Blue 07-025

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1/23/07: Meet Blue! Blue is a very handsome three-year-old Golden. He weighs 69 pounds and could stand to gain three or four more. He is in good health but has ear infections and is now on meds. He came in with some burrs in his fur, especially behind one ear, so he temporarily has a funny hair cut in a few places. We are just getting to know Blue, but so far his most endearing quality is that when you pet him he wiggles and spins and grunts with happiness.

BlueBlue

At a Glance #07-025

Golden Retriever Born: March 2004
Male Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

1/23/07: Meet Blue! Blue is a very handsome three-year-old Golden. He weighs 69 pounds and could stand to gain three or four more. He is in good health but has ear infections and is now on meds. He came in with some burrs in his fur, especially behind one ear, so he temporarily has a funny hair cut in a few places. We are just getting to know Blue, but so far his most endearing quality is that when you pet him he wiggles and spins and grunts with happiness.

BlueBlue

Updates

Thursday, February 4, 2016

 

During his early life, Blue survived his first owners' divorce and some traumatic time on his own outdoors before entering RAGOM care with foster sister Cinder, followed by our most fortunate adoption. Blue entered our home in February 2007 and we experienced nine spectacular years of companionship before Blue was diagnosed with that nasty C stuff. Blue chased his last tennis ball on January 30, 2016 before we helped him cross the bridge the next day at more than 12 years of age. Although we will certainly adopt another Golden, in time, it is hard to imagine finding a dog as wonderful as Blue. Handsome, friendly, squirrel-chasing, paw-shaking, sneaker-into-photos, treat-loving, truck companion with the typical Golden energy and passion for tennis balls and jumping off the dock or boat at the cabin. He took a time out in 2012 to have Dr. Rose knee surgery, but promptly returned to full running function. Blue watched our two boys grow into young men and leave for college, eventually becoming sort of our only child and best buddy boy. Blue's passing is very painful for us but we are not discouraged from doing it all over again.

Brian and Julia N.

 

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Blue is just fine in a crate. He was crated yesterday for a full workday. I came home just briefly to see if everything was OK, and Blue was silent and Cinder was snoring on the couch. He sleeps in his crate at night and cuddles up to his soft soccer ball. It's very cute! He won't go in there on his own, but will if you just toss a treat in (peanut butter Kong) and then just lead him by his collar. At his previous owner's, he had free roam but would tear up paper items and eat some underwear. He has not had any anxiety or done this here. We shut the bathroom doors when the dogs are bouncing around the house, and he is crated when we are gone, so he has some structure.

Blue went for a walk yesterday and did wonderfully with the Gentle Leader--he's almost just heeling the whole time!! I would love to take credit, but he just really respects the Gentle Leader. I would recommend that his new family use one too, since if you just have a leash clipped to his collar he turns into Babe the Big Blue Ox and chugs away. Blue would be a great candidate for obedience! He has some commands down very well, but could use a refresher course and learn some new commands. This guy is so intelligent, and so eager to please you. He'll be head of the class.

I forgot to add that since Blue was probably on his own for a little while, he might have some wandering temptation in him. With his previous owner, he would decide to take a walk if he was outside on his on, off leash. Also yesterday when he was unclipped from his tie-out, he decided not to go inside but back out to the backyard, which was fun (for him). Luckily he was thwarted by us opening a car door and he hopped in. So, Blue should go to a home with either a fence or where you plan on clipping him to a long tie-out, like he has here.

Blue's ears are clearing up nicely. Getting him on a good quality food (not something that you can just get at Target) and regular ear cleaning will help prevent future issues.

Blue has really settled in and is much more relaxed than he was Tuesday. He is incredibly affectionate and doesn't need constant exercise--just a walk and some fetch. He has not put his paws on the counter or table since the first night we had him. We put him in a Sit-Stay, and he stays. Drooling a lot, but he does stay. :) He and Cinder are wrestling around now, much to her delight. I caught them snuggling on the couch together last night but when I got my camera, they both got off, looking around like, "Who, me? I wasn't snuggling with him/her!!" Little liars :)

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Blue is here! He has arrived courtesy of a wonderful volunteer who dropped him off at our house this evening.

Let's start from the top: Blue is a 3-year-old purebred, neutered Golden. He was born on 10-20-03. Blue is used to being a house dog but recently was on his own outside. It is fairly obvious that he definitely liked being inside as opposed to out, and we have reassured him that he will not ever be outside alone again.

Blue had his vet appointment today to get him up to date on his shots. He has tested negative for heartworm and internal parasites. Blue weighs about 69 pounds and could stand to gain a few more. Of course, he has ear infections. We are getting those cleared up.

All right, on to the good stuff. Blue is a HANDSOME Golden, red-gold in color. He was bathed, clipped, and brushed today so he's fresh and clean. He loves to fetch and could probably do so all night long. Blue has a weakness for soft toys that squeak, too, and will not gut them although he will get them thoroughly soaked and slobbery. He loves to be pet and cuddled and will bend in half, wriggle, whine, and whap his tail while he gets some love. Blue is fine with Cinder, the resident female. They haven't started playing yet, but Cinder has some cards up her sleeve still and they'll be wrestling by tomorrow if she has anything to say about it! Blue is reportedly good with cats, and has been around kids of all ages. He loves water and snow too.

Blue is on a tie-out here and has been used to a physical fence. He hasn't tried to run out of doors and will wait until we clip the lead to him. He is also housetrained.

Blue knows how to sit and will shake and also lay down. He will also raise his paw when he wants something, and it is SO endearing. Of course, he is telling you, "Pick me!!!"

Blue does have a history of doing some countersurfing and has tried to put his big paws up on the table and counter here. A quick "Ah-Ah" and "Off" has been working just fine. We've also kept things out of reach or away in cupboards that might be tempting. He also may have been a little anxious when left alone, so we are going to work with him slowly to get him used to people coming and going. He was fine in a crate this evening for a little while when we were in the same room with him, so we will take small steps.

Email placementatragom [dot] org to set a date with this guy - I can pretty much tell ya that you will fall in love with him.