Hi Everyone,

It's me, Puppy checking in. So much has happened in my new world. For starters, we went a RAGOM adoption event and I talked with Santa Kerry. In addition to asking for my forever family, I asked Santa for every furbutt to have a warm cozy safe place to stay during the winter. Judging from all the dogs that have been rescued lately, I think Santa worked some magic.

Foster mom says I have a holly present from the Johnsons who had a puppy mill girl just like me. And another holly present from Matt, Jenessa and Belle. Thank you all for thinking of me. Because of hollies and other Christmas presents RAGOM furbutts get vetted and micro chipped and lots of other stuff. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Mary & Paul T. you are the bestest sponsors. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas season and the best year ahead. Tail wags & golden paws.

I love love love snow. Here is me making snow angels with my booties.

And me, Meggers and Heather walking in the snow storm.

On another day foster mom mistaked and got Heather & Meggers booties mixed up. She said it was a "adventure" getting us ready for the snow pits.

FM couldn't remember the last time I had a bath. So we hopped in the car last week and I got scrubbed and buffed. And now I smell pretty. I'd rather have a bath in the pond, but I heard I won't be back there again.

Merry Christmoose from the furbutts, FD & FM. We love everyone in RAGOM land......Love, Puppy

And come back to read about me in a couple weeks. FM says I'm gonna write another story. I'm so exited.

Hi Team.........Thank you for updating Meagan. Please pardon this long overdue update on our girl. Meagan has made so much progress since her last update, I don't know where to start. Meagan had a bladder infection since the last update. I am happy to report her antibiotics cleared everything up there has been no more accidents. However, Meagan needs to be encouraged to drink water. She doesn't like going in the kitchen where the dog water is so she drinks the water in her "house" or by her bed. The vet gave her a clean health record but wants to watch her thyroid. She currently weighs 57 lbs. She has been getting a lot of exercise, running in the hockey rink at the dog park and flying in the backyard. We have a wiggily butt and wagging tail. She offers her "golden paw" for play, not for security. If the resident girls are getting attention, Meagan is right there acing them out for her share. She's still stingy with kisses, but occasionally will accommodate. Meagan startles easily but its less intense and her comeback is quicker because she is trusting more. She SITS automatically for treats, especially cheese balls, one of her favorite passions. Less time is spent on the couch or in her "house" and more time shadowing me. She toys with the tennis ball, often chasing after it, but not bringing it back. I'm sure she will learn retrieve with more time. Meagan should be supervised around balls and like items. She ate 1/2 ball tennis 2 days ago. She chews stuff into tiny pieces. She is stealth. We rarely hear her travel with her collections from the toy basket in the living room to her bed. But almost every nite she has collected close to 10 items. We rarely hear Meagan bark. Thankfully she has not picked up on Heather's insistence on barking at foster dad or anyone. She is such a treasure, I can't say that enough.

Meagan gives the "golden" paw to her fabulous sponsor Mary T. at Goldzilla. She loved her massage and asked me to thank you again for loving her.

Sweet Meagan is now a co-pilot. She sits up pretty in the passenger seat or moves to the back of the SUV. She hops in and out the car with little effort. 

I don't recognize this brave, happy, proud girl She was broken, scared of everything and withdrawn from life. Every day since rescue she has taken baby steps to her golden life with a forever family. I tell her every day how proud I am of her and how much she is loved now and will be cherished by her forever family.

Thank you for reading about this sweet beautiful girl. One look in her eyes and you fall in love.

Really... I am 8 years old... really

I don't know where to begin. There has been so much positive change in Meagan. This beautiful lady is ready for her family.

Could that be you? Meagan sends love and 2 paws up to her fabulous sponsors, Paul & Mary T.

Loud or strange noises still startle her, but she follows me when I mow and sits on the couch and watches me vacuum. She is fine with the never ending trail of garbage trucks every Friday when we walk. She likes to be near but is not always under foot or velcro. She doesn't like to be outside when its dark. May be the city/traffic noise or the summer bugs. But she is active and enjoying everyday outside.

The water therapy has been a GOD send for Meagan. She runs out the door, flies around the yard, gingerly steps in the kiddy pool and melts into the water. She watches the world from there. She has started chasing a tennis ball and bringing it into her pool. She gives it to me and I bounce it on the ground near the pool and she catches it before it lands in the water. She is sitting for treats. She is readily coming to me when I ask, posturing for butt scratches and tummy squishes. Meagan has been introduced to several dogs in the neighborhood or at friends' homes and she is wonderful with everyone.

