Hello there, interesting and wonderfully friendly humans!  Saia (sigh-ya) here.  I'm a four year old female Golden Retriever, and a stunningly beautiful one at that *preening*.  I come from a commercial interest in South Dakota. 

For the first time, I'm living inside a house, with humans and other dogs...and we run free!  So much has happened to me in three short days that my head is kind of spinning, but I'll tell you one thing....I LIKE what the future has in store for me!  My Foster Mom is particularly taken with me - she's says I'm incredibly smart, very talented and outrageously pretty.  I don't know about all that, but what I do know is that this indoor thing - it's OK with me.  Initially I was really scared of the doorway, silly me, but apparently FM has seen that before.  My foster brother, Jerry Bear did the same thing when he showed up here, but I got over it much quicker!  I was in the house after an hour of patient coaxing and then my curiousity got the best of me.  FM wondered if there was some feline in me *ruffled fur*...how rude!  It was just SUCH a neat experience - new things all over, new smells, new sights...WOW!

So I've been watching my foster fur brothers closely for the last three days and trying to follow their lead.  It took me twenty-four hours to get that the outside is the place to potty.  After that, Foster Mom let me sleep outside the laundry room and I haven't had one accident yet!  Of course, that first day it was pretty funny to watch Mom watching me, and running and hopping to get me outside before I finished my circles...but, I've got it now!  I also have free roam of the house while she's home...and I don't get into ANYTHING I'm not supposed too...yet.  Of course, I'm starting to eye the fuzzy stuffed things that the boys seem to love....and the round rolley things that FM calls balls.  I even have my own BED - and since Monday, it's been placed right next to FM's bed.  Gosh, I love that!

My foster brother Sam has a crush on me.  Apparently he USED to be really shy and quiet and ummm...what was that word...reclusive?  Could have fooled me - he's done a really good job of showing me the ropes here.  He's even taught me how to play - by chasing me like a little demon my first day.  I got really tired of that and once, turned and chased him.  OH MY WHAT FUN!  Even Lakota let's me play with him once in awhile, when he's not playing the stoic lead dog role.  

So let's see...what else.  I'm 68 pounds and in very good health.  I came with an ear infection, but the medicine they gave me has cleared that up beautifully.  I have no fear of handling and even got my nails cut yesterday.  My foster brothers whine and fight to get away but me...didn't bother me at all.  I also love baths - but I DO NOT like that water room - the one where the water falls from the ceiling?  Uh uh...no way.  I got a bath in the laundry tub yesterday and now my curls shine like fire and FM says I smell like mangos...I wonder what a mango is?  

Alright, fascinating two legs - my foster brothers are eyeing my bed so it's time for me to curl up...nighty night.

Hello everyone, Heidi here.  This gorgeous girl is AMAZING!  It's obvious that she's never played with a toy, or spent any time in a home, or even maybe had much interaction with other dogs, but little Saia has taken all this in her stride.  It took us about an hour to get her to come in the house on her own on Sunday, but once inside she was all eyes and ears and nose, checking out the nooks and crannies like a puppy.  She LOVES my roommate, has the biggest crush on him imaginable.  Whenever Saia disappears, I know where to look - she's lying at the foot of his door with a wistful expression.

Just in the last twenty-four hours, Saia has really started to join our little household, playing with the other three fuzzy four foots and joining everyone for meals.  She hasn't displayed much more than cursory interest in the toys, but I'm quite sure Jerry Bear will teach her the error of her ways - he's a crazy nutty toy thief and loves nothing better than teasing whatever dog is closest with his current favorite toy.

So far, we have had one accident in the house - stopped in mid stride, so to speak.  That was the first day.  Since then, she's done her business outside just like all the rest.  I give her free roam of the house while I'm here, although I do put her and Jerry Bear in the laundry together while I'm out.  She's eating well, her ear infection has cleared and she's a very smart, quick little learner.  Sam is nuts about her...where Saia is, Sam will follow. They're quite the pair. 

Saia is very very very camera shy.  I have been reduced to sneaking shots through banisters and under cushions in order to catch her pretty face, so we will keep trying for better shots.  This little girl is a wondergirl, considering everything she's never known.  She's quiet but not overly shy and absolutely adores any attention she receives, but will not initiate beyond a wistful glance from across the room.  She knows her name and comes when called and is very intent on watching and reading body language and tones - she wants to make you happy and a small word of praise or a pet will have her tail wagging like crazy.  She's adorable.  For her forever home, what she needs is love...lots and lots of love.  She will pay in back in spades.  If you're interested in learning more about Saia, or meeting her, please contact placementRAGOM [dot] org.

Saia's favorite spot...at the foot of Paul's door.