Libby (Lesa 14-295)

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Profile

Sponsored by:

Judith C
 "Keep taking those little steps on the Golden Path!"

In addition to LOVE this dog has the following requirements:
Entered Foster Care Fence Kid Friendly Another Dog Cat Friendly
 9/29/2014 Required Ages 10+ Required Not tested
This is the most recent information available; however, it may change as we learn more about the dog.

Lesa is a 4-year-old purebred Golden who made her way from a breeder through a Good Samaritan to RAGOM-Land. Lesa is a very beautiful, dark red-coated Golden who currently is shy, timid, and becoming familiar with the English way of life.

Lesa's first visit to the vet was unremarkable except for dirty ears. She received all her vaccinations and will get a distemper booster on the 23rd of October. We still have to get a stool sample checked and her microchip will be done with the distemper booster. She is one week out from her spay and doing well with recovery, never requiring a cone to prevent licking.

Lesa has been slow to eat, drink, and potty, but now after two weeks in my home, she has decided the food and water is ok. She is fed in her kennel and always has a bowl of water. Lesa weighed in at 100 pounds, so her lack of appetite has been a benefit to help take off some of her excess weight. We will be venturing out for walks in the neighborhood to see how she does on a leash now that she is completing post-surgery activity restrictions.

Lesa's personality is characteristic of most breeding dogs. They are quiet, often wary of human hands, like to be an observer before acting, and scared of loud unfamiliar noises. They are more likely to run or skitter away when you walk toward them or experience loud voices and noises. They prefer corners, small spaces, or a kennel as a retreat form the unfamiliar, uncomfortable stimulus of our homes, often averting their eyes the other way. Lesa is most comfortable with another dog in her presence, but has not played or interacted with my residents yet. Every day is a step forward to a better life, but for these dogs, it occurs very slowly and their bond is very strong once it occurs. Lesa will accept ear scratches, but often puts her head low to the floor. She accepts me leashing her, but would prefer to avoid it altogether. I often allow her unleashed time in the fenced yard, but when she is finished, she makes a beeline to the patio door to get back in. Lesa prefers her kennel even if the door is left open when I can supervise her. She will sometimes venture out and walk around smelling everything and has even tried a dog bed for a few seconds, but will just as quickly scuttle back to her private space.

If you are interested and want to meet Lesa, let your placement advisor know. The need for a fence may change the more I get to know her, but for these dogs, a fence is a safety net as you never know when something will scare them into running.

At a Glance #14-295

Golden Retriever Born: June 2010
Female 70 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

Sponsored by:

Judith C
 "Keep taking those little steps on the Golden Path!"

In addition to LOVE this dog has the following requirements:
Entered Foster Care Fence Kid Friendly Another Dog Cat Friendly
 9/29/2014 Required Ages 10+ Required Not tested
This is the most recent information available; however, it may change as we learn more about the dog.

Lesa is a 4-year-old purebred Golden who made her way from a breeder through a Good Samaritan to RAGOM-Land. Lesa is a very beautiful, dark red-coated Golden who currently is shy, timid, and becoming familiar with the English way of life.

Lesa's first visit to the vet was unremarkable except for dirty ears. She received all her vaccinations and will get a distemper booster on the 23rd of October. We still have to get a stool sample checked and her microchip will be done with the distemper booster. She is one week out from her spay and doing well with recovery, never requiring a cone to prevent licking.

Lesa has been slow to eat, drink, and potty, but now after two weeks in my home, she has decided the food and water is ok. She is fed in her kennel and always has a bowl of water. Lesa weighed in at 100 pounds, so her lack of appetite has been a benefit to help take off some of her excess weight. We will be venturing out for walks in the neighborhood to see how she does on a leash now that she is completing post-surgery activity restrictions.

Lesa's personality is characteristic of most breeding dogs. They are quiet, often wary of human hands, like to be an observer before acting, and scared of loud unfamiliar noises. They are more likely to run or skitter away when you walk toward them or experience loud voices and noises. They prefer corners, small spaces, or a kennel as a retreat form the unfamiliar, uncomfortable stimulus of our homes, often averting their eyes the other way. Lesa is most comfortable with another dog in her presence, but has not played or interacted with my residents yet. Every day is a step forward to a better life, but for these dogs, it occurs very slowly and their bond is very strong once it occurs. Lesa will accept ear scratches, but often puts her head low to the floor. She accepts me leashing her, but would prefer to avoid it altogether. I often allow her unleashed time in the fenced yard, but when she is finished, she makes a beeline to the patio door to get back in. Lesa prefers her kennel even if the door is left open when I can supervise her. She will sometimes venture out and walk around smelling everything and has even tried a dog bed for a few seconds, but will just as quickly scuttle back to her private space.

