Buddy 05-147

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Profile

8/8/05: Buddy is a three year old dog. He has a big head and a skinny body. I am working hard at helping him put on weight. Buddy is a Golden mix - it is difficult to tell what the mix is though. WE WILL BE AT THE RICHFIELD PETCO ON SUNDAY, so come see for yourself!

Buddy seems like the perfect dog when he is with me, his foster mom. He walks and runs next to me without pulling when he is wearing his Gentle Leader. He gets into the car easily and he loves to go for rides. He wades in the kiddie pool and chases balls when they are thrown. The rub for Buddy is that he does not like to be left alone. Currently, I am working on teaching him not to panic while I am gone. I call him my special needs dog because he is like the students I teach. Buddy is learning quickly, but the is a lot of "practice" involved, leaving the house and coming back. If you adopt Buddy, you may need to be prepared to practice for a few weeks until he is comfortable in your house.

Buddy does not like to be in a crate. He was formerly an outdoor dog and likes space, not confinement. Don't let Buddy's needs scare you. He will be very loyal and will protect you, but if you ask him to stop it, he will.

Buddy

At a Glance #05-147

Breed not specified Born: March 2005
Male Weight not specified

Status: Adopted

Profile

8/8/05: Buddy is a three year old dog. He has a big head and a skinny body. I am working hard at helping him put on weight. Buddy is a Golden mix - it is difficult to tell what the mix is though. WE WILL BE AT THE RICHFIELD PETCO ON SUNDAY, so come see for yourself!

Buddy seems like the perfect dog when he is with me, his foster mom. He walks and runs next to me without pulling when he is wearing his Gentle Leader. He gets into the car easily and he loves to go for rides. He wades in the kiddie pool and chases balls when they are thrown. The rub for Buddy is that he does not like to be left alone. Currently, I am working on teaching him not to panic while I am gone. I call him my special needs dog because he is like the students I teach. Buddy is learning quickly, but the is a lot of "practice" involved, leaving the house and coming back. If you adopt Buddy, you may need to be prepared to practice for a few weeks until he is comfortable in your house.

Buddy does not like to be in a crate. He was formerly an outdoor dog and likes space, not confinement. Don't let Buddy's needs scare you. He will be very loyal and will protect you, but if you ask him to stop it, he will.

Buddy

Updates

Thursday, August 18, 2005

It has been about three weeks and Buddy has come a long way. He is learning to trust again. He seems to know that I am always going to be coming back. I left him at doggie day care one day and the teacher said that he always wanted to be able to see her or else he would panic. I think that it will take time with her, like it did for me.

Buddy is kenneled when I am gone and he has not drooled or chewed his kennel for a whole week during my absences (2-4 hours at most). I do need to drag him into the kennel and bribe him with treats, but once he realizes that the kennel is inevitable, he goes in. He never is resentful afterwards either, so I don't feel guilty about putting him in. Eventually, I think that he will be able to graduate to full run of the house. Buddy does ok hanging out in the backyard by himself. I do tie him up though because he has jumped my three foot fence.

MUST READ POSITIVES: Buddy does not jump on people or beg for food. My own selfish little Buddy is always counter surfing and begging at the table (my fault, I know). Buddy, the foster, does not even seem to notice if I am cooking or sitting down at the table to eat. Buddy interacted well with children at the Petco event on Sunday in Richfield (there were a few dogs whom he did not like, however).

Buddy lets me treat him like a big teddy bear. He likes to nuzzle his head into my lap and then I wrap my arms and legs around him to give him a big hug. He seems to enjoy this, since he has been waking me up in the morning so he can get his hug. Here is Buddy being mellow and sweet in my office, of course he is not helping me get my work done, but as they say, there are no perfect dogs :)

Friday, August 12, 2005

I have learned some new things about Buddy - good and "needs work". Buddy does not object to being groomed and having his nails clipped. The girl at Petco said that he was a very good boy! I also learned that Buddy does not mind taking pills; he took two herbal stress relievers with peanut butter very well. Buddy also took a trip to "It's a Dog's Life", a doggy daycare in Minneapolis. He was well-behaved and he followed the teacher's directions. Apparently this daycare gives half-price on Mondays and Fridays to foster dogs. Buddy will be going on Monday to spend the whole day!

Needs work: Buddy can jump over my three foot fence and he will escape if he is not monitored. He likes to leave in the early evening and take himself out on a walk while I am trying to get dinner together. If you catch Buddy leaving, he will come back, proud of himself that he figured out how to get out. I have been putting Buddy on a chain while he is outside alone and he does not seem to mind. He swims and plays with his foster brother. When Buddy gets tangled, he just retraces his steps. Buddy does not seem to mind spending all his time indoors though, and he will be happy wherever his owner is happy!

