Dewey 06-03-003

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Profile

2/15/06: This introduction to Dewey is a little late, but it has given me a good chance to get to know him. Dewey first showed his face as Eddie (http://www.ragom.org/updates/eddie03003.htm) the little puppy that was part Golden and part Lab. Well, I think his Mom might have been withholding a secret relationship from all those concerned. Little Eddie is now huge Dewey, that I would not mistake for a Golden unless I was going by behavior only. Dewey weighs a hefty 110 lbs. His head weighs probably 1/3 of that. He is a little over three years old. A general description of him would be a Yellow Lab, but he is for sure mixed with other things. Once we get him on the Jerry Springer show with his Mom, we might be able to get the identity of the father within 99.9% accuracy. Without that, his heritage is a mystery.

Dewey has been a lover from the second he set foot in my house. His bed lays right next to mine and he sleeps there, unless he can sneak into bed with me before the other dogs claim all of the available spots for the night. One night he slept with his head on my back the entire night. He is like my little yellow shadow, too. He likes to keep track of me and loves the random pets he gets. It's hard to not pet him though because he is always right there. He's good about sitting down and hanging out though when I am finished petting him. He has ignored the cat and gets along with the other dogs in the house. One day I came home to find my male dog's tags off his collar and on the floor and Dewey had a little cut on his face. Ever since then, there has been no posturing between him and my male. So, I assume they settled the score on that day. I have no idea who won, but it's working for them and that's all that matters.

Healthwise, Dewey has some hip problems. We took x-rays and the vet feels that with a weight loss of 15-20 lbs, he should feel better and his hips should do well. They are not at the point where any surgery is indicated. Dewey also came in with allergies. It's not entirely clear what his allergies are from, but I've noticed more scratching when he doesn't have a bone to chew on. I gave him a nice soothing bath which he tolerated, but didn't notice a huge change in how much he was scratching. He also came in with reports of eating something like 17 beds so far. I've seen him with his beds and, well, lets just say he REALLY loves his beds. That includes some love nips and one love nip leads to a bite and pretty soon you've eaten your bed. He does seem to be easily distracted when he is biting his bed though and likes to have alternatives to chew on. I rarely see him without a chew of some sort.

Dewey also whines, which looks really dorky coming out of a horse, but, nonetheless, sweet little Dewey is kind of sensitive. This is good because he listens to me and really wants to please. This is also bad because he whines when he wants something and sometimes it's just not right that a big strapping fella like him sounds like a little squeaky dog :) No offense to you little squeaky dogs reading this right now. I'm sure you're wonderful, too. I have found that whining is usually with a purpose, such as wanting to go out or wanting water or wanting to be petted, or sometimes just to say hello.

I have been having some issues with my camera, so no pictures yet, but Dewey will be manning (dogging?) the RAGOM booth at the Twin Cities Pet EXPO on Saturday from 3:30-7:00 if you want to stop by and meet him.

I think the best home would be one that is committed to his weight loss and then maintaining that loss. A home that either has no dogs or enough hands to give Dewey all of the love he wants and deserves. A home that has children who are old enough to know how to set boundaries for large whining dogs and be respectful in their interactions with the dog. Basically, a dog savvy house. He is not the typical Golden by any means, but for sure has the "Velcro dog" behavior down pat. Due to his size and young age, he will continue to need guidance and reinforcement of the good skills he has built up to now.

At a Glance #06-03-003

Breed not specified Born: March 2004
Male Weight not specified

Status: Adopted

Profile

2/15/06: This introduction to Dewey is a little late, but it has given me a good chance to get to know him. Dewey first showed his face as Eddie (http://www.ragom.org/updates/eddie03003.htm) the little puppy that was part Golden and part Lab. Well, I think his Mom might have been withholding a secret relationship from all those concerned. Little Eddie is now huge Dewey, that I would not mistake for a Golden unless I was going by behavior only. Dewey weighs a hefty 110 lbs. His head weighs probably 1/3 of that. He is a little over three years old. A general description of him would be a Yellow Lab, but he is for sure mixed with other things. Once we get him on the Jerry Springer show with his Mom, we might be able to get the identity of the father within 99.9% accuracy. Without that, his heritage is a mystery.

Dewey has been a lover from the second he set foot in my house. His bed lays right next to mine and he sleeps there, unless he can sneak into bed with me before the other dogs claim all of the available spots for the night. One night he slept with his head on my back the entire night. He is like my little yellow shadow, too. He likes to keep track of me and loves the random pets he gets. It's hard to not pet him though because he is always right there. He's good about sitting down and hanging out though when I am finished petting him. He has ignored the cat and gets along with the other dogs in the house. One day I came home to find my male dog's tags off his collar and on the floor and Dewey had a little cut on his face. Ever since then, there has been no posturing between him and my male. So, I assume they settled the score on that day. I have no idea who won, but it's working for them and that's all that matters.

Healthwise, Dewey has some hip problems. We took x-rays and the vet feels that with a weight loss of 15-20 lbs, he should feel better and his hips should do well. They are not at the point where any surgery is indicated. Dewey also came in with allergies. It's not entirely clear what his allergies are from, but I've noticed more scratching when he doesn't have a bone to chew on. I gave him a nice soothing bath which he tolerated, but didn't notice a huge change in how much he was scratching. He also came in with reports of eating something like 17 beds so far. I've seen him with his beds and, well, lets just say he REALLY loves his beds. That includes some love nips and one love nip leads to a bite and pretty soon you've eaten your bed. He does seem to be easily distracted when he is biting his bed though and likes to have alternatives to chew on. I rarely see him without a chew of some sort.

