Suzy went to the volunteer RAGOM picnic this year.  I took her with my Gracie and Katie 09-005.  They all were superb in their behavior and Suzy was introduced to one of the wading pools available for the dogs to cool off in.  I did not think to take my camera so alas I can't share any pics of her first dip.  She did not seem to mind when I put her front feet in and readily allowed me to guide the rest of her in the pool.  To my amazement she just plopped right down like it was the most natural thing in the world.  Suzy just had fun wandering around in the fenced area making friends where ever she ended up never intimated by the new environment at all.  
 
Suzy is now a year old and her last weight was 76 lbs.  Although for the most part her behavior is great there are some puppy behaviors that come out when she is playing and excited like jumping and mouthing.  She responds well to a vocal noise and stops mouthing immediately but the jumping is a work in progress.  She likes to pick up clothes or shoes if you leave them on the floor but never seems to chew on them.  They just get carried  to where ever she ends up usually in the TV room.  Its just those golden genetics to retrieve and return coming through.  We are trying to see how she sleeps out of the kennel or at least with the door open at night but like the pup she is sleep is a waste of time.  Last night I finally got up and put her in the kennel with the door closed always telling her it is bedtime.  With the door closed she settles right down and goes to sleep.  
 
Enjoy the pics I have included.  I love the one with the big stick.  Its as if she is carrying a prize to mom saying "Look what I found ma!"  "Aren't you proud of me".   
 
If you are interested in meeting Suzy let your placement adviser know.  Suzy's sight impairment does not prevent her from being adopted.  A home with a dog buddy and a fence especially the fence is a must for this girls safety.

Suzy here:  Did you see my new web picture?  Don't I look marvelous!  FM says I need to start earning my keep and doing my own updates.  Huh?  What is an update.  Isn't one day just like the other.  Eat, sleep, play, nap, and pester FM.  Then we start all over again.  OH!  I forgot the poop and pee routine then we pickup.   At least FM get to do the pick up. HEE  HEE.  She specially likes it when it is wet and thawing outside like it is now.
 
Monday we went for a very long ride.  I kinda whined because I don't quite get the moving car thing with my lack of vision and not being on my paws.  We met a new family that wants to adopt from RAGOM and join our BIG family.  They want to volunteer like FM does.  They were super great even though I spilled a big bowl of water all over the floor.  How was I to know it was right there in front of me.  The lady there was so patient and understanding you can tell she is a "golden lover" just like FM.  I was very very good except for the couple of times FM told me to get my paws off the kitchen table.  I was just showing them how far I can stretch.  I could tell they were impressed.  Katie really enjoyed all the attention she got from the Mr. in the house plus checking out the entire  yard.  Last week we went walking every day even though it was only mid 20's with the wind chill but the sun was shining and it was beautiful.   I got to plow through all the snow in the yards and make dog angels.  This week it rained and all the snow is gone.  YUK is all FM can say when we come in from the sloppy yard.
 
FM says to remember to say HELLO to my sponsors Carl and Mary.  Bet you are as ready for spring and summer like FM is.   Thank you every day for thinking of me.  Wish we could get together so you could get kisses in person.  I would come visit it you want.  Just let me know.  

I have sent a couple of new pics of Suzy.  I finally got one with the snow cube in her mouth but this one is not nearly as large as some she picks up.  She enjoys searching for any chunk she can get in her mouth.  She doesn't really play with them but enjoys eating them.
  
Suzy and the girls got some new beef bones for the holidays and boy did Suzy get an upset tummy.  I thought she had eaten something out of sight but when I talked with the vet tech she said some dogs don't tolerate the richness of the protein in raw bones.  I'll say!  Getting up when the temperature was below zero several times a night for the poopies was the most unfun I have had in a while.  After three to four days (I lost count) and removing the bones her tummy settled down.  She was such a good girl to persistently let me know she needed to go out and never a mess in her kennel.  I was a proud mama.
 
Suzy has one more person to say  Thank you! to for a her holiday token  That would be Shayna.  Thank you for thinking of my special girl.  Suzy is sending warm (and I mean warm) thoughts to Carl and Mary her sponsors.
 
As my foster Katie 09-005...  Suzy also wants to find her special forever home this year.  Don't let her being sight impaired intimidate you.  Suzy is every bit the golden and fun to be with and available for adopting.  

Suzy had fun this morning with the fresh snow.Tuesday into Wednesday is supposed to be even bigger and I hope to take some new pics of the girls.  Suzy now weighs 67 lbs.  She went with Katie just so we could see if she is at her best weight based on her petite size and the vet says she looks good.  She is suggesting a small cutback on the amount since she is now spayed plus you know how we all become slugs during the winter months.

