Abby 08-218

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Profile

Sponsored by:  Ryan H.

   
Abby arrived late this afternoon. She was returned to Ragom after circumstances changed with the family that had adopted her in 2008. She met the crew here perfectly. She had a bath and a trim immediately upon arrival. I would not quite say she was purring, but she definitely enjoyed the bath. She allowed me to trim her fur up and to trim her nails. She seemed to love it and to soak up the attention. I groom my dogs twice a month as they are both therapy dogs, but she was as easy to groom as they are, if not easier. She didn't move a muscle unless I gave her a break. What a great dog to let a total stranger handle her like that. She has no lumps or bumps that I found and I touched her all over. She ate heartily and didn't mind that other dogs were present.

Abby is a nine-year old female, she weighs about 70 pounds, but I'll report precisely after our vet visit. She is dark red and has a slightly greying face. She doesn't seem to have any physical issues and she certainly has a nice temperament. More later as we get to know her.

At a Glance #08-218

Golden Retriever Born: April 2000
Female Weight not specified

Status: Adopted

Profile

Sponsored by:  Ryan H.

   
Abby arrived late this afternoon. She was returned to Ragom after circumstances changed with the family that had adopted her in 2008. She met the crew here perfectly. She had a bath and a trim immediately upon arrival. I would not quite say she was purring, but she definitely enjoyed the bath. She allowed me to trim her fur up and to trim her nails. She seemed to love it and to soak up the attention. I groom my dogs twice a month as they are both therapy dogs, but she was as easy to groom as they are, if not easier. She didn't move a muscle unless I gave her a break. What a great dog to let a total stranger handle her like that. She has no lumps or bumps that I found and I touched her all over. She ate heartily and didn't mind that other dogs were present.

Abby is a nine-year old female, she weighs about 70 pounds, but I'll report precisely after our vet visit. She is dark red and has a slightly greying face. She doesn't seem to have any physical issues and she certainly has a nice temperament. More later as we get to know her.

Updates

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Finally, foster mom has purchased a new camera so I can take a picture of Miss Abby.   She went to the spa today to get a bath and all gussied up for her walk in the parade on Saturday.  I’ve been watching the weather report and there is a chance of rain.   If you remember from a previous update, Miss Abby’s not real crazy about the water that falls from the sky,  She much prefers the water in lakes that is already on the ground.  If it’s raining, she probably won’t be walking in the parade.  But if it’s nice out, she’ll be there greeting everyone.  We’ll wait and see what Mother Nature provides.
 
I am very excited to say that Miss Abby has an applicant that is going to meet her on Sunday.   She is such a sweetheart and the lift of the paw while she looks in your eyes, melts everyone.   We have a vet appointment on Sunday morning to get an update on the status of her fistula and the applicant is going to join us to hear what  Dr. G. has to say.   Stay tuned.  We may have some news in the next few days.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

I learned one new thing about Abby last night, she definitely isn’t a runner and would be fine without a fence.  Late last evening we let our five dogs outside.  Three of them came back in.  I assumed Abby and little Shiba were not done playing, so proceeded to get ready for bed waiting for them to come knock at the door.  We have a large backyard (about 1 acre) and it was dark so you can’t see most of the yard.  I waited and waited and no one knocked at the door.  I called their names and usually Abby comes running, but no Abby.  Finally, I went outside to find them and much to my surprise, Abby’s on the wrong side of the fence.  I opened the gate and in she ran and both she and little Shiba came in the house.  I went back outside to figure out how on earth she got to the wrong side of the fence and here was another gate on the other side of the yard completely wide open.  She must have nosed up the clasp somehow, went around the house, and couldn’t figure out how to get back in.  Thankfully, she had no desire to go visiting the neighborhood at midnight and hung around. 

Abby and I went to the RAGOM event a couple of weeks ago and my granddaughter accompanied us.  Attached is a picture of the two of them.   Abby’s very safe and gentle around little kids and I let my granddaughter walk her around on the leash.  The next weekend a very nice RAGOM volunteer offered to take Abby to the event and she got her picture taken again with him too.  She was a very good girl at both events, nuzzling up to people and lifting her paw in greeting.  She’ll be at the event this Saturday to meet and greet too. 

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Merry Christmas to the Golden seniors

Monday, October 5, 2009

Miss Abby checking in…..
 
I’ve had some very busy days and have to apologize for not filling you in sooner. I had an unexpected trip to the vet last week because my right anal gland was full and infected. They had to lance it and drain it. Not fun at all! I was so good though. Never made a peep. I am now on antibiotics to take care of the infection and I have a cream that FM puts on my rectum to help with the swelling. I don’t mind. I go back next Friday for a recheck but I expect everything to be ok. We also had the gas man come out to replace the valve on the water heater. Clohe and I were his assistants and he thanked us a couple times for the help before he left. It was our pleasure. 
 
The photo shoots are still going on. I just do not do a very good job of posing so we have many do overs. Clohe doesn’t mind but after a while I tell FM I’m done. She managed to get a few good ones. I will share them with you.
 
Clohe told me Halloween is coming up. I guess that means lots of treats for us. Clohe and I absolutely LOVE our treats. Dressing up? Not so much.
 
