Willie 08-105

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Our new foster boy, Willie, arrived here in Sioux Falls, SD yesterday (Sunday). He traveled very well. Since I am having computer problems, no photos attached yet.

Willie, what a nice boy. Willie is 6 years old and yes, has some distinguishing "highlights" on his face. Willie is not neutered yet due to heartworm. He had his first vet appointment today and a new blood draw and results will come tomorrow sometime. He was very well behaved at the vet office, he was microchipped, etc. and did very good. Willie has a nice coat and is about 60#. He is just a little on the thin side, however his appetite is good here! Willie blended very well with 3 other resident dogs and 3 cats.

This boy has one of the nicest 'gates' I have seen. He really prances when he is out in the fenced in backyard checking out all the new smells. Willie loves nose kisses! He takes treats very gently. I believe he is probably quite confused (I would be!) now.

Not sure of his real beginning, and later on was adopted from a shelter and did fine however, was returned due to HW positive results back from the shelter. Willie was then evaluated and taken home from the shelter a few days prior to coming here to get this poor guy out of the shelter. That was so wonderful for him. Willie was quite stressed at the shelter and who would not be? He had a seizure the morning of the day the RAGOM volunteer took him home.

At the vet appointment today, we are learning that it was more caused from a stress factor at this time however, we will of course watch him very close. I can' t imagine being in a home for 6+ months, adopted from a shelter (stress) and then RETURNED because of a heartworm positive test! So back at the shelter....

Willie is going to be one of those goldens who fit quite well anywhere I have a feeling. Getting along with 6 new buddies, a new mom and dad and a long road trip plus more vetting and he is just a doll! Wow, what a boy.

We are very happy to have this great guy in our home to foster. He slept very quiet last night on a big doggie bed/blankets by me and did not make a sound. He was dreaming this morning, how cute was that? Little soft whimpers....I hope they were good dreams.

More news to come soon on vet results and the therapy we will start. Willie also knows all of the basic commands and listens very well (perhaps he had been corrected in a physical way also as he has cowered a little bit too, poor guy).

At a Glance #08-105

Golden Retriever Born: August 2002
Male Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

Our new foster boy, Willie, arrived here in Sioux Falls, SD yesterday (Sunday). He traveled very well. Since I am having computer problems, no photos attached yet.

Willie, what a nice boy. Willie is 6 years old and yes, has some distinguishing "highlights" on his face. Willie is not neutered yet due to heartworm. He had his first vet appointment today and a new blood draw and results will come tomorrow sometime. He was very well behaved at the vet office, he was microchipped, etc. and did very good. Willie has a nice coat and is about 60#. He is just a little on the thin side, however his appetite is good here! Willie blended very well with 3 other resident dogs and 3 cats.

This boy has one of the nicest 'gates' I have seen. He really prances when he is out in the fenced in backyard checking out all the new smells. Willie loves nose kisses! He takes treats very gently. I believe he is probably quite confused (I would be!) now.

Not sure of his real beginning, and later on was adopted from a shelter and did fine however, was returned due to HW positive results back from the shelter. Willie was then evaluated and taken home from the shelter a few days prior to coming here to get this poor guy out of the shelter. That was so wonderful for him. Willie was quite stressed at the shelter and who would not be? He had a seizure the morning of the day the RAGOM volunteer took him home.

At the vet appointment today, we are learning that it was more caused from a stress factor at this time however, we will of course watch him very close. I can' t imagine being in a home for 6+ months, adopted from a shelter (stress) and then RETURNED because of a heartworm positive test! So back at the shelter....

Willie is going to be one of those goldens who fit quite well anywhere I have a feeling. Getting along with 6 new buddies, a new mom and dad and a long road trip plus more vetting and he is just a doll! Wow, what a boy.

We are very happy to have this great guy in our home to foster. He slept very quiet last night on a big doggie bed/blankets by me and did not make a sound. He was dreaming this morning, how cute was that? Little soft whimpers....I hope they were good dreams.

More news to come soon on vet results and the therapy we will start. Willie also knows all of the basic commands and listens very well (perhaps he had been corrected in a physical way also as he has cowered a little bit too, poor guy).

Updates

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Mr. Willie man. He is doing just great. Willie continues to be absolutely wonderful. Willie sure enjoys his truck/car rides whenever he can get one (makes up for the fact we cannot take him on walks yet due to the HW treatments). Check out the scenery, rests, and plain loves to go! He always does so wonderful with visitors, the rest of the group here and just a super Golden. When a dog like that, once he is invited, will curl up and sleep by you and lay his head on your chest and just enjoy the company and go to sleep. No noises at all during the night. Willie is such a people lover and just wants to please and please and be together. Such a wonderful Golden and again, we are so very fortunate to foster such a gentle, beautiful, loving boy.

Good news! Mr. Willie has in fact FOUND his forever home! A most wonderful family has traveled many miles and hours to meet this great dog and has decided, with his HW treatment, seizures, and all, for Willie to be their forever companion. They are getting the best dog ever and he in turn, is getting one of the most lovely, warm, kind doggie home you could ever want! Our boy will of course, not be able to go “home” until the end of April or so. Such a hard wait for this new family too! Gosh, that has to be so incredibly hard to find “your” rescue dog forever and cannot take him home for a month! How about that for such a wonderful rescue group? This is what it is all about. We offer our homes for rescuing Golden Retrievers, we meet the most wonderful people-families to place a rescued Golden, and it all comes together in an almost magical way with time and patience and true dedication on both parts….did I mention a good group of rescue folks too?

