Sammie, what can I say the photos don’t?  Sammie came to us about a week ago. She came from north central Minnesota and a long drive. This lovely golden is pure delight to foster!  She came from an owner who had only had her a couple years and not sure about the information much prior to that.  The last owner had to downsize from a farm to an apartment with two other small dogs.  Unfortunately they were kept in the basement and not walked or loved up for quite a while.  A point to make is they did make a very good choice in surrendering Miss Sammie to Ragom.  We are very happy for that.  With economic times, we are seeing more of these types of surrenders and situations. 

First, let me give you her physical facts as I know them:

• She was born in July, 2002 and is 6 years old
• Sammie is golden in color; her previous owners had shaved her down this summer and her fur is coming back in nicely, so you will not see a lot of ‘feathers’ right now.
• Sammie weighs 55#, spayed
• Is good with cats
• Is good with other dogs
• Walks great on a leash
• She loves to play ball and fetch
• She loves to ride in the car
• A real “snuggler” and would LOVE to sleep with you if you let her
• Compact nice sized golden
• She loves to carry ‘babies’ or ‘stuffed’ toys around
• Sammie has allergy to pork
• She is fully vetted and microchipped
• She does have arthritis in both her hips (probably for years) which will need to be taken into consideration for the future….possible FAO or hip surgery however, a good diet, exercise (right amount),  glucosamine and chondroitin added, etc. will really help her of course.  A very common feature of goldens

In reviewing prior notes on this wonderful girl from a few years back, it was noted she had seizures and was on Phenobarbital for those.  After being on meds for some time and reviewing her diet, it was noted by a vet that she perhaps had allergy to pork.  In changing her diet/treats she has been seizure free for quite some time.  In fostering her, we have not seen any seizures.  When we vetted her with our Ragom doc, Sammie did test positive for Lyme’s and is on an antibiotic for that currently.  Once treatment with antibiotics is done, she should be just fine.  It was “light positive” condition.  This may also attribute in part to the arthritis as well.

Now, for Miss Sammie and her “self” and personality:  Absolutely wonderful.  Again, in taking into account her past, place to place, and now in foster far away from where she came, just incredible.  This is a very gentle, loving, kind, beautiful little golden girl.  Amazing how she has adapted to our home and crew in foster care.  We are two adults, grandchildren in and out, 3 other resident dogs and 3 resident cats.  She is great with ALL of them.  Miss Sammie  is allowed to roam free in the home while we are at work.  The longest the pets are left is 5 hours.  Everyone is fine.  Sammie is a very bright, ready-to-learn open golden book too.  She learns commands quickly and remembers them. 

If you are interested in a lovely, smaller, golden girl, who wants to be by you, go for walks, go for rides in the car, listen to you talk to her and just discuss anything, one would really wants to sleep by you and yes, WITH you is the preferred method, and so wants to be a companion and be pet, well they don’t get much better than Sammie.  She will lean to you for comfort and pets/rubs, she will retrieve most anything in a ‘gentle’ fashion, come back to you with the tail waggin’ waiting for more.  If not, a lay-by-your-feet or next to you is just fine.  A very social kind golden girl, wonderful.  This is a true lover of a companion, one who brings such joy to anyone she meets!  I do need to mention, kisses on the nose are most accepted!  We totally love having this great girl in our home…..definitely our gain.  If you are interested in more about this lovely girl, contact placement@ragom.org