Happy Spring pretty girl! In memory of Buddy/ Ben 11-071 
The next time she surprised us, was the second night when Foster Dad put a leash on her and she willingly went for a walk around the block with him and the other dogs. We just about fell over, as Missy had not moved out of her spot for two days, except when she went outside, and then it was to another spot to lay motionless. Since that time, She has begun going for two or three walks around the block daily, along with time in the backyard.A couple of days ago, as Foster Dad approached her in the backyard with the other dogs following him, she jumped up from her snow hole and ran towards them, anticipating the walk. She almost reached them and then realized what she was doing, and veered off in the other direction. She quick dug a hole in the snow and put her head face down into it like an ostrich would. Foster Dad put a leash on her and she began willingly walking with him and the other dogs as seen in the photo. It was a touching moment to see her trying so hard to join the pack.
Yesterday, we took her for a walk on the Bay with our other four dogs, and a friend and his dog. Missy actually wagged her tail as we went out onto the ice and had a fun afternoon.We gave her a bath and spend some time each day gently brushing Missy and talking to her. She has begun to look at you, and although lying down, her head and shoulders are propped up now, rather than cowering in the corner. Here she is after her first bath:
We have been gradually getting Missy to eat and drink this week. She has built up to eating a can of hearty chicken soup with a cup of kibble at a time, when we are not looking of course; we are transitioning her to regular dog kibble. At the Vet, she weighed in at just under 60 pounds -- it will be awhile before we can determine an appropriate weight for her; she needs to recover from not eating or drinking during the days when she moved from the commercial breeder to our home. Missy is up to date on her vaccinations and is physically healthy in all other respects. She does have worms and will be treated for those during the coming week. She will have her spay surgery in about a month. We look forward to getting to know Missy better and will keep you posted. This will be the last entry for my beautiful girl, Jojo. It is with a greater sense of loss than my words can express, the hole left in my heart at her passing. Hemangiosarcoma has claimed another one of our Goldens. I was there and held her sweet sugar face in my hands as she peacefully slipped away. I told her to find her companion Buddy/Ben 11-071 she lost a year ago last April. I know he is waiting for her at the Bridge.
Missy touched many lives with her adventures on the loose in Finland, MN. It was because of her unwillingness to be caught in a live trap that a wonderful volunteer Greg J invented the now infamous "Missy Trap" that has gone nationwide and caught untold numbers of lost dogs. I guess you could say Missy is a legend! But to me she was my girl....she taught me so much and helped me to find patience I never thought possible. She made me a better foster and a better person.
Thank you to RAGOM for getting in this girl and giving her a chance at the good life. Thank you to all who sponsored her, read about her and loved her from afar. Her life started out about as bad as it could have but her last four years were spent in car rides to the lake, walking everyday with her pack, helping each new foster dog, chewing on bones and perfectingly catching popcorn and of course being loved, which is what she always wanted.
Missy/Jojo you were loved beyond words and will never leave my heart.
One of my favorite pictures of sweet sugar face.
Merry Christmas Missy! From Annie 12-425, John and Mary.
You are a beautiful and brave girl, Missy!" -Beau 14-117 and the Myers Family 
"Best wishes." -Anonymous friend
Happy Easter JoJo from RD in SD, you are a true "golden" girl!
Happy Valentine's Day, Missy/JoJo! How far your have come! A true representation of what rescue is all about! Rona and Tim
Happy Holidays to Missy and her caring family - from Curt and Betty Gumbrell
Merry Christmas from Santa to the Golden Seniors!
Happy Valentines Day Missy from Jessie 13-324
Big Kiss to the Golden Seniors----Anonymous
The last photo shows Missy leaning against the couch and sleeping, while I am reading. Her safe spot in the livingroom has been on the floor next to a chair on the other side of the room. Missy has joined me next to the couch several times now. This tells me she is feeling safe being next to me (but I still can't touch her).
Missy is a former puppy mill mama and is learning to trust humans gradually. She had a set-back last week, which is common. The PM girls take baby steps, sometimes forward and sometimes backward. After consulting with her vet, we decided to try giving her an anti-anxiety med, to help her relax during transition from life inside a commercial breeding facility, to the 'Golden' life as a RAGOM dog. Potential adopters will need to have the patience and willingness to nurture Missy slowly -- it will take time.
We find that puppy mill dogs don't know what a treat is about, so the other dogs have to clue them in. Missy still won't try a treat, but she does act interested when the other dogs do, because she knows something is up. Here is Missy on the right, with foster Gypsy (12-414) in the middle, and our resident Jack, carefully watching Foster Dad's every step, since he had food.
Missy is scheduled for her spay surgery next week. I always look forward to our unspayed fosters reaching this milestone, as it signals an end to a life of being used as a breeding and nursing mom, and onto feeling better and living the RAGOM 'Golden Life.' Missy is still often hunched with her tail between her legs, but I did catch a shot of her completely outstretched and lost in the view outside the windows. Isn't she a beauty? After she regains her health, her fur will likely grow out and shine!
As you can start to see, Missy is a long, lankey beauty waiting to unfurl. She could not move from her corner for several days when she first arrived at our home, and would not eat or drink. Then, with some coaxing from the other dogs and Foster Dad, she went from walking around the block twice a day, to joining the rest of the pack with piling in the car and heading out to the woods for long walks twice a day. She explores just like the rest of the crew!! And, she eats all of her kibble. Okay, we had to get her going with chicken breast and sliced turkey, but it didn't take her long to join the rest of the pack in anticipating meal time, and crunching down when presented with the opportunity.She is very good about holding her potty until outside. I don't think we had any accidents with her. Missy is a quiet, well-behaved dog. She doesn't bark and does whatever we ask her to do. She gets along with all of the other dogs, which tells us she doesn't feel the need to be the pack leader; just wants to get along.It is soooooo gratifying to see her upright and moving. With the deep snow, the dogs have made paths throughout the backyard and Missy loves to RUN down the paths! We can't wait to see her when the snow is gone and the whole backyard is green grass and trees.