Lizzie 08-008

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Sponsored by: Sandra Lynn 

 

 

Let me introduce you to the sweetest girl in town – Lizzie!  She is an absolute beauty and is a gorgeous shade of dark red. She arrived at our house yesterday afternoon.  She was rather stinky, but we let her adjust a little bit to our house before giving her a bath. She is rather timid and shy – but that should hopefully change with time.  She very much likes being around our resident dogs Sammy & Gracie.  Sammy is a RAGOM dog himself, so he’s told her all about RAGOM and how she’s going to find a wonderful new family, not to worry.

In her previous residence she was not an inside dog, so we are potty training her.  She has not had any accidents thus far and she seems like she may be a quick learner in this area. She went out last night and it took a while to go… she looked at me for a while… and this morning I brought her out and she did her business promptly - like she knew what she was out there for!  It took her a little bit to get used to being on a leash, and she much prefers the really long tie out type leash than a shorter one to do her business outside.

Also, I don’t believe there were stairs at her previous residence.  When I was off doing some other things she ventured up our stairway (she’s currently staying mostly in our large entry way until she gets used to things a bit more)… and she must have gone up the stairs relatively fast… although coming down the stairs was another story.  Some liver treats and our resident dogs giving her some demos eventually got her down about 30 minutes later.  Later in the evening she came up again – and going down was easier the second time around.  I’m hopeful within a few days the stairs will be no problem. Doorways are also a bit of a struggle for her, but she’s getting better on those too.
Lizzie seems to be in very good health, other than an ear infection in both ears.  We are working on those.  She could stand to lose a few pounds – and we’ll be working on that with some low calorie food (perfect, since our resident dogs are on a bit of a diet too!).

Lizzie will need to be spayed before she’s ready to go to her forever home.  We have that and a regular check-up scheduled for next Monday.  She’s already up to date on all her shots and her stool sample came back clean, yippee!
If you think this beautiful girl might be the one for you, please send an email to placementatragom [dot] org and ask to meet Lizzie. She’d love to meet you!

 

At a Glance #08-008

Golden Retriever Born: January 2004
Female Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

Sponsored by: Sandra Lynn 

 

 

Let me introduce you to the sweetest girl in town – Lizzie!  She is an absolute beauty and is a gorgeous shade of dark red. She arrived at our house yesterday afternoon.  She was rather stinky, but we let her adjust a little bit to our house before giving her a bath. She is rather timid and shy – but that should hopefully change with time.  She very much likes being around our resident dogs Sammy & Gracie.  Sammy is a RAGOM dog himself, so he’s told her all about RAGOM and how she’s going to find a wonderful new family, not to worry.

In her previous residence she was not an inside dog, so we are potty training her.  She has not had any accidents thus far and she seems like she may be a quick learner in this area. She went out last night and it took a while to go… she looked at me for a while… and this morning I brought her out and she did her business promptly - like she knew what she was out there for!  It took her a little bit to get used to being on a leash, and she much prefers the really long tie out type leash than a shorter one to do her business outside.

Also, I don’t believe there were stairs at her previous residence.  When I was off doing some other things she ventured up our stairway (she’s currently staying mostly in our large entry way until she gets used to things a bit more)… and she must have gone up the stairs relatively fast… although coming down the stairs was another story.  Some liver treats and our resident dogs giving her some demos eventually got her down about 30 minutes later.  Later in the evening she came up again – and going down was easier the second time around.  I’m hopeful within a few days the stairs will be no problem. Doorways are also a bit of a struggle for her, but she’s getting better on those too.
Lizzie seems to be in very good health, other than an ear infection in both ears.  We are working on those.  She could stand to lose a few pounds – and we’ll be working on that with some low calorie food (perfect, since our resident dogs are on a bit of a diet too!).

Lizzie will need to be spayed before she’s ready to go to her forever home.  We have that and a regular check-up scheduled for next Monday.  She’s already up to date on all her shots and her stool sample came back clean, yippee!
If you think this beautiful girl might be the one for you, please send an email to placementatragom [dot] org and ask to meet Lizzie. She’d love to meet you!

 

Updates

Friday, November 21, 2008

Hello ~ I just wanted to share another RAGOM success story with you all to brighten your day!

