Eddie 13-298

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Profile

From Kathy and Jeff M From Kathy and Jeff M

 

 

In addition to LOVE this dog has the following requirements:
Entered Foster Care Fence Kid Friendly Another Dog Cat Friendly
10/28/2013 Physical Yes Yes Yes
This is the most recent information available; however, it may change as we learn more about the dog.

 

10/28/2013:

fast (fast·er, fast·est )

adj.
1. Acting, moving, or capable of acting or moving quickly; swift.
2. Quick to understand or learn; mentally agile: a class for the faster students.
3. Firm in loyalty: fast friends.

adv.
1. In a secure manner; tightly: hold fast.
2. To a sound degree; deeply: fast asleep.

see: Fast Eddie (aka "Eddie Spaghetti", "S'ghetti")

Eddie is a ~4-year-old Golden (Collie? Border Collie? Aussie? mix) who made a grand entrance, or rather an exit, with RAGOM by bolting from his new foster home within minutes of arriving. Nervous about his change in environment, compounded with a cautious regard for men, Eddie spooked and pushed through a rotting portion of our fence before even meeting our resident dogs. Quickly covering miles, he led the RAGOM Lost Dog Team on a three-day chase across south Minneapolis, proving that even a newcomer will get the active attention of dozens of dedicated volunteers right away.

Found and brought home again in good health (and showered with lots of extra love and reassurance), Eddie wasted no time in showing that he finally recognized a good thing when given a slower introduction. By the next day, Foster Dad was pondering this RAGOM Riddle:

How do you teach a runaway new foster dog to come if he won't leave your side?

Eddie came to RAGOM after spending a year with a Good Samaritan who found him as a stray. A loyal dog who loves to be with people (even if he needs a bit to trust them), Eddie did show anxiety when left alone, especially if kenneled. Realizing that Eddie needed a change in environment, he was brought into foster care.

Eddie is a quick learner, a loyal friend, and a very gentle dog (our cats are all interested in him). Once he's hooked on you, you'll realize that he's quite the catch. It will be worth the extra time needed to earn his trust, as he'll pay it back with interest.

Eddie does come with some baggage. It is suspected that a man was abusive towards Eddie as he shows a strong hesitation around new males and raised voices, he spooks at people approaching him if he doesn't know them yet (making his search more challenging), he is reported to be afraid of gunshots and fireworks (but not necessarily thunderstorms), he has a history of hurting himself or property when trying to free himself from a wire kennel or confinement in a garage (most likely bored and lonely), and he suffers minor seizures.

In the first few days in our house, I have already become convinced that he can be left alone with free roam of the house, and the Prozac he is taking may help with anxiety, but I also hope that since I work from home, we won't have to leave him for extended periods of time, and can wean him off of it. A home where Eddie can have companionship of other dogs and/or a stay-at-home human would be important.

He is taking Phenobarbitol daily for his seizures, and was reported to have had his last one over six months ago. He should continue to do very well with this medication for the rest of his life, but his forever home should be aware of this condition and be prepared to monitor it and help him through the brief seizures, keeping him safe and comfortable throughout it and the period afterwards in which he may be disoriented for a little while.

Over the first few days in our house, handsome “S’ghetti” has proven that he loves to be by people, and that he will always try to please. I’m now getting lots of nose nudges throughout the day, and although he looks like he’s cowering a bit still, he absolutely loves to be hugged and held tight.

Eddie has lived with dogs, cats, and young children, though I wonder if a very active/noisy home doesn't add to his anxiety level.

Eddie spent his first few RAGOM days on the road, but now that he's settled in, he'll be a hard one to send off. Let the bidding war begin.

Here's "Eddie Spaghetti" fast asleep on our bed after getting home for the first time.

At a Glance #13-298

Mixed Breed Born: August 2010
Male 63 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

From Kathy and Jeff M From Kathy and Jeff M

 

 

In addition to LOVE this dog has the following requirements:
Entered Foster Care Fence Kid Friendly Another Dog Cat Friendly
10/28/2013 Physical Yes Yes Yes
This is the most recent information available; however, it may change as we learn more about the dog.

