Gypsy 12-414

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A portion of Gypsy's medical care was paid for by a generous grant from the Golden Retriever Foundation's April Fund

 December 23, 2012
Please welcome Gypsy to the RAGOM family! She was rescued from a commercial breeder and is thrilled her breeding days are over. We're happy they are, too! She sends a great big THANK YOU to the team of RAGOM angels involved in her rescue. We have the pleasure of temp fostering this beautiful girl until she moves to her permanent foster home later this week.

Gypsy is a 5 year old purebred Golden Retriever. She is up to date on vaccinations, and aside from a minor ear infection, is in great health. She will be spayed after she moves to her permanent foster home. She met our 3 Golden Retrievers, along with foster brother Preston 08-501, without an issue and is already learning from them! She was nervous about the stairs but after watching them run up and down, she has become much more comfortable. She goes up without an issue and has almost mastered going down without any fear. This is Gypsy's first time living in a house, so it's understandable that this has taken her some time to get used to. She has also been watching her foster siblings play and has decided it looks fun! We have caught her initiating play on several ocassions, which is so exciting to see. Gypsy has also had a lot of fun playing with toys for the first time. She loves to try and pull all the fluffy toys apart.

Gypsy is not potty trained yet, which is expected since she has never lived inside before. We take frequent potty breaks, but she still has accidents from time to time. We're getting used to her signals that she needs to go potty and try to take her outside right away before she has an accident. She tends to do circles when she's nervous, as well as when she has to go potty, so at first we weren't reading her signals correctly. We realized that when she circles to go potty, she'll circle in a faster motion. Gypsy has been eating, but is unsure about eating from a bowl. The first couple of days she would sniff the bowl but walk away, even with some enticing wet food mixed in with her kibble. We tried hand feeding her, but she was too nervous to take it. I started putting a few pieces close by me on the floor, and Gypsy would eat it up without a problem. I fed her a couple of meals this way and then started puting my hand down close to the food on the floor. I would put a few pieces of kibble on the tip of my finger, and after Gypsy ate the pieces on the floor, she would move to my finger and eat those right up, too. Soon she was eating her food out of the palm of my hand. Last night we mixed some tuna in with her food and she gobbled it up, straight out of her bowl. We are going to try mixing some wet food in there again tonight to see how she does. She will get the hang of it in time.

Due to her past, Gypsy is somewhat unsure of humans. If she's standing next to us, we can reach out and pet her and she won't run away. However, if we're standing up and walk in her direction, she'll turn around quickly and run the other way. However, she is already more trusting of humans then other dogs we've fostered with backgrounds similar to hers. As I type this update, she's laying between my husband and I on the floor, sound asleep. She trails a leash when we're in the house so we can lead her where we need to go, if she doesn't follow us. It won't be long now and she won't need to wear it. She also trails a leash, as well as a 30-foot long leash, when we're in the yard. Since she is just learning her name and how to trust humans, she doesn't have good recall and tends to shy away when it's time to come inside. We are outside with our dogs at all times, so when it's time to come in, we just pick up the long leash and lead Gypsy into the house. In time she won't need to trail a leash outside, either.

  Gypsy is so deserving of a wonderful life, and now that she's a RAGOM girl, we know she'll find it! Her forever home must meet these requirements:
- Have a physical fence to keep her safe- Have at least one medium to large breed dog to help her learn. One that likes to play would be fantastic!- An adult only home would be ideal, as the noise of young children can be stressful for dogs with her background.
She can not be adopted to a home with children younger than 10.Even with her fears, Gypsy is one of the sweetest dogs we've had the privilege of fostering. She will need a patient family, committed to helping her blossom and grow. We can already see the love and light in her eyes and know she has a wonderful life ahead of her. 

At a Glance #12-414

Golden Retriever Born: December 2007
Female 45 lbs

Status: Deceased

Profile

A portion of Gypsy's medical care was paid for by a generous grant from the Golden Retriever Foundation's April Fund

 December 23, 2012
Please welcome Gypsy to the RAGOM family! She was rescued from a commercial breeder and is thrilled her breeding days are over. We're happy they are, too! She sends a great big THANK YOU to the team of RAGOM angels involved in her rescue. We have the pleasure of temp fostering this beautiful girl until she moves to her permanent foster home later this week.

