Dear RAGOM Happy Endings,
Here are three pictures of Jordan 08-253, Jared 08-252, & Joey 08-251 from September 19th.
They were reunited at the 2009 5K Fun Run & Picnic Event.
Thank you,
Joey's Mom, Stefanie
Joey 08-251
At a Glance #08-251
| Mixed Breed | Born: October 2005 |
| Male | 50 lbs |
Status: Deceased
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Updates
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Our hearts broke on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 as we had to say goodbye to our sweet, beloved boy, Joey and it’s with huge holes in our hearts that we send this email notifying RAGOM of the GReat loss of the most amazing, gentle, lovable, and sweet boy that we have ever known.
Back in September 2, 2017, Joey had a very small growth appear on one of his front toes and it was surgically removed. The pathology report came back indicating it was dermal hemangiosarcoma. We had never heard of “dermal” hemangio before and happy that the surgeon was able to remove the growth and get clean/clear margins; however, the fact remained that it was still a sarcoma and odds were high that it would return some day, somewhere and heartbreakingly, it did. It showed up again about a year and a half later, on January 21, 2019 when an oral growth showed up on Joey’s hard pallet and further evaluation determined it is was inoperable cancer (probably some type of sarcoma) and it had spread beyond what we could see.
We were so surprised because we regularly checked him for lumps, bumps, growths, etc. and he seemed fine otherwise – eating and drinking normally, enjoying daily walks, playing with the other pups, etc. even up until the day he passed away. That day he experienced a massive seizure due to cancer spreading in his body and probably hitting his brain stem. He was home lying on his bed when it happened. We were both home at the time and rushed him to the vet. They gave him some medications to try and stop the seizures but they kept coming with little, if any, relief between.
We will never forget that gut wrenching moment knowing that we were out of options and there was nothing more that could be done to help our sweet boy stay on this earth any longer and continue to be happy and healthy. We looked into his gentle, sweet eyes, kissed him, told him one last time that we will love him forever, and said our heartbreaking goodbyes. We are beyond GRateful and blessed to have had Joey as such a big part of our family and our lives for eleven years. He left a huge hole in our hearts, and a huge hole and lonely feeling in our everyday lives. If our love could have saved him, he would have lived forever.
We were first introduced to Joey through RAGOM’s adoption website and we knew immediately that we wanted to meet Joey in person. We arranged a meet and greet at Linda M.’s and everything went fabulously. Joey immediately ran to us and sat in our laps. It was love at first sight.
We were so honored and fortunate to be able to provide a GReat fur-ever home for Joey. Originally, RAGOM thought Joey was 2 ½ years old and then later discovered that he was actually 1 ½ years old. How fortunate for us that he was actually younger than we originally thought which normally translates to more time together so we were so happy to hear that wonderful news. He was perfect - part Golden Retriever and part Gordon Setter. He was a beautiful mix and such a regal looking boy. Everywhere we took him, people would comment on what a gorgeous dog he was.
And what a great disposition Joey had. He was such a gentle and loving guy. He was the first to come running up to us and walk right beside us so we would pet him. He loved attention and would paw at us in a loving way and “pester” us just a bit if he thought he needed more. He also loved sitting on our laps. He was always by our sides. He was so human like – he understood us and we understood him.
He was always happy. His tail always seemed to be wagging and he would talk to us often with his “Boo-Woo-Woo”s. He loved sleeping on our bed, upside-down, and with his RAGOM stuffed dog – his “Dolly” as we called it. His morning routine included doing his “monkey” noises – Ohh-Ohh-Ahh-Ahh and his “Crazy Legs”. He had such soft, silky flowing fur and was so regal looking. He was “Go with the flow, Joe” because he was so mellow and such the gentleman. He loved playing with his fur Sisters Emily, Lily, and Bella, and with his fur Brother Jake.
He was spoiled and knew he was the “Top Dog” of the pack. He had an amazing life filled with lots of unconditional love and GReat care. Everyone that knew him said that he was such a lucky boy, that he hit the lottery, etc. and I really think he knew it too.
He loved being the “King” of his Kingdom – our 18 acre property that he oversaw and explored almost daily. He loved all those days spending time outside with his human and fur-family. He also enjoyed boating on metro lakes, walking/running in various metro parks, attending doggie daycare at Woof Dah!, traveling with his family, going to Goldzilla, and de-stuffing all his stuffed animals – his “babies”.
He was preceded in passing by his human Grandma Sandy, and his fur Sister Emily.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his human Dad Scott, Mom Stefanie, and Sister Nicole, four fur siblings, Jake, Bella, Lily, and cat, Henry, and many other family members, friends, and admirers.
We are beyond GRateful to RAGOM and his Foster Mom Linda M., for trusting us and giving us the opportunity to provide him a GReat life filled with unending love, care, adventure, and attention, and for us to experience Joey’s unconditional love, joyful and gentle personality, and GReat soul. He was truly one-of-a-kind and one of the best dogs ever! He will stay in our hearts forever and we will see him again someday.
