Shondra 07-008

back to Memorials

Profile

01/23/07: Here is Shondra! I can't tell you how sweet and gentle this ex-puppy mill mama is. This poor gal has probably had many litters of puppies and very little human contact, but she is a doll!

We have had Shondra for 2 days now and she is GREAT. She exhibits many of the normal puppy mill behaviors including being very shy and, of course being confused about this place called a home. She probably has never been in a home before, never walked up or down steps, never been on a leash, never known a human's love. She smelled like she had never had a bath! Speaking of baths. She was quite apprehensive for her baths( two so far) and laid down the entire time (plugging up the drain!) and when bath time was over, she really didn't want to get out as you can see by the picture!

All in all though, she is doing very well. She respects resident dog Lacy and will do what she does. It is crucial for a puppy mill dog to have another dog in her household so that he or she can learn how a normal dog acts, and also to see the normal interaction between dogs and their owners. Already, Shondra likes to be petted, loves to be brushed (it must feel soooo good!) and at times wags her tail vigorously( usually from the safe lying down position and thumps so hard it sounds like it would hurt!). I think you can guess how great that makes us feel!! She now loves doggie pillows But, her favorite thing is going for walks. She doesn't usually pull, but she also doesn't walk anything close to a straight line! I am just so relieved that she is not afraid of being leashed. The rest will come. And by the way, she knows why she is outside. I don't know why, but she knows not to potty in the house----yeah!

Shondra has a "safe corner" in our laundry room, but also spends time on her doggie pillow, rug or floor in the kitchen. She lays down most of the time. I think it is a submissive thing, but also she is heavy, so it probably feels better. We are working on trimming and toning!

Shondra has had a general check up, has had her shots and has been wormed. All she has left is to be spayed.

It is incredibly rewarding to gain the trust of this wonderful dog. I think Shondra is going to bond fast and bond tight. If you have a resident dog, have a calm and fairly quiet household and would like the devoted love of a very sweet dog, please contact placement.

 Shondra
In her safe corner

 Shondra
Bathing Beauty

At a Glance #07-008

Golden Retriever Born: March 1999
Female Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

01/23/07: Here is Shondra! I can't tell you how sweet and gentle this ex-puppy mill mama is. This poor gal has probably had many litters of puppies and very little human contact, but she is a doll!

We have had Shondra for 2 days now and she is GREAT. She exhibits many of the normal puppy mill behaviors including being very shy and, of course being confused about this place called a home. She probably has never been in a home before, never walked up or down steps, never been on a leash, never known a human's love. She smelled like she had never had a bath! Speaking of baths. She was quite apprehensive for her baths( two so far) and laid down the entire time (plugging up the drain!) and when bath time was over, she really didn't want to get out as you can see by the picture!

All in all though, she is doing very well. She respects resident dog Lacy and will do what she does. It is crucial for a puppy mill dog to have another dog in her household so that he or she can learn how a normal dog acts, and also to see the normal interaction between dogs and their owners. Already, Shondra likes to be petted, loves to be brushed (it must feel soooo good!) and at times wags her tail vigorously( usually from the safe lying down position and thumps so hard it sounds like it would hurt!). I think you can guess how great that makes us feel!! She now loves doggie pillows But, her favorite thing is going for walks. She doesn't usually pull, but she also doesn't walk anything close to a straight line! I am just so relieved that she is not afraid of being leashed. The rest will come. And by the way, she knows why she is outside. I don't know why, but she knows not to potty in the house----yeah!

Shondra has a "safe corner" in our laundry room, but also spends time on her doggie pillow, rug or floor in the kitchen. She lays down most of the time. I think it is a submissive thing, but also she is heavy, so it probably feels better. We are working on trimming and toning!

Shondra has had a general check up, has had her shots and has been wormed. All she has left is to be spayed.

It is incredibly rewarding to gain the trust of this wonderful dog. I think Shondra is going to bond fast and bond tight. If you have a resident dog, have a calm and fairly quiet household and would like the devoted love of a very sweet dog, please contact placement.

 Shondra
In her safe corner

 Shondra
Bathing Beauty

Updates

Thursday, August 19, 2010

 

It is with very heavy hearts that we inform you that our sweet Shondra crossed the Rainbow Bridge August 17th, 2010 at the age of 12 years.

We adopted Shondra at the age of almost 9. She had been a "Golden of the Month" when we first saw her and had spent the first 9 years of her life in a puppy mill. From the first time we met her we knew she was ours to love and that we did. Shondra never learned how to play with our other dog but she did learn from her that people were ok and that a yard with a fence was a place to run free, carry all her stuffed animals and dig holes in the hostas. We cherished everyday we got to have her. She smiled in the morning and pranced in the afternoon when we came home. We only heard her bark 3 times and each time we wished we could have heard her again. In the end her back legs would not support her and we began seeing a chiropractor for her in addition to a mixture of alternative and western veterinary medicine. When you work for a vet you get all kinds of options and we were willing to give everything a shot.

Shondra was a special gift to us. We cherished the time we had her as a member of our family. We loved her so very much and will always remember her funny quirks and gentle soul. Adopting a senior golden has been a very rewarding experience - we encourage everyone to consider these special dogs.

To Sue, Shondra's foster mom....Thank you for choosing our family as her forever home and trusting us with her care. Bless you and RAGOM for your kindness.

Shondra Elaine Libby Olivia, you will remain in our hearts forever. We Love You Sweet girl. Always. You are finally at peace. Rest well.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Hello everyone at RAGOM,

We adopted our wonderful girl Shondra in April of '07, at the age of 9 years. We have enjoyed each and every minute with her!! Since she was a previous puppy mill mom she still has some nervousness around new people or situations, but we have learned how to help her along when she needs us.

Her favorite time of day is when she wakes us in the morning with her happy dance. She runs and grabs her "babies" and then around the table she goes almost skipping.

Shondra brings us so much joy and we are very thankful to be her forever family. We couldn't love her more. Thank you RAGOM for all of the wonderful things you do.

Dan and Jill

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

We have just come back from the vet and Shondra is GReat! She weighed in at 76 pounds which is wonderful! She also had a blood test to see how the thyroid level is doing now that she had been on meds for 1 month. That was right where it should be also, so we will continue on the dose she has been getting. We have had her on the food to help with the crystals in her urine, and it has kept her free of bladder infection, so Shondra is A-OK and ready to head to her forever home!

 
Shondra is irresistable

 
Shondra sunning

 
Ahhhhhh

 
Bashful

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Shondra continues to make progress towards living the good life. She loves our attention and continues to wag that tail!

Biggies for this week are eating out of a dog dish! The dish was something she was really afraid of. I have no idea why, but I also do not know how they were given their food at the puppy mill. She has progressed from eating the most tempting canned dog food out of my hand(messy!), eating off a paper plate, eating from a pie plate, to eating kibble topped with the canned food from a regular dog dish. And she is eager to eat!

Another thing that Shondra is doing is sitting. Before, she was either walking somewhere, or in the "safe" lying down position. It doesn't seem like much, but I really think it shows her trust and that she is getting much more comfortable here. Plus, she really looks so cute!

Something that tickles me is that Shondra is now following me downstairs when I work on the computer. She doesn't even need lazy Lacy--she just comes on her own.

Shondra loves resident dog, Lacy, and the feeling is mutual. They love being in close proximity. They are both very gentle dogs and comfortable together. I am hoping that Shondra can find a forever brother or sister that will love her as much as Lacy does.

 

The buddies (Shondra in back)