Sadie 15-039

back to Adopted Dogs

Profile

Merry Christmas! In memory of Chance S!  Merry Christmas! In memory of Chance S!

Merry Christmas from Santa to the Golden Seniors!  Merry Christmas from Jacque Hansen

 

In addition to LOVE this dog has the following requirements:
Entered Foster Care Fence Kid Friendly Another Dog Cat Friendly
4/19/2015  Not required   Yes!  Optional No 
This is the most recent information available; however, it may change as we learn more about the dog.


Sweet Sadie joined the RAGOM family with her very good friend Molly 15-038.  They were sadly surrendered to a shelter when their owners were moving and couldn’t take them with.  Molly and Sadie are a bonded pair of dogs, and we would really like to find a home for the two of them together.  When Sadie and Molly first came into RAGOM, they stayed at a boarding facility until a foster home could take them.  The facility took fantastic care of the girls during their stay there and we thank them for all the love and care they received.

Sadie is a 6 year old lab mix who has the heart and soul of a golden retriever.  She weighs about 73 pounds and could lose a bit of weight just to make it easier on her joints.  A few years ago, Sadie was hit by a car and her leg needed to be amputated.  Sadie has completely taken this in stride and it doesn’t hold her back one bit!  She has no restrictions at all and does everything our other dogs do.  Sadie was spayed prior to coming into RAGOM and is up-to-date on all her vaccinations now.  She tested negative for heartworm and is receiving preventatives for ticks and heartworms since it is springtime.  One of Sadie’s favorite things to do is to roll around in the grass outside.  She rolls around and makes all sort of funny, happy sounds.  When I think of both Molly and Sadie, the best words I can think of to describe them are Pure Sweetness.  They both get along well with other dogs, are well mannered in the house, love people of all ages and are very gentle. 


Sadie absolutely LOVES rolling around in the grass!!

As I mentioned before, Sadie and Molly are considered a bonded pair and we would like to see them adopted together.  Honestly, I wasn’t really sure that I believed in the whole idea of a bonded pair prior to their arrival here.  However, watching them interact together, drinking out of a water bowl together (and only together), playing, and constantly supporting each other, is amazing.  I now believe in what a “bonded pair” of dogs is and really hope that there is a wonderful family out there who is interested in both of them. 

We are still learning a lot about Sadie.  Be sure to watch for updates soon as she settles in here even more!  She is one of the sweetest dogs we have ever had the privilege of fostering.

At a Glance #15-039

Mixed Breed Born: January 2009
Female Weight not specified

Status: Adopted

Profile

Merry Christmas! In memory of Chance S!  Merry Christmas! In memory of Chance S!

Merry Christmas from Santa to the Golden Seniors!  Merry Christmas from Jacque Hansen

 

In addition to LOVE this dog has the following requirements:
Entered Foster Care Fence Kid Friendly Another Dog Cat Friendly
4/19/2015  Not required   Yes!  Optional No 
This is the most recent information available; however, it may change as we learn more about the dog.


Sweet Sadie joined the RAGOM family with her very good friend Molly 15-038.  They were sadly surrendered to a shelter when their owners were moving and couldn’t take them with.  Molly and Sadie are a bonded pair of dogs, and we would really like to find a home for the two of them together.  When Sadie and Molly first came into RAGOM, they stayed at a boarding facility until a foster home could take them.  The facility took fantastic care of the girls during their stay there and we thank them for all the love and care they received.

Sadie is a 6 year old lab mix who has the heart and soul of a golden retriever.  She weighs about 73 pounds and could lose a bit of weight just to make it easier on her joints.  A few years ago, Sadie was hit by a car and her leg needed to be amputated.  Sadie has completely taken this in stride and it doesn’t hold her back one bit!  She has no restrictions at all and does everything our other dogs do.  Sadie was spayed prior to coming into RAGOM and is up-to-date on all her vaccinations now.  She tested negative for heartworm and is receiving preventatives for ticks and heartworms since it is springtime.  One of Sadie’s favorite things to do is to roll around in the grass outside.  She rolls around and makes all sort of funny, happy sounds.  When I think of both Molly and Sadie, the best words I can think of to describe them are Pure Sweetness.  They both get along well with other dogs, are well mannered in the house, love people of all ages and are very gentle. 


