Adopted
Texas
is a 2-year old, auburn-haired sweetie who is going to be a shining star
in some lucky family’s home. Like so many rescue Goldens, she was mostly an
outdoor dog, and her owners eventually turned over to Gold Ribbon because she
was digging up the flowerbeds, chewing things up, and escaping from the yard… in
short, doing all the things that lonely outside Goldens do! Well, I just can’t
understand why they didn’t want this girl with them in the house 24 hours a day,
because you just won’t find a sweeter, calmer dog. Texas is happiest when you
are rubbing her head, belly, toes, tail… you get the picture. When you stop the
rubbing, a couple of pushy nudges of your hand quickly follow. She knows what
she wants and rubbing is definitely it. When she is not being petted she sits
quietly next to you with her head on the floor waiting for the next pet.
When
we first met Texas, she was sad, sore (post-spay), and a little confused. She
spent most of the night with her head in my lap and was not at all crazy about
the crate. However, by the very next day she realized that good things (treats
and praise) come when she’s in her crate, and that she can go there to have her
own little place without being far from the family. Texas didn’t know her basic
commands, either, but she is so smart that in only a short time she has learned
SIT, DOWN, COME, PLACE (she goes to her crate on command), and even how to shake
paws. She is a champ at WAIT— you can walk ahead of her into the house, and she
will wait at the door until you release her. The one skill that gives Texas
trouble is leash walking. She’s own girl, and when she is on the lead she often
becomes a lot more interested in everything that’s all around her—cats, smells,
other dogs, and people (mostly the people!)—than in walking next to you. She
just needs more work on learning that hey, there is someone on the other end of
the leash doing the leading!
I have no trouble grooming Texas and cleaning her ears. You can tell it isn’t
her favorite thing in the world (belly rubs and petting take that honor), but
she tolerates it and doesn’t squirm or run away.
At first, Texas was really afraid of the car, but that didn’t last long. We have
taken some fun trips to play with other dogs and sit at coffee shops around lots
of other people. So, she now sits nicely in the back and enjoys the ride.
She is food motivated enough to learn tricks, but not so much that it is an
obsession. When it comes to playing, she is much more interested in some type of
food toy like a chew biscuit or a pork skin bone than in balls or tugs. She will
chase balls or some other toy for a little while but quickly lies down in front
of you for more pets and belly rubs.
I just can’t emphasize enough what a sweet, smart, and calm dog Miss Texas 2007
is! She is waiting to nuzzle and snuggle with you forever.