Already July, hot, and our boy is doing better each week. This is high allergy time so we started Benedril which is really helping him. The scar on his left hip is almost gone and you can hardly see it anymore! Cisco is getting more and more friendly and affectionate. Cisco continues to listen very well. He really loves his daily walks, long ones, with Maggie, our border collie mix. He knows now when we go, waits to get his harness on and we are off! He is great to walk and he is in better shape all the time. We go about 2 miles a day and he has no problem doing that. We have even had dogs who have gotten loose from their owner run up and he still has great manners. Excited but again, listens very good. Does not jump up or ever any aggressions seen in any form.

Today we had our long ‘brushing session’ again… wow for the hair---all of them! Whew. It is so cute with him … you brush him good, then he runs a few laps, call him back, and do it again……it is a real hoot to watch this big guy run laps so we are both totally entertained! (Add an ice cube and we are a happy camper!) Then he comes back for more. As with almost all goldens, he loves it.

Cisco continues to be so well behaved and well rounded. He enjoys people, cats sleeping by him, barking with the other crew when someone walks by……(geez……) You would think they would all remember the SAME people and dogs walk by! It only lasts about a minute and when called back to be quiet and come, he does (they all do) without question.

He is such a joy to have around and a golden anyone would love to have in their family. Here is a great boy who gets along with kids, adults, other dogs, cats and just about anything we can toss at him. He is 110% better because he is on thyroid medication, which is so simple and easily diagnosed and has helped so much for him! Too bad he was not on it a long time ago. Cisco will come and lay by us on his blanket on the floor………and move around when he gets too warm. Of course free roam of the house. But, if you ask him to ‘come up and snuggle’ for a while, he is very eager to oblige! Better have a King Bed for that! Wow, a lover tank! Cisco always enjoys his rides in the truck, any place you want to go! Just so he can go bye-bye.

Cisco, like the rest of the crew, really likes to ‘watch me’ vacuum………so what’s with that? Dang……….oh well! Yeah, then he ‘finally’ moves when I have to clean his area! So generous of him to move! Sort of like, clean and let me get back to my spot. So funny. This is one great golden boy! We are very lucky to foster him!

Mr. Big is doing super. Cisco is now neutered and had the mass removal (fatty tumor) on his left hip removed; ears cleaned out real good (they were real yeasty when we got him); blood work and the whole check up thing! The surgery went very good. Cisco has even lost 8 pounds since he has been here (good diet helps!). He is down to 91#. Cisco is on thyroid medication which he takes great and I am sure that is helping the growth on his right front foreleg go down and the skin yeasts he was having too. This medication is probably something he should have been on years ago. The mass removal was just a fatty tumor and will be fine. Stitches to come out in about a week now. He is now on his way to great health with proper vet care and diet and exercise. He has been SO GOOD about no licking the ‘sites’ from the surgery. He ‘listens’ so good now to ‘don’t lick!’ He lets me spray the sites from being shaved, and stitches and just a great boy about the whole thing. He is just doing so wonderfully behaviorally and health wise now and I am so GLAD that RAGOM has him in the program!

Cisco is going to make someone quite the great companion, partner, and best friend. Cisco continues to get along with the entire pack, with other visitors, and children. Such a well rounded, mellow great dog! Especially considering after 7 years in the same household gets moved into transport, our home and all of its furry friends, new experiences, vetting, walks, territory, food and schedule. Oh yes, and a lot more loving! It amazes me how adaptable these goldens can be; so forgiving; so loving and so understanding. Did I mention he is an awesome golden?

He is already missing his daily walks which of course now, we cannot do because of his recent surgery. That big blocky head, soft brown eyes, very soft clean coat………ahh……what a boy! To foster such a great, lovely, warm and big golden, is great. If you are looking for a wonderful big well-behaved golden………have I got a golden for you!

Cisco is a big ‘gentle giant!’ What a good boy.

First let us cover his initial vet visit: Cisco is obviously big, 96.6# to be exact! So yep, a diet is in order and he is on very good food here (for weight control and age along with my other resident dogs). He was a perfect gentleman at the vet office with staff and all other pets in the office. Cisco has a small eye infection in his right eye (conjunctivitis) and is on an eye cream 2X a day to take care of that. He has yeast in ears and drops for that (real common of course). He has yeasty spots on his body too (under front forelegs and chest and some back under groin) and is on a spray for that now. Cisco has a growth on his right front knee (see pics) and this is non-threatening and is basically from years of licking and non-care. It is the opinion at this time it is too big for removal and could have been taken care of a long time ago. Since he has been here, he has not licked it. Cisco has a growth on his left hip (dermal mass) which can be removed. This too is the size of a grapefruit and has been there for quite some time. This can be done at the same time as the neuter. We also ran a blood panel and he is hypothyroid and has been put on meds for this 2X a day. This too, was probably discovered a long time ago but no medication was ever given. This medication will definitely help with the yeast infections, weight, and all around make him feel better. Cisco has had frontline and heartworm (he is negative) and is microchipped.

So there are all the medicals. In a short time most of it should all be fine with the medications and care! What is now needed is the mass removal and neuter.

Cisco has been wonderful through all of this. Takes things in stride and super good behaviors with getting his treatments. It is almost like “hey, I want to feel better!” And yes, he will. Cisco does absolutely fine with our three resident cats and all is fine with them. He does great with the resident dogs too and yes, really likes my female golden! Oh yeah. He is mindful of his ‘place’ in the pecking order and is fine with it. He is not a chewer or a high demand boy whatsoever. He lets you know when he wants to go outside and really likes walking around the back yard (fenced). I do think he is one of those dogs who would definitely stay around your yard/home too. He is more than happy to be inside with humans and furbutts and hang out. I have heard him bark maybe a couple times when he thought he was getting left outside…! He sits up like a ‘lion’ and just enjoys life now. He is just such a great boy. He is not real clingy but likes to be in the same area/room as you are. Very responsive to play and calling him and of course, the petting thing! Brushing is an added bonus! Loves it. There are no aggressions of any kind with this big boy. Again, he is truly a gentle giant.

Kids and grandkids have been over and you can do just about anything to him with petting, touching, playing… just fine! He definitely comes when you call him. A great surprise is: He really walks great! I do have a harness big enough for his large frame and big chest, and he can walk easy 2-3 miles and not be winded much at all! There is NOT a lot of stop, sniff, pee or anything, just hey, let’s walk and enjoy……..considering his size and inactivity, I was pleasantly surprised! Cisco really likes to do the walks. He loves car rides too….you just have to get him ‘up in the car’! Again, he just enjoys the ride! Cisco is an all around super babe who is going to make someone a terrific, gentle, kind, loving addition to a family. Again, the medicals on him will clear up in a short time and he is going to be so happy to feel better! Get some pounds off and good to go. I believe he also likes the water, but where we are, there are no close by lakes to go to.

Cisco deserves so much and again, it is so sad this is due to no follow up medical care and everything has gone on for so long……..poor guy. Sure must not have felt good either. Well, he does NOW. Cisco has the most beautiful big blocky head and dark red coat, and he is not that tall, just stocky build……and just an awesome lovely personality!!!

This is a long first update but there was a lot to cover. It will be good to get surgery out of the way next week and he should be in real good shape…..This is a boy who can fit I think just about anywhere………wow, what a great “giant!” A delight to foster! More notes to come!