It has been 9 months since we adopted Budda. First thing we did was change his name to Beau. He was a very cautious canine and really needed lots of love and encouragement. We tried obedience class but I think it was too early in the adoption and he was too worried about all the other dogs and not really confident with us. He loves, loves, loves his dad. We live on a lake and we adopted him in September. The water was cold, but we did try to get him in. He has great brakes. No way was he even putting a toe nail in the water. (What retriever doesn't like water?) You could see he was very overwhelmed. We had a long wait for spring and another try. Our previous rescue did dock dogs so this was really new to us. Over the winter he grew more and more confident meeting people and other dogs. He really opened up. He goes to day care, does great with all the dogs and loves walks. Squeaky toys are his preference over balls and retrieving.
This spring we tried the water again. After much encouragement we got 4 paws in the lake and then his belly. Yahoo!!! The next try was with small treats that floated. That really got his attention. He would stretch out to reach them and then just walked out! We were so proud. The 3rd time he walked in with me without treats and paddled a little. Then he saw the sunfish! He would walk the shore trying to find them. Now he goes in a although reluctantly he does fetch the ball. We will continue in the water and hopefully by the end of the summer he will actually jump off the dock. (He lays down at the end of the dock with his toes in the water and whines.) He is so cute.
He has fit in so well with us and our lifestyle. All three of us are happy.
Thank you Ragom and all the volunteers that provide great care and concern for all the dogs out there that need help.
Vicki and Charles