Sam 08-457

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Profile

Sam is a 3 year old purebred Golden Retriever. Sam has lived his whole life outside in a kennel. He is thin and needs to add some weight. Right now Sam is all about food and we are giving it to him in small amounts several times a day. When he first got here, he wolfed his food so fast he would almost choke on it. Today, he is finally eating a little slower and isn't so frantic about his meals. It will take awhile for him to realize that food will be a regular thing and he won't have to be so hungry any more.

Surprisingly for a dog that has lived his life away from humans and other animals, Sam is pretty social. He came into our house with the 2 resident dogs, foster dog Abby 08-467 and two cats, and just loved everyone. He is learning what being in a house is all about and no matter what you are doing, Sam just wants to hang out close by. He has a great disposition and with some training, he will make a great family dog some day.

Sam will need a family that can work on his training, give him lots of attention and let him know he can be with his people. He learns quickly and it won't take long for Sam to be on his best behavior. Right now, he is so excited to be around people he sometimes forgets what he is supposed to be doing. He also loves to race around the yard and today he started playing with one of the resident dogs. It was fun to watch him having a good time. Sam is pretty rambunctious, so a family without small children would be best for him.

Sam passed his vet appointment today with flying colors. He is now all up to date on his vaccinations, microchipped and ready to go. We will try and get some better photos soon. It was pretty tough trying to get him to stay still at all for any length of time.

At a Glance #08-457

Golden Retriever Born: September 2005
Male Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

Sam is a 3 year old purebred Golden Retriever. Sam has lived his whole life outside in a kennel. He is thin and needs to add some weight. Right now Sam is all about food and we are giving it to him in small amounts several times a day. When he first got here, he wolfed his food so fast he would almost choke on it. Today, he is finally eating a little slower and isn't so frantic about his meals. It will take awhile for him to realize that food will be a regular thing and he won't have to be so hungry any more.

Surprisingly for a dog that has lived his life away from humans and other animals, Sam is pretty social. He came into our house with the 2 resident dogs, foster dog Abby 08-467 and two cats, and just loved everyone. He is learning what being in a house is all about and no matter what you are doing, Sam just wants to hang out close by. He has a great disposition and with some training, he will make a great family dog some day.

Sam will need a family that can work on his training, give him lots of attention and let him know he can be with his people. He learns quickly and it won't take long for Sam to be on his best behavior. Right now, he is so excited to be around people he sometimes forgets what he is supposed to be doing. He also loves to race around the yard and today he started playing with one of the resident dogs. It was fun to watch him having a good time. Sam is pretty rambunctious, so a family without small children would be best for him.

Sam passed his vet appointment today with flying colors. He is now all up to date on his vaccinations, microchipped and ready to go. We will try and get some better photos soon. It was pretty tough trying to get him to stay still at all for any length of time.

Updates

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Hi! I am Sam's new foster, Stephanie. I have had him for about a week but will sadly be handing him back over to his previous foster, Denise. He is a little too rambunctious for my senior golden, Buddy, who is 12 years old. I am just afraid Sam will accidentally step on Buddy's hips or back legs and cause him more pain. Sam is a very sweet, loving dog. I will miss him very much. He just is so excited to be out of his outdoor kennel and around people. He is just expressing some puppy joy! I can't blame him. Sam sleeps through the night by our bedside, and has not had any accidents. We actually have to drag him out of bed around 10 or 11 to go potty. Yes, he can hold it. He loves to cuddle, and follows me around the house everywhere. I think he has a tendency more towards women than men. Not that he doesn't like men, he just seems to be more attached to me than my husband. Sam will make a perfect family pet, I just would not recommend small children or older senior dogs. He has a lot of energy to work off at times so he does need walks/jogs daily and fetch games. He and our 3 yr old dog like to play lots together. He would also benefit from some obedience training. He knows sit, and sometimes lie down, but that's about all. He also would do better if he wasn't left home alone all day. He needs to be with someone who possibly works from home or not gone for long hours during the work day. I think he is just a little scared that he will be left alone forever again...poor thing. I will miss him!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Sam is doing great. We are only feeding him 3 times a day now and he is much slower when he eats. I think we are finally getting him full. Sam knows to go in his kennel at night when we say, "kennel" and give him a treat. He has been sleeping quietly all through the night. No accidents in the house either. I still watch him just in case, but he is doing a good job going potty outside.

We have been going on walks and Sam does great on a leash with a Gentle Leader. At one time last week, I took all 4 dogs for a walk at once. He was super and walked right next to me. We went to the park today and talk a nice long walk in the woods. He loved that and was a tired boy when we got back. I don't think it will take much to train Sam at all. He just needs consistency and some direction. He has "sit" down pat, and is learning, "down", and also to "wait" when I open the door to go in or out.

The one photo I took has Sam in the foreground and Abby 08-467 in the background. Everyone has to help me in the kitchen when I am cooking. The other two resident dogs were in there with us too. As you can see from the photo, Sam is pretty curious. He is always looking and trying to investigate what is going on. Sometimes it is funny to watch him and see the look on his face.

Like I mentioned before, Sam has an absolutely wonderful disposition. With some training, he will make an excellent family dog.  He is young, smart, friendly, and a good looking boy too. What more could anyone want in a friend that will be devoted for many years to come?