Katie 09-005

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Sponsored by: Lynette and Peter Nygaard Merry Christmas to the Golden Seniors and their fosters! Merry Christmas to the Golden Seniors and their fosters from AnonymousLove from Danielle who also has epilepsy. Love from Danielle who also has epilepsy


Katie here!  Whew!  What a long ride to my new foster home.  Saturday, I started in Fargo, ND and ended up in North Liberty, IA!  So here is a little about me:  My name is Katie and I am 8 1/2 years young.  Until now, I've lived my entire life in North Dakota.  My family loved me very much but realized they could no longer give me the life they intended so they asked RAGOM to help me find a forever home!

I am up-to-date on all my shots.  If my heartworm test is negative, I will begin my heartworm and flea/tick preventative after I meet my new vet.  I have been spayed and currently weigh 95 lbs.  I guess I gained a few extra pounds over the holidays!  My color is more dark/red with a little gray on my face.  I love to ride in a car and behave very well!  

Katie's foster mom here!  Katie rode from Albert Lea to North Liberty very well.  She was calm and quiet during the entire 3+ hour drive.  She met my dog, Gracie (RAGOM golden), and my current foster, Little Bear (aka Blonde #08-426), with a definite growl and an "I don't want to be friends with you" attitude.  This is something we will work on every day under monitored conditions.  Both of my girls want very much to get to know her.  Given time, I think they will learn to live under the same roof with respect for each other and hopefully fun behaviors will develop. 

Katie has a seizure disorder and has taken Phenobarbital (very cheap) twice a day since 2007.  I did not see any x-ray work-up for the seizures in the notes I received.  All notes indicate that her seizures are well-controlled with the current dose she's been prescribed.  I will monitor her closely to see if this continues.  Katie also exhibits stiff hips.  She is slow to get up and her gait is a little slow, but she takes our short stairs well.  She needs help getting her backend up in the car and then again getting out of the car.  I did not see any x-rays of her hips in the notes.

Katie loves stuffed toys and tennis balls.  She will return but not give up the ball.  Katie's family sent her toys, dog bed, medicine, food, and snacks with her which will hopefully make moving to a new home less stressful.  Katie does have some storm anxiety and seeks a safe place or her humans when she is scared.  She dislikes gunshot noise so her family gave up the idea of training her for hunting when she was little.  Katie has only been exposed to older teenage children so her response to small children is unknown.  By the notes I was given, Katie seems to show some intolerance to small dogs, as she had an incident at the local vet's office with her owner's small dog.  During the time I've had Katie on the leash, she pulls quite a bit, so we will try using a gentle leader and see how she responds. 

At a Glance #09-005

Golden Retriever Born: July 2000
Female 92 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

Sponsored by: Lynette and Peter Nygaard Merry Christmas to the Golden Seniors and their fosters! Merry Christmas to the Golden Seniors and their fosters from AnonymousLove from Danielle who also has epilepsy. Love from Danielle who also has epilepsy


Katie here!  Whew!  What a long ride to my new foster home.  Saturday, I started in Fargo, ND and ended up in North Liberty, IA!  So here is a little about me:  My name is Katie and I am 8 1/2 years young.  Until now, I've lived my entire life in North Dakota.  My family loved me very much but realized they could no longer give me the life they intended so they asked RAGOM to help me find a forever home!

I am up-to-date on all my shots.  If my heartworm test is negative, I will begin my heartworm and flea/tick preventative after I meet my new vet.  I have been spayed and currently weigh 95 lbs.  I guess I gained a few extra pounds over the holidays!  My color is more dark/red with a little gray on my face.  I love to ride in a car and behave very well!  

Katie's foster mom here!  Katie rode from Albert Lea to North Liberty very well.  She was calm and quiet during the entire 3+ hour drive.  She met my dog, Gracie (RAGOM golden), and my current foster, Little Bear (aka Blonde #08-426), with a definite growl and an "I don't want to be friends with you" attitude.  This is something we will work on every day under monitored conditions.  Both of my girls want very much to get to know her.  Given time, I think they will learn to live under the same roof with respect for each other and hopefully fun behaviors will develop. 

Katie has a seizure disorder and has taken Phenobarbital (very cheap) twice a day since 2007.  I did not see any x-ray work-up for the seizures in the notes I received.  All notes indicate that her seizures are well-controlled with the current dose she's been prescribed.  I will monitor her closely to see if this continues.  Katie also exhibits stiff hips.  She is slow to get up and her gait is a little slow, but she takes our short stairs well.  She needs help getting her backend up in the car and then again getting out of the car.  I did not see any x-rays of her hips in the notes.

