Sid 10-320

Profile

Sponsored by: Karen E. Johnson

Sid joined us on Saturday and all I can say is that he is a such a sweet guy. He came to Minneapolis from Iowa with his brother Sam. He comes from a family with children and unfortunately this family didn't have time to take care of this beauty of a dog.

Sid has been nothing but a loving, gentle and mellow 3 year-old. He is so handsome with a beautiful dark red coat. He welcomed our pets and attention and returned them with licks and snuggles. The first couple of days he whimpered when FM left the room that he was in, but he didn't necessarily follow. Now he chooses to follow her most places. His tummy was upset the first few days but things seem to be running more smoothly now. FM was feeding him from her hand and now is trying to get him to eat from the bowl. Sometimes he wants to sometimes he doesn't. Each day he seems to show us a little bit more of his golden personality.

When he came to us he was limping on his left hind leg. The vet took some x-rays and it looks like he had some previous injuries on both hind legs that may require surgery. We are waiting to hear more about that, so keep checking in for his status.

He is super sweet! He sits beautifully, comes when you call, takes treats ever so gently and snuggles when you need a little loving. He loves to hang out on the chair, couch or bed, but will sleep on the dog bed if we prefer a little more room. He is just an all around great guy. Take a look into those beautiful brown eyes and he will melt your heart.

At a Glance #10-320

Golden Retriever Born: April 2007
Male 70 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

Sponsored by: Karen E. Johnson

Sid joined us on Saturday and all I can say is that he is a such a sweet guy. He came to Minneapolis from Iowa with his brother Sam. He comes from a family with children and unfortunately this family didn't have time to take care of this beauty of a dog.

Sid has been nothing but a loving, gentle and mellow 3 year-old. He is so handsome with a beautiful dark red coat. He welcomed our pets and attention and returned them with licks and snuggles. The first couple of days he whimpered when FM left the room that he was in, but he didn't necessarily follow. Now he chooses to follow her most places. His tummy was upset the first few days but things seem to be running more smoothly now. FM was feeding him from her hand and now is trying to get him to eat from the bowl. Sometimes he wants to sometimes he doesn't. Each day he seems to show us a little bit more of his golden personality.

When he came to us he was limping on his left hind leg. The vet took some x-rays and it looks like he had some previous injuries on both hind legs that may require surgery. We are waiting to hear more about that, so keep checking in for his status.

He is super sweet! He sits beautifully, comes when you call, takes treats ever so gently and snuggles when you need a little loving. He loves to hang out on the chair, couch or bed, but will sleep on the dog bed if we prefer a little more room. He is just an all around great guy. Take a look into those beautiful brown eyes and he will melt your heart.

Updates

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Hello!

I just got back from a nice walk with FM and Foster Uncle Toby dog. FM says I am a much better walker than he is, but I already knew that. My belly was dripping wet when we got back home from all of the puddles! FM had me lie on the deck to dry out a bit before coming in but that was nice because I found a great sunny spot to rest. Ahhh...I hope this lasts.

I had a great weekend while Emma (11-032) visited us. She is super sweet, so sweet I was going crazy when she got here, cause she smelled so good. FM says she is going to get spayed this week and that is why I felt like I had to be so close to her, but she let me know when I was too close and I learned pretty quickly to give her some space. We got along great, it was just like old times having another golden around. We both love attention from our humans, but we were not competetive about it. We also both preferred to be on the bed at night, so FD chose one of the kid's beds to sleep in because it was so crowded. Before it was lights out, FM, foster brother, Emma and I were all snuggling on the bed. I was sprawled out down the middle on my back like I usually am and Emma couldn't quite get as close to FM as she wanted to so she just crawled over me and layed on top of me. I just looked at FM, rolled my eyes a bit, but let her be because she really is such a sweety, kinda like the sister I never had. I am sure she will get adopted quickly as she is nothin but a loving sweet thing. When Emma left I watched her leave through the window and let out a bit of a cry/whine/sigh. FM thought that was sad, but so sweet. I'm that kinda guy.

Off to try to convince the temporary dog to like me. He's not my biggest fan, but I put up with him. I'm bigger anyway, but I think he already knows that.

Have a great sunshine filled day.

Yours truly,
Sid

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Hello Everyone,

Sid here just waiting for my walk. We have had to cut back on the walks a bit these past couple of days with the cold cold temps. But before those hit my walks were getting longer and longer and it was really nice. We headed down to the lake and over by the creek, just getting outside of the neighborhood has been great. I still like to eat snow along the way and bury my head and half of my body into the snow banks. FM thinks that if I could I would dig all the way in, but she's not sure what I would do once in there. Some of the head burying is to scratch where the gentle leader sits on my snout and some of it is just because I like the way it feels. FM laughs every time.

