Annie 03-114

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Annie is 8 months old and was born at a puppy mill. She has a deformed front right leg and alternates between trying to get around on 3 legs or trying to use the bad leg, which throws off her balance and causes her to fall on her face.

One week ago, I drove to meet her and had to lift her from the other car into mine. She was so terrified that she didn’t (couldn’t?) move and peed and pooped all over herself and me. Upon coming to my home, she dove as far as she could into the crate and buried her face in the back corner. She smelled horrible and had a bath, much needed. She did not like it much, but did tolerate the process.

3 days later, she ate for the first time. Until that time, she refused hamburger, steak, hotdogs and other yummy treats. I would carry her outside to the yard and she would cower in fear, peeing all over both of us in the process. Then back inside to clean up the crate, her, me, the floor……It took 2 days before she would even lay in the crate with her face towards the door. To get her out of the crate, I had to take off the lid and lift her out.

Each day has been a new baby step for sweet Annie. She is now proud to say she can go outside without bolting for cover. She will lay in the grass and sniff the air (as long as there is no noise in the neighborhood!) and yesterday she even play-bowed and wagged her tail at my dog. He was running around, playing with his toys, dancing up to her and barking in invitation. At first, his bark had her dropping to the ground, but now she almost gets excited. I feel sure that they will soon be playing. The past 3 days have also had her NOT peeing on me when I carry her outside. She still won’t walk on lead – bucks and throws her body around in a frenzy if she feels any tension on her collar. Thus, I carry her out into the grass and she goes to the bathroom OUTSIDE! BIG NEWS! She will follow me around the yard, keeping a distance unless I am low to the ground and not looking at her. Then she sneaks up and sniffs me. I have even been licked on my hand a few times, which was quite the thrill. Annie is eating her food, keeping her crate clean and starting to pick up bones and balls to investigate them.

She has made huge strides in just this one week, and although she is far from what most of us would consider a calm, well-adjusted dog, she is on her way. She is very smart, curious and gentle and wants so much to be loved.

Annie goes to be spayed next week. Her front leg may be amputated at that time, to improve her balance and mobility. Her heartworm test was negative, which was good news. Annie gets along well with my dog and the other puppy mill female I am fostering,Sandy 03-116. She has seen but not yet interacted with my cats.

Click here for  more information on Puppy Mill Goldens.

At a Glance #03-114

Golden Retriever Born: November 2002
Female Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

Annie is 8 months old and was born at a puppy mill. She has a deformed front right leg and alternates between trying to get around on 3 legs or trying to use the bad leg, which throws off her balance and causes her to fall on her face.

One week ago, I drove to meet her and had to lift her from the other car into mine. She was so terrified that she didn’t (couldn’t?) move and peed and pooped all over herself and me. Upon coming to my home, she dove as far as she could into the crate and buried her face in the back corner. She smelled horrible and had a bath, much needed. She did not like it much, but did tolerate the process.

3 days later, she ate for the first time. Until that time, she refused hamburger, steak, hotdogs and other yummy treats. I would carry her outside to the yard and she would cower in fear, peeing all over both of us in the process. Then back inside to clean up the crate, her, me, the floor……It took 2 days before she would even lay in the crate with her face towards the door. To get her out of the crate, I had to take off the lid and lift her out.

Each day has been a new baby step for sweet Annie. She is now proud to say she can go outside without bolting for cover. She will lay in the grass and sniff the air (as long as there is no noise in the neighborhood!) and yesterday she even play-bowed and wagged her tail at my dog. He was running around, playing with his toys, dancing up to her and barking in invitation. At first, his bark had her dropping to the ground, but now she almost gets excited. I feel sure that they will soon be playing. The past 3 days have also had her NOT peeing on me when I carry her outside. She still won’t walk on lead – bucks and throws her body around in a frenzy if she feels any tension on her collar. Thus, I carry her out into the grass and she goes to the bathroom OUTSIDE! BIG NEWS! She will follow me around the yard, keeping a distance unless I am low to the ground and not looking at her. Then she sneaks up and sniffs me. I have even been licked on my hand a few times, which was quite the thrill. Annie is eating her food, keeping her crate clean and starting to pick up bones and balls to investigate them.

