Adopted

 

Sugar came to our home a little over a week ago. And yes, she is a puppy. She loves tussling with our 3-year-old Golden and is always up for wrestling, tug-o-war, or keep-away. Sugar is not sure what to do with a ball. She will bring it to you and she’ll chase it, down, but the whole fetch process as one action has not clicked yet.

We have not lost any shoes (yet), but momma’s bra has magically popped up in several rooms. The dirty clothes basket is just at her level. She just loves to lie on her back with all four legs up in the air holding a teddy-bear with her feet. Our old cat has put Sugar in her place and the kitty is now just a passing interest and nothing more.

The best time she has had at our house is when the 3- and 6-year-old neighbor boys came over for the evening. She was so happy to see them that you’d have thought she grew up with them. And when we built a fort in the living room out of a cardboard box, a chair on its side, blankets for the roof, and two flashlights—well, Sugar was in her element. She and the boys went in and out of the fort a thousand times and usually all we could see was three butts (but only one with a wagging tail).

As mentioned, Sugar is housebroken, but right now, she lacks the attention span to be completely trustworthy. At this stage, I would say we are more trained than she is, but she is working hard on it as we both stand out in the 105-degree Texas sun saying “hurry, hurry!” She will typically make one pass past the back door and if you do not let her out on that pass, she is on to the next new experience and an accident may happen.

Sugar is very inquisitive. She listens to birds on the TV, is always near you and is always learning. She is understanding house rules and her role in the life. We enjoy watching her just interact with the other dogs, kids, the cat, company, and our family.

Sugar sleeps through the night in her crate. We don’t trust her to roam the house, so we crate her if we’re out for the evening. She seldom complains about being in the crate, and we always find her sleeping when we get home.

We heard that Sugar needed a lot of exercise, and that may be true. But we are couch potatoes here, and she has matched our activities naturally. Just too hot to do very much running! And speaking of running, Sugar has never bolted out the front door when company is coming in. Guess she is too excited to meet new people. She rides well in the car and does great on the leash.

If you are interested in watching your new puppy learn life’s lessons, grow in love for a family and experience many years of fun ahead, you need to meet Sugar... Sweet as honey!

Update 9/18/03:

Sugar is now fully housebroken and trustworthy! Yes, it took about a month and there were times I thought she would never figure it out. But Sugar now lets us know when she wants out, day or night. She now has her choice of sleeping in the crate or at the foot of the bed. Well, she starts out in the bed.. loves to cuddle during the Tonight Show and would be in the bed all night if we let her. But, once you kick her out, she sleeps through the night at the foot of the bed or curled up in her crate with the door open.

Sugar now has the run of the house during the day. We eased into this, but she has not had an accident for weeks or chewed anything up that was not hers. But, I would not put the rib bones in the garbage can and leave for the day! The temptation may be too much for this puppy. You will have to supply a few stuffed animals for her. She loves to lay on her back holding a stuffed animal in her paws and pull the Fiberfill out a mouthful at a time. We have several Teddy-bear skins that she claims.

Sugar is now a traveling dog! A couple of weeks ago, we packed two dogs into the SUV and drove over to Houston for the weekend. Great fun was had by all. Sugar is a good traveler. She likes to set on the seat and watch the world go by. She also travels with her bone and will work on it some when she gets board. We dumped her in a strange house with a strange dog and two new cats and Sugar behaved better than my 2 year old Golden. I was very proud of her.

Sugar is now a paper-getter! My Golden loves to go out and help me bring in the morning newspaper. Sugar would watch us through the screen door and now takes the paper out of my dog’s mouth at the door and carries it to the kitchen. I now have to treat both dogs for bringing the paper up to the door and then the successful hand-off and carry to the kitchen. Almost like the 440 relay race. Smart Dog! She gets so excited when she knows she did it right!

Sugar gets excited about going for a walk and smelling every whiff of scent from every other animal around. She usually has her head down and is ranging as far as the lead will let her go. This does not make for a great walk for the owner, but she loves it. We are working on minding the leash, not pulling and staying on her side of the sidewalk. Sugar is still a puppy and she will learn quickly.

Sugar is a lovable Golden with a lot of the funny puppy antics in her and just mature enough that you can trust her around the kids, cats, carpet, and car. She is very easy going and will adapt to any situation in your busy lifestyles. Sugar is looking for a family where she can become a fully participating member. This dog will not set on the side lines or a dog-run in the back yard. She wants to be involved in all your activities, travels and friends. And, once you fall in love with her, you will just naturally want to include her as your newest family member. For more Sugar reports, give GRR a call. You will be writing your own Sugar reports back to us after a couple of days!

> My Foster Dad said I should write you and tell you that we have a big
weekend planned. We are all getting in the car and going to Houston to
see Paddy and her two cats. On the way, if PJ and I are good, we get to
stop in Giddings and get a French Fry. My mouth is drooling just thinking
about that.
>
> In Houston they have two cats and Paddy has neat new toys. One of the
cats runs from me so I chase her all the time. Lots of fun! One time I
got her into a corner. That darn cat pulled a knife on me. I was so
excited, I did not even feel the cut till Mom found blood on the carpet.
Now they call me "Old Scar Nose" in Houston. Dad put some salve on me
nose, I licked it off and I was better. Can't wait to get that kitty
again. I promise I will be nice if she keeps that knife hidden!
>
> Dad says this email is rambling, but when you have a brain the size of a
golf ball, ideas just fly in and out so fast I can not get them all down.
I know finding a forever family for a teenager is hard, but I am a good
watch dog too.
>
> Yesterday, there were workmen in the house. Mom put PJ and me behind
the baby gate and then left. I knew there were workmen there, they
probably needed my help or me to run them off or something. I got so
frustrated, I chewed up one of Mom's slippers. You know what is inside a
slipper? Teddy Bear guts! Yep. That is what's in those suckers..
>
> Dad took PJ and me out behind the school last weekend. He let me off
lead even though it is against the rules and PJ and I ran and ran. Many
interesting smells back there. We ran into the FFA lot and found a girl
walking her goat. Not much of a pet! They got all flustered. You know a
goat bucks like a horse? I did not know that. But they have very
interesting poop! Dad says that now that I know how to come when I am
called, he is going to take me swimming at the dog park with the other big
dogs. PJ said she would teach me how to swim if I can not figure it out.
>
> Well got to go. Find me a forever home. I have this place all figured
out now and really want to get on with my life. Any prospective GRR
families you want me to visit in Houston?
> CU Later, love,
> Sugar

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