Toro 08-213

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The name Toro has many definitions when looking it up in a dictionary. One is the Spanish and Italian word for bull. Well, this Toro is not a bull – maybe in size but not in disposition. He is one gentle and mellow guy that just wants attention and to take naps. Toro came to RAGOM via a temporary owner because his original owner was moving. He is said to be a Golden Retriever but we think there just may be something else – something large – mixed in. We don’t have an exact weight on him yet but it is over 100 pounds of pure love coming at you! Toro is six years old.

What we do know about Toro is that he is house trained, has had obedience training, walks nice on a leash, gets along with anything and everything, does not counter surf, is not destructive, does not run away and does not jump fences. He loves kids and other dogs, is very playful and loves to ride in a vehicle. He is on a thyroid pill twice a day and he will be going into the vet in a few days to be micro chipped and have a once over along with finding out his weight.

Toro is a very handsome blonde color and just a big teddy bear with everyone he meets. He has been very loved in his life and this truly comes out when you meet this gentle giant. He also has a lot of soft curly fur just perfect for petting and brushing. He may need to lose a little weight but this guy is just going to be a big bundle of love. More updates to come after Toro’s vet appointment and as we get to know this gentle 'bull'.

 
Toro with his favorite stuffed monkey

 
Toro stretching out

 
Heading out to his next adventure

At a Glance #08-213

Golden Retriever Born: November 2001
Male 110 lbs

Status: Deceased

Profile

The name Toro has many definitions when looking it up in a dictionary. One is the Spanish and Italian word for bull. Well, this Toro is not a bull – maybe in size but not in disposition. He is one gentle and mellow guy that just wants attention and to take naps. Toro came to RAGOM via a temporary owner because his original owner was moving. He is said to be a Golden Retriever but we think there just may be something else – something large – mixed in. We don’t have an exact weight on him yet but it is over 100 pounds of pure love coming at you! Toro is six years old.

What we do know about Toro is that he is house trained, has had obedience training, walks nice on a leash, gets along with anything and everything, does not counter surf, is not destructive, does not run away and does not jump fences. He loves kids and other dogs, is very playful and loves to ride in a vehicle. He is on a thyroid pill twice a day and he will be going into the vet in a few days to be micro chipped and have a once over along with finding out his weight.

Toro is a very handsome blonde color and just a big teddy bear with everyone he meets. He has been very loved in his life and this truly comes out when you meet this gentle giant. He also has a lot of soft curly fur just perfect for petting and brushing. He may need to lose a little weight but this guy is just going to be a big bundle of love. More updates to come after Toro’s vet appointment and as we get to know this gentle 'bull'.

 
Toro with his favorite stuffed monkey

 
Toro stretching out

 
Heading out to his next adventure

Updates

Saturday, May 30, 2009

We can't believe it's almost a year since Toro came to live with us.  It seems like he's always been here.  His weight is down to 94 lbs., which is perfect for him.  Our vet asked what we were doing different, and we didn't have a good answer!  He gets daily walks, but we think the real weight-loss regimen has been the constant running up and down the hill in our backyard.  Toro LOVES our new yard.  Now that it's nice out, we can't get either Toro or his fur brother Jake to come inside!  Toro has also taken a shine to our neighbors and their grandkids.  He thinks he has to be outside with them every chance he gets.  Mostly, he likes to bark and bark and bark at the other "Big" dogs as they walk by, then he jumps on the fence for pets.  We're working on the barking thing, and he is getting better.  Our neighbors all love both dogs.  OK, this one lady with a big black dog doesn't love them, but I'm sure they'll turn her eventually :)

Toro and Jake continue their love-affair :)  There is no rough-housing, which is good for both of them, but they are happiest when they are together.  Jake was sick a few months ago, and we all went to the vet.  When our vet took Jake in the back room to get a sample, Toro started barking indignantly at the door like "Bring him back!!"

He also continues his love-affair with the cats.  Well, maybe not with BJ (who doesn't really like dogs), but definitely with Sophie. 

The bottom line is that he's great and we absolutely adore him!  I've attached a few newer pics. 

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Dateline: Des Moines, IA
The Crime: Dog Food Theft (approx. 3 lbs.)
The Suspects: A beautiful blond with an intense hunger and a gorgeous, spunky redhead. A small grey cat-of-interest may also be implicated.