Gypsy is a 5 year old purebred Golden Retriever. She is up to date on vaccinations, and aside from a minor ear infection, is in great health. She will be spayed after she moves to her permanent foster home. She met our 3 Golden Retrievers, along with foster brother Preston 08-501, without an issue and is already learning from them! She was nervous about the stairs but after watching them run up and down, she has become much more comfortable. She goes up without an issue and has almost mastered going down without any fear. This is Gypsy's first time living in a house, so it's understandable that this has taken her some time to get used to. She has also been watching her foster siblings play and has decided it looks fun! We have caught her initiating play on several ocassions, which is so exciting to see. Gypsy has also had a lot of fun playing with toys for the first time. She loves to try and pull all the fluffy toys apart.

Gypsy is not potty trained yet, which is expected since she has never lived inside before. We take frequent potty breaks, but she still has accidents from time to time. We're getting used to her signals that she needs to go potty and try to take her outside right away before she has an accident. She tends to do circles when she's nervous, as well as when she has to go potty, so at first we weren't reading her signals correctly. We realized that when she circles to go potty, she'll circle in a faster motion. Gypsy has been eating, but is unsure about eating from a bowl. The first couple of days she would sniff the bowl but walk away, even with some enticing wet food mixed in with her kibble. We tried hand feeding her, but she was too nervous to take it. I started putting a few pieces close by me on the floor, and Gypsy would eat it up without a problem. I fed her a couple of meals this way and then started puting my hand down close to the food on the floor. I would put a few pieces of kibble on the tip of my finger, and after Gypsy ate the pieces on the floor, she would move to my finger and eat those right up, too. Soon she was eating her food out of the palm of my hand. Last night we mixed some tuna in with her food and she gobbled it up, straight out of her bowl. We are going to try mixing some wet food in there again tonight to see how she does. She will get the hang of it in time.

Due to her past, Gypsy is somewhat unsure of humans. If she's standing next to us, we can reach out and pet her and she won't run away. However, if we're standing up and walk in her direction, she'll turn around quickly and run the other way. However, she is already more trusting of humans then other dogs we've fostered with backgrounds similar to hers. As I type this update, she's laying between my husband and I on the floor, sound asleep. She trails a leash when we're in the house so we can lead her where we need to go, if she doesn't follow us. It won't be long now and she won't need to wear it. She also trails a leash, as well as a 30-foot long leash, when we're in the yard. Since she is just learning her name and how to trust humans, she doesn't have good recall and tends to shy away when it's time to come inside. We are outside with our dogs at all times, so when it's time to come in, we just pick up the long leash and lead Gypsy into the house. In time she won't need to trail a leash outside, either.

  Gypsy is so deserving of a wonderful life, and now that she's a RAGOM girl, we know she'll find it! Her forever home must meet these requirements:
- Have a physical fence to keep her safe- Have at least one medium to large breed dog to help her learn. One that likes to play would be fantastic!- An adult only home would be ideal, as the noise of young children can be stressful for dogs with her background.
She can not be adopted to a home with children younger than 10.Even with her fears, Gypsy is one of the sweetest dogs we've had the privilege of fostering. She will need a patient family, committed to helping her blossom and grow. We can already see the love and light in her eyes and know she has a wonderful life ahead of her. 

Updates

Monday, October 7, 2013

Gypsy traveled to the Twin Cities to attend Goldzilla. She spent the night in a motel and was a very good dog. She also attended the RAGOM volunteer meeting and was reunited with people who helped rescue her from a puppy mill in South Dakota, fostered her and just know about her. She enjoyed meeting lots of dogs. Meeting lots of people was hard. Foster Mom had to drag her out of the car when we arrived at Goldzilla. Once she was there, she walked the walk with others, spent two hours in the foster tent meeting people and was in the foster parade. The best part of Goldzilla was that she and her Foster Mom helped her mom’s friend find a dog. The friend traveled with us to the event and found her rescue, Penney, at the foster tent. The adoption took place the next weekend. Penney and Gypsy are the same age and now live a few blocks apart.

