Toby (Trooper 06-469)

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10/17/06: Introducing Trooper, who was just picked up today from the vet clinic that was holding onto him. He will be going into the vet tomorrow to get a check up and also neutered.

We don't know a lot about Trooper, but here is what we have so far: Trooper is a stray. The vet clinic estimated him to be around 8-9 years old. He weighs around 45-47 pounds. He is not neutered, but that will be taken care of this week. He was picked up by the police and is pretty smelly and has some matting. The vet clinic pulled ticks off him when he was in their care. I wasn't able to give Trooper a bath because he was freaked out and I didn't want to stress him more than he already is, plus it was just one person trying to wrangle two dogs! He did get a good brushing and most of the leaves and sticks that were in his tail are gone. He also had a flea/tick treatment at the vet's and he wasn't bathed there so it didn't rinse out. Trooper's teeth are clean, clean, clean. There is a part of his right ear that appears to be missing or had been cut at some point.

Trooper's tail is always wagging (even when I was pulling burrs and leaves out of it) and he is vocal when he is excited or pleased. He is very appreciative of any attention or pets that he gets. He is friendly to the resident female but not interested in playing with her. He was curious about the other neighborhood dogs that all came out at once and were barking at the newcomer when he was being brushed. He kennels when you lead him there and will just lay down. He knows sit, lay down, and NO. I think he will also roll over. Trooper pulls on a leash but was also pretty excited when we got to our house.

More to come from his foster after his vet appointment and neuter!

TrooperTrooper

At a Glance #06-469

Mixed Breed Born: September 2001
Male Weight not specified

Status: Adopted

Profile

10/17/06: Introducing Trooper, who was just picked up today from the vet clinic that was holding onto him. He will be going into the vet tomorrow to get a check up and also neutered.

We don't know a lot about Trooper, but here is what we have so far: Trooper is a stray. The vet clinic estimated him to be around 8-9 years old. He weighs around 45-47 pounds. He is not neutered, but that will be taken care of this week. He was picked up by the police and is pretty smelly and has some matting. The vet clinic pulled ticks off him when he was in their care. I wasn't able to give Trooper a bath because he was freaked out and I didn't want to stress him more than he already is, plus it was just one person trying to wrangle two dogs! He did get a good brushing and most of the leaves and sticks that were in his tail are gone. He also had a flea/tick treatment at the vet's and he wasn't bathed there so it didn't rinse out. Trooper's teeth are clean, clean, clean. There is a part of his right ear that appears to be missing or had been cut at some point.

Trooper's tail is always wagging (even when I was pulling burrs and leaves out of it) and he is vocal when he is excited or pleased. He is very appreciative of any attention or pets that he gets. He is friendly to the resident female but not interested in playing with her. He was curious about the other neighborhood dogs that all came out at once and were barking at the newcomer when he was being brushed. He kennels when you lead him there and will just lay down. He knows sit, lay down, and NO. I think he will also roll over. Trooper pulls on a leash but was also pretty excited when we got to our house.

More to come from his foster after his vet appointment and neuter!

TrooperTrooper

Updates

Monday, January 8, 2007

Since his neuter, Toby has been doing very well. Heartworm treatments are all behind us now!! Yeah!! Just this weekend we can begin to go for walks, slowly at first. Boy he loves those! He pulls a little ahead of me and is very inquisitive (not a lot) of what is all out there, smells, etc. When he hears other dogs bark, etc., he listens, and we go on our way.

I use a harness on him. I have kept a harness on Toby from when I go to work until dark due to needing to be tied-out from the couple times he has seen a squirrel and jumped over our back fence into the neighbor’s yard which is also fenced! Our neighbor (very nice) also has a very old Lab named Maggie (13) and Toby is just fine with her; he is just looking for the squirrel and sniffing out a new yard. All you have to do is drive around the corner to their house, open their gate, open the truck door, and in he goes (loves riding!)! Best way to catch him! He knows he did wrong and does come to his name…everyone’s yard is fenced so it is actually quicker to ‘drive’ around the corner than to run. Hence the harness.

I leave for work around 6:30-6:45 am and come home about 11:30 – 12:00. When I come home from work around lunch, I hook him out on a lead for potty (the rest of the crew just go without--loose). I put my things away, etc. and then they all come back in. If I look and there are no squirrels or anything he is just fine out in the backyard with our 6’ privacy fence. I make sure I watch him but he is ok. Toby is fine when let out early morning and evenings due to the darkness. No problems - squirrels are snoozing :)

He is coming back to me and answering to his name better all the time. I really think he feels so good, but there is something about seeing those furry squirrels! I do work with him on that, and when we are out on lead and see one…we really work on ‘listening’ and ‘come’. Getting his attention and told he has to behave.

