Mike 14-247

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Profile

 

In addition to LOVE this dog has the following requirements:
Entered Foster Care Fence Kid Friendly Another Dog Cat Friendly
8/9/2014 Preferred, but not required Ages 10+ Calm, confident dog Yes
This is the most recent information available; however, it may change as we learn more about the dog.

Hello, everyone! I would like to introduce you to this gorgeous young boy, Mike! Mike entered RAGOM's care a little over a week ago. Mike and his brothers, Robbie and Chip, who also came into RAGOM Sunday, were found roaming gravel roads and ditches after, from all indications, they were dumped and forced to live on their own for quite some time. Some wonderful employees from the area's local humane society were able to bring them into their care, and they decided these boys needed foster homes in order to grow and flourish, so they were surrendered to RAGOM.

When we first picked Mikey up, he shook and cowered away from us for close to two hours. However, after seeing our resident dog run and play, he so badly wanted to get up and at least explore his new temporary home. He began to sniff and explore, which led to him actually greeting and acknowledging our resident dog. Mikey wasn't quite sure about our young, rambunctious resident dog all up in his face, but after they worked things out, they have been running and playing together ever since! Mikey has come so incredibly far in the time he has been in our home.

Here is a little bit about Mikey for those of you who are interested in this extremely special boy:

  • He weighs 39 pounds and is at a perfect weight for his body.
  • He was exposed to cats at the shelter and there were no reported issues.
  • Mikey is a mixed breed dog. From all indications, he and his brothers are mixed with Brittany Spaniel, but Mikey and his brother, Robbie, look very, very much like Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. This breed of dog is very rare, but if you look at pictures and study their temperament, that's almost definitely in his DNA somewhere! The only way to truly know is to give them a DNA test, but whatever his mix is, he's pretty fantastic!
  • He is fully house trained. No accidents in the house at all.
  • He is quite curious in the kitchen and does need to be watched so he doesn't snag any food items.
  • We had a big storm earlier this week, and we witnessed no storm anxiety. He acknowledged the thunder, but didn't seem to mind at all.
  • Mikey is crated for a full workday (up to 8 hours) with no issue. He is currently crated alongside our resident dog, and when there is another dog in the home with him, he seems to have no issues with his crate. We have also been giving him all of his meals in his crate, and he is crated during our (human) mealtime(s), as he does have a tendency to beg for some of our dinner. :-)
  • Mikey needs slow, deliberate introductions to other dogs. He has had some pretty scary experiences in his young life and, due to that, he sometimes feels threatened when dogs approach him too quickly. When he is allowed to initiate a slow and calculated introduction, he is much more comfortable and relaxed. As stated previously, he and our resident get along very well now, and he truly does need another dog in the home so he can look to them for cues and confidence.
  • He is the most cuddly little dog I've ever known. He LOVES people and he always wants to be near them. If you're looking for a dog who wants to cuddle up and sleep with you, this is your boy!

Mikey has had a lot of people play a very big role in his young life. At this point, he is looking for his heroes. He is looking for someone who is going to be patient, understanding, and most importantly, full of love to give. Mikey sure has a lot of love to give in return, so if you're looking for that second dog to accompany your calm, confident resident dog, this may just be your boy.

At a Glance #14-247

Mixed Breed Born: November 2012
Male 30 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

 

In addition to LOVE this dog has the following requirements:
Entered Foster Care Fence Kid Friendly Another Dog Cat Friendly
8/9/2014 Preferred, but not required Ages 10+ Calm, confident dog Yes
This is the most recent information available; however, it may change as we learn more about the dog.

Hello, everyone! I would like to introduce you to this gorgeous young boy, Mike! Mike entered RAGOM's care a little over a week ago. Mike and his brothers, Robbie and Chip, who also came into RAGOM Sunday, were found roaming gravel roads and ditches after, from all indications, they were dumped and forced to live on their own for quite some time. Some wonderful employees from the area's local humane society were able to bring them into their care, and they decided these boys needed foster homes in order to grow and flourish, so they were surrendered to RAGOM.

