Hey, it's Carlie here once again.  Guess what....it is so much easier to type on the computer being able to see than it was just a couple months ago when I couldn't see my paw in front of me.  Still, it is hard to get much computer time with Foster Daddy always hogging the thing.  So I take advantage of every brief opportunity I get.  Like now.  I am still here with my foster family.  I thought by now I might be living with a family who had taken an interest in me but I guess it was decided that it wasn't going to work out.  They are a great family, and I had fun knocking things over in their house, but living here with Katie and Moss isn't too bad either so I guess I can't complain.  The family did help get my vision restored and Foster Daddy and I will never forget them for that!  

Things have been going pretty well since my surgery, which was two months ago already!  I still get a bunch of eye drops every day but that's a small price to pay to be able to see again.  Trust me.  I recently got a new harness to wear on car rides and on walks, so that was pretty exciting.  And I found a new chair to climb onto at Grandma's.  It's a wobbly little rocker that used to be at Foster Daddy's grandma's house.  There's definitely a trick to sitting in it but I like it because then I can see out the window.  And with the balmy weather we're having now I hope that means more time outside enjoying it.  More trips to the park.  And more car rides, too!!

Well, gotta go for now.  Thanks for checking up on me!       

Nap Time!

Why does he always make me look up?

Me in Grandma's little rocker.

Merry Christmas to all of Carlie’s supporter and admirers!!  Carlie can’t wait for Santa to arrive this year (and neither can I).  Carlie has been a very good girl this year and she really deserves a visit from Santa.  Unfortunately, the last couple of months have been rather eventful for sweet Carlie.  She suffered through a bout of pancreatitis in October and as a result she didn’t eat for five days.  Thankfully, she recovered from that awful week, quickly regained her spunk and we were able to resume our trips to the park, which is what she lives for.  Actually, I’m not sure what she enjoys more…..exploring in the park or the car ride to get there.  Either way, she’s a happy girl.

Also, in just a little more than a month Carlie has lost her vision due to cataracts.  Cataracts are an unfortunate, but very common, complication of diabetes in dogs.  Carlie is rapidly adjusting to life without sight and she is doing amazing, especially considering how quickly it happened.  But Carlie shouldn’t have to be in the dark for very long because she is scheduled to have surgery to remove the cataracts on January 11!!  Carlie received an early Christmas present when RAGOM very generously authorized the surgery for Carlie and, in addition, a wonderful family who has fallen in love with her is chipping in to help cover some of the costs for the procedure.  Carlie and I cannot thank you enough!!

Even through the difficult times Carlie has maintained her warm spirit and love for people!  She has been with me for almost two years now and I fall more in love with her every day!  She is such a sweet girl.  I feel bad for what she has had to go through but she has been such a trooper and I couldn’t be more proud of her!
Okay, Carlie wants to say a few words now…….
     
Hello,

Mitten Mitten, who left me a mitten?  Whoever you are, thank you!  Zera and Athena were very special.  It will help me find my bone that I burrried in the backyard.  Oops, that was a secret.  I hope Katie and Moss don't read this.

Thank you to the Goldzilla Friend Anonymous person!  And many thanks to the people remembering Charles & Ann Bailey.  I sure am grateful for all donations cuz Foster daddy says I need surgery on my eyes.  My diabetes surprised me with a side effect-----I can't see.  So foster daddy is trying this for me. Turns out I have cataracts and need surgery.  I am going under the knife next year.  Darn, we finally get a dusting of snow and I can't even see it...so the mitten will come in handy dusting off the path to my bone.

The best ever newz is that someone wants to adopt me, but with my vision problem, we need to be sure that the surgery workz first.  Please cross your paws for me so I will get to see again.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year!  See you next year, I hope.....

Carlie & Foster Daddy

"Why is Katie in my chair?!!"

Merry Christmas!!!

This chair is comfy!