FM changed my food so I now eat some sort of whitefish. EWWWWW…… I let her know that she can take that stuff back. I’m not fussy but come on……. I can’t imagine that even a cat would want something that fishy.
 
I’m told that I will be at the Plymouth Petsmart on Saturday from 11:00-2:00. Not sure what that entails but I bet FM dresses me up for it. Come out and meet me and see what a fashion statement I really am. I can hardly wait!  
 
Toodles,
Miss Abby

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Hey everyone, Miss Abby here. I decided to do my own update. If I wait for FM to do it I might never find a forever home. Don’t get me wrong. I have adjusted here and I really, really like living here. But I want my own family.

Last Sunday was so windy and I really did not care for that. I was pretty nervous all day and did not eat. FM was so worried. On Monday I really did not feel well so I didn’t eat that day either. FM thought I was not happy here anymore and was thinking of moving me to another foster home. I didn’t want that to happen!! So when she came home from work that day, I met her at the door, tail wagging being my happy self. She was as happy as I was. She shouldn’t think so hard.

We still do a lot of photo shoots. Clohe is such a ham and will always pose. I am not so cooperative and so many times our sessions last way too long. I guess my pictures do not do me justice. I really am a pretty girl or so I am told!

In my forever home I would like to have someone who is home most of the time with me. Someone who has lots of time to spend with me. I have missed out on that for most of my life. I love to be petted and can never get enough brushing. I like my daily walks and while I do not need a fence, I do like to roll in the grass every chance I get. I probably will never be a dog that will be trusted off leash or with invisible fencing. I am very aware of noises and while I get used to many of them, sometimes I just want to go in the house. I guess I have a little storm anxiety. FM says we will find that out this weekend. Not looking forward to that.

Well time for our bedtime snack so I have to sign off. Keep watching my bio. I have some funny stories upcoming for you.

If you are interested in me, please let your placement advisor know. I certainly do not act like a 9 year old. But I can be laid back when you want me too. Best of both worlds.

Toodles,
Abby

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Abby continues to do well in foster care. When I first get a foster I spend about 4 to 5 days sleeping with them on the floor in my office to make them feel safe and loved. I enjoy being close to them but have discovered that I look forward to going back in my bed too as my body just really cries out for a mattress much sooner than it used to. So Wednesday night we gave it a try. I went to bed and invited Miss Abby to lie on the floor next to my side of the bed. Well after 20 minutes of her going back and forth from side to side of the bed and panting in our faces, I realized that she just was not ready to sleep on her own yet. So back in the office we went.

Thursday night we tried again. This time we left her sleeping in the dining room and felt she was trustworthy enough to let her have run of the house at night. I felt her hot breath on my face at about 2:15. I asked her to go lie down and back in the dining room she went.

Last night she actually started out in the dining room and when I woke up in the middle of the night she was lying on the floor on my side of the bed. Yea Abby! Mission accomplished. Oh that bed feels good.

Yesterday I took her to Caribou and we sat outside with friends. She was very comfortable in that environment and actually went up to people for pets. I was so proud of her. She still startles easy but has made huge progress. I can get her to do a happy dance for meals and her tail wags when we get up in the morning. Of course she had something to do with us getting up at 5:15AM. But that’s ok.

But today has been a tough day for us. For some reason she is very nervous today, panting a lot, and it is hard to get her to settle down for any amount of time. I had problems getting her outside to go potty but she did and did so very quickly so we could get back in the house. The only thing I can think of is it is really windy today. We had a few sprinkles but I doubt that had anything to do with it. My resident dog has storm anxiety and she is fine so the only answer I have is the wind. I have all the windows closed and the blinds pulled to hopefully help her relax. Might be a tough night for both of us. We’ll see.

I will keep you posted on whatever conclusions I come to. Thanks for reading about my Abby girl. She really is a sweetie.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Please welcome Miss Abigail back into Ragom. She has returned through no fault of her own. Her family situation changed and we welcomed her with open arms.

Many thanks to Cheryl for bathing her and cutting her nails. She came to me smelling good and looking beautiful.

Abby is a former puppy mill momma. I promised her that those days are over and that we will work very hard to find someone who has the time and gentle demeanor that this girl needs. She has come a long ways in 5 days at my house. She pants less, comes to us for hugs and kisses and pets and loves to go outside and potty because then we all do a little dance and we get a treat. She is good with Clohe (my resident shih tzu) but really does not need another dog which is very odd for a mill dog. I think that a quiet household with someone who is home most of the time would be best for her. Her tail is wagging more and she is excited to go out and explore. She does startle easy and does not like loud trucks and noises or the possibility of what might be thunder or lightning. She will never be a dog that can be off leash without a physical fence.

She is a dream to foster. So easy and asks for so little She does like her meals though. She went to the vet and weighed in at 71 pounds. He said that she was the healthiest golden he had seen for quite some time because her coat is beautiful and she shows no signs of allergies. Not very common in goldens. She does not seem to have any arthritis, has good muscle tone, large chest, and pretty decent teeth. Not bad for a 9 year old girl.

Stay tuned for more on the new girl in Eagan. Clohe has already warned her about my camera fetish so Abby is cooperating more when I get it out. Sooner we are done, the sooner we get that treat! We’ll be going to Caribou this weekend to get her a few pets and expose her to a little bit of noise. 

Thanks for checking on my girl.