Lilly has arrived and what a sweetie she is! Lilly's family was very sad to give her up, but felt that it was in her best interest as they were moving and were going to be living in temporary housing for a while.
Introductions went very smoothly with our resident 2 1/2 year old Golden and our 2 cats. She hasn't ever seen a cat before tonight so is quite interested in what those things that hiss and growl at her are, but she has been very respectful so far. Upon her arrival, we sat outside so she could sniff around, get to know her new foster brother Beckham, and do her potty thing. Once the mosquitos got too bad, we went inside where play and wrestle continued! My mom and I watched and laughed as the two dogs chased each other in circles after one toy or another. I am sure when my husband arrives home, he won't find it nearly as amusing that the furniture has been pushed aside to make room for their wrestling matches!
We did dinner shortly after the two tired each other out. I fed Beckham upstairs and Lilly and I headed downstairs where I hand-fed her. Her surrendering family noted that she can be a bit protective of her food and although she hasn't ever shown any sort of aggression, she does freeze if someone comes too close to her while she is eating. This is a habit we want to break her of. So, we will help her to realize that people coming close while eating is a good thing. We'll start with hand feeding her meals to her and move on to standing around her and tossing good treats into her bowl while she eats. Soon, she'll be looking forward to us being near her food bowl while she is eating. I have no doubt that this minor issue will be solved in no time as she really isn't protective of anything else - including her most prized toys!
After everyone had a chance to eat, it was out for a walk around the neighborhood. We got Lilly all settled into her Gentle Leader and off we went. She walks very nicely when on her leader, such a good girl! I had a couple passer-bys note what a great pair of dogs these two were (my resident and Lilly) and I realized, it's true - they do make a great pair! They are almost identical in color and if Lilly would only gain about 20lbs she would be about the same size too!! They also seem to be well-matched in the energy and play department!
Soon, it will be off to bed for all of us. We are going to have a big day tomorrow! Lilly has been invited last minute to go the Renaissance Fair in Shakopee tomorrow afternoon. So, if we can make that happen, we'll spend a few hours meeting and greeting guests. It will be good to see how she does in the crowd.
So far, I would say this about Lilly:
She is going to need a home with active parents who will take her jogging, walking, or teach her agility or hunting. She seems to have a great nose and her surrendering owners stated that she loves to retrieve so if there was someone looking to train a new hunting partner, she might be a good option. She would probably enjoy having another dog around and a fenced yard to burn off some of that energy she has! Also, she is a bit on the timid side and scares easily around new things so a family where her new parents can take things slowly and calmly with her would be good. She is said to be already house trained and crate trained (we'll be testing the crate thing tonight) and besides the issue of learning that people around the food bowl can be good, she is so far, a complete doll!
Enjoy the pictures of her and Beckham enjoying a good game of tug! She's a beauty!
Contact placement if you are an approved applicant and would like to meet this girl - she isn't going to last long!
| Golden Retriever | Born: August 2006 |
| Female | Weight not specified |
Status: Adopted
Lilly has arrived and what a sweetie she is! Lilly's family was very sad to give her up, but felt that it was in her best interest as they were moving and were going to be living in temporary housing for a while.
Introductions went very smoothly with our resident 2 1/2 year old Golden and our 2 cats. She hasn't ever seen a cat before tonight so is quite interested in what those things that hiss and growl at her are, but she has been very respectful so far. Upon her arrival, we sat outside so she could sniff around, get to know her new foster brother Beckham, and do her potty thing. Once the mosquitos got too bad, we went inside where play and wrestle continued! My mom and I watched and laughed as the two dogs chased each other in circles after one toy or another. I am sure when my husband arrives home, he won't find it nearly as amusing that the furniture has been pushed aside to make room for their wrestling matches!
We did dinner shortly after the two tired each other out. I fed Beckham upstairs and Lilly and I headed downstairs where I hand-fed her. Her surrendering family noted that she can be a bit protective of her food and although she hasn't ever shown any sort of aggression, she does freeze if someone comes too close to her while she is eating. This is a habit we want to break her of. So, we will help her to realize that people coming close while eating is a good thing. We'll start with hand feeding her meals to her and move on to standing around her and tossing good treats into her bowl while she eats. Soon, she'll be looking forward to us being near her food bowl while she is eating. I have no doubt that this minor issue will be solved in no time as she really isn't protective of anything else - including her most prized toys!
