Taylor

Updated 5/17/10

Hard to believe it has been a whole year and more since Taylor first came to town, all the way from Abilene! It’s been a long time since our last update, too, for the simple reason that this little guy is just so sweet and easy that there isn’t much new to add. He’s very reliable in the house, extremely calm and just likes to snooze. We’ve never crated him – there’s no need. Occasionally, he will come and remind us that he could use some loving. After the appropriate amount of scratching and baby talk, he goes back to his (yes, it IS his) love seat and sleeps. Taylor does not play with or chew on toys. He gets very excited when it is meal time. He does a little "happy dance" in front of his bowl while waiting for us to fill it.

Taylor loves to go to dog park and  meet new dogs.  He has kind of, almost, sort of, played with another dog, but for the most part, he just likes to say hi. He attended the swim party this past weekend and had a blast socializing with everyone, people AND dogs. His only exposure to cats is when the neighbor cat sits outside our front door and sets all the dogs into a tizzy. Taylor joins right in!

Taylor is the perfect car rider! He cannot get into my car on his own, but he can get out. He is great on the leash and absolutely loves going for slow walks. As for grooming, he would be happy to have you brush him all day long. He is not so excited about baths and nail clippings. He tolerates baths, but he still gives you a very dirty look while you are bathing him.

Taylor would do best in a calm, less active home. He deals well with our two high-energy Goldens, but he is at his best when everything slows down just a bit. Taylor really likes routine. He knows when we usually get up, he knows when it is time to take the kids to school, he knows when it is time to go for a walk, etc. If we forget, he gently reminds us by standing in front of us and barking. That’s really his only flaw—he doesn't get the idea of weekends! Morning potty time and breakfast are at 6:30 AM during the week, so he really doesn't understand why that shouldn't be the case for weekends too!

Updated 10/06/09

Both of my kids and all of their friends think Taylor is just the most wonderful foster dog we have ever had! They all love him. He’s very, very calm and very affectionate in his quiet way. And his house manners are perfect: no accidents ever, and he does not chew, shred, steal, dumpster-dive or furniture-climb. He sleeps in one spot until it is time to move to another spot to sleep. We don’t ever crate him – there is no need to.

Taylor loves to be brushed, though he can be a bit sensitive about his backside and tail. His tail was broken at some point and doesn’t move, which certainly adds to his calm appearance! He is a little nervous about car rides, but he’s learning that they can be really fun. 

We think Taylor would be great with an older couple  or a family with older kids. He would do well as the only dog, or in a home with an older, calm dog.  He deals OK with our high-energy dogs, but you can tell they sometimes overwhelm him. They try to engage him in play, but he doesn’t really get it. He’d rather spend time next to his family, just hanging out and getting plenty of pets!

Updated 8/3/09:

Little Taylor is all finished with his heartworm treatment and ready to find his forever home.

He likes children and adults. He’d like to play with his foster dad’s dogs, but they are bit too big and rowdy for him!
He loves to be petted and brushed and would adore sleeping in bed with his family.
Cuddling and affection are definitely on his list of favorite things. This pint-size fellow would be very happy as an only dog or with dogs about his size who might be able to play with him.

Tiny Taylor has settled right into his foster home and gets this A+ report!
Taylor has already had his first heartworm injection, and so far, so good. He’ll have shot #2 this coming week, and that means he’ll be all ready for his forever home even before school starts in the fall.
He seems to get along best with older dogs, like my 12-year-old GRR girl Ellie Grace. He is a little overwhelmed by my Irish Setters (the ADHD children of the dog world), in particular my special-needs Irish Mr. Murphy, who has the canine equivalent of cerebral palsy. They are just so much taller than he is! All in all, though, he is doing very well adjusting to the family, so I’m sure he will be just fine in your home. I do think he’d be perfectly happy as an only dog, as long as he got plenty of pets and hugs and treats and more petting.
Taylor is a good car rider. I haven’t seen him around cats, but he seems just fine with kids. Since his tail doesn’t wag, you can’t judge his mood by his back end, but he sure does like you to gaze at him when you are petting him. He does not bark much, either—just looks at you with that cute face!
Taylor would like to sleep in the bedroom, but since there are three other dogs in the household, he ends up sleeping on the couch—now that’s a tough life!
 

Tailor-made for the lap dog set!

Tiny Taylor, at just 43 pounds, is the perfect size to curl up in your lap… and that is exactly where he likes to be. This affectionate little guy likes nothing more than to cuddle.  We all know that dogs are not supposed to jump up, but when Taylor hops up in greeting and puts his paws on your leg, it’s just a little love tap—so instead of telling him  “off,” you’re more likely to find yourself automatically stroking his velvety little head. One odd thing, though—don’t expect a tail wag. Taylor’s rescuer told us that he didn’t move his tail, so we asked the vet what was going on with that. His answer: “Taylor broke his tail at some point, but don't worry about it.  It’s fine as it is. Taylor is a cool dog!”

Taylor came to GRR all the way from Abilene, where there’s no local Golden rescue. From his photos he sure looked like a small GR, but up close and in person, we could see that there’s something else in the mix—maybe Cocker or Corgi? Who knows! He’s a peach no matter what his pedigree. He IS an escape artist, and at his tiny size he can squeeze through gaps in fencing (as his poor foster mom discovered soon after he moved in!), so secure fencing will be a must for this little fella.

Unfortunately, Taylor has heartworms, so he’ll be in foster care for several months having treatment. Of course, if you’re interested in taking him through the treatment in your home, please let us know! We can tell you all about it. Taylor gets along fine with laidback dogs, and he’d probably be very happy as an only pooch too, as long as he got plenty of pets.

Photo Update 5/25/09

Adoption Procedures