Pili (Susie 11-122)

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April 15, 2011

This is Suzie's debut into RAGOMLAND.

Suzie is 11 weeks old today. She is an unaltered female (last of a litter) surrendered so she could find a forever family to call her own.

Suzie has completed her wellness exam, first puppy shots, started on heartworm preventative, flea & tick treatment, and now has her microchip in place. It is too soon to check blood for heartworm which will be done next year before the season starts again but not too early to start her preventative treatment to keep her healthy. Even though her stool is negative she will receive worming medication as not every stool will show worms according to the vet. She weighs in at 20.8 lbs. Suzy will need to complete her spay at 4 months before she can be adopted but that does not mean families can't meet her or consider her for adoption.

Suzie is a remarkable pup who shows a calmness I have not seen in my previous fosters at this age. She loves to play with the big girls yet will walk away when they don't reciprocate. That does not mean she won't bark or tease them in an effort to get them to cater to her wanting to wrestle and play the oral bite game. She is not a cuddler, preferring to be in motion like most pups this age yet she will lay at your feet or on the couch with two of the big girls - FM is slowly being forced to give up her comfortable TV spot :(( . She will frequently stay in that spot until FM or the girls make a move. Suzie is not as oral as my previous pups but becomes so when you have her in your lap to cuddle or stroke so I discourage this by putting her back on the floor to play and entertain herself.

She understands no, is working on sit, and hears stay frequently (good luck on that one given her age), as well as outside and potty. She of course has had accidents but far fewer than I could ever expect at this age. She sleeps from 10pm to at least 7am :) and in the week she has been with me never whined to go out in the middle of the night (remarkable). Great appetite but likes water added to her kibble. She has had her first bath because living outside made her smell like a barn and she had a few mats on her backside that needed to be groomed out. We also trimmed her nails (just the tips) as I expect walks will help wear them down naturally. Like all pups walking on a leash is a learning experience so she frequently darts forward, sideways, backwards, between and around your feet. I do not walk her with my adult girls yet as that would be too much punishment for me and them.

Those considering Suzie for adoption I would like to see:

  1. Firm commitment for obedience training and socialization.
  2. A confident dog in the home would be nice but not absolute (pups benefit from good role models).
  3. A fenced yard so she can run and play safely to work off puppy energy.
  4. Will consider the ages of the children when meeting families to assure there is adequate time for the needs of a puppy and families previous canine experiences.

If you are an approved applicant and interested in Suzie knowing she cannot come to you until her spay/recovery is complete let your placement advisor know.

 

At a Glance #11-122

Golden Retriever Born: January 2011
Female 20 lbs

Status: Deceased

Profile

April 15, 2011

This is Suzie's debut into RAGOMLAND.

Suzie is 11 weeks old today. She is an unaltered female (last of a litter) surrendered so she could find a forever family to call her own.

Suzie has completed her wellness exam, first puppy shots, started on heartworm preventative, flea & tick treatment, and now has her microchip in place. It is too soon to check blood for heartworm which will be done next year before the season starts again but not too early to start her preventative treatment to keep her healthy. Even though her stool is negative she will receive worming medication as not every stool will show worms according to the vet. She weighs in at 20.8 lbs. Suzy will need to complete her spay at 4 months before she can be adopted but that does not mean families can't meet her or consider her for adoption.

Suzie is a remarkable pup who shows a calmness I have not seen in my previous fosters at this age. She loves to play with the big girls yet will walk away when they don't reciprocate. That does not mean she won't bark or tease them in an effort to get them to cater to her wanting to wrestle and play the oral bite game. She is not a cuddler, preferring to be in motion like most pups this age yet she will lay at your feet or on the couch with two of the big girls - FM is slowly being forced to give up her comfortable TV spot :(( . She will frequently stay in that spot until FM or the girls make a move. Suzie is not as oral as my previous pups but becomes so when you have her in your lap to cuddle or stroke so I discourage this by putting her back on the floor to play and entertain herself.

