Meet Lucca - who is a big sweetheart! Lucca was approximately 1 1/2 years old when he was taken in as a stray by the Heartland Animal Rescue Team (HART) in Brainerd, MN. Lucca was with his current family for about 1 1/2 years also, before coming to RAGOM due to a lifestyle change for the family. We think he's about 3-4 years old, and exhibits the traits of a purebred Golden Retriever, and certainly acts like one!
Lucca, who is neutered, is a bit on the large size and I think he weighs about 100 to 105 lbs. Lucca was enjoying a very sedentary life and didn't get much exercise and spent time both outdoors and indoors, including sleeping, in a small city/country life. I think Lucca really didn't have the motivation to do much, nor realize himself that he could do many things. Within 2 days of being my foster dog at our lake/country home the change was amazing. Lucca walks great on a leash, talks - yes, he is vocal in a very good way, sits, fetches (we're still working on that), runs (not real good but even faster when he stepped on a beehive with his foster Dad right behind him), goes in the water freely, walks off-leash tremendously well, knows his boundaries, follows you everywhere and is never far out of sight, loves to go on the pontoon, is interested in everything, and loves to cuddle!
I think what Lucca has discovered is that he missed something in his earlier life and is rediscovering it now as he's enthusiastic and fun to be around. Lucca has been introduced to an "extra large" travel cage and while hesitant at first he has really done well with the cage since. Lucca eats and drinks water very well, and is patient when he is hungry or thirsty. He'll whine a bit when he needs to go outside and twice has woken me up (3:00 AM and 5:30 AM - which I wasn't very excited about) with a nose nudge to my forehead letting me know he has to go out. He has been trained to take care of both his "duties" in the woods which is pretty cool and really saves the lawn.
Lucca has become "my dog" and listens and responds to basic commands very well. He had spent lots of time with young kids at his previous home and did very well. I was advised that he got along well with the neighborhood cat but was unknown his reaction to other dogs. Lucca does growl at other dogs and I hold him very firm and have not let him interact with other dogs yet. Perhaps Lucca is a bit of an "Alpha" dog, but I also believe he just has not spent time socializing with other dogs and it will take some time and effort for him to overcome this.
Lucca has a beautiful soft, shiny and curly lighter-colored "Golden" coat with the longest feathered tail I've ever seen. He enjoys being groomed - which I'll keep working on - and later this week he goes in to get his shots updated. He is very affectionate and loves people and being petted, hugged, and such. Truly he has won me over in just a few days and I'm really enjoying watching him discover things he can do as he's a very quick learner. As the days and nights get colder I can always stay warm as Lucca just snuggles closer - which is surprisingly easy to do with his size.
Lucca indeed is a special and neat Golden and I'm pretty sure a family or someone would love to have Lucca so I'm trying hard not to get too attached as I think he'll find a life long home very soon.......Lucca indeed is a "big sweetheart". If you are interested in meeting Lucca please contact placement
ragom [dot] org and arrangements can be made.
| Golden Retriever | Born: September 2004 |
| Male | 107 lbs |
Status: Adopted
Meet Lucca - who is a big sweetheart! Lucca was approximately 1 1/2 years old when he was taken in as a stray by the Heartland Animal Rescue Team (HART) in Brainerd, MN. Lucca was with his current family for about 1 1/2 years also, before coming to RAGOM due to a lifestyle change for the family. We think he's about 3-4 years old, and exhibits the traits of a purebred Golden Retriever, and certainly acts like one!
Lucca, who is neutered, is a bit on the large size and I think he weighs about 100 to 105 lbs. Lucca was enjoying a very sedentary life and didn't get much exercise and spent time both outdoors and indoors, including sleeping, in a small city/country life. I think Lucca really didn't have the motivation to do much, nor realize himself that he could do many things. Within 2 days of being my foster dog at our lake/country home the change was amazing. Lucca walks great on a leash, talks - yes, he is vocal in a very good way, sits, fetches (we're still working on that), runs (not real good but even faster when he stepped on a beehive with his foster Dad right behind him), goes in the water freely, walks off-leash tremendously well, knows his boundaries, follows you everywhere and is never far out of sight, loves to go on the pontoon, is interested in everything, and loves to cuddle!
