October 5, 2013

Kate-Ellie now known as Katie, 5 year old pure breed female Golden, 79 lbs, Very dark red thick curly coat. Katie is estimated to have had pups approx 9 weeks ago and has a appt to be spayed the 1st week of Nov. so will not be able to go to her forever home till after that time but you sure can meet her before that. She was found in a drop box at a impound. So much remains unknown much about her past. Was seen by a vet and she has a very severe "hot spot"  (common staph infection of the skin) on her left cheek and severe ear infection in both ears, Her coat was dry and dirty and needed attention, with a good bath and brushing, and good nutrition and omega oils now her coat is already shining and getting softer. As of now she is on oral antibiotics, oral antifungal and antibiotic ear drops and also a soft cone (E collar) so she does not scratch open Left ear or cheek. The first round of the medications have worked somewhat, but still have a little more healing to do.

When she came to us, she was very stressed, unknown of any of her history, we let her investigate a bit on her own terms, she is somewhat shy and cautious of the other dogs, humans, stairways, doorways. She is very submissive and will keep her tail between her legs and head down, the good thing is she has found a safe spot in the corner in my bedroom, so when things get more then she can handle, she goes in there but she is also very curious and when she hears bags rustling or doors opening or other dogs barking she comes out to see what’s up.   We do not kennel her, she has not destroyed anything. She has had a couple urine accidents in the house the first couple days she was here, but none since, she paces by the back door when needing out.

She seems to ignore my other Goldens, whether my 1.5 year old or 10 and 13 year old, she does not play with them and appears she knows nothing of toys, balls or ropes a matter of a fact, she was very startled with the toy that makes a squeak. She is interested in hooves and antlers and she will hand them to you like a sweet gesture to share. However when at the vet, she was very interested in the small dogs, her eyes lit up and she wanted to meet them, maybe she thought it was one of her puppies. She ignores my cat. She seems only to be interested in what us humans are doing, she is quite a velcro dog, you can barely walk without her stuck to you leg and your hands have no business doing anything but petting her and she will nudge endlessly till you give in. She has no recall and has no training background, she is very food motivated and we are working on sit for food because she gets very jumpy and barky at meal time. She does not pull on a leash, But if startled I am sure she will bolt, so don’t get too relaxed, If she gets scared like that, I hold her head very close and hold her till she calms down. She was pretty nervous with the thunder the other day, she stayed close to me and she was OK. When give her pills wrap the pills in wet food and she slurps it right down. When I need to put topical medicine on her face or in her ears, she doesn't like it but tolerates and forgives quickly. She has dreamy eyes and when she looks at you, you melt to her, she is so innocent and loving and we are now working on trust, So no real formal training yet, When she comes to us, we pet and scratch her really good and tell her how nice and pretty she is and things will be just fine. She loves Dick Van Patten Natural Balance moist food roll, I cut it in squares and it gets her attention very quickly. She rides Ok in the car, she is more comfortable in the front seat with me. She reminds me more of a senior dog personality, she is not active or playful but very affectionate and appreciative. She is very scared of little kids and she hides her face into her safe spot. Older kids she does fine.