Hear Ye, Hear Ye....Sir Ralph has left today for his new royal home.  He will share his life with his mom, dad, human sister and fur butt brother, Shadow.  Since Ralph is afraid of the camera, yes the camera, it has taken some doing to try and get pics when he wasn't looking.  Not too bad, huh?

I cried all morning before the" K" family came to get Ralph.  But we spent Saturday togeather and a few hours today, and I knew in my heart he would loved, cherished, pampered, spoiled.......well, you get the picture.  Shadow has been an only child and so he too will have some adjusting to do with the new big brother in the house.  I know the family will do everything to make and keep Ralph comfortable, including building a ramp down the deck steps just for him should he need it.   He will live out the remainder of his royal life being treated like the King he is.

Ralphie, you gave us so much and we will miss you, your quiet ways, soft mouth, goofy sounding bark and the wag of the tail that took a while to show up.  You are a big and beautiful dog inside and out.  

Thank you to the "K" family for wanting a senior with a few physical limitations.  He was what you were looking for, and what Ralphie needed.

To Ralph's sponsors, thank you again for helping out Ralph and RAGOM.  Know he will spend his remaining years being taken care of and loved.

Love, Foster mom and crew

I know it's been a while since I updated Ralph, but I wanted to spend some time getting to know him and see how things progressed.  One word sums it up...AWESOME!!

I also found out Ralph was a stray from Wisconsin.  He finally found his way via RAGOM to a wonderful volunteer couple who have a boarding facility in WI.  During this time Ralph had a disc fused because of a previous injury, thus he has limited mobility in his back legs. It is not dysplasia.  Yet he does wonderfully.  He so enjoys his walks each day, even though they are short ones of 10 or 15 minutes.  When we return he takes a nice long nap.

Sir Ralph has become a bit of a mamma's boy when I am home.  When I am not, then TM/foster dad is just fine.  Ralph now has free roam of the house while we are gone.  We continue to have him wear his "manly garment" while we are gone for work, but when we are home he is fine and lets us know when he has to go out.  He did have one accident but that was because I was not fast enough to read the signs.  He has been sleeping in the bedroom on his own doggie bed, and graduated to not having to wear his garment at night either.  Best we can figure is that when we get home or first thing in the morning, you need to get him out right away.  Also, after a walk or time outside, he will come in and down a half bowl of water.  Within about 10 minutes I take him out again.  He is funny in the sense you must be outside with him, at least standing in the doorway, or he won't go do his business.  I have also learned that it takes him some walk about time before he is ready to get down to the serious business.  But he never has had a #2 accident in the house.  He is great.

Madame Reba has not been able to win favor with Sir Ralph.  However, when we go out in the field for walks now, they wander together on and off.  It's such a joy to see him out and even doing a little running.  He may be hard of hearing in some tones, but when he starts to wander when we are walking around our property, you simply say Ralph NO.........come.  Most cases he comes.  Even if he decides to have selective hearing, I can out run him!!!!  That is a big plus.  With everyone gone for Easter and Spring breaks, it's been pretty quiet around here, so the walks in the field have been great.

I have taken Ralph on 2 home visits.  He was great........pretty much napped.  But it has been good socializing for him.  The first home had a female and she did a little growl and he answered and that was that.  The second home visit I didn't read my sheet very well; got there only to find out they had a dog, and a male one at that.  For some reason I thought Ralph had issues with males.  So they put their GR downstairs while we did the visit. Afterwards they brought him up and after some barking on his part (the resident dog)....he was so excited to have another dog there he just wanted to play; they were fine.  In the end Ralph sniffed and was sniffed and as usual chose not to interact with the dog.

My conclusion in regard to Ralph is that he would be very happy being an only fur butt child.  He could also be in a forever home with another older dog who would be happy to ignore him :-)  Ralph is a wonderful companion.  He loves to go for walks, is now coming to me and nosing my hand for pets, and he will bark to go outside to potty (sometimes, rest of the time we just make sure to get him out every few hours).  He is not a "kisser", which I miss.  He loves to be around his people, and will go to either of us for hugs and scritches.  Ralph couldn't care less about the cats....though Coulter did decide he should rub up under Ralph's chin when Ralph was laying down and he gave Coulter a sound bark and that was it.  Speaking of barks, he has one of the deepest, graveliest barks I have ever heard.  He will use it when he sees the neighbor dog heading out to the field, in the field or coming back.  Not sure what the deal is except I think he feels it's his duty to let him know this is his territory.

Ralph is big boy, and you can tell by the pictures of him with Reba he is as blond as she is red.  She can out run him as she is still in pretty good shape at 14.  But they both enjoy the outdoor time, cuddle up time, and time on their own. He is a wonderful dog, and we are happy to have him in our home, even when we need to put the "manly garment" on while we are gone.  Which by the way, has been dry 99% of the time with us being gone for up to 8 hours.  I think he knows not to drink a lot and he naps while we're gone. Once home he potties, comes in and drinks a full bowl, and then goes back out.

He has also learned which bowl is his, so no more dragging him from Reba's food bowl to his own.  I do not make either dog sit and wait for food or treats.  I make them wait, but not sit.  Too hard on them getting up and down.  Ralph gets enough exercise just going up and down the stairs following me. He also takes treats very gently.  He doesn't like his glucosimine without peanut butter, but that's ok.  He only gets a dab.  Today for Easter dinner they got a little turkey and green beans.  Reba wolfed hers down and waited patiently for Ralph to just pick out the turkey and walk away.  Reba then helped herself to the green beans.

Well, I think overall Ralph has adjusted just fine to "house life" and having humans and other 4 legged creatures around. He's sweet and so easy to have around.  If you are looking for a companion to walk a bit with you, keep you company and hang out, this gentleman is the man for you.  Don't let the limited use of his manly garment detour you from bringing this wonderful guy into your home and heart; and by the way, we went to PetCo and he did awesome, a perfect gentleman, didn't bark at any of the dogs, was nice with the people.  Just a wonderful boy.

Ralph has surprised us with his ball playing.  He found a tennis ball and throws it at us.  We roll it along the floor and off he goes.  Funny thing is, he won't play with the ball outside!!

This afternoon we decided it was DQ time.  TM started up the car not realizing I was taking the kidz.  So he put a rug down in the back seat, Ralph got right in and proceeded to stretch out full length on the back seat.  Reba wouldn't even try to get in!  So turn off the car, start up the doggie mobile.  Reba jumped right in and.........yep sprawled full length on the seat.  Ralph got in and just sat on the floor next to her til she sat up just enough for him to weasel his way up on the seat and...lay down as much as he could, which included laying on Reba's front paws/legs.  So off we went.  He wouldn't budge and neither would she.  Wish I would have had the camera along, as it's the closest the 2 have been and it was a great pic.  Next time for sure.  Ralph and Reba will both get in the van in a heartbeat.

So if you are looking for a senior gentleman to spend some strolling and driving time with, Sir Ralph would be a great companion.  He's a gem of a senior and will give someone hours of contentment just enjoying one another's company.  Please contact us at Placementragom [dot] org.

We'll be waiting..........for Spring.....and to hear from you.

Foster Mom and crew