This is pretty girl came to RAGOM from a family who did not have time to give her the attention she needs. Formerly an outside dog living on a farm, Molly has been through some drastic changes in the past 48 hours.

She has spent a day traveling to Minneapolis. She’s seen a vet for the first time in her life. She’s visited a dog park. She’s been bathed and groomed and spritzed with doggie cologne (a light vanilla). She’s had her ears cleaned, her toenails clipped and her slipper fur trimmed. She’s slept in a real bed with a foster mom and foster fur brother. She even got to spend a day at the Renaissance Festival.

Molly has adjusted very well to this whirlwind that has become her new Golden life. I get the feeling that her life on the farm was fairly sheltered. She is somewhat nervous riding in a car, for example, and she’s afraid of strange dogs. If approached by a dog she doesn’t know, she’ll tuck her tail or try to walk away. When she first met my 80-pound resident male, Chaz, she immediately dropped to a crouch and trembled. This didn’t last long, however, and now she’s perfectly fine with him.

Given Molly’s background, I expected that our biggest challenge would be housetraining. To my surprise, Molly not only doesn’t pee in the house—she hardly pees… at all.  In 48 hours, I’ve seen her urinate twice. Yikes! The vet says that this isn’t uncommon in females, and that her own dog—a German Shepherd—sometimes goes as long as 36 hours without urinating if they’re on a road trip. For some reason, some females don’t like to go in unfamiliar places. And since every place is unfamiliar now to Molly, she’s been reluctant to go anywhere. I do think we’re making progress, however, and that Molly will adjust to a more normal pattern once she relaxes into a routine.

Molly’s in great health, according to the vet, although she is a little underweight at 57 pounds. I will enjoy plying her with treats until she she's at her ideal weight of about 60 pounds.  The vet believes her age to be between 2 and 3—probably closer to three, so we're calling her 2.75 years old.  :)

I was relieved that Molly tested negative for heartworm, considering her previous lack of veterinary care. The vet did say that her blood work showed a slightly elevated liver enzyme, possibly from something she ate. It’s nothing to worry about, but should be monitored in the coming weeks. Molly will be going in for her spay surgery tomorrow.

I don’t know how much human attention Molly received before becoming a RAGOM dog, but it’s clear that she loves loves LOVES to be petted and fussed over by adults and children alike. Walking through the crowded Renaissance Festival today, Molly was like a pinball, bouncing from one stranger to the next, petitioning for petting—and most people were happy to oblige this charming girl. Many commented on how pretty she is. Further, she has quickly learned the art of snuggling in bed—and what a cozy feeling that is on a cool night!

Molly has the typical energy of a young dog, but with a little exercise in the morning, she’s remarkably mellow in the house the rest of the day. She’s quiet as a mouse, too—no barking at strangers through the window or even when they come to the door. She’s mostly disinterested in the cats, although she did growl at one after it hissed and swatted her on the nose. I scolded them both, and now they mostly avoid each other.

Molly has a bad habit of rising up on her haunches and putting her paws on people. It’s not a full-fledged jump, but it’s just as annoying. Her forever family will need to work on this with Molly. I’d also recommend taking her through beginner and intermediate obedience courses—a great way to bond with a dog while molding it into a companion you really enjoy living with.

I think Molly would be happy as an only dog, but she can also adjust to another dog if it’s not overly dominant and physical with her. Given her fussy potty habits, Molly may need a fenced-in yard so she can be let off leash and given free roam to do her bidness in her own sweet time. But we’ll see.

Molly is snoozing at my feet as I write this, exhausted from meeting and greeting all day at the Faire. I’ll bet she has never had so many people in one day pet her, and kiss her, and scratch her ears, and tell her what a sweet girl she is.

Today was probably the best day of Molly’s life so far. And I just saw her wag her tail in her sleep.