If you are interested and want to meet Lesa, let your placement advisor know. The need for a fence may change the more I get to know her, but for these dogs, a fence is a safety net as you never know when something will scare them into running.

Updates

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Not even a week has passed and we have such good news to share about Libby. She was a wonderful passenger on her long journey to Montana. Placing her in the back seat with Chase, and Sage riding in the soft crate worked out perfectly. We were able to leash the back seat gals from the front so I could hand them off to Dave as he opened the door. And right from the get go all three got along well together as we stopped for potty breaks and then to spend the night at a hotel. She readily took care of her outside business and ate her food. 

Arriving home late afternoon on Sunday allowed Libby to sniff around in the backyard and investigate the house and find out doggie spots to lounge in. She slept in the bedroom with us, choosing a dog bed next to me rather than the crate. Yesterday I removed the crate from the bedroom as all three dogs have settled on their favorite sleeping spots.What we find interesting is that right from the start Libby appeared most interested in Sage, our rescue girl. Sage is not hyperactive but she is a busy girl, always checking windows for outside activity, chewing a nylabone or playing with squeeky toys and curious as to what Dave and I are doing. Libby has been shadowing her so come nightfall she's one tired girl from all of the following around she's been doing, trying to keep up with Sage.

Each day Libby is coming out of herself a little bit more. We just have to look at her tail as a barometer; and it's so nice to see it wagging and flying higher each day! Late this morning when the girls went out into the "dog park" Libby and Sage actively engaged in some serious play. Both were doing their puppy bows and they had a ball chasing each other around. Even our sedate Chase joined in the fun. I'd expect Libby will be dropping a few more pounds over the next couple of months if she continues this activity level.

As you warned us, she is startled by unfamiliar noises in the house but we're sure she'll relax with time when she sees the other two girls aren't bothered by the noise and she becomes accustomed to them. We also are still trying to sort out the optimum feeding arrangement. The older two wolf down their food and Libby appears to like a leisurely meal. So we've separated them at their meal times and it appears Libby would much prefer to eat with the pack. That too will sort itself out over time.

We did have to do some grocery shopping and other errands yesterday so we crated Libby for the four hours we were gone. It was evident that she enjoys the crate; so much so that once we returned home and brought them inside from their potty break she returned to the crate and spent a good amount of time in it. Ultimately we brought her out and closed the crate door so that she would find an open area spot to lounge in. Her favorite greatroom spot is on the dog bed by the fireplace. She also has a kitchen/dining room spot by the doors going to the four season room. And she has three spots in the mudroom area that she and Sage like to switch off in. I have a desk with my computer in this area so all three of the girls like to be there with me when I'm online.

Today was her vet check and everything went well. She did receive a leptospirosis vaccination and the initial series of her rattlesnake vaccination. She'll receive her second dose when our other two get their annual rattlesnake shots the 1st of May. Libby was extremely comfortable and inquisitive when she met Dr. Jason. So it was another positive experience for her.

Libby is responding to her new name and comes to both of us for ear itches, pats and kisses. She's such a gentle soul and we look forward to her continuing to blossom as she settles in. She reminds us of two other Goldens that touched our lives (a neighbor's rescue "Sammie" and our son's "Stone"), so it's kind of like having a little of them back with us through her. 

We want to thank you Cheerie, for all you've done for Libby in the months that you had her. Your gentle care is certainly making this an easy transition. Jen, thank you for considering and allowing us to become a part of Libby's life. We look forward to a lot of shared happy times together. We also are grateful for Nancy Hasbrook of Montana's Precious Gold Golden Retriever Rescue for facilitating this out of territory placement. Nancy has been extremely helpful with suggestions and tips from her years of involvement in rescue.

Enjoy the pics as we enjoy our girl!

Dave & Jean C

Monday, March 16, 2015

With Love, from your sponsor Judith With Love, from your sponsor Judith

Monday, February 9, 2015

Lesa is progressing very nicely. She now heads outside pretty much the first one nose to the patio door. Potty habits outside are much improved but again if not supervised and has to go she will have an accident. She has achieved free roam for 1-3 hours only after observation she has potties outside and I am still in the house. She is kenneled when I leave the house.