Sadie absolutely LOVES rolling around in the grass!!

As I mentioned before, Sadie and Molly are considered a bonded pair and we would like to see them adopted together.  Honestly, I wasn’t really sure that I believed in the whole idea of a bonded pair prior to their arrival here.  However, watching them interact together, drinking out of a water bowl together (and only together), playing, and constantly supporting each other, is amazing.  I now believe in what a “bonded pair” of dogs is and really hope that there is a wonderful family out there who is interested in both of them. 

We are still learning a lot about Sadie.  Be sure to watch for updates soon as she settles in here even more!  She is one of the sweetest dogs we have ever had the privilege of fostering.

Updates

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Well - Sadie continues to be a happy, fun-loving foster.  This active retriever makes us laugh everyday with her smarts and determination.  She may be living with only 3 legs - but with the exception of getting tired on long walks - she does everything any other young retriever wants to do.

She is a very regimented girl - and will keep the entire household to a tight schedule if given control.  She wakes up with the sun and is ready to take care of business and get her morning meal organized.  Sadie will also remind you when she feels it would be a good idea to go for a walk, or play fetch, or sit in your lap for a few cuddles.

Sadie also loves to help with errands.  She rides really nicely in the car (for short or long trips) and just hangs out in the backseat.  She does not try to jump over seats or rush the doors when you open them.  Just patiently waits to see what will happen next - and hopes that there may be a treat involved.

The only special medical attention that Sadie requires is a daily dose of Proin to assist with some incontinence (probably a result of being hit by a car a few years ago).  She is at a great weight (aided by fruit/vegetable treats and a lower calorie food), but will benefit from continued high quality food and a daily glucosamine supplement.

This gentle, loving girl adores her foster sister and can generally be found in touching distance of her.  It would be wonderful if she could have a dog friend in her forever home.  Although Sadie needs some time and assistance meeting new dogs, she settles in very quickly and she will let you know when she feel safe and secure.

Just to be clear - Sadie really likes other dogs.  She just doesn't do well in large groups of dogs or with higher strung dogs that may approach her too quickly or bark and carry on in her personal space.  Sadie does not want to be a leader - but if a doggie situation gets too chaotic for her - she will try to step in to correct the dogs that she does not think are behaving properly.  Seriously - she is very easy to read - and as long as she has a human that is alert and aware and can provide her the structure and security she needs - she is relaxed and confident.

A few other random thoughts:

  • Sadie is crate trained and is comfortable in her crate and will kennel on command
  • She sleeps on a bed in the master bedroom and does get free reign of the house when we are gone for 2 - 4 hours at a time
  • She is very voice responsive and knows the basic commands
  • Sadie LOVES to be on her back . . . she rolls around in the grass (I think to scratch since she cannot reach the one side of her body and head) . . . and can often be found sleeping upside down
  • She does eat too fast - so you will want to provide one of the special dishes or one of the ceramic balls - or you can come up with a homemade solution like a big bone in her dish or feeding her from a cupcake pan
  • Sadie would probably like to find a home where she can sleep on the bed with her humans - or be allowed to cuddle on the sofa, but she does not go on the furniture without permission and is not allowed on any furniture (except outside) in her foster home

It really is time for this special pup to find her new family - so please contact your Placement coordinator if you are ready to learn more - and to get lots of love and kisses and laughs everyday!!!

Thursday, October 1, 2015

"With love and best wishes from Beau 14-117." -Ann M

"Black dogs rock! From Patch 10-223" -Michelle H

Friday, September 4, 2015

How did it get to be September?  Goodness.  We have had such a busy summer and apologize for not providing an update before now.

Sadie is doing wonderfully.  She is happy and healthy and so easy to have in our home.  But it is time to find this special girl a forever family!!