Katie loves stuffed toys and tennis balls.  She will return but not give up the ball.  Katie's family sent her toys, dog bed, medicine, food, and snacks with her which will hopefully make moving to a new home less stressful.  Katie does have some storm anxiety and seeks a safe place or her humans when she is scared.  She dislikes gunshot noise so her family gave up the idea of training her for hunting when she was little.  Katie has only been exposed to older teenage children so her response to small children is unknown.  By the notes I was given, Katie seems to show some intolerance to small dogs, as she had an incident at the local vet's office with her owner's small dog.  During the time I've had Katie on the leash, she pulls quite a bit, so we will try using a gentle leader and see how she responds. 

Updates

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !
 
Surprise I am being adopted !
 
I know you all say it is about time but as FM says good things come in their own time.  I won't be traveling very far.  You see FM has decided she would be too lost if I were to be adopted by another family and she so loves to have me next to her on the sofa.  I knew I belonged here from the very beginning but it took FM a little longer to catch on.  I am so happy.  Bet you can't see me doing my circle dance can you.  Excited
 
As you can see both Katie and myself are joyful this season because we have each other permanently.  It really was perfect from the very beginning.
 
Thank You Katie's sponsors for being her special person while she has been in foster care.
 
A special Thank You to Katie's previous owners ( I know you must check up on her) for giving her to RAGOM to find that special second family in her life.  I know how difficult and painful it is to make those decisions.  She will have a good life with me and an opportunity to mentor so many other foster dogs who can learn from her great behavior and trust of humans.  You were Katie's first great owners and I hope I can fill those shoes equally well.
 
Katie Love bug and FM the lover of the Love bug forever.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Hi everyone!   Katie signing on for a quick update and a couple of new pics.   Suzy and I went to the volunteer RAGOM Iowa picnic.  What a great time and so many people to meet and receive pets from, balls to be thrown, and best of all food to be dropped on the ground.  FM shared a couple of baby carrots but I know there was something that smelled better than carrots.  I'm no dummy.   
 
We had several wading pools but that is not my cup of tea.  Some of us girls like to keep every hair in place and that is not it if you know what I mean.  Now Suzy could care less cause she can't see herself anyway so she just plops right down in the middle of the water getting soaked.  Then she has the nerve to shake all over the place.  Something a lady does not do.

Hope my sponsors enjoy the new pics.  As you can see Suzy's tail just about got me.  FM says that darn tail is always in our faces or swiping her dinner plate.  Hair, hair, hare, give me a head of hair is the song that sounds like my house.  One big fur ball.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

 Katie here:  They weather is great here in IA.  This week they promise 70 degree temps and looking forward to rolling in the grass.  At least what little there is right now.  I had my spring checkup and just in time.  I had a tummy bug from both ways and they gave me some meds to make it go away.  FM was very glad for that.  I'm not sure I cared for the stuff in the syringe FM called a slurry but the pills were super with peanut butter on them.  Then after no food or water for 24 hours I got boiled hamburger/rice. YUM!  I was ready for anything after that.  Unfortunately the vet found another loose broken off tooth with this visit.  Darn!  I think FM is going to hide the raw bones .  OH! How I love those bones .  Those lovely bones.  I dream of those lovely bones.
 
     FM here:  Katie or KT for short is back to herself after the tummy bug and eating fresh carrots/kibble.  Now we are planning on a tooth extraction to fix her loose fractured off tooth.  It does not seem to have any effect on her chewing toys or eating her food at this point and she does not seem to favor any one side when doing the latter.  Our house is pretty routine and one day just seems to roll into the next one.  Pretty predictable which I really enjoy.  Katie would love to entertain some new family if they think she might fit into their home.  Just let your placement adviser know and see what we can schedule. 

 

Friday, March 12, 2010

Katie here:  The weather is great.  Last week we had sun everyday.  Even though the temperature was in the mid 20's FM said "lets go girls" lets check out the neighborhood.  So off we went tromping down the sidewalks never cleared or puddles where it had begun to melt.  Suzy had a blast tunneling along yards and burying her head.  Then she would come up for air and off we would go again.  This week the temperatures are in the 40's and except for a few snow piles it is soppy muddy everywhere.  This week we have had rain just to make going outside more fun.   FM just shrugs her shoulders when we all trail in from the yard.  FM says "it's just part of owning a dog" and it goes with the territory.  Next week we head for the vet for our spring check-up and blood work.  They have treats you know so I don't mind.  You know I am all about food it you have read my updates.   FM is sending new updated photos of me.  You know I am all about bones so here I am keeping them close.  I am a good girl so I do share with my sisters.  We are great at swapping those bones around.
 