 

10/28/2013:

fast (fast·er, fast·est )

adj.
1. Acting, moving, or capable of acting or moving quickly; swift.
2. Quick to understand or learn; mentally agile: a class for the faster students.
3. Firm in loyalty: fast friends.

adv.
1. In a secure manner; tightly: hold fast.
2. To a sound degree; deeply: fast asleep.

see: Fast Eddie (aka "Eddie Spaghetti", "S'ghetti")

Eddie is a ~4-year-old Golden (Collie? Border Collie? Aussie? mix) who made a grand entrance, or rather an exit, with RAGOM by bolting from his new foster home within minutes of arriving. Nervous about his change in environment, compounded with a cautious regard for men, Eddie spooked and pushed through a rotting portion of our fence before even meeting our resident dogs. Quickly covering miles, he led the RAGOM Lost Dog Team on a three-day chase across south Minneapolis, proving that even a newcomer will get the active attention of dozens of dedicated volunteers right away.

Found and brought home again in good health (and showered with lots of extra love and reassurance), Eddie wasted no time in showing that he finally recognized a good thing when given a slower introduction. By the next day, Foster Dad was pondering this RAGOM Riddle:

How do you teach a runaway new foster dog to come if he won't leave your side?

Eddie came to RAGOM after spending a year with a Good Samaritan who found him as a stray. A loyal dog who loves to be with people (even if he needs a bit to trust them), Eddie did show anxiety when left alone, especially if kenneled. Realizing that Eddie needed a change in environment, he was brought into foster care.

Eddie is a quick learner, a loyal friend, and a very gentle dog (our cats are all interested in him). Once he's hooked on you, you'll realize that he's quite the catch. It will be worth the extra time needed to earn his trust, as he'll pay it back with interest.

Eddie does come with some baggage. It is suspected that a man was abusive towards Eddie as he shows a strong hesitation around new males and raised voices, he spooks at people approaching him if he doesn't know them yet (making his search more challenging), he is reported to be afraid of gunshots and fireworks (but not necessarily thunderstorms), he has a history of hurting himself or property when trying to free himself from a wire kennel or confinement in a garage (most likely bored and lonely), and he suffers minor seizures.

In the first few days in our house, I have already become convinced that he can be left alone with free roam of the house, and the Prozac he is taking may help with anxiety, but I also hope that since I work from home, we won't have to leave him for extended periods of time, and can wean him off of it. A home where Eddie can have companionship of other dogs and/or a stay-at-home human would be important.

He is taking Phenobarbitol daily for his seizures, and was reported to have had his last one over six months ago. He should continue to do very well with this medication for the rest of his life, but his forever home should be aware of this condition and be prepared to monitor it and help him through the brief seizures, keeping him safe and comfortable throughout it and the period afterwards in which he may be disoriented for a little while.

Over the first few days in our house, handsome “S’ghetti” has proven that he loves to be by people, and that he will always try to please. I’m now getting lots of nose nudges throughout the day, and although he looks like he’s cowering a bit still, he absolutely loves to be hugged and held tight.

Eddie has lived with dogs, cats, and young children, though I wonder if a very active/noisy home doesn't add to his anxiety level.

Eddie spent his first few RAGOM days on the road, but now that he's settled in, he'll be a hard one to send off. Let the bidding war begin.

Here's "Eddie Spaghetti" fast asleep on our bed after getting home for the first time.

Updates

Sunday, January 12, 2014

People are talkin', talkin' 'bout people,
I hear them whisper, you won't believe it.
They think we're lovers kept under cover,I just ignore it but they keep sayin' we...
Laugh just a little too loud,

Stand just a little too close,

    

We stare just a little too long.

Maybe they're seein', somethin' we don't darlin'.

You act so nervous, could you be fallin' for me?

We finally realized that Eddie was home, and has been for a few months.
Now that we know it, let's really show it darlin'!
Let's give 'em somethin' to talk about

(Thanks, Bonnie Raitt!)