Suzy met an overnight guest when I did a transport on Friday.  All the girls were exceptional in welcoming this new girl into RAGOM.  Suzy thought what fun there was someone new to tackle, wrestle, and check out.  Suzy got her first food bowl warning from the new girl and I was impressed she backed off and respected the warning since she still has the puppy in your face behavior at times.

It is amazing how much instinctive behavior she has being a golden and blind.  She approached the computer when I was typing and bounced my arm in the air with her nose just like the other girls.  Suzy has the disadvantage of not seeing any of the girls’ behaviors but never the less she is learning.  She is now vocal at the patio door for which I am forever grateful because my only warning was when she would disappear and I would have to check for her.  Now she goes to the patio door, sits, and I hear this little humming from the back of her throat as if to say "Hello I need to potty". 

When it comes time to say good-bye to this special foster I know it will be very difficult because she has become so special and it has been so rewarding to have her in my home.  Someone will get a great golden when she is adopted.

Suzy has sponsors and a Christmas Token too!  Carl and Mary you are so special as I know you sponsored one of my other fosters and many other RAGOM pups.  You are the best and I feel lucky and privileged you have chosen Suzy.  Suzy sends Christmas and New Year wishes your way and to all of RAGOMDOM.  Snowball, my Suzy says you are the greatest and you even have the same last three numbers.  Bet you thought she would never notice.  Nothing much gets by our little Suzy. Thank-you for the Christmas Token.

FM here: 

Suzy is improving every day with her no jump training.  She listens much better when she is on leash then when running about the yard.  Responding to "come" is a real challenge.  I have paired it with the dropping noise of small amounts of food in her metal bowl which entices her to come with lots of praise.  We sit each and every time we go out the patio doors paired with the command wait.  Her ability to sit and wait gets better each time.  I do this when we exits the kennel also as this is when she likes to be real excited and jump for attention.  There have been times when I thought she was having an identity crisis and thought she was a jack in the box.  Its like she has a spring attached to her butt.  OH WELL puppies are still fun especially when they are looking for hugs and kisses or lay their head on you just to be close.

Having a puppy in the house is like a small child who constantly asks why in that your vocabulary seems to shrink to the same phrases each and every day.  Like children consistency and routine provide opportunities to teach mutual respect for each other as well as becoming familiar with basic commands.  After awhile it just becomes a normal routine to see them respond automatically even without the command being said.  Suzy will get there in time with lots of patience and love.

If you are interested in meeting Suzy let your placement adviser know. 

Suzy is a very happy and energetic youngster. All evidence of being a puppy is gone and she looks more like a miniature golden with her curls, hair hanging from her tail and only a small evidence of feathering around her butt area.

Suzy's retrieval instinct and bringing items to FM is growing. It can be anything from a piece of clothing, toy, or whatever is handy including shoes. She loves to chew on my crocks and they do show a few teeth punctures and chewing on the edges as I teach her what is appropriate and inappropriate chew items.  Suzy will chew on anything if the need arises when left to entertain herself without supervision.  She is very much the typical puppy with it comes to chewing, tasting and exploring her environment.
    
Sitting to command is consistent as well as no bite. The no bite needs frequent reminders as she has alot of puppy behavior to grow out of yet. She still loves to play, have her belly and chest rubbed, and at times can be quite rambunctious. Quiet down time is becoming more frequent as the frantic needs to play becomes less evident with maturity. She often jumps on the couch to lay along side my leg and tease Katie who is on the floor next to FM's legs. They play the oral vocal game for quite some time until Suzy jumps off the couch.  Did I say she is fearless. She takes a flying leap into the air and can land at least 3 feet into the room hoping it is on top of my Gracie.
    
Potty training is going well.  Suzy has at least one accident a week (urinating) and no more which is more my fault for being inattentive to her signals.  She eats raw vegetables and enjoys the treat when the girls get theirs.  She sleeps all night though we were up at 2:30 am to potty which is very rare. I suspect something she chewed on in the yard gave her the poopies and she let me know without a doubt her need to go outside. I was very grateful she was so emphatic about the need to potty and very proud she ignored my "quiet" and "go to sleep" commands.  Suzy is crate trained and rarely objects to going in when asked. 
 
Adoptive home needs:

*A fence would be great since she is sight impaired.
*A family willing to take her to obedience classes and include her in their lives despite her visual issues.
*Ideally it would be nice if she were only kenneled about 4 hours and someone to let her out to potty and play to keep her energy level under control. She is at an age with a need to be active and not crated for long periods.