I am still looking for my special family.  Suzy and I got to go with FM on a HV down South close to the Missouri border.  We each got a homemade dog biscuit with FM's OK.  I gotta get a recipe and see if FM will make some of those.  It was a long ride 2+ hours and I was ready for my nap when we got back.  While I am thinking of being grateful I want to say Hello and Thank you to my sponsors.   You make my day special everyday when I know you are thinking of me.  I hope you are well and warming up too!
 
As I have said before Katie is a great mellow golden who will adapt to any family as long as she is loved and cared for like any member of the family.  If you are interested let your "placement adviser know" and we can talk about what a fantastic girl this is. 

  

 

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Katie is doing great! We went to the vet to discuss decreasing her phenobarb dose as was suggested by her initial visit 10 months ago when she entered RAGOMDOM, if she remained seizure free several months. The current vet we now see has suggested that as long as she is stable with her liver enzymes, regardless of her non-seizure state we should leave well enough alone. So leaving well enough alone and not messing with a good thing, we will re-test her blood in Feb 2010 to make sure her liver is handling the dose she currently receives. Katie also has a stable weight of 73 lbs which the vet says is good for her, or around 70 lbs. She has come a long way with her weight loss, plus realizing treats are not the norm of the day at this home.

Katie's day begins with a potty break and breakfast after sleeping 8-10 hours. Then we take pills with a little (I mean little) peanut butter. Of course the day then consists of frequent naps, walks, and playing with Gracie and Suzy. This usually involves wrestling all over the TV room, playing chew up the face tag, as well as sharing or swapping spit laden chew items. All in all you know that can be exhausting, so at the end of the day she assumes her position at the end of the couch for a long night's sleep.

Katie is still looking for her perfect home. If you think you might be interested in meeting this perfect Golden, let your placement advisor know.

Katie wants to send special Christmas and New Year's greetings with sloppy kisses to her sponsors and to the donor who gave Christmas tokens to all the senior dogs! You are very special to her and foster mom. Without our sponsors and donors we would not be able to help rescue and provide the care and health benefits so badly needed by our dogs. Be safe and enjoy the holidays. Katie is a beautiful, calm, respectful Golden for which I am glad she found her way into the RAGOM family.

 

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

 Merry Christmas to the Golden seniors

Friday, October 16, 2009

Katie here:  Brr...winter is knocking on our door.  We had our hard freeze already and enough snow to leave some on the ground.  Suzy the pup was sure surprised when first thing in the morning, she ran out to stick her nose in the grass.  You would have thought she had stuck her nose in a light socket!  Snow is nothing new to me since I lived in a very cold snowy state before coming to Iowa.

My life has consistency and I am so happy that FM thinks I'm the cat's meow.  She says that she does not know why I have not been adopted.  She thinks I am about the most perfect golden and having a little arthritis goes with the age.  As far as my seizures, I am proud to say that I have been seizure free since coming to my foster home in February. 

I am not a demanding girl if you don't mind sharing the sofa with me.  Besides, FM says it is nice to have a warm head in your lap.  I don't make messes and I don't countersurf.  There is no garbage container in the house so we don't know if that is an issues or not but I don't get into the trash cans or even show any interest in the ones in the bathroom and laundry room.  I don't chew on anything inappropriate.  There are no small children nor are there cats here but I am such a laid back gentle girl, I think both of those would be safe around me.  I don't jump on anyone either.

FM has included some photos of me and Suzy.  Aren't we a great pair?  As far as Gracie, she is camera shy and once she hears the lens whir she is gone quicker than a flash.  If you would like to meet me, let your placement advisor know.  See you soon!

Suzy & MeSuzy & Me
Suzy & MeSuzy & Me

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Katie here:  Summer is really speeding by fast.  I hope the hot humid days are past and now we can enjoy the cool breeze as we move into fall.

