Opi (Hank 13-228)

Profile

We welcomed sweet Hank to RAGOM at our home last week. This boy has the exhuberance of a half-grown puppy -- he loves everything and everyone, gives big sloppy kisses, and tries real hard to do what you tell him. Hank lived his first year on a farm with a family, kids, dogs and chickens. Unfortunately, he chased and killed some of the chickens one day last May and was immediately given away to another family. The second family loved him, but with full-time jobs and the busy life of teenagers, they were not home enough to give Hank the attention he needs, so surrendered him to RAGOM, knowing we would find him a loving home.Hank is a handsome 15 month old purebred Golden Retriever weighing 62 pounds. He is up-to-date with vaccinations and receiving preventative heartworm and flea/tick treatments. Last week, the vet gave him a wellness exam and found him to be completely normal and healthy, except for one thing. He had the early symptoms of mange. According to the vet, mange is most commonly found in young dogs under stress, whose immune systems are not fully developed. The vet gave him a shot to kill the adult mites; Hank will receive another shot in two weeks, and a third shot two weeks after that to kill the eggs. When the mange is gone, Hank will be neutered and ready for adoption.This boy is a sweetie who will melt anyone's heart, but we need to find a good match for his forever family. He is fine with kids and other dogs. He has a high prey drive -- so no cats, rabbits or small animals. He is still a puppy/young dog and needs lots of stimulation, attention and exercise. There needs to be an adult in the family who is home at least part of the day or takes him to doggie daycare. If you think you or your family may be a match for Hank's needs, we'd love to talk with you. Contact your placement advisor. Although Hank won't be available to adopt for a few weeks, he can still meet potential families.Fine with kids -- yesGets along with cats, rabbits and other small animals -- no
Gets along with other dogs -- yesFence required -- noHousetrained -- yesWalk nicely with leash -- yesJogging partner -- yesRespond to Commands -- come, sit, no
Excessive barking -- no, only when strangers approach houseAggression, resource guard food -- noDestructive or chew inappropriate items -- noWhere sleep -- side of bedGet into garbage -- noPlayful -- yes, balls & tugtoyLike to be groomed -- yes
Crate-trained -- yes

At a Glance #13-228

Golden Retriever Born: May 2012
Male 75 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

We welcomed sweet Hank to RAGOM at our home last week. This boy has the exhuberance of a half-grown puppy -- he loves everything and everyone, gives big sloppy kisses, and tries real hard to do what you tell him. Hank lived his first year on a farm with a family, kids, dogs and chickens. Unfortunately, he chased and killed some of the chickens one day last May and was immediately given away to another family. The second family loved him, but with full-time jobs and the busy life of teenagers, they were not home enough to give Hank the attention he needs, so surrendered him to RAGOM, knowing we would find him a loving home.Hank is a handsome 15 month old purebred Golden Retriever weighing 62 pounds. He is up-to-date with vaccinations and receiving preventative heartworm and flea/tick treatments. Last week, the vet gave him a wellness exam and found him to be completely normal and healthy, except for one thing. He had the early symptoms of mange. According to the vet, mange is most commonly found in young dogs under stress, whose immune systems are not fully developed. The vet gave him a shot to kill the adult mites; Hank will receive another shot in two weeks, and a third shot two weeks after that to kill the eggs. When the mange is gone, Hank will be neutered and ready for adoption.This boy is a sweetie who will melt anyone's heart, but we need to find a good match for his forever family. He is fine with kids and other dogs. He has a high prey drive -- so no cats, rabbits or small animals. He is still a puppy/young dog and needs lots of stimulation, attention and exercise. There needs to be an adult in the family who is home at least part of the day or takes him to doggie daycare. If you think you or your family may be a match for Hank's needs, we'd love to talk with you. Contact your placement advisor. Although Hank won't be available to adopt for a few weeks, he can still meet potential families.Fine with kids -- yesGets along with cats, rabbits and other small animals -- no
Gets along with other dogs -- yesFence required -- noHousetrained -- yesWalk nicely with leash -- yesJogging partner -- yesRespond to Commands -- come, sit, no
Excessive barking -- no, only when strangers approach houseAggression, resource guard food -- noDestructive or chew inappropriate items -- noWhere sleep -- side of bedGet into garbage -- noPlayful -- yes, balls & tugtoyLike to be groomed -- yes
Crate-trained -- yes

Updates

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Hank has been adopted by Steve E!  Congratulations!

Monday, September 30, 2013

September has brought squirrel activity in our yard.  As you can see in the photos, Hank found a favorite spot by the window to patrol for squirrels, with the advantage of being able to take a snooze inbetween sightings.  He and Mollie enjoy crunching on the acorns the squirrels drop from the oak trees, and if a squirrel dares come down the tree, Hank leads the pack to chase them off.  Like most dogs, balls and sticks are some of his favorite things.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Hank continues to do well in our home.  He enjoys swimming, jogging, walks on-leash around the neighborhood, hikes in the woods, and playing with our other dogs.  Hank is a strong dog with a long galloping stride when chasing the ball or on squirrel patrol.  He is also a love bug and does well with kids.  He doesn't mind being given a bath and loves being brushed.  We haven't clipped his toenails yet, but find it amusing that he has one white toenail and the rest are black!  Hank sleeps in the family room downstairs with the rest of the dogs at night.  He likes to snuggle in my arms before going to bed, which helps him relax (*sigh* -- its a tough job, but somebody's got to do it, and Foster Mom loves snuggles!)
Hank lost some fur on his paws from what the doctor thinks was likely mange.  Luckily, we caught it early and his skin has begun to heal.  At the end of this week, he will receive his second mange shot and check up.  We are giving him baths with a medicated shampoo and benedryl to help with the itching, along with supplementing his puppy food with fish oil capsules.  He will receive a third, and hopefully final shot, in two weeks and then be neutered. At 15 months, Hank is a puppy in a big dog's body and will continue to change and grow over the next year or two.  Golden Retrievers are a large-breed dog needing lots of attention, exercise, and training when they are young.  In his last home, Hank was kenneled for long periods and given little exercise -- he responded by whining when left alone and getting into things he shouldn't when given free roam in the house (typical puppy behavior).  We have not seen any of this behavior in the time Hank has been with us.  Hank automatically sits before eating without being told, and at other times upon command, and immediately comes when called.  We are home most of the time and give Hank several hours of exercise each day, along with free roam in the house.  Does this mean his forever family needs to be home all day -- No!  But, it does mean that if you work full-time, you should be willing to give Hank lots of exercise and attention before and after work and on the weekends.  We are currently interviewing applicants, if you think your family may be a match as Hank's forever family.