Foster Daddy, it’s time to do my update, remember?  Oh well, guess I'll have to do it myself.
What can I say?  I AM STILL HERE.  Does this thing work?  It’s me, Carlie.  Foster Daddy hasn't heard from anyone that is interested in me.  I can't imagine why.  I'm the total package.  I am house trained, good on walks, car rides, like other dogs.  I like fun parties and wear stupid hats.  I know stuff like sit, lie down, off and I have excellent recall.  And I hope you have noticed that I have lost 48 lbs.  That’s like losing a medium size dog that was attached to my back for goodness sakes. 

Other than the insulin stick that I need twice a day, I'm very low maintenance.  I don't get tangles in my hair cuz I have a natural buzz cut.  I'm a good protector when I hear funny noises in the house. I am 9 years old.....way past the crazy puppy shenanigans.  I love people, kids of all ages, boat rides, other dogs, car rides and even cats.  And I especially love chairs and couches.  If you have any, or preferably all, of that stuff, give me a chance.

I'd love to stay here forever ya know.  Foster Daddy and Kate and Moss are the best.  But I should move on and make another family happy so Foster Daddy can rescue and re-home another furbutt.  That's what RAGOM is all about.  Rescue, Re-home and Repeat.  Maybe my message is getting out.  If you can hear me, please contact your RAGOM placement advisor.  I'm anxious to hear from you!!! 

Thanks, Carlie

Hey Everybody, I think I've been forgotten about.  Either that or the humidity got to our computer.  Anyway, my paws are on here now cuz it’s the coolest, driest place in the house.  Speaking of cool, have you taken a recent peek at my chest?  Normally a young lady wouldn't ask such a personal question, but hey-- we're close friends cuz you've been reading my story.  I was admiring my new slim and trim 72 pound self in the mirror yesterday and I noticed a bull in a tutu on my chest.  Do you see that?  Or is it an upside down moose with a long neck?  Maybe a sting ray?  Well, the bull may explain my little stubborn streak.  Word around here is that I'm a bit fussy when I meet other dogs.  But it takes just a minute for that familiar sniff sniff greeting and I'm good with them.

The routine around here is the same.  I get up, go outside, eat my breakfast and take my insulin.  We play a lot and supervise foster daddy around the house and we take occasional naps.  I make sure the chairs are where they're supposed to be and the chair/couch monster hasn't messed with them.  Then I play with Kate, Moss and Toby and we think of stuff to do.  Sometimes it takes me a long time to re-arrange our balls and stuffies.  Everyday I manage the comings and goings of the native wildlife from our window.  I'm still trying to understand why the squirrels run back and forth across the high wires.  And the bunnies, oh don't get me started on those crazy critters.  They're out to get me and they stare at us.  I try to talk to them, but they don't listen.  All this activity keeps us furbutts very busy all day.  And then finally, after all that, I get my insulin and then we eat.  Then we go outside to play a little, supervise foster daddy, watch TV and finally settle down on the couch or on one of my favorite chairs.

Before I go, I want to thank my sponsors.  I cross my paws for Charles & Ann Bailey everyday.  I wish they were here so I could give them Carlie kisses.  Foster daddy wants to talk now.  Catch ya later.

Hello, Carlie has stolen my heart.  She is one special lady.  I can't believe she has been our guest for over a year and a half.  I can honestly say if I were able to, I would adopt her in a heartbeat.  She is the perfect family dog.  Carlie LOVES children, people, car rides, activity and almost everything else.  She is a great co-pilot and walker.  No worries about security.  Any intruder would high tail it out of here when he hears her bark.   Because of her fascination with the typical neighborhood wildlife, she needs a physical fence.  She does fine with my dogs and cats so she can be a big/little sister or the only dog in her adoptive home.  And most important, Carlie needs the comfort of chairs, couches and the bed.  Also, her insulin is quite manageable with an approximate cost of $65/month. 

Carlie loves car rides AND boat rides

"When are we leaving??"

The excitement of getting a treat!

