Larry/Shane 13-173

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Welcome home - Jessica

07/01/2013:

Meet Larry. Larry is a beautiful, purebred Golden about 4 years old. He came from a puppy mill in South Dakota via a wonderful Good Samaratin. Larry was in bad shape when he came into RAGOM. He was horribly matted and had well over 100 ticks imbedded. Unfortunately, we had to shave his coat to rid him of the matts and also find all the ticks. Underneath the fur, he had a skin infection--no big surprise there. His skin is in good shape now and we are keeping him out of the sun and heat until his coats grow back.

Larry was seen by our vet and brought up to date on vaccination, heartworm prevention and flea/tick control. Amazingly, he is heartworm negative and aslo tested negative for tick-borne diseases. He had an eye infection that was treated and resolved now. Larry also has an epulis (skin growth) on his upper right canine and this will be removed at the same time he is neutered. Most likely it is a benign growth, but we will check for sure.

Larry--OK, we have not been able to call him Larry, we are calling him Shane. He is finally learning his name after a week in our home. He is a typical puppy mill dog--follows the other dogs, startles at sudden movements and runs to his safe place. Larry does come up for pets and treats, but he will freeze or run if I approach him. He is very sweet and just wants to be loved! When he first came, he growled when the other dogs got too close, but that has really diminished and he is right in the middle of the dogs when we go outside. He is learning that he needs to do his business outside and hasn't had an accident for several days now. He tried counter-surfing but is easily corrected with a 'no.'

For the first time today, he picked up a ball! A few times, he has busted a move like he wants to play but hasn't engaged the other dogs who try. Apparantly, Larry can open the gate by pushing up on the latch. He hasn't tried that here, even when he wanted to get to me outside the fence. He did get out of his crate while I was away at work, but besides doing his business in the house, no damage was done. He mostly prefers his crate and we have two set up--one in each of the most used rooms. Although, he is coming to lay by me when we are in the living room.

Larry will do best in a home with another calm dog, a physical fence and no kids under 10. If you meet that criteria, Larry will win your heart! Thanks to Trace and her family for keeping Larry until we could get him into our home!

 

 

At a Glance #13-173

Golden Retriever Born: December 2008
Male 70 lbs

Status: Deceased

Profile

Welcome home - Jessica

07/01/2013:

Meet Larry. Larry is a beautiful, purebred Golden about 4 years old. He came from a puppy mill in South Dakota via a wonderful Good Samaratin. Larry was in bad shape when he came into RAGOM. He was horribly matted and had well over 100 ticks imbedded. Unfortunately, we had to shave his coat to rid him of the matts and also find all the ticks. Underneath the fur, he had a skin infection--no big surprise there. His skin is in good shape now and we are keeping him out of the sun and heat until his coats grow back.

Larry was seen by our vet and brought up to date on vaccination, heartworm prevention and flea/tick control. Amazingly, he is heartworm negative and aslo tested negative for tick-borne diseases. He had an eye infection that was treated and resolved now. Larry also has an epulis (skin growth) on his upper right canine and this will be removed at the same time he is neutered. Most likely it is a benign growth, but we will check for sure.

Larry--OK, we have not been able to call him Larry, we are calling him Shane. He is finally learning his name after a week in our home. He is a typical puppy mill dog--follows the other dogs, startles at sudden movements and runs to his safe place. Larry does come up for pets and treats, but he will freeze or run if I approach him. He is very sweet and just wants to be loved! When he first came, he growled when the other dogs got too close, but that has really diminished and he is right in the middle of the dogs when we go outside. He is learning that he needs to do his business outside and hasn't had an accident for several days now. He tried counter-surfing but is easily corrected with a 'no.'

For the first time today, he picked up a ball! A few times, he has busted a move like he wants to play but hasn't engaged the other dogs who try. Apparantly, Larry can open the gate by pushing up on the latch. He hasn't tried that here, even when he wanted to get to me outside the fence. He did get out of his crate while I was away at work, but besides doing his business in the house, no damage was done. He mostly prefers his crate and we have two set up--one in each of the most used rooms. Although, he is coming to lay by me when we are in the living room.

