Vern 03-306

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9/27/2003: Vern is a 7 month neutered male Golden/Lab mix. He was turned in to an Iowa Humane Society because the owners older dog was not getting along with Vern, he was too much for them to handle and they had no time. Vern has never been to obedience training and he is not housebroken (although so far he has been fine at my house).

Vern was also temperament tested at the Humane Society. He scored very well. He is a bit shy, but very gentle for his age. The only minor problem they had was when they were examining his teeth, and even then he just wiggled a bit. Based on their results, they would not restrict him on anything i.e. a home with no kids. They thought he'd be great for any family. He also seems to be a quick learner. When surrendered, his family said he didn't know commands, but he was doing ok at the shelter. So far at my house he has gotten along with my 3 dogs and is scared of my 9 pound cat. He has been tethered to me (since he might not be housebroken) and he has been a very nice boy, he is rather rambunctious and would love to play all the time but he does settle down.

We have worked on some basic commands and so far he will sit and lay down, we will work on come and stay in the next few days. He is not fond of the gentle leader but as he is a strong boy, he will continue to wear one when out in public, he will get used to it in the next few days as well. I'll report more as I get to know him and after our vet appointment...but I think he will be a quick placement.

At a Glance #03-306

Golden Retriever Born: October 2003
Male Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

9/27/2003: Vern is a 7 month neutered male Golden/Lab mix. He was turned in to an Iowa Humane Society because the owners older dog was not getting along with Vern, he was too much for them to handle and they had no time. Vern has never been to obedience training and he is not housebroken (although so far he has been fine at my house).

Vern was also temperament tested at the Humane Society. He scored very well. He is a bit shy, but very gentle for his age. The only minor problem they had was when they were examining his teeth, and even then he just wiggled a bit. Based on their results, they would not restrict him on anything i.e. a home with no kids. They thought he'd be great for any family. He also seems to be a quick learner. When surrendered, his family said he didn't know commands, but he was doing ok at the shelter. So far at my house he has gotten along with my 3 dogs and is scared of my 9 pound cat. He has been tethered to me (since he might not be housebroken) and he has been a very nice boy, he is rather rambunctious and would love to play all the time but he does settle down.

We have worked on some basic commands and so far he will sit and lay down, we will work on come and stay in the next few days. He is not fond of the gentle leader but as he is a strong boy, he will continue to wear one when out in public, he will get used to it in the next few days as well. I'll report more as I get to know him and after our vet appointment...but I think he will be a quick placement.

Updates

Saturday, February 20, 2016

 

Hi,

The last person I wrote to from RAGOM was Michelle on January 31, 2004, when we adopted our Vern (your #03-306). That was a happy time. Young and buoyant he was just merging with our family and Maggie, his older sister by 3 months. They were wonderful together, playing, with Maggie wisely supervising, and Vern pulling her along as his pull toy. We have had years of joy from both of them.

They reached their senior years. She developed an arthritic elbow. Vern fared worse. At age 12, after losing most of his muscle, in 2015 he was diagnosed with Cushings Disease. Then, when he kept losing weight despite his medication, a trip to Ames Veterinary Hospital showed that he also had cancerous tumors in his bladder and spleen and was given a few more months to be. That was a horrible blow. But up until his very last second, he never gave up. He had those hopeful, willful eyes. He kept hoisting himself up (often with a little help) on to his wobbly hind legs to bring himself down three flights of stairs. He even tentatively journeyed a short way down his favorite back yard hill. He couldn’t serenade the forest as he used to, but he would yahoo his crumpled cough. And he LOVED to swim. We had discovered a doggie therapy pool nearby and had been bringing him for swimming/play the last few months. Oh my. His two favorite loves. Water and toys to retrieve in the one body part that still worked: his iron clamped mouth.

But a few days ago, he lost most of his appetite even for his canned puppy food and my created soups, potato pancakes, and peanut butter and sweet potato balls. We could see every bone in his body. He was down. He had that look, with a touch of his sparkle. It was time. And though it broke our hearts to part with sweet, rambunctious Vern we took him for his last brave walk to the Rainbow Bridge where hopefully he’ll happily run again with friends.

I’m sending you this picture taken a couple of months ago to show you our Vern with his sparkle. We thank you so much for introducing us. Even as I weep writing this, I need to say he has been a joy.

My husband thinks I’m crazy, but I will be contacting you again in a few months for possibly another retriever mix. (He was a golden lab.) We have lab mix girls at the moment. Mag our senior and cooky Coco, who is a year. I’m thinking a male in his middle years. Vern is irreplaceable, but we still have room for lots of love for one more to go with our memories that we will cherish.

All the best,

Maureen W.