While going to Goldzilla was a strain for Gypsy, arriving back home, she was so, so happy. Her tail was wagging and she was so glad to see Bella. Since then, she has initiated wrestling with Bella in the living room and sits still for a total body massage and seems to enjoy it.

We’re off to Woofstock in Sioux Falls and more people and dogs. Gypsy has her Halloween costume already for Howl-a-ween later this month. Until then, she is enjoying walks with Bella, playing with toys in the backyard and being the resident watchdog.

This update was written as I struggled with the idea of adopting my foster dog. Today, I completed the adoption. Gypsy has found a home with us. She will have all the time in the world to adapt to living outside a puppy mill. We love her and want her to continue to explore and understand her world and feel secure in it.

We send a big thank you to RAGOM for rescuing her last December and to all the people who helped her on her way to the Golden life.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Gypsy met lots of people and dogs at Petco in Sioux Falls at our Meet and Greet. She was shy at first, but by the end of the visit, she was showing off her latest trick. She has learned to sit for treats. She did it on command and made her Foster Mom very proud. That was our goal this month—to begin some basic training. With fewer dogs in the house now, the focus is on Gypsy.

We’ve been traveling a lot back and forth to Wisconsin and the lake. Gypsy rode in the kayak again and did some island exploring with her resident dog, Bella. She swam home from the island, too. I think she’d had enough riding in the kayak. On her visits to the lake, she is part of a pack of five dogs and fits in very well.

Gypsy has been in her new life outside a puppy mill for eight months. She is still easily frightened by sudden noises and movements, but is quite playful in her backyard. She plays catch and retrieves and tug-o-war—much the worse for the stuffed animals since she is very determined to hang on even if it means tearing it apart. One of the summer’s new toys, a seal, is no more as of today.


Gypsy with toy

Thunderstorms are a real terror for her. She can be calmed and distracted by food, playing and going to the basement. If she were outside, she’d try to run away. It is the scariest thing for her. However, if indoors, it is a time when she comes to her people for comfort. Lately, she finds the bathroom a safe place to sleep when it’s stormy and we have no basement to go to.

It’s baby steps we’re taking in the adjustment to life with people. Once in a while, she gives me a little kiss and it’s so sweet and she is so dear. Gypsy is quiet except when someone comes to the door. She is a good watchdog. She’s sometimes sleeping at my feet now, but also in a spot tucked away in a corner of the living room. She loves stuffed animals and carries one outside to a spot in the yard—her hoarding spot. Gypsy is eager to go for a walk or ride in the car. She’s still a puppy mill dog who needs a home that keeps her safe and unstressed and patient people who aren’t looking for a typical Golden. She’s reserved but hopefully will relax, gain more confidence and trust. She has time for that to happen and she has a good chance now at a really Golden life.


Hot, tired dogs


Oops, I'm on the furniture like the other dog!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Gypsy has been busy this summer going from Sioux Falls to the lake in Wisconsin several times and meeting my son and his three dogs there. She gets along well with other dogs and is still very shy with people, but that’s to be expected with a puppy mill dog. Once she’s used to someone, she’s fine. She has ventured into swimming at the lake and even rode in the kayak with Bella and me. I wouldn’t call her a water dog yet, but we’re working on it.

Gypsy is following me around the house and wants to be near. She seems to enjoy being petted more than before. She will hold still for it and come over to me when I’m giving Bella some love. I even got a kiss on the hand when I asked her for one. I think she’s learning human language and trying hard to move beyond her miserable previous life at a puppy mill. Last weekend, I bought some new stuffed animals for the dogs. They love to carry them out in the backyard and sometimes unstuff them. They have been playing keep away and tug of war with the new toys.

Gypsy loves to go for walks and rides in the car. She’s a very good traveler on the long trips to Wisconsin.

Gypsy is a different dog when it’s stormy. She’s very afraid and knows beforehand that it’s going to thunder. Several times now, she has hopped up in bed with me. That is the only time she would do this. She doesn’t get on beds or furniture unless it’s stormy. Once in bed, she snuggles beside you as close as she can get and will relax and go to sleep. One weekend in Wisconsin, it stormed all day. She sat on the sofa in her Thundershirt with her head in either my lap or my son’s. I wish she would act like this on a regular day and not just in stormy weather.