Lizzie came in from a puppy mill in January with, I believe, 10 other dogs. When she came to our house we couldn't get her out of the crate... she had never seen stairs or doors, she always wanted to lay in her safe spot against the one wall, etc. Our beloved Sammy 08-397 (who passed suddenly in May) helped show Lizzie how to do everything and showed her that life was gonna be OK. Sammy had a crush on her and I think the feeling was mutual. By the time she left our house she was much improved already, but still had a ways to go before doing simple things like being OK with getting in the car (she hated the car and would become a dead weight with what felt like 16 feet trying to prevent her from getting in it!).

Lizzie started to experience some very strong separation anxiety very shortly after she went to her new home. Her new family was understandably frustrated, as Lizzie started withdrawing from them and had many accidents and would destroy many things. Her new Mom and I talked a number of times and we passed on some of the great information that RAGOM has found to work with these problems. Her new family may have been frustrated, but they knew they put their faith in the good qualities they loved about her and they worked through them. A total success in that area.

Now... Lizzie is really learning to live life it sounds like from the email I got from her Mom today (see below). Going from where she was 9 months ago - now she'll be on a stage in a play! Wow! A true RAGOM success story, showing that when we give these dogs the love they so richly deserve - anything can happen!

Hi Jen…

I wanted to drop you a quick update on our little lady.. Lizzie is doing great!

She has some exciting news, Sarah is in a play at the high school - “The Miracle Worker” - she is playing Helen Keller. They needed a dog for Helen to work with to do sign language. Both Lizzie and Jasper auditioned and Lizzie won the role. She has been doing awesome with practices. She will go with any of the students that need to work with her and keep her busy back stage, when on stage she does pretty much what they need her to do and she lays or sits for Sarah to work with her. It is amazing!!!!

To think about where she was just 9 months ago, it is truly amazing to watch!!! She gets in and out of the truck with no problem and I really think she looks forward to going with Sarah to the school.

I am sure you have a big smile on your face right now!!! Here are some of the pictures of Lizzie from the play. Hope you enjoy!

Talk to you soon,

Lizzie's Mom

 

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Lizzie is excited to tell you that she met a wonderful family on Saturday!  She's hoping they become her forever family, but we'll find out on Monday evening!
 
Also on Monday - Lizzie goes in for her vet checkup and her spay surgery.  That will be a tough day for Lizzie - she's not quite yet a fan of riding in the car. On Friday night we brought Lizzie for a short ride up to my grandparents house about 5 miles away.  Lizzie did not want to go in that car!  But, it's a must that we introduce the car to her and try to teach her that car rides aren't a bad thing!  So, my husband lifted her into the car finally (there was no way she went in on her own!) and her and I ended up just staying in the car at my grandparents house (one step at a time!).  My grandma came out and gave her lots of good pets... then we went home.  I brought her for another short ride today to the local DQ (we can skip her diet for today, right???)... another positive trip.  Her new family will need to continue this with Lizzie - lots of short trips to do fun, positive things to encourage her that the car is not a bad place.
 
On Saturday - we had two big things happen!  I got her to go on a walk with me!  And boy did she LOVE it.  At first, she wasn't sure.. but then she loved smelling the different smells and seeing more then just our house!  In fact, she didn't want to come back in the house when we got home - she wanted more walking!  She walks very well on a leash. No pulling - she stays right by you. She does switch from side to side a bit... but that's no big deal. Interesting though - my husband tried to take her on a walk Friday - and he couldn't get her to the end of the driveway.  I've spent more time with her since she's been here - and it shows that she trusts me more I guess at this point.  However - today, Sunday - Lizzie let my husband take her for a short walk as well! So yipee!!!  I took her for a longer walk today as well - she sure loves those walks!
 
The second big thing was we were in the kitchen and she went out to our living room by the stairs and looked at the door.. I wondered what that might mean so I took her outside (just in case) - and sure enough - she went potty!  I was so proud!  So - she's developing a little bit of a sign to let her humans know she wants to go potty!
 
She is such a bright girl.  We are working on sit...  she'd doing very well with that.  We are totally amazed at how far she has come in less than a week!!!
 
But - she does have her moments of being the scared girl.  On Friday night I had my teenage sister and two of her guy friends come over.  They didn't concentrate on Lizzie - and Lizzie hardly seemed to notice they were here.  On Saturday, when she met the wonderful family - she got pretty stressed - probably cause everyone was concentrated on her.  Today - we have company and they are somewhat concentrated on her - somewhat not...  she immediately went to her safe spot - by the wall in our living room...  as you can see in the picture below.  So - that will take some time... and something her new family will have to work with her on as well.
 