 

Wednesday, December 25, 2013


Happy Holidays!
Did you guess this guy was a party animal?  No, no, not the obnoxious kind that gets "the look".  Eddie is a true host, even if he's not a fan of wearing hats.  About 20 RAGOM friends came over to graze among open tables of food and drink, and guess who behaved like it was a white tie event? Eddie mingled & cuddled with every guest and did not bother dinner plates or garbage cans set out for easy access.  He did great with the revolving door of guests coming and going.   
Another compliment that's come up many times is that Eddie would make a great office mate.  Eddie keeps FD company all day as he works from home.  He's a quiet cuddly companion that likes to sleep at your feet.  Eddie is really opening up to trying new things & he's a sharp cookie.  He would do well with office etiquette, the gentleman that he is.  This could be a great way to deal with his separation anxiety.


Eddie at Macalaster Dog Day.  Providing students relief from finals.

Video of Eddie playing with his foster brother

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Well three more cheers for Edward The Great! 

Thanksgiving was easy as pie.  Just look that little face patiently waiting for his treat alongside all the furry friends. Eddie has no problem sharing the edible rewards. In fact, we brought out real bones earlier this week - 3 dogs so 3 bones. He is not bothered by his goofy foster brother who thinks it's funny to keep trading/taking bones.  Even FD was allowed to take away the bone as a test. Eddie clung to it for a bit, but only to express to his server that he wasn't finished.  Eddie also has the sense not to take the bone of the elder brother. We have left the bones out for just over a week and it has remained a non-issue.
Grooming - Eddie has been such a sweet little pea, we forgot to mention it.  Nail trimming, brushing hair and teeth, bath - two thumbs up. He is very cooperative.
Meeting new people - We had four guests for Thanksgiving, two women, one male and a canine. Eddie cuddled himself right up to all of them. We were thrilled to see Eddie hop right up on the couch next to our male guest within minutes. Eddie got compliments from our guests all around for his manners and his gentle cuddling.  
Since Eddie is doing so well, FM and FD have encouraged Edward The Great to be Brave. You see, Eddie's cool with whatever happens in his foster home such as clumsy crashes or appliances. However, FD needed to escort Eddie into the back yard for a potty break when the neighbors had their roof repaired. Eddie was nervous about the sound of the nail guns - even hours after the work was completed. The same principal was true of the walk to the bank. Eddie kept a cautious eye on FD as he left the pack while FM waited on the sidewalk with the canines. Then the click of door unlocking appeared to set off some anxiety. The door and window were glass, so Eddie could see FD the whole time. But as FD -and again when another patron- unlocked that door, Eddie paced anxiously in a manner that hasn't been witnessed since our initial transition to our home. His anxiety is very manageable as long as it stays on your radar. His greatest comforts are the people he has learned to trust.
Eddie will be making special appearances to greet his once and future fans at Macalester College (inside the garage under the Music building of the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center - so cold!) on Saturday, Dec 7th from 11-1 (where students and passersby can stop and soak in some puppy love during final exams - a task Eddie is well suited for!), and at RAGOM's Meet and Greet on Saturday, Dec 14th at Urban Tails on Lyndale Ave in Minneapolis from 11-2.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Hey guess what?! I've got a new name now: Sir Edward the Great!  Although, it DOES seem like occasionally being called "Edward" instead of "Eddie" means I've done something - like continue to pull on my Gentle Leader or sneak an extra breakfast this morning (can't help that one, Artemis is soooo slow to eat some days, and I've been great about leaving his dish alone for three weeks, but I saw my opportunity)!

I love snuggling up to my foster mom and dad no matter what they're doing, so I've been hearing lots of discussion lately about Requirements. Apparently I've got some, or I should, but if you ask me, a lot of things "just depend".

