Mr. Monroe has returned to RAGOM. Turned out the resident dog and he couldn't figure things out. While it's always disappointing when things don't work out, I was excited to see him and am even more determined to find his FOREVER family.
He is still a peanut of a guy weighing in around 29 lbs. The vets think he will max out around 45 lbs as an adult! I call him my pocket Golden. :)
He is healthy as can be, all healed up from his neutering, and even enrolled in obedience class.
Monroe has been back with me for a few days while I pondered what type of forever home would best fit him. The main thing I have been trying to figure out is if he would do best in a multi-dog family or as the only dog. It has been difficult for me to decide as he loves playing with other dogs. I have 3 resident males here who he does well with for the most part and yesterday we went to a dog party at another RAGOM volunteer's house where there were 9 dogs. He did quite well. He enjoyed wrestling with a fellow golden puppy (who was a few months older but nearly twice his weight). After that we went and had a BBQ and for some reason he started getting grumpy with the 2 other dogs. I am not sure what his reasoning was......if he was trying to stake out the kitchen, if he was tired, or just grumpy.
So, I think Roe Roe would do best without any other full time dogs in the house. (ADDENDUM FROM FOSTER MOM: Monroe has improved and evolved so much that you have to keep reading his updates below to see how his interaction with other dogs has changed!) At the same time, I feel it's VERY important that he gets TONS of playtime and socialization with other dogs. After all, he is only 6 months and we don't know what the first 4 months of his life were like. What I don't want, is for his forever family to avoid bringing Monroe around other dogs because he might protect a toy here or there. I want a family who is willing to work with him on this. Maybe he will end up learning there is no need to guard toys from other dogs, maybe not, but I want him to have people who are dedicated to help him be the best dog he can be. (As a side note, he never guards from people and will let me take toys and food away without a problem)
He would also LOVE to do agility I think. With his compact body he has quite some moves when he is playing and he's got the energy for it. It would be a great way for him to be around other dogs, bound with his forever family, and burn off energy. He is also a very smart little boy so working his little mind will be good for him
I mentioned before, but I think it is worth mentioning again, that Monroe can be vocal sometimes. If you are looking for a dog who never barks...it's not him. He's not as obnoxious as the resident Sheltie....but can feel it necessary to join in if he hears another dog barking. This too is something I think can be worked with.
Monroe is great about going into his crate for nighttime and often sleeps 9-10 hours. I LOVE that about him as I love to sleep. :)
He also is really good with kids (the family who adopted him has a 6 and an 8 yr old who they said he did great with).
So...a quick run down of what he is looking for in his forever family:
- No other full time dogs but someone who will make sure he continues to get socialization and play time with other dogs
- Kids are fine....he loves them
- Fenced or unfenced yard
- People who will work with him to fine tune a few things via obedience school and consistency
- Ideally...someone who is OK with dogs on the couch because he loves to snuggle up there. :)
If you would like to meet Monroe, please contact your placement advisor.