Gypsy is making progress. It’s only been about seven months since she left seven years of being kept at a puppy mill. Gypsy will be at Petco in Sioux Falls on August 17 from 12-2 PM if you’d like to meet her. Anyone wanting to adopt her needs a fenced yard. While I’m making some progress, sit and come are not in her repertoire yet. She still has sounds and situations that cause her to try to escape. She will also need another medium to large confident dog (and seems to really like males) and a home with no small children. When she’s frightened, she can regress and become very shy and skittish.

As you can see from the pictures, Gypsy is small and very beautiful. She’s sweet and very docile and easy-going. She is very vocal when I return home and does some hopping and twirling about to show how happy she is with my return. She loves to make big circles in the yard and small circles to communicate happiness and when she wants to go out. Recently, I’m hearing a heavy sigh behind me in the kitchen when she wants me to know that she’s near and would like a treat. She’s coming along toward being a normal dog working hard for those treats.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Here’s an update for Gypsy. She has made another trip to the lake in Wisconsin and once again was a great traveler. She had some new experiences with Foster Mom’s son taking her swimming. Sorry there are no pictures because she looked so cute in her doggy life preserver, but I was busy collecting her when she arrived on shore and praising her for swimming. We also had a lot of thunderstorms. Gypsy has storm anxiety. The good thing about that is that she sees humans as her protectors and became a lapdog for the moment.

Since Gypsy's last update, Will was adopted, so she is without her buddy and makes do with Bella, the resident dog. They are playing together tugging on stuffed animals. Bella lets her win. Gypsy loves to carry around a stuffed toy in her mouth.

Fourth of July saw us all go to the basement to muffle the sound of fireworks. That’s a refuge during storms as well. Retreat was instigated by Bella who really doesn’t like fireworks.

Gypsy follows me around and also follows Bella. She needs a home with a medium to large, confident dog and a fence. You never know when she will have a fright. Sudden noises result in her flight response. She seems to like children, but young children’s activities would cause her anxiety and trigger that flight response.

We are trying to increase her exposure to normal things and help her to build her confidence. She is doing fine with living in a quiet, adult home with a big, generous Golden. She loves to play in the backyard and go for walks in parks or around our neighborhood. She likes to be petted but will not even come for food when her cautious, anxious self is ruling her. However, there are other times when I’m petting Bella and she watches that and comes over to get some loving, too.

Right now RAGOM has a lot of puppy mill dogs with special needs for their new homes—fences, another dog, no children, and people with patience and time to allow them to undo years of neglect or isolation from people. Gypsy is a different kind of Golden Retriever, but keep watching her progress. She has no aggressions and is very sweet. With time, she will build her confidence or get it from her housemate and be a wonderful companion.


Safe in my Thundershirt


Gypsy and new buddy


Gypsy, the lapdog


Gypsy (front) with Bella

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Gypsy is enjoying the warmer weather and the nice days when it isn’t raining. She lays in the yard, soaking up the sunshine and watching birds and all the other activity in the yard and around the neighborhood. My home is a big improvement over her life in a puppy mill in SD.

She is very fond of Will, our other foster dog. I’ve captured the sweetness of their friendship in some of the pictures. She and Bella are also buddies, but she really likes Will. If I call Will, Gypsy is right on his tail to come in. We have had some nasty thunderstorms both here in South Dakota and when we were at the lake in Wisconsin. Gypsy found comfort nestled beside Will. She even climbed up on my bed one night because of a storm. I was shocked. She has never done that before.


Gypsy (back) with Will


As you can see in the picture, Gypsy loves her toys. She and Will emptied the toy basket one night. Yesterday, I gathered all the stuffed animals and bones from the backyard, and today, she and Bella carried them all out again. She loves to have one in her mouth as she goes out and then trots around the yard with it.