I think what Lucca has discovered is that he missed something in his earlier life and is rediscovering it now as he's enthusiastic and fun to be around. Lucca has been introduced to an "extra large" travel cage and while hesitant at first he has really done well with the cage since. Lucca eats and drinks water very well, and is patient when he is hungry or thirsty. He'll whine a bit when he needs to go outside and twice has woken me up (3:00 AM and 5:30 AM - which I wasn't very excited about) with a nose nudge to my forehead letting me know he has to go out. He has been trained to take care of both his "duties" in the woods which is pretty cool and really saves the lawn.
Lucca has become "my dog" and listens and responds to basic commands very well. He had spent lots of time with young kids at his previous home and did very well. I was advised that he got along well with the neighborhood cat but was unknown his reaction to other dogs. Lucca does growl at other dogs and I hold him very firm and have not let him interact with other dogs yet. Perhaps Lucca is a bit of an "Alpha" dog, but I also believe he just has not spent time socializing with other dogs and it will take some time and effort for him to overcome this.
Lucca has a beautiful soft, shiny and curly lighter-colored "Golden" coat with the longest feathered tail I've ever seen. He enjoys being groomed - which I'll keep working on - and later this week he goes in to get his shots updated. He is very affectionate and loves people and being petted, hugged, and such. Truly he has won me over in just a few days and I'm really enjoying watching him discover things he can do as he's a very quick learner. As the days and nights get colder I can always stay warm as Lucca just snuggles closer - which is surprisingly easy to do with his size.
Lucca indeed is a special and neat Golden and I'm pretty sure a family or someone would love to have Lucca so I'm trying hard not to get too attached as I think he'll find a life long home very soon.......Lucca indeed is a "big sweetheart". If you are interested in meeting Lucca please contact placementragom [dot] org and arrangements can be made.
From Lucca's forever family...
It's been awhile since my last update. I had a really great summer, going to family gatherings. I get to go almost everywhere with mom and dad. I have earned their trust.
I am a very happy boy - my nickname is goofball! I like to play with my football and get lots of belly rubs, sometimes even a peanut butter cookie.
Life is good. I want to thank everyone at Ragom for helping me find this great family.
Just thought it was time to post a update on Lucca. He is doing great, now that it is warming up he likes to lay outside in the sun. He is very smart and he sure can get goofy, loves to go for rides in the car. He is a very special boy and we love him very much.
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Lucca #08-444 went to the Garrison Animal Hospital (one of our approved Vet Clinics - thank you!) today and weighed in at 116 lbs....yes, he's a big boy! The Doctor thought Lucca is about 4 years old after Lucca was examined, which he did without a whimper! Lucca is now up-to-date on his shots and the tests came out just fine. Recommendations for Lucca is to lose some lbs. which can be done through exercise, which I began for him last week, and a better diet. He absolutely loves to walk and does so on and off leash very well. Lucca comes to me either by voice, hand slap on my leg, or my whistle. When Lucca is off-leash he stays close in the area and he knows if he's gone too far. Lucca will sit and stay on command and we're working on laying down. He always snaps right up when he sees me with his tail wagging away!
Overall Lucca has been wonderful! I let him sleep in his cage or wherever he wants in the house and he's had no accidents at all. In the morning he has a big kiss waiting for you and wants to go for a walk right away. Lucca did meet other dogs today at the vet clinic and while he did growl some he was much better than just a few days ago - he does need to learn how to socialize with other dogs. The neighbors were shooting off fireworks this past weekend and he did not seem to notice, and he did the same yesterday when machinery was running and this morning when a thunderstorm came through. Lucca rides well in vehicles but does get a bit excited when I'm not in the car... but the truck always is in good condition when I come back.
I have Lucca uncaged at home for several short periods and he has not any problems at all. I do think somehow he took 2 fig newton cookies from a low counter but he's not saying anything right now. I live in Emily, MN, which is about 150 miles north of the cities....I do get to the cities and Lucca and I will be there this coming Sat 9/27 and possibly Sun 9/28 if you'd like to meet Lucca. Well, Lucca and I are off to whatever new adventure is out there......Lucca has been an absolute joy to be with, and I'm sure he'd appreciate finding a life-long home.
