and Chesapeake Bay retriever but on the other side I'm so mixed they couldn't say for sure.  But they said I might have a mix of coonhound, Irish setter, or viszla.  Mom said all that hound blood might explain why I like to sniff and sniff and pretend she doesn't exist on the other end of the leash.  She's talking about something called tracking classes.

That's all for now!

Charlotte

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Charlotte (formerly Starlite 09-029) is doing so well. I try to update yearly but as I was about to update in April, I learned Charlotte had a heart murmur. I was quite upset but got pretty good news once I took her for further testing. She has a minor birth defect of the flap of the mitral valve, allowing blood to leak through. The specialist said he doesn't think it will progress to heart disease and she doesn't need medication or further testing; I just need to continue to take her for her 6-month check-ups, which is how the murmur was detected in the first place. I was very relieved because she's only 3 and I can't stand the thought of losing my baby girl any time soon. 

Below is my all-time favorite picture of Char after a winter walk right after Christmas 2010. Char is a tough girl and can walk in extreme heat or cold that my other dogs can't endure. We take precautions, of course, and don't overdo it, but she loves her walks and I had to snap a picture with my cell phone when I realized she had grown a frosty beard and eyebrows on our walk.

I started taking Char to the dog park this year and she loves it. We just went for the first time in a month today because the heat finally relented. There must have been 20 dogs there and Char got along just fine. She has the best temperament, which has been beneficial since I adopted a challenging corgi named Finnigan last year. I suspect not many dogs would have befriended him as Charlotte has done and they wrestle each morning as I eat breakfast and get ready for work. She continues to pester her big brother Amos 08-109, but he takes it in stride and Char and Amos are so at ease with each other.

It's fun to see how Charlotte has mellowed and matured but is still just a fun-loving easy-going dog. People are impressed at how well-behaved she is on home visits and express the hope of finding one just like her. When I adopted Char, I had planned on adopting a second golden, but I'm glad I chose Char instead. I couldn't ask for a better dog. She is my best walking partner, gets along with my 2 cats and 2 other dogs, and curls up to me in bed every night.

Rachel

Sunday, April 11, 2010

This is Charlotte (I used to be Starlite 09-029). When Mom said my big brother Amos 08-109 got to write his own update I wanted to also. I'm almost 2 now so I'm old enough! Besides my brother Amos I have 2 kitty siblings: Sumo and Bonnie. Sumo is like a teenager so he spends a lot of time off on his own but me and Bonnie are friends. We play chase sometimes and she likes to run behind the door and paw at me through the crack. Sometimes I get excited and get a little too pushy and she swats me so I stop. Then she'll rub up against me to let me know we're still friends.

Sometimes Mom gets a little exasperated and asks why I can't be more like Amos. He likes to lay there and be brushed and give Mom lovey-dovey eyes. I hate the brush but Mom says I shed more than Amos and the cats combined so I have to be brushed.

But I can do lots of things Amos can't do! Mom says I have an amazing digestive tract because I can eat anything and it won't bother me. Not Amos. His tummy is sensitive so he gets diarrhea if he eats anything strange. I can walk anywhere in any weather and it doesn't bother me - hot sidewalks, ice, snow, rock salt - my paws are fine. Not Amos. His paws are sensitive and get ice balls. He sure is a softy for such a big boy.

I don't have to give Mom lovey-dovey eyes to let her know how much I care. I kiss her lots and I snuggle up in bed with her and I help her. When the cats are naughty and scratch the furniture I make them stop. Except the kitty condo, they're allowed to scratch that so I let them. Bonnie likes to open cupboards and it drives Mom crazy to I nudge Bonnie away from the cupboards. The cats are on diets so they try to wake Mom up early and she says 5:30 is early enough. So when Bonnie rubs against the bed posts I push her off the bed and when Sumo scratches the laundry basket I jump down and make him stop. Then I hop back up on the bed with Mom to let her know I'm there, ready to help.

One thing that makes Mom mad is how much I pester my big brother. I like to nip and herd him but I'm part border collie the vet says and he sure looks like a big furry sheep to me! And when Mom remembers to throw my frisbee for me after I've been in my crate all day like a good girl, I don't pester Amos as much. I like to make Mom laugh when I run all silly all over the yard like I have the best thing in the world in my mouth. She says I'm funny and "scary smart." We started agility classes but Mom got busy at work and was tired all the time. I hope we go back some day. She's talking about taking me to a good leash manners class but I don't like the sound of that! I like to pull and run Amos off the sidewalk (there are better smells on his side!) and refuse to budge when I smell good stuff. And I'm always good when I meet other dogs. If they're nice I make friends right away and if they're not nice I stay clear. Mom says I'm very dog savvy and maybe someday we'll foster to help other dogs find a good home. I hope we do because Amos doesn't play as much as I want.

