Mickey 08-301

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My name is Mickey. I came from Fargo yesterday and I was really scared. I'm still a little scared. This is my 4th home and I am only 2.5 years old. My other families didn't have time for me. I think they wanted me to hunt and I learned many commands. All foster mom has to do is whisper a command and I do it immediately. I don't like loud noises and I'm pretty sure that harmful rays are coming from the microwave so I hide behind the couch when it's on.

I am a girl and I can't have any babies so that is good. I'm smaller than the other Golden Retrievers in this house. I only weigh 58 pounds but Dr. V said I could gain a few. Otherwise, she said I am healthy. I was very good while she poked me and stuck me with things at the vet today. But I wouldn't take a treat from her when she was done!

I am living with 4 other dogs and yesterday I was a little overwhelmed to meet them all. I feel safe in my crate so I stayed in there. But one of the other dogs got us all up at 4:30 am to go outside so we all went. Then when foster mom came back in the bedroom I was up on the bed with 2 of the other dogs. So I got to sleep with all the other dogs! They aren't so scary! When we all got up again, I started playing with Breanna 08-324. I like her the best of all the dogs! We had so much fun wrestling and chasing each other!

Oh yeah--I don't like the camera pointed at me either so all of FM's pictures are from far away. Maybe in a few days I will be OK with it but everything is really new now so I am not sure. FM says I'm a beautiful little, young Golden Retriever so if you think you might want to give me a FOREVER home this time send an email. FM said she is going to make sure I stick with a family this time.

At a Glance #08-301

Golden Retriever Born: January 2006
Female 62 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

My name is Mickey. I came from Fargo yesterday and I was really scared. I'm still a little scared. This is my 4th home and I am only 2.5 years old. My other families didn't have time for me. I think they wanted me to hunt and I learned many commands. All foster mom has to do is whisper a command and I do it immediately. I don't like loud noises and I'm pretty sure that harmful rays are coming from the microwave so I hide behind the couch when it's on.

I am a girl and I can't have any babies so that is good. I'm smaller than the other Golden Retrievers in this house. I only weigh 58 pounds but Dr. V said I could gain a few. Otherwise, she said I am healthy. I was very good while she poked me and stuck me with things at the vet today. But I wouldn't take a treat from her when she was done!

I am living with 4 other dogs and yesterday I was a little overwhelmed to meet them all. I feel safe in my crate so I stayed in there. But one of the other dogs got us all up at 4:30 am to go outside so we all went. Then when foster mom came back in the bedroom I was up on the bed with 2 of the other dogs. So I got to sleep with all the other dogs! They aren't so scary! When we all got up again, I started playing with Breanna 08-324. I like her the best of all the dogs! We had so much fun wrestling and chasing each other!

Oh yeah--I don't like the camera pointed at me either so all of FM's pictures are from far away. Maybe in a few days I will be OK with it but everything is really new now so I am not sure. FM says I'm a beautiful little, young Golden Retriever so if you think you might want to give me a FOREVER home this time send an email. FM said she is going to make sure I stick with a family this time.

Updates

Friday, July 25, 2008

Mickey has relaxed quite a bit in the past few weeks. She is not guarding her toys from my dogs with as much gusto as before. She prefers to have them herself but if Skye gets one she is respectful. She is also learning to walk with the Gentle Leader. I think she has learned that's the way she gets to go for a walk. She doesn't like it but after the usual 'try to scratch it off my face with my dew claws' maneuver, she settles down and walks by my side.

She's eating great although I'm not sure if she has gained any weight. Dr. V thought she only needed an extra pound or two. Her coat is shiny and flowing--the true Golden Retriever coat. She's not a big fan of grooming but will stay for short periods with treats. So her undercoat is getting brushed out nicely.

She is a beautiful, happy Golden with a few fears learned somewhere along the way. She doesn't cower behind the couch when the microwave is on anymore. She came with a history of failing hunting training and being 'gun shy'. She doesn't like popping sounds outside but her only reaction is to come sit beside me. She has been home alone (with my dogs) during thunder storms and I haven't found any destruction or other signs that they bother her. And no reactions when I'm home.

What Mickey needs in a forever home:

  • Strong commitment to make it her forever home--she has already had 3 families give up on her
  • Love and patience to help her feel safe
  • A home where she can be the only dog
  • Someone who will throw the tennis ball although she's not obsessed about it
  • Maybe a running partner but at least walks every day.
  • Crate or free roam is OK
  • Regular grooming to maintain her beautiful coat
  • Frequent snuggles!

Mickey is choosy about the dogs she likes. I'm not sure what criteria she uses. She loves my 2 yo male Skye and they play relentlessly. She doesn't like Skye's best friend Sammy next door-also a 2 yo male. She loved playing with Breanna 08 324. She doesn't like my 7 yo female Scout. They scuffled again yesterday and Scout came out on the bad end of it. As I was pulling Mickey away, Scout's ear tore and she had a bite wound on the top of her head. So Mickey is in boarding looking for another foster.

Even with all that, Mickey is a wonderful dog and pretty typical of the dogs we get in rescue. They have been shuffled around to homes that didn't understand them and didn't have the skills or desire to help them feel safe. They have some fears that don't disable them from enjoying the dogs life. And they have all the love in the world to give to the right family. Is that you? Let placement know.

   

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Mickey and my boy Skye went swimming at Long Lake with fellow RAGOM dog Athena 08 132. She had a BLAST swimming out to fetch balls. There were NO scuffles even when all three were heading for the same ball. Mickey was very respectful. It's so cute because when she got a ball she always brought it back to the beach before dropping it to go again. She is such a beautiful Golden girl-and so sweet. It was so fun to watch her bobbing for balls in the water and just having a GReat time with her other two Golden friends! If you are interested in meeting this wonderful girl, let placement know. We'll meet you at the lake!

   

Friday, July 18, 2008

Mickey is doing great. She is still fearful of loud noises. I had a guy putting in a new garage door and she didn't like the sound of the nail gun or saw. She just wants to be inside and near me. She still goes to another room when the microwave is on but doesn't hide anymore. Little steps...

Mickey is crated when I am away. She does fine in her crate although she tries to convince me she doesn't need it. In the morning when she knows I am getting ready for work, she will curl up on a corner of the bed. She does 'kennel up' when I tell her too.

She had a scuffle with my senior girl over a piece of food that dropped--with no damage done. So I had her tethered to me for several days in order to teach her manners like 'share'. She now no longer needs the tether and even play bowed to my senior girl (Scout) tonight! That was a BIG step. She is also listening when Scout growls to tell her to stay away. Scout did not accept her invitation to play but my blonde boy Skye did! Check out the two of them wrestling! She even offered to play 'tug of war' with a rope. That is a big step toward sharing. Let me be clear--Mickey does not guard from people. I can take anything from her without a problem.

Mickey loves to chase a ball or frisbee and just prances as she runs! She wiggles her whole body in greeting when I get home. Angel 08 311 is staying with us for a few days and she and Mickey were fast friends.

Mickey would do better in a home where she was the only dog so that she doesn't have to share her precious toys. It is normal for dogs to guard their possessions from other dogs so 'share' is a very difficult lesson for a dog. Most dogs turn their head away in what seems to be a game of 'keep away'. Or they growl when another dog approaches when they have a toy--as my Scout does. Those are both examples of warning the other dog away. So Mickey is not a bad dog for not wanting to share. She is a normal dog who deserves a loving family.