Toby is used to being alone inside the house with our other 3 dogs and 3 cats for approximately 4-5 hours is all. Everyone is fine and there have never been any issues/accidents (pooped in unfinished basement 2X when I first had him). Toby is used to only being left from 6:30-7 am until noon. We are always home on weekends and our 20 year old daughter is super to help out and come over and let pets out if we need it (while transporting or something else!). Toby has not been alone 7-9 hours a day however. I do not know how he would handle that – I work part time. Toby is very happy with our pack and the cats.

Toby loves kids, any age or size. We have 5 grandchildren ranging from 5 mos to 11 years old. He has great manners. We have taken him to our daughter’s home who has an 11 month old and 2 year old and all goes very, very well. Kids can do most anything to him and he is fine; very Golden personality! Everyone is always supervised, of course!!

He has a tail to ‘fan you’ also! When he is happy it is up and running. He knows commands well, such as sit and stay. He takes treats fine. All the dogs eat at their stations at the same time morning and night and there are no problems with any of them. The cats can come up and rub him, too!

We have a doggie bed/pillow in the living room and when he is not being petted, he will go lay on that. He enjoys dog chews…we have the hard bones with hollow center and he will play with stuffed toys, too! Now that he can be active, we will do this much more. Toby is a very special, soft, sweet boy and he will look at you and really listen with those big browns of his! Again, I feel this boy will do fine in a home with children or without. He needs exercise like any other dog/Golden of course and needs to be petted and loved all the time! I am not sure how he will do being left all day for 7-10 hours at a time however. He has not had that in over 3 ½ months that we have had him and could get pretty lonesome? A lot of this is due to keeping him quiet for heartworm treatment. He really would like to sleep WITH someone, but we have him sleep on the floor next to us and in the morning, after early potty break, UP for loving! He lays very nice next to you….lover! The vet loves him too!

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Our boy Toby is doing about the best you can get! Since his second injections, he is doing fine. He is such a part of the family now. Toby listens so very, very well. He has a tail that wags most of the time. He is very happy and just the best personality a human or canine or feline could ask for. So sweet and gentle. So very understanding considering this poor guy cannot go for walks etc. until heartworm treatment is complete!

He is loving jumping up in the bed for loving in the morning---after everyone has the first round of potty breaks before breakfast! Kisses and loves…makes cute little sounds when he is happy, too.

He does not get overexcited as to knock things over or go nuts…just big tail wags and ‘a look’ to make you melt! He is so very respectful of all the other pets and humans. Having young (very young) children around him is perfectly fine or just alone with us is perfect too. Truck rides are super too. Toby really knows his commands and listens very well. He takes treats gently. He enjoys being brushed and just all around touched and petted. He is a fine weight, about 50#, nice coat, and just the perfect personality…we love him so much. All the dogs and cats get along fine. The ‘taking off after squirrels’ has gotten better…he will REALLY look and want to run or give chase, but does answer nicely to his name, so we are getting there….

Toby will now be due for one dose of Heart Guard in a week or so to kill off the ‘baby heartworms’ and could still become sick from that as well. So far the treatment has gone very smoothly. After a week or two of the Heart Guard tablet, he can be neutered and will be all set! It will be great to be able to take this wonderful boy with the rest of the crew for a run! Just cannot say enough wonderful things about him. Toby is a truly exceptionable dog with a personality that anyone can adore and love! He is just the best.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Toby continues to do very well. I think it is harder on us because “we know” he cannot go out and play or run or go for a walk. He looks at me and wonders???? I think he is holding back some because maybe he “knows” somehow there is a reason for not getting out and being “held back from the doors and gates” to make sure there are no accidents…..we are doing our very best to be more calm and quiet however, our other dogs sure don’t get it!

Toby just is so beautiful and loving and kind. We have had absolutely no issues with: cats (he looks and watches…); great with very young grandkids; and with other dogs; fine with cleaning around the house and new noises. I cannot praise him enough. This is a babe who will be able to fit in just about any household. It would be best with a fence because I think (sense) - he loves to run (poor guy has not had a chance yet); needs to learn his name and to “come” when called and that is what we will be working on.

He has barked a couple times, mostly when the other dogs do if someone comes up to the door or they see a lot of kids/people out the front door. I have noticed too, when walking Toby, when he saw children playing outside, in the driveway or at the park, very very interested and really perked up. Toby at this point is one of those dogs who would fit in a home with multiple dogs, only dog, cats or not, kids or not. Very adaptable and I think so very very easy to fall in love with. And of course, is just gorgeous! His coat is getting better since a good diet and a grooming. He is quite the gentleman at night. He will lay by our bed on a doggie bed and is totally silent all night. Never never has their been an accident. All the other dogs are in our bedroom at night too.