FM tells me we have some 4 legged house guests coming to stay beginning tomorrow. We are going to have Emma for a long weekend, a fellow foster, and FM thinks it will be nice to not only have another golden around but have a female too. She is a little older, but I think we will have a grand ol' time. Then my foster grandparents are sending Toby over for 2 weeks while they take a trip. I can tolerate him, but he doesn't like to play very much. He just likes to take my toys. He came over for a little visit today and after we followed each other outside in the yard for a bit FM called us inside. I grabbed a toy and went right to FM and sat on her on the floor, just making sure that she remembered that I am her favorite. I do love to play with the neighbor poodle from down the street. We have a great time wrestling and now that I have more strength in my leg we can roll around together in the yard. It gets me really tired, but it's really fun. There are a couple of pics of us hanging out and playing in the yard.

Looks like a good bit of warming up is headed our way. Hooray for longer and wetter walks!

See you later my friends.

Sincerely,
Sid

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Good Morning!

I realize it has been a couple of weeks since my last update, but my foster mom and dad were travelling and I wasn't allowed to get my paws on the computer. My foster grandparents stayed with me and my foster siblings and everything went great. I still went on my daily walks and I had a lot of belly scratches too. The foster grandparents wouldn't let me up on the bed or the furniture though. So I was glad to have FM and FD home to invite me up to snuggle with them. They told FM and FD that I would be happy to go outside without assistance and just roll around in the snow and then find a sunny place to lay my head. Now FM won't fall for my begging to have her come outside when I have to do my business. She just tells me to go even though I look at her longingly and then she shuts the door and I realize she isn't joining me. Oh well, it was good while it lasted.

We went to see the Vet yesterday and my leg is healing well. The Dr. said I should still lose a few more pounds to keep the weight off my legs and help with the healing process. I am also supposed to practice standing on 3 legs to improve the strength in my leg. The other part of the physical therapy is to do some running or jogging. I like to run and fetch toys in the yard, but FM thinks we need to do a bit more jogging on the leash. It's a little tough with all of the snow and ice, but we'll give it a go.

I am scheduled to go back to the vet in another month to make sure I am using my new leg to it's fullest potential before they decide to schedule the surgery on the other leg.

It looks like we might have a few mild days here this week so we can all last longer outside!

Have a great week.

Your friend Sid.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Well, I will be going in a couple weeks to have an x-ray on my leg to see how things are healing. Then FM will talk with the doctor about what the next steps will be as far as my other leg is concerned. I really want to run around and play in the yard, but FM keeps telling me I still have to take it easy. Walking with that snout thing is getting better. I can't lick up snow as easily on our walks as I used to be able to. When we took walks before, I liked to skim the snow banks and get a little snow in my mouth for a refresher.

One thing FM isn't quite sure about is that I growl at my little foster brother who is 6 and sometimes I growl at the other little neighbors who spend a lot of time at our house. It concerns her a bit, although I have never snapped or bitten anyone. Sometimes they just get right in my face. She thinks maybe I might have been bothered by little ones in my past, and prefer older kids that I know won't catch me off guard or startle me.

Oh! I escaped the other day out the back gate. Now that was interesting. FD took the Christmas tree out to the ally and didn't shut the gate behind him. He left in the car so I left out the gate and decided to check out the neighbor's yards. Next thing I know FM is calling me from the deck and so I went right back because I am a very smart dog and I like to be near my people. She was relieved to know I wasn't a runner and that I came back so quickly.

As you can see from the photo, I think I am a human sometimes and I like to sit up on the couch with the rest of the people and of course show off the latest thing I found for my mouth.

Thank you again to my wonderful sponsor!!!!

See you later-
Sid

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Happy Winter Everyone! Each time I step outside I have to shake off the cold a few times before I warm up! Even with this cold I still love to roll in the snow first thing when I get outside. Then I just lay there thinking about how good life is...I don't always go and do my business even though FM tells me to. I like it when she walks out into the yard with me. Then I will go and take care of things. I just like to keep her in my sight and if she goes back inside I follow her instead of doing my thing.

Last week on our walk FM forgot to put on my shoes and we made it a block before I lifted my healing leg and decided I wasn't going any further. She is now telling me that it takes her as long to get me out the door as it does her kids with all of the gear! If I could put them on myself I would, because I really don't mind them at all. Now, what I do mind is this strap she has decided to put around my nose when we walk. Now I can't pull her along on the slippery sidewalks and it makes me walk right next to her. So instead I like to bury my head in the snowbanks along the way and try to take it off. Sometimes I manage to put my half of my body into the snow. She just laughs at me and says come on Silly Sid and with a little tug I am at her side again. Hmmmm. It's like a magic leash. She says walking me now is like a dream compared to before. I guess I can get used to this new leader thing. She said she'll take me down to the lake now too because my walks can last longer and I won't be pulling and tugging at all the dogs passing by.

