Bear 12-212

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June 5, 2012

Meet big, fluffy, beautiful Bear!! He is a male, neutered, Dark Golden mixed with something. I think maybe Newfie, he has that kind of hair and Huge paws to go along with it. He is around 3.5 to 4 years old. Bear was found as a stray so not much is known about him, but I can tell you what I know after having him 3 days and of course as the days go by we will update you.

The first picture you see at the top of him laying on the couch was taken right after he got into my home and this is where he has made himself comfortable, he has yet to lay anywhere else, not even on the cool floor, he chooses the couch. You can see from this picture he is a big fluff ball and nothing but hair! He was very stinky so we went to the groomer the next day and got a bath, some matts shaved and cut a little. So as you will see at the bottom of the page (him standing on couch) this is him after his groom and he is feeling pretty good and looking great!!

Bear is all up to date on everything, he is on medication for his ears. Other than that good to go. He rides excellent in the car, he had about a 7.5 hour drive to me and 5 different vehicles to ride in and did great in all of them. He met a couple dogs and cat at the groomers and vet and could have cared less they were there. He is house trained, no accidents but does not go to the door to go out as of yet. He walks good on leash, have yet to hear him bark, even when someone comes to the door. He does not know how to play with toys or what they are even for, but of course we are working on that.

His first couple nights went well, but he chooses to sleep on the couch instead of my bedroom and dog bed. I left my bedroom door open for him and he kept coming in the first night to check to make sure I was still there, but then went to the couch and stayed there. The 2nd night he followed me in the bedroom, but then as soon as lights out he went to his favorite spot, the couch! I could tell when he first came inside the house he had not been in a house before, he was fascinated with the TV. He is very jumpy when it comes to quick movements and noises, but is relaxing more as the days go by. He also is almost afraid to eat, he looks at me like he is going to get in trouble if he takes a bite, not sure why, what he has gone through but the first day did not eat at all , which of course is normal with being stressed from the move and new place and all. The next day I went and sat by the bowl and encouraged him it was ok and he started to eat and then would run off, I kept calling him back and hand feeding him, then just petted him telling him it was ok that it was his and no one was going to take it away. He then settled down and started to eat. If only he could tell me what he is thinking!

One funny thing he does, is come up from behind you and go between your legs and then just sits there waiting to be petted. He does this often and it is so cute. I will get a picture of this next time. That is all for now!!

At a Glance #12-212

Mixed Breed Born: January 2009
Male Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

June 5, 2012

Meet big, fluffy, beautiful Bear!! He is a male, neutered, Dark Golden mixed with something. I think maybe Newfie, he has that kind of hair and Huge paws to go along with it. He is around 3.5 to 4 years old. Bear was found as a stray so not much is known about him, but I can tell you what I know after having him 3 days and of course as the days go by we will update you.

The first picture you see at the top of him laying on the couch was taken right after he got into my home and this is where he has made himself comfortable, he has yet to lay anywhere else, not even on the cool floor, he chooses the couch. You can see from this picture he is a big fluff ball and nothing but hair! He was very stinky so we went to the groomer the next day and got a bath, some matts shaved and cut a little. So as you will see at the bottom of the page (him standing on couch) this is him after his groom and he is feeling pretty good and looking great!!

Bear is all up to date on everything, he is on medication for his ears. Other than that good to go. He rides excellent in the car, he had about a 7.5 hour drive to me and 5 different vehicles to ride in and did great in all of them. He met a couple dogs and cat at the groomers and vet and could have cared less they were there. He is house trained, no accidents but does not go to the door to go out as of yet. He walks good on leash, have yet to hear him bark, even when someone comes to the door. He does not know how to play with toys or what they are even for, but of course we are working on that.

His first couple nights went well, but he chooses to sleep on the couch instead of my bedroom and dog bed. I left my bedroom door open for him and he kept coming in the first night to check to make sure I was still there, but then went to the couch and stayed there. The 2nd night he followed me in the bedroom, but then as soon as lights out he went to his favorite spot, the couch! I could tell when he first came inside the house he had not been in a house before, he was fascinated with the TV. He is very jumpy when it comes to quick movements and noises, but is relaxing more as the days go by. He also is almost afraid to eat, he looks at me like he is going to get in trouble if he takes a bite, not sure why, what he has gone through but the first day did not eat at all , which of course is normal with being stressed from the move and new place and all. The next day I went and sat by the bowl and encouraged him it was ok and he started to eat and then would run off, I kept calling him back and hand feeding him, then just petted him telling him it was ok that it was his and no one was going to take it away. He then settled down and started to eat. If only he could tell me what he is thinking!