For example, companions.  I get lonely.  What can I say?  I've got so much love to give!  I don't always need to be stuck to you, but if not, I prefer to have the company of other pets - especially the calm ones.  Another calm, quiet dog or cat around really helps me relax.  I guess I've done a few things that show The Fosters I'm a bit more nervous when they're gone a few hours - I won't say how that lamp got knocked over, but I will say that I wasn't trying to be destructive.  Having some other friends around really helps, but FM and FD still say that they'd like it even more if they can find a family for me where at least one of my people is around most of the time - and I have to say that sounds like my dream!  I LOVE meeting other dogs for play dates, and frequent trips to a dog park or puppy day care could give me all the canine companionship I crave, but I'd still do best with at least one dog or cat around for company at home.

Another requirement, a physical fence. I love going out into the fenced yard and exploring a bit before I "get down to business", but then I'm really good at getting back to the door again to come in.  If I got spooked by something, might I bolt?  Sure, I could. So mom and dad think a solid physical fence would help me with that, especially in the city.  Invisible fence? no thanks - I do run away or cower when something scares me, and The Fosters think I wouldn't like that.  On the other hand, I proved to them recently that if we're outside and I have room to wander, I still want to come back to them all the time - even if they aren't calling me, so I'll bet I could impress someone with my recall and good behavior on a tie-out, especially if you're looking out for me the whole time. In quieter areas - maybe more rural, after getting used to being home and bonding with my family, that tie-out might not even be necessary at all, as long as you are around - I just mainly want to be with you.

FM and FD sure like having that fence, though, because they still scratch their heads at how little I "go" when I'm out walking on a leash, but the fence at home makes it much easier to let me just go do my thing outside.  We walked five miles around the lake and back today, and I didn't pee once, but I ran right out into the fenced yard when we got home again to do just that!

So, I do pull a bit on that Gentle Leader still, but I'm much better than with a flat collar (Engine Eddie, that's me!) I even walked very politely on the tandem leash today with Artemis, greeted other dogs nicely, and showed no extra prey drive around squirrels and ducks.  Oh, and I'm really starting to open up with other people, too.  I met a lot of really nice folks to lean on at the RAGOM Meet & Greet in Coon Rapids this weekend!  I think I could really shine in a future career as a therapy dog.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Hey Eddie fans,
Eddie had so much fun going on so many dog dates that we were all ready for a lazy Saturday, and he passed with flying colors.  Eddie is great at sleeping in. Actually he's perfectly happy to sleep in any day of the week.  After ignoring an alarm or two, Eddie hops right into bed & cuddles face-to-face with FD while FM showers. Eventually, Eddie saunters downstairs with FD, but he's in no hurry.

Eddie REALLY enjoys meeting new dogs.  He LOVES to play with other dogs that want to be chased.  He also enjoys a brisk on-leash walk, but he really loves to run and be with other dogs.  That is when his herding instincts show the most.

Eddie is warming up to petting of passersby on walks.  He is beginning to approach company by his own curiosity in our home. Everyone who meets him comments on how polite and gentle he is.

Though it is reported that Eddie is afraid of gunshots and fireworks, Eddie couldn't care less about noises that happen in our home.  He doesn't mind the vacuum, garbage disposal, or blender.  He doesn't care about the ladder clanking around as FD cleans the gutters or the garbage truck making the rounds.  Sometimes outside he barks in response to hearing neighborhood dogs or loud sounds next door but stops if you just say his name calmly.

Eddie continues to do well with free roam of the house when we leave together.  The longest he's been left alone is 4 hours in the company of the other dogs and cats who simply nap on the furniture the whole time.

We feed Eddie right alongside our resident dogs.  He does a sit/stay/wait until everyone is served.  He's finished in about 30 seconds after the "ok" but does not approach our residents' food bowls.  (He eats 3 cups of Taste Of The Wild per day.  We feed morning & evening and that's also when he gets his Phenobarbitol & Prozac.)

He shows no signs of resource guarding.  FD puts his hand in his bowl while he's eating, takes food out of the bowl, lifts the bowl away... He responds by quickly grabbing a bit more if he can, but then just looks at you for an explanation - similar to the way he sometimes treats tennis balls.  A quick grab to keep it, but no hard feelings if told to drop it.

His meds seem to be keeping him in very good shape, and despite the transition to our home -and other stresses along the way- Eddie's last known seizure was still almost 7 months ago.  He's such a good gentleman about taking his pills, too.  He actually comes running for them when you pull out the bottles and sits politely (possibly because a meal usually comes next)!