When we first picked Mikey up, he shook and cowered away from us for close to two hours. However, after seeing our resident dog run and play, he so badly wanted to get up and at least explore his new temporary home. He began to sniff and explore, which led to him actually greeting and acknowledging our resident dog. Mikey wasn't quite sure about our young, rambunctious resident dog all up in his face, but after they worked things out, they have been running and playing together ever since! Mikey has come so incredibly far in the time he has been in our home.

Here is a little bit about Mikey for those of you who are interested in this extremely special boy:

  • He weighs 39 pounds and is at a perfect weight for his body.
  • He was exposed to cats at the shelter and there were no reported issues.
  • Mikey is a mixed breed dog. From all indications, he and his brothers are mixed with Brittany Spaniel, but Mikey and his brother, Robbie, look very, very much like Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. This breed of dog is very rare, but if you look at pictures and study their temperament, that's almost definitely in his DNA somewhere! The only way to truly know is to give them a DNA test, but whatever his mix is, he's pretty fantastic!
  • He is fully house trained. No accidents in the house at all.
  • He is quite curious in the kitchen and does need to be watched so he doesn't snag any food items.
  • We had a big storm earlier this week, and we witnessed no storm anxiety. He acknowledged the thunder, but didn't seem to mind at all.
  • Mikey is crated for a full workday (up to 8 hours) with no issue. He is currently crated alongside our resident dog, and when there is another dog in the home with him, he seems to have no issues with his crate. We have also been giving him all of his meals in his crate, and he is crated during our (human) mealtime(s), as he does have a tendency to beg for some of our dinner. :-)
  • Mikey needs slow, deliberate introductions to other dogs. He has had some pretty scary experiences in his young life and, due to that, he sometimes feels threatened when dogs approach him too quickly. When he is allowed to initiate a slow and calculated introduction, he is much more comfortable and relaxed. As stated previously, he and our resident get along very well now, and he truly does need another dog in the home so he can look to them for cues and confidence.
  • He is the most cuddly little dog I've ever known. He LOVES people and he always wants to be near them. If you're looking for a dog who wants to cuddle up and sleep with you, this is your boy!

Mikey has had a lot of people play a very big role in his young life. At this point, he is looking for his heroes. He is looking for someone who is going to be patient, understanding, and most importantly, full of love to give. Mikey sure has a lot of love to give in return, so if you're looking for that second dog to accompany your calm, confident resident dog, this may just be your boy.

Updates

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Mikey the lovebug has found his forever home. While he will be missed by me and RD Willow, he has a new home with a new mom who loved him immediately. He will have a great life with his new extended family, including 2 fur brothers.

This little guy has come so far in the past year. I am so proud of him. He came to me frightened and insecure. It has taken a while, but he has progressed to the point where he is ready to take on the world. He will always have some issues, but with the help of those who love him, he can now face pretty much anything that comes his way.

Thanks, Sarah, for seeing Mikey as the lovebug he is.

Friday, July 17, 2015

Sorry, it's been a while since I have updated for Mikey. Life goes on well for him. He continues to slowly find his way and become more secure. He still goes to doggie daycare 2 days a week and all reports say that he plays hard the entire time he is there. He must as he is sound asleep the minute we get in the car. It is so good for him and I am so thankful to these places who offer free daycare for fosters. He's young and needs to burn off some energy and he can always improve his socialization skills. So it's a win-win situation.

I did find out over the July 4th holiday that he doesn't like fireworks. It upset him quite a bit, but with the help of some medication and a quiet house, he didn't do too badly. Now I am seeing that any construction going on in the neighborhood seems to bother him, especially the nail guns for roofing. So we tend to do our walking early in the day and in the evening.

Mikey has the same needs as before:

  • He has to have a confident resident dog in the home.
  • He can't be left for 8- to 9-hour workdays every day. I am working on leaving him for longer periods of time and we are good for 5-6 hours, but probably not every day.
  • He would not do well with an active household with small children. The noise makes him nervous. He tolerates bigger kids just fine.