After everyone had a chance to eat, it was out for a walk around the neighborhood. We got Lilly all settled into her Gentle Leader and off we went. She walks very nicely when on her leader, such a good girl! I had a couple passer-bys note what a great pair of dogs these two were (my resident and Lilly) and I realized, it's true - they do make a great pair! They are almost identical in color and if Lilly would only gain about 20lbs she would be about the same size too!! They also seem to be well-matched in the energy and play department!
Soon, it will be off to bed for all of us. We are going to have a big day tomorrow! Lilly has been invited last minute to go the Renaissance Fair in Shakopee tomorrow afternoon. So, if we can make that happen, we'll spend a few hours meeting and greeting guests. It will be good to see how she does in the crowd.
So far, I would say this about Lilly:
She is going to need a home with active parents who will take her jogging, walking, or teach her agility or hunting. She seems to have a great nose and her surrendering owners stated that she loves to retrieve so if there was someone looking to train a new hunting partner, she might be a good option. She would probably enjoy having another dog around and a fenced yard to burn off some of that energy she has! Also, she is a bit on the timid side and scares easily around new things so a family where her new parents can take things slowly and calmly with her would be good. She is said to be already house trained and crate trained (we'll be testing the crate thing tonight) and besides the issue of learning that people around the food bowl can be good, she is so far, a complete doll!
Enjoy the pictures of her and Beckham enjoying a good game of tug! She's a beauty!
Contact placement if you are an approved applicant and would like to meet this girl - she isn't going to last long!
From Lily's forever family...
We adopted Lily in September of 2007. Lily loves the outdoors. She loves to swim in Lake Minnetonka, take walks and runs and play in the snow. She is obedient, beautiful and a friendly dog that is adored by everyone. We are a family of five with three teenagers. Although Lily has only been in our home since September 2007, we can't imagine our household without her!
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 Lily (on left) with friend Cody |
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We are getting used to the quiet around our house with little Lilly gone to her forever home. Beckham pouted for a day or so, but overall is just fine being the center of our attention again!
Lilly's family was so excited to bring her home they picked her up last Thursday after Lilly passed her vet exam with flying colors! Lilly hopped into the car with a little coaxing, but after that never looked back.
We'll miss Lilly but are so happy to have found her the perfect place to rest her head (and wiggly butt) for many years to come! We've even gotten an update already from her new family:
"Lily has been amazing! She has brought our family a lot of joy in the past four days! I don't know where to begin. She has slept great in her crate every night and has had no accidents! We are elated with her low maintenance and how happy she is to be near all of us. She minds us very well and is very eager to please."
Along with the update came some great photos of Lilly at home in her new digs. Thanks to RAGOM and the C family for helping re-home this adorable, sweet little girl!!
Take care Lilly - love, your foster family!
Lilly has stolen our hearts! It is obviously contagious as she stole the hearts of all 5 members of the C. family last night as well. They emailed early this morning to say that they would love to make this little girl a part of their wonderful, active family!
Lilly was so well behaved at their home, I was not used to this side of her. She has been a good girl the whole time she's been with us, but she seems to have so much more energy and restlessness when at our home. It may have something to do with having a constant partner in crime, our resident golden, but whatever the reason - it was easy to see she fit right in with the C.'s!
Lilly will have 3 two-legged siblings and 2 doting parents. Her new mom dabbles in photography so we are hoping to keep getting pictures of our little budding model, Lilly. Lilly soaked up all the attention from all members of the family and even sat pretty for a few photographs (see included photo). Check out Lilly's smile!
Lilly still has an engagement she must keep with our RAGOM vet on Thursday evening. So, her adoption will probably have to wait until this weekend. Perfect for us as we can prepare ourselves to let this pretty little girl go to her forever family. I am sure the C. family will spend the rest of the week getting ready for Lilly's arrival!