One funny thing he does, is come up from behind you and go between your legs and then just sits there waiting to be petted. He does this often and it is so cute. I will get a picture of this next time. That is all for now!!

Updates

Saturday, August 4, 2012

From Bear's forever family...

We made the long journey (12 hours round-trip) to Deer River in mid-June to meet Bear (12-212). We all knew, instantly, that he was ours - thanks Bobbi Jo! And, we knew that his name would remain Bear - it describes him to a T. He is a gorgeous boy!

Bear is the most snuggly dog we have ever met...he puts all his 82 pounds right into your lap and loves to be hugged. Bear has been to a few soccer games and to a family gathering in Wisconsin at the lake. He is very popular and welcomes all attention - and gets along great with other dogs...actually, he doesn't pay them much attention.

Bear continues to learn how to play. He is beginning to fetch a bit, loves to carry around stuffed animals, and chases the boys around the house and yard. We wish that we knew more about Bear's life before Ragom as he remains afraid of most everything - coffee cups, ceiling fans, quick movements, etc. However, storms and fireworks didn't phase him at all. Someone wasn't very nice to him and we will continue to gain his trust as he realizes that he is safe. Some days it feels like the movie "50 First Dates". We have to re-gain Bear's trust every morning. We have yet to hear Bear bark.

Our first Ragom dog, Buddy, died about 2 months before we got Bear. Thanks Ragom for helping us fill the house again.

-The L Family
Dave, Cheri, John, Owen, and Jay

Sunday, June 17, 2012

I am excited to tell you all the Bear boy is finally coming out of his shell after 2 weeks in my care. Taking a little longer than some dogs but that is ok because they all have their own pace they need to go by. He is such a sweet dog.

You can see by the pictures that he now lays on the floor, that may not sound like a big deal but the only place this boy would lay was the couch, so to have him on the floor is a big deal. I think he finally figured out the floor is a much cooler place to lay.

He also started going in the crate just to lay down. He was very much afraid of this crate when he came into my home and now he just goes in and out as he pleases. He also will go in there and rub up against the bars to itch himself, silly guy!! He does not need the crate but I have it set up for my dogs and this is where it stays, but he has free roam while we are gone, so no worries there.

He has started to pick up some toys and try to play with them, this is still a work in progress but at least he is showing some interest now!! Yay!!

And the pool, I got this dog, who was afraid of everything, in the pool. That is just awesome, and he loves it. He is really starting to understand that not everything is out to get him and I am just thrilled to watch his progress. He is still jumpy at quick movements but getting much better. He can climb the stairs now without the leash, just follows us up and down.

We had AFV on TV and he heard a dog barking, looked up at the TV and ran over to the fireplace (TV is above fireplace) and was trying to climb up to the TV to see the dog!! That is a huge step also, he was afraid of the TV when he first came. So all kinds of fun things happening with this guy. Stay tuned.....

Monday, June 11, 2012

Well Bear is slowly coming around. It has taken him 9 days to finally pick up a toy on his own, and to pick up his chew bone by himself instead of me giving it to him.

He still has an issue eating on his own, it's as if he thinks he will be in trouble if he eats, not sure what happened to this boy but it could not have been good when it comes to food. He has zero aggression with food, you can take things from him or be by him when he eats without any issues. As a matter of fact right now that is the only way I can get him to eat, is to feed him or sit by him telling him it's ok. He still cowers a lot at quick movements.

Just loves everyone he meets. He meets a dog and cat without issue at all. He will now go up and down stairs with someone beside him, will not go on his own yet, but he will soon. We have yet to him hear bark, I don’t even know if he knows how. Finally got him to go in the pool, but we have to go in with him, will not do this on his own yet either. He respects baby gates. No fence required.

And as you can see in the picture below, he finally started to lay on the cool floor after 8 days! The ONLY place he would lay was the couch, he will not lay in my bedroom on the dog bed yet. His SAFE place is the couch, but he is slowly moving to the floor for short periods. I have never seen a dog that would not lay on the floor until I met Bear. He walks wonderful on leash. Does fabulous free roam, he has had free roam from day 1 and no issues at all. 100% house trained.

We had to go back to the vet after 4 days of being on ear meds, they were not working. So we cleaned them out good and he had so much junk in his ears the meds were not reaching his ear canal, so now we wash them out every day and then put medication in.

Bear is just a big ol teddy Bear and will make some family very happy, is that you??

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

I forgot to mention that Bear weighs 83 lbs and is a little over weight so he will need help with that. He is also very gentle at taking treats!

He should go to a family with older children, being he is jumpy with quick movements and some loud noises.

He has the cutest wiggle on his behind when he walks!! This picture of him outside really shows his BEAR look!! But gentle as a teddy bear!