Everyone who meets Sadie falls in love with her and is amazed at her spirit and zest for life.  Seriously - there is really nothing "disabled" about this pup.  She wakes up happy . . . plays or chills all day . . . and goes to bed with a big grin on her face.  Sadie plays like a Lab and loves like a Golden.

She had some tummy issues in the first month or so she was with us - but some adjustments to her food (and the addition of a probiotic a few times a week) and she is completely fine and has not had an recurrence.  She has maintained her new, sleeker figure and love love loves to have fresh and dried fruit and vegetables for treats.  She does occasionally try to supplement her diet with some wood chips and sticks . . . but that is her Lab heritage coming through and it does not upset her digestive system.

Sadie discovered toys a month or so ago . . . it was amazing . . . we have baskets of stuffed toys all over the house . . . and for the first part of her stay she never paid any attention.  And then one day . . . she dove into one of the baskets and she was IN LOVE.  She no longer tries to "chew up" the toys - but carries them around like friends and either asks you to play fetch with her - or cuddles them under her chin.  When she is excited she has to have a toy in her mouth now.  The good news is - that this smart cookie has also learned that the stuffed toys stay inside the house - and she will drop at the back door when she wants to go outside.

The resident Golden and Sadie are inseparable - and after a slow introduction of treats and food and toys and bones between them - have had no issues.  We have had another dog friend visit several times - and it took 2 or 3 weekend visits with tethering and selectively crating both dogs for Sadie to warm up to him.  She is not overly impressed with excitable dogs.  But once they each got comfortable - we have been able to have them both off leash.  On the last visit they were able to sit side-by-side for treats and to lay in close proximity and to walk well together.

Sadie continues to love her walks and her play time.  She is NOT a warm weather dog and we keep her walks and her fetch sessions short when it is hot and humid.  But she can walk a little over a mile on a cooler morning.  She self regulates pretty well - and will let you know when she is done playing or ask to go inside the house if she gets to warm outside.  She enjoys time in the yard and hanging out on the patio with her people.  Sadie does want to be outside (only long enough to rid the yard of squirrels and rabbits) on her own.

If you are looking for an easy-going, ball-loving character.  You need to meet Sadie.  You will be mesmerized by her shiny shiny coat and her thoughtful eyes and her resilience!!

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Sadie has been very busy . . . attending Meet and Greets and PetaPaloooza . . .taking her first road trip to WI . . .watching her waistline . . . and mastering her Gentle Leader.She is a very happy dog and always up for an outing or adventure.Below is a set of random information (and a collection of random photos) to help you learn more about the precious girl.

