Adopted
Marilynne...
Just a bit over 40 pounds, Marilynne is a svelte blonde sprite. She’s so small,
we think there might be some kind of beautiful smaller breed back there in the
family tree… but whatever her genetics, she’s a gorgeous girl who’s 100% Golden
in her personality, friendliness, and heart. She came to GRR after her owners
dropped her off at the shelter. They didn’t realize that young, people-loving
dogs aren’t intended to live all alone outdoors, and they got exasperated when a
bored Marilynne dug the occasional hole or jumped up on them in excitement when
they walked out the back door. Thankfully, Marilynne’s yard-dog days are now
behind her! She is loving her new indoor life and quickly learning good house
manners.
In a month of indoor foster-home living she has earned her right to have free
run of the house, whether we’re home or not. She is wonderfully house-trained.
Sometimes she just camps in her crate with the door open to take a break from
the action. At other times, she IS the action!
Marilynne is full of pep and really wants to play with other dogs—she does lots of dashing around and presses our two nine-year-old Golden boys to play, even when they aren’t exactly in the mood! It’s fun to see her “dig out” and run like a rabbit when she tries to get them to chase her around the yard. She jumps like a springbok gazelle when she’s playing and needs to go over something. She loves to have a toy or ball in her mouth, and will try to play keep-away, though she’s not at all possessive when we take her “prize.” She and our Sam have developed a “bitey face” play routine and will occupy themselves playing in the family room, the den, the back yard, or the bedroom—wherever someone else can be in the area or room with them. We don’t know how she will behave with a cat, although she seems curious about them when she sees them outside.
She’s smart, adaptable, and happy. She has a confidence that would probably surprise anyone who knew her before. At first she was reluctant to get into the car, but now she hops right in: she’s learned that a ride usually ends with a walk in the park, a swim in the pond, or even a swim at Town Lake or Zilker! She loves to ride now, and loves to swim even more. She was initially afraid of the water, but now she leaps off the kayak ramp into Town Lake to fetch her tennis ball or other floating toys. She’s a strong and fast swimmer. What a change we have seen!
Marilynne likes to go for walks. She likes to be in front but doesn’t pull a lot, and walks nicely when she’s reminded to be more ladylike! She is beginning to learn not to jump up to greet people, but she does like to reach up with her front paws and touch your legs or clothes. We enjoy her a lot and are sure she’ll continue to improve her manners even more as time goes on.
She’s a little shy and tentative in new situations—and almost everything seems new to her. Remember that until now she mostly saw her backyard and nothing else! She’s got a lot of energy – but what 18-month old Golden doesn’t? She will be wonderful with an active family, or young couple, and will fit in with another dog very well. Marilynne may look small, but her personality and spirit will fill a home with love and fun! (And she’s got movie-star looks, too – there’s a reason the GRR matchmakers fondly call this pretty blonde “Marilynne Monruff”!)