Mikey has been such a joy to watch grow and mature. I think he will always have some insecurities, but he has progressed so much. He is just waiting for that special family who will find him to be the special dog they would like to welcome into their home. I know they are out there and will just love him to pieces when they meet him.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

-)  To my sweet little friend Mikey - have a wonderful Spring!! Love, Carolyn :-)

Hi Mikey Hope you are having a good Spring!! Take care of your FM!   Hi Mikey Hope you are having a good Spring!! Take care of your FM! Pamela R

I fell in love with Mikey as soon as I saw that handsome face. He stole my heart! I hope he finds a loving forever home soon. Sue   I fell in love with Mikey as soon as I saw that handsome face. He stole my heart! I hope he finds a loving forever home soon. Sue

Monday, March 16, 2015

FM and Willow love you sweet Mikey!  FM and Willow love you sweet Mikey!

Friday, March 13, 2015

Mikey has been kind of busy the past few weeks. Or rather, maybe it's that FM has been busy. Mikey continues to go to Doggie Day Care twice a week, which is just great for him. He plays much better, or now he knows how to play, and he meets new dogs better. That isn't to say it all goes smoothly. He still has his moments of insecurity and apprehension.

FM went on vacation for a week, so Mikey was boarded where he goes to Doggie Daycare. They know him so well there and he spent the days playing hard so he would be tired at night. FM was worried that he wouldn't tolerate the kennel, but he did. I think he was so tired he just slept well. It has taken him a bit to readjust to being home. RD Willow wasn't here right away, and I could tell he was really having a hard time without her. Slowly, we are getting back to our routines. I think he does the best with a routine. He knows what to expect as he still gets nervous with anything new.

Mikey continues to look for his forever home. These are a few items to keep in mind if you could consider Mikey for your home:

  • He definitely needs another confident dog. This is priority number one!
  • A set routine of some sort helps him the most.
  • No small children. He doesn't bother them; they just make him nervous.
  • He does fine with cats.
  • A fenced yard would be great, but not an absolute necessity.
  • He does need exercise. He does so much better if he can play and run around.
  • Lots of love!! He'll give it all back to you all the time.

If you think this sweet lovebug would be a welcome addition to your home, contact your placement advisor.

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Thinking of you often and wish you nothing but the best! -Eric & Rachel O  Thinking of you often and wish you nothing but the best! -Eric & Rachel O

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Mikey here.

I had an awesome holiday staycation. When I first arrived, my human hosts had us take turns getting treats. This really helped me say goodbye to my FM and start having some fun. I really miss the people I trust, but I have lots of coping strategies in that bag of treats, I mean tricks.

My greatest tool is having a confident dog to look up to. My furry host was once a RAGOM foster that needed the same support, and I really appreciated his mentoring. Transitions in general are a little tricky for me, but I’m gaining confidence by the minute. For example, when any humans leave the room and come back, I sometimes get startled, even if it’s only been a few minutes. I barked and growled a bit until I realized it was my friendly host, and gosh, did I feel silly then and sheepishly ask for another tummy rub. There are all kinds of simple ways to help with this, just ask any of my people.

I made lots of new friends of the human, canine, and feline variety. I’m so glad everyone here likes to snuggle, ‘cause I just can’t help myself. The cats said we can play anytime, as long as I don’t race around the corner at high speeds. Once, I accidentally landed on the same chair as the elder cat, and she gave me the look. I quickly averted my gaze to give the girl some space. Well, as much space as you can give anyone you’re sharing a chair with.

My hosts gave me 5 stars and invited me back for play dates and even another couple of overnights while my FM has stuff to do. If you asked me, I’d say I really like it!

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Mikey here:

I just want to wish everyone a happy holiday. And I especially want to thank Rachel and Eric for the winter icon. I know they still love me lots!

FM tells everyone how much better I have gotten with my separation anxiety. I still get kind of nervous when I see that she is leaving, but I'm not at the door anxiously wanting to go with. Now FM tells me to go lie by RD Willow and I do that and chill for a bit. I still like to sit on the kitchen counter and look out the window for FM to return, but I haven't been crated for several weeks and that is so much better.

