Tussey

Update:02/07/10

Great news to report on Tussey –

Our sweet and petite little girl is blossoming and has come out of her shell.  She is much more comfortable in new situations and had a great week staying with another foster family, where she handled herself perfectly.  She welcomed many guests young and less young, male and female during her stay and did well with all. 

This little girl has spunk, so I call her Twinkle Toes.  She is just a bundle of fun and love and more than anything wants to be close to you.  She is definitely a people pleaser, which makes her very easy to train.   She has perfect manners inside the house. She is a joy to have around and very easy to care for. 

Tussey is scheduled for her final heartworm treatment the second week of February.  After an additional month of exercise restriction, she’ll be ready  to find her forever home. 

Tussey is sweet and petite!  A pretty, light gold girl, she is topping out at about 50 pounds and is pint-sized when compared to the other “standard issue” Goldens in the house. 

The notes from the family who left this little 4-year-old at a local shelter described her as “loyal, affectionate, playful, excitable and friendly; digs in the yard and destroys stuff outdoors; friendly with the familiar but ‘unknown’ with the unfamiliar.”  These few comments aren’t much to go on, but they do tell a story about Tussey.   Her early life may have been little more than exposure to a backyard where she was bored and unsocialized, left to entertain herself by digging and chewing. Not surprising that she was very timid and fearful when she first arrived at the shelter and then, in GRR foster care.

In her first foster home, Tussey became increasingly stressed and uncomfortable with men, young children and visiting dogs coming into the house.  Our wonderful trainer, Cheryl, quickly agreed to evaluate Tussey, then laid out a plan for support and training—and she described the ideal adoptive home, too. Cheryl says:

“Tussey needs a home with patience, time and an understanding of what she can handle. She will get better about adults, men and even children, but she’s never going to be the dog who loves everybody, all the time. Some men, dogs, kids and women will make Tussey a bit anxious. She shouldn’t go to a home with kids. Of course, she needs both mental and physical activity (like all dogs do), but she also needs calmness and stability. Other dogs in the home should be calm and confident. And she should not go to a dog park – too many other unstable dogs may be there.  But if handled and trained properly, Tussey will be the perfect dog for someone!”

Now in a foster home with no men or children, Tussey is way more comfortable and, just as Cheryl predicted, is making great strides.  She is happy, outgoing and increasingly confident with new situations.  Yay! Her first day in the house here DID include some drama—she showed her insecurity around the other dogs by creating a bit of a commotion!—but after she realized that she was among friends and learned who the leader of the pack was (the one with two legs!), things settled down quickly. 

Tussey is a real love bug.  If allowed, she’ll climb up next to you on the sofa or bed to snuggle.  She likes to know where you are at all times and will happily follow you from room to room. Within minutes after sitting down somewhere, you’re likely to find Tussey quietly napping at your feet.

She is a very smart girl and a quick study.  She has quite an impressive vocabulary already!  Her ever-increasing repertoire includes SIT, SHAKE, DOWN, ROLL OVER and KENNEL UP, and she’s getting the hang of LEAVE IT, WATCH, and STAY.  Cheryl identified a fight/flight mentality that makes Tussey a bolter (and she would much rather flee than fight)—and she needs to be managed at all doors to the outside and at car doors. Naturally, being a real smartie, she is learning to sit at everydoor and not to go through until released; she’s also learning that she cannot start her meals until she has been given the OK. She thrives on clear rules—they really help her confidence and security.

Tussey is interested in tennis balls and loves stuffed toys—especially if it means she is keeping her prize from another dog!  Her intellect and love for keep busy mean that if  you let her get too bored,  she’ll find something to entertain herself, and it usually involves something you would rather not have had munched on! (Darn, if only we could teach her to clean house, fold laundry, and mop floors!)   She adores car rides and is dying to go on a walk–she knows what a leash is all about and dances when you even walk near one. (She should wear a Gentle Leader for walks; she’s already used to it and is responding well.)  

Tussey has a great energy about her and her natural inclination is to skip, twirl, leap and dance—it’s a wonderful sight to see, and she’s clearly delighted with herself and her new life! Unfortunately, she has heartworms and needs to stay quiet for a few months during treatment, which is no fun for an active girl.  Nonetheless, she’s a star patient; she crates very easily and will stay there comfortably whether you are at home or away.  By the time she’s completed her heartworm treatment and has had that much more time for training she’s just may be the best dog ever.   

Tussey is a beautiful, sweet, funny little girl.  She needs a home that will be calm, consistent, caring and will keep up with her training. With that support, she will surely continue to blossom. 

Adoption Procedures