Copper 09-053

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Sponsored by: Susannah Charleson 

This sweet boy is Copper.  He is an 8-year-old 60 pound male Golden Retriever currently residing here in Ham Lake, MN.  He has been neutered, is all update-to-date on shots, and had a senior blood screen that returned all normal results.  He has extremely infected ears, and wound up having to get an injection of antibiotics, and 2 topical A/B's to go into his ears.  The vet tech helped me clean his ears and he just groaned the whole time.  His right ear is worse than the left, and I can barely get my finger down his ear to clean it, it is so swollen.  It might take a while to clear his ears up.  Poor guy.

Copper came from a Michigan shelter where he was to be put to sleep on Feb. 3rd. (no one wanted him due to his age).  His surrendering owners were forced to give him up due to neighbors threatening them with a summons because they let him roam free and chase the UPS truck.  When the surrendering owners brought him in to the shelter, they said he was aggressive to cats and dogs.  The shelter reported to RAGOM that they never saw aggression towards animals while he was at the shelter. The day before he was to be transported to me, he reportedly barked wildly at the shelter owner's 7-year-old boy.  She had the boy walk away, and Copper stopped barking.  Then she had the boy return, and he started up again.  This was while he was behind bars.  I was contacted and asked if I still wanted him since he reportedly now had aggressions towards kids, cats, and dogs.  I spoke to RAGOM, and since he did not have any bite history, and barking isn't considered aggression, we decided to give him a chance.

All I can say is, thank God RAGOM gave this boy a chance to prove himself!  We have 2 kids (6 and 9), 2 cats, and 2 dogs (females). Copper came into our home after very slow introductions to all 3 "aggressions", and has been an absolute angel.  Not one lip curl.  My 20 pound Cocker Spaniel will growl at him (because he wants to sniff her), and he'll back off as if to say, "What?!?, I just wanted to sniff you!"  He has greeted dogs at the vet with sniffs and tail wags.  He nudges the kids' arms for pats and scritches.  One of the cats has bumped heads with him.  Every now and then, he wants to chase the cats, but all I have to do is say "No", or "Aah" and he stops.  We haven't had him meet a male dog yet, but we'll arrange that with one of the neighbors soon.  He is house-trained, walks OK on flat collar, and walks great on a Gentle Leader.  Loves to ride in the truck (his nose prints are all over my windows!).  He is a great snuggler, but likes to sleep on the floor at night by my side of the bed (I think he gets too hot to sleep up on the bed).  He is such a great boy and has shown 0% aggression.  Last night, he disappeared, so I went upstairs looking for him, and he was curled up in bed with my 9-year-old daughter.  This is a wonderful senior boy who is looking for a great new home.  Please let placement know if you would like to meet this sweet guy!

At a Glance #09-053

Golden Retriever Born: January 2001
Male 65 lbs

Status: Deceased

Profile

Sponsored by: Susannah Charleson 

This sweet boy is Copper.  He is an 8-year-old 60 pound male Golden Retriever currently residing here in Ham Lake, MN.  He has been neutered, is all update-to-date on shots, and had a senior blood screen that returned all normal results.  He has extremely infected ears, and wound up having to get an injection of antibiotics, and 2 topical A/B's to go into his ears.  The vet tech helped me clean his ears and he just groaned the whole time.  His right ear is worse than the left, and I can barely get my finger down his ear to clean it, it is so swollen.  It might take a while to clear his ears up.  Poor guy.

Copper came from a Michigan shelter where he was to be put to sleep on Feb. 3rd. (no one wanted him due to his age).  His surrendering owners were forced to give him up due to neighbors threatening them with a summons because they let him roam free and chase the UPS truck.  When the surrendering owners brought him in to the shelter, they said he was aggressive to cats and dogs.  The shelter reported to RAGOM that they never saw aggression towards animals while he was at the shelter. The day before he was to be transported to me, he reportedly barked wildly at the shelter owner's 7-year-old boy.  She had the boy walk away, and Copper stopped barking.  Then she had the boy return, and he started up again.  This was while he was behind bars.  I was contacted and asked if I still wanted him since he reportedly now had aggressions towards kids, cats, and dogs.  I spoke to RAGOM, and since he did not have any bite history, and barking isn't considered aggression, we decided to give him a chance.

