Winnie/Dillon 07-381

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6/18/07: I first saw Winnie when I met the transport from the shelter, and he was extremely upset and anxious...constantly whining and barking.  He was also filthy, matted and smelled just awful.  But as soon as we got going in my car, he started to relax a bit and soon quieted down.  Once we got to my home, I put Winnie in our backyard and the transformation was amazing!  He jumped into the kiddy pool right away and flashed me that big goofy Golden grin!  At that moment, I knew Winnie would be just fine.  He loves exploring the yard (especially trying to find the ground squirrels and rabbits that live under our shed) and rolling in the grass (with tummy rubs!).  He gets along very will with our resident Golden, Lili, even though Lili is still kind of giving him the cold shoulder.  The only behavioral problem I've seen so far is he's a bit aggressive towards our cats.  He doesn't seek them out, but if they get too close to him he snaps and growls.  I immediately correct him with a sharp "no" and then he gives me that "oh gosh...I'm really sorry...do you still love me?" look.  I think that Winnie is just overwhelmed right now and doesn't want to be bugged by cats when he's resting.  Hopefully as he settles in this will no longer be an issue.  As for health issues, Winnie seems generally healthy, but quite a bit overweight.  I'm sure we can get his weight down to normal through diet and exercise.  Somewhere under all that blubber is a handsome boy! Also, since Winnie isn't a very manly name (and he doesn't even know it...the shelter gave him that name), we've started calling him Dylan around the house (much more dignified!).I've attached a photo of Winnie (Dylan) relaxing in the kiddy pool....happy dog!

At a Glance #07-381

Breed not specified Born: June 2001
Male Weight not specified

Status: Adopted

Profile

6/18/07: I first saw Winnie when I met the transport from the shelter, and he was extremely upset and anxious...constantly whining and barking.  He was also filthy, matted and smelled just awful.  But as soon as we got going in my car, he started to relax a bit and soon quieted down.  Once we got to my home, I put Winnie in our backyard and the transformation was amazing!  He jumped into the kiddy pool right away and flashed me that big goofy Golden grin!  At that moment, I knew Winnie would be just fine.  He loves exploring the yard (especially trying to find the ground squirrels and rabbits that live under our shed) and rolling in the grass (with tummy rubs!).  He gets along very will with our resident Golden, Lili, even though Lili is still kind of giving him the cold shoulder.  The only behavioral problem I've seen so far is he's a bit aggressive towards our cats.  He doesn't seek them out, but if they get too close to him he snaps and growls.  I immediately correct him with a sharp "no" and then he gives me that "oh gosh...I'm really sorry...do you still love me?" look.  I think that Winnie is just overwhelmed right now and doesn't want to be bugged by cats when he's resting.  Hopefully as he settles in this will no longer be an issue.  As for health issues, Winnie seems generally healthy, but quite a bit overweight.  I'm sure we can get his weight down to normal through diet and exercise.  Somewhere under all that blubber is a handsome boy! Also, since Winnie isn't a very manly name (and he doesn't even know it...the shelter gave him that name), we've started calling him Dylan around the house (much more dignified!).I've attached a photo of Winnie (Dylan) relaxing in the kiddy pool....happy dog!

Updates

Monday, July 16, 2007

Winnie/Dylan had another wonderful week! It seems that as time goes by, we see a little bit more of his personality and this week he decided to show us how silly he can be. When he wants to come in the house now, he squashes his lips against my lovely french doors and leaves a big "smoochie" on the glass! And last night when I was sitting in bed reading, he jumped on the bed, backed up to me and sat on me! Now that's love!! He's also becoming more attached to our four-year-old daughter. He usually sleeps in her room at night now...kind of a big furry guardian angel (I just hope he doesn't sit on her!).
 
I've included a photo of Winnie/Dylan getting ready for bed in our daughter's room and one of those great "I'm so eager to please!" shots (okay...so I was holding a cheese curd).
 
Winnie/Dylan just gets better and better!

 

 

 

Monday, July 9, 2007

Winnie (aka Dylan) had another great week!  He's lost a few pounds and now he is so handsome.  His coat has such a lustrous shine...a beautiful dark gold...and it's so soft!  I think he feels better too because he plays quite a bit more with our other foster, Squirt and our Golden, Lili.  The "Three Musketeers" love to roam around the backyard together, treeing squirrels, chasing rabbits and keeping us safe from the neighbor's Pug!  Winnie is also now fully certified to live with cats.  He barks at them from time to time (mostly at Squirt's instigation), but he doesn't chase them at all anymore. So now he has been given free run of the house and he has done very well.  He has never destroyed anything except his rawhide and he has not had a single accident.  Winnie is ready for his forever home....and how can anyone resist those big brown eyes?!

 

Monday, July 2, 2007

Winnie/Dylan has been with us for two weeks now and he's still doing just great!  His weight is slowly coming down. He was 73 lbs when we got him and now he's about 68 lbs.  The vet said that his ideal weight is 55-60 lbs, since he's somewhat smaller than average.  We'll get there!
  Winnie/Dylan now has a new favorite past-time, which is waiting ever so patiently for the resident ground squirrel to come out of his hole. Yesterday I sneaked out and put a stuffed squirrel down in the hole. When Winnie/Dylan saw it he just couldn't believe it!  He pulled it out and pranced around the backyard to show off his prize!
  He's also starting to play more. When Winnie/Dylan first came, it seemed like he wanted to play but just didn't know how.  Every time I threw a toy for him to fetch, he ducked!  Now he really loves to fetch his rawhide.  He's also starting to play more with our other foster dog, Squirt.  They chase each other around the back yard with those goofy Golden grins.

With the fireworks starting up for the fourth of July, I noticed that Winnie/Dylan gets a little nervous.  Nothing serious...mostly panting and pacing. He calms down when he's cuddling with me, so last night I slept with him on the futon. He fell asleep with his chin resting on me...he's really a love!

I think Winnie/Dylan would be perfect for someone who is looking for a smaller and very mellow Golden. So far he has been great with all other dogs and he's still getting better with the cats. He's also very good with our daughter who is quite a rambunctious 4-year-old.  He can do it all!

Friday, June 22, 2007

Winnie (aka Dylan to us) went to the vet this week and did just great!  He didn't mind all of the poking and prodding and gave everybody a big smile when it was over.  Aside from a minor ear infection (which will be treated over the next few days) and being about 10 pounds overweight, Winnie is in excellent health! As for how Winnie is adjusting to our home, if someone didn't know better, they'd think he's lived here all his life!  Winnie still loves his pool, rolling in the grass, chasing the squirrels and rabbits, and sitting on our deck surveying his kingdom!  He's also doing a lot better with our cats.  He doesn't snap or growl anymore...he just barks at them as if he's trying to get them to play.  Since Winnie is now at "Brenda's doggie spa", he's on a strict low-fat diet (which he doesn't seem to mind at all) and we go for two power walks every day.  Winnie LOVES his walks!  He heels very nicely (actually makes our resident Golden Lili look bad!) and he knows all of the other basic commands, too (come, sit, down, stay, no).  I can honestly say that Winnie is by far the easiest dog I've ever cared for! (Sorry Lili..but it's true.)  He's just happy to be here!