Sophie (Piper 09-311)

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Piper was found wandering the streets with a collar but no tags and was sent to the pound. After a few weeks at the pound no one adopted Piper, so RAGOM to the rescue! Piper is an active dog who loves tennis balls and swimming. She can live with children of any age. She would enjoy another dog as a companion and likes cats. Piper is looking for a family where she gets lots of chances to play fetch and is included in all the family activities.

At a Glance #09-311

Golden Retriever Born: July 2008
Female 40 lbs

Status: Deceased

Profile

Piper was found wandering the streets with a collar but no tags and was sent to the pound. After a few weeks at the pound no one adopted Piper, so RAGOM to the rescue! Piper is an active dog who loves tennis balls and swimming. She can live with children of any age. She would enjoy another dog as a companion and likes cats. Piper is looking for a family where she gets lots of chances to play fetch and is included in all the family activities.

Updates

Saturday, August 24, 2019

10 years ago, in the Spring of 2009, I thought it would be fun to foster Golden Retrievers. After the application and home visit process, we took in our first foster in June. Although saying good-bye to Gracie was an emotional experience, I quickly volunteered for my second foster, Sophie (Piper).

She seemed to know immediately that this was “home”.  Although  I was immediately taken with her, I did not get into fostering so I could adopt a second dog; how quickly things change. After four weeks as a foster, Sophie officially joined our family and we became what is known as “foster failures”.

This was a match made in doggy heaven. Sophie became the “protector” of our resident dog, Maggie and she later “mentored” another foster dog from a puppy mill showing her how to be a confident and loving Golden. 

The tears of joy from July of 2009 have now turned to tears of sorrow. A few months ago we received the news that Sophie didn’t have much time left.  We did our best to make her remaining days as enjoyable as possible, filling them with her favorite treats, outings and as much petting as she wanted.

Arriving home from work yesterday, Sophie let me know that she was ready and needed our help to make her final journey.  Sophie loved exploring the great outdoors and never tired of exploring our yard. So, last night, we snuggled in our yard with Sophie and with a warm summer breeze, said our final good-byes as she made her way across the rainbow bridge. 

I am so incredibly blessed to have had this funny and exuberant girl for 10 amazing years- she was my loving and faithful companion, always at my side, for every day of those 10 years. She went everywhere with me, we logged thousands of miles together over the years. She was outside with me doing chores, weather permitting- running errands and when possible, she came to work with me, always wanting to be by my side.

She loved my grandchildren too, she was always so gentle with them. There are no words to describe the heartbreak and sense of loss we are now experiencing. My only comfort is knowing she is no longer in pain. She is forever in my heart.  Thank you to RAGOM for this beautiful gift.

Piper 09-311
Piper 09-311
Piper 09-311
Piper 09-311

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Hello Everyone. Piper here, except my name is now Sophie. It's raining outside but I think today is one of the best day's ever cuz I'm now adopted! Yup, my foster family decided they just couldn't live without me so I'm staying. I even get an older fur sister and I think she's just great cuz she lets me boss her around. As I mentioned before, my name is now Sophie cuz my mom didn't like "Piper" and people would misunderstand and call me "hyper". To celebrate, my family got me a t-shirt that says "ADOPTED" with today's date (aren't I cute?).

Oh, and I can't forget to thank RAGOM for helping me find such a GReat home.

Hugs and kisses.
Sophie


Wearing my new "adopted" t-shirt


Partners in crime- me and my fur sister breaking into the treat jar

Friday, July 24, 2009

Original initial bio:

We are pleased to announce our newest foster, Piper. Piper was found wandering the streets with a collar but no tags and was sent to the pound. After a few weeks at the pound no one adopted Piper, so RAGOM to the rescue! The vet estimates Piper to be approximately one year old, very petite at 48lbs and in excellent health. As I write this update, Piper is at the vet for her spay appointment.

After a week with Piper, we know that she is (probably) a pure bred golden and part amphibian- this girl loves the water! Give her a tennis ball to fetch while swimming and she is in doggie heaven. Fetching tennis balls are her passion, she is not really into stuffed babies.

Piper is housetrained- not a single accident in the house but we have yet to learn her signal to go out as Piper and our resident, Maggie are let out every few hours during the day. Piper gets along amazingly well with with our very submissive resident dog, Maggie, and seems to do well with our neighbor's cat- she didn't try to chase the cat, just sniff her out a little.

Birds are another story - when Piper saw a duck, she took off running (maybe she is a hunter at heart)? We have observed Piper with a large number of kids (neighbors daycare) and she does well; as usual, she is just trying to get one of them to throw her tennis ball.

Piper is such a snuggler! Whether you are on the couch or in bed, she wants to be right there getting in on lots of love. We ALL have enjoyed having Piper this last week, I can't imagine why her previous owners didn't keep a better eye on her- she is VERY well behaved.

The only thing we have noticed is if she thinks you are mad at her, she will cower and piddle on the floor (submissive peeing). With a little reassurance, she is fine again.

That's all for now. We will update again soon!