Friday, July 15, 2005

Buddy is so happy to know that summer school is finished, and that we really do have 'summer off' now. Yea! No more of our setting the alarm for too early! As you can see, Buddy is already enjoying his summer fun. Dunking the tennis ball in the kiddie pool is among his favorite things to do!!

Saturday, July 9, 2005

Buddy had a lot of fun at the RAGOM Education Event in Burnsville! He's a great Ambassador for our organization. His favorite new friend may be Clifford, the Big Red Dog, but he also became good buddies with the K-9 Officer who was part of the "Rally For Rescue" event. Buddy definitely doesn't respond poorly to uniforms! I wonder if he'll bark at the mail carrier?! He had a very neutral response to the kitties who were present, so we know he's feline compatible!

Saturday, July 2, 2005

Buddy's coat has become smooth and shiny as a result of improved nutrition and the Fish Oil supplement - Yea! He's also put on several pounds. Again a big Yea for Buddy! He loves to go visiting and having doggie play dates, and he's a great car rider! Buddy also has house manners, doesn't dribble from the water bowl when drinking, and sits politely on the designated doggie sofa! He's handsome, gentle, and will be a wonderful all-around friend and companion for some lucky household! Buddy is thinking that he's about ready to begin looking for his permanent family...so don't be surprised if you get a call about meeting him :)

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Buddy has taken the scenic route via Iowa and Wisconsin on his way to RAGOM in the Twin Cities. He was hosted by the W family near DuBuque for several weeks prior to being transported to Richfield, after having overnighted in Wisconsin. There are so many dogs in need of foster homes at this time that sweet Buddy is being boarded overnight. He looks forward to my arrival to go for a walk, a ride, visiting other RAGOM volunteers and their resident and foster dogs, and to coming home with me for play, relaxation, or sometimes even a nap! I personally have two foster dogs at home plus my resident two so regretfully, there's truly not room at this Inn. Those details aside, he's settling in here in the south metro area, getting into the routine, and continuing to learn, as his desire to please is very strong. If he greets you in a sort of 'wollybully' fashion, all it takes is asking him "Who's my good boy?" for him to remind himself of his manners and that HE'S our good boy. He likes having "good boy" as part of his name and reputation :) His coat, although fluffy, is very dry so I've started him on Fish Oil capsules as a sort of boost, and under all the fluff, we're working on covering up those ribs a bit more! The heat has somewhat curtailed our outdoor exercise, but he seems quite happy to enjoy the coolness of central air whether at home or on a car ride!

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Buddy rode the 4 and 1/2 hours back to the Cities in the Tahoe without a problem. Occasionally he asked Nancy if he could share the front seat with her, but after several "no"s from her and "wrong"s from me, he settled for face and chest scratches from Nancy and either sat or laid down until the next pick-up or RV went by - and counted every one! He looked out the back hatch and then the side window to see if he knew the occupants. He hasn't told me his final tally for the day, but there were quite a few. He basically ignored Mike, the complacent resident dog, but they did take turns on who got the most coveted spot in the car- the valley between the back seats. No growling, altercations of any kind, or body slams. Just - first come first served.

When we got home, the boys did their duty, had supper, and went for three walks. Buddy found out what "drop offs" are all about when the water is high, but I reeled him back in my direction with the flexi-leash. He promptly went back to wade in the river and you could see the little wheels turning in his brain- how far can I go before the baptism happens? We drip dried another several blocks and he was ready to try it again. I, however, was not.

Buddy is strong and headstrong, but he wants love and attention. He has a beautiful big head, and needs to put on some weight. He did great in the house, no marking, and even initiated some play this morning.

I wonder how many pickups and RVs there were in 300 miles of Iowa to Minnesota roads yesterday? Buddy, the observant, can tell you! Once you speak his language! He is sweet and is ready to learn anything you tell him. I told him he needed to sit before we would go out the door, and after he processed it, he agreed, sat and we took our walk. He has not been aggressive with any people. Buddy needs a chance to improve, and if you are ready to do some consistent puppy-type dog training, I guarantee you great results with Buddy. He is a sponge, waiting for more consistency and structure in his life! He is still very full of energy, so needs someone committed to spending the time necessary with him. He will give you kisses or a paw at will.

Thanks to Angela W and family for helping him graduate from the "wild man" stage into a malleable, trainable dog.

More pictures to come.