Caesar

Update:12/21/09:

Caesar is looking more kingly at last! His fur is growing, and people are now referring to him as a "good-looking dog.” He's getting to be a great palace, er, house dog. He is just about at the end of his heartworm treatment and ready for the special home who has a soft spot for an older fella. He LOVES to receive guests and gets excited when anyone comes over to visit.

Now, in the best royal fashion, Caesar does not like to be ordinary, so he does have a slightly “unusual” tummy. About once a week he’ll have a bout of digestive turmoil… it doesn’t seem to be related to a change in diet, household stress, or anything we can pinpoint easily, but we’re working on figuring it out. Other than that his health is getting better all the time.

He’d make a great companion for a single person looking for a dog buddy who is very interested in whatever his person is doing (Caesar just HAS to have his nose into everything! He wants to make sure he doesn’t miss a thing). He doesn’t need another dog – he’s much more focused on people, and so calm and friendly. He is just fine with cats, too.

Caesar has come a long, long way in just a few months!

Update: 11/16/09:

Well, it looks like Caesar is never going to be a really royal kind of guy, and that’s just fine with him! Keeping your toga spotlessly clean, making sure your laurel wreath stays straight on your head, sitting still on a throne listening to reports from the outlying colonies when you’d rather be out making the rounds yourself … who needs it?! Well, maybe the Roman baths would be OK, though… Caesar’s foster mom comments that he is the messiest drinker she has ever seen. Note to his new home: keep the towels handy by the water bowls, as so many of us with goofy swim-in-the-water-dish Goldens do.

Meanwhile,  he’s weathered his first heartworm injection. That went well… next health challenge, off-and-on tummy upset. It doesn’t affect his mood, luckily, and we’re trying various approaches to get the issue under control so Caesar can starting putting on those needed pounds.

He gets along great with other dogs, doesn’t care two cents about storms, and is outgoing and curious. Enjoys his grooming sessions and likes to gather up all the toys in a pile, then sit in the midst of them—doesn't really play with them, though, just enjoys his “riches.” He loves attention and would be very happy to be someone’s constant companion and confidant.

Hail, Caesar!

Like the Roman emperors, Caesar is looking for new worlds to conquer. Unlike them, he has no plans to take over entire nations! He just wants to conquer the hearts of one special family, at which point he will happily give up his throne to the head of the household and live out his days as a loyal subject. And given his happy & accepting personality (no aristocratic snobbery here), he shouldn’t have much trouble winning over that perfect family.

However… there’s some work to do on the health front first. Noble Caesar doesn’t look too regal right now. He came to GRR from a family who couldn’t care for him any longer, and unfortunately, it shows – he has heartworms, a short dull coat, skin infections that have left him with bald spots, and a weight of around 70 pounds on a dog who should weigh a kingly 85 or so. (He also had 3-inch-long toenails, but he got a manicure during his neuter surgery.)

Of course, true to his high-ranking lineage,Caesar is housebroken and doesn’t even require crating when home alone. Thunder & rain leave him unruffled. And for all his health woes, he shows his royal pedigree in his excellent attitude. Says his foster mom, “I am amazed at how energetic and strong he is for the lousy shape he’s in! He acts like he feels pretty darn good. He is outgoing and smart and knows basic commands, and responds immediately to being corrected.  He’s extremely curious about what everyone is doing all of the time. Very nosy. Big mooch and counter surfer! He follows me everywhere and I keep falling over him when I don’t realize he’s right on my heels!”

Stay tuned as His Excellency continues on the road to perfect health.

View Pictures Here