Ava is a three year old Golden Retriever who comes into foster care because she did not get along with her previous home's resident dog. She was lovingly surrendered to RAGOM so she can find a home where she can feel safe and blossom into the sweet, excitable girl that she has proven to be in foster care. 

Ava had a rough start to her life before she was rescued through another organization and later surrendered to RAGOM from her second home. In her first home, she was left outside to defend herself from other dogs and was neglected. She was undersocialized and not given many of the things that she needed to grow to her full potential. Despite her rough past, Ava appears to be a happy, confident dog.

It does not take much to get Ava excited. Ava LOVES to meet new people. She is very friendly and will jump and wag her whole backside when she meets someone new. When she greets you, she will give kisses until you tell her to stop and will roll over for a belly rub.

She becomes equally excited when she knows it is time for food or a walk. She can hardly contain herself as she runs around the house in circles jumping up and down.

Ava is an early riser. She wakes us up every morning by sniffing and licking our faces and staring at us until we get out of bed. She does a few laps around the room when she is successful in her mission to get her humans out of bed. Although she frequently has these moments of pure joy and energy, most of the time Ava is relaxed and will cuddle when given the chance. 

Ava obeys when directed toward her crate or bed and sometimes obeys when shown how to sit or lay down. However, she does not seem to have a firm grasp on any other physical or verbal commands.

In her puppyhood, we believe she did not have the opportunity to play, so she also does not seem to understand how to do activities such as fetch or tug-o-war. She does like to chew on bones to occupy herself. We feel that with patience from her adoptive family she has a great capacity to learn to play and follow direct commands. 

Ava would do best with a family who is home more often than not. She appears to have a little bit of separation anxiety. She becomes anxious when locked behind a baby gate or in another room where she is not able to get to us. In some cases, she will bark loudly after we have left until she is reunited with us. 

Ava cannot be in a home with other animals because of her history of being aggressive toward other animals. This includes cats and other small pets as well as other dogs.

She does not require a fenced yard; however, she cannot be left outside alone without a fence because of the risk of her getting in a fight with another dog in the neighborhood. She enjoys going on short walks and does well on a leash. 

As explained above, Ava does well with all people, including children, but may overpower any children under 13 accidently due to her excitement. She has no other health or behavioral problems to consider. She is currently being weaned off of a medication that she may need to finish in her first week or two in her new home. 

Ava is available to find her forever home right away. She looks forward to meeting all of you and getting lots of belly rubs!