Maija (Claire 13-399) [1]

 Nikki sends Merry Christmas wishes to Claire. She also wants to thank Kathie and Will, for all they have done, from rescuing her to going the extra mile to help her get to her forever home

Claire is a happy-go-lucky exuberant one year old female Golden Retriever pup.  She is a 49 pound bundle of adolescent energy who wins over everyone she meets with her goofy smile.  Claire was found as a stray in South Dakota and was placed in an animal shelter.  The two weeks she spent at the shelter were agonizing for Claire.  She was literally bouncing of the walls in her kennel, so much so, that she rubbed some skin off her nose. 

On her way to Northern Minnesota, she stayed with a generous RAGOM volunteer who brought her to the vet for her wellness exam.  The vet gave her a clean bill of health and got her up-to- date on her vaccinations.  Claire’s spaying surgery is scheduled for November 19.

This is what we have learned about Claire in the short time we’ve known her.  Claire loves her people, craves their attention, cuddles with them and wants to be with them 24/7.  She must have her people in view at all times.

She considers everyone she meets to be her friend including kids.  However, in her exuberance, she may knock down small children.  She has no issues meeting other dogs and she tolerates cats.  She does not guard her food or toys.  Claire prefers not to be crated (unless the door is left open) but respects baby gates.  Claire came to us untrained.  She is enthusiastic about learning commands.  She has already learned to sit and lie down on command!

Claire is very playful.  She loves to carry around squeaky toys.  She’ll chase a Frisbee, fetch and return a tennis ball, make snow angels, go for long walks, and get the “zoomies” in the fenced in backyard.  Because Claire was a stray and she does not respond to her name, a physical fenced in yard is a must.

Our biggest challenge with Claire is potty training.  Claire does not give clear signals when she needs to go out.  For unknown reasons, Claire will not go to the bathroom on walks or when she is on a lead.  She is very slow to go potty in our fenced in backyard.  It has taken her as long as 30 minutes to go (and at 2:30 a.m. that feels like a very long time).  If we do not go out with her, she will just wait by the back door, not take care of business, come inside and eventually wet on the nearest rug.  (She has never pooped in the house.)   Giving her praise and treats as soon as she goes outside, seems to be working.  When she’s done, she now comes to us to get a treat.   Progress!  At night, we baby gate her in our bedroom with us.  She wakes us up if she has to go out.   See, she’s learning.

When we leave her for short periods of time (at most, two hours), we baby gate a large area and find nothing disturbed when we return (and no potty accidents).  Good girl!

Claire has brightened up our home with her cheerful disposition.   We adore her!  More updates to follow as we learn more about this incredibly sweet little girl.