Kona (Jack 07-480)

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Profile

Jack is a wonderful 60# purebred golden retriever puppy! He came all the way up to Minnesota from a puppy mill in Missouri. When he first came to our house, his coat was stinky and disgusting feeling. After a nice bath with some wondering smelling shampoo and conditioner and a good brushing, he looked like the sweet, gorgeous gentle "dog" he is.

Jack is incredibly smart. The first night he came into our house, he was scared of doorways and didn't know how to go up and down stairs. With a little help from our resident dog, he quickly learned doorways were safe and how to manuever up and down the stairs. This is the fastest I've ever seen a dog learn how to do stairs!

Jack is a true retriever as he's obsessed with playing fetch with his toys. He'll keep on retrieving as long as you keep on throwing. He's quickly learning what it's like to be a dog instead of a breeding machine. At times, he'll try to figure out a way to get three toys in his mouth at once!

Jack really loves going for walks and does great on a leash. He's quickly learning how to heel and doesn't pull on the leash. He's great with other dogs...both small and large. When we were walking the other night, two small dogs approached him (one was a loose dog and the other's owner accidentally dropped the leash) and he was great when both dogs approached him. He loves playing with our 7 month German shepherd. He's great with the cats that live in the house.

Currently he's at the vet clinic so I haven't had a chance to take any photos of him. Today I had to stop by to drop off more food and I had a chance to visit with him quickly. The vet assistant said all the girls were in love with him and everyone wanted to take him home with them. He's such a sweet wonderful dog. Do you have it in your heart to give this puppy the golden life?

At a Glance #07-480

Golden Retriever Born: December 2006
Male Weight not specified

Status: Adopted

Profile

Jack is a wonderful 60# purebred golden retriever puppy! He came all the way up to Minnesota from a puppy mill in Missouri. When he first came to our house, his coat was stinky and disgusting feeling. After a nice bath with some wondering smelling shampoo and conditioner and a good brushing, he looked like the sweet, gorgeous gentle "dog" he is.

Jack is incredibly smart. The first night he came into our house, he was scared of doorways and didn't know how to go up and down stairs. With a little help from our resident dog, he quickly learned doorways were safe and how to manuever up and down the stairs. This is the fastest I've ever seen a dog learn how to do stairs!

Jack is a true retriever as he's obsessed with playing fetch with his toys. He'll keep on retrieving as long as you keep on throwing. He's quickly learning what it's like to be a dog instead of a breeding machine. At times, he'll try to figure out a way to get three toys in his mouth at once!

Jack really loves going for walks and does great on a leash. He's quickly learning how to heel and doesn't pull on the leash. He's great with other dogs...both small and large. When we were walking the other night, two small dogs approached him (one was a loose dog and the other's owner accidentally dropped the leash) and he was great when both dogs approached him. He loves playing with our 7 month German shepherd. He's great with the cats that live in the house.

Currently he's at the vet clinic so I haven't had a chance to take any photos of him. Today I had to stop by to drop off more food and I had a chance to visit with him quickly. The vet assistant said all the girls were in love with him and everyone wanted to take him home with them. He's such a sweet wonderful dog. Do you have it in your heart to give this puppy the golden life?

Updates

Friday, November 30, 2007

Hi friends in RAGOM land, Jack here. Foster mom said I could speak for myself tonight since she is feeling a little tired after chasing 4 young golden boys all day. First of all, I love it here, and I keep hearing mom telling everyone how great I'm doing, so I think they like having me. I can tell foster mom likes me a lot, because I seem to get more than my share of petting, hugs and kisses... that is, when she can steal me away from my toys for a moment or two. You see, I really do like toys... all of them...balls, squeaky toys, stuffed animals (I really like to carry them around, but I have to admit that once I get a little tear in them, I just can't help but rip the stuffin right on out)... you name it, if it's a toy, I LOVE IT!

I think foster mom is surprised by how well I'm playing with all the other dogs here, even the "alpha" resident Mason. See the picture below where he has me pinned to the ground? I didn't even care... it was all in good fun. So even though my previous family thought I was a little too alpha with their dog, foster mom really hasn't seen it. I'm playing nicely and *trying* hard to learn to share my toys. I'm getting lots better, and only had to growl at little Cruiser 07-660 (my new foster brother) a couple of times before he realized that even HIS toys are MY toys when I have them. You gotta set the little ones straight right off the bat, ya know what I mean? So, foster mom asked me tonight if I'd prefer a house with another dog or not. That's a tough one, because I really do like to play a lot! But I also like to have lots of attention to myself, and even more toys ALL to myself. So, maybe my "perfect" forever home would be me as the only dog (did I mention I would need LOTS of toys?), with lots of quality time with my humans playing fetch, and going for walks or runs, and just snuggling on the couch too. But I would also want to have doggie friends & playdates, maybe trips to the dog park, all of that good stuff. Yeah, I think I would like that better than having to share my toys every single day.

I should tell you, though, that I don't have a problem sharing toys with humans at all. Foster mom always takes the toy out of my mouth before she lets me outside (she says something about "inside" toys and "outside" toys, and who knows what she's talking about, but of course I let her have it). She also takes the toy away once in a while if it seems like Zach and I really want the same toy a little too much. I think Zach has already figured out that I'm probably going to be the one to get the toy, but sometimes foster mom feels she has to step in so we don't get into an argument. That doesn't happen very much anymore because we're good buddies now.