Will and Gypsy empty the toy basket

We had a great trip to Wisconsin - the three dogs and I. Gypsy is a very good traveler. She even claimed the front seat once. It was very bold of her since the other two dogs are bigger and Bella thinks it’s hers.


Gypsy (front) and Bella


I had a real breakthrough with her this week. After numerous thunderstorms, we have taken to sleeping on the floor in the basement. She snuggled up next to me and let me put my arm over her. Since then, she is coming over with the other two to be petted. She likes me!!! I feed her, walk her, etc. but protecting her from scary storms has been the tipping point for her affection. She settles down nearer and nearer each night. It is slow going with a puppy mill dog but rewarding when there’s a breakthrough.

Gypsy is still frightened by noises, my movements within the house in the kitchen and hallway especially. She will rush out of the kitchen while eating if I move around the room.

She had a nasty ear infection that is being treated. But Dr. Will, our foster dog, was very attentive to licking her ear. If I didn’t know it was infected, Will drew attention to it for me. He also pointed out a bug bite she had on her leg. He is her devoted friend.


Dr. Will treating Gypsy's ear

This is one sweet, frightened dog who is trying to learn to live in a home with people and other dogs. She has the other dog part down very well and is working to perfect the living with people part. If you have experience with puppy mill dogs or are willing to cater to her special needs, have a fenced yard, no small children because their activity is too much for a PM dog and another larger confident dog, contact your placement advisor about Gypsy.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Here’s the latest on Gypsy. She’s getting better and better. She’s gained a little weight and is healthy. She shed her winter coat and is a beautiful little dog. She is watchful and eager to follow wherever the pack is going. She greets me with barks and huge tail wagging when I return home. She sleeps throughout the day while I’m at work and has no bad behaviors. She’s my little watchdog, barking when someone is at the door. I can throw away my alarm clock. She now wakes me each morning eager to be fed and let out. My resident dog stays in bed. She’s not an early riser. This last week our household added another foster dog, Will 13-128. Gypsy is now part of a pack of three. She and Will have become good buddies. They are side by side and very good for each other. Gypsy needs another dog for modeling and leadership. She is a follower. When we had bad weather this week, Will and Gypsy were afraid to go down the stairs to the basement. With a trail of treats to lure Will, Gypsy bravely followed his lead and now the basement is a safe place. She seems to do better with the two male dogs we’ve had here or else being in a bigger pack. This is not surprising since she lived with many other dogs. She forgets to be afraid and just goes with these happy-go-lucky dogs wherever they lead her.

Gypsy is reserved and happy just to be a part of your life. If you’re looking for another dog to bring more love into your life and give a forever home to a very deserving sweetheart, contact your placement advisor and set up a meet with Gypsy.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Sorry for the delay in updating Gypsy. We’re taking things slowly and trying to get to know her and adjust to a dog who hasn’t been able to be a normal dog almost all of her life. A trip to the vet yesterday was encouraging along with the support from other RAGOM fosters who know puppy mill dogs. The vet described her as having delayed development due to her living conditions all those years. She is now exploring and experiencing things that are all new and quite frightening to her. Some things turn out to be pleasant like playing with balls and stuffed animals, going for car rides and walks. She now sits up during her rides and looks out the window. We have actually had a few warm days where she sat outside by herself and just enjoyed the warmth and watched the backyard and chased a squirrel.

Gypsy needs to safely explore her world and expand her experiences in contact with humans. Yesterday she visited the vet’s office and the staff was so nice to her. She let them pet her even though she turned away and had her tail tucked. She then visited my workplace and met more people. We are dog sitting our former foster, Mielo, and she has been very happy to have another dog in the house. However, you can see from the picture of Gypsy and Bella looking in the door that they were a bit puzzled at first by this other dog in their house taking lots of attention from me.

Gypsy needs a quiet home with a larger confident dog, no children and a fenced yard. She is frightened of doors and will dash out. She is afraid to re-enter sometimes and has to be corralled. Presently, she wears a long lead outside to make that easier and less stressful for her. I hope to train my dog to pick up the lead and walk her in. For now I’m out in all kinds of nasty weather coaxing her in. She also needs a routine she can count on and regular exercise.