All I can say is, thank God RAGOM gave this boy a chance to prove himself!  We have 2 kids (6 and 9), 2 cats, and 2 dogs (females). Copper came into our home after very slow introductions to all 3 "aggressions", and has been an absolute angel.  Not one lip curl.  My 20 pound Cocker Spaniel will growl at him (because he wants to sniff her), and he'll back off as if to say, "What?!?, I just wanted to sniff you!"  He has greeted dogs at the vet with sniffs and tail wags.  He nudges the kids' arms for pats and scritches.  One of the cats has bumped heads with him.  Every now and then, he wants to chase the cats, but all I have to do is say "No", or "Aah" and he stops.  We haven't had him meet a male dog yet, but we'll arrange that with one of the neighbors soon.  He is house-trained, walks OK on flat collar, and walks great on a Gentle Leader.  Loves to ride in the truck (his nose prints are all over my windows!).  He is a great snuggler, but likes to sleep on the floor at night by my side of the bed (I think he gets too hot to sleep up on the bed).  He is such a great boy and has shown 0% aggression.  Last night, he disappeared, so I went upstairs looking for him, and he was curled up in bed with my 9-year-old daughter.  This is a wonderful senior boy who is looking for a great new home.  Please let placement know if you would like to meet this sweet guy!

Updates

Friday, October 1, 2010

 

With heartfelt sadness we assisted Copper to cross the Rainbow Bridge September 30, 2010.

Copper was a great addition to our family when we adopted him in Nov '09. Our existing 9 year old golden -Tobi- was very excited to have a new buddie to play with as were we.

Copper began to limp in his front left leg off and on beginning in May or so. We thought that he was just overdoing it and strained something during his digging in random places out in the backyard or the mouse hunts he would go on. It progressed to the point that he wasn't walking on it at all and was losing muscle mass in that leg. With the help of our vet we decided to head to the U of M in August.

There we found out with a CT scan that he had a nerve sheath tumor that was inoperable and untreatable. The vet at the U recommended pain medicine but that Copper may have 2 months to live.

We brought our sunshine home. His spirit never failed thru the entire process. Still running on his 3 legs to tree squirrels, investigating every wood pile on a daily basis and playing bouncing around. He would have good days and he would have bad days that were unbearable for everyone. The pain that he endured I couldn't imagine. Being unable to help was heartbreaking.

Yesterday morning things changed for the worst. His left leg which is the leg that the tumor attacked first was ok - no change. But his right leg was swollen up like a balloon. Touching it made him whimper and cringe in pain. I looked at Copper and he at me and decided it was time.Since he could barely walk on either of his front legs - I carried him to the truck and off to the U we went.

Once there - again there was nothing that they could do. We said good bye to our friend as the angels called Copper home. Now having a fully functioning body and being pain free and the sun on his face across the Rainbow Bridge.

Copper, our friend and my shadow. You were quite a warrior during your illness. Really giving it everything that you had. Not letting it slow you down or dampen your spirits. We miss you muffin. You have touched our hearts and our souls. Thank you for coming to us for the time that we had together. Your presence is felt here as well as your absence.

Peace be with you Copper!

Lisa, Dale and Tobi

 

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

From Copper - in his new forever home...

Whew! Been a busy few days for me!! And today was no different!!! Havent even had time for a nap!!

After relaxing by the fire last nite and getting my sniff of the new house where I live -
enjoying a good nites rest and having to choose which bed to sleep in!!
Man this is great!!!

Ive been spending a LOT of time outside in the huge backyard with NO LEASH!!!!
This is the life!!!
My new fur buddie - Tobi - has been patient with me and is showing me all the ropes around here!!

We had breakfast together... then had coffee on the deck ...played inside for a little bit!!! That was fun!!!

Then back out side... I know there is a mouse in this woodpile!!!

Then we went for a drive to go shopping for me!!!
Ma picked up some yummy treats!! And a fire engine red expandable leash!!!
Of course I dont think I need it, but she insisted I wear it...

And then !!! Me and Tobi went a a walk together!!! That was the best!!

I am having a great time here although I do miss my friends and other fur buddies up north -
I hope that they can get some laptop time soon so I keep up with them!!

Uh oh!!! Ma is doing something in the kitchen !!
I better go soopervize and see whats for dinner!!!

Enjoy the pictures and I will write soon!!

Hugs and slobbers to everyone involved who helped me along my way here!!!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Copper went down to Rochester for a few days this weekend to visit with Grandma and Grandpa.He also attended the Leashes and Leads event on Saturday.  First of all, I would like to thank the ladies that took him to the event for me.  He was an absolute doll for them.  When I walked in to pick him up, he was surrounded by goldens and happy as can be.  I was so glad!  He really did great and did not snap at any dogs.  While I was saying hi to him, a dog was sniffing his rear end and he didn't even blink an eye!  I hope he is well behaved at the Chuck and Don's event this weekend!  You'll have to come and see what we will be dressed as for Halloween!