Eddie is settling in very nicely.  He's an easy dog to fall in love with.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Eddie here, but you can call me Bond. Fast Bond. Or Fast Eddie. Or Eddie Spaghetti. That's not important. In fact, you don't even really have to call me at all. If I trust you, I'll come to you. my word is bond and bond is what I do.

Word on the street is that I LIKE the street a little too much, but I ask you, if you were kidnapped and brought to a strange city, and some big burly guy took you into the back yard behind the fence, what would YOU have done? Let's just say that it may or may not have brought up memories of a different time and place, but I'm not interested in talking about that. Anyway, I had bad intel, but fortunately this foster family had an entire ops team track me down and I finally got the straight story.

Apparently for my own good, I was given a new assignment, and I won't be complaining any time soon. It's not really undercover (I can sleep on top of the blankets just fine, thanks), so I guess I can talk about it.

This unit has other agents, including some feline specialists, and other generally trained canine companions. As a team, we can pin you in bed for quite a lot of snuggles, don't mind horsing around to amuse the locals, and basically require very little under the direction and guidance of FM and FD. I like that unit cohesion and team work; it feels like a family, you know?

I'm meeting lots of other people and dogs. I've impressed a lot of humans with my warm, gentle "Golden lean", even coming to women I've just met. FD has encouraged me to try responding to other men like him, and although I could do it right away, I know how much praise I get from FD, so I tend to check with him first. I really like meeting other dogs, too, and handle introductions and play like a pro.

If I trust you, you've got my attention, and I'll keep a close eye on you. The more I trust you, the more I'll let you go out into the next room by yourself, but I like to be aware of what you're up to, so I'm never far away. I've even allowed these handlers to be out on their own for a few hours at a time while the other animals and I secured headquarters together (but they suspect we were just napping together on the couch!).

Artemis & Eddie

I like to keep my skills up to date, too. Some of the other agents around here get a little excited and jump up to check out a spy at the door. I'm more refined and can do that with all four paws on the ground.

Given proper tools, like a Gentle Leader, FD says I'm beginning to walk with the best of them, but I still pull just a bit. He's frankly not about to take me jogging (he's more of a "desk jockey"), but if only I could get him to start, it would do us both a lot of good.

He says he's considering my suitability as a running companion next to his bike, or perhaps he'll have me take up skijoring if I haven been snapped up by my forever family before winter. I don't know WHERE they speak that language, but I'm game if he is.

FM and FD were quite impressed with a perfectly executed stop and redirect maneuver that I demonstrated the other day. I got all excited and was running after something, but Foster Dad called me, so I turned on a dime to report for duty. I might have hammed it up a bit, because FD kept saying that it was "like a cartoon" how I skidded to a stop first.

What can I say? I'm no dummy. If you're the people for me and have a safe place for me to relax at the end of the day, then I'm the loyal dog for the job.

Oops - gotta run, I'm being called.

 

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Foster Dad reporting. "Eddie Spaghetti" has been with us for just over a week now. This dog just keeps growing on us, and he'll do the same for you.

His limp seems to be gone after resting up from his three days on the run, and although I was concerned that his "adventure" might trigger a seizure soon after, it hasn't happened so far. It helps that he only went three days without his meds, and he takes them very nicely (just tilt up the chin, ask him to "open," and down the hatch!), so that's quite a relief.

Eddie and I have been working on some behaviors - mostly for my peace of mind after he bolted from us the first day at our house. I have been working on his recall, for example, and just plum impressed with how he does in the yard. He'll come right away, and has even started responding to hand gestures alone. We had another dog over for a play date, and while the two other younger dogs started getting amped up, I tested Eddie by calling him away from the loud/bouncy wrestling match in which his herding instincts were making him play referee. He broke off almost immediately and came right over!

