Looks like an update on Mr. P is more than overdue, apparently excuses aren't limitless Parker is doing well, having fun, and feeling even more comfortable here. He loves going to Woof Dah and has expanded his circle of friends beyond just those who pat on him.

Parker adores participating in RAGOM meet & greet events. I mentioned earlier that he's got nice leash manners on our regular walks, something that people who've met him at an event might be scratching their heads over... he turns into some kind of wild child, pulling like a tow truck toward new visitors who need a chance to give him pats -- whether they know it or not! Good thing he's such a gentleman when he gets to his intended victim, FM's the only one to experience his strength & determination. Thank you to Janet for this pic of Mr. P getting into the holiday spirit at the Rochester Petco a couple of weeks ago!

Now that we've got your attention (again)... here's a summary of the Parker I know today:

• Excellent house manners, let's you know when he needs to visit a tree, no counter surfing, prefers dog beds to people furniture.
• Parker does fine on a tie-out and can even unwind himself from around a tree! I'm sure he'd do well with an invisible fence or even boundary training. A fenced yard isn't required -- and might even be a draw back. His previous foster mentioned that he jumped their fence a couple of times. Turned out he wasn't jumping the fence, he was climbing over it! So if you've got a privacy fence, Mr P would be safe. But for chain link or other type he could squish a paw into, a tie-out would still be needed at least until he could be boundary trained.
• Currently living harmoniously with 2 other dogs and 1 cat. Although it took about 6 weeks, he's now comfortable enough here to join the resident dogs in full contact wrestle mania! The games certainly aren't lengthy events (no young pups around here) but they all have fun and I get a kick out of watching 210 pounds of dogs trying to wrestle on a 5'x8' area rug!
• I think Mr. P would be happiest with someone who's retired or otherwise home more than they're away as he seems to have mild separation anxiety. He doesn't do any damage but does empty the toy basket -- stuffed dog toys all over the place! In addition, if I leave shoes by the door, I'll usually find them on a dog bed, or maybe in his mouth when he meets me at the door! Again, no damage, not even much slobber, but a sign that he was stressed.
• Parker'd be a great therapy dog. If you have a friend or relative in a nursing home Parker would be thrilled to go visit them with you.
• Now that it's apparent we're going to have real MN winter let me tell you one advantage of a Golden Lab mix. Everybody knows purebred Goldens have that pretty feathering on their legs & under-carriage while Labs are sleeker with their short coats. Well, last winter I fostered another Golden Lab mix and after walking 3 dogs on the one day sloppy with sand and melting snow... the foster's paws barely needed to be dried off while both resident dogs deserved full baths. I never realized the wicking power of long fur until experiencing the joy of a dog with a short coat!
• To remain comfortable & active, Parker will need to continue taking Rimadyl or other vet prescribed medication. Rimadyl isn't cheap but reputable online sources & generics are available if cost might be an issue.

I'm actually a bit surprised Mr. P is still hanging out with us. Everyone who meets him is impressed by what a nice dog he is & how much he likes people. I'd love to see this former stray have his own new family in time to celebrate the holidays! Contact your placement adviser!!

Time for another update on Mr. P! Life hasn't been as exciting this past week, good thing I forgot to mention a number of things last time.

• LOVES walks! Races down the stairs & can hardly wait for his turn to get leashed up. Good leash manners, pulls a bit until the initial excitement subsides... about the time we're out of the cul de sac. Likes to stop for the occasional serious sniffing but haven't seen him try to score any snacks of unknown origin.
• Active dream life, I've never seen a dog with so many twitching, paddling paw phases to his naps :)
• Very sensitive guy, he takes almost any correction very seriously. When it's time for bedtime cookies, my dogs line up nicely (something they taught themselves) but Parker jumped the line a couple of times resulting in one of my dogs barking in his face. Now he won't even join the pack. But don't feel too sorry for him, he gets treats delivered to him on the dog bed where he's waiting. However, it does mean he's pretty sensitive if I'm the one doing the yelling, even if it's at the resident dogs. Guess the cowering to make himself smaller shouldn't be unexpected from a dog with buckshot in his leg :( Coming to RAGOM as a "stray" from Iowa, we know nothing about his background. But the cringing behavior -- and having been shot -- gives you a pretty good idea what his life was probably like.
• Perfectly house trained, comes & sits by me & stares until I figure out he's not there just for the patting.
• Mild storm anxiety. With the lack of rain this year it's difficult to judge the extent of it, but the one storm since he's been here had him up pacing & panting. I was up with him for part of it and there wasn't any noticeable rain or thunder here, but lightening off in the distance kept him restless.

Parker has been back to Woof Dah and I'm pretty sure he loves it! Even on only his 2nd visit he was excited to be there & couldn't wait to get back to the play area. Judge for yourself -- is this the face of an unhappy dog?

 

I think Mr. P was pretty bored last weekend without any events in town. Good thing there's a meet & greet at the Highland Park Chuck & Don's on Saturday so he can catch up on pats & scratches! If you're in the area please stop by & say hi, be sure to have your patting hand warmed up!