While we were visiting with my parents, he was laying on the floor, and my 7-year-old niece was driving cars all over him.  He just laid there and soaked it all up.  It probably felt pretty good!  She would also lay on him and give him hugs, and he would just smile the whole time.  He has never as so much as curled a lip or frozen up when a child is near, he loves them!

One funny thing happened last night, that I was unable to move fast enough for a picture.  We had finished supper, and there were leftover green beans.  The dogs know that they get the leftovers and line up waiting.  I had dished out to two bowls and Copper and our Cocker got those.  The third bowl was on the opposite side of Copper from where Lucy was standing.  She wasn't about to lose those green beans, so she stood UNDER Copper and ate her bowl.  It was hilarious!  She's 45 pounds, so there wasn't any clearance underneath him.  He just sucked his tummy in a bit to give her room.

Come see us this weekend at Chuck and Don's!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Copper had a great time at the cabin.  He swam and jumped off the dock!  He loved to roll around in the sand too.  He even joined in on the chippy hunt that seems to be going 24/7 with our 2 dogs.  They had a chippy cornered in the wood pile, and when I went over to investigate, it ran right in front of me, with 3 dogs hot on his trail!  Score 1 for the chippy, because he outsmarted them all and lived...

Copper loves to be outside, and I believe he is happiest when he's out running around (on a leash or tie-out).  He did get loose once at the cabin and took off on an adventure, but our 7-year-old son kicked it into high gear and caught him a couple of cabins down.

He continues to lick his paws, so I went and ordered a Bite-Not collar.  He is sporting it right now.  It prevents him from reaching his paws.  That should give his sores time to heal.

He is a great cuddler and constantly hops up next to me while I am typing on my laptop and almost dumps it off my lap because he shoves his head under it.  He also REALLY likes to scratch his nose on the carpet.  He'll just rub it back and forth grunting the whole time.  He also enjoys scratching his back, and then I'll shove my foot under his back and he'll really grunt and groan.  He loves any kind of attention, even my clipping his toe nails.  He'll lick my hand the whole time.

I have this morning routine where I will tell my Cocker Spaniel (Ginger) to go wake my daughter up.  Copper has joined in this routine also, and runs upstairs with Ginger and jumps on my 10-year-old's bed and gives her kisses.  She doesn't quite enjoy it, but I think it's cute.

If you are thinking you might be a fit, please come and visit Copper!  Contact your placement advisor if you are interested.  He is waiting for his family.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Copper continues to be a very good boy.  Don't let his slightly white face fool you, he is a very light-colored golden, so he looks older before his time.  He is very playful when you get down and wrestle with him.  He even chased after a tennis ball yesterday, and chewed on a bone this morning.  But I have to be by him, if I leave, he'll get up to be with me.  Needless to say, I never have to go to the bathroom alone, between my Cocker Spaniel and him, I usually have at least one pair of eyes staring at me.

His lick granulomas are getting worse.  I think he does it at night.  I have to get him the cone of shame.  When I do catch him licking, I'll say, "Copper, no licking!"  He'll look at me, his ears will go down and he gets this look in his eyes that is so cute.  He knows he's in trouble.  He does not get into much trouble though, once, when we were sleeping, he opened the kitchen cabinet door where the garbage was and made a trail throughout the first floor.  That was the only time he did it, there must have been something yummy in there calling to him!   The other thing he does, and that our own golden used to do, is take the Kleenex out of the bathroom garbage and shred it.  He'll do that while we are sleeping, or when we are gone.  We just do what we did with our dog, we put the garbage can up on the toilet!  Little stinker.

We continue to work with Copper's aggressiveness to strange dogs.  He met my neighbors little dog on leash a few days ago.  He whines to get to the dog, then has to do the "sniff", but then all of a sudden (because the other dog wants to sniff), he starts to bark/growl and go for the other dog.  He doesn't seem to bite, it seems to be more noise and open mouth than anything.  He never sets out to be aggressive, I just wonder if he reads the other dogs incorrectly.  He gets along with my dogs just fine, so he just needs work on greeting strange dogs.  I believe the more exposure to other dogs he gets, the better he will get at greetings.

Copper has heard some thunder and fireworks lately, and barely lifted an ear.  He'll have a good fireworks test after this weekend.

Copper continues to love his walks and loves to walk in the tall grasses.  In fact, he prefers to "do his big business" in the tall grasses, must like the privacy...