The big news is I am going on a little vacation of my own while FM and Willow go away for the holidays. It's only 3 days, but I'll be at a house with 3 other dogs, and get this: 3 cats. And a fenced yard so we can all play. And I even went to meet them and we all got along. I find those kitties kind of curious, but they like to play too, so I think life will be good.

Happy Holidays to all my RAGOM friends. I'm still looking for my forever home and I'm thinking the new year just might be a special one for me.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Mikey is back with me after spending about a month in another foster's home. It was good for him to have a new environment and some new experiences. He did well and found a playmate which he certainly enjoyed.

His return was right before Thanksgiving and I was concerned as to how he would do with a house full of people for dinner plus house guests for the weekend. Well, he did so well. He got a little nervous at first and would find RD Willow for comfort, but no barking or acting out. Both dogs just chilled out during dinner, but of course were rewarded with a few tasty morsels.

This past weekend, we were at a Meet and Greet and what a change in self-confidence since the last one we attended. Mikey was Mr. Social. Getting pets from everyone and meeting other dogs basically quite nicely. A couple of times he had to take refuge under the chair but not for long. He did so well!


Photos courtesy of Bridget O'B.

Mikey does not like to be kenneled for me anyway, so I have been giving him free roam. While I know he is anxious when I am gone, that too has gotten better. He isn't destructive and doesn't have accidents. He is just anxious, but better than when in the kennel.

Mikey would love to find his forever home. He still has some issues, but just wants to be loved and will give you back so much love in return . He does need another confident dog in his forever home and no small children would be good. He's still young and moves quickly. A fenced yard would be great, but not a must.

If you think this sweet boy would be a good fit for your home, let your placement advisor know. Mikey is just waiting for you to find him.

Monday, November 10, 2014

10/19/14: Mikey joined our family, consisting of me and my husband, my 14-year-old daughter, and 2 resident male dogs (13 years old and 2 years old) and our cat. He is incredibly anxious, with much pacing, panting, drinking etc. Got into the garbage over the night.

10/20/14: Mikey has decided that I was his and only his; he is Velcroed to my side at all times. He is very fearful of my husband, daughter, and other dogs. He jumps forward and growls and barks when any one of them approaches me.

10/21/14: I went to work and Mikey does not show any of these behaviors explained yesterday with the rest of the family; who would've known. I was going to give up due to this making our family jumpy and anxious. Then.... a fellow foster was having similar problems and received professional help. The advice is priceless, and it's not too difficult or demanding.

10/23/14: He has improved drastically and is giving my family and other dogs a break when I am home. It is still a work in progress, but I am very confident this behavior will get better with time.

10/24/14: He is now playing with my resident 2-year-old Golden. They have figured each other out and now Play is part of his routine here. At 7 am, he jumps up and licks my face, very excited to go potty outside, then these 2 boys play keep-away and chase. Mikey is very fast and agile and still is a young boy that needs to burn off his nervous energy; he has zoomies at least 2 times a day. Then the boys take a nap. Then there's a couple more sessions over the day of floor-wrestling and one big game of chase in the late eve, then all is tired. Mikey still wakes up a couple of times a night and licks my face to make sure I am still here, then he goes right back to sleep. He sleeps next to my bed in a dog bed.

10/25/14: I have been giving him a supplement called Composure, and it seems to be very helpful in helping him relax during training.

10/31/14: There has been only a couple of times in which nobody is home and I have kenneled him with his Kong and peanut butter, and he appeared to do well with that. He even goes in the kennel when he feels he needs a time out, with the door open.

11/1/14: Gotta watch this guy; he is very smart. He slides the screen door back and forth with his nose and I am sure if he wanted to lift a gate handle, he could, as well as uses his paws to try to turn door knobs, etc. Thankfully, he has never attempted to run off from us.