I also love kids and am really good, and gentle, with them. I lived with three young girls in my previous home, and they were lots of fun. Even though the resident dog and I didn't get along all the time (he was an Aussie, what can I say?), I never had any problems with my human sisters. Until I go to "school" and learn some manners though, foster mom says I'd be better off with kids that are a little older. Let's see, what else? Oh, I really am not fond of invisible fencing. My previous family said that I was super smart and trained to it really quickly, but sometimes I just decided to run through it anyway. Then I got scared by it, and now mom thinks that might be why I'm afraid of the camera... because it makes little beeping noises just like the invisible fence did. And that fence HURT me! (actually mom can't take the credit for figuring that one out, another ragom volunteer suggested that could be it, but I'm not saying... maybe I'm just really camera shy).

Speaking of cameras, my foster mom is a little camera-happy, and she was so determined to get a good picture of me that today, I FINALLY held still (with a ball in my mouth, of course) long enough for her to snap a pretty good shot. She said something about people seeing how handsome I am, and everyone wanting to meet me at Petco on Saturday. Well, I know I'm a good catch... if you have a nice big fenced yard and like to play fetch, and an active family that wants to take me for long walks and to the park, then email your placement person and ask to meet me... because as much as I love it here, there are just too many dogs! Good grief.

Oh, and by the way, foster mom wanted me to tell you about her little boo-boo. When she was raking the last of the leaves last weekend, she accidentally let me squeeze out the back gate when she opened it, and she seemed pretty worried as I ran up and down the alley a couple of times to check it out. Well, she looked so worried that I just ran right back to her and went back inside the fence. Hey, it wasn't like I wanted to escape or anything, but you can't blame a guy for being curious. I haven't tried that one again, and she seems pretty happy with me.

Even though I come from a puppy mill, you would never know it 99% of the time. But if you try to pull me by my collar and startle me, I might drop to the ground real quick, or refuse to get into the car if I'm scared. Little things like that, but they really don't happen too often, and for the most part, I think I'm a pretty well-adjusted guy. I will never like to be yelled at, and it's just not necessary b/c I listen really well when you tell me to stop doing something. I also like to have my crate, since it's my "safe place" and it's where I like to sleep. For now. I probably won't always need it, not when I get even bigger and braver.

Well, apparently I had a lot to tell you about myself... whew, I'm feeling a little sleepy myself. Guess I'd better grab mom and tell her it's time to get the troops out for one last potty and off to bed. I'm really looking forward to meeting lots of nice people at Petco this weekend, and really hope that one of them might just be the perfect family for me!

Sending dirty tennis ball kisses,
Jack

 
I am not hiding under the desk... I just don't like that thing.

 
I will NOT look at the camera.

 
Still not looking... even if I have to sit here all day.

No, I'm sorry. I cannot put the ball down for a picture.

 
You gonna help me out here, foster mom?

 
See how nice I play with Cruiser 07-660?!

 
I just let Zach think he's winning.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Jack was returned to RAGOM because he and his Aussie fur sibling weren't a great match for each other. It sounds like there might have been a personality conflict between the two dogs, as Jack is doing great in foster care with my two young Golden goofballs (both boys, ages 1 & 3.5). He does LOVE his toys, and I mean LOVES LOVES LOVES his toys, so we had to work on sharing for the first couple of days, but by today (day 3), he is doing fantastic, and even plays tug with Zach, the resident one year old. Yes, it is also very efficient, as I only have to call one dog, either Jack or Zach, and I get two. :)

Jack is an absolutely gorgeous purebred Golden Retriever, who was rescued from a puppy mill back in August as an 8 month old pup. He is now 11 months old, and very well behaved in the house for such a young guy. Maybe because he is so interested in toys, and rarely ever is without one (or two) in his mouth, and as a result, he is never idle long enough to find something naughty to get into. He is also a complete sweetheart and love bug, who is crate-trained, house-trained, walks great with a Gentle Leader, and doesn't even jump up much! My only complaint is that he is completely terrified of the camera! I have been trying to get pictures of this handsome boy for three days now, and outside he is in constant motion, and will not hold still long enough to get a non-blurry picture. Inside, we've gotten to the point where he tucks his tail and tries to hide when he sees the camera come out. Poor guy! Other than being camera shy, it's hard to remember that he's from a puppy mill, since he is pretty confident and outgoing, and just loves to be pet. Anytime, anywhere! Guess I'd better ease up with the picture taking for a few days, and these will have to suffice. Just know that he's much more handsome in real life, so hurry up and email your placement advisor if you'd like to meet Mr. Jack. He would really like to be in his forever home before the holidays, mostly because he is so deserving of a loving family of his own, but I think he might also have caught on to the fact that Santa often brings more TOYS!

   
 

 

Friday, August 31, 2007

Hi everyone, Jack here. Foster mom's upstairs cooking dinner so I'm stealing her computer to say hi to all my big fans out there. Foster mom finally took some pictures of me so you can see how gorgeous I am. Foster mom said it's very hard to take pictures of me. Either I'm running around with my favorite toys or I'm trying to give foster mom or dad a kiss. I really am learning what it's like to live the Golden life. Last weekend foster mom and dad took me for a walk every night and they kept saying how I walk super good on a leash. They also think that I would be great with kids, though they haven't tested this theory yet. I'm super gentle and let the foster dog grab me by neck and drag me around the house. I'm mostly housetrained though if I'm not let outside I might have an accident on the floor. Mom says I act like a typical puppy who's learning his way. I have lots of energy and love to play and play and play. I'll continue retrieving a toy as long as you keep throwing it for me. Ok, time for me to go bring my toy to foster mom or dad to throw for me. I'll write again soon!