But - most of her day when it's just us here is starting to resemble life as a different dog.  Happy girl Lizzie.  The picture of her taking the treat shows more of that girl we know.  :-)
 
Wish Lizzie luck for her spay surgery!  Mostly, for the car ride!  Hopefully, it will not make her worse afraid of the car :-(
 
More soon!  Thanks again so much to Lizzie's sponsor - Sandra Lynn!!!! She really appreciates it!!!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Lizzie wants to send a major thank you to her sponsor - Sandra Lynn!!!! THANK YOU!!!
 
I thought all of you Lizzie lovers might enjoy a few pictures from last night.  The other night when I got her to try out one of the many doggie beds at our house (we have 4 - for our 2 dogs!) she did this really cute thing of rolling around upside down every which way. I can't explain how cute it is...  I think it's just ecstatic joy emitting from her!!  Anyway - I was smart and brought the camera downstairs with me last night so I'd have it ready if she did it.  And she did!  So, you can see a picture of her rolling around.  I think its super cute!  Also, a nice picture of her looking at the camera.  And then a cute picture of her peacefully sleeping in the bed.
 
She spent last night in our room again - and again - no accidents.  She is such a smart girl!  This morning - I took her outside WITHOUT the other dogs - to see if I could get her to still go with me - down the hallway, own the stairs and out the door, out to potty, and back in the outside door and then back through the bedroom hallway and in the bedroom door.  It's a lot of stuff for a poor girl that all of these things are still new for!  But guess what! She did it!  Somewhat a little reluctantly - but she did it!!! Yipee!!!!
 
She is starting to hold her head a little higher and her tail is wagging more often - and higher up in the air even.  And best yet - I don't think I saw her do the belly crawl at all yesterday!!!  Except for coming out of her crate when I got home from work - but that doesn't count, right??? :-)
 
We went for a bit of a walk today on a shorter leash. She wasn't sure of it - but I think it's something she could get used to for walks.  She seems to walk very well - but we didn't go that far quite yet so I'll give you an update on that after today. My husband is going to try and take her for more of a formal walk today to see how she does.
 
More updates soon!  Thank you again so much to Lizzie's sponsor - Sandra Lynn!!!

 

  
 

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Lizzie got great news today!  She is heartworm negative! So, another sign that she is a healthy girl!
 
In the last day, Lizzie has made such an improvement in our house. She is still really timid at times - but she is also coming out of her shell more and more. She really likes to be close to my husband and I for reassurance that she is being okay.  So she is a velcro dog.  She absolutely loves to be petted on the head and stays really close to you outside so you can give her those head massages.  We explored a bit yesterday walking to the end of our driveway and back and she was a trooper and did it easily - so long as she saw my other dog(s) do it - it was very easy then.
 
I had been trying to give Lizzie toys to play with - but she didn't really understand what to do with them.  After a demonstration with my resident dogs Gracie and Sammy she gave it a shot and I learned she definitely is a full-blooded golden - she started to rip it apart.. hehe.  Sammy and Gracie taught her well!
 
We've also learned that though she is timid with doors, hallways, stairs and such (stairs are much better already by the way!) she is not afraid of loud noises our baby gates.  So - if a baby gate is loosely secured - she will try and push it down if she wants to get in to see what you're doing on the other side of that gate!  She does counter surf as well - but if you say a gentle "No" she stops.  So I have no doubt she could be trained not to do that within time.
 
She still has not had any accidents in the house! She is a natural it seems at this potty training stuff!
 
I strongly believe that a perfect home for Lizzie would have the following qualities:
 
1) A fenced yard would be nice - but not absolutely necessary provided her forever home was willing to go go out with her every time - and with a longer (15+ ft?) leash to do her business.
2) A home that will continue to work with her on her fears of doorways, stairs, hallways, etc.  These fears seem to be getting sooo much better each hour even - but it will still be a work in progress I'm sure in her new home.
3) A home that has another dog is ABSOLUTELY necessary.  Lizzie has learned so much from our dogs - and it's obvious how important that will be for her going forward.
 
We've heard from her previous owner that she was exposed to cats and to children with no problems.  We don't have children but she is a very very gentle soul so I would assume that's true and that she'd have no problems.  We have cats - but she has not ventured downstairs yet where our cats like to hang out.  So, I'll have more information on that as time goes on.
 
Honestly, I would absolutely love to adopt this girl myself if I didn't already have two goldens! She is such a sweetie - and such a trooper with her new experiences.  She will make a great companion for a lucky family.  If you're interested in this great girl - email placementatragom [dot] org and tell them you're interested in Lizzie!  She should be available next Monday/Tuesday provided her checkup and spay go well!