Gold Ribbon Rescue Adoptables

ADOPTED

---- Original Message -----
From: Paul
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:12 PM
Subject: Update on Sam Wise f/k/a Shooter and Chip

Brenda and I wanted to give you an update on our two boys that we adopted
last year. We have had Sam for a year now and Chip for about 6 months.

They are both doing great. Sam Wise is a couch potato and Chip is a Jock.
They both have lots of energy and we must find ways to utilize this energy.
First thing every morning we walk 2-3 miles in our neighborhood. Chip still
pulls a little but we are working on this. Sam just loves to be outside,
smell of everything and mark all important spots. We have to compromise a
lot because Chip insists on moving fast down the sidewalk while Sam wants to
check everything out. Since my EKG last spring showed that I have had a
silent heart attack some time in the past it is very important that the boys
make sure that I get adequate exercise. They do a great job of this.

We took Sam Wise to Petsmart to enroll in training. They did an assessment
of him and he skipped the beginner class because he ALREADY knew all verbal
and hand commands. He has started in the Intermediate Class and of course,
he is the star pupil that the instructor uses to teach the other dogs. He
just doesn't like it when the instructor shows attention to the other dogs
and Sam has to bark at her.

Chip is becoming a very loving young boy. He is very athletic and needs to
run, walk briskly and exercise however possible. When we first got him he
would not let us hug him.He likes to lick you to show affection but that is
all, no hugging. Now he comes and sits on our foot or just pushes his head
beside our leg so we will pet him. Recently he has started a new tradition,
when I let him out of the kennel in the morning he MUST go to our bedroom,
jump on the bed, and give Mom morning dog sugar. If he gets excited and goes
down stairs before going to see Mom, he will come running back upstairs
dragging his lead to give her sugar before he goes for his walk. We give
Chip and Sam the run of the house when we are at home and when we are gone
and have never experienced any problems. I think the most important thing
that we do every day, rain, sleet or cold is go for a long walk and get
everyone tired so they rest when they get home. My wife and I are fortunate
that we both work from our home office so we are not gone for a long period
of time. We just have to work on the barking, when the German Sheppard
across the street walks down the sidewalk.

A year ago after my wife's 14 year old Golden Retriever passed away she did
not want another dog because no dog could ever replace Tripper. She was
right that no dog could be a replacement for Tripper but we are very happy
to have the two wonderful dogs that are very loving and special in their
unique way.

Thanks to GRR for everything that you do.

Paul and Brenda

Shooter...Don’t let the white face fool you! Shooter may look like a distinguished older gentleman, but this handsome fellow is really only about three years old. He was picked up by animal control a few months back as a VERY skinny stray with an assortment of cuts and scrapes, plus a heavy load of heartworms – but he’s had his heartworm treatment, he’s putting on weight, his coat is getting nice and thick … and now that he’s finally allowed to zip around, he goes hog-wild in the backyard and can run circles around his Golden foster brother Paddy, who is pretty fast! He can also climb a 4-foot chain-link fence, but since I caught him in the act and told him that wasn't acceptable, he hasn't tried it again.

Shooter is pretty calm in the house, though he does feel it is his duty to alert you with a few barks if somebody walks by the front windows! He likes to drag shoes and slippers around, but he doesn’t chew on them. He loves woobies and carries them around, too, but he isn’t protective if one of the other dogs picks up one of his toys. Like a true Golden, he just adores attention from humans, and that includes grooming – he sits still and enjoys every minute.

Shooter likes to relax on the floor or the sofa after dinner – he lies down and then wiggles around ecstactically. This is very cute! He sleeps well right through the night.

This is a very smart boy. He’s eager to please and very coachable. He knows “sit,” and I’m pretty sure he understands the “stay” concept – just needs a little polishing on that one. He waits politely at the door until you say it’s OK to go out – unlike my own Goldens (!). He’s going to make some lucky family a great dog!