Progress

You never know what each day will bring. That's what makes each so very special. Each day this week I've been working on helping Sam become human confident...with some success and a couple of set backs. But TODAY, we've made a big step forward. Forget the treats.,..well, not really, he does appreciate them...forget the constant reassuring patter...well, not really either, it seems to soothe...but...go for the tennis balls! Sam has always watched yearningly as the other dogs and I play and roughhouse together. Sometimes he's even come halfway before sidling back to his safe zone (my bed or the space next to or under it). Tonight, he's made it all the way. YAY little Sam, you're SUCH a brave boy! That's Sam, above, taking a tennis ball from my hand.

From day one Sam was always willing to cuddle on the bed, which, despite the hard paws on tender areas, is always a joy. He's such a little minx, but once he's up on the bed he's all wagging tail and frolicking body. He snuggles well too. Sudden movements and unexpected noises still send him running for cover, but then, they do that to me sometimes too... We're leaping bridges every day!




And look at these two...best buds or what? So much playing going on that by evening, they're content to snooze through the night. This was a special moment. Usually, dogs sleep on the floor.
Oh, and we're working on a syncronous sleeping ballet as well *hehe*

















I have a plea for any of you wonderful RAGOM volunteers, fosters or interested adoptees.... August is going to be a quiet month, humanwise, here at the Den. Many of our friends are heading out of town JUST at the time when Sam really needs the interaction. We'd LOVE to see you drop by and visit. If you're interested in seeing this cute little tyke and helping his progress, please email me at the address above. We'd love to see you and your furry fuzzbutts as well!

Chase 08-290 has been adopted! YAY! Best wishes to that beautiful boy and his new family!

What a Weekend!

Can you say pooped dog? Jake 08-243 says enough! After two days of constant running, endless bone trade offs and three other dogs all under three our beautiful and big hearted foster Jake says, "Just let me rest."

For anyone out there looking for a beautiful senior, Jake is a magnificent guy! This eight year old Golden Retriever has a huge warm heart, a bright eyed curiosity about just about anything and the manners of a prince. It's really hard to believe that he's not three or four - he keeps up with the kids with little effort. Of course, as the tallest of the group, he takes one stride to Jerry Bear's two and out gaits Little Sam by about four. I have to say, this beautiful dog is a pleasure to have around!

Just Another Day in a Golden Life

Jerry Bear (08-175), number two resident of the Den here. Above is a picture of "dog school". As you can see, all our eyes are on the treat that is sitting on the table. Mom says "stay" and then we just sit and stare at it. When she feels it's time, she calls a name and one of us come and get the treat. You should have seen that the first time she did it. Four dogs, one table, one treat. The table got the worst of it. But, inevitably, we learn, 'cause of course, we're soooo smart. On the left is Lakota Woniyah, my brother. Jake, my new foster brother is laying down in the middle. Can't you just see the calculation in his eyes. He's shameless and will often roll over and wave all four paws for attention. Like that gets his name called. Well, come to think of it, it worked. Nike, the resident queen boxer is next and of course, gorgeous me on the far right. What you can't see is little Sam, sidling over off screen to the far left. He's getting braver every day. I think Mom's in trouble when he finally gets bold enough to come forward. There goes the table again!

Mom is a nut! We had a great time yesterday in the yard, playing away. I LOVE those pools. Thanks Toby, for taking the time to show me what it's all about. I heard that Mom was considering renaming me Scuba - for some reason she finds it really funny that I like to lay in the pool and dive for leaves. I sure hope she forgets the renaming thing, it's far too close to that goofy, scaredy cat detective dog. Can you believe Mom knows ALL the lyrics to the Scooby Do song? She was singing it in the yard yesterday. I was embarrassed for her - what will the neighbors think?


Yesterday she pulled out a gadget that makes a weird whirring noise and put it in the yard. Moments later this stream of round floaty things came billowing thoughout the yard. How weird is that. And then there was Mom, calling us all over, all excited about this THING. I got bored and went back to the pool. I got nervous with Sam sticking his head into MY pool...can't let him get my leaves!
And there's Jake heading in that direction too! Gotta go guys - too many dogs, too few pools!

Heidi here everyone. The Den continues its summer adventures! I was soooo disappointed in the bubblemaker. I thought for sure they'd go nuts. I was the only one loving the bubbles, how silly is that? On a serious note, little Sam is becoming braver every day. He is now willing to step outside right behind me (as long as I'm not looking at him) and will come into the house even if I'm within a foot of the door, as long as I'm sitting down. He lays by my chair at dinner time and while wary of tall Paul (roommate), he's willing to share a room with him, which is a nice step forward. I even got a "sit" out of him for treats, yesterday. He was just following the rest of the pack, but still...nice baby steps!

We have a new overnight resident, Tristan, staying with us Saturday night. And NEXT weekend Toby and maybe even Chase, come back for a dog's weekend out! How cool is that?

UPDATE ON TRISTAN. HE'S FOUND HIS FUREVER HOME! YAYAYAYAY!!!!!

PS: Sam wanted me to thank Speak(er) for the note of caution on stick chewing, he appreciates the advice. The pack was quick to jump in with the fact that none of them eat sticks, just pull them off the branches while playing tug of war with each other. It was adorable the other day, trying to haul the new branch to the stick pile. It took an hour with all the "help" from the pack. For a while, we had a misunderstanding over the direction of the pile itself...everyone wanted to pull in a different direction. We got it in the end though :)

Also, a big thanks and welcome to the Markforts!

