We've had the pleasure and privilege of our guest, Corey, for 7 days now.  It is very difficult for me to tell you just how sweet and kind this dog is...  It is as if he's been saving all of his love the last four years for us.  Corey is an absolute gentleman and a dream to have here...

Thank you soooo much to Meg M. for choosing to sponsor Corey.  It always amazes me to see people sponsor a dog with their own money, and more often than not, a dog they've never even met or may never meet.  It is sponsors like you Meg, that allow RAGOM to continue rescuing sweet pups like Corey and parlay them into their golden lives.  Thank you and Corey has a big kiss waiting for you!!!

Here are some new things we've discovered about him and his personality.

• We had to teach him how to go up and down stairs.  He was afraid to do so at first, as I'm guessing he may have never seen them before.  But now he goes up and down like a pro.  
• We are treating him for a double ear infection.  Some good cleaning daily with ointment and antibiotic will help clear up his ears within a week or so.  They were very dirty when he arrived, but he lets us clean them and put the drops in them with no problems at all.
• Corey was pretty fearful of our wood floors here at first.  As we've done in the past with fosters who are not comfy with the wood floors, we cover the main walk ways with carpet remnants.  This allowed him to get around until he grew more comfortable with our routine and home.  Then yesterday, my wife hosted a baby shower and we took up all the remnants.  After the shower, he has done remarkably well on the floors without the remnants and I expect this to only get better.  He will get his nails trimmed on Tuesday at the groomer and this too will help him with our floors.
• Corey is awesome with young kids.  He is a big hit with all the neighbor kids.  When I take him outside in the back yard or front yard, the kids all come running over to see him and his tail wiggles with happiness.
• Corey wags only the tip of his tail right now.  I think he is still coming out of his shell.  He has come a long way in a week's time.

Corey will be professionally groomed on Tuesday.  We can't wait to see how he looks when he returns.  I will post an update with pics on Tuesday night.  Then Corey goes in to have surgery on Wednesday morning.  He will have the tumor removed from his leg.  He will also have what the vet thinks is a cracked molar removed if it needs to be.  He will also be neutered, if the tumor removal goes well and he is not under for too long.  I will be sure to post the results of everything as soon as I know on Wednesday.

Corey does like to play fetch and brings it back most of the time.  It has been so hot out that we do not play much, but he does like toys.  In fact he likes to collect them all.  I really anticipate a silly boy coming out of his shell in the next week or so.  At times, I catch a glimpse of it in the backyard and I can't wait to see it all the time.

I took Corey for a long walk on Thursday morning.  He walks like a dream.  He stayed right by my side the whole time he never pulled.  He did get tired towards the end so I will be planning more walks with him to get his fitness up and build some muscle tone in his rear legs.

Corey has had NO accidents in the house.  He was kenneled in our kitchen over night for the first few nights, then we gave him a third bath on Friday morning and he finally does not stink anymore.  So we let him sleep in our bedroom with us since then and he does great.  He is a pretty heavy sleeper at times and I once had to gently shake him to wake him from a nap.  I did not want to startle him, just wake him.

We also left for 6 hours today to do some shopping.  We baby gated him in our main kitchen/dining area and he did great.  Then we had to leave again for a couple more hours and we gave him free roam of the main floor with our resident Lucy.  Corey did chew on a toy car of my son's so we will be sure to pick up all his toys before we leave next time.  I think he naps the entire time we are gone.   He does like his naps, and he especially likes them while laying next to me in the cool basement while I work in my office....

If you think you'd like to meet this one of kind, gentle boy then let your placement adviser know.  

Thank you for reading up on him and Thank you again for sponsoring him, Meg.   Please keep Corey in your thoughts for his surgery on Wednesday and for good results on the biopsy.

Corey and me

I often stick my tongue out just a little

Hockey Fan

We're all ready for the welcome home party Mozart.  Your family has it all planned out for when you return.... please come home...