I'm thinking of starting to try a dog whistle with him, as our younger resident is quite the explorer and we found that responds at a distance in the woods at the dog park. I get the sense that Eddie may like to explore a bit if allowed, but his recall - once he's bonded with you - seems to be very good, so I could see him enjoying a day of hiking and exploring off-leash. A whistle could help his family communicate with him instead of shouting if he ran off a ways, though it's also possible that he may choose never to leave your sight!

On walks, Eddie will pull a lot on a regular collar, so we've moved to using a Gentle Leader on a short leash. He does very nicely with the Gentle Leader, but occasionally will try to fight it off, so there's a backup leash on a martingale collar just in case. We took a 5-mile walk last night around the lake in the fog and he was quite the pleasant strolling companion about 95% of the time (I only had to hold the leash with a couple loose fingers). He's still working on walking in a straight line, instead of weaving in front of me or knocking into my knees every once in a while, so I hold him tight close to me, and he does just fine.

Eddie can be quite the Velcro dog, and to help him with some anxiety issues, we're going to work a bit on transitions and various levels of trial separation - with plenty of cuddling and love in between! He does just fine when Foster Mom leaves for work in the morning, for example, but when I left in the car for the first time, she reports that he paced a lot, whined, and then jumped up on the bed and pawed at her roughly for attention. That stands out because although he has moments of "excitability" where he paces a lot, he almost never barks or jumps up on people coming in through the door - quite refreshing compared to our own dogs.

He'll bark occasionally at neighborhood sounds when he's outside, but mostly seems to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of our relatively calm house. Earlier this morning, for example, a crew of people pulled up in front of our house with a big truck. They started pulling out lawn mowers and weed whacker and firing them up to tackle the boulevard across the street. He spends a lot of time on the couch below the front windows and I expected some commotion was possible, but he didn't even bat an eye. In fact, most of the normal weekday is spent with me working at the table or a desk while he lies down on the couch where he can see me, coming back over to nudge me about once an hour, or if he catches me staring at him but napping the rest of the time.


A normal day's work

I do feel very comfortable leaving him alone in the house with our other pets around for company. I've only tested him for about 15 minutes so far, but don't even need to baby gate any part of the house (he understands he's not allowed in the basement - cat food/boxes - and respects that very nicely).

Some points about Eddie:

  • He would do well with other pets for company - he does equally well with cats and dogs and is starting to engage in play with the resident dog about his age much more now.
  • Little to no confinement within the house would be ideal - he has a history of showing extra anxiety when kenneled or baby gated for long periods of time.
  • He would love to have a person around a lot, but we're working to help him be more comfortable with the fact that people can't always be home all day.
  • A fenced yard would be a plus, but once he's bonded with his family, he may not fully require that. A tie-out would be necessary for a while if no fence.
  • He needs a family willing to continue working with him on his cautious approach to other people.
  • He needs a family willing to work with him on leash walking - already making much progress.
  • He needs a family who can help him through occasional minor seizures and keep up on his medications for it.
  • A quieter household may help keep his overall anxieties down - he is very mellow most of the time around here (he does very well with kids, but a home without or only older kids may be comforting to him).
  • When he shows anxiety, petting him has an immediate calming effect, rather than getting him amped up.
  • He's learning to be quite the gentleman at sit-stay before wolfing down his food - all dogs get served first, and then he finishes first!
  • No real problems noted with resource or food guarding.
  • I've seen him sniff at the kitchen counter edge, but never actually try to see what's on top or take food, nor does he beg at the table.
  • He fetches and drops the toy very nicely out in the yard.
  • He does very well at meeting the other dogs and people when he's comfortable.

"S'ghetti" did very well on a recent sunny afternoon when we took him to a friend's house and spent a few hours in the backyard. He remained on a regular trailing leash, but never showed signs of eyeing her fence for an escape route. Instead, Eddie rather enjoyed meeting her dogs and exploring the new smells and sounds of her block from the comfort of our presence.


Eddie in a friend's yard


Eddie with a new friend

Really, Eddie is quite the well-behaved companion who just needs some extra understanding and help with a few issues, and he'll thank you with his loyalty. Such a handsome dog, too, who won't be looking for his perfect family very long!