Adopted
Zach
is a wonderful, wonderful boy—handsome, friendly, and so companionable. He is a
red Golden at a perfect weight of 62 pounds. He came to GRR with a few medical
problems: low thyroid, stiff joints, and hot spots. Today, everything is better!
He takes a thyroid pill once a day, and his skin is improving. In fact, he got a
good bath with medicated shampoo on his first day in foster care, and in all my
years of grooming dogs, cats, a donkey, horses, etc., I have not had a
better-mannered animal than Zach. I loved the way he held his chin up so that
hot spot on his neck could be washed and rinsed. It must have felt good! For his
stiff hips, he takes glucosamine in his food, and for now he’s doing great.
Zach is not a barker or a jumper, and he doesn’t destroy things. In fact, his
favorite
thing to do in the house is to lounge around on his pillows and blankets. If you
put a blanket down on the floor... he is on it! He’ll sleep on his own bed (next
to yours) all night, and greet you with a happy face when you decide to get up.
He'll hang out with you all day—just being in the same room with you is enough
to keep him happy. He does play with the other dogs and toss around a plushie or
two for short periods of time, but when he’s indoors, he mostly just relaxes.
… But the great outdoors is a different story! When we let Zach go for a swim,
he’ll stay in the water until we tell him to come out. He’ll even sneak off and
go for a dip on his own.... he loves it! If you have the hose running, he’ll sit
in front of you and lift his chin up so you can spray that favorite spot on his
neck. You can just see him saying, “Ahhhh!” Funny and very cute.
Zach has a favorite kitty pal, Rufus, and he’s always on the lookout for his
buddy. When he sees him, Zach runs to meet him across the field. They greet each
other, and then the two of them will walk side by side back to where you
are—with Zach wearing a big, happy grin and wagging his tail. Too cute! Zach
also likes to wander our seven acres looking for new smells, but he always comes
when called. If you are working outside, he isn't far from you. He gets along
perfectly with all the animals on the farm, though he does like to show the
donkey who’s boss! (Good thing the donkey is on the other side of the fence.)
Zach is a wonderful, loving boy, and he’s in heaven when you are hugging,
petting, or grooming him. If you leave the car door open... look out! He’ll jump
in, and you MUST take him for a ride before he’ll get out. And when you see that
happy face at the thought of a ride… well, of course you’re going to take him
for a spin! Going for walks is another great idea in Zach’s opinion, and he
walks well on a leash. He gets a little excited at the vet’s and may pull on the
lead when going in, but during his appointments he’s a perfect gentleman, just
relaxing on the floor and letting the doctor do what needs to be done.
Like many Goldens, Zach doesn’t care for thunder and lightning; he gets anxious
and begins to pant. During the last storm, I found him on the bed with his head
hidden up against my back for security! As the storm passed, he jumped off and
went back to his own bed.
My husband allowed him on the couch one night.... and Zach just thinks that is
the greatest treat! But he only hops up when Dad invites him.
Zach would be perfect for a person who wants a constant companion, someone who
will be happy to do just about everything with a dog “assistant” at hand! He
seems to like women in particular. He came from a home with children and is fine
with them, but a lot of rough-housing isn’t a good idea, given his stiff hips.
Zach does not have any bad habits… he just wants to be loved and loved and
adored and loved and adored. Did I mention, he wants only to be loved??? And he
makes it so easy to love and adore him.