  • Sadie is now down to a very healthy 62 pounds.  She has worked hard to reduce her calorie intake and to up her exercise, and keeping her at a lower weight should help to reduce the strain on her front leg.  She is now able to take much longer walks.
  • High quality food and treats have also given her a wonderful shiny, silky coat.
  • In a prior note I had indicated that Sadie pulls a bit when walking; In the past few weeks we have switched her to a Gentle Leader and really worked on her "heel" command; It is now a pleasure to walk her and she can easily be walked with other dogs; She does still zig-zag a bit - but mostly because her body follows the movement of her head and she is always looking around for squirrels and bunnies . . . 
  • Sadie has had some intermittent diarrhea.  Good news is that she has been tested and does not have any parasites - so we are working on finding the right protein to promote healthy digestion.  She may need an ongoing diet of limited ingredient food and probiotics.
  • She loves people and will gladly greet new friends with a kiss - or climb into their lap for a cuddle.
  • Sadie is a morning girl . . . she usually starts shifting around on her bed and flapping her ears shortly after the sun comes up . . . just thinks everyone should get up so she can walk or play or eat!  On weekdays we have to get up for work - so she is a good backup alarm clock.  On weekends - I sometimes get up and let her out and then she will lay down on her bed again for a few hours - or you can send her back to bed and she will reluctantly lay back down. 
  • She is very very voice responsive and knows her name and quite a few commands (come, kennel, sit, wait, stop, leave it, no, lie down).  Eager to please and learns very quickly.  She is not afraid - but will drop her head and look very guilty if you raise your voice.
  • Sadie does not have storm anxiety - but will look up and listen and want to be close to a dog or human if she hears thunder.  Other loud noises will cause her to startle and back away (like the other day my huge sneeze startled her and she left the kitchen and laid down in the other room).  She was aware of the fireworks - but not reactive - and even went outside with firecrackers popping in the neighborhood.
  • Probably makes sense for Sadie to live with another dog.  She is not anxious - but she definitely looks to my resident for leadership and direction.  Sadie loves to sit or lay right next to her and watches to see what to do.  She needs a dog that is confident and easy-going.
  • Sadie has had lots of good introductions to new dogs and will greet and sniff appropriately and mostly is fine to just have other dogs around; With vocal dogs or dogs with nervous energy - she is less tolerant and will sometimes try to "correct" their behavior;  The key to Sadie and other dogs is giving her a controlled/secure period to "warm up" to the new dog; She is not a leader by nature and her insecurity can manifest in some snarkiness with new dogs;
  • We have not seen any inappropriate chewing, and while she is very interested in human food (sniffs the air and lays down and stares while you are eating), there has been no counter-surfing or garbage-diving;  She will chew up stuffed toys and destroy tennis balls if she is left to play with them after her game of fetch is over; 
  • Sadie has been crate trained in this foster home and is crated for a normal workday (with a short mid-day walk from the dog walker); She doesn't mind the crate - and will kennel on command - but would prefer to have free roam so she can be close to the other dog;  She has been left in the house for short periods of time outside the kennel and there have been no issues;
  • We drove to WI a few weekends ago and Sadie did really well in the car.  Shared the backseat with my resident Golden and mostly just chilled.  She will bump the windows with her nose if she wants you to open them so she can sniff and then will lay back down.  She also sat up and stared at me in the mirror to let me know she needed a potty break.  No anxiety at all from her in visiting a new home and spending the night on a different dog bed.  As always - just wanted to be touching myself or my resident Golden.
  • Sadie is not very vocal.  She will bark when people and dogs walk by the fenced yard - but usually just a few bursts and then runs to the fence to sniff.  She does not bark when people or dogs walk by the big picture window (and we are in a high-traffic neighborhood).  She will sometimes bark a bit when we drive by a walking dog - but does not bark when the car is parked and we are doing errands.

Let your placement coordinator know if you have questions or want to learn more about this sweet girl with the huge golden heart!

Friday, June 5, 2015

Hi Sadie fans - sorry we have been so quiet. But our girl has had a busy few weeks - getting used to life in the city and life in a new foster home without her pal Molly (15-038).

We did a trial separation with Sadie and Molly starting in mid May, and learned that while both girls really enjoy other dogs, they did not specifically need one another. And in fact - we have seen both of their personalities shine with time apart.

Sadie is a happy, attention-loving, cuddly pup. Her three-legged view of the world does not diminish her ability or her enthusiasm for fun and adventure.

She loves to go for walks, ride in the car, and chase/fetch tennis balls (or any ball) until she lays down at your feet with her tongue hanging out and a huge smile on her face.

Sadie does not have any limitations as it relates to stairs or surfaces. She can handle both the carpeted and hardwood stairs in our home, and does fine on the cement and tile as well. She can hop in and out of a car or SUV and easily leaps onto tall beds. Sadie LOVES soft surfaces to curl up (dog beds, fluffy rugs) and has let me know several times that she would very much like to have a new home where she is allowed on the people furniture and beds.

While she is in this foster home - we have agreed to a compromise with regard to the furniture . . . she will put her front half up in your lap. She seems to be very comfortable in this position - with her chest supported on your legs. You do run the risk of being licked to death while you are giving her scratches and pats . . .

Sadie is still getting used to all of the noises in our city neighborhood (school buses, construction, kids zipping by the fence on scooters and bikes), and every once in awhile a loud noise will startle her. But generally - she just lifts her head from whatever she is doing and listens and looks - and then lays back down. She will do the same with thunder - but have not seen any real storm anxiety. Sometimes she looks to the resident dog or to me for reassurance as well.