Between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 4:00 AM, approximately 3 lbs. of IAMS Large Breed dog food was stolen out of an unopened bag in the kitchen of a house at 8XX Wellington Blvd. The bag was forcefully opened, spilled on the floor, and contents were removed (3 lbs. is approx. 10 cups).

The crime was discovered this morning when the owner of the house went to feed his two dogs. The two dogs in question were lethargic and appeared to be "full". Stolen property will unfortunately be recovered at a later time.....

Be careful, suspects are loveable and will lick upon approach. However, they currently show no interest in food.

 Stolen:  3 lbs. Dog Food

 
Figure 1:  Evidence

 
Figure 2:  The suspect

 
Figure 3:  The Accomplice

 
Figure 4:  The Look-out

Friday, June 13, 2008

Toro has his very own forever family! He’s now an Iowa boy and he has two feline siblings and a Golden brother. He’s settling in nicely and, even though I’m going to miss him a lot, I know he’ll be very happy.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Toro’s had lots of adventures in the last week. He got to go on a long car ride and he rode perfectly both ways. He got to go to the vet and get a recheck on his ears and eye. Both are healing nicely although we’re continuing with drops for both for another week. Unfortunately, Toro has maintained his 111 lbs and I can’t figure out why. He’s on low cal food and has even skipped several meals, presumably because he doesn’t like his new low cal food. Methinks more exercise is needed to get some pounds off this boy. We also had a play date this week so Toro got to make some new dog friends. He had a blast chasing his new Beagle buddy around the back yard, although he didn’t play for very long, much to the dismay of his new friend. Toro also had a couple of cat scans this week. The tabby found him tolerable but I think the Persian actually liked him. As anticipated, he passed the scans with merely a sniff and a wag. This boy’s definitely a lover and not a fighter.

My Golden has decided that Toro is one big, strapping hunk of dog so I frequently find her hanging out with him. That’s especially interesting considering she’s snubbed every dog I’ve brought in here, including her canine sister. Obviously she thinks Toro’s hot! He is a handsome boy. And he’s about the easiest dog I’ve ever had. He’s happy and affectionate but not needy. He loves everyone and everything and he’s content to just do whatever everyone else is doing. If it weren’t for that whole sloppy drinker thing, he’d be the perfect dog.


Action shot of Toro’s playdate 

 
He is SO my boyfriend

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Toro continues to do great in foster care. He's now at his third foster home, through no fault of his own, and is adjusting well. He gets along beautifully with my two resident canines and seems to love anyone and everyone. His silly side is beginning to emerge as he gets more and more comfortable in my home.

In case it hasn't been made clear in previous updates, Toro is HUGE! He's the biggest Golden Retriever I've ever seen. He weighed 111 lbs at the vet and needs to lose 15 and then be reevaluated. Even when he loses weight he'll be a very large dog. He was diagnosed with a couple of ear infections while we were at the vet along with an eye infection so we're treating both. Toro has a history of ear infections so his forever family will have to be diligent about keeping his ears clean. I took Toro on a walk with my own two dogs which, in hindsight, was a bad idea. I have one weaver and one puller and when I added one Clydesdale to the mix, it didn't go well. Toro walks great on a regular leash, provided you want to go in the same direction he's going. Once he sees a hosta that needs watering or a dog he needs to sniff, he's off. He doesn't run - he just has a mission. I know if Toro could be made to understand the implications of his actions he'd modify his behavior; however, so far he hasn't understood my instruction so I think a Gentle Leader might be in his future. I hope they make one big enough for his head.

I gave Toro a rawhide the other night and he ran to the door and stood there. He watched my two chew theirs with a look that said, "Indoors? How gauche!" I sat on the floor and held it for him and then he chewed it. Last night he brought me a nylabone he'd found but would only chew it if I held it for him. Silly boy. I was thinking perhaps it's hard to hold a bone when you have oven mitts for paws but tonight I watched him chew on a nylabone all by himself so I know he can do it.

Toro seems to be happiest when he’s outside. He runs around and flops down on the grass for a good roll. When he comes back in, he plants his front feet on a stuff toy and slides across the floor with his butt up in the air. Then he puts the toy in his mouth and shakes the life out of it. Toro is a very easy dog to have around. His house manners are excellent, he rarely barks, and he doesn't even get on the furniture. That said, let it be known that he has ALOT of hair and he's one sloppy drinker.

 
Here’s Toro next to my very average sized Golden