Rusty has arrived! We are so happy to have him :) Rusty is an 8 yr old (will be 9 in Feb.) PB, neutered Golden Retriever. Rusty is a very BIG boy! He weighs in around 100 lbs. (we will get an official number later this week when he sees the vet). He has a little extra padding, but mostly is just a big dog! He has huge paws, a huge head, and dwarfs our 70 lb goldens. I love it! Who doesn't love a big beautiful senior golden boy! More to love!! :) He is a gentle giant and is just about as sweet as can be. His precious white frosted face melts my heart!
 
Rusty came into RAGOM because the woman who had owned him all of his life had to move to an assisted living facility and he could not join her. I am sure she is missing her companion, and Rusty no doubt misses his mom :( As sad as it is that he had to be separated from her, he is in great hands now that he is a RAGOM boy. We promise to find him a forever home where he can live out his golden years with the same amount of love he has lived with all his life. Rusty was clearly a LOVED doggy at his previous home. He came with a stack of vet records, treats, heart worm preventative, frontline, etc. etc.....
 
We know from his surrender forms that Rusty had some hip issues (hip dysplasia) as a young man, and as far as we know the hips were surgically corrected. He does walk with a little bit of a different gait and has a bit of stiffness, but no limping and does not seem to be in any pain. He also came with glucosamine and fish oil supplements which we will continue to give each day to help with the joints (a good idea in any older dog!). Stairs aren't a problem for him, he does them just fine. Just slowly. I would like to find him a forever home with minimal stairs to make it easier on him and his hips.
 
Rusty is a perfect house guest. He is sweet as pie! Loves to be loved. Has the golden nose nudge down pat! Loves to just be next to you and will follow you from room to room to sleep at your feet. He is totally house trained and is completely trustworthy with free roam. He knows basic commands and takes treats very gently. He is good with our other dogs (2 goldens and a yorkie) but does like to be the big boss man... and has growled a few times just to let them know that he doesn't want them in his face. He will also growl at them if he is eating and one of them walks by his food bowl. I can take his food (or anything) away from him with no problem at all. He just tells them in doggy language to back off, they listen, and there isn't a problem. I do think Rusty would be happiest as an only dog. He doesn't really care to interact with them at all, and plus that is what he is familiar with...he was the main man at his last home :) But, time will tell as he is still settling in. He is FANTASTIC with kids. We have a 7 month old baby that he loves! He also let my sisters little boy crawl all over him! Rusty was sleeping on the floor and the two babies were playing with toys nearby and his poor paws got crawled over and rolled over and he didn't move a muscle! Our little boy is the only one who gets kisses from Rusty! I am still trying for mine :) Maybe it is because our baby frequently has a little leftover applesauce or something equally as tasty on his face :) :)
 
Overall, Rusty is a FANTASTIC dog! I even said to my husband a few minutes after we got him home... "I am in trouble!! I think I want to keep him!!!" My husband has heard this before... :) and told me that we owe it to Rusty to find him the perfect home. He is right. If you are looking for a move in ready, friendly, happy, sweet, beautiful, well trained, big boy... Rusty is your man! We will keep learning more about him, and get him to the vet for a wellness exam, and keep everyone updated in days to come. Thanks for reading about our Rusty Roo Roo!