She has made huge strides in just this one week, and although she is far from what most of us would consider a calm, well-adjusted dog, she is on her way. She is very smart, curious and gentle and wants so much to be loved.

Annie goes to be spayed next week. Her front leg may be amputated at that time, to improve her balance and mobility. Her heartworm test was negative, which was good news. Annie gets along well with my dog and the other puppy mill female I am fostering,Sandy 03-116. She has seen but not yet interacted with my cats.

Click here for  more information on Puppy Mill Goldens.

Updates

Friday, June 13, 2003

Annie is a sweet 9 month old puppy, who loves to play with toys. She gets along great with other dogs and has enough courage to sniff through the fence when neighborhood dogs walk by. She is working on walking on lead, but still fights a bit. Her bravery encourages her to dance up to me in the yard, sniffing then jumping back, coming back again and again for more, each time staying closer and closer. She loves to play with other dogs and will dash about, play bowing and wrestling. She is good with both big and little dogs and shows only mild curiosity in my cats. Annie is quite comfortable in the yard, and enjoys to roll in wet grass in the morning, collect all the balls in the yard and place them in shallow holes. When scared, she will hide in her favorite bush, but quickly comes back out to investigate.

She is becoming more and more comfortable in the house and has learned where the toy box is, and that it's okay to spend time just hanging out, following me around the house. She does go back to her crate when worried, but within a minute or two, is back out exploring.

Annie is housetrained - she picked that up within one week of being here. She is very smart, eager for kind words and sweet.

Annie is up to date on her shots, spayed and we are making strides with her ear infections, so she is in good shape. Her front paw is becoming less and less of a problem, as she works on building muscles and coordination every day. She can run quite smoothly and just tucks up the short leg as she gallops around the yard. I don't know how she would do on steep steps - at this point, she has gone up and down a few steps without problems, but might struggle with a longer flight, especially if they are not carpeted.

Annie would do best in a home with another dog who can help her learn just how good life can be. She is fine with cats, small and large dogs. She definitely needs a fenced in yard. A quiet home with a patient family can do wonders for this sweet girl. She is housetrained, loves toys, entertains herself, respects baby gates, loves her crate, doesn't bark and is friendly (after a slow, calm introduction) to all she meets. If you are interested in meeting Annie, please contact placementatragom [dot] org (RAGOM).

Sunday, June 1, 2003

Annie was spayed last week and is recovering nicely. We decided not to amputate her right front leg. The vet thinks it is a congenital deformity and not necessarily a problem for her. When she first came to me, it threw her off balance each time she took a step and she fell down often. However, over the past few weeks, as her strength and coordination has improved, her limp is less and her balance and agility better. I am wondering if her 8 month life in a cage never gave her the opportunity to have any muscle or balance, and am hopeful that her new life will build up her body and allow her to get around even with the half-leg she has. Therefore, we decided to give her some time and see how she manages on 3 ½ legs – if it continues to be a big problem for her, even after she develops some strong muscles, then perhaps it will be necessary to amputate the leg. However, at this point, I see improvements, so we’re waiting on that surgery.

Annie is a very quick learner and quite friendly to other dogs. She enjoys running to the fence to sniff dogs walking by and say hello. Each day, she tries to engage my dog and Sandy, her foster sister, in play and no longer gets scared when my dog barks and dashes around her in excitement. She chases him around in delight. Annie is learning about toys and that a squeaky ball is fun, not scary. She has discovered the joy of rolling on her back in the wet morning grass and sprawling with all paws spread out in the sunshine. She is investigating the tennis balls and Kong toys. The past few days have had her coming in from the yard when I call her and eating from my hand! She has met the cats and is gently curious with them.

Annie will need a quiet home where her new family can offer her endless patience and consistency in a calm, gentle environment. She is a very sweet girl who loves other dogs and amazes me with her courage.