We can’t get enough of this silly boy! His personality is 100% lovable Golden. He is a first-rate cuddler, and is extra-good right now because the fur that would normally insulate him isn’t there! That means he feels like an extra-large warming bottle when he is curled up with us. What a treat! He does sleep in bed with us, but we figure with 95 pounds of dog already hogging the bed, what’s another 50? He also snuggles up for TV time!

He loves to play, and is working on what to do with toys after he retrieves them. It’s pretty tempting to just lay down and play a little instead of bringing it back for another throw. He especially loves other dogs. He’ll tug, wrestle, and has a great time playing chase in the yard with his new pal, former RAGOM girl Tessa 10-172. Earlier this week we visited a puppy who is being trained as a service dog by a RAGOM volunteer. It was so funny to watch them race around and chase each other!

Gabe does need a little work on his manners, but many of his issues are related to puppy enthusiasm and will resolve with some time and effort. He is trying hard to learn to wait for his dinner and doing a great job. He has to sit while I put it on the floor, and then wait until I give the ok. Good job Gabe! He is also learning to sit when someone has food rather than getting up close and personal. He still needs work on jumping up (I just want to be close to you!), walking on a flat leash (squirrel!), and the finishing touches on his potty training. He was almost fully trained at his previous foster and had a little backslide when he moved… Totally expected in a dog this age.

In terms of eating things, like many Goldens he loves to carry stuff in his mouth, but he will easily and gently surrender things when he picks up an item that doesn’t belong to him. He doesn’t bother things that aren’t on the floor and he hasn’t been destructive of anything significant (just the occasional Nerf dart that finds its way into his territory).

He has free roam when we are home and at night (except for the kids rooms which both resemble the ruins of a Lego factory explosion). When we leave he goes into the crate after a treat and settles down nicely.

We are thrilled to have this kiddo with us!

Wow... have you seen that I have some Christmas Sponsors? Thank you Skye and Scout, Kathy and Jeff M., and the loving humans of a special golden named Max!!! What wonderful people there are in the world!!

I am doing just great! A nice Ragom lady made me some special coats to keep me warm in the cold weather and they work great! Pics to follow. Speaking of cold weather, I really didn't know WHAT to think of this white stuff called SNOW!!! FM laughed at me cause I was kind of scared and didn't like the coldness on my feet!! But I am getting the hang of it finally thanks to my little buddy, Ovie. He showed me that it could be lots of fun to chase each other and frolic in it! Sometimes we get carried away and get in trouble as we don't get our "business" done!! LOL

I am so ready to get into my forever home! Don't let my lack of hair scare you!! The Dr.'s say that there is nothing wrong with me...... and the hair on my back seems to be coming back in. Or else the hair I have is getting longer and covering up my bare spot! Either way..... I am quite a catch for someone.

FM says I have some food issues cause I really gobble my food down fast. Too fast sometimes and it comes back up!! So, she started putting my food in a cupcake pan to slow me down. It works but seems kind of silly to me.

As you can see in the pics, I get along with dogs and cats! I try to play with the cat but she doesn't really appreciate it. I think it is fun to put my foot on her head or hold her down by the neck but she doesn't see it that way. Fuddy duddy!!! Lucky for me she got her "sharp toenails" taken care of last week cause they hurt!!

And did I tell you I went to the vet and got neutered??? Yeah, that wasn't much fun but I took it like a trooper!! Didn't slow me down at all!! I was back wrestling with my little friend right away!

I also started sleeping on the bed at night!!! I used to be scared of it but now I think it is ALL RIGHT!! The only accidents I have had in the house were after my surgery and I think it was the pain med that made me have them. Since I have been off them, I have not had any. FM said I was a good boy cause I did it on the tile floor and not the carpet.

So, if you think Santa should bring you a special little boy to keep your lap warm or maybe be your personal furnace at bed time, please contact RAGOM and let's talk!!! I am patiently waiting for you!!!!

Gabe is resting tonight.  He had his neuter yesterday, and came home today.  He was one happy boy to get back home!!  As you can see in the pictures, he has settled right into the family.  He has become quite a lap dog and a daddy's boy!!

Also in the pictures you will see what our little guy ingested one morning before we got up.  My husband's metal watch band!!!  We took him to the vet immediately, and they took an x-ray revealing a stomach full!!  Not only the watch band but a rock, some sticks and string!!!  They opted to avoid surgery and instead make him throw up his "treasures".  He has to be watched when outside as he loves to pick up rocks and such!!

He had a follow up visit to Ames last week, and they are still not sure about his hair loss.  They can find nothing wrong with his skin, and the Dr.said that it could also be a genetic issue.  They said that he doesn't need anything special for his skin, but a bath every couple weeks would be good for him.  It appears that the hair on his back is starting to come in a little, but not on his head or stomach.  With no undercoat, his adoptive parents will have to be very careful when Gabe is in the elements.  This would be in the cold and as well as the sun!!

He has been playing the past few days with our son's 4 month old Golden puppy and it never stops!!  They run and wrestle for HOURS on end!  A fur brother or sister is a MUST for this little boy!!

He continues to be a wonderful foster and will be a great addition to someone's family.  Please call placement if you are interested in learning more about Gabe!!