Tess 13-333 [1]

I would like to introduce this stunning redhead to the RAGOM family. Our Tess is a 3-year-old (BD: 06-08-2010) gorgeous auburn red girl who was released on October 19 from a commercial breeder. Right now, Tess is trying her best to work her way into our home routine. Tess is much more skittish and afraid than the other two girls I had from the same farm. She still isn't eating very well, but I attribute that to the fact that all the dogs there were penned together and must have had free-roam eating. At our house, I feed twice a day, so sometimes she only eats a few bites and then heads to her safe area, perhaps thinking she will eat more later. Unfortunately, since our resident dog likes having her dish available and has been helping himself to her food, I pick her food up and offer it to her at different times during the day in her kennel. She is getting the hang of this routine, so it won't be long before she is chowing down like the RD.

She will readily go in and out of doors and go up and down the steps to our lower level. I've even found her downstairs by herself several times. When she first arrived, she followed our dog so closely that if he stopped, she ran into him. Now Tess is much more independent in the house and out in the fenced yard. You may find Tess in one part of the yard eating grass and leaves and our pup in another area checking something out. She has been very good about her potty breaks--only one accident at night since she arrived. Thus far, I haven't figured out a signal that Tess gives to go out, other than perhaps pacing a bit more than usual. We just make sure to let her out every 3-4 hours throughout the day, but she sleeps all night without a break. Just the last day or two, Tess has been grabbing several of the stuffed toys and putting them in her kennel. She really doesn't play with them, but likes to carry them around. Tess ignores both our inside and outside cats. According to the Good Samaritan who helped Tess to freedom, there are many children on the farm who spend time around the dogs. She met my two grandchildren, ages 9 and 11, without any problems.

Tess had her wellness check at the vet and was found to be very healthy with the exception of a bilateral ear infection (which has now cleared up). Dr. H. did recommend that she lose some weight since she weighed in at 80 pounds. The picture of Tess standing is to show that she actually carries her weight quite well--she is very quick and fast in her movements. She was heartworm and parasite free but needs a booster shot in a few weeks and her spay operation. Since she is so skittish, she is hard to lead because she immediately lays flat on the ground when you try to lead her, so I've waited with her spay operation, hoping that with a little time we might be able to lead her better so she doesn't scrape her belly on the ground. When Tess is ready to come in from outside, she flops down on her belly and turns her front feet in a most unusual way, sort of splayed out to each side.

Tess is an absolutely beautiful girl with a fire in those golden eyes. I have no doubt she will soon catch on to the sights, sounds, and activities of living in a house. Tess is not ready to go to her forever home at the moment, but when she does, she will need (1) another medium- to large-sized dog she can emulate and have as a companion, (2) children must be at least 10 years old since running, noisy children at this point would frighten her, and (3) right at the moment, her recall is not good (just received her name upon entering RAGOM), so she will need a fenced yard or leash walking (this may be subject to change as she progresses). When Tess has been with us for a while longer, I will have a better idea of what she needs in her forever home. Keep an eye on this gorgeous babe as she makes progress in the real world, and when she is fully vetted and comfortable in the house, she will be a wonderful asset to any home.