Lady is a one year old purebred Golden Retriever. A Good Samaritan got her from a home that no longer wanted her, with the intent of rehoming her with RAGOM. She loves all people and dogs and she's good with kids. Lady is a typical adolescent with lots of energy.

She likes (needs) to play rough with other dogs. Like most RAGOM dogs, Lady has one challenge. She's blind. Don't let her blindness scare you -- it doesn't scare her! Lady is a typical Golden. She loves attention, is playful and curious. She is cautious of the world but not scared. 

Her perfect forever home would be a home with a playful dog to befriend her and guide her. A fenced yard is ideal, however, not required as long as the family commits to only taking her out on leash (no tie outs).

Children should be dog savvy and be elementary age or older, as she likes to play rough and sometimes bumps into people.

Lady has been with us for two weeks! Where does the time go? The first week was challenging, but we are in a groove now. I hadn't had a young dog in over 13 years so there was a "remembering" curve for me. 

I remember now and have adjusted by giving her several walks a day, lots of Kongs with treats and dog toys that make noises. 

As I stated earlier, Lady is blind. She was born blind, as were all her littermates. Her eyes didn't develop; they are very small and she doesn't have "eyeballs", but rather just tissue inside. 

She is still beautiful, despite her small eyes. The vet isn't sure why her eyes didn't develop. It could be that mom was exposed to a toxin or medicine at the time the eyes were supposed to develop, or it could also be genetic.  

I don't think Lady's name fits her. In my opinion, she should be named Brave. Another nickname we have for her is "Twirly Girl". This is because she spins to map her surroundings. By spinning, her tail hits nearby things first (before her face) and she can tell how much space she has around her. 

The spinning, twirling and whirling made me anxious at first. I have come to understand it. She does it more when she is not familiar with her surroundings. She is doing it less now and I worry about it less now, too.

She also spins at the door to tell you it's time to go out. I put a bell on the door knob (because I was confused by the spinning) and once in a while she hits the bell to let me know it's time to go out.  

Lady is very trusting of her people and depends on them to guide her. She is cautious about the world, but she is not fearful. I tell her "watch out" with a bit of urgency before she is about to run into something.

There is a balance of when to say it and when not to. I also say, "this way" when I want her to turn. She is learning sit and down.

My 10 year old son had a school project where he had to invent something that would solve a problem. He invented the “Helper Harness”. It is a harness that includes a hoop, so blind dogs can be more aware of surroundings without bumping their faces into things. 

Lady is fine with steps. Up is much easier than down. She walks close to the wall to guide her down the stairs. She understands exterior doors because of the air temperature change.     

She walks as well as any adolescent on a leash. She loves walks. The first five minutes are a "circus" as she puts the leash in her mouth, jumps on the resident dog and is generally distracted. However, after a while she walks pretty well. She can walk a straight line if guided or following the resident dog. 

In new places, she walks circles around me (I'm a human May pole). It's not an issue for me, as I believe that walks have multiple purposes; to me, walks are about exercise, but also equally about mental health...just being outside and moving makes all of us happier. 

I try to remember that sometimes, the walk is about the journey rather than the destination, so I let them sniff and experience the world when they want.  

Curbs, storm drains, mailboxes and garbage cans are a challenge for us to maneuver together on walks. Sidewalks are tough because of all the mailboxes and garbage cans. I prefer to walk her on paved trails or on the side of the street. 

We live in Forest Lake and the street we walk on has few people and cars. When we encounter people and dogs on our walks, she stops to listen and smell. Sometimes it's difficult to get her to move again and when that happens, I walk her in a circle in order to head back the way we were going.  

Lady loves car rides. I take her on short rides just to get her out of the house (running to the drive-thru, etc.). She just loves being with her people. She is a typical Golden Retriever in the sense that she is a Velcro dog. I think being with her people also gives her security in her dark world.    

She tries really hard to play with the resident dog but he won't have it. He doesn't understand what she is doing as she barks and shadow boxes. She needs a family with another dog who likes to play.

There are some benefits to blind dogs; they don't chase or bark at bunnies and squirrels. Also, they aren't escape artists...Lady sticks really close to home. She likes being outside, but isn't inclined to sunbathe on the deck unless her person is nearby.

Life could be very fulfilling for Lady, or very isolating. She deserves the former. For that reason, her forever family should have another dog companion, friend and leader. 

She should be adopted by a family where the dog has the same energy level, likes to play rough and also likes to cuddle on the same dog bed. The family should have stability and not move locations frequently or travel a lot. 

Lady would do best with elementary age (or older) kids who are dog savvy, as she sometimes tries to play rough with her humans, too. A fenced yard would be ideal but not necessary.  However, I would insist that her forever family do not use a tie out for her, as it is too isolating and not at all safe. 

Her forever family will love taking frequent leash walks for exercise and mental health. I have a saying, "If your dog is overweight, you are not getting enough exercise".  LOL.

Don't hesitate to consider Lady. Your life will be forever changed for the better with her in it!