This sweet girl could probably be an only dog if she had a family that was around alot and gave her endless piles of attention and exercise. However - she really does not seem to want to be the "leader" and very easily fell into a second-place role with my resident dog. Sadie looks to her friend for comfort and guidance in most situations. It is very funny to watch. Sadie can have a perfectly comfortable place on the floor - but then my resident dog gets up and moves to a new spot. Sadie watches her - then gets up and follows her and lays down beside her. Usually mimicking her position. She also follows suit for where to do her business in the yard, what to sniff, and whether it is time to "do" something.

Sadie will need a dog that is very confident and very easy-going with regard to resources. Since she lived her whole life with Molly - she is used to a non-competitive situation - and doesn't realize that she may be encroaching on another dog's space. For example - when the dogs are both going up or down the stairs - Sadie doesn't go in a straight line and often pushes the resident (by accident). If a dog were protective of their personal space - this might be annoying. Similarly - she will share a water bowl or a dog bed without a second thought.

Also - for consideration by potential adopters - this girl is VERY strong. She is packing a lot of muscle that has developed has she has compensated for her missing limb over the past few years. Sadie does not jump on people, but she walks very enthusiastically. And because of her gait (she gallops and lopes more than walking) - she sort of uses her leash/collar to balance herself when her front leg is not on the ground. The result is that she "pulls" when walking on a leash. We are doing some serious training to make sure that she learns to heel, but I think she will always need a strong hand on the leash. She is also enamored with small animals and will give chase if there is any slack in her leash.

The good news is - that she is really learning some good citizenship when out walking. She knows "stop" and "wait" and will stand nicely at a corner until you let her know it is okay to cross. We use the same commands to step to the side of the sidewalk to let people with strollers and/or dogs pass. And she is very non-reactive to any passers-by.

We are going to try a few different harnesses to see if that can give her better support while walking - but will be tricky since her leg was amputated so high - she really does not have a shoulder and the harness might irritate. Will keep you posted on our experiments.

Stay tuned for more pictures and more updates on our sweet Sadie. Maybe she will see you this weekend at one of our adoption events!!!

Please contact your Placement Coordinator for more information or to learn more about Sadie.

 

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Sadie has continued to be a sweetheart and our own kids absolutely adore her.  She loves to follow them around and especially likes to play with them outside.  Sadie is great at playing fetch with a tennis ball and also likes to push a larger ball around in the yard.  My son is fairly sure he could teach her to play basketball with some more time! 

When Sadie first arrived here, we noticed that her backside was a bit wet when she first stood up, only after sleeping.  This happened a couple of times in the first 24 hours.  Suspecting an UTI, we tested her urine and did some blood work, but everything came back great.  We decided to treat her for incontinence and it has worked perfectly.  She takes a medication called Proin twice a day and hasn’t had one problem at our house since starting the medication.  This may be a lifetime medication, but it isn’t very expensive and she takes it easily, so it isn’t a big deal.  Sadie is completely housetrained and hasn’t had any accidents in the house, except the couple of times when she was sleeping in the first day here. 

   

Sadie gets along well with our dogs most of the time.  She has developed some negative reactions at times with them and we are working on figuring out what she isn’t feeling comfortable about.  For the most part, they hang out together, will play together and relax in our living room together.  Sadie enjoys playing tug and fetch.   Another one of her favorite pastimes is rolling in the grass…a lot!  It is so funny to watch as it obviously gives her pure joy.

We have tried having Sadie with our cat quite a few times.  I am going to have to say no to cats at this time as she is very interested in them.  When she is gated in the kitchen and the cat comes out, she will even growl and bark from the other room at her.

Sadie gets along great, so don’t let her missing leg fool you.  She doesn’t know any different!  Sadie can run and play, just like any dog.  She does steps well and can jump easily into a tall SUV. 

If you are interested in Sadie and Molly at all, please talk to your placement advisor.  If you are not already an approved adopter and are interested in them, apply and let them know that you are interested in them.  They will be fantastic dogs to a very lucky family and I would love to talk to you about them.