Larry will do best in a home with another calm dog, a physical fence and no kids under 10. If you meet that criteria, Larry will win your heart! Thanks to Trace and her family for keeping Larry until we could get him into our home!

 

 

Updates

Thursday, April 20, 2017

 

Shane was taken from us swiftly and brutally by lymphoma on January 19 2017. We decided to treat him with chemo, but two gut wrenching days later he passed away. I believe that grief is directly proportional to the energy invested, as such my world is broken and I know it will be a long time before I don’t start sobbing at something that triggers a memory. He came to us a broken spirit from 4 years in a puppy mill. He had enormous feet and no tail. He eventually learned to wag is butt and enjoy walks and car rides. I can’t bear to go to my home office without him laying at my feet. The corner of the sofa will always be “Shane’s safe spot”. He was famous with Ragom for his misadventure as a runaway in a corn field. All the things other dogs do was never taken for granted with Shane, if he barked, or played with a toy that was a huge step. We noticed the subtle changes and really appreciated everything he did and became.


Shane spent every day under my desk.

 

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Larry/Shane came into RAGOM's care 5 months ago in June. Shane was terribly matted and full of ticks. Thanks to Trace, his first foster mom, for getting him on the road to health. He was so scared that he submissively urinated and lost his bowels as he flew around the home looking for a safe spot. Even then, he very much wanted pets and love from his foster mom. Progress in building his confidence was slow in the beginning. He had so much to learn! In August, he had his big adventure in the corn fields and seemed so relieved to be home with us again. Over the following two months, he spent time between two foster homes and his confidence in the world grew by leaps and bounds as he had to adjust to changes, new people and new situations. And he figured out that nothing bad happened to him!

All dogs we foster touch our hearts in some way. Some, like Shane, really grab ahold and don't let go.

Recently, a wonderful family found him on the website. They had experience with scared, undersocialized dogs and had just lost one of their Goldens. Their boy Cole needed a buddy! They had taken Cole from a fearful boy to a well-adjusted Golden with his Canine Good Citizen certificate. We couldn't be more thrilled to have them meet our Shane!

The meeting was a huge success and the L family fell even more in love with our boy. Shane moved to his new home a few days ago and all is going well. Check out Shane with his new friend Cole and new Mom. Thanks so much to Jen E for sharing Shane's journey, to the Lost Dog team and all the volunteers that helped to bring Shane home from the corn fields, and to all of Shane's fans for following his story. I am in tears and so happy my boy knows the Golden life now. Happy trails, Mr Shane! We love you! Keep in touch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvizL2MjMb0&feature=youtu.be

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Hi friends--Shane here. Oh, I know my official RAGOM name is Larry, but I only answer to Shane. I spent two weeks with my friends at the E foster home. They have two furry girls and a cat. I like them. I like Jen and Jim even better. :) They have squeaky tennis balls that I love to run around the yard with. I flip them up and chase after them. It's really fun!

I have to say I am starting to trust these two-leggeds. I can't help it that I run away to my safe place sometimes. But I hardly ever pee when I am scared now. Foster Mom likes that. I went to a meet-and-greet where there were lots of other dogs and people too. It was scary, so I was shaking. But I did love the pets I got. I am hoping to find my forever family soon. I know it will be a scary thing to move away! But if my new family is patient with me, I will love them up forever.

My foster Mom says I am going to live with the E family until my forever family finds me. I love that! Foster Mom is getting a new foster dog that needs her. I know she loves me and will miss me, but I will see her again; I know it.

If you are a family that has a fence and another dog and no little ones, I am the dog for you!

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Hi, everybody. Larry here--well, I go by Shane, but Larry is my RAGOM name. RAGOM saved my life from that horrible place and now all I can say is "life is good!"

Foster Mom takes me to all kinds of new places now. She says I need to build confidence. So far it has all been OK. I still get nervous, but I do come out of my safe places. I even went to a meet and greet this past weekend. OK--so I hid behind a chair and shook at first. But whenever FM asked me to come out, I did. I walked right up to the people who stopped and gave many of them kisses--even the kids! Well, the littlest ones did make me nervous, so I just went back to my spot. I even hopped up onto FM's chair! Well, it looked comfy to me.

