Jaker 08-546

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Sponsored by:  Missy & Mark MacDonald 

Hi,

Jake here.  Let me introduce myself.

I'm 2 1/2 years old and simply gorgeous.  No, handsome is the right word for a male, right?

My foster mom (FM) says I'm just too pretty!  She calls me 'butterball' because I am quite a hefty boy.  In fact, the vet says I should lose about 25 pounds (I weighed in at 100)!  Fortunately the pictures of me are my best shots, and don't show the weight.

My FM and FD have been so patient with me because when I first arrived, I was really badly mannered toward my three resident furfriends.  But I went to the vet for a checkup, and they found I have 'considerable dysplasia' in my right hip and lots of pain.  No wonder I was a bit snarky trying to protect myself I guess.  I also have a swollen 'hock', whatever that is.  It's being treated with an antibiotic and anti-inflamatory, and should be okay in a few days.  We're all pals now.  There's a picture of us napping after a major league ball game.

I'm a talker.  My favorite line is "ah-woo-woo-woo-woo", usually with a ball in my mouth.  I ignore the silly white cat that lives here.  She has the weirdest bed on top of the refrigerator!   It's a basket.  Maybe FM is going to give her as a Christmas present????

I'll keep you posted!

At a Glance #08-546

Golden Retriever Born: May 2006
Male 87 lbs

Status: Deceased

Profile

Sponsored by:  Missy & Mark MacDonald 

Hi,

Jake here.  Let me introduce myself.

I'm 2 1/2 years old and simply gorgeous.  No, handsome is the right word for a male, right?

My foster mom (FM) says I'm just too pretty!  She calls me 'butterball' because I am quite a hefty boy.  In fact, the vet says I should lose about 25 pounds (I weighed in at 100)!  Fortunately the pictures of me are my best shots, and don't show the weight.

My FM and FD have been so patient with me because when I first arrived, I was really badly mannered toward my three resident furfriends.  But I went to the vet for a checkup, and they found I have 'considerable dysplasia' in my right hip and lots of pain.  No wonder I was a bit snarky trying to protect myself I guess.  I also have a swollen 'hock', whatever that is.  It's being treated with an antibiotic and anti-inflamatory, and should be okay in a few days.  We're all pals now.  There's a picture of us napping after a major league ball game.

I'm a talker.  My favorite line is "ah-woo-woo-woo-woo", usually with a ball in my mouth.  I ignore the silly white cat that lives here.  She has the weirdest bed on top of the refrigerator!   It's a basket.  Maybe FM is going to give her as a Christmas present????

I'll keep you posted!

Updates

Friday, June 26, 2009

I would like to submit a Happy Endings for Jake (Jaker) 08-546.

Can’t believe Jake’s been with me for 2 months already. He’s doing great and has adjusted quite well. It’s great to come home and have Jake greet me at the door. He’s so excited to see me his whole body wiggles. I give him lots of pets and he wraps himself around me.

When I brought Jake home, I had to show him off to all my friends because he’s so handsome. At one of our stops, he made himself at home by climbing up onto my friend's dining table to look out the window. Luckily my friend is a big dog lover too and we had a huge laugh over it. She grabbed her phone and snapped this picture.

Jake sure keeps me busy. We’ve been going to obedience classes, but Jake is so smart, he knows most of the stuff already. It’s been a fun bonding experience and I’m learning what he already knows and what we need to work on. We went up to a friend's cabin and Jake loved the water so much he didn’t want to come out! When we go to the dog park, Jake likes to find tennis balls and play fetch. We have to be careful and not over do it though because of his OCD.

I am so lucky to have Jake in my life. I look forward to many years of joy together.

Thanks,

Katy P

Friday, April 24, 2009

Hey!  Jake here.

Foster Mom is combing her hair so we can go for a walk.  She says I'm so pretty she has to get all "gussied up" to be seen with me!  Yeah, whatever FM...but it's true : ) heehee

My leg is getting better and better now.  I walk nicely on a leash - now I like to trot a little bit - it feels so good to stretch it out.  Earlier I saw a squirrel and was pretty interested in giving him a run for his money, but FM put an end to that!

Here's some more of what we've decided about me:

  • I could be an only dog or have a family of us
  • I probably will need some obedience training 'cuz I kind of like to have my own way : )  but I'm so smart I learn really fast
  • I have a really loud bark (and when I have to go outside...I use it!) - it's kind of scary for people who don't know me too!
  • This is new about me and I'll let the now, perfectly coiffed, FM tell it:

Jaker's first people were a family with two autistic boys.  We believe that when Jake should have been learning that babies and little children are fun and rascally, he was learning they are withdrawn and unpredictable.  I know this is not the experience of all ASD families, but he was surrendered to RAGOM because the parents felt no bonding had taken place and they felt it was because their kids were "different".

My neighbors have two kids under the age of 4:  when they are out, Jake looks at them and continues on; he just doesn't react.  So, at the Petco Event in Brooklyn Park, I watched very closely as little children (6 & under) approached him.  His tail didn't wag, as it did with adults & older children.  He acknowledged children and permitted babies to touch him but not with the joyful wiggling and waggling body.  He was indifferent to them. For this reason, we believe he should go to a family with children 10 or older.

