We've had a few inquiries as to Maddie's whereabouts, so I want to assure everyone that she is still her fabulous, wonderful self, alive and well, and thriving in foster care. Maddie's situation was in limbo for a couple of weeks because she found a new mommy who really wanted to adopt her, but mom took a bad fall on the ice and suffered a severely broken leg. When all was said and done, everyone agreed that Maddie would need to find a new home.
Maddie girl has been in my care for almost 2 weeks now, and we absolutely adore her!!! Actually *I* adore her, my almost-3-year old Golden boy, Mason, *really* likes her, and my 3 month old Golden pup, Zach, lives, dies, eats, sleeps, and breathes for her! With good reason, she is truly a gem!
OK, on to the long awaited details about Maddie... 2 different vets have now estimated her at 9 months old. She is in wonderful shape, with just about the most gorgeous -- and softest! -- coat I've ever seen. She is a perfect 57 lbs, with heavy bone structure commonly seen in show dog lines. Her coat is white and cream, and her pictures don't do her justice. She is absolutely gorgeous!
More importantly, she has a fabulous temperament and personality. There are times when she is still all puppy, and needs to learn some manners, but these are for the most part limited to greetings and just before eating. She knows sit and I've also been using "settle" with her, which works like a charm. It's almost like she realizes she's lost her lady-like composure, and just snaps back to attention and plants her butt on the floor. She is not at all mouthy like most puppies, and she doesn't touch anything in the house but dog toys. I was told that she's a master counter surfer, but we are pretty dog proofed around here, and don't leave any food within reach. I started off baby-gating her in the kitchen when I left, and that lasted for a few days, before she realized she could jump the gate with ease. Now she has run of the house with my older guy, while the puppy is crated. Absolutely no problems or accidents whatsoever. I suspect she spends most of her time upstairs on my bed while I'm gone, because while Mason is always at the door to greet me, Maddie can be heard running down the stairs. At night she sleeps either in bed with me or on a dog bed in my room, depending on how crowded she feels. Zach loves to cuddle up really close to her, and sometimes I think she needs her space.
Maddie is great with kids and other dogs, and reportedly also with cats, although she hasn't been around any with me. She passed the kid test with my niece and nephews with flying colors (they are 2, 4, and 6) and she was very gentle with them. She loves to play with other dogs, and is definitely the play partner of choice for both of my guys. They will be so sad when she leaves and they are stuck with just each other again! The only negative I can say about her with other dogs is that she does tend to get a little bossy with toys and bones. She respects Mason as the alpha of the house so she leaves him alone, but Zach, being a little pup who worships the ground she walks on, gets taken advantage of. Anything he has, be it a high-ticket item like a bone, or a toy, or even a measly piece of cardboard, gets taken from him. For the most part, he is just fine with this and it becomes a game. She has shown no aggression whatsoever, but then again, he lets her do whatever she wants to. I'm not sure if she'd do well with other bossy or controlling females, but would probably be just fine with another alpha male since they tend to each establish themselves as top male/top female. That has worked just fine in my house, with little Zach getting the short end of the stick... but then again, he's so enamoured with her that I don't think he really minds.
Maddie is decent on leash, but could use some additional training. I'll admit, we haven't been walking as consistently as I would normally do. It's been cold, and neither Maddie nor Mason does great yet walking together. Since the 3 are always wanting to play, they've spent more time just romping around the fenced in back yard and wearing each other out. She did get away from me once at my parents' house where there is not a fence, but she stayed right with us, and came when called. Good girl! I don't think she has the runner mentality commonly found in strays. Then again, this girl is in such good shape, and appears to have been so well cared for that I am guessing she was a "stray" for all of about 5 minutes. I can't believe that no one came to claim her at the shelter she was in... what a fabulous dog!
Email placement
ragom [dot] org right away if you want to meet Maddie, since I know she won't be around for long. Maddie will be spayed on Monday and then is ready to go to her forever home!