This week I am spending time at another foster Mom's place. I have been here before, so it is OK. FM wants me to practice bonding with more people so that when my very own family finds me, I will be ready. I already like the furry girls that live here and even the cat Poco. We are friends. So I am pretty sure all will be OK, but will keep you posted on that!

Remember that if you would like to meet me, I really need another dog in my new home--and a physical fence and no littlest ones under age 10. I know those are tough to meet, but I will be my best in a home like that!

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Well, Larry has had quite the eventful last few weeks. And he has done remarkably well! He went to Goldzilla. So many people and so much action that at first he didn't want to get out of the car and was trembling. But he did it and walked fairly well to the Foster Showcase. Once he found a spot to hunker down, he greeted everyone that wanted to meet him with little kisses! He walked very well in the foster parade and had many admirers since he is SO handsome!


Larry in the Goldzilla parade - notice the double leash!

Then, he spent this past week in two separate foster homes while Foster Mom was up at a lake. Thanks, Barb and Jen and your respective dog packs for helping him! He did awesome in these two homes too! Once he finds his safe spots in a home, he is much more comfortable and willing to give and receive kisses. He seeks them out from anyone and everyone sitting down. He is still uncomfortable with people approaching him while they are standing up and will most often run to one of his safe spots. With me, he does not run away as often. Sometimes he will stay and freeze and let me approach. When he figures out that I want to pet him or give him a treat, he relaxes. He does not submissve pee with me anymore. It is so very sad to see how the lack of early socialization has impacted this very sweet boy! It cannot be toatlly made up for, but he can learn to trust and ceratinly shows love to his people.

By the way--Larry was cat tested at Jen's home and I am told that Poco adores him! If you are interested in a shy but very handsome and very loving boy, Mr. Shane (Larry) might be the ticket! You must have a physical fence, no kids under 10 and at least one other resident dog.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Larry is doing great! He still has a ways to go. He is still skittish with sudden moves or loud nosies. But he recovers more quickly now. He is a total snuggle bug with me. Has the Golden nudge for more pets down pat! He can't get enough kisses. I took some shots of him playing with a ball today. He even will chase one now but doesn't bring it anywhere close for another throw. Just carries it around. If you would like to meet Larry, come see him at Goldzilla. He will be hanging most of the day at the Foster Tent.

  

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

I have to totally retract my previous thoughts about Larry and men!! The RAGOM Lost Dogs Rapid Response team had a little BBQ celebration for Larry's return so that they could all meet him in person. Thanks, Jen! There were three men there and Larry gave every one of them kisses and then reached out to them with the Golden nudge to continue petting him! So I am confident that Larry would be fine in a home with men--or even only men!

Larry has made great strides in the past week since coming home. For the first time since he came here two months ago, he laid out relaxing in the yard. Typically, he would be rushing back to the deck to go into the house or following me around the yard. So, it may not seem like a big deal but it shows improvement in his confidence. He has also jumped up on the couch for the first time. Usually he hides behind a chair in his safe spot. And, when Larry first came in, he could not walk on the leash further than the end of the driveway without trembling and encircling me with the leash. Slowly, we have gone further and today we walked to the end of the road where cars and trcuks were going by at 55+ mph. Larry walked right beside me and resident Skye without trembling and without dashing between or around my legs. Such big steps for the boy!

Oh yeah, I took Larry along to a vet visit for one of the residents yesterday and he hopped up on the bench beside me like he owned the clinic! He even reached out and gave the vet kisses while she was listening to the other dog's heart.

I was thinking it would be too much for him to go to Goldzilla with all of the people and commotion. But now I am going to reserve that decision until we get closer to the event. Such a sweet boy and I would love for others to meet him too. Enjoy the new pictures!