I do love my big brother though. He lets me chew on him when I'm bored. He's a soft pillow to rest my head on. He usually wins if we play tug because he's so much bigger but I steal his toys in the yard so I guess we're even.

Thank you RAGOM and my foster family for giving me the golden life as an honorary golden! I have to go now because I have to make sure there are no unsavory types in our yard like birds, squirrels, rabbits, and the neighbor Mom doesn't like!

Char

Sunday, August 9, 2009

From Charlotte's (formerly known as Starlite) forever family...

Charlotte joined my family about three and a half months ago. She has a big brother, Amos 08-109, and two kitty siblings. She graduated from basic obedience and just did an incredible job! She is so smart that she mastered things quickly, except "come," because she just doesn't want to come until she's ready. The vet believes she's a lab/border collie mix (though of course she is an honorary golden retriever) and she has demonstrated her herding skills with Amos and the cats. I especially appreciate this when she herds the cats away from doing something naughty but Amos doesn't always appreciate his little sister gnawing on his back legs. He just sits down to make her stop. Charlotte has decided it's her job to keep our yard free of birds, bunnies, squirrels and butterflies so she chases them at every opportunity.

In June we went to a RAGOM picnic for Iowa volunteers and Charlotte got so excited by the other dogs in the pool that she jumped right in but quickly wanted out and wouldn't get back in. She wants to befriend everyone we meet (adult, child, canine, feline) and loves a good walk. I've had to put an end to her dragging laundry around by getting a laundry basket with a lid because I was dreading the day she dropped my dirty underwear in front of company.

Charlotte's confidence has helped Amos to be more confident - she's shown him how much fun a walk can be so he wags his tail when we walk now. They love a good game of tug of war and Charlotte has learned that if she brings a really good toy outside she can get Amos to chase her. Amos tries to keep up but Char is a speedy little thing. Charlotte has been a wonderful addition to our family and regularly gives me a good laugh.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Hi Everyone!  Starlite is here checking in to say hello.

 

 

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Hello everyone!  It's been a couple of weeks since we've updated Star.  We have all been hanging out at home.  Foster mom has been working a bunch so foster dad had taken up the dog care duties.  Star (and our dogs too) gets up when we do at 4:00 am.  She is let outside to potty and play a little bit and then comes inside to watch with eager anticipation as foster Dad (FD) makes breakfast.  F.D. makes a breakfast dish with oatmeal, apples, yogurt, ground flax seed, and scrambled eggs.  Yum yum!!  Star enjoys her meal times.  After breakfast, FD takes the pack for a 30 minute walk through the neighborhood. Star is crated during the workday and does wonderfully in her crate.  She walks in at the command "kennel up" and waits for her treat. While in her crate, she doesn't make a peep. 

A cool thing I noticed about Star this week with the spring meltdown is that Star does not track mud in the house like our 2 dogs do.  Rarely does she come in with muddy paws.  Good girl Star!!  She doesn't have extra fur between her toes and her feet are small.  I trimmed her toe nails this week and she didn't fuss. 

Star has not had any accidents at all since we started crating her while we're gone.  She has even gone to the door to ask to go out to potty.  She is just a doll.  She is great with other dogs and reads their signals well.  She is good with our cat although she finds him very interesting.  Star is not fearful or skittish.  She is doing great with our 2 boys ages 7 and 12 and will seek attention from them.  She is very playful and will be a great "fetch" partner once taught to retrieve.  The weather is getting nicer by the day and soon we will all be outside much more.  Would you like to add a young dog to your family? 

She has been our house guest for a month and a half now and is looking for her forever home.  If you have any questions about Star, or would like to meet her, please contact your placement advisor. 

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Hello everyone,

Just a quick word to update our little Star;

Star has had a couple of firsts lately.  Just this week was the first time she has jumped up on the couch with our other two dogs for a belly rub.  She put her head down on my lap and rested there and I pet her.  It was so cute to see her relax and enjoy it. 

This was also the first week that she has decided to follow me down the stairs to the basement laundry room.  Previously, she would stand at the top of the stairs without coming down no matter how much I tried to encourage her.  I guess she just decided it was time.  She was happy and bouncy checking out the basement and now follows me down there regularly. She loves her people and her dog sisters (my resident dogs). 

