6/28/06: Chili Clint has had a big, big week! Last Monday, he wandered onto a farm of a good Samaritan. He is thought to be a 9-10 year old, neutered male Golden, who has a slight limp. They reported that he was very good with kids aged 3-10 years, knows some basic commands, and acts like he was previously a house dog (although he wasn't allowed into the good Samaritan's house). Was a bit "bossy" with the resident dogs and chased cats (but did not hurt them).
RAGOM was contacted, and we arranged to pick up Chili Clint on Wednesday evening from a vet's office. Actually, his name in and of itself is a sweet story... He was assigned the name of "Clint" when he was at the vet waiting for his RAGOM foster to pick him up. Meanwhile, the clinic had to help another Golden cross the Rainbow Bridge whose name was "Chili", and his family wanted to donate his large bottle of arthritis medication for use with RAGOM dogs. SO, the vet techs at the clinic contacted RAGOM and asked if it was possible to re-name "Clint" to "Chili", in honor of the Golden who crossed the Rainbow Bridge the same day that he came into RAGOM's care. So, now Chili Clint has two new names, a new foster home, medication to help his arthritic leg, and gets to be an inside-dog for the rest of his life! How GReat is that?!?
Chili has met many, many new people today, been poked and prodded, had multiple car rides, multiple beds, and is quite scared and confused right now, but still very sweet. I picked him up after work tonight and brought him home; he was a perfect gentleman in the car and laid down in the back seat and slept most of the way. We got home and I allowed my "herd" out of the house to potty while Chili patiently waited in the car and didn't make a sound (my dogs didn't even suspect there was "another" amongst us; ha!). Once everyone was settled I let the herd back in the house and then let Chili out of the car and showed him around. He is very good on a leash and doesn't pull. He did his business and I brought him in the house to meet everyone. Naturally, he was quite overwhelmed but I quickly brought him to a quieter part of the house where he could "chill" for awhile. No whining, no barking, nothing - Chili has been quite the perfect house guest and is slowly warming up to me. I'm not sure if he is housetrained at this point, and my RAGOM kennel is occupied by Lou at the moment, so Chili is in my master bath with a night-light, bowl of water, and warm blanket. I sat in there with Chili for awhile, and oh, he is soooo sweet! Just the little things that RAGOM has done for him today is clearly appreciated by Chili. That's the GReat thing about Seniors; they take what little love you offer and say "Thank You" without asking for any more.
Anyway, I will be keeping Chili over the 4th of July weekend and taking him back to the vet on Monday. He has a very painful broken tooth that needs to be pulled, the standard ear infections (already being treated), and still needs to donate a stool sample to check for worms. Otherwise, Chili has been updated on his vaccinations, microchipped, and will be good-to-go to a lucky family looking for a kind-hearted, mellow Senior Golden. Chili has been through a lot this week (especially today!), and with him being so good with me right now I can't imagine what he'll be like when he settles in with a loving family for the rest of his life. He has a LOT of Golden Love to give.