  

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Larry is safely home! After 13 days on his own in corn and soy bean fields, he is now in the comfort of his foster home. We know that he stayed close to his temp foster home the whole time, thanks to the trail cams set up around the area. Early Friday morning, I was sitting in my car with resident dog Skye at the temp foster home. I heard Larry drinking water right behind my car in a bucket I had for Skye. I called his name and he went under a nearby tree. I got out with Skye and heard Larry go into the corn field about 50 feet away. Skye followed him in and I went in a few rows and sat down calling his name softly. Immediately, he came and snuggled into me and showered me with kisses! I wrapped his filthy traling leash around my hand a dozen times and cried from relief and joy! He was filthy and had several burrs but otherwise healthy. Thanks to the remarkable work of the RAGOM Lost Dogs Rapid Response team and his temp foster Dad Barry, he was well hydrated and well fed every day that he was away! When we got to a nearby friend's house, Larry got a meal and a wonderful, much needed bath! He sunk right into the warm water and enjoyed the massage and cleaning. Thanks, Barb!!


Spa day :)


Home safe and happy!


Larry is not saying much about his adventures while out on his own. I have learned more about his fears and that it will take more work to overcome them for this sweet boy. It is likely he is more fearful of men than women. This is pretty common for many dogs - not just former puppy mill dogs. Larry would do better with at least one female in his forever home. It doesn't mean he can't bond with men! Just that it will probably take longer and a more concerted effort on the part of any guys in his life.

He also needs gradual exposure to the big wide world of people and normal daily activities! Eventually, he will build the confidence dogs needs to feel safer in the world of people. He will likely never be the typical, happy-go-lucky Golden Retriever we all expect to see. But he can learn to trust that his family will keep him safe and that nothing bad will happen to him. This trust will allow him to navigate the wider world and not feel the need to run and hide.

So, Larry needs:

  • Another confident dog in his forever home. He follows their lead although he hasn't played with them yet
  • No children under 10.
  • A physical fence--and someone who understand that a fence is not the only way scared dogs can escape. Larry did not get out of the fence in his temp foster home. He bolted out the front door.
  • One adult female human. :) He will bond to any men as well, but that may take a bit more time.

Monday, August 26, 2013

If you aren't a die-hard RAGOM follower on Facebook, you may not know that Larry bolted from his dog sitter foster home while we were on vacation. Larry was not socialized properly when he was a puppy and so is afraid of many new things and people in general. When he ran, he didn't go far--which is typical of these scared pups. We have a wonderful team of folks leading the search for him--thanks most of all to Devon, Jen, Barry, Laurie and Katy for all your hard work and long hours in this horrible heat to bring him home. And big thanks to all who have helped!

The team has set up a live trap that is baited with good food. If Larry goes for it, it will trigger the door to close. He has stayed pretty much within a mile or two of his temp foster home, but so far has not gone for the food that would trigger the door. He does trigger the trail cam set up so we know he visits. He looks OK. There are also several buckets of water and food left out for him around the area. We are hoping he gets used to the crate as a source for food and gets brave enough to go in. I am so worried about him! I can hardly look at the trail cam photos without crying.

Please keep Larry in your thoughts and prayers.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Larry has had a rough week! He was neutered and then opened the sutures so had to be restitched. Foster Mom did not get the cone on fast enough. :( So now he is in the cone and at first he was freaked out. Wouldn't move, when he did, he banged into everything! But now he had it figured out and can eat and drink with it on. His skin has cleared up and his coat is filling in although it will be months before it is full again.

Larry is getting braver and willingly comes for pets. Even with visitors, he will approach--although he doesn't want them approaching him. He gets along fine with all the other dogs. He will raise a lip to new dogs that get in his face but they pay attention.

He is a work in progress and so very sweet! He really just wants to be loved and safe. He does have thunder anxiety. He wants to be snuggled next to me or resident Skye. It was quite a sight to see Larry and Skye huddled in the linen closet--and Larry with his cone on to boot! He has a hard time in his crate with the cone so he has been out during the day when we are at work. No issues except yesterday when I got home, he had hoarded several items on the bed--a towel, a shoe and a sweatshirt. No damage to them. Just a little pile of things. :) I am sure he had none of his own in his former life. Stay tuned for more of Larry's new adventures--small as they may be!