Gypsy is small, about 49 lbs., sweet and quite beautiful. Hopefully she will warm up to people and seek our company. For now, she’s a work in progress and adoptable only to someone with experience with puppy mill dogs and a lot of patience to keep working with her and provide what she needs to develop into a happy, secure dog.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Gypsy made a long trip from Duluth to Sioux Falls on Easter Sunday and made her return to South Dakota where she was rescued from a puppy mill. Thank you to all who helped make that trip possible.

Gypsy is a tiny, sweet dog who’s learning to trust and adjust to life. She’s had free roam at my house all week while I was at work and had no problems. The first two nights she slept on a soft rug in the living room but then joined us in the bedroom.

She’s a beautiful dog. I love watching her as she trots around the backyard looking like she’s at Westminster. She holds her head up and tail high and carries a ball or toy in her mouth. She’s showing off traveling around the yard like it’s a show ring. Life is all before her now with much to experience.

This week we’ve taken a few long walks in the prairie grass in a local park. She follows me so closely that she steps on the heel of my shoe and then darts around to chase after Bella. I can’t wait for it to warm up so we can try swimming. Bella has been sweet in accepting another foster dog and helps Gypsy by being her calm resident dog.

Today is our first full day home together. We’re emptying the toy basket and exploring what fun things are buried there.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

We are so happy to have your sweet self in our lives, Gypsy!  We are so happy to have your sweet self in our lives, Gypsy! Foster mom Joan and Foster dad John

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Gypsy is a very pretty girl :)

Treats always command attention from the dogs, only this time Gypsy and Mollie were sure the treats were in the mirror to the side of us, rather than with the real Foster Mom! Gypsy and Mollie are both former puppy mill mamas and are similar in size, around 50 pounds.

Gypsy is ready for her forever home and we hope she won't have to wait long now!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Gypsy has started to play for a short while each morning with our resident dog, Cutter. This is a sign that she is continuing to relax and enjoy her new Golden RAGOM life!! She likes to play with balls, and I managed to catch a shot of her using her paws to drive a tennis ball out from under the coffee table:

She likes going outside and is content to stay out there for awhile, so long as it is warm enough. She is very good about the routine twice a day of eating, going outside to potty and barking when she wants to come inside.

Gypsy did real well at the Meet & Greet in Duluth Petco last Saturday. She enjoyed the affection and pets from strangers. We have had three interested applicants already for Gypsy, but they haven't had what she needs: fence, another confident dog, and no children under 10 years. She is going to be adopted fast, once someone meets those requirements and asks about her. So if that is you, get busy and contact your placement advisor before someone else does(!)

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Gypsy is ready to be adopted now! Are you her forever family that perfectly matches her needs? Take a look at the information about Gypsy listed below, and come meet her on Saturday, March 9th at Duluth Petco anytime between 12noon and 2pm.

Gypsy 12-414
Age: 7 years
Gender: Female, spayed
Weight: 47 lbs.
Good with kids: Kids must be 10 years or older
Good with cats: Unknown, she probably has never seen a cat
Good with other dogs: Yes
Housetrained: Yes
Need a Fence: Yes, this is required since she comes from a puppy mill, however Gypsy does fine with free roam and has a strong sense of belonging
Medical Needs: None, she is a healthy dog who is up-to-date on all vaccinations
Favorite Pastimes: Likes to play fetch and take walks
Personality: Gypsy is a fairly mellow dog. She has a curious mind and enjoys watching what you are doing. She gets along well with other dogs. She likes routine. She is always ready to get up and go with the action. Rides well in the car.
Puppy Mill Background: Although Gypsy spent the first part of her life having multiple litters of puppies, she has adjusted to life in a loving home fairly quickly (2 months). She is still slightly skittish at times, but this will improve over time. We took her shopping in Petco last week, and she had no problem at all with all of the people, activity, and new things to see.
Required: Since Gypsy comes from a puppy mill, you must have a fenced yard, no children under 10 years of age, and one other medium size confident dog to give her support. She does rely on other dogs for modeling.

We have high hopes for this girl. She will make someone a great companion.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Gypsy has warmed up to us considerably in the last couple of weeks. She will stay still when we reach to pet her and has begun finding napping spots tucked in corners, rather than in the middle of the room where she can keep an eye on us.