Star walks like an angel with her gentle leader and looks forward to her walks.  She has not had any accidents in the house but we are also more responsible with her by crating her when we're at work and keeping an eye on her when we're home.  She still has the puppy-mouthy-thing going on and will get into trouble if she doesn't have dog toys to play with.  Typical puppy stuff.  She likes to carry laundry around the house.  She doesn't chew on the laundry but just enjoys carrying it around, scattering it through the house.  I like to call her Sparky because of her energy level. 

She LOVES to play and she is SO smart!  She really needs a family of her own that will train her.  She has SO much potential!  She is like a gift that has not yet been unwrapped. 

Do you have room in your heart and your home for this young lass?  Do you look forward to training a dog and reaping the benefits?  If yes, then this little dog is waiting for you.  Please contact your placement advisorplacementatragom [dot] org.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

 

 

 

 

Here is an update on our little Star. She has been with us for 3 weeks now. She is such a sweetheart. She is still bouncy, happy, bright, and active. She is full of energy and enthusiasm. I like to call her my "rocket dog" because she sometimes bolts around the back yard like a rocket. Star is waiting for her forever home where she will br trained, loved, and have the time and attention devoted to her that she deserves.  Star has had some potty training accidents in the house that made us realize that it was premature to declare her potty trained.  We now crate her during the day and still crate her at bedtime.  She does very well in the crate and will often go in on her own when she senses that it's time.  Her crate is right next to our bed.  Star does jump up on people and is mouthy the way puppies are.  All of these things can be easily corrected through training but I will feel most comfortable placing her with a family that does not have toddlers or small children. Star gets along with other dogs beautifully. She picks up on their cues and plays energetically. She is good with our cat but does like to follow him around now and then.  She now knows her name and comes when called.  Star likes her meals but does not like apples or bananas.  She is not much of a barker.  In fact, she rarely barks. She enjoys being near her people and is normally in the same room we are. Star enjoys toys, playing tug, and wrestling with our other dogs. We provide lots of appropriate things to chew on and she is particularly fond of rawhide bones. Star is walked each morning, along with our 2 dogs. She enjoys her walks and is happy to get leashed up to go.  We don't know much about her background except that she came to RAGOM from a shelter in Iowa. When she arrived at the shelter, she had a broken leg that the shelter set and she wore a cast for a period of time.  Star is spayed, microchipped, up to date on all of her shots, and is ready to be adopted.  If you would like to meet Starlite, please contact your placement advisorplacementatragom [dot] org.   This little girl has so much love and companionship to give.  

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Starlite has made it to her new foster home in Burnsville. Thank you to her previous foster mom who obviously did a great job with her. This little girl is so happy! The best word I can think of to describe this pup is optimistic. Her tail is always wagging! She fit into our home seamlessly. She began hanging out with our 2 resident RAGOM retrievers right away. It's great fun to watch them playing in the yard. It's like they've always been friends. I don't think Starlite will have any trouble getting along with other dogs as she enjoys the interaction. She's a bright young lass. Her name is Starlite because she has a white star on her chest. She also has some white on her mouth and toes.

We'll send another update soon once we get to know her more.

   

 

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

 Starlite is one awesome puppy!!  She went to the vet this afternoon and is now UTD on her shots and she will be going back to get spayed on Friday.  The vet said that she thinks that Starlite is more like 7 or 8 months old, she has her adult teeth and there was a little tarter too.  She is on the smaller side, 34.6 #s and healthy.  She had had a broken hind leg when she was 2-3 months old but that looks like it has healed very well.  The way she and my resident dog run around the backyard chasing each other through the snow you would never know that it had been broken. 
 
She still has not had an accident in the house - way to go Star....  I have never heard her bark, she whined today when I got home and she was in the crate but that was the first time I had heard her even whine.
 
A little about her background, or the little that we know about her background.  She has been abused and was living in a horrible situation.  She must have been an outside dog because she is learning about doorways, especially ones with glass in the doors (sliding glass doors and the doors into the vets office)  and she is fearful of loud voices.  She also is very wary of men.  My son stopped by Sunday evening and she hid from him until he knelt down on the floor and then she came up to him to be petted.  She was very friendly with all the vets and vet techs today, they were all young women, and besides they all had treats for her.  She LOVES treats!!!
 
I'm sending a picture of Star hiding under the kitchen table with her front feet on the chair trying to look out - she is a little fearful but still a little nosey too.  She is just so cute, everyone that has met her has fallen in love with her.