She is especially happy if there is a pool in their yard to briefly dip in.

She is allowing people and even kids to pet her when we walk. Gone is the pacing from the deck through the yard and up again. She is calmer and open to trying new activities.

Today Meagan, Heather and I walked Lake of the Isles with a friend. She commented how confident and proud Meagan is. She was a little cautious when bikes or strollers passed us, but for the most part she trusted Heather and I and kept pace with us, not making a fuss with all the walkers and joggers.

A couple nites last week when Heather fell asleep on Meagan's bed, Meagan just jumped on my bed and slept at the end. She stayed there without moving both nites. This is the most laid back, mellow dog we have had the honor to foster. She rarely barks unless we are outside the back door. If Meg & Heather are outside barking, Meagan quietly watches or if scared runs away but is curious and quickly returns with more confidence.

Meagan is smiling!! Her tail is showing and wagging frequently. She is happy! This is apparent in her walk and exhuberance when she sees a rabbit or squirrel. She is living the "golden life", doing what comes naturally to dogs. In the last month Meagan has not only changed, she has been reborn. I can not begin to tell you how proud I am of her.

Meagan is ready for you. She is very attached to me but she should continue her growth with her new family. She needs a physical fence to keep her safe and a resident dog of comparable size to continue to learn from. Also her family should not have children under 10 as they have tendencies to move fast and play hard, causing insecurity and a potential to run away. An added bonus for her is active squirrels, especially if they travel overhead on the lines. They would entertain her for hours.

She is over the "diamond in the rough" stage. Meagan is a jewel. She just needs a little polishing to enhance the next phase of her life. To celebrate Meagan's "coming out" the girls got new pink collars & leashes.

Thanks for reading about this beautiful "golden gem." Meagan has a beautiful soul and a golden personality. Is she the next love of your life?

Where is the time going? It's Summer already. And Meagan has yet to meet her wonderful sponsors Paul & Mary T. She extends her golden paws to them. Thanks to their sponsorship, Meagan is experiencing the comfort of the bedroom ceiling fan and air conditioning which she prefers to the summer heat. We walk at least once a day. She patiently sits for her gentle leader before we leave. If I hook up Meggers and Heather for the dog park and leave without Meagan, she protests for a quick minute and then she is quiet. She is very confident on our walks, often taking the lead.

When wildlife attracts her attention, she stops, moves forward and watches intently. But if an uninvited critter set foot in our yard, the chase is on. She runs or climbs the tree.

No more pacing and hiding for this girl, (unless I have the camera).

Beau, BJ and Marlee, friends from the Collie rescue stopeed over. She was fine with everyone.

Meagan actively seeks my attention. She offers me her golden paws, alternating them for equal massages (will be easy to train for shaking). She smiles often and her tail wags frequently. Today I got a couple face kisses. She is very stingy with those.

She gains more confidence every day. Taking her cue from the girls, she sometimes sits for treats. She LOVES trying to catch cheese balls but doesn't have much luck with her competition, Meggers and Heather. She still startles easily but her comeback has greatly improved.

There were a lot of walkers, runners and strollers when we walked Calhoun again. Meagan was alert, but calm. I was so proud of her. I think she will be good with a jogger or walker because she loves to get out and move. And she is equally comfortable relaxing in the house.

Meagan will be staying with another foster for a few days to "get out of her comfort zone" Will let you know how that goes. Thank you for reading about our Brave Girl Silly Girl.

Oh my goodness. Where has the time gone? I have been here almost 4 months and FM says its time now to find my forever family so I am finally available. I'm still afraid of noises and fast moves but if you are willing to work with me, I promise I will be brave and listen to you. I hold my head up like a proud girl and sometimes I chase the ball (golden receiver). I found out that my nose is made for sniffing and I'm using that a lot more. My tail is visible most of the time. even partnered with Meg to catch Heather when she was race tracking. We cornered Heather and flipped her over. That was fun.

We walked around another big puddle called Calhoun. That was less scary than Harriet cuz there was almost no sky noise. FM took me to a class about relaxing flowers and calming wraps. I was the quietest dog there and I almost fell asleep. She's adding drops of "Rescue Remedy" in my water and doing the ear slides every nite. Those have taken the edge off and I'm a little more open to "life" around here. We decided not to try medication since I'm doing better.

