Murray 06-498

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11/2/06: Meet Mr. Sunshine!! Murray is a happy, healthy purebred 3 year old. He is slightly thin at 68 pounds and has a luxurious deep red coat and big brown eyes that just melt your heart. He was surrendered to the Human Society in Iowa because his family was moving and could not take him with them. When he first came he was very timid and afraid, but after a week we have earned a lot of his trust. He is UTD on all of his shots and has been microchipped. He is due to be neutered next Tuesday and then he is good to go.

It has been great to watch his true puppy personality emerge. We call him Mr. Wiggle-Butt because the minute you are on your feet he is up and raring to go. He is so excited about going outside that his body just vibrates and wiggles with sheer joy. (see picture :) When he is outside he loves to run, head held high and just a prancin'. His favorite thing is to chase after toys and carry them in his mouth. So far he only teases me with the idea that he might bring them back as he races past me for another trip around the yard.

He still is battling some serious ear infections, but he is much more comfortable now with the antibiotics. I am watching him closely as he is starting to exhibit some tentative signs of some allergies. He scratches once in awhile and he is licking his feet. The vet has said to give him some time and watch it as it may just be the fall pollination that is triggering it. He seems very comfortable and I have supplemented with minor Benedryl. I am considering putting him on a sensitive diet to see if that helps any.

Murray is a perfect gentleman around all types of people and animals. He loves our cat and immediately accepted our 9 year old lab and does not harass either of them. He is good with children as well as adults and is just happy to see them and hopes they will play with them. He is so full of joy that there is a possibility that he might knock down little children, but it certainly wouldn't be out of malice.

He is clearly housebroken. There has never been an accident. He goes all night and all day while I am at work without a problem. He prefers being where you are, and adores having his head and chest rubbed, but he also is content to just lie by your feet as long as he is near you. After only 3 days, I feel completely comfortable giving him free reign around the house.

He is a young dog so he is still in need of some training. He does sit and with some coaxing (outside) he will come when he is called. But, I wouldn't feel comfortable not keeping him on a leash for his walks until he is better trained. He still shows skittishness at times. He is frightened by loud noises and sudden movements and will bark if he is scared. If you make any sudden moves he might cringe or drop to the ground especially if he thinks you are angry with him. So, a patient, calm voice works best for him. I don't think his timidity arises out of having been beaten, more likely he is just insecure in so many new surroundings with new people. He clearly wants to please you and make you happy.

Murray is an easy dog to care for and fits in well with our family. But, it is his personality that makes him a true golden. You just can't help lovin' the Big Guy. He would be a great addition to any family that is willing to be patient with him and meet his high energy needs.

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At a Glance #06-498

Golden Retriever Born: March 2005
Male Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

11/2/06: Meet Mr. Sunshine!! Murray is a happy, healthy purebred 3 year old. He is slightly thin at 68 pounds and has a luxurious deep red coat and big brown eyes that just melt your heart. He was surrendered to the Human Society in Iowa because his family was moving and could not take him with them. When he first came he was very timid and afraid, but after a week we have earned a lot of his trust. He is UTD on all of his shots and has been microchipped. He is due to be neutered next Tuesday and then he is good to go.

It has been great to watch his true puppy personality emerge. We call him Mr. Wiggle-Butt because the minute you are on your feet he is up and raring to go. He is so excited about going outside that his body just vibrates and wiggles with sheer joy. (see picture :) When he is outside he loves to run, head held high and just a prancin'. His favorite thing is to chase after toys and carry them in his mouth. So far he only teases me with the idea that he might bring them back as he races past me for another trip around the yard.

He still is battling some serious ear infections, but he is much more comfortable now with the antibiotics. I am watching him closely as he is starting to exhibit some tentative signs of some allergies. He scratches once in awhile and he is licking his feet. The vet has said to give him some time and watch it as it may just be the fall pollination that is triggering it. He seems very comfortable and I have supplemented with minor Benedryl. I am considering putting him on a sensitive diet to see if that helps any.

Murray is a perfect gentleman around all types of people and animals. He loves our cat and immediately accepted our 9 year old lab and does not harass either of them. He is good with children as well as adults and is just happy to see them and hopes they will play with them. He is so full of joy that there is a possibility that he might knock down little children, but it certainly wouldn't be out of malice.