Last night for the first time, I bent down at the waist and gently clapped my hands while cooing her name -- she wagged her tail and came over for a good rub. She still doesn't wag while I pet her, but her trust level of us is gaining speed. It seems that after we have company, she warms up even more.

After she heals up from her spay, I think we are ready to venture out in the car to new places for her to explore. I also plan to bring her to the next Meet & Greet in Duluth at Petco on Saturday, March 9th from 12noon to 2pm.

Here are some photos for you to enjoy:


Foster Mom brought home a new purple Kong, which I love!


Ah shucks, Mollie got the ball this time!

Everything you do is so interesting, Foster Mom, and I'm going to just lay here and watch!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Gypsy continues to enjoy being part of our family and learning how to behave. She is completely housetrained now -- that only took one week! She catches on fast. She is generally about 5 to 10 feet away from me, standing and watching whatever it is I am doing. I think she is fascinated by all of the new things she sees, now that she is free from living in a puppy mill kennel. Here she is checking me to see if I might be giving out treats.

I recently discovered that someone must have played fetch with Gypsy in the past; when I throw the ball, she will retrieve it and gently lay it down by my feet! She also has good recall when walking with the rest of her canine buddies and Foster Dad; she has a strong sense of belonging and doesn't try to wander off. Here she is (3rd from left) eagerly waiting for Foster Dad to change clothes after work and take the gang out for a romp.

Gypsy has been with us for one month now. She has a wonderfully vibrant personality and is eager to learn. I have been giving her balls and rags tied into knots to play with. With me being a quilter, I have a stash of folded fabric on shelving. Gypsy thought that she would play our game by grabbing some of my fabric. This gave me an opportunity to practice training, by saying 'whoopsie' and then directing her to a ball or a knotted rag given to her previously, and praising her. She caught on fast and generally leaves my fabric alone. Early on, she nabbed some dog print fabric which I decided to let her have. Here is a photo of Gypsy keeping me company in my quilting room with her dog fabric scrap, chillin' to the voice of Andrea Bocelli.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

We love you, Gypsy! 2013 is going to bring many wonderful things for you! Love, Sam and Nikki We love you!! 2013 is going to bring many wonderful things for you! Love, Sam and Nikki

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Gypsy loves to lean on her Big Bro Jack. He makes her feel safe.

She sticks close to her Big Sis Mollie (12-044 adopted), because Mollie is the boss around here, and Gypsy figures if she sticks close and follows Mollie's behavior, then all is well.

Gypsy is letting us pet her once in awhile, and acts like it is painful to stand there and take it, but we can tell from the expression on her face with her eyelids half closed that the she is loving it.

When we clean Gypsy's ears, I am on the floor with my arms around her body, while Foster Dad does the cleaning. She tenses at first and then relaxes, which feels good for both of us. Her fur is so S-O-F-T!!

Gypsy and our 3-year old Golden, Cutter, are always the first and sometimes the only ones that go out the door to potty after eating or waking up. Our 10 year old Goldens, Jack and Mollie, have learned the art of holding it when the weather is too cold for comfort. Gypsy has not had any accidents in the house in over a week. She is learning fast!

Foster Dad was out shoveling snow with the dogs a few days ago. I came out to shoot a few photos, but the dogs thought I came out to let them inside. Here is Gypsy, saying, "Will you let me in, already???"

There is a RAGOM Meet & Greet at Duluth Petco this Saturday, January 26 from 12noon to 2pm. Although Gypsy is not ready to be in a crowd and will not be there, Foster Dad and I will be there if you'd like to talk with us about her. A meeting with Gypsy in her home environment could be arranged for before or after the Meet and Greet. If interested, talk with your placement advisor.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

We have been happy with Gypsy's progress in getting used to the world outside of a kennel. She easily goes in and out of doors. She'll stay close enough to you for a short pet. She likes toys and tugged on a towel I was holding near the floor today. She has learned that the kitchen is a good spot to hang, especially when there is a human in there who might give a treat.

