Luke 07-563

Profile

Sponsored by:

Rick S.

Luke has been with us for a week. The "good" news is he has all those basic traits that we see in Golden Retrievers. He is friendly and obedient with his human counterparts. He responds well to commands, and will walk up, and sit, while you put a leash or a Gentle Leader on him. He walks well on a leash, and also runs well on a leash, while I'm jogging.

He also is in excellent health, and except for a premature grey mask, looks and acts, years younger than his real age. He gets along well with our three resident dogs. Normally, it takes a new dog about three days to transition to our home, and feel comfortable. It took Luke less than two days.

Luke was adopted thru RAGOM, by his SO, when he was two; he's now seven, and it's obvious that they trained, and treated him well. The "bad" news is that Luke has at times been aggressive around other dogs. The SO has had three incidents, and we've had one incident of him being aggressive with other dogs. We've also had three times where he's met other dogs, and showed no aggression. Therefore, we've tried to error on the side of caution with his dog interactions. We hope to learn more about his dog aggression tendencies, and find a way to treat or manage his actions.

Even though he is not perfect, his "typical Golden traits", far outnumber his weakness, and he would make someone a wonderful companion. I predict that he's a "two weeker", meaning that he will find his furever home in a couple of weeks. You know that if he was perfect, and you adopted him, you would feel as though you missed out on the challenge of molding him into the dog that you want him to be.

At a Glance #07-563

Golden Retriever	Born: September 2005
Male	Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

Sponsored by:

Rick S.

Luke has been with us for a week. The "good" news is he has all those basic traits that we see in Golden Retrievers. He is friendly and obedient with his human counterparts. He responds well to commands, and will walk up, and sit, while you put a leash or a Gentle Leader on him. He walks well on a leash, and also runs well on a leash, while I'm jogging.

He also is in excellent health, and except for a premature grey mask, looks and acts, years younger than his real age. He gets along well with our three resident dogs. Normally, it takes a new dog about three days to transition to our home, and feel comfortable. It took Luke less than two days.

Luke was adopted thru RAGOM, by his SO, when he was two; he's now seven, and it's obvious that they trained, and treated him well. The "bad" news is that Luke has at times been aggressive around other dogs. The SO has had three incidents, and we've had one incident of him being aggressive with other dogs. We've also had three times where he's met other dogs, and showed no aggression. Therefore, we've tried to error on the side of caution with his dog interactions. We hope to learn more about his dog aggression tendencies, and find a way to treat or manage his actions.

Even though he is not perfect, his "typical Golden traits", far outnumber his weakness, and he would make someone a wonderful companion. I predict that he's a "two weeker", meaning that he will find his furever home in a couple of weeks. You know that if he was perfect, and you adopted him, you would feel as though you missed out on the challenge of molding him into the dog that you want him to be.

Updates

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

It is with great pleasure that I announce the adoption of Luke! He will get to continue carrying around stuffed animals, pillows, leashes, and sacks of potatoes in front of Carlie and me.....because we are the ones adopting him. Due in part to his history of conflict with other dogs and his ability to jump fences to harass those dogs, and since he gets along so well with Carlie and fits into our lifestyle so well, I decided to keep him with us and not risk something bad happening to him or others in another new home. Thanks to all the wonderful families who were interested in this great boy and to everyone who read his updates.

Luke celebrating after getting the news that he was being adopted

Luke & Carlie enjoying a warm summer day

Lovable Luke

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Well, I’m finally getting around to sending in another update on Luke. Things got a little busy around here so I’m a little behind, but I am happy to report that he is still doing just great. I don’t think he could fit in more perfectly! What a wonderful, long-haired, white-faced, tail-wagging, well-mannered and handsome boy he is!

Carlie, Luke and I moved recently and he has taken it all in stride. New house. New yard. New neighborhood. New squirrels. He has been fine with all of it. And he might actually be enjoying some of the changes, as well. But it is a little hard to tell because he tends to always be happy. Especially if he is with his favorite people and there is something nearby that he can carry in his mouth.

