Adopted
Jude A little
over a month ago, we heard there might be a GR puppy at a local shelter. When
our volunteer called to check, she said: “They told me they don’t have a pup,
but they DO have an adult Golden in really rough shape. Possible mange? They
will not be able to keep this dog, so if he’s a Golden & we can bring him in, we
will need to move QUICKLY.” That dog was Jude, and he is doing great in foster
care. Here is his foster mom’s report:
When I first heard of Jude, a stray with mange, I was a little apprehensive to
say the least. He was going to be my very first foster dog! But one look at him
wagging his tail as we did the hand-off, and I knew I was doing the right thing.
I can’t believe a dog this sweet, who is going to make someone such a great pet
(and I believe he must have been someone’s indoor pet before), was so close to
being put to sleep.
It isn’t totally clear that Jude did have mange – it may have been really severe
fleabite dermatitis – but he is getting mange treatments just to be sure. In
mid-June, he’ll have another check up. Right now, the hair on his underside is
still real thin, but other than that, he is great.
He is not one of those dogs who is happy in a crate. He is just too much of a
people dog to want to spend time in there! That’s why a family who’s home a lot
would be a great match for him. Plus, he has proven himself trustworthy and has
never had an accident in the house. I do close off some rooms when I am at work
during the day, because he can get nosy when I am gone. Right after he arrived,
he had a field day doing a few “alterations” on some blankets and pillows, but a
scolding seemed to stop him. He still pulls pillows off the couch, but he hasn’t
chewed them again. He loves bones, stuffed animals and Kongs—of course, the
stuffing in the plushies doesn’t last long!
Jude loves to be petted, so much so that sometimes my hand gets tired! He loves
being brushed and changes sides for me by himself when he is ready for the other
side to get attended to.
Due to his skin condition, I haven’t been able to let him spend time with other
dogs or kids, but I am optimistic he’d be great around them. He loves all adults
and quickly bonds with anyone. The dogs next door bark at him all the time, but
he doesn’t bark back, just stands at the fence and wags his tail.
I let him sleep in my bedroom and he loves that. It is all about people for him.
He likes the bed, but sometimes he winds up on the floor.
Jude is a quick learner. He knows SIT, STAY, and NO. But he also knows how to
put his head down and look up at you with his big baby browns. He knows how to
play the game!
He loves the car and looks forward to rides. I am just trying to teach him to
stay in the back, because he get overexcited sometimes and comes up in the
front, knocking things over and trying to sit on my lap—and he’s a bit large for
a lap dog! That is when I say “no” and he puts his chin on my thigh as I am
driving and looks up at me with those baby browns.
I can’t think of much more to add about this lover boy – I think I have hit the
big things. My final comment: if I were at home more, I would adopt him in a
heartbeat, but Jude LOVES people and deserves a nice family to give him lots of
attention. You can’t help but fall in love with him!