When asked to go in his crate, he is fine with that too. Toby is really glad when you come back of course!! He has a tail that really goes! And goes…. We are very comfortable leaving him out and about with our troops. The only reason now for the crating or putting in the bedroom is due to this heartworm treatment and keeping him quiet. (Have to be strict on that point now)

There have been absolutely no issues with Toby. He is just a love. As a Golden, wants to raise your hand and be petted and petted and petted some more. He is not a messy eater and does not bother anyone who is eating, human or canine or feline. He is a totally wonderful beautiful boy! We will get through this treatment with flying colors I am sure. Just love him…he is going to be one of the nicest boys ever for somebody! So lucky to have him and be able to foster this boy! Toby will be able to be neutered in about 3-4 months once he gets over this treatment of heartworm. He has no other physical problems. In great shape…..Just the most wonderful boy! We are still sure he is around 5-6 years old. Accents of light golden, cream around his face and front of his legs…not an age coloring. Very subtle soft golden color with light cream mixed in. And a face that makes you melt!

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Mr. Trooper Toby came into our lives on Friday, October 20th. How very lucky we are. Trooper Toby, called TOBY, is a handsome, mellow, well-behaved Golden Mix. Toby was very comfortable riding in our truck. No sounds, just some naps and outside viewing. He was happy to get a couple hard treats. This was a very enjoyable, happy trip! Had his share of nose kisses too, of course! Gosh this is a great boy.

[**We are thinking Toby is actually younger than 8.5. Probably more in the 4-6 year old range? I will get opinion of a couple dog trainers/groomer/vet in the area on this]

As previously stated, we know Toby is heart worm positive so after we got into Sioux Falls, we had a vet appointment scheduled. Toby was quite the gentleman and very good at the vet clinic. A lot of ooh’s and aahh’s on his beauty and good disposition. Toby sounded good, was not nervous, and handled his first vet check perfectly. We also had prior records which the Dr. received for our next trip there.

Toby’s heartworm treatment is scheduled for next Wednesday, the 25th. They will keep Toby all day to make sure he is feeling ok and observe him. Toby also went with us to visit our groomer to see what she thought about him and what Toby thought about her. Good visit. Toby has an appointment Monday the 23rd in the morning to be washed and brushed out. There is a lot of undercoat to come out, etc. We want him as comfortable as possible prior to Wednesday's treatment. He does have marks/bumps where ticks were on him, a few mats, and just junk in his fur. He really enjoys being brushed and is perfectly fine with wherever you want to pet him. His very favorite is to stretch out on his back, legs up, and a bellyrub! Even before grooming, Toby does have a nice coat. It is a beautiful light golden, with highlights of soft white around his face. A proper diet and grooming will be just an added plus.

We have a baby gated bedroom for him, a very large crate with new pillow, and of course, the run of the house and fenced in backyard. We have also provided Toby with 3 buddy canines and 3 kitties. Toby has done super with the rest of the animals here. He ignores the kitties, so no problems there - yay! Toby really enjoys being outside in the fresh air. He loves walking around the back yard checking things out and all the smells. He does play and fetch. Ahh, just the smells of the air and new things is very interesting and fun for him.

Toby walks fine! I use a harness and he is right out in front. Toby keeps his head up, happy to be out walking, seeing what is out and about. He is fine with meeting other people and dogs, or walking by yards with barking dogs. Very well behaved. He has only coughed a few times, but not much at all. Toby ran errands yesterday to the pet store and grocery store. He socializes just fine. He has a happy tail which is up most all the time! He will only cry/whine when not being petted and all the others are. This is a very meek whine…just to make sure you know he is there. We have only heard him bark a couple times and is quiet when told "No".

We just love this boy. He will go into his crate at night just fine - he's quiet all night long. However, he is very happy to jump up in bed and lay by you! I believe now that Toby would be fine at night either laying on a pillow/rug on floor or on the bed beside you. We have seen absolutely no aggression of any kind with him — whether food, pets or kids. He is going to be loved a lot and is already a very special part of our family. He really enjoys Tim. So I feel either male or female adults is perfectly fine with Toby. This is one wonderful boy for sure! He does not beg for food and eats fine with the other dogs two times a day. Takes treats very well and listens attentively. We are very fortunate to have him for a foster. This is a longer note to begin with as after Wednesday’s vet appointment, there will be just short updates from his heartworm treatment(s).

We are all in love with this boy already. He is definitely learning his name of (Trooper) Toby. Just a super, super boy. He makes your heart happy and his nose is made for kisses! We're all doing perfectly!