She understands no, is working on sit, and hears stay frequently (good luck on that one given her age), as well as outside and potty. She of course has had accidents but far fewer than I could ever expect at this age. She sleeps from 10pm to at least 7am :) and in the week she has been with me never whined to go out in the middle of the night (remarkable). Great appetite but likes water added to her kibble. She has had her first bath because living outside made her smell like a barn and she had a few mats on her backside that needed to be groomed out. We also trimmed her nails (just the tips) as I expect walks will help wear them down naturally. Like all pups walking on a leash is a learning experience so she frequently darts forward, sideways, backwards, between and around your feet. I do not walk her with my adult girls yet as that would be too much punishment for me and them.

Those considering Suzie for adoption I would like to see:

  1. Firm commitment for obedience training and socialization.
  2. A confident dog in the home would be nice but not absolute (pups benefit from good role models).
  3. A fenced yard so she can run and play safely to work off puppy energy.
  4. Will consider the ages of the children when meeting families to assure there is adequate time for the needs of a puppy and families previous canine experiences.

If you are an approved applicant and interested in Suzie knowing she cannot come to you until her spay/recovery is complete let your placement advisor know.

 

Updates

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Suzie has moved. She took the long ride up north and is now living in Friendly Fridley. She’s doing very well here and living the good life – don’t those Golden Girls know how to get what they want?

 

Her potty training is proceeding nicely. Like most puppies, she needs plenty of supervision, but settles right down with no accidents when we need to gate her in the kitchen. She sleeps all night in a crate with no whining or complaining. She’s loves playing with our 4 year-old, resident dog and the recent visits she’s had with our young grandchildren. Her socialization seems way above normal – but that might be bragging – just a little bit. J

 

We’ve started her on the Gentle Leader and after two days, she’s doing much better. Walks have been pretty short for now, but with better weather ahead, I’m sure she’ll be ready to stretch those cute legs of hers.

 

Suzie moved here so she could get spayed, but just before her trip she was bit by something in the grass and developed a little bacterial infection. The vet gave us antibiotics and she’s already healing nicely. Looks like next weekend will be the big day! 

 

A very nice family came to visit her last night, and it looks like Suzie may go to her “furever” home after the spay is completed. We’ll miss her comical behavior, sweet puppy kisses, and soft puppy fur. But this is what it’s all about. It’s a win-win situation, and we’re SO happy for her.

 

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

 This will be my last update on Suzie as she will travel to MN tomorrow bright and early.  Suzie will be in a temp foster home while she gets her spay earlier than the vets in my area will do.  Suzie will also be meeting a couple who have been waiting to see if she is the perfect fit as their new golden.  I'm sure their golden angel will be looking down and bark in approval that her favorite people have found another golden to nurture and guide into being a great adult.  I will miss meeting these great golden lovers but they have promised to send pics of my baby girl at her new home.  Suzie's temp foster will complete the adoption for me while she is in MN.
 
     Suzie has entered the activity phase of her puppy life.  She has discovered that anything not tied down and able to be dragged or carried away from its original place is fair game.  So for Suzie 's new parents that includes her ability to stand on her hind feet to reach what ever she desires.  At this age they have an incredible curiosity to check everything out.   I see a counter/coffee or end table surfer in the making so now is a good time to teach the basics.  Suzie can be oral and want to chew on your fingers especially when you pet or rub behind her ears but she loves body and belly rubs and is less likely to go for the hands.  Once she starts nipping at my hands I withdraw the pets and divert her attention to appropriate chew items.  I have also tried to remember to teach paws down or four on the floor as one of my friends says which works well since she knows how to sit for attention.
 
     Potty training ( I think the worst part of caring for a puppy ) remains a work in progress.  It is a must they are in your visual field when out of the kennel or when the urge hits as any puppy this age will just squat and get relief when ever it needs to.  Suzie does know the patio door we all go out and will sit and bark to go out but she has also learned she can get out to chew my mulch or just to get a treat even if she did not pee/poo.  I think she is saying " See I'm smart and observant " in learning ways to get what she wants.  If I don't see her relieve herself she stays out until she responds to the word potty. 
 
     Puppy fostering is great fun but a load of work.  I am very happy when adoptive families have been there already, know what to expect, and willing to make that commitment to teach and socialize the pup into being a happy confident golden.  Good luck to Suzie and her new family when she is officially adopted but she will always remain a golden RAGOM pup.
 
Suzie's first FM