Carlie and Luke after a busy day of moving

Luke's happy face....enjoying a rare sunny day

Luke's sad face....as daddy leaves for work

As I’ve stated before, he LOVES to carry things around in his mouth….especially when he gets excited about something. He rarely chews on the items though, which is nice. He just likes to carry them around. Here are some of the things I’ve seen him carry around since he has been with me. Stuffed animals…..most often several at a time, clothing….often mixed with stuffed animals, a sack of potatoes, shoes….everything from beat up tennis shoes to dress shoes, banana peels, heavy blankets, Nerf footballs…..and I’m sure there will be something new to add to the list tomorrow.

Other than carrying things around, Luke’s loves include: belly rubs, sitting in parked cars, people, walks in the park, Carlie, lakes and streams, and riding in cars. Luke has certainly been an entertaining and welcome addition to the home!!

Carlie and Luke waiting patiently

Luke relaxing

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Hi Everybody! This is Luke and I decided to give you a quick update on how things have been going for me lately. Things are going great! I am having so much fun with my new foster family and I love the resident girl, Carlie. She and I get along great! Foster Dad told me that Carlie will sometimes grumble when she meets a dog she doesn’t know or when a dog that she does know kind of annoys her. Well, I am happy to report, and Foster Dad will back me up on this, that Carlie has not grumbled once around me. Not once! Who says I don’t get along with other dogs? Carlie and I are doing great together!

Foster Dad, Carlie and I go to the park every day, which is a lot of fun! There are lakes there for me to dip my toes in, too. I don’t go in too deep, though. I’m still not sure about this whole swimming thing, so I just kind of walk around in the water and drink it. But maybe I’ll be brave and give swimming a try one of these days.

Foster Dad said he really gets a kick out of it when I get excited and run and get several items to carry around in my mouth with my tail wagging a hundred miles a minute. He said it reminds him of what his girl, Katie, used to do. I especially love to gather items to carry when Foster Dad first wakes up in the morning and also when he comes home from wherever it is that he goes. But I’ll do it other times I get excited, too.

I don’t like to toot my own horn but Foster Dad told me that I am about as easy to care for as any dog he has ever been around. He is surprised by how quiet I am. He said he loves that I am so easy to walk and that I am always happy. And everyone I’ve met since joining my foster family just raves about how adorable I am.

Gotta go, Foster Dad is calling me. Thanks for reading about me!

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Luke moved to a new foster home recently and things could not have gone any better! He made the transition to his new home very quickly and I really can’t say enough good things about my newest family member. His first night was a little crazy, though. Apparently, he was too excited to sleep. And he didn’t want me to sleep either. The first night, rather than sleep like Carlie and I were trying to do, he spent most of the night walking along side the bed to show me what he had in his mouth. The first fifty or so times he did this, I thought it was kind of cute. But I was tired and, eventually, I did fall asleep. But, when I woke up, he was right there with something else in his mouth to show me. He LOVES to carry things around in his mouth (stuffed toys, clothes, a dog collar….basically anything that he can get into his mouth that isn’t a ball since he has no interest in balls).

Ever since that first night, however, Luke has slept like a baby. He usually starts out on the bed next to Carlie and me, but sometimes he will move down to the floor during the night. I never hear a peep out of him though. Ever. He is literally quieter than the mice that sometimes sneak into the house.

Luke checked in at 60 lbs yesterday, which is about perfect for him. He loves car rides and he walks nicely on a leash. He is very well-mannered. He comes when his name is called….assuming he has left my side to begin with. He loves hugs, kisses and snuggling. He is very sweet and lovable. He is not overly energetic, but he isn’t a couch potato either. He basically wants to be with me no matter what I am doing. He gets along great with resident girl Carlie, too! Most dogs annoy Carlie at least at some point, but not Luke. Carlie accepted Luke right away, which is extremely rare for her. And Luke took to Carlie right away, too. He seems to have a lot of respect for Carlie

I have heard and read that Luke has had a couple incidents with dogs in the past, especially small ones. But I have not seen any aggressive behavior from him at all. He really seems to be comfortable and confident here in his new environment and having a “big sister” like Carlie around possibly helps him feel that way.