We want to give a big WOOF out to Jaker's sponsors, the M&M MacD's!!  Jake is recovering nicely and the empty spots on his leg are even starting to fill in nicely.  Thanks so much for sharing your love with him.

P.S., Yippee!!!

Paws crossed...Jake has a meeting tomorrow - this could be his furever family!  We will keep you posted!

Monday, April 20, 2009

A special thanks to all who came out on Saturday to meet all of us!  It was so nice to see everyone meeting each other!  Jake was so tired afterwards he actually grabbed his pillow and put himself to bed early that night!

Jake's recovery is going well and everyday he is more anxious to prance a little more, our walks are now 10 minutes.  I watch carefully so we don't go too long or far.  Tonight he was so excited when I came home I was afraid he'd hurt himself as he leaped about.  Good to see him recovering.

The picture is Jaker relaxing...we have too many of Prince Jaker, this is Rascally Jaker.  Contact your placement advisor if you think Jake might fit into your life!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Woof! to Jaker's sponsors M & M MacDonalds!!

Last week we welcomed the strikingly handsome - and rascally - young Mr. Jaker to our home!   

During Jake's recovery, he needs a home with fewer steps and less commotion than his original foster home (3 foster bro's) could provide.  It was with sadness that FM Jane and FD Jim sent Jake to North New Brighton for the duration of his physical therapy and foster life.  Before they could send him on his way though, his new FM locked the keys in the car with Jake in it.  He was happy as a clam to be “going” and sat peacefully on the seat while we anxiously made arrangements to get back into the car!

As previous RAGOM folks have stated here, Jake is an easy-going 3 year old (in June) neutered golden. He has lost about 20 pounds and should probably lose another 15; those last 15 will come off slowly as the surgery has severely restricted his activity level for weeks.  He will probably never be a running partner.

Jaker is house-trained and you will never miss his signal to go outside. He gets along well with the cats and loves to be petted.  He met my 'non-dog-lover-family' over the weekend and they were all very impressed with Jaker.  Contact your placement adviser if you'd like to meet Jake.

More from Jaker tomorrow.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

We have spent about the last week babysitting for Jaker while his FM and FD take a little vacation. He has been wonderful and has been a joy to have.  Despite the cold and icy streets, Jaker enjoyed his walks and daily routine.  We had the chance to visit some dogs off leash and Jaker was great with all of them.  He checked them out a little and then just wanted to chase his tennis ball. He had a chance to meet a neighbor's cat and seemed to have no interest at all. The squawks from their birds, however, was a different story. At first he just wanted to find the front door but after a few minutes, and some reassurance, he was fine.  As you will see from the picture, Jaker is a big teddy bear.


Can you say, Lap Dog?

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Hi, Jaker here!

I'm having a GReat time in the snow!  I make snow angels every time I go outside - plus it really feels good on my back.   Because I'm a bit pudgy, it's hard for me to reach around and scratch my back or side with my paws.   FM is still managing my food intake, but I don't run alot and even with less food I'm not losing as much weight as they want me to.

I love playing with balls and tug-of-war with that rope toy we have.  My fur friends here let me play with them alot now. 

When my FM's friend and her golden came to visit, I ignored her pup and only wanted to 'talk' to the friend.  My FM says I love people more than dogs.  Well, I'm not sure I agree.  I like them both. 

I am 'talking' more.  I tell my FM when I want to go outside by barking at her and then I go to the outside door.  Actually, it's kind of cool because I trick her into thinking I have to 'go potty' when I just want to make snow angels.  ha ha

Jaker

PS.  I love to sleep like my FM and my FD on pillows.  I have my very own pillow which I love very much.  Maybe if I sleep like the people who love me, they'll think I'm a 'people' too - since I love them so much.  FM took this pic at 3 am while I was sleeping so she wouldn't wake me up.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Hi, Jake here!

I'm so happy because I feel much better.  The medicine my FM gave me for my swollen hock did the trick.  My vet (she's about my size) says my leg is all better and it doesn't hurt any more.  Also, I've lost a couple of pounds, and they telll me that's really good.

I've been having a great time here at my foster home.

Yesterday I took a nap cuddled up to the resident cat next to the gas fireplace.

My FM and FD love to watch me make 'snow angels' outside, but they don't know I'm just scratching my back.  Also, when my fur buddies run to the fence and bark at the two little dogs on the other side (and they are noisy), I think it's silly.  I always run with them but am totally bored with the whole idea, so I just go back to the door where my FM is standing.

I love to play with stuffed toys and tennis balls, and bring the tennis ball to my FM and FD for them to play with me.  I'm learning to let go of it because it just feels so good in my mouth that I want to keep it there, but want them to throw it at the same time.  What a choice!!!!

My FM says I have tons of energy and will just play and play.  That's natural since I'm only 2 1/2 years young.

I love my fur friends, and we all (the four of us) sleep together in the bedroom each night.  Because I'm such a big boy, I can't get on the bed.  But I make up for it snuggling on the couch with either my humans or one of my fur friends.

I still have to have my hip checked by a RAGOM special vet, so I'll keep you posted.

FM wanted me to send a couple of pics of me hangin' with my buds. I'm the big guy, don't ya know? Two of my pals were also RAGOM pups.  We're all fast friends now that my leg feels better.