Yard Work Galore

Little Sam here, the feral foster... I'm LOVING this place! It's almost like where I came from...well, kinda. There's this great BIG pile of branches in a back corner of the yard and I LOVE to burrow under them. It seems like every time I do, I come up with a bone. Apparently I have a dog named Chase to thank for that, but I haven't met him yet. However, since I love the treasure he left behind I'm sure I'll like him too.

There was a storm recently at this place, this little bit of dog heaven. So yesterday, a HUGE branch came out of the tree and onto the ground. The door was open near there and every dog in the house but me barked and growled and scurried around in circles. Silly things - I've seen that happen a million times and I didn't even bother to bark. Here are some pictures of all of us pitching in to help clean up the mess.

We had a great day today. I've even decided that Foster Mom, as long as she's sitting or playing on the floor, isn't all that bad. I get nervous when humans loom over me, but after watching my fur butt foster brothers fawn all over her for the last three days, I've decided to come up for my share of attention. I love to be petted and cooed to and I'm always willing to come up for a treat. I even sat within reaching distance of Mom at the dinner table last night, just in case she might have had some scraps for me. She did, too...MMmmmmm chicken.

A Weekend for the Dogs

It's a Doggy World!











Lakota Woniyah here, first resident dog, at the New Brighton Den. What an incredible weekend! I came home from camp Friday afternoon to find two new dogs at the house. At first, maybe, my fur was a little ruffled. I leave home to have fun for a month and come home and find replacements?! Of course not, but after all, I'm a LOT of dog and I'm sure Mom and Jerry Bear (07-175) and Nike (resident Boxer) missed me undogably...it took TWO *laughing*.

Chase (in chair on pic) and Toby (far right) came to visit for the weekend. What a great pair of new friends! Bear (middle of pic) gets along with just about anyone but I'm a little particular. However, I'll take this pair anytime!

We played every game in the book - tennis ball throw, stuffed animal tug of war, we played in the pools - Toby showed my brother Jerry Bear (08-175) how to submerse! He was so funny. After watching Toby frolic in the pool Bear seemed to get it...like...I can get in there? After that, it was Bears pool and he chasd everyone away until Toby got tired of being kept out. That big happy dog put one paw on Bears head and under he went. And stayed! Goofy dog, he was chasing leaves at the bottom of the pool. Wish Mom had gotten a picture of that - it was hilarious.













Chase showed us a new game too! Hide the bone...ALL of the bones. We had a GReat scavenger hunt in the yard for his hidden bones.

Here's Chase hunting a spot to hide his bone. And here's Chase sneaking around to hide the bone - he thought he was sooooo subtle.

And here's Chase grumbling as we start looking for the treasure - he was still busy hiding the rest of the bones - OUR bones, I might add.

Heidi - Lakota and Bears Mom here. What a couple of treasures these two are! I understand that Chase is being adopted this week but for anyone looking for a friend, Toby is something special! His magnificent demeanor as a happy go lucky dog is unbeatable. That smile says it all! He's completely housebroken, has wonderful manners and is never shy to give a hug. He LOVES his belly rubs but is NOT pushy about affection and he's pretty darn good about treats and table manners as well. He's willing to lay at your feet while dinner is served...of course, those gorgeous eyes will raise with pleading that is irresistible. For more information on Toby, please click his link at the top of the blog!

Heidi Michelle

2008 Adventure In Fostering Golden Retrievers for RAGOM

There is a satisfaction in volunteering - the knowledge that you've been part of a process that has helped someone, somewhere, somehow - that cannot be matched.

I've volunteered for innumerable different causes over the years and every experience has brought that thrill of knowing that, in little ways, I'm making a difference.

My latest pursuit is by far the most satisfying, exciting and challenging to date.

R.A.G.O.M. (Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota) is an organization that saves and re-homes Golden Retrievers throughout Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Dakotas.You can find their web page at www.RAGOM.org.

I started volunteering with this organization in February as a transporter. Someone would call the organization - whether it was a shelter, or a good samaritan, or simply someone forced by unfavorable circumstances to surrender their dog - and a notice was sent out looking for volunteers to go and pick them up and bring them to a local vet and/or a local foster. After any number of trips to Iowa, southern Minnesota and one memorable on to South Dakota I found myself more and more taken with the people and the dedication that this organization brings to their mission.

After one very special trip to Wisconsin to pick up a pair of outdoor four footed brothers, I found myself volunteering to be a temporary foster for one of those gorgeous farm dogs.

I brought Jerry 08-175 home and was totally enthralled by him. As an outdoor dog, this beautiful golden had never been in a car or inside a house. He was raised in the country, far from the smells and noises of the city. With a sense of regal patience he took every challenge in stride and I found myself absolutely entranced as I watched him learn to play, enjoy the fellowship of his foster brother Lakota and become an absolute snuggle bunny at the end of a long day.

With a resigned acceptance, I wore the label of foster failure with a sheepish but resolute grin. I adopted my first foster dog with a joy and sense of humbled amazement. Some things are just meant to be.

Since then, I HAVE managed to foster and joyously re-home another Golden fuzzbutt, which has given me the confidence to take on the biggest challenge to date। Please join me in welcoming Jake, an eight year old Golden of gorgeous temperament and Sam, a 40# Golden mix feral 1.5 year old, that I will be fostering this summer. Stop in daily for updates on how things are going and please, feel free to offer advice and comments as I'm sure we'll meet more than our fair share of challenges in the weeks to come.

Welcome, Jake and Sam!

Heidi Michelle