Because Luke will occasionally see dogs whose company he does not enjoy, he should have a physical fence at his forever home just to keep the dogs safe. Also, a home without cats and small dogs makes sense. He does not need to be the only dog in the home, though, although he would do fine if that were the case, but he would also do well with a confident older dog like he has now with Carlie .

That’s it for now. More to come. Thanks for reading about Lovable Luke!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Gypsy sends her love to you, Luke! Happy Valentine's Day!

Thursday, January 31, 2013

In Memory of Bruce from Friends of Flicka

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Happy New Year from former RAGOM dog Andy 07-406

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Luke has been enjoying playing in the snow with his fur buddies!

Getting plenty of exercise makes Luke sleepy in the evenings.

Going for regular walks with Foster Dad and fur-sibs Jack, Cutter, Mollie and Gypsy is something Luke looks forward to. He is more than willing to sit nice while being leashed.

Luke would thrive in a situation where he had a consistent strong leader so he could relax and just be the carefree dog he would like to be. If you think you might be a match for him, let your placement advisor know. Luke is being moved to the Twin Cities area, so would be easy to meet & greet, if that is where you live.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Luke is doing great with obedience training. When he gets distracted by something, we tell him to "leave it", then "come" and "watch me". We are proceeding slowly to increase Luke's confidence and obedience to our commands. An experienced dog trainer is assisting us in this effort. Through proper training and a secure home environment, we expect Luke to gain confidence and learn to ignore other dogs encountered on walks. Occasional fear of other dogs is Luke's only issue, and we are helping him to overcome that.

Another foster dog, puppy mill mama Gypsy 12-414, joined our pack last week, and has become fast friends with Luke. They enjoy playing and sleeping together, and she sometimes will be seen straddling over him while he is laying down, in a typical 'puppy mill' stance.

In his previous life, Luke accompanied his owners cross-country skiing with a back pack. Here is a photo the owner sent.

Luke is a healthy and handsome mid-aged dog with a loving and obedient personality. He even gets out of your way in the kitchen!

Luke would like to thank fellow 2007 RAGOM dog, Andy 07-406, for the vote of support with a bell sponsorship, and says, "Happy New Year to you, too!!"

Friday, December 28, 2012

A rather amusing pose that we often see, is Luke with his front paws crossed; he must be comfortable that way.

Luke was well-trained by his previous owner. He sits when asked, takes treats gently, doesn't jump on you, doesn't countersurf, and comes when asked.

Here is Luke enjoying a rawhide treat on the kitchen floor. He sure looks long, doesn't he? It is hard to believe that he is only 57 pounds.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Luke has continued to do very well over the two weeks he has been with us. He had his wellness checkup at the vet’s, including bloodwork check, and everything came back normal. He weighs 57.4 pounds and is up to date on all vaccinations. About three months ago, Luke had a mild seizure at his surrendering owner’s day care; he has not had any other seizures since then. The vet said this was likely an epileptic seizure, which is common in Golden Retrievers. No treatment is necessary, unless the seizures repeat and become more severe. We discussed Luke’s recent incidents of unprovoked aggression toward the surrendering owners’ neighbor’s dog. The surrendering owner stated that this behavior happened two other times with dogs encountered during walks. The vet said the aggression is a learned behavior that can be controlled through training, but will never completely go away, so he should be closely monitored. Training involves learning the "sit" and "stay" commands and misdirection training, which involves breaking the dog’s focus. Luke is great around people and has never shown aggression toward humans. He will bark when someone comes to the door, but calms right down and is very friendly to visitors once they are inside the door. He has mild storm anxiety. Luke has been around cats and acts curious, but has not lived with them. He loves car rides and taking walks. In his previous home, he slept on a dog bed in his owners’ bedroom. In his foster home, he sleeps on our bed and gives Foster Mom a few gentle licks on the cheek when we wake up. Luke loves toys and has a playful attitude. He doesn’t chew on anything, just likes to carry around things. He is a quiet dog and likes to be in the same room as you, but isn’t obsessed with getting attention. He does enjoy being petted and getting a good brush. We have found Luke easy to be with and enjoy his company. We think he is a great dog!