Copper will be coming with us up to the cabin for a whole week next week!  We'll get to see if he likes to swim, and if he likes to "chippy hunt" with my other two around the wood pile.  I'll write in after we are back on his adventures!  Have a great 4th everyone!

Here are some pictures of our Copper.  One is where he is working on a Frosty Paw, but had to jump up on the leather chair first to enjoy it...

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Copper is back in the RAGOM family through no fault of his own.  He came back in as if he had never left.

Copper is one sweet man who is looking for an active family who enjoys the outdoors.  Copper loves to take walks, especially in tall grasses.  He hops along, stopping every now and then to listen to a rustle and then pounce!

Copper seems to be battling allergies, and has a couple of lick granulomas.  I'll be taking him into the vet this week to get him checked out.

Copper is 100% housetrained, great with kids, good with my dogs (needs some work when greeting strange dogs), chases the cats every now and then, but not to hurt them.  Copper listens very well indoors.   If he is looking at a cat like he is going to give chase, I just make the noise, "Shh!", his ears go down and he looks away.  He would do great in obedience.  When we are outside, the sights and smells take over, and he kind of gets absorbed.  I walked him on a flat leash last night, and really worked with him not to pull.  By the end of the walk, I was actually able to relax, as he was staying by my side.  So if you are a family that loves to cuddle, has experience with dogs that are a little aggressive towards strange dogs and can work with him, and has a fence, then Copper is the pup for you!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Copper will be at the Brooklyn Park Petco event tomorrow (4/18) from 11-2!

 

 

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Hi all, sorry it's been so long..........

Copper went to his first PetSmart event and did great.  He absolutely loved all the attention, and would nudge for more if someone petting him would stop.  We got many compliments on how soft he is.  He has a very different fur, very thick and VERY soft.  He met all kinds of dogs and did great.  He loves to sniff thoroughly each dog he meets.  He doesn't like if the favor is returned though, but he needs to learn that if he sniffs, he needs to let the dog he's sniffing sniff back.  He didn't like when Rex the pup started to climb over his neck to play, and he told him to stop.  He seems to like male dogs that are low key and that don't come on strong.  He does great with the females. 
 
Copper even got to meet his sponsor at the event!  A picture of them is below.  Thanks again, Susannah, for all you do to help our beautiful Golden's!
 
Copper is really starting to get playful with us.  He's constantly picking up anything to have in his mouth when he wants to play.  He's even chewing on bones now and then.  Copper also cries when he hears the bus drop off our kids.  He wants to get to them and greet them.  The thought of us being "foster failures" (adopting him) sure has crossed our minds multiple times, he is such a great boy.  Please contact your placement advisor if you would like to come see him for yourselves before we keep him!


Copper and his Sponsor, Susannah

 

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Copper is doing great.  He continues to show zero aggressions. He has full roam of the house when we are gone. 

He has met a male dog on leash both outside and then inside the home.  He did really well, so I think as long as the introductions go slow, he will do fine.

Copper continues to chase the cats.  I don't believe he intends any harm, but if your cat has a weak heart, or slow run, he might not be the dog for you. 

Copper has escaped outside twice now, and has proven to us that he has ZERO recall.  The first time, he slipped out while I was letting our two residents out.  I ran out in my PJs and he just took off across the fields.  Luckily we are surrounded by sod fields, so there isn't any immediate danger of him getting hit by a car.  Just as I was getting cold and thinking I would need to call RAGOM for some backup, I started running for the house.  He must have looked back and seen me, because all of a sudden I hear him galloping behind me.  I have heard that before.  If you have a dog that is loose and will not come to you, run the opposite way and they will give chase.  Before frostbite set in, I got him in back inside.

The second time he escaped was by sneaking out the garage door when we were leaving.  It seems the more you call him, the farther away he runs.  I remembered what happened last time, so I didn't chase him.  My son and I ran back into the garage to grab the truck hoping that he would see and want to go for a ride.  As I was backing out, I saw him in my rear view.  I practically tackled him and got him back in the house.  Because of this, and the reason he was surrendered, I think he would need to go to a home with a fenced yard.  With some good boundary and recall training, I think he would begin to learn that home is where he wants to be.

He is a big love muffin, and particularly likes to drape himself across your lap and breathe his bad doggie breath in your face.  He loves to have his tummy rubbed.

I will be bringing Copper to the PetSmart event on Saturday.  Due to pending Basketball tournaments, I am not sure of the time we will be there.  I'll try and update what time when I find out for sure.

Thank you so much to his sponsor.  You have helped so many dogs in need, you are truly a blessing to RAGOM!!!