He is clearly housebroken. There has never been an accident. He goes all night and all day while I am at work without a problem. He prefers being where you are, and adores having his head and chest rubbed, but he also is content to just lie by your feet as long as he is near you. After only 3 days, I feel completely comfortable giving him free reign around the house.

He is a young dog so he is still in need of some training. He does sit and with some coaxing (outside) he will come when he is called. But, I wouldn't feel comfortable not keeping him on a leash for his walks until he is better trained. He still shows skittishness at times. He is frightened by loud noises and sudden movements and will bark if he is scared. If you make any sudden moves he might cringe or drop to the ground especially if he thinks you are angry with him. So, a patient, calm voice works best for him. I don't think his timidity arises out of having been beaten, more likely he is just insecure in so many new surroundings with new people. He clearly wants to please you and make you happy.

Murray is an easy dog to care for and fits in well with our family. But, it is his personality that makes him a true golden. You just can't help lovin' the Big Guy. He would be a great addition to any family that is willing to be patient with him and meet his high energy needs.

MurrayMurrayMurrayMurrayMurray

Updates

Monday, November 20, 2006

Well, at last Murray stood still long enough for me to take some better pictures of this handsome lad. Some of the new pictures show Murray in action. He loves the outdoors so much. We are now entering our third week and Murray has made great strides in his trusting people. He met several new people and dogs this last week and he enjoyed them all. People still had to approach him slowly, but there was no peeing and he moved towards them to get the hands-on treatment. His barking has decreased dramatically as he gets comfortable with the sounds of the house and people coming and going. Now, I usually only hear him bark when people come in and out of the front door. It is so nice to see this guy relax and enjoy his time here. He still remains on the floor by my bed during the night, but his furry nose and his toys are promptly thrust into my face at 5:30 each morning as he is ready to go.

He greets each day with great joy and lots of wiggling and tail pounding. Going outside is his total goal for every minute of the day. It is a mad race to the basement patio doors to tear out into the backyard to get those squirrels. He hasn't achieved his goal yet, but that doesn't dampen his spirit. If I leave the room to go into another one he follows along, always standing at the top of the stairs hoping I will make the turn for the basement and the call of the wild.

Murray is a leash tugger so he continues to need training in that area. When my daughter runs with him she usually is the one bringing up the rear. Last Friday, Tate 06-478, another RAGOM dog, came for a 4-hour visit after his surgery and the two were great together. Murray continues to do well with all sorts of dogs, and the cat now sleeps with him in his doggie bed.

But, don't get me wrong, while he loves the outdoors, Ole Furry Murray can sleep and snore with the best of them. He is always willing to settle in for a comfy nap as long as you are nearby. But his trust is growing. I have started to notice that he doesn't always immediately get up when I do and follow me everywhere. I can go into the kitchen and bathroom and he will patiently wait. But his limit is about three minutes, and then he is up and searching me out. Mostly, I think he just doesn't want to miss out on anything.

He now has free rein of the house, and he has not had an accident yet, even when I have been gone up to 10 hours. When I come home at night he is there greeting me at the door with woofs and tail wagging pounding the walls. You'd think he'd break it off with all of its use. Murray is a fabulous dog. Gorgeous deep red and the softness of his fur is only matched by the softness of his heart. He is patiently waiting for the right family to invite him into their home.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Well, Murray is still looking for that special family to be patient with him and one that is willing to wait for him to learn to trust them. He adores our dog and cat and would do best with a family that has another easy going dog. Murray is extremely frightened and timid when he first meets people, but as time goes by he does come to trust you. We have had him for 2 weeks now and it is like night and day when he is with us compared to when he meets new people. At home he bounds around the house with his toys in his mouth, plays tug-o-war with our dog and chases the squirrels in the back yard. His favorite thing is "going out". He entertains himself in the backyard with all of the interesting animals and smells and occasional digging. But, when he meets new people he is instantly afraid of them and runs from them. He will let you pet him, but he is cowering and very submissive. Sometimes he even pees, he is so afriad. He is never agressive, even when he is backed into a corner. He's just terrified that you will hurt him. After awhile of petting him, he will relax a little and maybe nudge you to keep on petting him, but he stills shows that fear.

Whomever falls in love with this boy, will need to understand that this will take time. But, he does learn to trust. In the two weeks he has been with us he has changed immensely. He just needs a quiet and patient hand. In return, he will melt your heart.