 Carlie tussling with a "hedgehog"

Happy Spring to the Golden Seniors from Anonymous

It's Carlie here for a quick update to let everyone know that I am still alive and doing well.  A trip to the vet a couple weeks ago revealed that I am now at my ideal weight.  Finally!  After a year of dieting and exercise, I have lost approximately 45 pounds and I feel great!  I can run and jump like a dog again.  I've included some recent pictures of myself to show off just how good I look!!  Thanks for checking on me.

 Merry Christmas to the Senior Goldens and their fosters from Anonymous

Hello Everyone!!  It’s Carlie once again…..and I’m here to finally give an update after a lengthy delay that was not my fault.  We can blame Foster Daddy for dragging his feet and not getting my update done, which is why I’ve decided to take over the update duties today while he is away at work. 

First, how about a health update?  I honestly don’t remember when I have felt this good.  It has been years since I have been this skinny.  I am now down to a willowy, and much more comfortable, 81 pounds!!  Remember, I was a hefty 118 pounds in January.  Foster Daddy keeps telling me how proud of me he is.  And I am really happy too because now I can run around with the resident Goldens and not get tired out. 

There is another important benefit from being much slimmer, which is that the amount of insulin I need daily has been cut to less than half of what I required in January!  Foster Daddy still has to poke me with the needle twice a day, so I don’t really notice a difference in that way, but the cost to properly treat my diabetes has been reduced significantly.  And that is definitely a good thing. 

As for my personal life, I’m still living the American doggy dream.  I have the best step-brother and step-sister in the world.  I have a kitty to play with who also likes to snuggle.  I get to sit in the front seat on car trips….and I just love that!  Other things that I love to do, which have probably already been mentioned, include napping, meeting and growling at dogs I don’t know, taking leisurely walks through the park, exploring anything that I think needs to be explored…..indoors and out, feverishly removing the squeaker from stuffed toys, visiting Foster Daddy’s family and friends, fetching sticks thrown into a lake, lying quietly in the warm sunshine and so many other things that I can’t think of right now.  But that is ok because I need to finish this up since Foster Daddy will be home from work soon and I still want to get in another nap before he arrives.  Thanks for reading about me!     

Happy July 4th!  Carlie is celebrating America’s birthday in her own way….by snoozing on the nice cool floor downstairs.  She had a busy holiday weekend.  Trips to the park, swimming (actually, in Carlie’s case wading in the shallow water would be more accurate), meeting another Golden named Max at the beach, car rides and a trip to Grandma’s house highlighted her weekend.  And mine.  

Carlie is an adorable girl who has been a wonderful addition to my family since she arrived in January.  She arrived exactly two months after my dog Abbie unexpectedly passed away and she has helped get me through a very difficult time.  Carlie has obviously had a big impact on me and I know she will have the same kind of impact on the lucky family that adopts her.  I replaced my broken camera so I finally have some new pictures of Carlie to post!      

Moss, Carlie and Katie

Here’s a quick update on Carlie.She is down to 93 pounds now!  That is a 25 pound drop from her high earlier this year.  She looks great and I’m sure she feels so much better now, too.  Carlie has been an awesome foster baby.  Her adorable face, unique personality and sweet nature make her a joy to have around.  She gets along great with my dogs and cat, and she loves going to the park, looking out the window for other dogs, napping on the couch, riding in the car, eating healthy treats and meeting other dogs.  And she has adapted to her healthy new lifestyle exceptionally well!  

Here is a quick update on Carlie.  She is doing great!  Carlie continues to lose weight and her blood sugar has come down considerably….even since the last time it was checked, which was a significant improvement from the time before that!  And I am happy to report that Carlie is now the proud owner of her own glucose meter, which means fewer trips to the doctor for blood tests.  She is very happy about that!  

Carlie continues to be a wonderful guest and companion.  She is cute, smart, independent, playful and she also doubles as a security alarm.  She is not at all aggressive but she does like to warn me if she thinks someone is getting a little too close to the house.  It has been fun getting to know this adorable girl and great to see her personality come out more and more as her health has continued to improve.  

Carlie Relaxing

Carlie enjoying one of her favorite chairs

Carlie Sitting pretty