Our friend Pippin stayed with us last week. FM said I should watch him so I will learn the "fetch" game. I like playing without the stick better. I've started to approach people for touching and I'm more comfortable with getting brushed. If I want attention when FM is loving my sister, I give her the "golden paw". I'm taking treats better. If Meg & Heather try theirs first, then I take one, too. I like to eat & drink in my house so my sisters don't steal my food cuz I'm a pokey eater. And I'm trying new stuff to eat and learning to trust except when I wear dumb stuff like this......NOT funny, FM. NOT funny! 

Last nite we took FM for a walk. I'm not a feather anymore. I pulled kinda hard so tonite we're trying a gentle leader (whatever that is). FM says I'm getting more comfortable and I pull cuz I'm curious and want to run. Gotta go. FM says she wants to talk about me now.

FM here - Apoligies for this over due update on our girl. And a heartflet thank you to Mary T for sponsoring this lady. Meagan melts my heart everytime she does something courageous. Meagan has made significant progress in the last month. I'm sure with obedience classes and a confident resident dog that helps her overcome her inhibitions, she will enjoy the life every dog deserves to have. She is going outside and coming back in without resistance. Pacing up and down the deck and around the yard is infrequent. Meagan used to shadow me in the yard. Now she is venturing out on her own or with the girls, visiting with the dog next door or children over the fence. She is housetrained in her crate for the work day and at nite in the bedroom, but if she is nervous and I am out of sight she will pee in the house. The only time she does this is if I'm in another room and she is scared.

Meagan continues to grow emotionally and she is shrinking physically. She could use a little tummy tuck but then couldn't we all. Everyone is heading to the vet tomorrow for the spring tuneup.....Heartworm test & pills, frontline and weight check. A month ago she was 66 lbs. We are walking everyday. The gentle leader is a big help. She is getting used to the routine and rarely tries to remove it. Meagan attended the Blaine Chuck & Don's event Sunday. She sends a special soft kiss to the sweet woman that gave her the deluxe 2 hour massage. Now she has expectations of that every nite. If you had the RAGOM criteria for a adopting a breeder dog, she could be yours in a heartbeat.

Thanks for loving her that brief time. Another special RAGOM puppy, Clementine needs your prayers and pawsitive thoughts. Please keep her in mind during your day.............Thank you

Meagan sends golden tail wags to Paul & Mary T. for sponsoring her. When we meet, you will fall in love and see how truly special she is.

We decided a change of environment might help open up Meagan's world so she spent the week at Casa de Dayle with 4 other dogs, people and Phineaus 12-072. The consensus is that Meagan may need a little help overcoming her fear of "life". We believe that she wants to participate and have fun, but her fear prohibits her to comprehend that. With RAGOM approval we went to the vet yesterday for potential anxiety medication. She observed Meagan's "fear" and is researching the best way to help her. Her physical health is fine. Beautiful Meagan is losing fat and building muscle.

Her current weight is 66. Her heart is fine, no ear infections but her teeth need attention.

Whether it was the time away home or the backyard snow, there is a definite spring in her step. Dare I say she "frolicked" in the snow, not just circling the backyard. I hope the snow continues because she is having fun outside making snow angels and interacting with Meg & Heather. Someone was on the street so our girls ran from one side of the yard to the other to bark at the dog walker. Meagan was running with them. She was part of the pack. 

Big step for her. Normally Meagan would be desperate to be inside on her couch.

Inside she exhibits curiosity if I'm out of sight, flashing her tail when she finds me. I expect she'll follow me soon. I'm tethering to encourage expansion from her "safe" area. She is watching our interactions with the resident girls. She's been on a hunger strike since she got home Sunday. But, while I was preparing her breakfast today, she stepped out of her comfort zone, letting her hunger overtake her fear, waiting with the girls. If this behavior continues and she opens up, we may not need the medication. Pawsitive thoughts are needed for her to open up and overcome her fears so she can find her forever family and enjoy a golden life.

She is making progress and needs the following RAGOM criteria for a puppy mill dog:

Physical Fence
Confident resident dog of a comparable size or larger
Kids over 10
Cats are OK

Meagan's adoptive family will continue to socialize her in dog obedience classes to build her self esteem and encourage family bonding. They will need abundant love, patience to cope with her fears and the understanding that there is no quick "fix" for this behavior. It may take several months or a couple years. Meagan needs to understand that she is safe and secure while given the opportunity to grow emotionally. She needs a wire crate for a safe place and furniture privileges. She can be crated or babygated for the work day. She would not do well outside on a tie out or in an unsecured space, i.e. cabin, farm unless contained with a physical fence because she startles easily and that could cause her to bolt in fear. She needs a confident resident dog to be her BFF and teach her how to be a happy/secure family member.

Thank you for following this sweet girl.