-Anonymous
With Love from Will, age 5 and Ali, age 9
Merry Christmas, Pete! Sending you all the best. From Jessica
In memory of Zera and Athena
from Archie and Clyde
This Gorgeous, 6 ½ year old, 75lb, Golden Retriever Mix (possible Malamute or Husky) has quite the story to tell...and one only the characters from the book Series of Unfortunate Events could possibly relate to. In 6 ½ years, this beautiful boy has been in a dozen different homes and a dozen different situations. Yet, to meet Pete in person, you would never know it because he lives in the moment and wants nothing more than a Happy Ending. Here is the BIG, furry, sweet, “happy-go-lucky” boy we picked up from boarding and now have the privilege of fostering:
"Yes, I am a wonderful dog—you will see!”
"HI! I’m Pete and you are?”
“Yeah, I think you’re pretty cute too!”
Checking out the new “boundaries”
So...what's the deal with Pete? A series of unfortunate events? A bad rap sheet? Or a GREAT dog looking for his "perfect" family to rescue him and bring him HOME? Here’s what we know about a dog named Pete/Bear based on a compilation of notes from both surrendering owners and foster families:
12/16/04 Baby Pete was born on a family farm. It is noted that he had a rough start here in an abusive situation as a pup.
04/19/05 Puppy Pete was picked up by a family at 4 months old. He lived as an outdoor ONLY dog and was confined to a kennel at night and while family was away, otherwise Pete had free roam of the farm property.
11/17/09 Farm Dog Pete was surrendered to RAGOM because the family was moving due to a divorce and could no longer afford him. They noted that Pete was a good dog! He loved children, but was scared of men…esp. if their arms were raised and that he would journey off the farm but always came back. They were unsure if he was neutered (Pete was neutered as a puppy on 3/15/05) and noted that Pete liked to eat farm cats and chickens.
11/17/09 “Sweet Pete,” as he was lovingly named by 1st foster mom, arrived in RAGOM land. Sweet Pete transitioned from outdoor free-roam farm dog to indoor family dog—no easy task! He learned a lot and did well with the resident dogs, but took Foster Mom on many crazy “over the fence” adventures for 5 months and so Pete went to live in another foster home.
4/15/10 Pete’s next foster home did not have another dog. It was noted he seemed lost without his furry friends and that he was scared of being crated. FM noted she thought Pete would do best in a forever home with another dog(s), older children, no cats, and a tall fence.
5/17/10 Pete lucks out and is ADOPTED by a loving family and is now called “Bear.”
10/21/10 Bear’s new family lived in a townhome, and even though they walked Pete, they realized that they could not give him what he ultimately needed—a place to run & play. They noted issues like excessive barking, running away, resource guarding—all issues related to an unfulfilled dog. Having recently purchased a puppy, they no longer had time for Pete and his exercise needs.
Pete returns to RAGOM and spends time at a Foster that owns a Doggie Daycare/Boarding Facility. Pete does well and starts to get the exercise and care he needs to excel and excel he does!
2/17/11 Pete/Bear moves to a traditional foster “home” in preparation to find him his forever home. Unfortunately, Pete needs room to run and takes his new Foster Mom on some crazy "over the fence" adventures. FM returns to school and with her new schedule realizes that her foster dogs need a home with more time offered to them, so Pete/Bear and his foster sibling go to temp foster homes.
4/15/11 Pete/Bear goes to temporary new foster home until another foster home opens for him though his "rap sheet" is a bit intimidating.
5/10/11 Pete/Bear goes to boarding—befriends some of our other RAGOM dogs waiting for a foster home as well. He proves to be a great guest!
6/07/11 Pete/Bear gets a new foster home—home w/ no yard, no other dogs, but a loving family and daily walks. Foster notes behavioral issues such as excessive barking, reactivity, anxious behavior and an attempted bite to a man carrying dog food. (Arms raised high perhaps?)
6/22/11 Pete/Bear goes back to boarding. Staff LOVES Pete/Bear and noted that he is the happiest “boarded” dog they’ve ever seen. Pete/Bear is one of the favorites and the staff becomes family. He greets them with full wags and licks!
9/09/11 Pete/Bear is sprung from boarding and begins his NEW life with a clean slate:NEW life—DAY #1
Pete arrives at "final" foster home. Meets family as a loving gentleman and greets the resident pack of fur-butts with total respect. Pete will also have to respect the 4’fence that surrounds multiple acres and the chickens across the road (wish us luck!) but has plenty of room to run on a long trailing lead that we’ve used for many previous “Fence-Jumpers.”
Our first few days with Pete have been a total delight as he’s made himself right at home with us! We have not witnessed anything but a very happy boy. No accidents. No aggressive behavior towards strangers or other dogs (male or female). No excessive barking—but will bark to initiate play with our dogs. Eats perfectly with the other dogs in the same 10’ x 10’ area—absolutely no resource guarding of food or toys and takes treats very gently. He likes when you sit by him to eat and adores being pet. Pete is trusted with free roam 100% of the time w/o issue and he sleeps through the night on dog bed next to ours or on the couch.
One very CUTE note---Pete does a horse-like prance when he is excited to go outside and play, and so we’ve nicknamed him “Petey the Prancer.”
More to come as we get to know Pete and what he truly needs in his forever home. So far---he’s been the easiest foster we’ve ever had—that being said on Day #3---the first week of transition is usually the toughest!
PLEASE come out and meet Sweet Pete, Pete/Bear, Petey/Prancer at GOLDZILLA!! Name to be chosen hopefully by then! HA! He’s all buffed and shined and ready to meet his fans…and we all know he has a TON of them! Pete will be in the foster tent from 11-2 and of course will be in the Foster Showcase to show you his playful Prancing strut!
With Love from Will, age 5 and Ali, age 9 
Merry Christmas, Pete! Sending you all the best. From Jessica