11/2/14: Boy! Is he fast...... He is a bit jumpy and I have not been giving him any pets till he sits down, but now he goes right to a submission pose "belly rub" and he has noticed how well that works. This is a smart boy, very intuitive and getting more secure by the day.

11/5/14: He now gives my husband and daughter licks and lovin and is doing that obsessive behavior much less. As I see now, there is just some residual, only when he is in sleep mode. After all, habits take time to break, and he has been getting along well with my cat. He likes to chase him sometimes, but never has tried to hurt him.

11/7/14: For a week now, we have been working on "down," "sit," "leave it," and trying some recall with "come." He is getting more confident every day. We are so happy for him.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Hi, everyone.... It's Mikey here to do my update. I know it's been a while, so I just want you all to know I am still with FM and RD Willow.

But especially, I want to thank RAGOM dog Jessie and Pam and Janet for making a contribution to RAGOM for me. RAGOM does such great things for us foster pups so we can find our furever homes and enjoy the good life. So thank you all very much. I'm sure Jessie is enjoying her new life.

I have been kind of busy trying to get out and meet new people and new fur friends. I started going to doggie day care this week and while I kind of hung with the humans, I did make some new doggie friends also. Well, sort of. I'll be going back there so I can get more independent and feel more secure. It's a good deal for both FM and me. I think Willow likes to have a day all to herself also.

I am becoming a bit more comfortable when FM is gone. I still get pretty anxious but we are working on it. And by the way, I now know to sit very nicely when told to do so. Those treats help also.

We have been going for lots of nice walks with the fall weather and all the leaves coming down. Here is a picture of me from last weekend. I look kind of all hooked up, but I guess I need the Gentle Leader as I tend to pull a bit. It's hard when you have to smell everything and look at the rabbits and squirrels. I don't need to chase them, though. When we come home, I am pretty tired and like to snuggle on the porch and watch the world go by.

That's all from me for now. If you think I would fit into your home, I'd love, love, love for you to contact your placement advisor.

Your pal,

Mikey

Friday, September 19, 2014

Mikey has been out and about lately. He made his first Meet and Greet appearance last weekend and then the next day was featured as an adoptable dog at Goldzilla. Mikey did quite well for being an insecure little guy. He met most dogs well, but when it got to be too much, it was time to leave. Mikey does best meeting new dogs more slowly. He's not an "in your face" dog.


Mikey at Goldzilla

Right now, we are dealing with some separation anxiety. Mikey has had such an unknown start to his short life that separation from whomever he has bonded with is difficult. We are working on trying to ease things for him. He is such a cuddler and lover when he feels secure.

Stay tuned for more updates and progress on this great little guy. 

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Mike just wanted to send in a little update for all of his admirers. He is continuing to blossom here, and he is coming more and more out of his shell every single day. He is such a spunky, happy little dog that you just can't help but love him! He and our resident dog had a few days where they weren't quite too sure what to think of one another, but they have worked out their relationship and are such good buddies now!

Mike also crates very well during the day, which is something that is unbelievably rewarding and reassuring as a foster (and dog owner!). Mike is still too young to be left with free roam of the house, so he is crated alongside our resident dog, Sadie, in a separate crate. We keep an eye on Sadie (aka our master crate escape artist) during the day, while we are working, via a WiFi camera we can access from our phones or the computer. This camera also helps us to see how our foster dogs are adjusting while we are away. Mikey struggled the first day in his crate...lots of barking and whining. However, that is very typical of a dog in a new setting, so we decided to stick it out and see how it went from there. Well, as you can see by the picture I've included, he spends his day sleeping comfortably now. We are gone for a full workday, and this is absolutely NO problem for him. He's super excited to see us when we get home, but his kennel is dry and he is a happy, well-rested boy.

Mikey definitely needs a fenced-in yard, and kids under 10 would probably not understand his need for gentle, slow introductions so he doesn't get too scared. He's cat friendly, and he wouldn't hurt a fly. If you're thinking about meeting a dog with an indescribable amout of potential, then look no further that Mike! He's got so much love to give, and he just can't wait to meet his forever family.