In the past couple of weeks, I lost a tooth and FM thought the root was not intact so off to the vet we went.  I had a week of antibiotics and pain pills and then was scheduled for a dental exam and x-rays to see if the the root fragment was really there.  Thank goodness it was clear and there was no sign of infection.  While I was there, they cleaned my teeth too.  The only problem is some bone loss in the bottom teeth, way in the back.  The hygienist asked FM if she could try and brush my teeth to keep them as long as we can.   Well, I don't know about that but I'm sure I will be as cooperative as I can.

While I was having my preprocedure exam they found a large golf ball size mass over one of my lymph nodes on my right rear leg.  So while I was taking a nap they took some biopsies to send out to a lab.  The vet said it could be either a fat tumor sitting in the lymph area or some kind of cancer so it would be a good idea to take a sample and find out what it is (just to rule out everything).  Please keep all your paws and toenails crossed that it is just a lump of fat.  The girls at the vet place said I woke up like I'd never had any sleeping medicine and was ready to romp.

FM took a picture of me and thought it was too cute not to share - so enjoy me with all four paws in the air!  I hope my sponsors enjoy the new blip and picture and thank you so much for your support!  Love and kisses coming your way!!!

FM here:  Katie is doing well.  I don't know when the test results will be back but I will post the results here on the web as I know all who read about our family worry as if she were their own.  Katie remains seizure free but we did not discuss reducing her phenobarb at the time of this visit.  I will bring it up when they call about the biopsy results.  So keep her in your thoughts over the next couple of weeks.  Thanks for reading about Katie and all our furry RAGOM buddies.  All those positive thoughts sent to those on the RAGOM web site are truly appreciated by the extended RAGOM family.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Katie here: Our house is very busy these days. FM is fostering an 8 week old blind pup name Suzy. What a busy little bee this girl is . I have had to reminder her everyday not to get in my face. At first I was a little rough until FM said no-no just a little nip and growl is more than enough to redirect her. I guess she is right but she sure is a pain in the butt sometimes but at least she is sleeping all night now. It was kinds of nice to go out during the night and FM was a trooper because I know she likes her sleep undisturbed. I am real good not getting upset when she sticks her head in my food bowl. I tried her food and I think it is pretty good myself, but, you know us girls on diets like most anything we can sink our teeth into. We get carrots and celery everyday usually in the evening while FM fixes supper and never food from the humans plate. It sure smells good and I wish we could give it a try.

I'm sure Gracie and myself would like it if we could only get a taste. FM added a couple of new pictures but none with the baby pup this time. I am sporting a cover on my collar compliments of Lisa my groomer for the 4th of July. Do you like it? It's smashing don't you think? Lisa trimmed off the fuzzy part of my coat so now I look smooth and getting sleek with this diet. I think I even have a waist. When Suzy gets her next shots FM is going to take me so I can see what my current weight is. Think positive thoughts now!

As always for anyone wanting to adopt a fantastic girl who is really a perfect golden girl this is the girl for you. Even though she has a history of seizures she has not had any seizures while living in my home now since Feb. this year. Hopefully by fall we can start to reduce her meds to get her on the lowest dose needed to keep her seizures under control.

 

Good luck on adopting your new family member even if Katie is that the one for you.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Katie here:  Sending my love, best wishes, and licks to my sponsors.  Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and loving me enough to be my sponsors!

Life is good.  No seizures, lots of love, pets, and chew toys.  Of course when I tire of those, I just curl up on the couch (its okay - foster mom knows) and sleep.

Foster mom has shortened our walks because my hips don't like the long walk we have been taking.  She says she can tell by the way I walk and favor one of my hips, but I'm a trooper because I just keep putting one paw in front of the next and we eventually get home.  We met one of her neighbors who said his uncle has a couple of golden retrievers but because of a divorce he was giving them to his wife and that way they would not be separated.  That is sad for him but great that he put his love for his furrbutts first.

Foster mom here:  Katie (as well as myself) have been feeling the damp weather in our bones.  Katie seems to feel it more in her hips but my feet sure don't care for the sidewalks or pavement.  I think we will head for the park close to my house and walk there.  That should feel much better.  I managed to get a couple of new pictures of Katie which I have included. 

I plan to take her in for a weight check at the end of the month.  I have almost done a complete diet switch to an allergy formula.  We will see how she does on the new diet.  Companies don't tell you the amount of calories in their food so you don't know what the usual serving provides. 

Katie and Blonde love to chase the balls I throw in the backyard.  Although she does not know what drop means, she sure loves to chase them!

Katie could be the perfect dog for your home.  If you would like to meet Katie, let your placement advisor know and maybe we can set a date for a date!