Lesa is more comfortable coming outside the kennel and will approach for affection if you are in a sitting position. If you are standing and approach she will move away from you. She still has the "skitter" move for which she will rapidly move away from you as if frightened of something. She is shy and for some breeding females or males that last a long time with new situations and people she is not familiar with.

Lesa is eating 1 cup of dry Taste of The Wild with the meds just dropped in the bowl of food. She will eat treats if they are put in the kennel and we are working on treats from the hand which may take awhile.

Takota 14-414 was adopted so I anticipate she may withdraw a little as he was a typical puppy seeking playtime with anyone willing to put up with his puppy energy. Enjoy the new pictures as the one with her smiling with a chew bone is pretty awesome and the one where she is on the sofa.

 

Saturday, January 31, 2015

BYRON,LARRY,BRODY AND BETSY BRUHN Merry Christmas from: Byron, Larry, Brody and Betsy Bruhn

Merry Christmas from a former puppy mill guy Champ 08-334. Enjoy the The Golden Life. Merry Christmas from a former puppy mill guy Champ 08-334. Enjoy the The Golden Life.

 

One day at a time Sweet Girl-In memory of our sweet puppy mill girl Shondra 07-008 One day at a time Sweet Girl-In memory of our sweet puppy mill girl Shondra 07-008

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

    Well sometime in the last two weeks the Fairy Behaviorist for Dogs has visited Lesa in the night while she slept and imparted some thoughts of wisdom.

     Lesa is now the first out the door to potty leading the pack nose to the patio door window..  And sometimes, like today, she responded to the word POTTY  GO AND POTTY (and she peed).  Happy Dance at our house

     Lesa now interacts with Takota, Finney, and Bridget in play games.  She remains reluctant to interact with a human in the absence of the rest of the pack but if they come to me she will also approach for pets.  Soon she will learn to approach without the other dogs for moral support.  Lesa also eats dry kibble and her Prozac is placed in some peanut butter on top of the kibble. No more moist food in her dry kibble.  She currently eats in her kennel.  Lesa still requires supervision due to the ingrained behavior to potty anywhere (if she has to go and is not kenneled) typical of breeder dogs.  She kennels up easily and has not required chew items with her here but in her adoptive home that would be a nice treat while they are at work.  She has not chewed the dog bed in the kennel but if you use a bathroom throw rug or towels she will chew those.  Lesa will whine/bark if she needs out of the kennel to potty if she is in the kennel at that time.  Ordinarily though she is not a barker in my home.

     Lesa is easy to bathe by just leashing her and walking into my walk in shower.  I have not used my dog hair dryer as it is very forceful and loud so we towel dry and I put some absorbent towels in her kennel to soak up the rest.  I will be working on the feet tonight to clip and get extra hair between her toes.  Her last clip was with my groomer and she did very well with her bath, drying, and toenail clipping.

     Lesa is sending many THANK YOU'S for her Christmas Tokens:

  • Byron, Larry, & Betsy Bruhn lots of kisses for sending me this special gift.
  • Champ 08-334 former puppy mill sweet muzzle licks for knowing how much courage, time, and patience it takes for all those little baby steps to be a great dog.
  • Shondar family 07-008 how you must miss her and to give the gift of love and life to a puppy mill mama is awesome.

Foster-mom is speechless for these gifts represent so much more than just money when you have faith in the world of rescue and believe in the difference these dogs make to our human lives. Blessings on all of you, your families, and of course your furry children.

Enjoy her new pics.

 

 

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Lesa my social butterfly seems to do much better when Ben Franklin is in the picture.  I have been shutting the kennel door to help her get more comfortable in open spaces in the evening when I can monitor them both.  She really does not socialize with my dogs but sure loves playing with Ben. She has also tried out the dog beds in the family room and does not seem to care if another dog is on the bed with her. 

     Lesa still does not like being outside and lately I have been taking her outside on a leash, shutting the door to the three season porch and letting her loose in the fenced in yard to take care of business.  If I wait I have to turn my back to her or sometimes even go inside where she cannot see me so she will go into the yard.  

     Lesa is eating well one cup of dry combined with soft canned stew.  I put her med in the middle of the stew and she eats very well and never leaves the pill in the food bowl.  When Lesa was spayed she had lost 5 lbs. and we have not ventured into the vets to see where she is on her weight loss plan.  She looks thinner and her saggy belly appears tighter. 

     Lisa is progressing as I would expect.  She seems to have hit a wall with her progress so I will be talking with the vet. this week to see if we can increase her dose of Prozac.  Maybe then she will let her guard down and have the courage to go outside with the pack.  I have included some pictures of her and Ben Franklin enjoying some play time.