Here are a couple of pics for you. My foster brother knows just where I like to be scratched and I often just roll on my back and relax for a while even without a scratch. Everyone thinks that is hilarious. The other photo is from the blizzard we had a couple of weeks ago and FM thought I looked good from this angle.

Stay warm until next time.
Sid

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

This has been such a wonderful holiday season! People are so generous. FM told me I had two mittens on my page and I thank Cooper and Bauer and also for the mitten in memory of Pete. Their donations mean so much. I am also grateful and would like to thank my sponsor Karen Johnson! All of these people who want to help take care of me and I have never even met them. I am truly lucky. Thank you so much! I promise to live up to your Golden expectations!

Santa Paws brought me lots and lots of goodies. I think my favorite was the slipper. I also received a raw hide candy cane, but I didn't know what I was supposed to do with it, so for the first couple of days it just stayed in my special basket of toys. Everyone kept offering it to me and I took it gently, but then just dropped it. On Monday, I decided that it smelled a lot like peanut butter and maybe it was okay to eat it. I gave it just a nibble, but then I couldn't stop. The family was excited that I was eating it which was a little strange because I know I am not supposed to eat things other than biscuits and my food. It was really good though! Yummy!!! My foster sister also gave me something called an edible card. It looks really pretty but I think it might be a test...so I didn't eat it, just admired its Christmas colors. Now it is sitting up on the shelf. Maybe they will try again and see if I will eat it now that I ate the candy cane. They should just spread it with peanut butter and why not add some jelly and make it a sandwich?

Today the family and I went over to the big sledding hill and I got to watch everyone fly down the hill. The kids wanted to take me on the sled with them, but I preferred to sit with FM or FD at the top and watch everyone go screaming down the hill. Then we hung out at the bottom by the creek and my foster sis and I shared some snow together. I know I am not supposed to have favorites, but she is kinda my favorite foster sibling. She loves me and she knows I love her too.

Thank you again to all of you who follow my story and a special lick for the donations and special sponsor!!!

Your truly,
Sid

Monday, December 27, 2010

from Cooper and Bauer (Rusty 08-514) from Cooper and Bauer (Rusty 08-514)

In Memory of Pete # 06-525  In Memory of Pete # 06-525

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Happy Holidays to everyone! Sid here and I am feeling good. My leg doesn't seem to bother me too much. I limp a bit on my walks with FM, but generally all is well. Our walks aren't terribly long due to my limitations and the cold weather. FM insists on putting booties on my feet, but after the first minute I forget they are there and then I can walk farther because the snow, ice, salt and sand don't bother my pads. Usually when we first go outside I love to roll around in the snow and scratch my back. It feels really good. FM thinks I am insane to want to roll in snow without snow pants on, but I like it. FD added an ice rink to the backyard, so my area to run is a bit limited since I am not allowed to get on the ice especially with my healing leg. I like to hang out and watch the kids skate and sit by FM when they have the fire going. Sometimes they put my blanket down over the snow so I have a cozy place to rest.

Now that my energy is better I love to greet everyone who comes in the door, but mostly I like to wake everyone up in the morning. If I see that someone gets up, usually FM, I think it is my job to wag my tail as hard as I can and find something squishy for my mouth and then I proceed to jump on most of the beds and lick as many faces as I can get my mouth on. FM tries to just get me downstairs before I wake everyone up, but I prefer to wish most everyone a good morning with a big wet kiss. Below is a picture of me saying good morning to my Foster sister with one of my favorite toys. I love everyone and I think I everyone loves me.

Six more days until Christmas in this house and I hear my youngest foster brother has been busy wrapping toys for me. I can't wait!!! Have a great week.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Sid is two weeks out of surgery and doing really well. One morning about a week after surgery my son informed me that Sid's stitches were gone! He was doing so well without the cone and really not licking much, but I guess he got going on them one night and decided to chew them out. We took him to the vet that morning and lucky for him the skin was closed enough that nothing else needed to happen except to follow up with the cone. Oh well. So when FM put the cone on Sid he didn't know what to do so he simply did not move. We we went out for a bit and had to leave him alone. When we returned he was in the same spot that we left him and didn't even greet us at the door. That was unusual for him. But as soon as the cone was removed he gladly grabbed whatever item was close by to show to us and then gave lots of kisses. We really only needed to use the cone when we went out, otherwise he was very cooperative when we said, Sid, no licking! And he would stop. Good boy!!!

Now that the snow has arrived Sid seems to love it. He loves to dig in it, roll in it and scratch his back in it. I am sure when he is in full recovery mode he will thoroughly enjoy running around in the snow. In the meantime he likes to get his nose in it and see what he can find hidden below. He still loves his walks, a bit shorter until his leg gets stronger, and is ready to go anywhere anytime FM puts her coat on. He never wants to be left behind. Sweet Sid.

