Meet Tucker, a handsome guy who weighs 65 lbs, is about 18 months old, loves people, gets along with other dogs and cats, but sadly had to leave his home due to his taste for chickens. Tucker grew up on a farm and until he came to RAGOM never wore a collar or was on a leash, he was a free spirit. Because Tucker developed his liking for the neighbors chickens, his owner decided he needed to find a new safe home. He loved Tucker and wanted what was best for him. Lucky for Tucker his owner talked with Miss J who in turn talked to her cousin Miss A who knew about RAGOM. Miss A and hubby brought Tucker to me last Thursday evening. They had bought him a new collar and leash, bathed him, brushed him and cut out mats and fed him. He had never been in a house or car before and suddenly in one day he was all over the place.
Tucker met resident Jax, the Cocker, Callie, foster Cavalier, Katie, GR guest, and then one of our cats, Bailey. Usually the dogs dislike Bailey and run after him, but Tucker was fine with him and Bailey liked him too. Whew. So Tucker met everyone with nary a growl, from guest to resident. We walked around on lead and he never lifted his leg. Too good to be true. I was exhausted and poor Tucker was confused. So off we went to bed, yep he slept in the bedroom with the rest of the troops. As I look back on it now I am not sure what I was thinking, but we made it through the night without an accident.
The next few days Tucker made himself at home. Luckily we have a fenced in area so he has not had to be on a tie out, and I don't think he'd ever be happy on one. I did find out that just cuz he doesn't pee in the house doesn't mean he won't do #2!!! He will go outside and do his business when he is out, but we can't figure out the sign for "I gotta go poop"!!! He wears a belly band at night and though not happy with it, it gives me peace of mind. The rest of the time when in the house with us he is 'au natural'.
Tucker has discovered toys, balls, stuffed animals, chew bones, tennis balls, and takes treats nicely. He played tug with Callie today. They have spent most of the week end out doors on the deck and in the yard enjoying the nice days. He was to the vet on Friday and received his shots, was tested for Heartworm, negative, but positive for Lymes and Anaplasmosis and is being treated with doxy for a month. He fecal came back negative on all counts. He has beautiful pearly whites and a gorgeous coat of reddish blonde with a big head and feet.
The only negative of sorts is that when he has a ball he will get growly with the other dogs and they back off. I can take his ball, toys or food and he doesn't mind. If he sees you put a ball up somewhere he will try to get it, and I mean that includes trying to climb the fridge:) We hide them when he is out of sight. He likes to check out the counters and table cuz there's stuff to check out. He thus far will not kennel so he is gated in the kitchen with the troops while we are gone at work or out. I thought he might try to jump or knock the gates down, but seems to be happy with the troops. My husband walked him in the field and said he is pretty good, but if he decides he wants to go one way he can pull. We will have to try the gentle leader. He sleeps on the bed half the night and then hits the floor. His 'pp pad' has been dry every morning. Considering he was an outside dog, when he goes out he immediately turns around and stares in the slider window, like he is afraid I won't let him back in.
This young man is healthy, (we don't look for any complications from the lymes and anaplasmosis) handsome, can be an only dog, or a buddy to another one (he did live with an older dog), I think he'd do fine with bigger kids, needs exercise, and sooooo needs obedience school for the bonding and the learning. He will be neutered tomorrow and after that will be available for his forever home. Due to the fact he has grown up 'free' Tucker will not go to a home that would have to tie him out, it would break his heart. He would make a great running partner with training.
I am grateful that Tucker's owner loved him enough to let him come to RAGOM. And a big thank you to Jeanette, Amy and Jim for getting him to me. I was only going to over night him til a tranport was arranged, but by morning I knew there was no way I could let Tucker go into boarding. So until he finds his forever home, he will be part of our family.
Just a reminder that we can always use transporters and foster homes. People say they could never give up their foster, but truth is, when you find the right home you let them go knowing there will be another one to take his/her place....that's the sad part. There will always be another one waiting to come into RAGOM, and many times they end up in boarding because we don't have enough foster homes. So if ever you thought about volunteering, check it out now.
Will check in after the neutering and let ya all know how Tucker Fella is doing.
Foster mom and the troops
Jax, Callie, Katie, Tucker, Bailey, Sedwick and Coutler