The K. Family
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
This has already been a very busy week for Joey. On Sunday late afternoon, Joey received compay - part of his fan club came to meet him. Joey conducted the interview for a new family, Joey style - he draped himself on top of Stef and melted himself into her heart. The melting was a family event. It was the beginning of the bonding between Joey and his forever family. On Monday after a day of playing, running and chasing with his foster brothers, foster sister and a fur friend, Joey spent the night at the vet's office. He needed additional surgeries on his eye lids in order to ensure a problem free life. His foster sister, Maddie 06-052 stayed at the vet with him to have her tail surgically fixed. On Tuesday morning Joey had his surgery. I picked both dogs up from the vet and we ran to meet with Joey's new family. Joey went home with them to begin the next chapter of his new life.
Joey has a new Golden fur sister - he took two nice yummy bones with him to ensure Emily would welcome him into her home, which she has done with no problem. I thought I would share two pictures of Joey adjusting to his new life. Our Golden hearted boy seems to have found his pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Be happy Joey! You will remain in my heart forever.
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Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Joey arrived at his new foster home in the middle of the long weekend. Considering that the weather was bad enough to form tornadoes that caused severe damage within very few miles of the house, I can tell you that Joey has absolutely no storm anxiety, unlike his poor foster sister, Maddie 06-052, who wrapped herself around the furnace and refused to move for many hours.
Joey is 64 pounds of gentle love. He loves stuffed toys and has yet to damage a single one, which is a refreshing switch from his foster brothers. Joey had eye surgery to repair entropian lids. He looks good to my untrained eye, but it is possible his right eye may need a little more work because he sometimes squints with that eye. He is up to date on shots, and is on heartworm and flea and tick preventative.
Joey is learning how to live in a house and to be a good family citizen. He is curious, so if he thinks of it, he will still look to see what is on the counter, but he doesn’t usually think of it. He is learning that when I say “off” his front feet need to return to the ground. I truly do not know how to write the above to convey that Joey is NOT a counter surfer, but that does not mean he isn’t an opportunist. He has checked out the top of the counter 3 times since he has been here, taking a food item off the counter one of those times. He only does this because he is not used to being in a house and having rules. I told him that is not the way we act in this house – reinforced by shock exhibited by his foster brothers. Since he has been with me, Joey has “left his mark”, twice. The first time, I interrupted him in the middle of the first drop, the second time was while I was not at home. When I am cleaning up, I always have the culprit tethered to me. I believe that dogs can tell (they know exactly who “did” it!) that my actions were only necessary because of their actions. For one reason or another, Joey has had no accidents and no additional marking behaviors at my house. I think he has done a wonderful job for a boy who wasn’t in a house until he became a RAGOM boy.
Joey does put his front feet on people – I am working on that, but he does not “jump” on people. This boy is the most gentle soul and even when he puts his feet on me, it is hardly more than the weight of a feather. While one of his foster brothers like to hold on with all digits of his foot curled deeply into my arm, Joey uses a flat foot and I have never even felt a claw. Joey needs some work on his manners, but with a starting point this high, this boy is going to be a wonderful family member in some lucky family in no time.
I have been thinking about the type of home I would like to see Joey in. I think Joey needs another dog. He spent his 2½ years in a pen with his two brothers. He is just learning how to eat out of a food dish that doesn’t have other noses in it. I have to watch him to make sure he doesn’t walk away from his dish to try to share with someone else. When he does that, poor Joey gets the wrong end of that deal because his foster brothers may let him have the last 1/2 a piece of kibble in their dish, but then they rush over and eat all of Joey’s meal. Joey loves being with other dogs. He has quickly learned that our home is always ruled by a female of either two legs or four. He plays with the boys and he runs and chases, but he likes being close to Maddie. He loves stuffed toys. He is the first dog, either resident or foster, who has found my stash of dog toys. He keeps disappearing down the steps and showing back up with a new toy in his mouth. I buy stuffed animals at garage sales or thrift stores for a dollar or less, bring them home and wash and dry them. Then I stash them in a bag in the basement so I can replace toys as they become too raggedy. There are now about 20 toys around and my stash is empty, because Joey loves new toys so much, I can’t be upset with him! Red, Skye and Maddie are enjoying all of the choices in toys.
Joey needs a yard to run and play in. He is reveling in the freedom and the feel, taste, and smell of grass (and dandelions, but don’t tell him that!). His black coat simply shines in the sun, and the contrast of his beautiful, soft coat and the green grass is beautiful to behold. He runs with joy in every cell of his body.
Joey wants to be with people. I can not stress enough how gentle this boy is. Sweet, loving, gentle those are the words that come to mind when I think of Joey.
Back to the ideal home for Joey – a home built with love for all members of the family, a yard, stuffed toys – for him to unstuff if he wants to, another dog, people – kids are fine, as long as the parents are committed to patiently teaching Joey how to be a good family citizen, someone home with him more. I would really like to find him a home where he is not left alone for longer than normal work days. If no one is home with him, how can he be taught to be the most perfect dog for that family? Joey is sweet and he is smart, but he can not read minds.
Some people believe there are no perfect dogs. I disagree. I believe there are many perfect dogs with imperfect past experiences or training. If you think you might be the right family for this perfect dog, please send an email to placement
ragom [dot] org and ask to meet this golden hearted black dog.
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