Dewey also whines, which looks really dorky coming out of a horse, but, nonetheless, sweet little Dewey is kind of sensitive. This is good because he listens to me and really wants to please. This is also bad because he whines when he wants something and sometimes it's just not right that a big strapping fella like him sounds like a little squeaky dog :) No offense to you little squeaky dogs reading this right now. I'm sure you're wonderful, too. I have found that whining is usually with a purpose, such as wanting to go out or wanting water or wanting to be petted, or sometimes just to say hello.

I have been having some issues with my camera, so no pictures yet, but Dewey will be manning (dogging?) the RAGOM booth at the Twin Cities Pet EXPO on Saturday from 3:30-7:00 if you want to stop by and meet him.

I think the best home would be one that is committed to his weight loss and then maintaining that loss. A home that either has no dogs or enough hands to give Dewey all of the love he wants and deserves. A home that has children who are old enough to know how to set boundaries for large whining dogs and be respectful in their interactions with the dog. Basically, a dog savvy house. He is not the typical Golden by any means, but for sure has the "Velcro dog" behavior down pat. Due to his size and young age, he will continue to need guidance and reinforcement of the good skills he has built up to now.

Updates

Friday, May 12, 2006

Hi everyone reading this. This is Dewey. I am going to try to write this before my foster mom gets home or my foster brother kicks me off the computer.

First, I want to say that I really love my foster family. I couldn't be happier in another foster home. But that's all they are to me - a foster home. I want my own home. I want my own humans. I want my own bed. I want my own routine. I want my own future. I want my own place in life.

When I was a puppy, everyone liked me and wanted me. People were scrambling to adopt me and bring me home. Then, I grew up. I grew big. I grew boring, I guess. If only I could have stayed that cute little puppy forever maybe I would have a home. I don't think I did anything wrong. I know I heard something about wanting to spend too much time with the kids and that my ears made noises when I shook my head and that was bothersome. With my allergies under control, I hardly shake my head, at least no more than any other dog in the house. And, as far as always wanting to be with kids, I guess that's a habit that will be hard for me to break.

My foster Mom put me in a flat collar as soon as I got to her house. I came in with a pinch collar on. Those can be used as training aids, but should not be used as a primary collar. So, someone must not have liked something about me if they had me in a pinch collar all the time. Have you ever had someone grab your collar when it was a pinch collar? Well, it makes a grown dog yelp. I do well with a flat collar. When Mom needs to grab it for any reason, I don't fight it, I go where she's guiding me. Although, that happens rarely.

I really can't think of anything else wrong with me. Of course, I know I need to go on a diet, but have you ever tried to diet when you were depressed? It's pretty tough. All I want to do is sit around and daydream about finding my own place in the world.

I know someone out there reading this wants a loyal, sweet, "cute as pie", able to take anywhere dog to be their best friend, right?

Please contact RAGOM to meet me, I'll be waiting.

Love, Dewey

P.S. This is me as a puppy.......I'm still the same guy, only now I am better trained!

Dewey as a puppyDewey does PetCo

Friday, March 24, 2006

Dewey continues to be a wonderful house guest. We've had a Rat Terrier join us unexpectedly and Dewey is so good with him. This little pup has had some major trauma happen to him recently and is a little neurotic at my house. He tries to guard me when I am in the bathroom. Dewey is so good that if he wants to be near me, he ignores the evil barking of the rat and just walks in and lays down next to both of us without giving it a second thought.

I can always count on a bit of love and kisses from Dewey, even when things seem to be going all wrong. Dewey could be the poster child for the saying "man's best friend". I know my own dogs would be horrified, but if I had found Dewey first, I would have looked no further. He is so sweet and gentle. I still need to remind him on occasion to be gentle when taking treats, but then when he does, it's so cute to see his big ol' mouth taking tiny little baby bites.

Dewey is one big snuggle-bug that is looking for his perfect, forever home. Please contact RAGOM if you are interested in learning more about him!

Hounds resting

Friday, March 10, 2006

The family who adopts Dewey will be envied by me for sure. I can't tell you how much I love this guy.

He has been taking the Rimadyl, which seems to have really helped his hips. So, now he feels good enough to move so that he can exercise in order to lose that weight! I am going to start experimenting with food to see if that is the source of his allergies, although he has not been doing much scratching lately.

After extensive polling of people about what they think Dewey is mixed with, we feel pretty comfortable saying he may be a Pit Bull mix. Traditionally these dogs have gotten a bad wrap, but I know there are people out there who understand and appreciate them for their good qualities. I wanted to be clear with all who are looking at Dewey that there may be a mix in him that does not match what most people are looking for in a Golden. On the other hand, I am hoping that it may draw someone to him who loves the Bullie breeds and can give him the best ever home.

Dewey has been an angel in the house, although he is almost finished with his current bed. I think I might just start sewing it together, as he has not shredded it, just torn some holes in it. He has started sleeping with me regularly and likes to sleep with his head on my pillow and is even happier if my arm is around him.

He continues to sing, especially if I start it. I am wondering though if he is telling me something about my singing. At any rate, until he is a little more clear, I will assume that he is singing with me instead of against me.

If you feel you can handle a dog with the heart the size of a Buick, please contact RAGOM to talk about Dewey. He makes regular trips with me to the Cities, so don't let the fact that he's in Rochester discourage you. I guarantee, you cannot find a more loving, happy dog. Well, OK, maybe a couple, but he ranks right up there!

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Here are a few pics of Dewey hanging out at the Pet Expo yesterday.

Dewey trying out the red boneDewey and Casey 05-438 enjoying attentionAh....you're sitting on MY mom