Sid was such a great snuggler with FM when she was sick this last week. He stayed with her almost the entire day laying next to her on the bed. He is such a loyal and loving guy.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Sid is home and recovering nicely from surgery. He stayed overnight at the vet and we were able to pick him up at 5PM the next day. He was so excited to see us and wouldn't stop 'talking'. That was a good sign. The vet said everything went well and that there shouldn't be any complications moving forward. Our first 24 hours have been fine. He is whimpering and whining quite a bit, but with some love and attention he seems to calm down. The vet also said that the pain medication tends to make the dogs more vocal. If I were on 3 different pain meds I am pretty sure I couldn't get a word out much less stand up. So he truly is a champ. It is amazing to see how quickly he has adapted to using just 3 legs to get around. FM stayed downstairs with him at night and he was a bit unsettled, but eventually they both got some shut eye. Sid came home with a bandage around his leg keeping the compression on his sutures. His other leg had a pain medication patch attached as well. Today, they removed the bandage and we need to keep him from licking his sutures so he is sporting a leg warmer as long as it stays up. We are desperately trying to avoid a cone situation!!! We'll see. In the meantime he is sleeping quietly at my feet. He is doing great and we will share some turkey with him tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful to have Sid here recovering and showing us what a wonderful, loving, sweet guy he is and he will be such a joy to his future forever family when this recovery is all over and done.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Hey Sid fans - It's actually me, Sid, checking in this time. So I keep hearing about some surgery taking place soon and I think they told me today that it will be this coming Monday. Hmmm....right before Thanksgiving! Well, at least I can be thankful to have this surgery and be in a loving home during my long recuperation. I don't think my foster family quite knows what they are in for as far as recovery. It will be a learning experience for all of us.

I had a few low days after my pain medication ran out, but FM decided to ask the vet to put me back on Rimadyl for the pain in my hind legs. I was a new dog again within hours!!! My tail came out from my legs and I was licking everybody's faces and following everyone around. Ahhh....so much better. The Dr. wasn't sure how much it was helping but my foster mom was getting a little worried about how down I seemed to be feeling. I am glad she called and got a refill. I am looking forward to a new and stronger leg!

So last week, sometime before the snow, FM decided to take me to the lake down the street. The thing was, I wasn't sure what to do when we got there. She threw the tennis ball, but not too far, and I began to go after it. But after a few feet into the water I started to freak out. I froze and looked back at FM. What was this? How do I move in this? I am not sure I have ever been swimming before, but I want that ball!!!!!! So I cautiously moved towards the ball, but the water got deeper and I turned around and went back to FM. I whined a bit and she encouraged me to go back in - so I did - but I didn't really like it. After watching the ball and willing it towards me I realized I was going to have to go get it. So I did. I didn't like this game too much. I prefer to play catch in the yard. FM decided to continue to throw the ball in shallow water and it was okay, but I was happy to head home after a bit. I think FM is wishing we practiced a little more water time before the cold weather, but she didn't know that I wasn't familiar with that territory.

I still get to have playdates in our yard with the neighbor dogs and you can see in the pics that we get along pretty well. And I am pretty happy just to follow FM around the house all day too. When she returns to the house after being gone for a few hours I make sure never to let her out of my sight until I am convinced she is sticking around for a while.

I know FM will update everyone after my surgery. So check back here soon.

Thanks for following my story!

Sid - Siddy Sid (as my Foster fam all call me)

Friday, November 5, 2010

Just an update for you all about Sid's surgery. He will see the Vet on Monday for an exam and then he will go in the following Monday for the surgery. I will get more information on Monday and report back! In the meantime, see one of Sid's adorable poses.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Sid is doing great settling in here. He is showing us more and more of his loving personality all of the time. We are still waiting to hear about surgery needed possibly on both hind legs. In the meantime, he loves to go on walks, but begins to favor his stronger leg about 15 minutes into it, so we don't go too far from home. He loves to chase the tennis ball and chew on sticks. Sid was pretty picky about his food for the first week. FM continued to offer it to him from her hand and he would eat, but often just once a day. Today was the first day he ate from his bowl fairly soon after waking up. Horray! He is a bit overweight, so maybe this will help him shed a few pounds.

He has shown us that he has had some very loving and good training as he gets so excited to see FM when she comes home, but will sit beautifully when told. He just wants to be around FM most of the time. It would be best if his forever home had another dog as he came from a family with two dogs and he seems to be a bit sad when people leave the house, but he is not destructive in any way. He gladly picks up a stuffed toy and carries it around in the morning or when we come home showing us his excitement.

He has not shown any aggressive behavior towards strangers or the kids in the house (ages 6, 8 and 10) as he just wants to be loved. He loved trick-or-treating with the kids last night and when the youngest was ready to go home he clearly wanted to stay with FM and continue on instead of heading back with FD.