And, she is relaxed enough to give her back a good scratching on the livingroom carpet.

As a former puppy mill mama, Gypsy needs the following in her forever home:

  1. Another medium to large sized confident dog for Gypsy to learn normal dog behavior from and for support.
  2. A fenced in yard to keep her safe, since she may be skittish and run.
  3. No children under 10 years of age who may not know how to properly behave around a dog.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

 

First, let me thank Sam and Nikki F. and Jennifer J. for providing initial temporary homes for Gypsy after she was rescued from a South Dakota breeder, and to Karen, Denise, Kelly and Kris for carrying out the actual rescue. It takes many caring hands to rescue and rehome our RAGOM dogs, including many other volunteers not listed here.

Gypsy has finally landed into her permanent foster home, and we are so happy she is here with us! I always enjoy meeting our new fosters, as they never look the same in photographs, and relax much more after a few weeks in the same home. Gypsy is no different. She looks like a lamb to me. She has shiny black eyes and nose with soft, short curly white fur and is small -- only 46.6 pounds. She was nervous and skittish when she first arrived here, but is quickly warming up and allowing us to pet her.

She met our other foster, Luke 07-563, and they quickly fell in love.

Gypsy eats all of her food and hardly has any more potty accidents in the house. When I throw the ball, she goes after it with the other dogs, but hasn't learned to retrieve. She is afraid to go through doorways, unless she goes in at the same time as the other dogs or is guided with a leash, but is already gaining courage in this area as well. She gets along with the other dogs and is not timid around them. She is not as shy as some puppy mill dogs, and just needs time to get used to living in a home environment and experiencing the world. I've noticed she has been testing our alpha female, Mollie 12-044) a little bit. She loves to ride in the car and go for walks with Foster Dad and the rest of the pack.

She was not afraid to go in the vet's office and meet Dr. Jim. Her ear infection is gone and she will be spayed in a couple of months, after her heat is done. The vet thinks she will become a nice dog for someone, and we agree.

Although Gypsy needs time to get used to the world outside of a breeding kennel, she is available to meet. She needs a quiet home with no children under 10 years old and a fenced in yard. Contact your placement advisor, if you think you might be just the family that Gypsy has been waiting for.

Gypsy sends her love to Sam & Nikki and sibs for thinking of her by sending a Holly Token of Love and Sponsorship to her!

Friday, December 28, 2012

Hi everyone - it's your favorite girl, Gypsy! I'm so excited to be writing my own update tonight! I am still so happy and thankful I was rescued. I wasn't living in the best conditions, and now I get to spend my days and nights in a nice home and have even checked out some of the dog beds around here. This sure beats where I was sleeping a few weeks ago! This must be what heaven on earth feels like.

I'm very happy to report that I've gotten this eating thing down pat. I eat my kibble now without any problems whatsoever - straight out of the bowl without anything mixed in. I told you I'd get the hang of it! I'm still learning about going to the bathroom outside but my accidents are getting less and less. I still wear a long leash when we go outside but I'm learning to follow the other dogs when we come back inside from playing and doing our business. I think it helps that Foster Mom gives me a treat each time I come thru the door to get back inside. Talk about some good motivation! I'm doing so much better on the stairs, too. I race up them like a bolt of lightening. Going down is still a little scary but I am doing SO much better than just a few days ago. I can go down without them holding my leash - I just put on my big girl pants and go at my own pace! Humans are still a little scary but I'm getting braver around them with each day that goes by.

I know my Foster Mom told you I need to have another large breed dog in my forever home. I also want you to know that I LOVE to play, so I hope you have a dog that wants to play with me! I play with all the dogs that live here and boy do we have a blast. The dogs here are really fun - they share all their toys and bones with me and love to wrestle and play. I heard the dogs in my permanent foster home are just as fun, and I can't wait to meet them! A little birdie told me I get to move there this weekend - it sounds like I'll have so much fun there!

Did you know that Santa stopped here this week?!? I guess my foster siblings were really good this year - you wouldn't believe all the toys and treats he dropped off! And he even knew that I was here because some of them had my name on them!! I just couldn't believe it!! I guess good things really do happen when you're a RAGOM dog!