Willie will have his second set of injections first part of April, about 3 weeks later he will be neutered and then he is good to go to this wonderful home and begin his last and best home for the rest of his life. How good can it get? We have grown very attached to this wonderful companion and so love him!

 

Monday, March 17, 2008

Mr. Willie boy is doing great.

Here is an absolutely wonderful, content, loyal, loving, bright dog! Even when he is interested in something else, you call him, and immediately, he will stop what he is doing and come to your call. This is a boy that when ever you go, he would love to ride along too! Ok, yep, this is a super bed partner too! Willie just waits for you to get in, and up he comes once invited or sometimes not, head by you and just ready for the whole night of snuggling and sleep. When he gets warm, he just moves over. Not a peep all night. (no snoring, bonus!) Cats are up and down the bed and no problem—just so content to be side by side with us.

Willie waits for the ‘jingle’ of kibble early in the morning, and off we go! First potty and then breakfast time! Everyone of the crew has their stations and eats in harmony. Willie has a good appetite and not fussy. He eats two times a day with a snack at lunch. Willie does enjoy his large rubber bone, the harder bones and just plain something good to chew….otherwise, just relax and be content…

He will sit and wait for a treat and behaves so wonderfully. This is a super great golden to have around! He so wants to please, make sure you are ok, be where you are, and he does not startle with anything. Not velcro, just happy to be by you. Just a real ‘companion’ if there ever was one. If you will let him, he would be happy to sit by you on the couch/chair, invitation only. (We do not here).

Willie is very good with all the cats, they rub him, dive over him, and do what kitties do. We have one who likes to have ‘nuts’ time and hide under the bed and sometimes there is Willie, laying down with his butt up in the air, looking under the bed at him until ‘crazy time’ concludes!

Never had an accident in the home. He will go stand at the door or just go out with the other troops. There are several dogs around us neighboring our yard and he does not run out and bark at all (just when all ours decide to have a chorus scene!)

Typical golden, Willie will go outside and roll on the snow! Yeah man, that feels pretty good! Again, this boy has the most beautiful ‘gate’ and ‘prance’---so pretty. I can’t wait until our HW ordeal is behind us and we can go for walks again. He will be awesome to take. This is a golden who can be with all our grandkids or not, lots of people, or not, cats or not. Can’t ask for more than that! Willie of course, is getting quite attached to me. We have so much together time because we cannot go for the walks and exercise yet. He adapted quickly to our routine and does just fine. Everyone has the run of the house when we are at work, no problems.

Willie did have another seizure a few days ago. They last for a short time, I hold him and then he gets up like nothing happened. Many goldens have this trait/problem. Mr. Will is currently on phenobarbitol 2X a day. So far, everything is going great. Blood tests so far have come out fine. It sounds like he will be fine on this med. Willie has had a tough first 6 years or so and poor guy maybe just too stressed yet, not sure. Willie will have a re-evaluation in 3 weeks after being on phenobarbitol and also a second and final HW injection. About 3 weeks or so after that Mr. Willie can be neutered.

Willie is such a kind, gentle, loving wonderful boy. He needs a home with someone who can really appreciate how far he has come, who understands goldens, and wants one of the best buddies in their life! So, if there is a family who wants a very loyal, obedient, kind, warm and loving boy, have I got a golden for you……Willie deserves so very much and we love fostering this magnificent boy.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Willie is doing absolutely wonderful. He had his first round of heartworm injections; there will be a second and final set in a month. Willie had a second seizure the evening after having the second injection and we have come to the conclusion that they are "stress" related, poor boy. Had a blood work-up done and levels are good.

Prior to Willie coming here, he had a seizure in the shelter where he was. Now this second one was after being brought to vet clinic early in the morning, had injection (which was fine) and then stayed in a kennel all day at the vet clinic to be 'observed.' Being left in a shelter-type situation literally breaks his heart and he cannot stand the fear. That is so sad when you think of his past and how he may have been in and out of a shelter a few times and just cannot take it anymore. Breaks my heart, too. So that is the sad news about Willie. We have not had anything since the vet office whatsoever.

Now, a word I would like to use for this magnificant boy is "Loyal". Willie listens very well. He has met several dogs in the past week here (rescues) and he does fine. He is fine with the cats. One of them he likes to have a stare-down with under the bed....they both have their butts up....so cute! So cats are perfectly fine...young children and just about any age is wonderful, too. He really likes my oldest grandson who is 12. Really loves my mom for pets, too. Pets are just the best! Willie is not scared of any sudden noises, he is quiet and does not bark unless 'everyone else outside is!' He enjoys the backyard (have to keep him quiet due to HW) and the Golden "roll" on the snow! I had walked him two times prior to his HW treatment and what a champ! Willie also is in very good shape, weight and again, has a 'gaite' that is totally awesome...

Now, he is a super snuggler/bed partner. Not a noise all night! If he gets warm, he will go down on the doggie bed or a large blanket. This is such a great boy. He loves people...other pets and yes, lots of attention. This is one well-behaved Golden who needs a true Golden home who loves to be loved! He will shower you with attention, frosted muzzle and soft brown eyes. Willie LOVES to ride in the car/truck. Loves to go. He is so well behaved you can take him just about anywhere. Of course this is difficult now to experiment with due to his HW treatment, but that will be done in about 40 days or so and then he will be neutered.

Willie is about 60# or so, is fed 2X a day and everyone respects their food stations and there is no guarding whatsoever. He has a soft dark red coat and is just a total lover. I have a feeling he had a rough start in life for the first few years, but is great now, and will make an awesome Golden addition. We just love him. Willie gives from his 'heart' for sure...a Golden love-bug!!!