ADOPTED

Waffles grew up in a house full of kids who adored him, but a Golden Retriever puppy turned out to be a bit too active for mom a`nd dad!—and with a move to a new home in the works, the decision was made to surrender young Waffles to GRR. Here’s what his foster mom has to say:

Waffles has been with us just over 2 weeks now. He is doing great. At about 6 1/2 months old (he was born on January 3, 2005), he weighs in at 43 pounds. He is a bouncy dark red boy who likes to tear through the house, leaping over anything in his path, including our Golden Abigirl—who has finally decided it is okay to play with the young dynamo. She manages to keep him engaged by lying in one spot as he pushes, pulls, bites on her ears, and pounces.

Waffles likes binkies, stuffed toys, balls, swimming, car rides, walks, playing with other dogs at the dog park, and chasing birds in the backyard. He has had a couple of play dates with puppy Caroline (see her story in the “Adopted” listings above), exhibiting his keen agility at keep-away. He responded well to discipline from Caroline’s older “sister,” Chili, when she felt he got a bit over-exuberant. He will play fetch for short periods, but has not yet learned to give up the toy consistently on the command “drop.” He responds to “come” if there are no distractions, and with a little more work, might actually be trustworthy off-leash at some point!

He is learning to walk well on lead. As long as he can set a brisk pace, he’ll walk on a slack leash about 70% of the time—but when he see other dogs, cats, or people approaching, he will strain to get close to meet all those new friends. A firm “Waffles, sit,” followed by a hand on his chest to keep him sitting, will control him till the distraction passes. He knows “heel” when we do our training sessions, but right now he won’t take more than a step or two at heel when on walks. All in good time!

Waffles is completely housebroken—from his first day here!—but so far he associates the command “go potty” (to which he responds immediately) with the backyard alone. He doesn’t think that walks are for anything but smelling the roses (or grass, trees, fire hydrants, other dogs, etc.)—so no matter how long we’re out and about, he waits patiently until we get home, then goes out back to do his business.

He is a bit of a counter-surfer. He figures if it smells good and no one is around, it must be fair game. Last evening he was left on the porch with the bbq when my husband Ralph went inside to get something. Left alone with the steak that rested on the sideboard, Mr. W. decided it needed a taste test! It’s a good thing he has to smell everything before tasting, and nibbles rather than gobbles …. the roar of alarm from the steak’s rightful owner was probably heard up in Round Rock, but the steak survived minus a small bite, and thank goodness our guests are also dog lovers. Waffles exhibits absolutely no guilt at being caught in these escapades, though I will say that when I scold him he does try to make up afterward.

He had a fair amount of skin irritation when he arrived at our home, but it has cleared up beautifully. No more flaking or rashes. His coat is looking much more lustrous as well. His energy level is extraordinary! No matter how much activity he gets during the day, he has been waking Ralph in the middle of the night for play sessions. At least he lets ME sleep, though … and eventually, we know he’ll get to the point of sleeping through the night himself, too.

That’s Waffles’s story to date. I will have him write his own report next time!

 

View Pictures Here